Volume 78 // Issue 4

In this issue: Student Life: Sonoma State remembers free speech activist Mario Savio. Pg. 8 A&E: SSU student turns passion for painting to successful business. Pg. 7 Sports: Sapphires perform at Senior Night in the Wolves’ Den. Pg. 10

Opinion: A Day Without Immigrants protest shows country’s diversity. Pg. 3

SINCE 1979

Commercial real estate options for University District remain unclear

VOLUME 78 // ISSUE 4

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FEBRUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 27, 2017

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

Amira Dabbas Staff Writer

welve neighborhoods, 1,236 single-family homes, two public parks and three miles of trails are all part of the University District being built across from the Sonoma State University campus on Rohnert Park Expressway.

The first three neighborhoods opened for sale in the fall. However, what’s next for this development is still being questioned. So if students are hoping to see a grocery store open up across the street, that’s still unclear.

“Approximately 100,000 square feet of commercial development is planned at the corner of Petaluma Hill Road and Rohnert Park Expressway, but it is too early to know exactly what is going to be built,” said

Jeffrey Beiswenger, planning manager for the city of Rohnert Park. “It could be any combination of commercial uses (e.g. hotel, retail, office, etc.). We just don’t know until they apply to the city for design approvals.”

Amanda Stone, marketing manager for Brookfield Residential, said that Brookfield has made no decisions at this time for the commercial development.

“Weather has affected the timing of grading, utility and roadway installation,” Stone said when asked about how the recent weather conditions have affected construction progress.

“Builders are accustomed to rain this time of year, so the rain has slowed down progress a little bit, but not significantly,” Beiswenger said.

Sonoma State students say they have mixed opinions about the development, especially when it comes

to the type of housing being built.

“I don’t think there is any problem with a new neighborhood popping up in Rohnert Park,” said senior communication studies major Kayla Harbaugh.

“However, it’s so hard to find housing right now. I feel it would have been more acceptable to put a complex there with more affordable housing for students who want to live off campus.”

“The majority of the development will probably not provide much student housing, since it is mostly intended for purchase by long-term occupants. But the homes will likely provide housing for some university staff and teachers,” Beiswenger said. “Qualifying lowincome students may be able to live in the new apartments when built.”

See UNIVERSITY DISTRICT on Pg. 4

STAR // Jeno Veltri The University District, which began construction in 2015, will feature single-family homes, commercial real-estate and public parks and is expected to be fully completed in 2024. Prices for homes range from the low $500,000’s to $600,000. Students will have to wait for further developments.

Sen. Mike McGuire talks tuition increase, cannabis laws Nate Galvan Asst. News Editor

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embers of the STAR staff went to Sacramenton on Wednesday to speak with state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, a Sonoma State University graduate, about a number of issues such as immigration, tuition hikes and his time at Sonoma State. What follows is an edited transcript of that discussion.

STAR: “As you know, Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas met with U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions before his confirmation, which was troubling to some people in the county. His concern is that Senate Bill 54 doesn’t make clear that counties are required to work with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement when somebody has committed a serious crime or felony. What are your thoughts on that?”

McGuire: “There is active negotiations happening right now with state sheriffs and the California police chiefs concerning the language of the bill, and there are a couple of items that need to be worked out. Number one is on the issue of felons. President Donald Trump has said that there are 2-3 million undocumented residents in this country that have some sort of criminal record, and that is absolutely false.

In the U.S, right now, there are about 800,000 undocumented residents who have

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some sort of criminal record and, narrowing that down, about 300,000 have a felony. Now what I think we are going to see is that for those individuals with a felony, they would not be protected. What police chiefs have asked for is to be more specific about where ICE can participate. I’m not sure where it’s going to end up, but I know we’re going to see changes.”

STAR: “The CSU has a proposed a $270 tuition increase that the Board of Trustees is going to be voting on in March. What are your thoughts on that?”

McGuire: “One challenge the CSU has is that we needed to give the faculty a raise last year, which needed to be done. But the governor has moved towards campuses having to take a portion of what this year’s allocation is in order to be able to give that raise . . . I believe that we will get most of this worked out in the budget, but we will have to see what our numbers are looking like. In January we finished about $300 to $350 million above where estimates were, so if we can knock out the state’s $1.6 billion deficit, which I think we can do, I think one of the top priorities will be (reducing) tuition increases.”

STAR: “How much of an impact do you think the #FreetheCSU movement will have on the Board of Trustees decision?”

@sonomastatestar

See #FREETHECSU on Pg. 4

@sonomastatestar

sonoma.edu Tickets are $10-17, free with a Sonoma State ID. For more information visit www.sonoma.edu/theatreanddance.

Catch the Magic Flute live at Person Theatre from Feb. 23 to March 5.

See the full story on page 6.

2 undocumented students detained, concerns grow Edgar Sanchez Staff Writer

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ver the past week, immigration officials conducted several raids around the country resulting in the arrest of more than 700 undocumented immigrants, fueling concerns that undocumented stu-

/sonomastatestar

dents, including those at Sonoma State University, may be at risk of deportation.

Among the detained were at least two young immigrants who, under President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, were allowed to live and legally work in this country.

See IMMIGRATION on Pg. 5

Visit: sonomastatestar.com

Page 2

Editorial

FEB. 21 - FEB. 27, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

THE STAR Editorial Board Shannon Brown, Editor-in-Chief Thomas Call lll, Executive Editor Kim Baptista, Managing Editor Joseph Encinas, News Editor Nate Galvan, Asst. News Editor Jenna Fischer, Opinion Editor Emma Devitt, Ar ts & Enter tainment Editor Ethan Helms, Student Life Editor Bianca Sanborn, Spor ts Editor Sara Wildman, Photo Editor Rene De Aramal, Copy Editor Alex T. Randolph, Copy Editor Ashley Mar tin, Adver tising Manager Brennan Chin, Distribution Director Paul Gullixson, Faculty Adviser

Staff Writers Alyssa Archerda, Alexis Austin, Kevin Brill, Nolan Brough, Emma Capper, Braden Car twright, Simon Cherin-Gordon, Sean Curzon, Alexandra Daniels, Sam Evans, Cailan Ferrel, Annie Finck, Kitana Gachero, Peter Gatembu, Kendall Grove, Tyler Heberle, Naaman Hightower, Lindsey Huffman, Olivia Hunt, Jacqueline Huynh, Nathan Jew, Matthew Koch, Brigitte Maina, Jahred Nunes, Erika Peterson, Edgar Sanchez, Konrad Schoffer, Chad Shaver, Lauren Sniffin, Jacob Tucker, Antonia VanWinkle, Michelle Violetti, Bailey Young

Photographers Megan Corcoran, Jade Eriksson, Joseph Magill, Amber Rodar te, Jeno Veltri

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: “Business major makes strides in art industry” Business major Justin Heidrick is turning his passion for art into a successful business. Find out more about Heidrick and his shoe designs for celebrities like Cam Newton.

Read the story on page 7

Corrections/Clarifications The STAR values accuracy and works diligently to check facts before publication. However, if inaccuracies occur, we want to know. Please report errors to the editor at star@sonoma.edu.

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 to any letter and to edit for length. Letters must sign all contributions and the editor must verify the signer and the writer are one in the same through personal conference. To send a letter to the editor, email star@sonoma.edu.

STAR // Shannon Brown

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Media watchdogs sniff out Trump, hunt for truth

ince the day the American people learned Donald Trump would serve as the 45th president of the United States, the most powerful office in the world has become the center of controversy and chaos.

The media have had a field day going after Trump for his overly aggressive executive orders, absurd cabinet picks and, most recently, the numerous leaks which seem to be coming from every corner of the White House.

The leaks span a variety of topics such as Trump suggesting using National Guard troops for immigration roundups, U.S. intelligence agencies withholding sensitive intelligence information from Trump, members of the Trump administration maintaining communication with Russian officials during last year’s campaign, telephone calls with world leaders gone bad and drafts of an executive order to revive CIA “black site” prisons.

All of these leaks are allegations right now and the White House has had an explanation for every incident, the most alarming of which stem directly from the president of the United States.

Trump has come out and reported these leaks as “fake news” and bashed those leaking this information to the public, claiming that those responsible have engaged in illegal activity by releasing this “false” information to the people.

Trump has no problem rising up against these so-called illegal leaks because they mar his struggling administration.

However, when WikiLeaks were directed at the Hilary Clinton campaign and her deleted

emails, Trump praised this information and cited it numerous times throughout his campaign.

The whistleblower in the WikiLeaks scenario was Edward Snowden, a former employee of the CIA who copied and released classified information from the National Security Agency. He now potentially faces criminal charges including breaking the Espionage Act of 1917. He seeking asylum in Russia.

Trump has also gone after Chelsea Manning, a former Army private who handed over thousands of documents to WikiLeaks, calling her an “ungrateful traitor.”

So as it stands, Trump was a big fan of illegally obtained information as long as it was politically convenient for him.

With all of these leaks stemming from within the Trump administration, it calls to question whether or not leaking this private information is a moral right or wrong.

Many would argue that working in politics is working in a world of lies and by agreeing to hold a job in the White House means holding onto sensitive, sometimes even classified, information. A common scenario for many of those who have leaked information is that they have only done so after they have tried to follow the protocols, only to be left frustrated and virtually ignored or possibly not feeling their superiors would act on the information.

What happens when the information itself carries an unethical, borderline illegal substance such as the case with recently resigned National Security Advisor Michael Flynn? The FBI is

looking into conversations Flynn had with a Russian ambassador concerning sanctions placed by former President Barack Obama.

Flynn’s dishonesty about his interaction with Russian officials has kicked off an ethical debate that seems to mirror past debacles in American history.

No one paid much attention to the leaks coming from the White House during the Nixon era, until the pieces started to fall together. Was Deep Throat in the wrong? Absolutely not.

Those leaks shed light on the dark office of a powerobsessed president who would exhaust all measures to subdue those who stood against him.

Sound familiar?

