issue 8

IN THIS ISSUE

Got vocals?

Dorm life returns

Students perform at a virtual Voice Recital Variety Show.

PAGE 7.

SSU is now accepting applications to live on campus next semester.

PAGE 9.

Pandemic-style fun SSU students share how to have fun, despite the pandemic.

PAGE 5.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 87 // ISSUE 8 MARCH 16, 2021 - APRIL 5, 2021

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

Stimulus checks arrive; students are included

QUINN MCKIBBIN STAFF WRITER

A

STAR // Zena Bounsall Construction slowly continues on Stevenson Hall. All that is left of the building now is the concrete foundation.

Stevenson Hall renovations delayed until Spring 2023

WILLY LEPORI

STAFF WRITER

H

ead of planning for Sonoma State, Christopher Dino, has informed the University population that complications in scheduling led to the delay for renovating Stevenson Hall, which was expected to be done by fall 2022.

Stevenson Hall is a three-story 140,000 square building that houses the offices for the Business, Economics, Education, select Extended & International offices, and Social science departments.The original renovation plans were slated for completion by Fall of 2022.

Stevenson Hall has been a landmark for SSU since the start of the University in the 1960’s, it was built in 1967 and still stands today in the year 2021.

The new due date for the completion of the renovations is now set for spring 2023. Officials now claim that they will be able to welcome back staff and students to the building at the start of that semester.

This fact raised the question for some: Why is the project being delayed despite the campus being empty since March?

“You would think they have a good head start on the project during this time.” Anthony Felicano, a Sonoma State alumnus said when asked about the renovations projects.

Recent wildfires and the pandemic in Sonoma County these past years are also to blame for the delay, and the overall complexity in the plans which was underestimated also contributed to the delay of the renovations.

“We will continue to work closely with all the associated agencies to respond to any plan check review comments, to move the project forward as quickly as possible,” said Dino when asked about the delay in the project.

Katelyn Dodge, in an article written for the STAR about the first phase of Stevenson renovations, said the goal of this project is to offer students and staff

merican’s making under $120,000 per year have begun receiving their third rounds of stimulus checks or are slated to receive them shortly after months of onerous deliberations from Congress. While the stimulus checks came much later than some Americans hoped for, students in particular were thankful for this round of checks after many of them being excluded from the first two rounds of checks.

John Sutherland, SSU student who received his check said, “while it’s better late than never, I’m just happy to receive the check.” He went on to say he’ll be “putting most of the check into savings.” Many more SSU students who haven’t been eligible for the first two rounds of the stimulus, are happy to be receiving it this time around.

As the third round of stimulus checks is being spread throughout the country, many people including the homeless were left wondering how exactly they’ll receive their highly anticipated check. While Americans have to take no additional steps in order to receive their checks, homeless people without a physical address or a bank account will have to go through a different process to receive their stimulus checks.

If an individual is homeless, they’ll have to go to a tax return office where they will file an Economic Impact Payment return for you. Afterwards the stimulus check will be loaded onto a debit card. If one is homeless and uses this process to receive your previous stimulus checks, according to MarketWatch they “should have automatically received their second $600 stimulus check and will receive their third in the same manner.”

Rob Eyler, economist and interim initial public offering at Sonoma State, said “As an economist, I think the checks are good if they help bridge lower-income households to broader economic recovery and reduce the “K-Shaped” recovery that has emerged in terms of lower-income households being more negatively affected by job loss and income loss as a result of the current recession. We will see see STIMULUS CHECKS on pg. 4

see CONSTRUCTION DELAY on pg. 4

COURTESY // Instagram Jackie Elward, vice-mayor of Rohnert Park, in front of ‘The Friendly City” sign. She recieved an anonymous racist call over her stance on a recent fireworks ban.

Fireworks ban sparks a racist attack against Rohnert Park Vice Mayor BRYCE GALLAGHER STAFF WRITER

W

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein The Rohnert Park City Council met in March to disscuss new climate ordinances and the general climate plan through 2030.

Rohnert Park city council passes new resolution to combat climate change

SAMANTHA PEZZOLA STAFF WRITER

I

n response to concerns about climate change, specifically wildfire season in the Sonoma County area, the Rohnert Park City Council passed a resolution to combat catastrophe in an effort that runs parallel to California’s initiative to become more environmentally conscious.

With wildfires regularly ravaging areas of Sonoma County for the last few years between the months of September and November, the city has taken precautions seriously and has adhered to not allowing fireworks within the vicinity of the Rohnert Park area, in a bill passed on March 9.

“We are not ignoring the climate crisis and we are taking action against local see CLIMATE CHANGE on pg. 4

ith documented racial tension on the rise across America in the last few years, it was seemingly only a matter of time before Sonoma County was in the spotlight for acts of discrimination On March 16, Vice Mayor of Rohnert Park, Jackie Elward, was the victim of a racist verbal attack over the phone from a community member opposing Elward’s stance on banning firework sales in the city.

Rohnert Park is one of two cities in Sonoma County that still allows the sale and use of fireworks, but concerns of public safety has prompted some city council members, Elward included, to call for the ban.

Elward, who became the first black woman elected to the city council last November, likes to make herself as accessible as possible for members of the community to voice their opinions.

“I understand that in my role as a Council Member there will be times that I make decisions that some people in our community will disagree with. It comes with the job,” Elward stated in a Facebook post on March 16.

She said, “As such, I will always do my best to be accessible to everyone via email or phone regardless of our differences.”

Sadly, this left the door open for an anonymous caller to berate Elward with racial slurs and other derogatory statements.

“You are free to call me and be angry with me. I have thick skin and can take it,” Elward said in a Press Democrat article, “However, as happened earlier today, I will not tolerate being told to go back to Africa along with being called the N word. This is totally unacceptable.”

While she held her composure during the incident, there’s no doubt that this attack will stick with Elward for the rest of her life.

“Why do people feel the need to go the extra mile to hurt like that?” Elwards said in an interview with The Press Democrat, “Do you really have to bring racial slurs to make yourself feel better?”

Elward’s supporters quickly rallied behind her and showed their support for both her and other facing discrimination in the area.

“It is 100% crucial that the people who commit these hate acts are revealed to the public. This person, whomever they are, is completely comfortable doing this and we cannot enable their behavior,” stated Sonoma County resident Jana Blunt in a comment under Elward’s Facebook post, see WOMEN IN POLITICS on pg. 4

2 Editorial THE STAR Editorial Board

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

CSU hires more police officers despite lack of funding

Kylie Rose Lawrence, Editor-in-Chief Kristina Schmuhl, News Editor Katelyn Dodge, Opinion Editor Christy Chew, Arts & Entertainment Editor Myles Grabau, Student Life Editor Emily Cripe, Health & Wellness Editor Brandon Sparks, Photo Editor Gil Chaffer, Copy Editor Bryce Gallagher, Distribution Manager Devon Pique, Format Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers Callie Adams, Emily Alvarado, Jayline Alvarado, Julia Blair, Kaitlin Breen, Cheyenne Carroll, Katlyn Dodge, Casey Fabbri, Sumiko Fong, Bryce Gallagher, Gabriella Hermogeno, Olivia Hughes, Nancy Insua, Willy Lepori, Quinn McKibbin, Caroline Morales, Samantha Pezzola, Noah Philpott, Anthony Pilotti, Mary Helen Rowell, Matthew Smith, Vincent Spence, Isabelle Barkey, Pammy Meyers, Andrew Savedra

Photographers KC Holtemann, Ileana Aleman, Sondra Ottenstein, Morgan Mitchell, Zena Bounsall

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:

“Tik Tok implements new safety features to protect users’ mental health” Read the article on page 11.

Have an opinion?

We’d like to hear from you!

The STAR welcomes letters to the editor at star@sonoma.edu

C

alifornia State Universities have begun hiring more police officers, with Sonoma State hiring two new officers, one fulltime and the other part-time.

The salary of the full-time officer is, at minimum, $6,686 per month, coming out to over $80,000 a year. The part-time officer will be receiving a salary, at minimum, of $3,576 per month, which is over $40,000 a year.

These new hirings are gratuitous. The pandemic continues to keep students from returning to campus, with Fall 2021 already being confirmed to not have a complete repopulation of students. The amount of money being allocated to officers, during a global pandemic, to supervise an empty campus is unnecessary. The CSU has now allocated over $1.9 million to hire more police officers as of July 2020, yet many faculty members have been laid off and classes have been cut due to a “budget crisis.”

Residential advisors (RAs) have been the first responders to almost every situation on campus, not the campus police. Any parties or other disturbances tend to be handled by the RAs, while the police have no involvement. The RA budget was cut drastically, leaving more than half the former RAs without jobs this past year. But, instead of hiring back more RAs with this newfound budget of almost $2 million, the CSUs have

STAR // Lily Frazier

decided to spend it on hiring more police officers. This money could be spent on restoring the jobs of former faculty members and students, or on restoring the funding that was recently cut in half for a lot of programs at SSU. “I pay thousands of dollars a semester to receive an education and they’ve been totally lacking in giving me a good one, specifically because we’re underfunded...To hire more police on an already small campus with barely any students living there and low crime is ridiculous,” said Lauren Slotsve, a senior art major at Sonoma State.

Many students studying art have become increasingly frustrated with the little amount of classes Sonoma State offers. Only one photography class is being offered next semester, causing a delayed graduation for some students. On top of that, the small amount of faculty available in the arts program, due to limited funding, has led to many classes being abandoned.

Some art students end up staying more than four years due to this, placing them even further into student debt.

The “budget crisis” the CSU has reported led to IRA’s, or Instructionally Related Activities, receiving massive cuts. IRA funds go towards many programs on campus, including the STAR, KSUN, music, dance, and more. Why can’t the money that is being given to these new police hirings be used to refund the IRA programs that were just cut?

Another area of the CSU that deserves more attention than the police is the mental health needs of students.

