Volume 81 // Issue 10

IN THIS ISSUE

STI testing

Migrant caravan Read one student’s take on the migrant caravan on PAGE 3.

Find out why the health center discounted testing last week for sexually transmitted infections on PAGE 4.

Queer-Straight Alliance

Discover why the club was tabling against a memo by the federal government on PAGE 9.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 81 // ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 5, 2018

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

Student dies in car crash MICHELLE TADLOCK STAFF WRITER

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onoma State graduate student Mo’Tasem Haddad, 24, was found dead on the scene following a car accident in the early morning of Oct. 19.

The crash occurred at 1:10 a.m., at the intersection of Rohnert Park Expressway and Country Club Drive, where his car was split down the middle after hitting a light pole.

“The death of any student at Sonoma State University is deeply felt by the Seawolf community,” said Paul Gullixson, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications. “This is a real tragedy, and we all extend our condolences to Haddad’s family and friends.”

According to The Press Democrat, Haddad was driving an Audi eastbound on the expressway at high speeds when he ran a red light, colliding with a Lexus turning left in the Audi’s path to get to southbound on Country Club Drive.

Haddad’s Audi was then split in half after hitting a light pole. Haddad apparently tried swerving out of the way to avoid the Lexus but was struck and thrown off course.

According to Rohnert Park Public Safety, the accident is still under investigation into whether drinking was involved or if it was reckless driving.

Mario Haddad, one of Mo’Tasem Haddad’s cousins, said Mo’Tasem was born in Zarqa, Jordan, where his family lives, and came to the U.S. in hopes

COURTESY // Facebook Mo’Tassam Haddad was enrolled as a graduate student since 2017. of gaining a better life. He graduated from Zarqa Private University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing.

Shortly after graduation, he realized he wanted to further his edu-

cation in the U.S. In 2017, he was accepted to Sonoma State. He was enrolled this fall semester and was taking an advanced english course to continue earning a master’s in marketing, ac-

cording to his cousin Mario Haddad.

While living in the U.S., Mo’Tasem was also went by Tim. Izzac Rabadi, a relative of Haddad, said, “He struggled to work for better life five thousand miles away from home in a brand new country. He was away from his family, his mother, father, sisters, brothers just to find his way in life. He was a wonderful, compassionate man.”

He said Haddad was a hard-working man with a strong work ethic. Although being away from his family was something he struggled with, explained Rabadi, he was so driven it did not stop him from wanting to achieve his goals.

Members of Haddad’s family described him as loving a good time, being up for any spontaneous adventure, and constantly trying new things. He was the type of person who could always make you smile with his contagious laugh.

“He was more of a brother to me,” Mario Haddad said. “He was definitely not a boring character either, he was outgoing, eager to learn, and always had a memorable time doing life.”

There have been multiple accidents in Rohnert Park since the start of the fall semester. Over twelve DUI related incidents occured since the end of August with most within the last month. Other accidents have been due to reckless driving.

Haddad’s family would like students to remember him by his charismatic personality and to not take life for granted.

They ask you keep him and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

SSU officials undergo emergency training

ASHLEY GIESEKE STAFF WRITER

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bout 50 university officials underwent a four day training last week to improve their ability to respond to a disaster.

“It’s a way for us to hone our decision-making and communication skills,” said Paul Gullixson, the university’s associate vice president of strategic communications.

The training involved many different scenarios, such as if the university needs to shelter people or if the power or cell reception goes out. They simulated a large earthquake hitting campus.

“It helps us understand how to better coordinate and work with outside agencies,” Gullixson said. These agencies range from Sonoma County first responders to the Chancellor’s office in Long Beach. “Everything is on the table,” he said.

There are about 50 employees who underwent the four day conference.

They make up the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Sonoma State uses the EOC when officials believe there is an emergency currently happening.

The EOC was activated twice last year, with one instance being the wildfires and the other being the stabbing

that occured in May. Provost Lisa Vollendorf said that after the EOC ran for nine days last year during the fires, they became aware they needed a stronger training to ensure those called during a crisis have a “deeper bench of knowledge.”

She said that during the training the staff became better prepared for emergency management.

“We are entrusted with the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff, and we also play an important role in helping our communities be safe,” she said about the university’s role in an emergency.

Gullixson said in the two instances

last year, the EOC worked very well, “but there’s always room for improvement.” He believes these new training will help with communication and coordination.

“These kinds of training conferences and exercises help us to do a better job of responding more effectively and efficiently in a time of crisis,” Gullixson said.

Vollendorf said the training, “allowed us to expose more than 50 employees to the theories, guidelines, laws, and practices that enable counties, states, and institutions to work effectively together during emergencies across the country.”

University considers social justice learning center MANDELA LINDER STAFF WRITER

Sonoma State is considering creating a social justice center on campus. As of now it is only being discussed as a vision, and detailed plans have not yet been set forth.

However, it is something that could end up creating a great impact for future Sonoma State students.