These leaks should serve as a reminder that no one, not even the president of the United States, is above the law in any way. Whistleblowers in the White House feel that this information needs to see the light of day, rightfully so.

The actions taken by a covert few have brought to light some troubling information regarding Trump’s potential actions and the actions already taken by those closest to him.

And, for Trump to demonize those reporting these leaks is outrageous.

The media is here to serve as the watchdog over any any and all White House administration and ensure that our government is being as transparent as possible.

To those risking it all to leak the information the public needs, we commend you. We stand with you. The watchdog is alive and well, and perhaps more alert now than ever.

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.

HAVE AN OPINION? WE'D LIKE TO READ IT. THE STAR WELCOMES AND ENCOURAGES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND GUEST SUBMISSIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, READ THE LEFT SIDEBAR FOR OUR POLICIES ON EDITORIALS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

E-MAIL ALL OPINIONS TO STAR@SONOMA.EDU

Opinion

FEB. 21 - FEB. 27, 2017 sonomastatestar.com

Page 3

Study shows surface pollution reaching ocean depths

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Kitana Gachero Staff Writer

arth’s ever present pollution issues have become more severe than surface level.

Pesticides, industrial chemicals and pharmaceutical byproducts are just a few of the pollutants recently found in the deep depths of the ocean floor.

A study published Monday by the Nature Research Journal found high levels of pollution seven miles deep in the Mariana trench located

in the western Pacific Ocean. The Mariana trench is positioned in the Hadal zone of the ocean (6,000 to 11,000 meters) which is the least explored ecological community on Earth. The study specifically examined the organisms living there and found contaminants in their lipid cells. Territories this deep are usually considered to be untouched by surface level pollution, however that’s far from the case.

The main category for the most harmful pollutants to ocean ecosystems are called persistent organic pollutants. These are a collection of cancer causing chemicals that move rapidly through air and water. The unsettling thing about these chemicals is they are non-biodegradable and nearly impossible to expel from any given ecosystem. The Environmental Protection Agency reports these chemicals easily concentrate in the fatty tissues of living organisms, and even

at very small concentrations, persistent organic pollutants can be detrimental to our health.

This information creates the question who should we hold responsible for this issue and how do we stop it.

Every community, entity or person should hold themselves accountable for pollution. Taking responsibility is the first step in solving this problem, it’s going to take a conscience effort of people around the world to even begin to fix this.

More importantly it’s vital to hold corpotations accountable for major pollution.

According to Conserve Energy Future, sources of water pollution can be divided into two categories, point and nonpoint. Point refers to single source pollutants that come from one entity, while nonpoint is pollution that is an indirect result from multiple sources.

A few primary point-sources

without Immigrants”

Olivia Hunt Staff Writer

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ities across the United States experienced what a country without immigrants would be like last Thursday.

Several restaurants and businesses closed for the day to participate in “A Day Without Immigrants,” a protest against President Trump’s mass deportations, showing that America needs immigrants. Businesses around the country participated in this protest, including many in the Bay Area. The initial idea of “A Day Without Immigrants” spread over the country through social media. Both legal citizens as well as undocumented immigrants participated in the protest.

Although it wasn’t organized by a national group, many businesses planned for the absence of some of their employees in advance. In addition to staying home from work, the protest encouraged children and young adults to not attend school as well.

Quickly after the idea blossomed, everyone, including the federal government, was aware of what was to occur. The Pentagon warned its employees about multiple food services closing, including large national franchises such as Starbucks and Taco Bell, and to expect longer lines at the few concessions that remained open.

A Chicago chef, Rick Bayless, said in an interview, “What really makes our country great is the diversity we experience here. I can’t say enough about the lack of respect and the fear-mongering and hatemongering that I’m seeing around us these days.”

The Bay Area was a largely affected area, having many well-known chefs close their restaurants in support of the protest. Several non-immigrant business owners also participated in the protest as well. Instead of closing, some businesses participated in other ways, such as donating proceeds made on that day to organizations to show support.

This protest was part of a developing movement to show dissatisfaction with President Trump and the policies he is setting forth. Similar to the women’s march on the day after Trump was inaugurated, Americans came together to show their impact they can have on the country.

Maria Fernanda Cabello, an immigration activist, stated “Through non-cooperation of our labor and by not purchasing we’re just making a really bold statement that this country is sustained by us.”

Many believe that this is just the start of several anti-Trump policy protests and marches.

The United States of America is a nation that was built upon and became great through immigration. We wouldn’t be an established country if it weren’t for the people who first immigrated here. Our country has been known as the “great melting pot of the world,” a place where multiple cultures blend together to create a diverse country of opportunity.

People around the world should be able to immigrate to The United States for the chance to better their lives, but only if it’s done legally. We should continue to be known as the “great melting pot” and allow people to achieve the American Dream through legal immigration.

Therefore, putting a ban on all immigration would be wrong. Stricter enforcement of our current immigration laws would help better protect our country from terrorism and follow the original ideas of the constitution.

“A day without immigrants” was an appropriate protest to fight for legal immigrants’ rights.

within the ash that rises into the atmosphere and mixes into the atmosphere producing acid rain.

Additionally, the pesticides and chemical fertilizers used to sustain agriculture, often mix with plants, and water and produce drainage toxic to aquatic animals.

Industries essentially massproduce goods for economic gain.

They produce toxic waste on a massive scale and should be accredited for it. The average person is not capable of the mass creation of toxic chemicals, therefore the heads of large industries should be held more accountable.

As individuals, we can combat this problem by being conscious about what chemicals we consume and dispose of. Quickly checking and researching what’s in the products we use and how they should be disposed of can reduce the amount of pollutants that end up in the ocean.

Russia decriminalizes domestic violence

U.S. feels impact of “Day

Alex Daniels Staff Writer

that contribute to pollution are factories within various industries that produce toxic waste. Some of the top causes of water pollution that are a direct result of these industries are industrial waste, marine dumping, burning of fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Industrial waste involves the dumping of harmful chemicals like mercury, lead and sulphur into the environment. Many industries fail to dispose of this waste properly and often dump these chemicals into local freshwater sources like rivers.

Everyday accessible items like plastic, aluminum, glass and rubber often finds its way into the ocean via marine dumping is detrimental due to the fact it takes those items over 100 years to decompose.

Another cause of pollution that can be sourced back to factories is the burning of fossil fuels. The toxic chemicals that are contained

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here’s an old Russian proverb that says: “If he beats you it means he loves you.”

On Feb. 7, President Putin signed a controversial bill which decriminalizes domestic violence to first-time offenders who do not cause serious bodily harm to their partners, claiming that law shouldn’t interfere with family affairs.

Under the bill, abusers would face a fine of roughly $500 or a 15-day arrest only if the victim is hospitalized with broken bones or a concussion. Russia is infamous for having severely traditional views on gender and sexual equality, and is one of three countries in Europe and Central Asia that do not have laws specifically targeting domestic violence, according to The Economist.

The bill received little support, a survey this month showing only 19 percent said “it can be acceptable” to hit one’s wife, husband or child “ in certain

circumstances.”

Communist lawmaker Yuri Sinelshchikov argued against the bill, warning the bill would establish violence as a normal. Women’s rights lawyer Mari Davtyan told the Moscow Times that the legislative moves are dangerous and “send a message that the state doesn’t consider familial battery fundamentally wrong anymore.”

Alyona Popova, activist and women’s rights advocate, lamented that this attitude is widespread in Russia, The Moscow Times reported. “Traditional, or rather archaic values have become popular again,” she said.

Ultra-conservative and sponsor of the bill, Yelena Mizulina said publicly she believes women “don’t take offense when they see a man beating his wife” and that “a man beating his wife is less offensive than when a woman humiliates a man.”

Mizulina also said that Russian law should support family traditions that are “built on the authority or the parents power,” and that parents should be allowed to hit their children.

Even Russian police are reluctant to interfere with domestic violence cases. Unfortunately, this victim-blaming mindset in Russia is already leading to fatalities. A police officer is being investigated after a woman was beaten to death by her husband, despite the fact that she reported his aggressive behavior to police. The officer reportedly told the woman they would only come if she got killed.

“Passage of this law would be a huge step backward for Russia, where victims of domestic violence already face enormous obstacles to getting help or justice,” said Yulia Gorbunova, Russia researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“The domestic violence bill would reduce penalties for abusers and put victims’ lives at even greater risk.”

In a 2005 study of 2,200 people in 50 towns and cities across Russia, 70 percent of women said they had been subjected to at least one form of violence – physical, sexual, economic, or psychological – by their husbands, and 36 percent experienced both physical and psychological violence, according to Human Rights Watch.

Failure to adequately protect victims of domestic violence and ensure access to justice violates Russia’s international human rights obligations.

The bill closely resembles the advice adults often give young girls when they complain that boys are teasing them: “They’re only doing it because they like you.” This common idea that “boys will be boys” and are not reprimanded for their entitled behavior is setting men up to feel inclined to power and dominance as they get older.

This type of playground etiquette is distasteful and should be eradicated from our vocabulary. Regardless of age, males should be taught to treat women equally and with respect. Old traditions may die hard, but justifying abuse is undoubtedly inhumane and should never be tolerated.

“The Vagina Monologues” lack intersectionality

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Kendall Grove Staff Writer

eminism is a source of controversy in the current political climate in the U. S. With the recent women’s marches it may seem like feminism is more relevant now than ever, but it continues to be a debated topic.

In response to the 21st centuries emphasis on feminism, many college campuses have begun putting on a play that focuses mostly on women’s issues.

“The Vagina Monologues” is a play written by Eve Ensler, and it was first performed in 1996 and since then has been performed in over 140 countries .

However, in 2015 Mount Holyoke College which is an all girls school in Massachusetts decided to stop performing “The Vagina Monologues.”

The college’s Project Theater Board wrote in an email, “At its core, the show offers an extremely narrow perspective on what it means to be a woman.”