Many counselors have been laid off due to the “budget crisis,” but during such a stressful time for all students across the world, those counselors are needed more than ever for students to talk to. According to the American Psychological Association, “95% of college counseling center directors surveyed said the number of students with significant psychological problems is a growing concern in their center or on campus...70% of directors believe that the number of students with severe psychological problems on their campus has increased in the past year.”

A mental health crisis in college students, during a global pandemic, warrants funding more than the campus police.

When the SSU campus police were questioned about this issue, they had no comment.

It is absurd that so many other programs and schools on campus experienced massive budgets cut, but the police continue to receive more funding. With less students on campus, there is no need to hire more police officers. The almost $2 million spent on these hirings could have been spent on programs that sorely need it, or to rehire faculty and students who lost their jobs due to a lack of funding.

Publication The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Sonoma Media Group. The weekly publication of the STAR is made possible by Instructionally Related Activities Funding.

Opinions

Opinions expressed in the STAR are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the STAR or SSU. The editorial reflects the views of the STAR Editorial Board on issues it considers to be of particular relevance to the campus community.

Letters to the Editor

Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts.

The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication.

COURTESY // Flickr.com

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

Opinion 3

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021 sonomastatestar.com

NFT: The next greatest digital opportunity NFT to create and sell art that is considered

data rot into consideration, this makes it dif-

the case. “On OpenSea and Raible, two ma-

to be one-of-a-kind pieces that can be bought

ficult for NFT artwork to be a new version of

jor NFT platforms, you don’t have to verify

or traded.

a fine art collection as one’s collection could

you own something before putting it on the

not exist in ten years.

blockchain. Verifying yourself on these plat-

According to Mitchell Clark, a news

RACHEL GONZALEZ

STAFF WRITER

D

igital art has been taken to a whole new level thanks to the umbrella concept NFT. Not

only has this new form of cryptographic token allowed artists to make a remarkable amount of money, but it also has caught the eyes of those who believe it can make it a “get rich quick” scheme.

However, NFT does come with concerns, such as not lasting forever or being stolen, which makes it difficult to have it be considered a long-lasting trend in the art collection world.

NFT stands for a non-fungible token and is described as a cryptographic token that is not mutually interchangeable—meaning that it cannot be replaced for something else and is unique. As a result of NFT, digital artists have used

writer for The Verge, “most NFTs are part of

As NFT artwork profit began to skyrock-

forms is also not difficult…” wrote Stephen.

the Ethereum blockchain,” which is a form of

et, Youtuber Logan Paul immediately jumped

Though the artwork on marketplaces may ap-

cryptocurrency. But, what exactly are people

to take advantage of the lucrative opportuni-

pear fine and unique, there is a possibility the

buying and why? Those who can afford it can

ty NFT can offer. “He sold NFT video clips,

art pieces people are buying are stolen and

buy anything digital, such as artwork. For ex-

which are just clips from a video you can

not from the original artist. This particular

ample, digital artist Beeple, auctioned a digi-

watch on Youtube anytime you want, for up

challenge makes it difficult for this to become

tal art piece at Christie’s, an auction compa-

to $20,000.” wrote Clark. Logan Paul saw this

a long-lasting trend for the world of art, as

ny, for $69 million, which is $15 million more

as a financial opportunity, as an artist would,

artists and sometimes consumers are par-

than Monet’s painting that was sold in 2014.

but it is clear that it was strictly for a pay-

ticular about copyright and where their art is

Those who are buying NFTs believe that the

check. Actions like his make it frustrating for

coming from.

artwork is the future for fine art collecting,

those who take artwork seriously and should

Being a part of NFT is a great opportu-

as prices like Beeples, show a significant

be considered as a concern for the longevity

nity for digital artists; it allows them to

amount of value in the digital collector world.

and seriousness of the NFT marketplace.

market themselves and pursue their dreams.

What can be challenging for NFT pieces

There will be more people like Paul who

However, NFT artwork being bought should

to become the new form of fine art collect-

will take advantage of the NFT umbrella for

not be considered a new form of collect-

ing is the possible chance that the data itself

money. This isn’t to say NFT shouldn’t be

ing fine art. Just because some of the art

can deteriorate, causing it to essentially “fall

used to make money; NFT is an ability to

produced by people like Logan Paul is pur-

apart”. Data degradation, also known as bit

make money for those pursuing art as a ca-

chased, it should not be considered ‘fine art.

rot, is the process in which digital data be-

reer, not for Youtubers to take advantage of

Overall, the NFT artworks only rely on the

comes obsolete and cannot be accessed. “...

their subscriber’s loyalty for a quick buck.

value given by those who purchase them.

image quality deteriorates, file formats can’t

NFT artwork can also be stolen. Accord-

There is no guarantee their pieces will be ac-

be opened anymore, websites go down,

ing to Bijan Stephen, a reporter for The Verge,

cessible in the future due to bit rot and the

people forget the password to their wallets,”

some artists are struggling with theft and im-

evolution of technology. Though physical art

stated Clark. The digital artwork that is being

personation. Artists believe that artwork and

pieces can be damaged, they can still be ad-

bought technically has no guarantee for last-

the artist need to be verified before placing

mired whereas inaccessible, and possibly sto-

ing as long as people may want it to. Taking

pieces on the market, but this is not always

len data, can’t be.

GameStop prices skyrocket due to Reddit ly,’ which was a Reddit movement that

when someone “sells stocks in advance of

shares users could purchase. “The table

strongly encouraged users of the Robin-

acquiring them, with the aim of making a

below shows the maximum number of

hood stock service to buy the stock en

profit when the price falls.” Many signifi-

shares and options contracts to which you

masse. A popular subreddit page, called

cant investors will put their money into

can increase your positions,” Robinhood

Wall Street Bets, with a following of 2.2.

failing stocks with plans to ‘short’ them

stated on January 31. “These limits may

million at the time of the stock surge ral-

later on for a profit.

be subject to change throughout the day.”

lied its users to purchase massive amounts

Before the stock surge, Melvin Capi-

The limit meant confining users to pur-

tal, a prominent hedge fund investor,

chasing only one GameStop stock. This

Robinhood investors have been ste-

shorted the GameStop stock. Former

cutoff from the trading app led to the de-

reotyped as amateur millennial investors

Chewy CEO Ryan Cohen joined Melvin

cline of the stock price for a short while.

who are too lazy to research the stocks

Capital in 2020, which brought special at-

Reddit users were not done though as the

they are buying. However, investors may

tention to the table, all eyes on the grow-

stocks rose again when restrictions eased.

have some advantages over older hedge

ing hedge fund. Andrew Left, part of an-

Since January, the stock has once again

fund shorters and traders alike though,

other group shorting GameStop, Citron

increased to $206.20. While it is unclear

with events such as the ‘Reddit Rally’

Research, said he covered his short posi-

what the ending of this Robinhood Rally

they are able to better plan out their trad-

tion “at a loss, 100%.” Multiple organiza-

will look like, one thing is certain; Robin-

ing. They have demonstrated their ability

tions had planned to short GameStop at

hood investors won this round.

to coordinate a large-scale purchasing

an increase to their wallets and at a detri-

App-based traders have been put

of one stock, which proved to be a cata-

ment to the stock. GameStop’s stock has

down a lot lately because of their illegiti-

strophic weapon. With more than 7 mil-

been on a decline for the past five years,

macy; they are still an unknown player

lion users, Reddit now has the numbers to

so shorting this stock seemed like a safe

in terms of the stock market. After rais-

create massive stock surges at will.

bet before the ‘Reddit Rally.’ So, when the

ing the GameStop stock price so high in

subreddit grew in popularity, it was able

such a short period of time, they are earn-

to make an impact.

ing respect from more prominent names.

of the GameStop.

ANDREW SAVEDRA

STAFF WRITER

O

n January 27, 2021, GameStop’s publicly traded stock skyrocketed to a price of

$347.51 per share, which was $328.51 more than the value of the stock only ten days before. In a matter of days, GameStop’s market cap reached $33.7 billion, up from $1.2 billion at the end of December. This massive surge was primarily due to users on the social media platform Reddit intentionally driving up the stock price. Reddit is an online community where people can meet to talk about their interests in forums, a plethora of these communities based around trading stocks.

With users beginning a ‘Reddit Ral-

To fully understand why this surge was a significant win for small investors and a substantial loss for big players, one

GameStop stock trading got so popu-

All the while, they are making a decent

must first understand shorting. As de-

lar on stock trading apps, such as Robin-

amount of money from their inflation of

scribed by Oxford Languages, shorting is

hood, that the app limited the number of

the stock prices.

March stimulus check for cheap clothes or nessesities?

The clothing company, Fashion Nova,

Nova Cares with Cardi B initiative, in collab-

good PR for the company or to stay relevant

was found guilty of this on March 16 as they

oration with rapper Cardi B, Fashion Nova is

with current events. However, it was not

began to send out a promotion via text mes-

to donate $1 million. With that, $1000 will be

taken well by the public as many thought it

sage to those who subscribe to the brand’s

given away to a person in need who is hav-

was insensitive. It has also caused a group

text updates. The text stated, “When That

ing trouble paying for essential things such

of women who disagreed with the COVID-

Stimulus Deposit Hits, Save Up To 80% Off

as, food, bills or medical-related services an

19 advertisements to allege in a class-action

Sitewide.” Since this text went out, Fashion

hour as a way to atone for their tasteless mar-

lawsuit against the company.

Nova has been receiving backlash from those

keting promotion from earlier that week.

With these companies using COVID-19

SUMIKO FONG

who received the text. On Twitter, people are

In addition to Fashion Nova, Reese

as a gimmick to promote their products and

D

posting screenshots of the text and stating

Witherspoon’s clothing and accessory brand,

it is not surprising that people are going to

ue to the COVID-19 pandemic,

that it was extremely tone-deaf because the

Draper James, is also receiving backlash for

find these advertisements upsetting.COV-

individuals are receiving stimu-

checks are supposed to be spent on essential

one of their recent marketing campaigns.