“President Sakaki cares deeply about social justice. Our new strategic plan identifies diversity and social justice as one of our institution’s core values,” Provost Lisa Vollendorf said. “Dr. Sakaki dreams of a social justice center that would be a site for programming, classes, and co-curricular activities.”

There are many possibilities when it comes to the practical applications of what this center could potentially do. Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, author, screenwriter, and professor at Sonoma State, is passionate about the project and hopes to be involved in its creation. “I have to preface that this is just my notion of what a social justice center is,” he said. “It would be a place where there could be classes, forums, and talks all around the issues of social justice. It would also be a safehouse for all students who might feel threatened or who need counseling...LGBTQ students, stu-

dents of color, immigrant students, undocumented students, could have a safe home. A place where they can hang out and listen to lectures and have support.”

Sarris mentioned the summer bridge program, a program in which incoming EOP students stay on campus for a week during the summer to bond with one another and learn about the resources the college has to offer. He made it clear that while summer bridge is a good start he didn’t think students necessarily had the same support during the year, and students who did not qualify for EOP are left out. According to the Sonoma State website, “The primary focus of the program is to give the students a taste of university life while creating supportive relationships for them with other EOP students and advisors.”

Sarris hopes that a social justice center could create a place for students to connect during the year.

“Many of us are first generation students who come to this university, and we’re afraid and unsure of where we are,” he said. “I think the summer bridge program is the kind of support that helps, but then during the year you experience loneliness and alienation.”

Sarris also points out that a student wouldn’t need to qualify for EOP or any similar program in order

to be included in the services offered by a social justice center. “It wouldn’t discriminate,” he said. “I see it more as a homebase on campus. While a lot of other campuses have departments and programs and things that are targeted toward certain groups of people, I see this as a safe homebase for us being together in the future.”

It is important to note that as of now, the plans for the social justice center are very preliminary. “We currently do not have a site identified, nor do we have a fundraising plan in place for a fully-f ledged campaign to build or refurbish one of our existing buildings to be designated as such a site,” Vollendorf said.

Women’s soccer goes to playoffs

STAR // Luis Madrigal Number 19 takes a shot on goal against CSU Monterey Bay. Read an article about the women’s soccer games, including a loss to CSU Monterey Bay and win against CSU East Bay, as the team prepares for a playoff run, on PAGE 10.

2 Editorial THE STAR Editorial Board Kendall Grove, Editor-in-Chief Braden Car twright, News Editor Luis Mejia, Opinion Editor Ashley Napier, Ar ts & Enter tainment Editor Haley Kara, Student Life Editor Brennan Craig, Spor ts Editor Alyssa Archerda, Photo Editor Lukas Brown, Adver tising Manager Christine Von Raesfeld, Social Media Manager Savannah Lizarraga, Copy Editor Gillian Chaffer, Copy Editor Mandela Linder, Copy Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers Morgan Arancio, Jessica Bennett, Analy Bravo, Kaylie Boettner, Kelly Britton, Lukas Brown, Madeleine Brown, Nicholas Ceschin, Gillian Chaffer, Mar tin Contreras, Christian Francisco, Alex Funchess, Ashley Gieseke, Teresa Maria Gulli, Amanda Hadley, Emily Hoffman, Laurie Kelso, Mandela Linder, Nina Lopez, Mariah Maldonado, Carly Olsen, Kathleen Perry, Joseph Piombo, Kailey Priest, Mariah Ponce, Renee Rodgers, Alison Snider, Natalya Swensen, Michelle Tadlock, Emily Twisselmann

Photographers Emiliana Mar tinez, Luis Madrigal, Natalie Dolan, Jennifer Spence

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: “Migrant caravan continues their march for salvation” Staff writer Nina Lopez criticizes President Trump’s attitude towards the migrant caravan.

Read the story on page 3

Corrections/Clarifications In Volume 81 // Issue 9 of The STAR, the story “Charging locked aimed at preventing phone theft” we incorrectly listed the price of the lockers. The cost was $7,000.

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.

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018 sonomastatestar.com

Student Center misses mark with charging lockers

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n October, Sonoma State University released a timely warning crime bulletin detailing a theft of a student’s laptop that occurred in the Student Center.

The theft sparked concerns, and started a conversation among students and Student Center staff.

Since the theft, a new accessory has be installed in the student center; a sparkly new charging locker to distract students from the real issues.

In an interview with the Star, Director of the Student Center Jessica Way explained the school’s plan to confront the issue.

Way stated the Student Center is ordering additional lockers to put in the cubby area near the Kitchens, but they won’t have a charging feature. They will work similarly to the charging lockers, however.

The charging locker was put in place to essentially kill two birds with one stone: help students find a place to charge their phones as well as protect their valuables.

The $7,000 installation allows students to store their phones and coincidentally is also large enough to store laptops.

These charging lockers were installed after previously donated charging stands located in Sip became broken and over used. The problem with those stands, according to Way, was that students would have to stay where their phones were to prevent them from

being stolen. The new charging locker would allow students to not only charge their phones, but allow them the freedom to do other things during.