Mount Holyoke College’s accusation of “The Vagina Monologues” is

not an exaggeration. The show calls attention to women’s genitalia in a way that excludes anyone who identifies as a transgender woman. It also excludes anyone who identifies as asesxual due to the sexual nature of the show.

The majority of the stories in “The Vagina Monologues” directly relate to female genitalia. One of the stories, “Because He Liked To Look At It,” follows the tale of a woman who is ashamed of her female genitalia to learning to love it. This is kind of a story is not targeted towards anyone without traditional female genitalia.

“Gender is a wide and varied experience, one that cannot simply be reduced to biological or anatomical distinctions,” said Mount Holyoke’s Project Theater Boards. The college had decided to replace the show with a series of new monologues that are inclusive of all identities and minorities.

A reason for “The Vagina Monologues” flaws could be the era is was written in. It has been 20 years since 1996 and feminism has evolved. In the 21st century, feminism is much more mainstream and is concerned with gender equality and women’s rights.

“The Vagina Monologues” are only concerned with sex and body positivity. Both sex and body positivity fall under the general category of feminism, but they fail to address the relevant topic of gender equality when it is needed most.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource, one in five women are raped while in college and 63 per-

cent of rape is not even reported to police. “The Vagina Monologues” depicts what is statutory rape of a teenage girl by an older woman in a positive light.

The girl in the story describes the older woman as her “politically incorrect salvation.”

In “The Vagina Monologues” story, “Because He Liked To Look At It,” a male is described as “ordinary” and “nondescript.” The story goes on to explain how this woman did not particularly like this man but he helped her become confident with her genitalia. The story is meant to be funny, but ends up leaving men objectified.

This aspect of “The Vagina Monologues” makes it hard to accept as a form of female empowerment on a college campus. Feminism on college campuses is important and where many young women learn that their place in the world can be limitless.

Sonoma State University, along with other universities, should work towards finding a more inclusion and modern proclamation of feminism.

Many of “The Vagina Monologues” performances donate the money they make from performances to women specific organizations. Last year Sonoma State’s performance of “The Vagina Monologues” donated their profit to Verity, which is a sexual assault hotline.

The intention of “The Vagina Monologues” is noble, but ends up not discussing the important aspects of female empowerment and missing the entire topic of gender equality.

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News

FEB. 21 - FEB. 27, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

Search on for new GMC executive director Matthew Koch Staff Writer

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he Green Music Center, originally a source of contention over its conception, and now an innovator of the arts in Sonoma County, is in search of a new executive director to help broaden its educational vision.

Larry Furukawa-Schlereth was the first executive director when the Green Music Center opened in 2012. Furukawa-Schlereth retired abruptly last year just as Judy K. Sakaki took over as president of the university. Furukawa-Schlereth had 25 years of service to the California State University system. Stan Nosek was appointed by Sakaki as interim executive director with Zarin Mehta who took over as co-executive director in November 2013.

“I serve as the co-executive director with Zarin Mehta,” said Stan Nosek, who assumed the position at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year as a part of Sakaki’s interim staff. “Zarin focuses on the bookings of the Green Music Center. I focus on more of the management or operation of the facilities itself and the staff who work in that facility and serve the various events we have.”

Nosek, also the vice president of administration and finance, oversees different departments on campus.

“The scope of responsibilities that I have is to serve as the campus chief financial officer and to oversee a variety of campus service units that are a part of the administration and finance responsibility,” Nosek said.

While Nosek is now interim co-executive director, Kathryn Stewart, associate director of communications for the Green Music Center, said that the college is now looking for a full-time executive director position to fulfill the duties of both Nosek and Mehta’s positions. “[This position will] I hope help bridge

the gap between Sonoma State and the Green Music Center,” Stewart said. “I think it’s great that the Green Music Center person would have a voice in the cabinet and then be able to hear everything that’s going on on campus. I think that’s really important.”

According to Stewart, the school initially planned the Green Music Center as a smaller building, like Schroeder Hall.

The contention grew when former Sonoma State President Ruben Armiñana decided to expand the Green Music Center into a larger, more lavish concert hall like the Tanglewood concert hall near Boston, Stewart said. Tanglewood is a prominent venue for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Stewart noted that despite initial debate about opening the Green Music Center, they realized it could be a one-of-a-kind place in Sonoma County. “It would help increase student attraction and retention for the music department to serve as a focal point for the Sonoma County arts community,” Stewart said.

Various donors and sponsors, such as the major capital campaign by Santa Rosa Symphony, private donations, Joan and Sanford Weill, and MasterCard, funded the center.

Officials say the new executive director will be focused on ensuring the GMC’s financial stability while he/she also will be resposible for developing a master schedule for the concerts, work with the administration to make a fundraising program and to articulate an overall artistic and educational vision.

The executive director requires a bachelor’s degree and formal arts education, as well as eight to 10 years of management experience.

For more information about the position’s details and requirements, check the job announcement at www.sonoma.edu/jobs/ docs/gmc-executive-director.pdf.

Contact greenmusiccenter@sonoma. edu for other inquiries into the GMC.

Kristen Loken Green Music Center Co-Executive Director Zarin Mehta stands in the balcony in Weill Hall. The Green Music Center is hiring an exectuive director to fill in the current interim position held by Stan Nosek.

UNIVERSITY DISTRICT: Students will have to wait until apartments are built Continued from Pg. 1

Prices for the University District homes range from the low $500,000’s to $600,000. During site preparation, the city said the new development was very beneficial to people living in the area.

“Sonoma State University students, faculty members and staff will have access to increased local housing opportunities from the University District master planned community, with diverse housing, trails, open space, two public parks (13 acres in total) and a future commercial center,” Beiswenger said. According to Beiswenger, the trail along Hinebaugh Creek is also improved and the project will help create a trail connection between campus and Crane Creek Regional Park.

Richmond American Homes,

based in Denver, Westwood-based KB Homes and Pleasanton-based Signature Homes are all working together to build the University District.

The first phase of the project involves constructing three neighborhoods; Cypress, Mulberry and Magnolia. KB Homes is building Cypress, Richmond American Homes is building Mulberry and Magnolia is the work of Signature Homes. ”The northerly portion of Rohnert Park Expressway will be constructed in 2017, while the existing southerly portion of Rohnert Park Expressway will be reconstructed in 2018 at earliest,” Stone said. “The estimated time of completion for the development is by 2024, though this is subject to market conditions.”

For more information on the University District, visit liveuniversitydistrict.com

#FREETHECSU: Students urged to mobilize before Board of Trustees and Legislature Continued from Pg. 1

McGuire: “I think the more you can mobilize the better. Mobilizing with the Trustees, and mobilizing here in the Capitol, are going to be really important.

Showing up at budget hearings is also going to be really important, to be able to come speak your piece.

We will be happy to work with you to start figuring out when those dates are. There will be one hearing simply focused on higher education, and everybody’s butts should be in those seats - packing those budget hearings in the both the Assembly and the Senate. I would even recommend showing up wearing a onecolored shirt and looking super organized.”

STAR: “A lot of students are working more or at least half time, and some even full time, so every time the tuition goes up some students really take a hit.”

McGuire: “It’s already really expensive; not even just school but figuring out rent and food every month.

With that said, I am serious about students showing up to budget hearings because they are going to be really important. I know it can be a pain, but showing up is more than half the battle.”

STAR: “You’re a graduate of Sonoma State, what did you learn on campus?”

McGuire: “To be honest, it was some of the best two years of my life. I have never been more challenged, besides trying to pass statistics to get into Sonoma State. I really struggled in high school, and my grandma suggested that I get a tutor. I remember being at Gateway’s Learning Center and being around a lot of junior high school kids. I felt like such a rube, but it worked.”

STAR: “Can you tell us a little about your life before and after coming to Sonoma State?”

McGuire: “My mom and I struggled, so I went partially on a Pell Grant to Sonoma State. Afterwards I worked at TV-50 for seven years. I worked in the newsroom and was the morning news producer, and then I became assignment editor and also marketing director. Then our production director left, and I also took over that and I ended up being there for seven years.

During that time, I was also on the City Council in

Healdsburg, and then I ran for the Board of Supervisors in Sonoma County, served on that for four years, and then I got elected to the state Senate. But my mom and dad had a really bad divorce when I was young and my grandma took us in on her farm and she has been an amazing driving force. I feel grateful to be here. It’s a privilege. I get emotional thinking about it.”

STAR: “Were you elected to the Healdsburg school board while you were at Sonoma State?”

McGuire: “I was an elected official at night and working during the day to pay the bills. My grandma had a stroke around that time, so she sold her farm and moved to Cloverdale with my mom. I was working full time and going to school full time, but I feel super grateful.

We are going to have some challenging times coming up, but I think we are going to come through it. The way the federal government is moving, we are going to have some dark times. However I am a super optimist and some of our nation’s best policies comes out of our nation’s toughest times.”

STAR: “The Legislative Analyst Office has recommended that California should converge the medicinal marijuana rules, that you helped write, with those approved with Proposition 64 that legalized the recreational use of cannabis. What are your thoughts on how that is going work?”

McGuire: I did not support Prop. 64 because of some of the problems we are facing now, which is an onslaught of rules and regulations that we are not going to be ready for.

We have between 20,000 and 25,000 growers between Sonoma County and the Oregon border, and the intention is to have every one of those farmers in our tax system by Jan. 1. That will be an uphill battle.

We have to buy technology in order for people to pay their taxes, which will track every pound of marijuana from the time it leaves the farm, to the time it goes to warehouse and from the time it goes to the dispensary for sale.

Massachusetts is on their second six-month delay in their recreational cannabis law, and California is a much larger state. It’s all about being transparent and honest so let’s tell businesses what we are going to do,

so they can prepare for it, and let’s give hard dates in STAR // Paul Gullixson Members of the Sonoma State STAR met Sen. Mike McGuire in Mcguire’s legislative office on Feb. 15. which we are going to be able to hit.”