ID-19 in general is a touchy subject for many

lus checks as a way to continue

products. The Insider reposted a tweet from

Draper James advertised a “COVID-19

people which can cause these promotions to

providing necessities, such as groceries

Youtuber Jessi Smiles stating, “All we get for

Giveaway” where they intended to thank

come off more insensitive and ignorant than

and bill payments for their households as

the foreseeable future is $1200 so go away

teachers for their efforts during the pandem-

well-wishing.

they did before the pandemic. This has

Fashion Nova I have groceries to buy,” and

ic. They intended to give away free dresses

According to the Corporate Finance In-

been extremely helpful for those who have

another tweet from Twitter user Mary Emilia

to every teacher that made a request for one.

stitute, the point of the stimulus checks is to

lost their jobs or for those who are facing

stating, “Fashion Nova is so wrong for this,

However, they received thousands of re-

give tax-paying consumers funds to spend

financial difficulties because of the pan-

the stimulus isn’t for shopping it’s for people

quests and only had 250 total dresses to give

to boost the economy. So while these cloth-

demic. However, there are companies that

who need it during such hard times, this is

away.

ing companies and their products are not

are utilizing these stimulus checks and

so ignorant.”

STAFF WRITER

Many of the teachers that entered the

deemed essential items, they are still a part

COVID-19 related bonuses as advertising

As of now, Fashion Nova is trying to

giveaway were left frustrated after the fact

of the economy. If a consumer decides to

strategies to entice people to spend their

make up for this insensitive advertisement

when the giveaway was turned into a raffle

spend their stimulus check on clothes, they

newly received money on items that are

by getting involved in a give-back campaign

because of the lack of product. This advertis-

are still using their check for what it was in-

not necessities.

for the pandemic. They started the Fashion

ing tactic was most likely a way to acquire

tended, to stimulate the economy.

4 News

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021

Students and homeless slated to recieve third round of stimulus checks

sonomastatestar.com

continued from pg. 1 how well that bridging takes place; the risks are that it only helps in the short term, is not spent, or creates more inf lation pressure than additional economic growth.”

A ‘K Shaped’ recovery happens when, after a recession of sorts, separate parts of the economy recover at different times and rates. He went on to say, “Whether the money is enough is very individual and depends on if the household that receives it needs more due to increased debt and expenses versus other households that have experienced a more stable experience with respect to the household’s economics since March 2020.”

Most stimulus checks should have been distributed countrywide to over 130 million Americans by March 17. Some recipients of the third stimulus check may have a delay in the deliverance of the check itself for a few reasons. If your address has changed or if you’ve moved since the COVID-19 pandemic began, you have to alert the USPS and the IRS of the changes and update them with a new address.

Once they’re updated with a new physical address, your stimulus check should be on its way in the mail. If you’ve had a baby in the past year or gained a new dependent, you have to make sure your taxes from 2020 are filed.

Last year on March 27, 2020 federal lawmakers issued a stimulus economic package of $2 trillion. This package will be putting checks of up to $1,200 per person directly into the bank accounts and pockets of many Americans countrywide in desperate need of an economic boost. Single adults with a reported income of under $75,000 on their 2019 tax returns will receive a check for $1,200 during the third round of stimulus checks. If you’re married and filed jointly with your partner, you’ll revive a check with $2,400 on it. For this round of stimulus checks, there’s about 15 million more citizens who are qualified to receive it. If your household income is over $120,000 as a whole, you may not be eligible to receive this stimulus check. If you still haven’t received your stimulus check and don’t know when you’ll be receiving it, you can track it and check on its status through the IRS’s main website at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.

STAR // Zena Bounsall Stevenson Hall is in the process of being stripped and gutted.

Scheduling issues and pandemic cause construction delay continued from pg. 1

of Sonoma State an ideal educational building with the added perk of being environment freindly. Something that is key for Sonoma State and California State schools across the state to keep a small carbon footprint.

The deteriorating building that was originally built in 1967, had been long due for an update when lawsuits of asbestos were filed in 2017. The new Stevenson will also be creating more space for classrooms in hopes of boosting enrollment.

“While we are disappointed about the delay, we are appreciative of the many years of collaborative partnership we have shared with the OSFM. We are also grateful for the support we have received from the Chancellor’s Capital Planning Design and Construction Office staff in working through the delays and advocating for our campus project,”said Dino.

While many were hoping for the return of the new Stevenson hall in August 2022, that excitement will have to wait until the spring semester of 2023.

COURTESY // Tracy Poueu-Guerrero Rohnert Park residents holding up signs opposing the new fireworks ban in the city.

The city council believes the ban will prevent wildfires in the future.

Climate change initiative includes ban on fireworks continued from pg. 1

climate impacts,” said Councilman Willy Linares.

Sonoma County’s response to climate change has a deep effect on all citizens as wildfires burn down homes, businesses and neighborhoods every year.

The bill states that building energy use and on-road transportation has been the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions. This bill aims to lower the percentage of these two emitters by the year 2030.

The city of Rohnert Park and its council members unanimously passed the initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. There has been a ban placed on purchasing, selling, and using fireworks use within the city limits in this agreement as well.

While this may relieve the concern of fires in the area and quell the anxiety of veterans dealing with PTSD, for others, fireworks bring in crucial funding that nonprofits rely on. Rancho Cotati High School softball coach Tracy Goetz says she relies on money donated to the team through the sale of fireworks. The ban comes as a disappointment as other sources of funding available are not as profitable. When looking at possibilities for other revenue streams, she conveys she no longer has a solid source of funding to boost programs such as purchasing of equipment, maintenance of fields, and everyday items required for the softball program to run smoothly.

Sharing her thoughts on the matter, Goetz gave a reason as to why she is opposed to council members banning fireworks within the city parameters.

“Team fireworks is 90% of our fundraisers. I’ve done a myriad of them. This has been by far the most lucrative fundraiser in the shortest amount of time, taking it away is a huge detriment to our program going forward,” she said.

She also stated how cognizant she is of veterans suffering PTSD, and how climate change is a pressing issue, and how residents do not need extra causes of wildfire in the area. She said that in her opinion, fireworks aren’t causing fires—climate change is.

Goetz provided her account saying the use of fireworks is not detrimental to the city’s efforts to boost their ‘go green initiatives’ but instead vitally important to organizations relying on sales of fireworks. “ My biggest concern about last night’s meeting is I was very upset. I feel like our city council members that voted for the ban aren’t looking at the big picture. Of course, we’re concerned about our wildlife fire none of that has never been linked to fireworks.

We’ve been through the process of approving safe fireworks. [Trying to connect things to it to serve a different purpose is what I feel like. The attitude is there is another way to fundraiser].”

Fireworks have been a topic of debate up for community members as of Thursday, March 16 when council members voted on their ban in Rohnert Park and Sonoma County.

Although some have raised concerns about the ban in regards to funding local sports teams, the City Council is following through with this idea in efforts to put a halt to fires.

Mayor Gerard Guidice who helped pass the climate bill says,” When we take an oath as a council member, we take an oath to protect the health and safety of the community.”

COURTESY // Instagram Jackie Elward dropping off her ballot at a Sonoma County ballot box in 2020.

Elward is the first black woman elected to the council in its history.

Sonoma County mayors condemn racist attack on Vice Mayor continued from pg. 1 The nine mayors of Sonoma County towns and cities came together to speak out against this offensive act, stating in a letter, “We condemn all threats and racist behavior used as weapons to intimidate any member of our community including our locally elected officials” Mayor of Rohnert Park, Gerard Guidice, commented more on the matter, calling the attack, “disgusting and racist” among other things.

“She’s living her American dream and it saddens me that someone would choose hatred in advocating for their personal agenda — in this case, fireworks,” Guidice said in a comment made to The Press Democrat.

It has been made clear that racism is unfortunately something that is still very prevalent in our community, however, an attack like this only strengthens its opposition.

“We need to be dealing with racism in Sonoma County,” Elward said. “It is a problem. Black female elected officials are being attacked.”

According to a research study done by MIT Technology Review, women in politics on average receive 12% more abuse online than men. They also claim that the attacks on women are much more personal than what men see.

The article states, “While male politicians primarily faced abuse that used general terms, women—and in particular, Representatives Alexandria OcasioCortez and Nancy Pelosi—were attacked with deeply personal and gendered language.”

Elward’s last statement on her Facebook is somewhat of a rallying cry for those who are looking to help create change in her community, “Rohnert Park, we can do better.”

News 5

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021 sonomastatestar.com

COURTESY// Petaluma Hills Farms Hoop houses, one method of growing cannabis, were criticized by some commenters during the planning meeting for taking away from natural outdoor beauty.

COURTESY// Sonoma Hills Farm Rows of ‘craft’ cannabis plants at Sonoma Hills Farm in Petaluma. The farm is a 40 acre sustainable farm located in the Petaluma Gap wine appellation.

Sonoma County Planning Commission considers ordinance to expand cannabis agricultural permits

ISABELLE BARKEY STAFF WRITER

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his month, staff members and District Planning Commissioners of Sonoma County met to discuss a new proposal that would change the nature of cannabis business in Sonoma County. A proposal was made to change parts of chapter 26 in the County Code and add a new chapter, 38, to expand the permit opportunities for Cannabis farmers. A General Amendment Plan was also proposed to change the Agricultural Resources Element to officially recognize marijuana as an agricultural crop.

Throughout March, virtual town hall meetings took place in which the public was asked to share their thoughts with the planning commissioners. On March 18, many attended a virtual meeting to speak up for their side on the proposal.

Odor is one of strongest complaints from those opposing the proposed ordinance.

Kate Moore, a woman who lives in Fulton, attended the meeting and spoke about the smell from cannabis farms. Moore claims to live more than 2000 feet downwind from a marijuana grow site and complained of “constant odor during every growing season” and went on to add that “research shows odor is detectable up to 3000 feet from a source.”