The Student Center has other precautions put in place to prevent thefts in the Student Center, specifically The Kitchens. One precaution is a 360 degree camera the police review, according to Way. However, the charging lockers and additional lockers are just band aids on a bigger issue. Natasha Ruble, a junior Hutchins major, works as a student assistant at Lobo’s.

Ruble has worked with Culinary services since freshman year and recalls what it was like when she was a cashier in The Kitchens.

“When I was a cashier, during the rushes, there is no way I would catch someone stealing a laptop, stealing anything,” said Ruble.

Ruble goes on to say that as long as the camera is working and being monitored and the thefts are being investigated, these thefts shouldn’t be happening.

“It’s a common area where everyone can go at any time of the day so it’s probably the most public place on campus,” Ruble said.

The possibility for theft is greater in the Student Center because it draws large crowds at predictable times. Ruble believes the charging locker is a good idea for young students to keep their

belongings, but doesn’t think that just one is practical.

“I do see the charging station as an attraction at the university, and I think that it looks good to people and its useful, but only for ten people at a time, especially during peak hours, that’s not enough.”

The charging lockers came from suggestions from students who needed a place to charge their phones. This is a problem many students face, but should not require a $7,000 solution.

If not used on the charging locker, the $7,000 most likely would have been used for other projects and resources the Student Center is working on, including free feminine product dispensers in the bathroom, a project Carly Chatterley and Associated Students are collaborating together on.

The charging locker is new and it will take time to see if its $7,000 price tag was worth it, but right now the locker seems to be more distraction than solution.

The charging locker only allows for 10 phones to be charged at once, a small amount compared to the 851 person capacity for the Kitchens.

The Student Center is doing what they can to assure students of their safety, but more needs to be done than just distracting us with a new toy.

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

Opinion 3

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5 , 2018 sonomastatestar.com

Starbucks leads the way with first ASL store

ALISON SNIDER STAFF WRITER

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fter a difficult year of controversy, Starbucks has been barreling forward in all attempts to solidify itself as a progressive company.

Last Tuesday, the company announced the opening of their first all American Sign Language (ASL) store in Washington D.C., which provides a whole new realm of opportunity to hearing impaired people as well as bringing attention to the lack of representation of an entire population.

While it is not certain to say if an oligopolistic, $30 billion company can be a true moral compass for society, Starbucks knows that its cultural influence is massive, and even people who are not frequent Starbucks customers know what a “PSL” or “frappuccino” is.

The reach and scope of what kind of change the company can accomplish is quite impressive, so it is definitely in everyone’s best interest that it is used for some good.

Anyone who has worked for Starbucks can tell you how dedicated the company is to ensuring that the environment is amicable and welcoming. This is what Starbucks calls the “Starbucks Experience.”

The Starbucks Experience is all about creating a third place, away from work and home life, where customers feel like family. This is stressed so heavily in Starbucks partner training that it has been rather disheartening for hearing-impaired people to be practically deprived of such an intended atmosphere.

Naturally, wherever Starbucks fails to perform adequately, the company immediately kicks things into high gear and goes above and beyond to meet its own expectations. Let’s not forget how the company resorted to closing all stores nationally for sensitivty training after two black customers were victims of racial profiling earlier this year.

The language barrier between the hearing impaired and those who are not makes it extremely difficult for the hearing impaired to find work and to feel welcomed in many spaces. According to the Deaf Employment Report, 48 percent of deaf people in the United States were

unemployed as of 2014. Discrimination against the hearing impaired population can go widely overlooked if more prominent voices in society do not speak up.

This is why an all ASL store of one of the most massive companies in the world is so impactful. Not only does it give job opportunities to a community ostracized, but it also dares other companies to step up in similar ways. Being an industry leader means that with this single store, Starbucks is setting a standard and expectation to all other coffee shops and fast food establishments.

The Starbucks news release also showed the extensive use of design by deaf artists and the inclusion of the “sign of the week,” which will be a word or a phrase that non-signers can use to order an item instead of just writing it on the tablet.

When interviewing partners of the new store, CNN reported that the store is meant to be a place for signers and nonsigners to work together in a collaborated manner, helping unify two communities under one roof to help others gain insight into a world that is unfamiliar to them.

It would be easy to write off the ASL cafe as just a publicity stunt or complain that this is only one store in only one location, but it is going to take some time to make a societal change in how we view the service industry. Starbucks is simply taking the first step.

No child too innocent for the First Ammendment

KAYLIE BOETTNER

STAFF WRITER

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he concern of whether to publish something or not is a question journalists struggle with everyday when deciding how exactly a story needs to be told. In this range of debate lies the graphic picture of a child, and what it signifies for the audience as well as the subject in the frame.

Roger Tooth from The Guardian wrote, “We wanted to show the readers the reality of life – and death, but we didn’t want to shock or unnecessarily upset them. We tread a fine line and, because each picture is judged on its merits on the day, it is very difficult to have hard and fast rules.”