STAR: “Do you have any thoughts on Measure A, a tax on commercial marijuana operations in unincorporated areas in Sonoma County that will be on the March 7 ballot? Some growers and others involved in cannabis operations are opposing it because, they say, the taxes and regulations proposed by the county are too harsh.”

McGuire: “I am in support of the measure. This industry has not paid a fraction of the tax that it should have, and I think that cannabis needs to become like every other regulated product that we have, such as gasoline or alcohol. There are consequences to industry. There is a lot of environmental cleanup that needs to be done. We have to restore our watersheds, and just to be able to enforce our rules regulations is going to be really expensive.”

“I did not support Prop. 64 because of some of the problems we are facing now, which is an onslaught or rules and regulations that we are not going to be ready for.”

News

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Page 5

IMMIGRATION: Citizens fear personal information will be turned over to officials Continued from Pg. 1

Immigration officials arrested Daniel Ramirez Medina, 23, in Seattle on Feb. 10, and Josue Romero, 19, in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 16. Romero has since been released while Ramirez Medina remains in custody of immigration officials.

Both are recipients of DACA, Obama’s executive action that allows undocumented immigrants who arrived to this country as children to apply for a two-year work permit and get deferred action from deportation. In order to qualify, applicants must have a clean record and be enrolled in a higher learning institution or have graduated from high school.

DACA protects an estimated 728,000 or more young undocumented immigrants.

But many participants in the program, including those at Sonoma State, have expressed concern about the future of the program under President Donald Trump who has pledged to crack down on the number of undocumented immigrants in the country.

Some are concerned that the personal information they filed when applying for the DACA program will now be used against them by officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Obama administration promised DACA recipients that their personal information would not be released to immigration officials. However, in the light of last week’s arrests, the anxiety that DACA recipients may become targeted for deportation has increased.

Sonoma State is home to 148 undocumented students, many of whom are DACA recipients.

Last Wednesday, several Sonoma State STAR editors and reporters talked to California elected officials about the uncertainty undocumented students are facing.

“In this state we celebrate diversity. We don’t deport it. We don’t ban it. We don’t wall it off,” Senate majority leader Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, said to a group of newspaper executives Wednesday. “The state of California will not lift a single finger, nor spend a single cent to separate mothers from their children and children from their mothers.”

Many California cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, have declared themselves “sanctuary cities,” meaning federal immigration laws will not be supported by local police enforcement or funds.

Trump has threatened these cities, and the state of California, by saying he will withdraw federal funds if they uphold their sanctuary status. For California, this would mean losing billions of dollars that go to infrastructure and education.

“Withholding funds from California is illegal, unconstitutional and requires stat-

“In this state we celebrate diversity. We don’t report it.

We don’t ban it. We don’t wall it off.” utory action from congress,” De Leon told a California Newspaper Publishers Association conference. “If [House Speaker] Paul Ryan and [U.S. Senate majority leader] Mitch McConnell attempt to withhold funds from California, we will see them in court, let me be very clear about that.”

De Leon has also introduced Senate Bill 54 — the “sanctuary state bill”— which would prevent all local and state police agencies from cooperating with federal im-

STAR // Nate Galvan Senate majority leader Kevin de León, D-Los Angeles, vowed to combat federal efforts to crack down on undocumented residents in California. He spoke at the Califronia Newspaper Publishers Association confernce held in Sacramento on Feb. 15. migration officials to deport undocumented immigrants.

Sonoma State alumni and state Sen. Mike McGuire said he supports the legislation. “SB54 will not protect undocumented immigrants with felonies,” McGuire said.

“California has over 214,000 undocumented immigrants under DACA” he said.

“That is more than any other state. Undocumented students can rest assure California State University, University of California, and California Community Colleges will not share any information with immigration officials,” he said.

On the other hand, state Senate Republican Leader Jean Fuller said that California’s relationship with Trump was an important priority for her party.

“If we continue the rhetoric we have had so far, we will come last,” Fuller said. “Let’s get along and get to work.”

Sonoma County supervisors pledge to defend undocumented citizens Tyler Heberle Staff Writer

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he Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has joined the chorus of public agencies and organizations opposing President Donald Trump’s plans for a crackdown on undocumented workers which could mean deporting contributing members of society.

At its Feb. 7 meeting, the board adopted a resolution to confirm its commitment to undocumented citizens.

As part of the resolution, Sonoma County lawmakers pledged to research and analyze current immigration laws, discuss plans for meeting at an immigration rights summit with local governments and nonprofits, evaluate the efficiency of existing services and conduct a “service gap analysis,” among other measures.

Board Chair Shirlee Zane said many of the undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are “providing valuable services,” paying taxes and should not have to be concerned for the state of their lives.

“We want people to be able to live in peace,” Zane said. “I don’t believe immigrants, whether they’re undocumented or documented, should have to live in fear.”

Zane said the board plans to support extension of the Unaccompanied Minors Deportation Defense Pilot Program, which helps defend immigrant children from unlawful deportation in court.

“We were the first county in the whole state who took on this representation of undocumented chil-

dren; unaccompanied minors who were sent here,” Zane said.

The board plans to analyze and support Senate Bill 54, which would prevent state and local resources from being used to help federal agents investigate or deport undocumented citizens, according to Zane.

Assemblyman Marc Levine, who co-authored this bill with state Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin De León, said they introduced the bill on Dec. 5. If passed, it would prohibit state and local officials from sharing citizen’s’ immigration status with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“It restricts how information is collected, and it restricts how that information is shared,” Levine said.

Mariana Martinez, research coordinator for the McNair Scholars Program, said supervisors should evaluate the role of law enforcement in deportation, potentially at the summit proposed in the Board of Supervisors’ resolution.

“The immigration summit goes beyond talking about just homeland security,” Martinez said. “It’s going toward ‘What is law enforcement, and what are they willing to do, and… how far can we go and push for our own county to protect all of its citizens, regardless of citizenship status?”

Martinez said Secure Communities, an existing deportation technology used by county jails, causes problems when they arrest undocumented citizens for even minor crimes.

“When people get arrested and you do your fingerprints, it goes to the Department of Justice and Homeland Security… A software’s in place that will

tell ICE, ‘This person is undocumented,’ ” Martinez said.

Levine said that while immigration status could potentially still be used by law enforcement for investigating certain types of criminal activity, public facilities such as schools and hospitals would not be required to share citizens’ information with ICE under SB54.

“Our universities are places of learning… not places any student should live in fear,” Levine said.

Martinez said she thinks the Board of Supervisors also should reach out to nonprofit organizations that have previously worked on immigration issues, such as North Bay Organizing Project, which has worked to establish Sonoma County as a sanctuary area.

“I feel like we’re recreating the wheel with something that’s already there… the research and the data is there,” Martinez said.

Zane said undocumented immigrants and their children deserve food and health care, and should not have to disenroll from Medi-Cal or Food Stamps in fear of deportation.

“We’re not going to be sharing their information with the federal government,” Zane said. “We’re going to take care of them like we always have.”

Zane said the Board of Supervisors will continue to provide services for undocumented citizens, including those who attend Sonoma State.

“They’re our community members,” Zane said.

“They don’t belong to the federal government—they belong to our community.”

Sonoma County The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution on Feb. 7 opposing to President Donald J. Trump’s executive orders on immigration.

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Arts

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“Screenagers” explores relationship between teens and technology Sam Evans Staff Writer

Commentary

T COURTESY // David Papas Malik-Charles Wade, plays Pagageno in the production of Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute,” presented Feb. 23 to March 5.

Theater Arts and Dance Department prepares for “The Magic Flute” Brigitte Maina Staff Writer

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pirits, serpents and Sarastro, oh my! Sonoma State University’s Theatre Arts and Dance Department’s spring production has arrived with their adaptation of German composer Emanuel Schikaneder libretto, “The Magic Flute.”

The two-hour, two-act, nine-scene opera follows Talimo, portrayed by James Leng, a prince on a path to true love. To the musical stylings of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the hero’s journey begins after Talimo narrowly escapes the wrath of a giant snake and awakens to a new acquaintance, Papageno, and three spirits who show him a portrait of the queen’s daughter, Pamina. Love at first sight prompts the duo into rescue missions and tests of loyalty, primarily solved by using the power of the magic flute and magic bells.

“A big theme visually is folk art,” said set designer and senior Kris East.

“The show is very large, bright and colorful.”

East has designed eight large pieces exhibited during the show including a water fountain, a moon and a rainforest piece inspired by a Thoreau painting.

On stage, more than 40 on-and-off stage hands deliver the two-century-old opera with the help of a full orchestra featuring a majority of the Santa Rosa Symphony, as well as students from the Sonoma State Symphony. More than 80 costumes were created by senior Samantha Summerfield, while the lights are designed and orchestrated by senior Lauren Eckis.

And with the help of alumna Mary Nagler, MFA, art students “not only built the puppets [in the show], but learned to

inhabit [their] personalities,” said production manager Juliet Pokorny. The crew varies in class level, areas of study and age; as do the opera’s characters.

“Most of these people don’t know each other, but they’re coming together to tell a story.”

Off stage, the students have been preparing and rehearsing twice a week minimum since August. Constant collaboration, according to Pokorny, “[builds the muscle used for] seeing something through someone else’s eyes, anticipating what they want and what will ultimately better the bigger picture.”

“When you hear ‘opera,’ you think people in costumes singing the whole time,” said senior and music education major Malik-Charles Wade I. Wade portrays Papageno, the bird catcher.

“The Magic Flute” will be his second Sonoma State production, following “Into the Woods.”

“But it’s a whole production with a new style,” said Wade. “Can’t knock it till you try it.”

A chance to witness final preparation and setup for opening night rises on Feb. 21 when the Theatre Arts Department partners with Studio Blue to live stream backstage interviews, orchestra set-up, set changes and more on Lobo Vision starting at 6 p.m.

The seductive flute speaks for itself beginning Feb. 23 until March 5 in Evert B. Person Theatre. Visiting students, seniors and general admission tickets will have a fixed rate of $5 for “$5 Friends and Family Night,” March 2. While current students, faculty, staff and alumni are free. For the remaining dates, SSU students are free with ID, $10 for seniors and visiting students, $15 for faculty and staff, and $17 for general admission.