John Loe, a local cannabis farmer, said, “Legacy heritage farmers hope to have a clearer path to move forward so we can build our businesses and feed our families and use our land… some commenters [who own properties that smell of horse manure] said they oppose the ordinance because of the smell, they make up a story about smelling cannabis. I think they should be held to the same standards as everybody else.”

Environmental impact was one topic that was brought up multiple times by a variety of people.

“I am not anti-cannabis, I am pro-fish and pro-watershed health.” said Harriet Buckwalter, a co-chair of Friends of the Mark West Watershed, who opposed the ordinance for environmental reasons. Buckwalter claims that the health of the endangered Coho fish would be at risk if cannabis farms were to be built and run near Mark West Creek, as well as the overall health of the entire watershed.

Another deliberation throughout the meeting was how far cannabis farms must be from personal residences and schools. Joseph Perry, a member of Save Our Sonoma Neighborhoods and a Penngrove resident, opposed the 100 to 300 foot setbacks in the proposal and asked for a minimum of a 1000 foot setback.

Moira Jacobs, another attendee at the meeting, asked for a county wide Environ-

mental Impact Report for the ordinance as well, and echoed Perry’s concept of 1000 ft setbacks.

“This is a plant to manufacture a drug. You are in the drug business...Drug production is what you are dealing with, not traditional agricultural product,” Jacobs stated.

Joanna Cedar, from the Sonoma County Growers Alliance, responded to Jacobs, “Grapes are used to make wine, a drug, one that can have severe negative externalities.”

Herman G. Hernandez, an activist from Roseland, said, “[It is] unacceptable how our community continues to treat the cannabis industry as a second class business or criminal enterprise. It is unacceptable how the current ordinances create more barriers for local growers and opportunities for the cannabis industry must be treated just like any other agricultural business in Sonoma County.”

Many also argued that the cannabis industry is comparable to that of wine. Aaron Keefer, the vice president of Operations and Cultivation at Sonoma Hills Farm, believes that moving cannabis in the same direction as wine will attract “connoisseurs” and drastically improve the marijuana industry in Sonoma County.

“Cannabis is a plant with a nuanced flavor and terpene profile that is every bit as deserving of a sense of place as the most celebrated wines,” Said Keefer in a by-line about why appellation designations are essential to the future of craft cannabis farming, “Currently, consumers have no insight into where their Maui Wowie and Mendocino Purps are grown. It probably didn’t come from Mendocino, wasn’t grown in Hawaii, and was most likely planted in a freeway adjacent to a warehouse somewhere outside Los Angeles.”

The implementation of the General Amendment Plan would have changed this, however, after much deliberation, the District Planning Commissioners and staff members came to a straw vote, an unofficial vote to see where popular opinion stands, recommending the approval of Chapter 38, with changes, having a broad Environmental Impact Report done, and to not include the General Plan Amendment that would have classified cannabis as an agricultural crop and given those in the industry a leg up in business. Tax write offs and insurance benefits are two of many advantages marijuana farmers are currently missing out on. On April 15, the District Commissioners will meet again to go over their revisions, redo the straw vote and then send their conclusions to the board of Sonoma County Supervisors.

SSU community finds ways to have fun during pandemic GABRIELLA HERMOGENO STAFF WRITER

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ver a year after the global pandemic began, Sonoma State University students had no other choice, but to adapt to methods in order to socially connect with each other. Some students feel comfortable enough to pursue nightlife activities, but others have found that they can recreate similar “nightlife experiences” from the comfort of their homes.

Story responses from followers of the Sonoma State Star’s Instagram (@sonomastatestar) calculated that a majority of students prefer to stay home and do activities such as having dinners with roommates or staying in with friends to watch a movie.

Katherine Breeher, a fourth-year student at SSU, in response to the question, “What does your nightlife consist of now?” and “What do you do for fun?”, on the STAR’s Instagram page, said “Staying inside. Having one or two friends over.”

With many places being closed, it has inspired students to become more creative by partaking in activities that include doing arts and crafts, journaling, solving puzzles, painting and playing with their pets at home.

Isabel Tostado, a fourth-year Mathematics with a concentration in secondary teaching major at SSU said being inside during quarantine has allowed her to focus more into her creativity.

She said, “I found myself doing a lot of arts and crafts or activities that required a lot of focus such as doing puzzles.”

According to The Atlantic, they state, “These are trying, busy times. But art can act as a stress reliever, and there are lots of small ways to add creativity to your quarantine routine.”

While many students may prefer to stay indoors, others still enjoy being outdoors with activities such as hiking in Sonoma County or eating outdoors. Places such as the Simmer Claw Bar in Rohnert Park or at Lagunitas Brewing Company in Petaluma.

Anthony Baldini, a fourth-year Art major at SSU, often goes to the casino with friends and said, “There’s not much nightlife [there] because you can’t really talk to anyone except the people you go with.”

Another student, Katherine Lunsford, a fourth-year Wine Business and Management major, shared her thoughts on outdoor nightlife places.

“I applaud those restaurants who had to move their services outdoors and everyone working having to adapt to a new atmosphere,” Lunsford said, “I would fully describe it

as, you can only do so much and go to the same places because we are kind of limited still on what we can do during the night.”

Since quarantine, the SSU community has been scattered across California and many relocated into different kinds of living situations. Couples who live together learned more about their significant others, while those who were single found ways to bond with friends, family and roommates.

Carrie Li, a third-year Business Administration & Financial Management Major at SSU, shared some of her thoughts about living with her significant other.

“The pandemic has definitely helped my boyfriend and I become closer. I think we learned a lot about each other from a different perspective,” said Li, “With the pandemic being present for over a year, I am not happy about it, but I am very glad that my friend and family are healthy.”

On the other hand, Tostado expressed how being home throughout the year has positively impacted her social life.

“I try to cope with this by keeping in touch with my friends and family to kind of make up for the in person time that I may be losing with them,” Tostado said. “I felt the need to go out pretty often during this time, but knew that I should not be putting myself and others at risk as much as possible.”

According to data being tracked by the Sonoma County Health Department’s website, about 25% of the Sonoma County population are fully vaccinated. This data leaves individuals with the feeling of eagerness to go out and reconnect with their friends and family in person.

“I miss hanging out with my friends and I am genuinely excited for this pandemic to be over. It’s something that I look forward to because a whole year has been taken away from us.” Li stated.

STAR// Morgan Mitchell Masked customers sit at slot machines at the Graton Casino in Rohnert Park. Students who were regulars at the casino claim the experience isn’t the same because there is less talking and socializing.

6 Arts

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

COURTESY // Sonoma State

Cal State East Bay Professor Michael Hall’s recent work includes a series using watercolors.

COURTESY // Sonoma State

COURTESY // Sonoma State

Sonoma State Professor Nathan Haenlein’s current art series is compiled of nearly 400 drawings.

San Francisco State University Professor IIana Crispi displays series of work from the “Mission Dirt Project.”

to the public as well. We ended up cancelling the last two scheduled exhibitions of the Spring ‘20 semester and when it became clear we would still be working remotely in the Fall... we decided to start producing our exhibitions online.”

The faculty member from SSU featured in the gallery is Professor Nathan Haenlein, who teaches beginning printmaking, advanced drawing, and intermediate woodcut/etching this Spring semester.

The three pieces he chose to show in the gallery are mixed media drawings from his series ‘Marked Time,’ which he described as a “visual calendar,” where an outside viewer would see a colorful mix of lines and patterns, he sees events in his life.

“The works... are all abstract and it’s… about me solving a composition with the tools that I have, but that I’m doing it every day. I can see the events unfolding, whether it’s personal or, you know- I can see the election of Joe Biden… I can see the lockdown,” he said.

The three drawings he submitted to ART@CSU are emblematic of his large body of work, not meant to be seen as individually meaningful but exemplify the

meaning of the series as a whole.

“I think any one of the drawings or all of the drawings are just as good as every [other drawing] ... they’re interchangeable. Basically... the three examples are ones... that were photographed, but I don’t feel like any of the works are more or less important than any of the other ones,” Haenlein said.

He said the series, a body of close to 500 individual drawings, came out of a “previous body of work that were called Nap-Time Drawings,” after his first child was born. He drew small, easy-to-finish drawings while his son napped, and that inspired ‘Marked Time’.

While virtual exhibitions make viewing art safe and accessible to students, there is a much different process of putting an online gallery together, and it results in a dramatically different effect.

“In a physical gallery, a curator can move things around until they look right together; there is placement and lighting to consider. In an online exhibition, the technology has limitations beyond our control that determine how artwork can--or cannot be presented,” Stone wrote.

Virtual gallery spotlights CSU professors

CHEYENNE CARROLL

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STAFF WRITER

he Sonoma State Art Department put together a virtual gallery featuring work from art department faculty members from 19 of the 23 universities in the CSU system.

While the virtual gallery displays work from multiple different schools, the virtual exhibition is unique to SSU. Interim Gallery Director, Jen Bethke, curated the work for ART@CSU, and Exhibitions Coordinator and Collections Manager, Carla Stone put everything online.

Bethke’s intention was to spotlight one studio art faculty member from each CSU campus to create a sense of community during a time where people are isolated from each other.

“I thought it would be interesting to bring together CSU art departments from all over the state of California in this virtual format. I was very inspired by the diverse range of remarkable work our artist faculty are producing, and I hope it’s exciting for viewers of the online exhibition to be able to see all this art gathered in one place,” she wrote in an email.

Stone wrote in an email, “When the campus closed last March… the University Art Gallery closed its doors

Alcohol to-go sales on the rise during pandemic

COURTESY // Instagram

SIFF featured three Drive-In events at the Sonoma Skypark.

SIFF celebrates another successful virtual festival NANCY INSUA

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STAR // Sondra Ottenstein

Orders of mimosa’s waiting to go out to customers at Rohnert Park’s Cafe Mimosa.