He said this in wake of the backlash surrounded the publishing of photos of children killed in Gaza, along with the Palestinian progaganda war believed to have been started because of it. But that is not to say the debate has not found its way overseas.

Fortunately, the United States was founded on the First Amendment, one of the very reasons other countries look up to us, especially when it comes to

racy subject matter.

Our First Amendment sets us apart from other countries in the world so if we were to just throw it out, it would be a devastating blow for what the most important law in our land stands for.

That said, children are the highest form of innocence and that is why people protect them so fiercely. So when they are depicted in the news through the means of graphic pictures, people think twice about it. While the images of injured or even worse, deceased children are extremely hard to see, it is indeed part of our First Amendment right.

We as Americans have the right to publish and see such images without interference. If they begin to censor images of hurt children, one can only wonder where the line will one day be drawn; that is, if any deserves to be drawn at all.

Once the right is infringed upon, to see every truth the world has to offer, no matter how vile or disturbing, it opens the floodgates to want to change other amendments this country holds dear.

It is completely fine when children are happy and doing cute things in the media, but the second they are seen as truly human and sometimes graphicly, everyone looks away and shuns the media for it.

Not all cases need a photo to accompany them, especially if it does not help get the point across. Many times when people read graphic stories deprived of a visual aid, they do not truly picture the horrific circumstances that are happening.

Graphic pictures can get across a crucial point that words simply cannot.

When a world is in crisis, via tragic events or otherwise, pictures help us put into words what words themselves

do not have the ability to.

Graphic pictures of children are no different. Children do have rights and should be protected to the furthest extent of the law, but like the rest of the people in this world, they are a part of a larger cause. Graphic pictures of children are a way to learn from others’ mistakes.

As hard as they might be to look at, they have always been an important part in shaping American society.

Sometimes the hard way is the only way to learn when it comes to a dire situation, in which case a photo is a reporter’s greatest asset.

We live in a country where we are not faced with many of the same horrific deaths and gruesome scenes seen everywhere else, so we live in a unique bubble where everything is usually alright.

NPR published an article called “What Was The Impact Of The Iconic Photo Of The Syrian Boy?” The photo they are talking about is the 3-year-old boy who drowned to death and washed up on a beach in Turkey after trying to flee the Syrian refugee crisis.

The article states, “Immediate outpourings can be short-lived. The number of average daily amount of donations to the Swedish Red Cross campaign for Syrian refugees, for instance, was 55 times greater in the week after the photo (around $214,300) than the week before ($3,850). By the second week, the donation totals had already begun to decline, but still topped $45,400.”

This just shows how impactful pictures of children in crisis have on people’s emotions and thoughts. As the saying goes: a picture is worth a thousand words.

Radical feminism risks getting in its own way

GILLIAN CHAFFER

STAFF WRITER

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odern radical feminism is an incredibly repugnant way for women to express the need for gender equality in 2018.

Even though this movement arose in the late 1960s, mass media and the development of technology created a faction of people who use hate speech, oppression and exclusivity to essentially go against the definition of feminism and what it represents. These women, and men, are extremists, and should be treated as such.

Feminism was created with an equalist’s view in mind, as a way to give fair opportunities to people of all genders, races and sexes. Though controversial, many men and women claim to be feminists. However, the reason so many oppose it is due to the negative attention extreme radical feminism receives.

Radical feminism is very limiting in the types of people it will support and often victimizes those who they see as oppressed. For example, many second wave feminists are often seen being sexist against men while promoting equality for women.

Shamsi Kazimbaya, an activist for men and women, states, “The best approaches are those that include men and women, to be effective in achieving gender equality; you should bring everyone on the table.”

Yes, there are many things men have advantages in: physical strength, more likely to become high-ranking in the workforce, etc. But putting them down in no way will make women obtain the power and respect they crave.

A big reason why the movement is so heavily mocked and criticized is due to the unfortunate online presence of radical feminism. On sites like Reddit and Tumblr, extreme feminists referred to as “feminazis” use the platform to spew false information and manhating. Many who try to fight back against these claims are told that they are being “trolls,” or that they cannot comment on these issues because they are men.

According to The Huffington Post, “It is vital that the women guilty of such alienation swallow their pride and reflect that men should be permitted to have opinions, just like them.”

Growing up in a place that promises to preach acceptance and positivity while doing just the opposite often makes many young people believe that they are doing nothing wrong.

Radical feminism often goes along with what is called “white feminism.” According to the Plaid Zebra, “The economic disparity between men and women that is ignored by Second Wave feminism is often considered white feminism because it doesn’t take into account the different experiences between privileged white women and underprivileged women or women of colour, and it disregards the further discrimination these groups face in the public sphere.”

Radical feminism is becoming increasingly more popular with younger generations, which shines a negative light on activists who are fighting for equality for people of all backgrounds. The most important thing is to research all branches of any social movement.

Just like religion, everyone has a different viewpoint when it comes to social issues, and some may be seen as more negative or more positive.