Tickets can be purchased through the Sonoma State Performing Arts Box Office.

here was an unmistakable irony in the sea of digitally illuminated faces filling the seats in Schroeder Hall at the Sonoma State University Green Music Center Friday night. Students, parents and children alike fidgeted with their smartphones waiting for the scheduled showing of “Screenagers” to begin.

“Screenagers” is a documentary by Filmmaker and Primary Care Physician Delaney Ruston that explores the sensitive and somewhat volatile relationship between teenagers and modern technology.

Ruston’s interest in the subject stemmed from her hesitance to allow her own teenage daughter, Tessa to get the smartphone that she so desperately wanted. Ruston feared that if she got Tessa a smartphone, she would become addicted to using it. Tessa, on the other hand, pleaded with her mother, insisting that she was simply being overprotective.

In order to better understand this conflict, Ruston decided to do some research on the effects of prolonged smartphone, computer and television use on teenagers. She then compiled what she found into an informative and

engaging independent documentary.

According to Ruston, the average person spends about 6.5 hours a day looking at a screen. This excludes work and school time. So what drives people to become so invested with these devices?

“Screenagers” argues it’s a part of human nature. The body releases dopamine every time a person finds a new piece of information. Originally, this was an evolutionary advantage because it drove people to learn and seek new experiences. However, in the Information Age, this burst of dopamine is only a click away at all times, and the ease with which it can be attained makes it highly addictive.

This is especially true for teenagers because the adolescent brain isn’t fully developed yet. This means the prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain responsible for self-control, is not yet operating at full capacity.

Combining a potentially addictive behavior with an impaired sense of selfcontrol is a recipe for disaster.

Bryahna Alvarez, a fourth-year English major at Sonoma State who attended the screening agreed the compulsive use of technology among children and teenagers is becoming a problem. She recalled the behavior of her younger siblings when expressing her opinion.

“It was a biased film, but at the same time, it did hold some truth. I see it

with my younger siblings.

They are devaluing their education because they have so much emphasis on technology in their lives,” said Alvarez. “They’re always on their phones and iPads. Once, I took my little sister’s iPhone away from her for an hour and I asked if she could color or something else instead.

She threw a fit.”

Becky Vargas, a second-year English major who also watched the documentary had a very different opinion.

“I don’t think it’s a problem to be completely honest. The movie only highlighted the problems with technology, but I feel like the good outweighs the bad,” said Vargas.

“Technology helps us with so much. It can really expand young people’s minds. It helps us reach corners of the world that we never could before. It especially helps to keep us updated on politics and current events in general.”

Modern technology is incredible and when used in moderation, it can be very useful. But the problem we seem to be facing is that it is becoming increasingly difficult to use such technology in moderation, especially for children and teenagers.

If you want to fix a problem in society, the problem must first be brought to the attention of the public in an eloquent, and digestible way. This is exactly what Ruston has done with the production and distribution of “Screenagers.”

facebook.com “Screenagers” was released in 2016 and directed by Delany Ruston.

The film was screened at the GMC on Friday for students and faculty.

Retro round-up nolan brough

Staff Writer

E

veryone has nostalgic memories of how they spent their early childhood days: watching “The Lion King” on repeat, making pillow forts at sleep-overs with our friends or picking out movies at Blockbuster. These experiences defined us and helped shape us into who we are today. As time molds us as people, it also affects those things that we spent so much time with back in the day.

Many readers will agree, “Super Smash Bros. Melee” was a significant pastime for many people, as we invested hundreds of hours into it, and many continue to play it today.

“Super Smash Bros. Melee” is the second game in a continuing series from Nintendo. It is a multiplayer fighting game that includes characters across Nintendo’s vast array of intellectual properties, featuring characters like Mario, Link, Pikachu and Donkey Kong.

The game was released in 2001 in Japan and released worldwide shortly after. The game was met with massive success and according to VGChartz, sold seven million units by 2008.

Many have fond memories of pummeling friends off the platforms in the game, cycling through the characters and answering the question, who would win in a fight? Mario or Link? The game was a great addition to any party or sleep over. But once we grew up, many of us p u t the game away in storage or traded it in for a copy of the next “Call of Duty” game. However, some avid players grew more passionate about the game, and have helped “Super Smash Bros.

Melee” become a staple in modern Esports.

Since the game’s release, passionate players have taken it upon themselves to push the game to its absolute limits. Many techniques that some would call glitches are commonly used by professional players to move and attack in ways that the developers never originally intended.

Wave dashing, wobbling and multi-shines are terms we probably never heard when we played the game in our youth, but these techniques are now a staple to any “Super Smash Bros. Melee” player and are necessary exploits to perform well in any tournament.

Melee tournaments began in 2002 and have steadily grown in prominence ever since. “Super Smash Bros. Melee” has gone through sponsorships of some major companies, most notably Major League Gaming. Tournaments for Melee vary, with many smaller local tournaments popping up all over the country to massive annual tourneys that host multiple games and thousands of entrants. The 2016 Evolution Championship Series amassed 2,372 entrants for Melee and lasted three days. The winner, Juan Debiedma, or Hungrybox as he’s better known, is a professional player who uses the character Jigglypuff and won $14,232 for his first place win in the massive tournament.

These larger tournaments draw in huge spectators, with over 232,000 people streaming the event, dwarfing viewership for many modern games. Why is it that “Super Smash Bros.

Melee” has retained such popularity? Even here at Sonoma State University, many students regularly play the game.

“Everyone can kind of jump in and play,” says Kevin Considine, treasurer of the Computer Science Club.

The Computer Science Club tries to put on a LAN event every month where students can come together and play video games and hang out for awhile. Amongst all the games that they host their, Melee remains a fan favorite.

“You want people to come together and play the game,” said Considine. “Smash is something we can easily pick up.”

Keep an eye on the Computer Science Club’s Instagram @csclubssu.

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Entertainment

Page 7

Business major makes strides in art industry Emma Capper Staff Writer

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instagram.com

Chance the Rapper wins three Grammy Awards Alexis Austin Staff Writer

T

Commentary

he music world operates alongside a myth: to achieve the highest level of success and recognition, one must sign on to a record label and sell a ton of records. It has always been generally understood that a “big” record deal equated to a “big break” in the music and entertainment industry.

At the 59th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, this myth was shattered when the young Chicago-native artist and producer Chance the Rapper brought home three awards: Best New Artist, Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance, signifying universal acclaim, without having sold a single record.

“I know that people think independence means you do it by yourself, but independence means freedom,” stated Chance in his acceptance speech for best new artist.

The 2017 Grammys were the first in a 59 year history to make eligible streaming-only recording. The recording academy issued a press release last year in June that announced this amendment as well as changes to the award criteria for best new artist.

These included “the best new artist must have achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and impacted the musical landscape during the eligibility period.”

This criteria represents exactly what chance the rapper accomplished. Within the first week of his third mixtape’s release on Apple Music in May of 2016, “Coloring Book” was streamed over 57.3 million times.

“Coloring Book” embraced witty bars and an impossible to imitate style.

The mixtape, now classified album, embodied diverse influences from James Brown to Freestyle Fellowship to Kanye West. It was co-produced by the Social Experiment, Lido and Kaytranada to name a few. Every song on the album, excluding “Same Drugs” and “Blessings,” was a collaboration featuring numerous well regarded artists such as Kirk Franklin, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz and Justin Bieber. This music impacted the standard “musical landscape” with a certain uniqueness that is genuine and relatable across a broad and diverse fan base. He conveys the experiences of life in Chicago, being a father, suffering the adversities of relationships and piloting the music industry without a label. He communicates positivity and his untiring trust in God, dancing across the borders of genres.

The album can be classified as gospel rap, voicing an upbeat and spiritual listening experience. In regards to this, Chance’s music defies a variety of social normalities, as well as mainstream rap/ hip-hop familiarity.

He made it to the Grammys, defying the status quo. In his acceptance speech for best rap album, he dedicated the award to “every indie artist who has been doing this mixtape stuff for a long ass time.”

In receiving his honors, Chance opened the door and he is leading the way, setting an example for these “others” he mentioned. This years Grammys was the first ever to allow “mixtape stuff” a seat at the table and there could not have been a more worthy forerunner to this new era.

Chance also won Best New Artist and Best Mixtape for “Coloring Book” at the 2016 Soul Train Awards, Best New Hip Hop Artist at the 2016 BET awards and Outstanding New Artist at the 2017 NAACP Image Awards.

facebook.com Chance the Rapper won Best New Artist, Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance at the 2017 Grammy Awards.

hile our campus slept, a fusion of culture was alive in the Art Building. Justin Heidrick, a business major and art minor, used room 136 as a venue to house his paintings, custom designed shoes and to unveil his newest work “Sound.”

The lights were dim but the Jordans were aglow.

The walls were lined with portraits of artists like Tyler The Creator and Chance The Rapper. Heidrick based the exhibition on an Off-White fashion show, a brand whose energy inspired his latest painting and its presentation.

“The music spoke to me,” said Heidrick. “I tried to take what was embodied by the brand and turn it into a painting.”

After a brief monologue, the audience got a chance to experience “Sound,” enhanced by audio sampled from Off-White’s show. The seven-track mix started with a voiceover from a 1972 episode of BBC’s “Ways of Seeing,” which examines how photography changed the way older works of art are perceived when placed outside the room or frame for which they were created.

“Looking at a painting isn’t a singular thing. It’s more of an experience, an interaction with the viewer,” said Heidrick.

The painting itself reflects an influence of elements from Off-White’s clothing and Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam.”

Surprisingly, painting wasn’t always a focus for Heidrick.

“My focus on art started backwards,” Heidrick joked.

In high school, Heidrick’s interest was in basketball and collecting sneakers. It was after he found blogs of custom shoe designers that he decided to try it for himself. Soon, his friends and peers noticed his work and requested pairs for themselves. Through Instagram, fellow shoe enthusiasts encouraged his designs.