STAFF WRITER

n March 24 to 28, Sonoma County held another successful year of the Sonoma International Live and Virtual Film Festival (SIFF). The event showcased over 120 films including over 20 premieres. They held three drive-in live events in Sonoma County and remained an innovative and notable film festival.

SIFF prides itself on the diversity of filmmakers and films alike. †hey showcase over their five-day festival as, “an entirely walkable and clickable five-day festival, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the best in independent film and filmmakers from around the world, inspiring savvy film lovers, and introducing the power of film to student filmmakers,” SIFF stated on their website.

They have dedicated themselves to upholding “the 50/50 gender party industry initiative, as well as films that cover the gamut of human experience.” It is truly special that Sonoma is home to a festival that is so noteworthy within the world of cinema.

The festival has received a long list of accolades since their origins in Sonoma County back in 1997. The combination of inspiring and experimental film with the beautiful location and treat of being held in wine country has made SIFF to be a very desirable film festival to attend.

J.D Heyman spoke to the uniqueness of a Sonoma County based film festival, he said, “SIFF is a jewel of a film festival: serious in its celebration of cinema, but as warm and inviting as Sonoma itself.

Somehow, it manages to bring in the best talent that Hollywood and the world have to offer while staying true to the smalltown charm of the Valley of the Moon.

To be a part of it is to fall in love with the movies all over again-in one of the most

beautiful spots on earth”.

Last year in March of 2020, SIFF was prepared to host another successful festival but three weeks prior to the event the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the United States was put under strict stay at home orders. This presented a new challenge to the festival but they adapted by “quickly pivot[ing] and launched SIFF 2.0, our first virtual online film festival, which featured 100+ films from 20 countries, and reached an international audience which consumed the equivalent of 4,000 hours of media in just four days,” SIFF outlined in a history of their festival.

With the experience of a virtual festival under their belt and a year’s time to prepare, SIFF in 2021 has taken full advantage of the online experience. Being able to reach wider audiences as well as showcase a broader range of cinema SIFF has made yet another unforgettable event this March. They sold passes virtually and bundles that would allow for viewing of specific genres or near all events being debuted over the five days but people were able to also purchase tickets to single showings. They enabled their resources to allow viewers to stream from a range of different devices to allow for whatever viewing experience an individual craved.

Sonoma County is a lucky community to be home to such a unique and desirable event. The diversity in types of cinema Sonoma International Film Festival offers is very special and not easily found in most places in or around the country. To be home in a gathering that values important art and cinema like Sonoma, has definitely left a mark on our community as well as draws amazing artists to the area to showcase their work that was once inspired by them through the county.

JULIA BLAIR

STAFF WRITER

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ith many people staying home, more people have been purchasing to-go alcohol at a fast rate and the industry is booming. Consumer behavior is quickly changing and there are simultaneous benefits for all sectors in this scenario. Primarily, restaurants are able to charge fair prices for their premium cocktails and consumers are set up to feel like they are inside the establishment from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Since restaurants have suffered during the pandemic, any additional revenue is greatly appreciated. The additional profit they can gain from selling ready to drink cocktails will in some ways financially support the past and present circumstances regarding dining capacity and the constantly changing rules and restrictions.

Many restaurants have been offering this in Rohnert Park. Applebee’s serves takeout cocktails that are all under ten dollars. Other local restaurants such as Cafe Mimosa are offering their signature beverages to go. There is a mutually beneficial relationship that this trend has created from a surge in takeout business.

“I really enjoy the take-out option that’s available at local restaurants. Losing the ability to go out and have dinner with friends was a bummer but the having food and alcohol to-go started a new dinner tradition at my house,” said senior Natalie Gomez.

Time will tell if this continues to be a popular trend and if consumers will continue to yearn for this experience. However, in the foreseeable future takeout options are continuing to be popular in many different communities. There has been a digital shift in all industries and many major food and beverage companies have seen that and aimed marketing efforts specifically target-

ed to promote their various delivery options as well as deals.

Forbes writer Chris Furnari, stated, “According to a new report from market research firm IWSR, which provides insights on the global alcoholic beverage market, online sales of alcohol in the U.S. are expected to grow by more than 80% this year.” The spike in digital sales due to long periods of quarantine and shutdowns caused consumers to shift their routines in various ways.

Various restaurants in the area are continuing to support this option. Mi Ranchito, offers a variety of takeout options for drinks to pair with their various dishes. Mi Ranchito Mexican Cuisine & Cantina founded in 2008 has a large food and beverage menu that can accommodate many different preferences. The authenticity of their ingredients is evident in their quality and students should be reminded of how important it is to support local business right now. There are more people than ever before who have recently been trying new things and adding an exciting drink to their dinner is a profitable way for merchants to bring in some extra revenue.

The rise of takeout alcohol has benefited restaurants and will continue to do so as many recover economically from the pandemic. Due to constantly changing guidelines, businesses have had to stay extremely flexible in order to remain operating. Those who were able to handle the shift have proved themselves and their ability to do so throughout the past few months. In this age of adaptation, businesses must continue to follow the direction of their sales, and recognize delivery options have continued to thrive. Ultimately, this model is simultaneously cogent of restaurant and consumer needs and could help predict the future of the ready to drink industry.

Entertainment 7 The history and future of art at Sonoma State

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021 sonomastatestar.com

MARY HELEN ROWELL STAFF WRITER

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onoma State University’s Campus Art Committee has been responsible for collecting, maintaining, and distributing beautiful works of art across the campus for decades. Originally established as the Exterior Act Committee in 1987, the committee today oversees almost 1,400 pieces within the campus art collection.

A document sent by the Dean of Arts and Humanities and Art Committee member, Hollis Robbins, read that the charge of the committee is to, “Assist, advise, and recommend to the President and the University community by developing and maintaining policies, guidelines, and standards for the acceptance and display of visual art throughout the campus.”

As of today, the committee is made up of nine members led by the Director of the University Art Gallery and Chair of the committee, Jennifer Bethke.

“We make sure that in the committee there are art historians and subject matter experts,” said Robbins.

Meeting around once a month, the committee determines which artwork, donated, or gifted to the University, will be accepted, where it would be best displayed, and whether or not the University has the resources to maintain said artwork.

One of the largest donations accepted by the Art Committee was the Imagery Collection, which was donated back in 2015 by Glen Ellen’s Imagery Estate Winery. The contemporary fine arts collection consisted of over 440 original pieces created by hundreds of different artists. The pieces were initially commissioned as wine labels and decorated bottles of wine from Imagery Estate Winery for over 35 years. Pieces from the collection can now be found all across the SSU campus.

When asked why it is important that the University have an Art Committee, Senior Director of Development at the Green Music Center and committee member, Marge Limbert, said, “There is an opportunity, with our students, to engage in art and having a committee who can just give the yes or no on whether it fits the standards of what art we should take on helps us to manage the size of the collection. It helps us to make sure that we have the resources that we need to care for the collection. It’s

STAR // Christy Chew Robert Hudson’s “Plein Air” sits beside the SSU Recreation Center for vistors to enjoy. a body of people thinking about all that goes into accepting art.”

While COVID-19 restrictions have not affected the amount of art donations received by the University over the last year, they have had a large impact on the campus Art Gallery. The gallery itself has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, however, like many aspects of life now, it has transitioned to a virtual setting.

As stated on the SSU Art Gallery Exhibitions webpage, “ART@CSU brings a selection of them [CSU art galleries] together in an online setting, to create a distanced community of CSU art and artists. The lively collection of works gathered here were chosen to highlight the remarkable diversity of approach and style among

these artists. They serve to showcase the talent of CSU’s artist faculty, and to celebrate the importance of the art in this time of adversity.”

While this virtual format has been limiting, it has also provided the opportunity for exhibitions, like ART@ CSU, that couldn’t have been done within the gallery.

SSU and the Art Committee have been provided with many works of art throughout the years, maintaining and sharing the beauty of these pieces with the community. Despite the ongoing pandemic, this year will be no exception. The work of the virtual art gallery with the help of the Art committee has made it easy, for those interested, to view art in a new setting while remaining safe.

the Variety Show “brings not only a piece in Latin but a Latin piece that is very well known definitely fits the theme very well.”

Another foreign language song was by Kyle Piet who sang ‘Canción Picaresca’ from El Canate by José Palomino because Piet, “figured why not perform this tonguein-cheek song Spanish song from a couch!”

Alexandria Ortiz’ rendition of a Spanish lullaby that is, “a religious lullaby sung to a baby Jesus, and that she “used to sing as a little girl.” Ortiz wanted “to portray it from the perspective of it from the perspective of the night sky rather than from Mary.” This is reflected in her choice background in that of a blue night sky as well as her makeup matching the background. She said she wanted to, “create a truly tranquil yet engaging performance which I hope you’ll enjoy.”

Another performance was that of Abbi Samuels who sang a Scottish folk song called ‘Parting Glass.’ Samuels wanted to highlight the accompaniment of the hurdy gurdy, a type of string instrument played by Dan Gianola-Norris.

Brian Carillo performed ‘Johanna’ from the musical Sweeny Todd by Stephen Sondheim. Carillo chose this song as metaphor for his own vocal freedom; having already glimpsed it and is determined to make it a reality.

Grace Victor also delivered a rendition of Sarah Braillies of ‘Simple and True’ and even recorded a video to accompany her performance. It meant a lot to her because she had spent a lot of time on it even recording her own background track. She also had collaborated with fellow classmate Andrew Cedeno who was the male harmony.

As the Voice Program Recital page states, “This great variety of talent and skill makes the SSU Voice Program a diverse and vibrant community of top-notch performers.”

The Vocal Program’s Variety Show can be rewatched under the Sonoma State Music Department website.

This performance was a safe place for students to showcase their talents and accomplishments despite not being able to perform live in front of their classmates or others due to the pandemic.