Those who are oppressed deserve recognition and social change, and will only further victimize themselves if they continue to attack those who have no control over who they are.

Migrant caravan continues their march for salvation NINA LOPEZ

STAFF WRITER

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s the migrant caravan of approximately 7,000 Central Americans continues the treacherous journey north towards the U.S. border, President Trump has declared our country in a state of national emergency as a ploy to instill fear into the American people about immigration.

The President took to Twitter last week to report false claims about the migrants.

“Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading towards the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterns are mixed in.

I have alerted Border Control and Military that this is a National Emergency.

Must change laws!”

There is zero evidence confirming these outlandish claims. The truth being that many of the migrants from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are hoping to seek asylum in either Mexico or the U.S. on the grounds of violence and

economic poverty in their home countries.

However, asylum has become increasingly difficult to achieve because of the recent changes made to its definition.

According to the New York Times, Attorney General Jeff Sessions narrowed the asylum criteria as of June this year, writing “Generally, claims by aliens pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by nongovernmental actors will not qualify for asylum.”

This specificity will disqualify many of the Central Americans trekking north, but the travelers are in a state of desperation and can no longer stay in their home countries.

Along with those seeking asylum, some migrants are looking for jobs in order to provide better lives for their loved ones or to send money to their families back home.

Regardless of citizenship, immigrants continue to travel to the U.S. because our country is always looking for unskilled laborers that will accept mea-

sly wages.

And quite frankly, both legal and illegal immigrants are willing to settle for unsuitable pay.

“Central Americans and Mexicans have good reason to seek sanctuary.

Cities across the region are routinely among the most murderous in the world.

The intensity and organisation of violence is staggering: 43 of the 50 most homicidal urban centres on the planet are located in Latin America and the Caribbean,” stated The Guardian.

And according to the Council on Foreign Relations, “El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras consistently rank among the most violent countries in the world.”

Needless to say, those who have left Central America didn’t leave because they wanted to, but because they had to. Trump has emphasized repeatedly that he isn’t against immigrants coming into the country, so long as they enter legally.

However, the Central Americans whom are part of the caravan can’t risk going through the process of citizenship

when their lives and safety are at stake.

The process of becoming an American citizen starts with obtaining a green card and residing in the U.S. for five years. Then, one must submit an application for naturalization that can take up to six months to process alone.

Those seeking citizenship must also attend an interview and take the English and civic tests provided.

Considering the circumstances that the caravan migrants are under, they don’t have the time or the privilege to go through this painstakingly long process when death is knocking at their door.

Don’t be fooled; to enter a country where you’re unwelcomed, unappreciated and even feared is a great sacrifice with an even greater toll.

Those of which who have traveled here—and are on their journeys right now—don’t want to live and work in a country where they receive little to no pay, are stereotyped, are misunderstood and seen as criminals.

It is done out of urgency. It is done for the sake of their families and generations to come.

4 News

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018 sonomastatestar.com

Student health center temporarily discounts STI testing EMILY TWISSELMANN

ing from the Health Center’s reserve account allowed students to receive a truly incredible deal: blood, urine or alloween’s much anticipated arswab testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, rival is finally here, and with it Syphilis and HIV all for just $20. comes everyone’s collective nostalgia “STI testing is not a once in a lifefor candy, corn mazes, and costume time event,” Boracchia underlined. “Evparties. eryone should be tested when they have And yet, something even scarier a new sexual partner, even if this is their than monsters and midterms might be only partner, because they could be symptom free and still be diagnosed with an infection.”

“You have to get tested,” agreed Jessica Wood, a second year Computer Science major, who loves the idea of $20 testing, “It’s better safe than sorry.”

While it doesn’t sound too bad that men can unknowingly host symptomless infections that will never harm them, it’s important to remember that these dangerous, completely preventable infections can still be passed onto women.

That’s the tricky thing about STIs; years of COURTESY // Sonoma State STAR their secret existence The Student Health Center is located on the west side of campus, accross the street can result in irrepafrom Zinfandel Village rable damage and inSTAFF WRITER

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on the minds of Sonoma State students.

Last week, the Student Health Center tested more students for sexually transmitted disease than they ever have before.

According to Health Education Nurse Toni Boracchia, this is actually good news.

From the 22nd to the 26th, fund-

Academic Senate discusses philanthropy ANALY BRAVO STAFF WRITER

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hilanthropy at Sonoma State University was the primary topic covered at the academic senate meeting on Oct. 25.

Interim Vice President for Advancement, Gordon McDougall was invited to share with the Academic Senate Committee about the new goals that must be worked on in order to increase investments and donations for the university.

Strategic Plan 2025 is an effort to push Sonoma State towards being a national model for public higher education by 2025. Strategic priorities include student success, academic excellence and innovation, leadership cultivation, and transformative impact.

An important factor to this mission is to “create a culture of philanthropy to support preparation for Sonoma State’s first comprehensive campaign,” said McDougall.