Now, Heidrick has an Instagram following of over 22,000, where he shares and sells his customized shoes.

Although it was never about the money, Heidrick is happy that his brand, Justwin Customs, now generates enough of a profit for him to keep doing what he loves. Heidrick uses Jordans or other Nike basketball shoes, often looking for collector’s items, retro or older styles. His collection offers a variety of color designs, geometric patterns, intricate sceneries and themed or sponsored designs.

When the NFL dedicated Week 13 to the “My Cause My Cleats” campaign, players were allowed to decorate their cleats, promoting the charity of their choice. Just days before the games, a colleague requested customized cleats for NFL players Cam Newton and Thomas Davis.

Even with finals around the corner, Heidrick was able to design shoes for the players in a matter of hours. In the past, custom shoes had taken up to 30 hours to be perfect.

In addition, Heidrick has been recruited by Sprite and Coca-Cola. After participating in live custom competitions, a curator for the events reached out on behalf of the companies.

“I used to go to the events to buy shoes with my friends. I’d bring some of my designs and hand out business cards.

The word of mouth really helped,” said Heidrick.

He’s designed 10 pieces for Sprite’s NBA All-Star weekend, including customized basketballs, records and shoes.

Seven of his customs were displayed at the NCAA tournament.

These are just a few of highlights on Heidrick’s resume. From celebrity shoutouts to teaching a custom design class, Heidrick’s experience continues to grow. After he graduates in May, Heidrick wants to see where he can take his company. In school, time is divided, but after the fact he wants to make Justwin Customs his main time commitment.

“I’d like to see how far I can push it,” said Heidrick. “It’s what I’m passionate about and I’m doing it already.”

Eventually, Heidrick hopes to get involved with a footwear company doing product design or color design and theory.

A not so “Great Wall” Sean Curzon Staff Writer

Review

I

f you’re looking for a movie that’s slightly boring, “The Great Wall” is the movie for you. You’d expect more from a movie about monsters attacking ancient China. Directed by Zhang Yimou, who is best known for “Hero” and “House of Flying Daggers,” definitely brings his signature style to the film, but it’s not enough. “The Great Wall” boasts some impressive visuals but lacks a story or characters to hold it up.

Matt Damon plays a mercenary who travels to China in search of gunpowder. He and his partner, played by Pedro Pascal, come across the Great Wall under siege by monsters. They find Commander Lin, played by Jing Tian, and a lost knight, Sir Ballard played by Willem Dafoe. The characters are not developed at all. The first big battle happens 15 minutes into the movie. We don’t know who any of these people are, so we don’t really feel any sense of danger when they hack and slash the identical CGI monsters.

The story is an excuse for cool shots of the Great Wall. This makes the scenes between the action dull. The movie doesn’t even name Matt Damon’s character until about a half an hour in. Dafoe and Pascal have a subplot about stealing gunpowder but it goes nowhere. Dafoe is more of a plot device to explain why certain Chinese characters speak English.

All of the characters are given very little characterization. None of the chinese generals personality extends beyond what primary color there armor is. The dialogue consists of cliches with lines like “You came back ” and “Only so I can kill you myself.” It doesn’t help with the flat characters.

Action should be in service of the story and every fight should propel it.

But there isn’t much of a story in “The Great Wall.” What makes this so tragic is Yimou did this so well in “Hero.” It doesn’t help that the villains are all mindless monsters. It’s hard to be invested in the fight when all one side wants is food.

The monsters are a hive-mind controlled by the queen. So if they kill the queen, they kill them all. It makes the fights feel extra pointless and the final battle feel anti-climactic.

The fighting does get repetitive. Centering all your battles around one area is not really conducive to making your fight scenes interesting and diverse. Oh look, they’re slashing the monsters again. But this time it’s foggy! The film does move the final battle to a city but by that time, it’s too little, too late. The opening fight scene is the greatest in terms of scale. After the initial wave of monster attacks, the fights all go downhill after that.

It’s not laughable bad. The movie doesn’t have any bizarre filmmaking choices. There’s no, “what were they thinking” moment. The story is pretty straight forward, but it’s not going to stick with you. It’ll be forgotten a minute after the credits roll. “The Great Wall’s” greatest weakness is just that it’s bland and boring.

Page 8

Student Life

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sonomastatestar.com

Sonoma State rooted in free speech Remembering activist and professor Mario Savio Konrad Schoffer Staff Writer

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n the 1960s the University of California, Berkeley was the birthplace of student activism and the Free Speech Movement. Among the founders of the movement was Mario Savio, a former Sonoma State University faculty member in his later years. Despite his passing in 1996, students at Sonoma State are still impacted by Savio and his beliefs.

The Mario Savio Speakers’ Corner is a memorial at Sonoma State commemorating his life and work, located near the corner of Stevenson and International Hall.

“Savio is one of those people that gave birth to activism, and put Berkeley on the map for demonstrations and protests empowering students,” said Sonoma State News and Media Relation spokesman Nicolas Grizzle. “[Savio] was a student activist and protester at Berkeley. There was a time when students were not allowed any canvassing or any tables on campus, he thought it was a violation of the first amendment,” said Jonah Raskin, Sonoma State professor emeritus and longtime friend of Savio.

“He and a few other students protested and won the right to able to be active in politics. He also went to the South to register voters, that was a pivotal time in his life.”

Savio was remembered for a powerful speech he gave at a large protest at the University of California, Berkeley.

“There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you

can’t take part. You can’t even passively take part. You’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you’ve got to make it stop,” Savio said in a 1964 speech at UC Berkeley.

“You’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you’re free, the machine will be prevented from working at all.”

Although everyone has the right to protest, not everyone chooses to demonstrate their beliefs. Many of the protests today wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t Savio. “[Mario] would feel inspired about events that are happening today. This is what America is about. America was founded by revolutionaries, who believed in the first amendment, freedom of speech, the right to be protected [from] unreasonable searches and seizures [and] all those things in the Bill of Rights. He would be out there in the streets,” said Raskin.

“Savio is one of those people that gave birth to activism, and put Berkeley on the map for demonstrations and protests empowering students.”

According to the American Civil Liberties Union’s website, the right for citizens to peacefully assemble and protest is a necessary part of a functional democracy.

When public expression is met with opposition from police or government, protesters should know their rights in order to protect themselves against unreasonable abuse.

“Human beings never get to the perfect state, there is

always a place for protesting, it’s always happening. It will always happen. That is the nature of democracy, you have to do it, to have it,” said Raskin.

At many colleges and universities around the country students are engaging in protest over a variety of issues.

Students are more willing to protest than in prior years, a trend that could relate to recent political and social unrest.

“He was an inspirational figure because what he was doing was not the norm at the time. When you’re the founder of a movement, it’s always a controversial and risky thing to take on because there’s not a whole lot of people you can look to that say this is how it’s been done and this is how it can be successful,” Grizzle said. “What he was doing was done out of necessity at the time. I can see the parallels [today] with the women’s march.”

“There are a lot of people that deserve credit, [Mario] would not say he was the only one. There are dozens and dozens people, [Robert George] Bobby Seale, Fred Hampton, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman a whole lot of people, that also deserve credit for their contributions,” said Raskin. “He taught [mathematics and philosophy and] believed that education in the state of California should be free for everyone. He [was upset with] the increases in student fees and he was concerned about rights of immigrants.”

Raskin described Savio as passionate about both his work and students. Despite his time as an activist, in his later life Savio wanted to be a professor and often chose to dodge the spotlight.

For more information on demonstrating protester rights, visit the ACLU website at https://www.aclu.org.

STAR // Brennan Chin Near Stevenson Hall, the Mario Savio Speakers’ Corner honors former Sonoma State professor and 1960s Free Speech Movement activist Mario Savio

Evolving policy may welcome outside vendors Erika Peterson Staff Writer

W

hile Sonoma State University has success in many aspects of student life, the lack of attendance at campus events can be extremely prevalent. While different clubs and organizations try their best to develop new ideas to promote student involvement, there seems to be one factor that never fails to boost attendance -- food.

Many clubs, organizations, students and faculty serve food at different events held on campus hoping to spark student interest. Not only can food be used to boost participation for public campus events, it can also help educate people on different cultures. Unfortunately the path to bring food on campus isn’t without hurdles.

“Right now, any kind of catering has to go through the university. This leaves clubs with only one choice of catering which can be somewhat pricy at times for student clubs,” said Robert Smith, campus life advisor at Sonoma State. “You can only use outside catering for member only events, but that takes away the ability for clubs to reach out to different students.”

Smith is a member of a food policy committee at Sonoma State where they examine the old policy, try to get feedback from students and faculty and look for what would be most beneficial and the best fit for campus. Both students and faculty have brought up the issue of outside food vendors.

“There could be less interaction with students catering with Sonoma State, but what people want the most is options.

Just because there are other options doesn’t mean they won’t use on campus catering, but it’s always good to have choices for the students,” said Smith.

While Smith has noticed complications among clubs putting on public events, Savannah Guinn, the Associated Students senator of diversity, has also been aware of conflicts from the old policy.

“I know it has caused issues in terms of student groups that want to put on events involving homemade food or food catered from off-campus. It has limited these students ability to market their organizations on campus in a fun way,” said Guinn.

Though Guinn is aware of the conflicts the policy has created, she has many ideas in which she feels could change the campus for the better.

“I think this policy could provide a great opportunity to make things like a farmers market, or food truck events, possible on campus. I’ve talked to many students who have expressed there is a need for these types of community-based events at Sonoma State, especially ones that could offer healthy, local or culturally diverse food,” Guinn said.

Although Guinn is hopeful for the new policy to be acted upon right away, she worries it won’t be implemented before she graduates.

Ryan Ernst, the director of sales and marketing, is also a member of the food policy committee. Ernst is also responsible for the marketing and communication of many nonacademic departments on campus.