Students shine at virtual Voice Recital Variety Show

JAYLINE ALVARADO STAFF WRITER

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he Sonoma State University’s Music Department has continued the Spring semester with the vocal program’s Variety Show. The event was live streamed on March 17 through the Music Department’s website, where students sang a song of their choosing that meant something to them, and may have a prop or staging to enhance their performance and in order to show “the audience their individuality and creativity as an artist.”

The live stream was opened by Brendan Corr who selected his piece to be ‘Stars’ from Les Miserables, because it’s a song he describes the song as, “quintessentially me is that I’ve always loved slow songs like this whether they’re rock ballads or something like this from a musical.”

The performances were from their homes and the music ranged from original pieces to musicals and in a variety of languages including Latin.

Maddy Connor sang ‘Ave Maria’ and her reasoning behind the selection of the song being that typically the program, “sticks to the traditional languages like Italian, French, German, English, and sometimes Spanish,” and

STAR // Zena Bounsall Grace Victor, a freshman at Sonoma State, preforms her own version of Sara Bareilles’ “Simple and True” for the virtual Voice Program recital.

8 Student Life

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

ASG election results are in for the 2021-2022 year NOAH PHILPOTT STAFF WRITER

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he Associated Student Government (ASG) elections recently took place from March 9-11 on Engage to elect representatives for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.

ASG exists to serve the students of Sonoma State University through awareness, advocacy, and representation. The AS Senate serves as the official voice for all the students of the university. The group also works to empower students of SSU to engage in shared governance, representing the student perspective to members of the campus community through leadership and active citizenship.

The positions involved in SSU’s ASG include the Senator of Community Affairs, Diversity, Student Resources, and Sustainability. Other positions of power include AS Vice-President of Finance, Executive Vice-President, and AS President.

The Senate of the Associated Students serves as both the Board of Directors of the Associated Students auxiliary corporation and the legislative body of the student government. The Corporate Affairs Board gives advice and counsel to the AS senate on corporate and organizational wide issues, including; budget, investments, financial and program operations, and more. The Legislatives Affairs Boards serves as the AS Senate work group to keep track of, report on and encourage student action and participation in local, state and national legislative issues and activities.

The University Affairs & Outreach Board serves the senate to manage and give advice and council to the AS Senate on academic, student and university wide issues including engagement and involvement of students.

The AS Senate has delegated responsibility to the Personnel Committee for administration and development of personnel policies and procedures pertaining to evalu-

ation, reclassification, and employee rights and privileges.

The personnel committee will ensure all AS personnel policy and procedure is in compliance to existing state and federal law, regulations of the Trustees of the California State University and Sonoma State University policy and procedure.

Regarding the election results, there was a total of 550 votes casted with a 7.6% turnout of the university. For Senator of Diversity, Nataly Hernandez took the role with 62.18% of the votes for 342 casted. Her opponent, Naomi Islas-Lozano, had 37.82% of the votes with 208 casted.

“Education comes first, but we are going to try really hard to accomplish our goals. We have to follow specific rules and regulations. It is more about giving ideas to make these ideas happen in order to achieve equity and diversity,” Hernandez said.

Kyle Brame was elected as Senator of Student Resources taking 97% of the 537 votes casted. Brame will be filling one of five positions that ran solo races for this election, meaning that they weren’t running against anyone else for their position. Chris Franco will be taking the position of Senator of Community Affairs with 97% of the 536 votes casted. Molly Clemons will be filling the role of Senator of Sustainability, taking just over 97% of the 536 votes casted.

The AS Vice President of Finance role will be filled

by Justin Arenson, taking 97% of the 537 votes casted.

The last of the solo race positions goes to Christina Gomez, who will be filling the Executive Vice president position, taking 97% of the 537 votes casted, respectively.

Last but not least, Noelia Brambila Perez will take the role as AS President over her opponent Anthony Pilotti.

Brambila Perez took 89.64% of the votes with 493 casted, while Pilotti had 10.36% of the votes with 57 casted. “I really want to act in the best way for the students. One of the

issues that I want to work on is textbook issues. It has been years in the making of book prices increasing, and I want to come up with a way to bring those prices down as well as making sure the book store not only has these books on time, but getting the bookstore to offer different programs versus to be able to get those books on time.”

Students’ voices are vital to the governance of SSU, and being a student representative to a university committee is a great way to ensure the student voice is heard in the decision making process of the campus. Student representatives to university committees are excellent leadership opportunities, and often move on to take on leadership positions in the Associated Students. If Seawolves are interested in serving as a student representative to a university committee, visit https://www.sonoma.edu/about/administration/committees to get more information.

COURTESY // Sonoma State Noelia Brambila Perez was elected as AS President for the year of 2021-2022.

SSU holds Zoom lecture about cultural burning PAMELA MEYERS STAFF WRITER

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein The Cultural Fire Management Council shows viewers how cooperative burns are used for land management.

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t first glance, fire can be destructive, but to Elizabeth Azzuz and the Cultural Fire Management Council (CFMC), it is restorative and can help with healing our land. On March 17, the Native American Studies Department at Sonoma State held a lecture titled “Yurok And Karuk Tribes Return Good Fire To The Land,” which is part of the Fire on the Land and in Our Lives lecture series. Dr. Erica Tom, the Director of Native American Studies at Sonoma State, hosted the lecture with Amal Munayer, an advisor for the Equal Opportunity

program. They both opened the f loor for Elizabeth Azzuz who talked about cultural burning and its importance to her and her people. There were more than 60 people attending the lecture and avidly listening and learning about cultural burning, a Native American practice of land restoration with the use of fire.

Elizabeth Azzuz is part of the Yurok tribe and is also on the board of directors at the Cultural Fire Management Council. Their mission, based on their website, “is to facilitate the practice of cultural burning on the Yurok Reservation and Ancestral lands, which will lead to a healthier ecosystem for all plants and animals, long term fire protection for residents, and provide a platform that will in turn support the traditional hunting and gathering activities of Yurok.”

Azzuz talked about fire in a way that most people in California tend to shy away from. She said that “there’s more to fire than just what it’s capable of ” and began talking about the benefits of fire to the land. She discussed that before they begin a cultural burn, they “ask permission from the land” before entering and bringing fire to the land. Azzuz has a beautiful outlook on cultural burning, and stressed the importance of equal respect between the land and the people.Azzuz also talked about how important fire was to her people and how it heals the land and the environment. She educated listeners by talking about how the cultural burns bring back native plant species and animals and restores their food sources. Azzuz also talked about how the charcoal from the fire also purifies water as well

as the land. Water sources are just as important as the land in providing food because salmon is one of their main food sources.

During the lecture, a lot of questions came up from the people attending about how children in the tribe come to learn about the importance of cultural burning. Azzuz responded by talking about how they are educated through stories, ceremonies, and through the teachings of their parents individually.

She also discussed what family burns are and even showed a picture of one of her relatives burning land around his home, along with family members of all ages. She also talked about a recent cultural burn that was part of restoring a prairie and having the elk population restored.

At the end of the lecture, Elizabeth Azzuz held a Q&A session and began addressing more of the questions that came up during the lecture. One of the questions was, “Do non-Native people ever show concern and worry over the controlled burning?” and she responded by saying that she works hand in hand with the air quality department and the most backlash from the locals is that they want to know when it will be done. Azzuz also mentioned that people have asked them to come help clear their land and has traveled to help teach people about burning.

She said that she wants to help restore everyone’s land and not just their own.

Fire is a very important part of Elizabeth Azzuz’s and Native American culture, and can be used effectively as a land management tool. This lecture was a great way to close out the Fire on the Land and in Our Lives lecture series, as well as an educational tool for all Sonoma State students, and guests alike.

Alumni Takeovers provide postgraduation information MATTHEW SMITH STAFF WRITER

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n March 18, the Sonoma State Career Center put on one of many Alumni Takeover events that will take place on their Instagram page. This event is aimed toward students and prospective students to give them a glimpse of what graduates’ lives are like after their time at SSU. Each takeover consists of a Sonoma State Alumni using instagram stories to take a look at their daily lives.

For those interested, the Sonoma State website states for students to: “Tune in on the SSU Career Center’s Instagram Story for an Alumni Takeover!

Follow along for a day in the life of a forever Seawolf and learn more about their job, how they have navigated life after graduation, and tune in for a special live Q&A session with the alumni.

In this week’s Alumni Takeover, the former student was Michelle Welling. Welling was a part of the graduating class of 2015 with a Communications and Media Studies degree, along with a Geography minor. After graduating, Michelle went back to school to get her masters in Marketing and currently lives in London, England where she works for a company called The Sports Edit.

For those that aren’t familiar with The Sports Edit, their website gives a brief explanation of what it is they do, stating that they “sell high-quality brands and products, produce content and host

events, all centered around helping you to get out there, get sweaty and master your chosen activity.”

At this company, Welling is the marketing and PR executive. During the takeover, Welling said her daily tasks include checking the company’s social media platforms, checking press mentions, and even managing influencer and ambassador relationships. She also said that before the pandemic, she would help manage various community events with top brands.

Welling detailed her experiences at Sonoma State and how they helped her in her professional life. One thing that she mentioned was her time studying abroad, and how she was able to travel all across Europe during her time studying. She was able to make many connections which ultimately helped her get her current job and adjust to living in England.

The Career Center teams up with Seawolf living to put on these Alumni Takeover events, which will be happening numerous times throughout the year. Aubrie Russo, the Marketing and Communications Specialist at Sonoma State, was able to give some insight as to why these events are so important for students. “The goal of the Alumni Takeover campaign is to give current Seawolves an opportunity to hear from past SSU students and their experiences in their current role and ultimate-

ly their life post graduation,” she says. “It also provides current students with authentic advice from alumni who were once in their same shoes.”

Even before the pandemic hit, the alumni takeover events took place on instagram as a way for students to see what the day-to-day was like for the graduates. “The Takeovers are primarily conducted on Instagram Story. This gives the Alumni the chance to post their daily activities in real-time,” Russo said about the use of instagram. “The Q&A portion of every Takeover is on Instagram Live, this provides that “in-person” feeling and allows for great dialogue.”