According to SSU’s Advancement website, Philanthropy is vital in order to fulfill the university’s obligation to develop and maintain excellent programs of undergraduate and graduate instruction ground in the liberal arts and sciences.

Approximately 30,000 students, faculty

and staff, alumni, SSU board members, community members and people with multiple affiliations were invited to participate in the Sonoma State strategic planning process. Nearly 4,000 participated and provided feedback on the strategic planning draft before beginning the referral process to university President Judy Sakaki.

McDougall also expressed the importance of this years Giving Tuesday,which falls on Nov. 27 this year. Since Dec. 2015, Sonoma State partners in Giving Tuesday, a charitable movement that started in 2012 due to the spending craze of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The goal of this movement is to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations through social media.

“Giving to SSU scholarships is important to me,” said Molly Rattigan, who graduated as a political science major in 2002, after participating Sonoma State’s previous Giving Tuesday.

“It’s a way of saying thank you for the experience I had and the opportunities that have come my way as a result of my education. I was others to have a similar experience and not stress about the cost of education.” Contributions from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, students, corporations and foundations are expected to increase through the Giving Tuesday movement.

fertility.

Despite their necessity, costs for the four most common STIs are normally more than $55. In most cases, this is more than students are capable of spending, even if they wanted to practice safe sex.

Thanks to the discount, Nurse Practitioner Tracey Eaton underlined, and the planning by the Student Health Advisory Committee, STI awareness was spread. The week was considered a success.

“If needed,” Eaton continued, “treatment is available and will be prescribed by the doctor or nurse practitioner.”

For those who missed out on last week’s special testing, Boracchia and Eaton assure that “we are here to support your health and college success.”

Tests are still available to students of every sexual orientation, gender, and practice. They’re also hopeful that this will become a regular event in the future.

Additionally, on Dec. 4 from 12:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Health Center will be hosting Sonoma County’s Face to Face. With a simple cheek swab, walkins can benefit from free, anonymous HIV testing with results in 20 minutes.

Students are strongly encouraged students to call the Health Center at 707-664-2921 to schedule an appointment during the week. Ultimately, there’s no downside to getting tested.

NEWS IN BRIEF Pittsburgh

A man shouting anti-Semitic slurs opened fire inside a Pittsburgh synagogue on Oct. 27, killing 11 congregants and wounding four police officers and two others, the authorities said. He appeared in court yesterday, and prosecutors vowed to pursue the death penalty. The age of the victims ranged from 54 to as old as 97-years-old.

Florida

Federal authorities have captured a Florida man with a criminal history and a fervor for President Donald Trump and accused him of sending 14 mail bombs to prominent Democrats, including Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton. He faces five federal charges and could serve up to 48 years in prison.

STAR // Braden Cartwright Flags fly at half mast as the week begins at Sonoma State, in rememberance of the victims of the Pittsburgh synangogue shooting

News 5

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018

sonomastatestar.com

Canvas transition continues

COURTESY // Canvas AMANDA HADLEY STAFF WRITER

A

t the start of the 2018-2019 school year, Sonoma State University began the process of moving from Moodle to Canvas as their new learning management system (LMS). Some instructors may still be using Moodle instead of Canvas. For most students who have attended Sonoma State since their freshman year, they are used to going through Moodle for their school needs.

Depending on the student and what courses they may be taking, they must check with their instructor to find out if the course will be through Moodle, or canvas.

Today more than 300 colleges, universities and school districts use Canvas as their learning management system.

Chris Gawel, a development representative with Canvas says, “Canvas launched in 2011, and was first used in Universities, though I don’t know exactly which was first… probably someone here in Utah as we are based here.” Gawel explains that he has never personally been a user of Canvas, but he thinks Mastery Paths are very cool. “Mastery Paths allow for students to receive individualized instruction based on level of comprehension,” Gawel says.

The change to Canvas was not a question of personal preference; it was a change Sonoma State decided to make campus-wide. They are still in the process of transferring over, and some instructors still have not made the switch. With the change from Moodle to Canvas, Gerontology Professor Pamela Abbott-Enzo was one of the instructors to make the shift right away. She says that most LMS are fine but “Ultimately, it really comes down to instructional

design. I prefer the discussion board capabilities in Moodle, and I think it is far more visually appealing.

Students seem to prefer Canvas in terms of simplicity of screen and similarity to social media in appearance,” she said She believes students would much rather prefer to turn their assignments in through a website like Canvas or Moodle, rather than wasting their money on printing pages and pages out, as well as it is much more environmentally friendly. Abbot-Enzo uses Canvas to its full potential. She says she used it to, “load lecture notes, copied of presentations, readings, and even do exams through the LMS.” Izack Romero a Senior transfer student, has used Canvas in the past with his school work and he says, “I prefer Canvas over Moodle because of the ease of use that Canvas brings. Canvas’ user interface is a lot easier to manage because they have all your classes, assignments, and grades on one page. You have to click through three to four tabs to get to any of those on moodle.” Everybody has their personal preferences on what they would prefer using. Eventually, Moodle will no longer be an option as the university will complete its transition to Canvas at the start of the next school year.