“Currently the committee is in the information gathering stage. We are investigating how other [California State University] institutions are operating to establish best practices in the area. In addition, we are working with Environmental Health and Safety to ensure that any proposed changes are in accordance with the health code, to be sure everyone on our campus is safe,” said Ernst.

Giving on-campus organizations more options for food vendor choices has many different benefits that Ernst feels would leave a positive impact at Sonoma State.

“Through increased cultural options and enhanced fundraising opportunities, we hope our student organizations will feel even more support to carry out their important activities,” Ernst said.

If the food policy does change, Ernst feels that it can help give the push Sonoma State students and faculty need to move forward with any ideas they might have for school events.

“We hope all proposed changes are positive for the campus community. Increased choice allows for more variety, especially as it pertains to cultural organizations, which can make a positive impact on the student experience,” Ernst said.

While making more food options available for clubs at Sonoma State can be positive for some, many are curious about how the policy affects University Culinary Services.

“University Culinary Services is happy to be a part of these conversations as facilitating a positive student experience is one of their key objectives on campus,” said Ernst.

If students wish to provide feedback to the committee, Ernst encourages them to reach out to Ricky Albanese, the Associated Students vice president of finance at asvpf@sonoma.edu.

Student Life

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Seawolves SPEAK!

Campus reacts to upcoming medical marijuana symposium Alyssa Archerda Staff Writer

O

n March 11, students and faculty will be gathering in the Student Center for Sonoma State University’s first symposium on the clinical uses of medical cannabis. After almost a year of discussion, Sonoma State decided to allow United Patients Group, a cannabis education organization, on campus to help educate those studying to work in the medical field. For the six and a half hour symposium, general admission will be $99, and for an extra $65 students can receive CME, CNE, or CPE units. If you are interested in attending, registration for the class is open now at unitedpatientsgroup.com/SSU. The STAR asked seawolves for their thoughts on the cannabis education seminar coming this semester.

“I think it could stand to really benefit our community for people to be educated about the benefits and dangers of medical marijuana. I think it could have a positive impact on our campus, but since I do not know what is actually in the curriculum at this moment, I can’t be all for it yet.”

-Sami Olivia, second year

“Introducing a medical marijuana class will be very controversial but might be beneficial to this particular age of college students being that Proposition 64 was recently passed. It will be beneficial for students to learn more about the drug and reduce the negative stigma that has risen from the media” -Edgar Avalos, first year

“As a student striving to be in the medical field, I think it is a good thing.

Many people who suffer from disease or are in pain rely on medical marijuana. I think it is important for any healthcare provider, or anyone really, to be educated about how to properly manage this as a medicine.”

-Mireya Olivares, third year

“I believe bringing this information to campus could truly be beneficial. Most people only know what they hear from media and their friends, and this could be an honest source of information. That being said, I believe this information could have a negative effect on the way our campus is viewed, being that we are still federally funded.”

-Lupita Paniagua, second year

“I think it’s great. There are many uses for medical marijuana that need to be better understood and utilized.

This could help reduce the stigma associated with medical marijuana.”

-Sam Brannen, Sonoma State alumnus and mathematics professor

“I think these medical marijuana classes are an interesting addition.

However, I believe that despite the stigma attached, it could provide students and professors with an interest in medicine and more knowledge about different forms of treatment.”

- Sierra Sorrentino, second year

Student Life Calendar Wednesday, Feb. 22 Research Paper Workshop Noon Slalzar 1040 Women of Color Collective Noon The HUB Multicultural Special Dinner 5 p.m.

The Kitchens

Multicultural dinner to elevate awareness Jaqueline Huynh Staff Writer

T Friday, Feb. 24 Public Viewing Night 7 p.m.

SSU Observatory Monday, Feb. 27 Queer Studies Lecture 12:05 p.m.

Ives 101

here is no better way to learn about a culture than to indulge in its cuisine. As universal as food can be, eating and being exposed to new dishes or cultures is something many find enjoyable.

The Multicultural Organization Club and Alliance, otherwise known as MOCA, has collaborated with Campus Life Programing, The HUB and the Center for Student Leadership Involvement and Service to host an annual multicultural dinner. The event is designed to showcase many different cultures by serving dishes from each one.

Food for Thought: A Multicultural Dinner, will be located in The Kitchens of the Student Center on Feb. 22 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. where anyone is welcome to enjoy the different cultures presented.

Those with a meal plan can get into this event for free, but for anyone without will have to pay $11.75 for the buffet style dinner.

The event allows clubs to not only publicize their organization, but also partake in bringing students together.

Not only do students get a taste of food they may be unfamiliar with, but it also gives them a chance to learn and support the different types of organizations represented on campus.

“I went [last year] even though I was not on a meal plan. I find that this dinner is not only a great way to be exposed to different cultures, but also to be introduced to the clubs on cam-

pus,” said Rosemarie Keene, a third year who plans on attending the dinner again this year.

The dinner involves a lot of planning from various organizations on campus.

“It is a great opportunity for students whose cultures are represented to feel a direct connection and belonging to campus. It’s an opportunity to learn about something new, while eating something delicious with a community of peers,” Buzo said.

The dinner emphasizes the different cultures Sonoma State students may see on an everyday basis.

The menu will consist of dishes from the Black Student Union, the Filipino American Association, and even the LGBTQ+ community.

“For those who are familiar with the food already, I hope it gives them a little taste of home away from home.

For those who aren’t familiar, I hope they find a new dish that they really enjoy,” said Jessica Amen, president of the Filipino American Association at Sonoma State. “I hope that this will be a gateway to exploring other aspects of our culture.”

Amen hopes to get students to be open-minded when it comes to trying food in which they might not be accustomed.

For students who are already familiar with the dinner such as Keene and Amen, they will be making a return to The Kitchens to enjoy any of the new dishes.

“Learning about cultures allows us to be more engaged citizens,” Buzo states. “This is a chance for people to see themselves represented in the menu, a chance for people to learn about others through food.”

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Sports

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sonomastatestar.com

Golf team places top ten at Visit Stockton Cactus Thaw Naaman Hightower Staff Writer

COURTESY // sonomaseawolves.com The men’s baseball team is off to their best season start since 2013

Baseball team off to the best nonconference start since 2013 Chad Shaver Staff Writer

W

ith a final break in the rain, Sonoma State’s baseball team defeated Fresno Pacific in a 2-0 victory on Sunday at Santa Rosa Junior College.

“The weather was an issue the entire game, but our pitchers threw really well in the bad conditions, keeping us going,” said senior outfielder Daniel Caresio.

Even with the rain making the game difficult, starting pitcher Haydon Turpin gave the Seawolves confidence. Despite collecting a hit in the second and fourth innings, the Seawolves were still unable to score and the game continued to be a pitching duel.

Turpin went strong for five innings, giving up no runs and only two hits. With a change in pitching, it was now senior Aldo Severson’s turn to hold the 0-0 tie. Pitching being the main event of the game put tons of pressure on each at bat, and in the top of the sixth the Seawolves made their at bats count.

It all started with a single by Caresio past the first baseman, and the hits

became contagious. Mitch West then grounded out to third base, advancing Caresio from first to second. Next up to bat was designated hitter Bryce Nagata who doubled to right center, scoring Caresio from second. Now with a man on second base, Sonoma leading 1-0, they were determined to get more runs. Following the double, it was Grant St. Martin’s turn and he put a ball into right field. This ball being strategically placed into right field scored Nagata from second and gave the Seawolves a 2-0 lead.

Sonoma State carried the 2-0 lead for the rest of the game, but ran into a bit of trouble in the top of the ninth.

Although Sonoma State allowed a man to get to third and second base, Bennett kept his eyes on the victory and closed out the game.

“It was a pretty hard game to play in, but in the end our pitching really was better than theirs. We are now 3-0,” said junior catcher Kory Brown.

With this 2-0 victory over Fresno Pacific, Sonoma State baseball is now off to their best start since 2013.

Hopefully they can continue their win streak with their next game against San Francisco State on Friday at the Seawolf Diamond.

A

fter a short drive to Stockton, the men’s golf team gave us something to look forward to after they tied for sixth in the Visit Stockton Cactus Thaw tournament last week. The 22-team tournament is hosted many local powerhouses, notably Dominican University and California Baptist.

For the second time this month, a senior paved the way for both golf teams, as Chase Dossa tied for 16th place. The local Davis high product earned a score of 71, just one under par.

“It was a good way to start the spring season,” Dossa said. “We were happy with our performance last week.

We shot really low on the second day and even felt like we could have gone lower.”

Junior Ian Hofmann says the team’s camaraderie will be a huge contributing factor to their success.

“I think we have done a really good job this year on making a close nit group,” Hofmann said. “We know that we have a young team with most of the team being freshmen, so we really tried to emphasize making the team a family early on.”

With a slow start on the first day of the tournament, Devin Gregg stepped up to the plate by shooting 67 on the second day. The freshmen from San Anselmo is still getting his feet wet, but has earned the respect of the upperclassmen.

Also showing resilience was sophomore Spencer Clapp. In addition to a rough start on the first day of the tournament, he showed some right as he went on to shoot a 68 and help the Seawolves in tournament standings.

“Spencer is a grinder. One of the hardest working guys on the team,” said Dossa. “He always gives words of encouragement when it’s needed. Our whole team has great chemistry.”

Not bad words coming from one of the only two seniors on this years squad.

Justin Shluker, the other head honcho, didn’t have a bad weekend either.

As a senior, it was only right that he share the individual leader boards with Dossa the first day of the tournament. Shluker shot a solid 72 on the first day.

“We all gained confidence in ourselves and look forward to our next event later this week,” Dossa said.

Though they had higher goals for this tournament, it there is some silver lining.

“We played well, but we know we can play better. Knowing that this tournament was our regional preview, it was nice to see most of the teams we’ll be playing in May,” said Hofmann.

The squad will look to follow up as they take a trip down the road to the Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club in Vallejo.