These Alumni Takeover events provide so much valuable information to Sonoma State students. The Career Center makes the events accessible to all and tries to choose alumni that can give helpful tips to students. “The SSU Career Center works to support and empower students to be active participants in their career development process. Our Career Advisors provide comprehensive resources and advising that are holistically centered in each student’s needs.”

To find this takeover and many more coming in the near future, head over to the Career Center instagram page @ssucareercenter, as well as the Seawolf Living page @seawolfliving where the Q&A portion happens.

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021 sonomastatestar.com

Student Life 9

Undocu-Wisdom workshops offer valuable information to undocumented students KAITLIN BREEN STAFF WRITER

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arly this week, the Sonoma State Dream Center partnered with the Dreamer Resource Center at Sacramento State University to host this month’s Undocu-Wisdom workshop. This week’s workshop was titled “Paying for College as an Undocumented Student & Alternative Ways to Make an Income”.

Moderators from SSU and Sacramento State partnered with an attorney from the Coalition For Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to present resources for undocumented students, and answer questions about paying for college. Workshop organizers chose a webinar-style format because this allows for confidentiality, which is critical for many students attending these events. It also allows for more students to attend the UndocuWisdom workshops. All of the Undocu-Wisdom workshops will be held in this style.

Sylvia Ortiz, the attorney from CHIRLA, started her presentation by background information on undocumented students in the United States.

According to her presentation, there are approximately 10.5 million undocumented individuals in the U.S. who paid $13 billion into Social Security in 2016. On top of this, these individuals receive as much as $10 million in educational financial aid. Despite this financial aid, there are significant barriers in place which hinder undocumented students’ ability to pay for college. The two most significant barriers are the inability to work legally in the United States, and many undocumented students’ ineligibility for in-state tuition at many colleges and universities.

The 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act allowed millions of undocumented residents in the U.S. to apply for legal status, but it also made it illegal for an employer to knowingly hire an undocumented individual. The consequences of this for undocumented individuals who seek traditional employment can be future ineligibility for certain green cards through employment or family, as well as the danger of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that target unauthorized workers.

These types of consequences create a significant barrier for undocumented young adults trying to pay for college. Ortiz talked about exceptions in this piece of legislation that can be used to benefit undocumented individuals. Students can become exempt from non-resident tuition if they meet certain coursework requirements, degree or unit requirements, or have a signed nonresident exemption request.

When it comes to employment- there are no rules in the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act against freelancing, starting a business, or participating in fellowship or training programs. All of these avenues can be used to generate an alternative income. Because of these loopholes, undocumented students can become self-employed or start a business as a way to generate income. The advantages of this are that self-employment can limit personal liability, and allow students to hire others, as well as seek funding and investors, and tax breaks and benefits. Becoming an independent contractor, also known as free-lancing, has its advantages as well. Free-lancers can choose their own hours, and terms of work, which can be helpful to students.

The event ended with a Q&A segment, in which students were able to ask program representatives from the Dream Centers at SSU and Sacra-

COURTESY // Sonoma State The DREAM Center is holding Undocu-Wisdom workshops for Seawolves to get information about topics that ring true to undocumented students.

mento State, questions about the presentation. One major aspect covered in this Q&A is that there are ways for undocumented students to hold internships and take out student loans. The California Dream Loan Program offers loans to help undocumented students offset the cost of attending college.

Currently, undocumented students can recieve state financial aid in California, but are not eligible for federal aid, such as federal student loans or Pell Grants.

Erik Ramirez, the Program Coordinator of the Dreamer Resource Center at Sacramento State University, ended the workshop by saying that, “the main takeaway from today is that even if you’re undocumented you can go to college in California, and there are ways you can make money once you graduate. Policies exist at the state and local level to make this possible, it’s just about finding them.”

Appointments at DREAM Centers for undocumented students throughout the CSU system are free, and confidential. Next month’s Undocu-Wisdom event is titled “Know Your Rights When Encountering ICE”, and it will be held on Weds., April 14 from 3-4 p.m., hosted by Chico State University.

Applications for housing on campus in 2021-2022 are now open CAROLINE MORALES STAFF WRITER

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fter a year long hiatus, Sonoma State University is accepting campus housing applications for the coming school year, when many students are expected to return to campus living. The housing applications for this coming school year are now open for students to complete by May 1.

Living on campus allows students to be within close proximity to all the amenities Sonoma State has to offer, such as the recreation center, dining hall, classrooms, library and many more.

Junior at SSU, Gianna Lendino, has lived on campus for three years. “I have loved my experience living on campus. I am so lucky to have such a great community around me and have the convenience of classes being so close” Lendino shared. Many SSU students find living on campus to be helpful in terms of focus and staying motivated with their school work. During a typical semester, students enjoy studying in the library or at various spots on campus.

Erin Boyle, a freshman at SSU, chose to live at home during the Fall 2020 semester, but while living at home, she discovered that it was far more difficult to focus on her classes. “I found it hard to finish my school work because I was lacking motivation. Living on campus has given me the motivation to do better in school,” Boyle said.

Not only is living on campus convenient, but it allows students to open their eyes to all the different ways to get involved on campus that are all within close proximity. Each village’s Resident Advisors plan events to allow students to adjust to life on-campus and at Sonoma State.

“Living on campus has definitely helped me get more involved. My sophomore year I became involved in Greek Life on campus and had the opportunity to serve in a leadership position within the organization,” Lendino went on to share. “Living on campus exposed me to the various clubs SSU has to offer. When I learned about the clubs at SSU, I decided to join the Professional Sales and Marketing club on campus.”

Even though college might look different for students at the moment, SSU remains optimistic about allowing students to live on campus in the fall. Safety is Sonoma State’s top priority when welcoming students back to campus.

“Through living on campus, I feel like I have learned about all the different things happening at SSU. Prior to moving on campus in the spring, I joined Greek Life on campus. Moving on campus allowed me to make a closer connection with the other members of my organization,” Boyle said.

Safety has always been the first priority for those currently living on campus during the Spring 2021 semester. Sonoma State has implemented plenty of new safety measures in place to keep them safe while living on campus during the pandemic. Stacey Murray, Interim Director of Residential Education and Campus Housing, stated that “as the conditions surrounding COVID-19 change, so do our safety measures for the residential community. Students should expect that there will be additional safety requirements when moving on to campus for the fall.”

Lendino and Boyle were both apprehensive about moving on-campus during the Fall 2020 semester. However, after seeing how safe Sonoma State was during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeing how their peers were still able to safely connect with one another, they decided that moving on-campus during the Spring 2021 semester would be the best option for them.

“During the pandemic, the university has put several much-needed rules in

STAR // Seth Baldwin Sonoma State is opening applications for housing during the 2021-2022 school year, complete with packages to make students feel safe and secure on campus. place to allow students on campus to enjoy their time being a college student.

In my opinion, Sonoma State has been successful with keeping COVID-19 cases numbers, while promoting safe activities to connect Seawolves together,” Lendino shared.

SSU Residential Education and Campus Housing (REACH) has created the Seawolf All-Inclusive Experience for those living on campus in the Fall 2021 semester. The benefits included in the program include $250 credit for learning materials, free parking for the fall semester, two-year housing guarantee for First-Time First Year students and First-Time Transfer Students, price-lock guarantee, free drip coffee, free events, support services in the Residential Community and winter holiday break housing at no cost.

The Residential Education and Campus is excited to welcome students to live on-campus during the 2021-2022 academic year. “While we may not be able to completely return to ‘normal’ in the fall, we are excited to partner with our students to create our new normal and make their residential experience a meaningful one,” Murray said.

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Health

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STAR // Sarah Gallagher Sonoma County is now in the red tier, meaning places like wineries and restaurants may open indoors and at higher capacities than they could in the previous purple tier.

What the red tier means for Sonoma County businesses and residents S EMILY ALVARADO STAFF WRITER

onoma and Contra Costa county were the last in the Bay Area to move out of the California tier system’s purple tier. Now in the red tier, Sonoma County businesses can allow more customers indoors and resume close to normal operations.

The counties moved into the red tier officially on March 14 and some businesses were immediately ready for the looser restrictions.

It has been some time since Sonoma County restaurants have been able to host customers indoors. Aiden Vaziri and Esther Mobley at the San Francisco Chronicle said, “...Sonoma County restaurants can open for indoor dining for the first time in six months.” Restaurants may now open at 25% indoor capacity or 100 people, whichever is less.

Restaurants can expand service, but breweries and distilleries that do not serve food can only reopen with reservations. Bars that do not serve food must stay closed.

According to Vaziri and Mobley, not all restaurants are rushing to open indoor dining. Many restaurants have created outdoor dining areas to accommodate the purple tier restrictions and are reluctant to open indoor dining while employees are still unvaccinated.

Sonoma State University student Abe Lopez Ibarra, who works at a local Dutch Bros Coffee, said the pandemic has been, “...a lot of trial and error…”, which has included closing the shop’s patio, finding new ways to hand out items to customers without contact and eliminating pre-shift meetings. Ibarra kept a positive attitude and said, “It’s been very stressful at times but with the crew we have, we like to stay as positive as possible

in times like these.”

Restaurants are not the only businesses allowed to open indoors.

Gyms, movie theaters and museums are allowed to resume business as well. While gyms can only open to 10% indoor capacity, Johnson wrote that museums, theaters, aquariums and zoos can open at 25% capacity.

While restaurants and similar shops have been quite restricted, retail and grocery stores have had more f lexibility when it comes to capacity.

In the red tier, retail stores and malls can increase their indoor capacity to 50% while they previously had to be at 25% capacity. Grocery stores can increase capacity from 50% to full capacity.

Another change that Johnson mentioned is that schools can resume in-person instruction for kindergarten through grade 12 with some modifications, a relief for working parents with younger children.