Sonoma State striving for higher graduation rate LUKAS BROWN STAFF WRITER

C

alifornia State Universities up and down the state have continuously seen low graduation rates among undergraduate students. The graduation initiative 2025 is ambitious initiative to increase graduation rates for all CSU students while eliminating equity gaps. Sonoma State implemented the initiative to improve students’ timely completion of a high-quality degree.

Launched in January 2016, Graduation Initiative 2025 is already showing promising results and completion rates are now at all time highs. In 2015, the graduation rate among a freshman four-year plan showed only 19% of those students completed the track. Now, in 2018 the average freshman four-year plan shows it has risen to 25%. The median time to degree for first-time freshmen is 4.7 years, consistent with the national average for comprehensive universities.

Sonoma State has seen a similar improvement to the state average. Lisa Vollendorf, the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs for Sonoma State, said, “At Sonoma State, we are proud that we have improved four-year first-year graduation rates by 5 percentage points in the last two years to 34.8%. Our 2025 goal is 54% so we have more work to do to help more students graduate in four years.”

On October 17, the California State University Office of the Chancellor hosted a symposium in San Diego where many higher education leaders, practitioners and members of the CSU community spoke about the issues to overcome to improve degree completion. At the symposium leaders discussed enrollment engagement, student success, leadership and innovation.

Sonoma State University’s Associated Students President, Carley Chatterley, who attended the symposium said, “The symposium was a great experience to be a part of as a student. There were only a handful of students there and most of them were Associated Students Presidents. We were able to speak up for our students to administration, and faculty and it was a great feeling. Many times you will hear the administration and faculty say “well the students feel this”, when in reality that is not how we feel at all. We were able to talk about our real experiences at this symposium from a current students perspective.”

The CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 strategies that better serve students include: hiring more tenure-track faculty to teach additional courses, strengthening relationship with the community to

ensure incoming students are prepared, supporting faculty innovation and course redesign efforts and increasing the number of online courses available.

With these ambitious goals comes an increase in state funding to invest in the strategies that boost student success.

Vollendorf said that Sonoma State is working hard to reduce barriers to get a degree. Some of the things the university is doing is bringing on new technology to support evidence-based, real-time advising. The new Student Success Collaborative, called LoboConnect, will help improve advising once it is fully implemented. Sonoma State has also adopted Platinum Analytics which will allow administrators to more effectively anticipate course demand

to schedule classes students need to graduate.

Sonoma State University is working to implement the strategies suggested by the CSU Graduation Initiative 2025 and has carried out many that will have a lasting effect on future student success. “We have hired advisors in Student Affairs to improve our ability to advise students and support them throughout their entire careers at SSU,” said Vollendorf.

“Another thing I noticed was that a lot of the changes they suggested taking, Sonoma State has already begun the process in implementing. We seemed ahead of the game in many aspects. Now of course many of the students that attend this university now aren’t going to see these changes due to it taking some time to implement,” Chatterley said.

COURTESY //Lisa Vollendorf Representatives from Sonoma State attend the CSU Graduation Initiative Symposium. From right: Carley Chatterly, Wilson Hall, Karen Moraski, Judy Sakaki, and Lisa Vollendorf.

CAMPUS CRIME Crime

Date

Location

Status

Disturbance

Oct. 21

Beaujolais Alsace

Closed

Vandalism

Oct. 22

Darwin Hall

Closed

Vandalism

Oct. 22

Ives Hall

Suspended

Warrant Arrest

Oct. 22

Parking Lot R10

Closed

Vandalism

Oct. 22

Parking Lot E

Closed

Petty Theft

Oct. 23

Schulz Library

Closed

Hit and Run

Oct. 25

Parking Lot R1

Closed

Rape

Oct. 26

M Section

Outside agency assist

6 Arts

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018 sonomastatestar.com

Freaky Tales features Graves MADELEINE BROWN STAFF WRITER

T

o start off Halloween weekend, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) organized their annual event Freaky Tales with artists Graves and Mike Woo. Freaky Tales is a philanthropy event planned and orchestrated by the fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon. The event was held on Saturday Oct. 27, in the Student Center ballrooms on campus featuring three-time grammy award winner and music producer DJ Graves and a local Bay Area hip-hop DJ Mike Woo. Given that this event is named Freaky Tales, it coincides with Halloween weekend by encouraging students and attendees to dress up in their costumes and get pumped for a good night with live artists.

Graves, who’s real name is Christian Mochizuki, has a unique characteristic of his shows. Mochizuki’s plays local music to really hype up the crowd, admitting that Bay Area and Chicago music are his favorites.

He was stoked to perform at Freaky Tales not only for the Bay Area but because “it was all the homies throwing it.”

He started out as an engineer on Kanye West’s award winning album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” and eventually moved to pursue his own music in the EDM scene.