COURTESY // sonomaseawolves The Seawolf golf team placed sixth in the Visit Stockton Cactus Thaw tournament

Men’s basketball win streak snapped on senior night Simon Cherin-Gordon Staff Writer

S

onoma State Men’s Basketball lost Saturday for just the second time in 14 games, falling 58-55 to the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros. It was a night in which a decisive win could have seen the team crack the top 25.

Coming off a dominant 79-67 win over the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles the night before, the Seawolves were riding the momentum of a seven-game winning streak.

They used that inertia Saturday, which was also Senior Night, to gain a 19-11 lead early, but Dominguez Hills was not afraid to push back. The Toros captured the lead just before halftime, and didn’t lose it for the rest of the game.

“I don’t believe complacency is an issue,” Associate Head Coach Rich Shayewitz said. “Every game in the CCAA is competitive. Saturday nights are always going to be tough battles.”

Forward Brian Johnson best embodied the Seawolves’ lack of quit. Trailing 51-47 with five minutes remaining, the 6’5” junior crashed the offensive glass to grab and put back a missed Jimmy Golden layup in one motion.

On the ensuing possession, Johnson ripped the ball from Toros junior guard Deondre Otis, before failing to score in transition. Johnson came back a minute later to block a three-pointer and start another break, only to see his layup slowly curl out. In the final minute, he came up with another huge block and another offensive rebound.

“He made some monster defensive plays,” Shayewitz said. “Unfortunately we didn’t convert on the offensive end, but we wouldn’t have been in that situation without his defensive presence.”

The game came down to the final possession, of which senior guard Khalid Johnson missed a deep three as time expired. The shot capped a frustrating weekend for Johnson.

A knee injury on Feb. 10 caused Johnson to miss the following game, and he is still

battling to put it behind him. He got into early foul trouble Friday, and ended up playing only eight minutes.

“Right now it’s all mental,” Johnson said. He has been one of the team’s most consistent players all season, shooting 45.9 percent on field goals, 37.5v percent from three, 82.2 percent from the line, and averaging a team-best 2.2 assists.

While the Seawolves need Johnson at his best in order to make a playoff run, they have several players that can take over a game.

On Friday, it was seniors Luke Cochran and Ronnie Harris. Cochran scored 19 points on 8-11 shooting, while Harris’ 17 points and six assist helped lead the team to a season-high 79 points, topping the previous mark of 78 set against the Golden Eagles on Dec. 3.

Also instrumental in the win was Golden, who scored 15 points on 6-12 shooting.

He had a big game Saturday, too, with 19 points, 11-12 from the line, but the difference in how he scored was indicative of Dominguez Hills’ superior defense.

“LA gave him space so he had more freedom to move…[Dominguez Hills] was face guarding him most of the night and did not give him much space on every catch,” Shayewitz said.

While an inspired Toros team outplayed Sonoma, the team knows what it needs to work on during its season-ending road swing before it returns to the Wolves’ Den for its first home playoff game since 2012.

“We just need to go back to what got us to where we are,” Johnson said. “That’s containing penetration, being more focused defensively, playing inside-out and moving the ball.”

That may sound like a tall order, but as Johnson said, that’s precisely what the Seawolves have done over the past month.

“This is a special group of guys who believes in what we are doing,” Shayewitz said.

Johnson and Shayewitz’s optimism is not an outlier, but the team hopes its sub-par Saturday performance is.

STAR // Brennan Chin Senior center Luke Cochran sank 9 points in 21 minutes in the second-to-last home game of his collegiate career (left). Sophomore guard Mason Phillips and senior guard Khalid Johnson (center) shake hands before the game. Senior guard Ronnie Harris scored a commanding 17 points off the bench (right).

Sports

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Women’s basketball team dominate Cal State Dominguez Hills in last home game of the season Kevin Brill Staff Writer

T

STAR // Brennan Chin Junior guard Jessica Mitz scored 10 points, shooting 50 percent on threes against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.

he Sonoma State Seawolves split their last two-game home series with a 58-49 loss against Cal State LA on Friday and a dominant 65-50 victory against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday.

“Last night we played Cal State LA, a really good team and very oversized, and we were pretty banged up,” said Rich Shayewitz, associate head coach. “We expended a lot of energy last night competing with them. It was a one point game at the half and we just fell short in the second half. We have some injuries going on and we were short handed as well.”

Carly Gill, junior point guard, and Madison Burroughs, junior guard, were the two leading scorers for the Seawolves, contributing 26 points to the scoreboard.An injury sidelined Kylie Kiech, Sonoma’s top scorer, so their minutes were vital.

The Seawolves totaled 13 steals for the night, a season high, but it was not enough to seal the victory against the Cal State LA Golden Eagles.

On Saturday, as Dominguez Hills entered the Den for Sonoma’s last home game, the Seawolves sealed the victory for a second time against the Toros. Sonoma State

jumped the gun early on and lead the game 33-24 at halftime.

Their defense was strong and able to hold the lead over the Toros throughout the match. Burroughs had a game-high of 17 points for Sonoma, while Gill contributed 13 points and was impressive on the defensive end, adding four steals to help put the Toros away.

“We had played them before and our zone was pretty effective against them. They are also banged up and so we were able to stay in the zone, rebound out of it, and move the ball,” Shayewitz said. “We got some good production tonight from some of our players who we haven’t got production from earlier in the season.”

These last two home games put the Seawolves to an overall 12-12 record on the season. Sonoma will play their final two away games of the season against Humboldt State and Cal Poly Pomona this coming Thursday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, Feb. 25.

“We are going try our hardest to stay strong on defense like we usually do, get shots up and hopefully get to the basket to get free throws,” said sophomore center Morgan Maclean.

Giant’s spring training in full swing Jake Tucker Staff Writer

Commentary

T

he smell of freshly cut outfield grass is beginning to fill the noses of Florida and Arizona residents. The sound of metal spikes clicking and clacking against the sunf lower seed residue-covered concrete echoes throughout the two states.

The moment is rapidly approaching where the name on the back of the jersey must become less important than the name on the front of the jersey.

Spring Training baseball is in the air, and in the heart of Scottsdale, AZ, the San Francisco Giants are beginning the process of capitalizing on their high hopes for the 2017 season.

They may have gained some team chemistry in the offseason with the additions of college teammates Mark Melancon and Nick Hundley. Hundley will add some needed bench depth and you can never have enough catchers. Hundley’s decision to sign with San Francisco was not a random one, as he played for

two of the Giants’ division rivals; the San Diego Padres from 2008-2014 and the Colorado Rockies from 2015-2016.

The Giants are also the team he’s hit the most home runs against, with a solid .283/.345/.504 slash line against them as well. Aside from knowing the team so well from years of playing them and being reunited with his University of Arizona Wildcat teammate, when asked why he chose the Giants, he referred to their consistency in their roster and front office, while maintaining a certain reputation of postseason success in recent years.

Melancon fulfills the Giants’ biggest need that’s been weighing on them since Brian Wilson left the closer role opento be filled. The Giants signed Melancon was signed to a $62 million, four-year contract, which was a complete steal considering the level of necessity the Giants had reached.

Melancon, a three-time all-star and the Major League saves leader in 2015 with 51, has really earned his money in the previous three seasons, signing one-year contracts worth $2.95 million in 2014, $5.4 million in 2015, and $9.65 million in 2016.

Alongside their improved bullpen, the Giants are returning with a solid one through four in their pitch-

ing rotation; Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, and Matt Moore, with the fifth spot being battled for at Spring Training by Ty Blach, Derek Law, and Matt Cain.

Their lineup remains nearly identical to the end of last season with Brandon Belt, Joe Panik, Eduardo Nunez, and Brandon Crawford making up the infield, while Jarrett Parker, Denard Span, and Hunter Pence rounding off the outfield, with Buster Posey manning home plate.

Manager Bruce Bochy also mentioned to reporters that, because of the injury histories of Denard Span and Hunter Pence, the Giants might run a fiveman outfield rotation with Mac Williamson and Gorkys Hernandez.

To summarize the low-activity offseason, the 2017 San Francisco Giants are basically the 2016 Giants with a solid closer.

Given their history of playoff success, this offseason could only be described as a positive step forward to regaining that status.

The Giants will play their first Spring Training game this Friday at Scottsdale Stadium against the Cincinnati Reds. The first pitch is scheduled to be thrown at 1:05 p.m.

Sports Schedule Tuesday Feb. 21 Women’s Golf @ CBU Invitational Thursday Feb. 23 Women’s Basketball @ Humboldt State 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball @ Humboldt State 7:30 p.m.

Friday Feb. 24 Men’s Golf @ Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout Softball vs. Stanislaus State 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.

Baseball

vs San Francisco State 2 p.m.

Men’s Tennis @ Concordia Irvine 2 p.m.

Saturday Feb. 25 Men’s Golf @ Tim Tierney Pioneer Shootout Women’s Track @ Johnny Mathis Invitational Men’s Tennis @ Point Loma 11 a.m.

Baseball @ SF State 11 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Women’s Tennis @ Stanislaus State

12 p.m.

Sunday Feb. 26

Softball vs Stanislaus State 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.

Men’s Tennis @ UC San Diego 10 a.m.

Women’s Basketball @ Cal Poly Pomona 5:30 p.m.

Women’s Tennis @ Dominican 11 a.m.

Men’s Basketball @ Cal Poly Pomona 7:30 p.m.

Baseball vs SF State 11 a.m.

Page 12

Photo

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STAR // Brennan Chin Top left; Luke Chochran, No. 34, shoots over a defender. Top right; students in Phi Delta Theta cheer on the Seawolves. Bottom; Grace Remeta gets the crowd pumped up.

STAR // Amber Rodarte Carly Solberg, left, and Dee Dee Simpson, right, recite their poems in the HUB on Wednesday.

STAR // Amber Rodarte Taylor Plorin controls the ball at the Women’s Water Polo game on Sunday.

STAR // Amber Rodarte The Seawolves attempt to shoot a goal, top, and gather during a timeout, bottom.