The Press Democrat created a page on their website to make finding statistics on COVID-19 easier. The page is titled Coronavirus Numbers and breaks down COVID-19 statistics by county, state and the United States as a whole. According to the Coronavirus Numbers webpage, 185,177 vaccines have been administered in Sonoma County as of March 15.

The California Blueprint for a Safer Economy website states that tier requirements are set to adjust again when the state reaches four million vaccines administered. Updated information on tier requirements can be found on the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy website, along with vaccination and testing information.

COVID-19 vaccine trials for children underway A CALLIE ADAMS

STAFF WRITER

s the COVID-19 pandemic continues and vaccine eligibility expands to include more demographics, multiple pharmaceutical companies have begun vaccine trials for children. Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have each started testing vaccine doses with children, and Johnson & Johnson has authorized its own vaccine trials as well.

Moderna became the first United States company to approve and begin vaccine testing for children between the ages of six months and 11 years old, according to data from Moderna’s website.

The trials involve two parts; in the first, different dosages of the vaccine are tested out in order to determine maximum efficacy. Children aged six months to one year are given either a 25, 50, or 100 microgram dose, and children aged two years to 11 years are given a 50 or 100 microgram dose. Both age groups receive a second dose of the vaccine 28 days after the first was administered.

The second part of the trial hinges on the results of the first. When the appropriate dosage for each age group has been decided, trials will continue with a control group of children who receive a saline injection rather than the vaccine, in order to compare with the group that receives the vaccine. All participants will be monitored for one year after they receive their second dose.

Dr. Anna Valdez, the chair of the nursing department at Sonoma State, hopes that Moderna’s success so far will inspire other pharmaceutical companies.

“I am pleased to see Moderna moving forward with pediatric trials and hope other vaccine developers will do the same. While children seem to fare better with COVID-19 infections than adults, they can still be a source of transmission. I am hopeful the trials will go well and children will have access to the vaccine soon,” Valdez said. “I am encouraged by the progress that we are making in the United States to make sure our communities are safe. I am hopeful that my granddaughter will be vaccinated by the summer so she can have a normal senior year and do things like the prom and graduation.”

COURTESY // Creative Commons Pfizer and Moderna have both officially begun testing the safety of their respective COVID-19 vaccines in children and infants.

Pfizer/BioNTech began its trials last week, starting with a set of nine-year-old twins, who each received either the vaccine or the saline placebo.

Regarding how correct dosages will be determined, Dr. Emanuel Walter of Duke Human Vaccine Institute, where the Pfizer trials began, said, “We’ll start with a lower dose level and gradually escalate up. All the kids will receive two doses of vaccine.”

Elizabeth Oliveira, the health outreach officer for the Student Health Activities Club and a secondyear student at SSU, anticipates the day that all children can be officially and safely immunized.

“My mother is a teacher, and although she is fully vaccinated, it is still unsettling to think that she will be going back into a classroom full of unvaccinated fourth-graders in a few short weeks,” Oliveira said, “This matter of vaccinating children is not just something that affects my family, though; to help curb COVID-19 and lessen the strain on the healthcare system we need both children and adults to be vaccinated.”

Oliveira added that she hopes adults continue to sign up for the vaccine as well and that they keep in mind the importance of immunization.

“It may be nerve-wracking to get a new vaccine, but everything we do has risks, and we know that science works. We get into motor vehicles every day with the risk of getting into an accident and dying, but that does not make us stop using them because we need them. We need this vaccine too.”

Wellness 11

MARCH 16 - APRIL 5, 2021 sonomastatestar.com

TikTok implements new safety features to protect users’ mental health

CASEY FABBRI

STAFF WRITER

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arlier this year, TikTok announced in a press release that the company will be releasing two new features to their content creation app in order to promote kindness and decrease cyberbullying throughout their platform.

The first feature gives creators the ability to manage the comments section of their videos. Users have the option to hide, delete, or block comments for others to see. This feature will allow for more respectful discussion and less spam and offensive remarks.

Director of Policy for TikTok United States, Tara Wadhwa, wrote in a blog announcement, “We know that comments are an important way for community members to connect with creators, and we’ll continue to develop ways to promote respectful discussion.”

The second new feature prompts users to reconsider their hurtful comments by redirecting them to TikTok’s community guidelines page. The community guidelines act as a code of conduct for users to abide by in order for everyone to enjoy their experience on the app. Both features are centered on the comments section, where the company has seen cyber bullying efforts the most.

Also in the press release, TikTok announced that they will be partnering with the Cyberbullying Research Center (CRC), an organization dedicated to researching cyberbullying trends in adolescents. TikTok’s goal in the partnership is to become more well-versed on the dangers of cyberbullying within their app, and to create a safe, supportive community for users to enjoy.

“The Cyberbullying Research Center is excited to work with TikTok in the months ahead on anti-bullying initiatives,” Co-Director Dr. Sameer Hinduja stated in the press release. “TikTok’s new features are positive steps to promote kindness and we’re eager to collaborate on further ways to protect against bullying and harassment.”

In an effort to educate users on cyberbullying, the CRC released the article, “TikTok: Top Ten Tips for Teens.” Some suggestions include setting personal TikTok accounts to private, reporting problematic videos, and staying in control of the TikToks that you are reacting with and enjoying. Understanding the hidden dangers of social media media applications is a vital tool in safely navigating different platforms.

Social media is still a new form of communication that researchers are navigating daily. Companies are taking precautions and implementing policies to create safe, positive communities.

It is important that users understand the dangers of social media to their overall mental health and well-being.

Social media gives us the power to connect with others and

share talents like never before. However, the journal of JAMA Psychiatry found that, “Adolescents who use social media more than three hours per day may be at heightened risk of mental health problems, particularly internalizing problems.”

According to the Wallaroo Media, individuals ages 16-24 make up 60 percent of TikTok’s total population. This specific group is easily influenced and are much more likely to follow the trends that they see on their “For You Page”.

When asked how TikTok, in particular, has affected her mental health, Sonoma State student Rachel Beckmann said, “TikTok is the app I use to decompress after a long day of school and work, it helps me escape reality for a small bit of time.”

TikTok has the power to create a sense of community and foster laughs for everyone; their continuous efforts in maintaining a positive platform is vital to the well-being of their users.

COURTESY // WallpaperUse.com TikTok, the internet’s newest social media craze, has taken a heavy toll on the mental health of its users.

Newsom announces COVID-19 vaccine eligibility for all California adults starting in April VINCENT SPENCE STAFF WRITER

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tarting on April 15, Californians who are 16 years or older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine and California residents 50 or older will all be eligible to receive a vaccine on April 1.

This is a strong first step at restoring normalcy to the state of California. Many states around the country have already started to go back to normal, and with this news, the golden state should not be that far off as well.

In an article by the Los Angeles Times, Governor Gavin Newsom said, “Our ability to do more has always been constrained by supply, manufactured supply,” Newsom said, “We have confidence, now, of the manufactured supply becoming available sooner than we had anticipated. There’s not just light at the end of the tunnel; there’s bright light at the end of the tunnel.”

Following President Biden’s promise that all adults would be vaccine eligible by May 1st, California’s deadline of April 15th comes as quite the revelation.

The California Department of Public Health says adults eligible for the vaccine may reach out to their doctors office to schedule a vaccine as early as March 25th. California residents will also be able to book vaccination appointments through the My Turn scheduling site, which will then direct them to vaccination sites in their area.

In an interview with the LA Times, Dr. Nancy Gin, a medical director for Kaiser Permanente, said, “We encourage all who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Gin then went on to say, “Until most of the community is vaccinated, everyone should continue to maintain healthy behaviors, including wearing a mask, washing hands often, and avoiding crowds, even after vaccination, to help ensure we are not spreading the virus.”

While this is exciting news, the pandemic does still exist, which means safety regulations can not be ignored because someone is vaccinated. It has been made clear by a multitude of government and healthcare officials that rising vaccination rates don’t eliminate the need for social distancing and mask-wearing. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the U.S National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases has shown support in continuing to be safe and cautious even after Americans have received the vaccine.

Michaela O’Brien, a Junior at Sonoma State University, describes her excitement

COURTESY // Press Democrat On Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced new COVID-19 vaccine eligibility dates for Californians 50 years and up, as well as those 16 years and older.

Starting on April 15, Californians who are 16 years or older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

COURTESY // Sonomanews.com

about receiving the vaccine: “I am very excited to finally receive the vaccine. Being someone who likes to be active and outside a lot, it is awesome to hopefully be able to do all those things again. Also with the entire progress of the vaccine I am able to do more things with my major like going to work sites and hopefully on to campus next semester.”

With increased vaccination rates comes lower numbers of COVID-19 cases, therefore leading Calif. closer and closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. As long as people continue to get vaccinated, social distance, and wear their masks, California and the rest of the country will be well on their way to beating COVID-19.

To learn more about when and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine, visit myturn.ca.gov.

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sonomastatestar.com

Rohnert Park City Council agrees on climate change policy

COURTESY // Tracy Poueu-Guerrero Rohnert Park City Council met on March 17 to discuss changes in the city. The meeting went over climate change, along with a new ban on fireworks.

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein Community members are upset about the recent ban on fireworks in Rohnert Park.

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein Adults and children alike gather to show support for fireworks in Rohnert Park.

Restaurants begin alcohol delivery during pandemic

STAR // Morgan Mitchell SSU favorite, Jaded Toad, offers outdoor seating, and come nightfall, students are all over this patio.

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein Many college favorites, including Cafe Mimosa and Jaded Toad, are now using alcohol delivery services to deliver food and drinks to people at home.

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein The Jaded Toad has now begun allowing alcohol delivery apps and services to come to the restaurant.

STAR // Sondra Ottenstein Cafe Mimosa remains open during the pandemic in Rohnert Park, allowing many college students still on campus to escape from home.