Mochizuki was born in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. He still lives there in between his travelling for shows and says that he’ll never leave because of how much fun it is. Growing up, his biggest inspiration was Michael Jackson.

He said that Jackson inspired him to do what he does now. “As a kid that was all I listened to.” Queen is also another classic and “timeless band” that he would listen to on repeat.

When asked about the EDM world, CMochizuki said that he was not sure where it was headed and he was just trying to mix it up with

his music. “I don’t know, I get bored of shit really fast.” He has a new project dropping soon, “it’s different, I always like change,” he said.

Mochizuki said that his favorite night out as a DJ was at Lollapalooza when he came out and played with one of the headliners, Flosstradamus.

Post Malone and Chance the Rapper also joined the DJs on stage, making it a memorable one for him. The best part about the EDM scene is “the kids that are stoked.”

The event supported Tau Kappa Epsilon’s philanthropy for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital supports and fights against childhood cancer providing treatment for child cancer patients, increasing survival rate by 60 percent.

Not only do they compensate treatment, but they cover travel, housing and food costs in order to support the families of these children.

Their research is shared worldwide, saving children across the globe with the help of individual financial supporters/donors and collaborators such as Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Everyone at Freaky Tales seemed very pleased with the show while dancing and creating a mosh put in the crowd.

The first act, Mike Woo, was local and knew how to hype up all the students attending.

Afterwards, Gaves had a great performance keeping the crowd elevated and cheering.

One of TKE’s coordinators of the event, Ed Avalos said, “The event went better than imagined. I am proud of my team for making this event run as smooth as possible. We wanted to create an experience and I believe we achieved that.”

Acallos added, “Thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible and to those who supported our fraternity. We wanted to set the bar this year and I want every event to be better than the one before. I am excited for our next project, stay tuned!”

COURTESY// Nest HQ

COURTESY// Tau Kappa Epsilon

It’s ‘Halloween’ Avery’s path ...again to freedom Review KATHLEEN PERRY

KAILEY PRIEST

STAFF WRITER

K

ids are trick-or-treating, teenagers are misbehaving and Michael Myers is murdering-- it must be a typical Halloween night. If it sounds like you’ve seen this movie before, it’s because you likely have.

Directed by David Gordon Green, Halloween (2018) is a sequel to Halloween (1978). Although there are nine other films in the franchise including the two, this one is meant to be the “true sequel” to the first film. The nine other films, all as equally bizarre as the first, can be disregarded in terms of the newest installment.

Forty years after Michael Myers (Nick Castle) goes on a mass killing spree, he escapes the institution he is locked up in and begins his journey to go after the only person who survived his previous attack, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). Staying true to the first film’s identity, the movie follows the original cast members Castle and Curtis to build on the foundation of the earliest film.

Green starts his story by showing how Laurie, now a grandmother, has been affected over the traumatic events that happened when she was a teenager.

She is highly paranoid and goes to extreme measures to protect herself and her family. Her intensity to be prepared resulted in a lonely life: two failed marriages and an estranged relationship with her daughter Karren (Judy Greer).

However, her paranoia comes in handy; when Michael Myers returns to finish what he started with her, she is prepared to take him on. This is when the repetition starts.

It’s October 30 and Michael is set to be transported to a new facility. In the middle of the night, unknowing bystanders see a group of escaped patients, one of them being Michael. Michael’s slightly eccentric doctor comes to aid in finding the masked patient since the town’s police department proves to be incompetent. There’s a killing spree which eventually results in an irresponsible babysitter’s death. And finally,

Review STAFF WRITER

Laurie and Michael are left to face off.

Sound familiar?

Down to some of the lines and stage directions, the similarities are endless. The $10 million budget provided better costumes and effects than the $325,000 budget of the original film, but it could not save the audience from the same corny lines and poorly incorporated comedic relief.

To a true Halloween fan, the newest installment of the franchise is the perfect sequel. Unlike the other movies in the series, this one stays true to the original storyline. The movie does not spiral with strange and confusing plot twists and it certainly does not try to fill the plot holes and inconsistencies made in the previous films. It simply follows a psychotic killer on the loose where nobody is safe until he meets his match for a rematch.

The crowd seemed happy as they clapped and cheered when the lights came back on at the end of the film.

That being said, to someone who is not a long-time Halloween franchise fan, the movie was mediocre. It kept the attention of the audience, but only as part of a series. This movie would not be praised as much had it stood alone.

Having few actually thrilling scenes, the movie was more gory than it was scary. With Michael’s theme song following him around and his unusually slow movements, there was no shock or fear in watching people get picked off one by one.

Rather, there was a lot of dripping blood, mutilated body parts, and of course, plenty of stabbing. Although typically terrifying for a 1978 film, 40 years later, it just felt overdone.

Ultimately, it left the viewers with the same old lessons: if a psycho killer gets loose, make sure you fall every step you take and don’t get back up as he slowly walks towards you. You can scream, but nobody will hear you. Last, put minimal effort into fighting back.

There can only be one hero and it probably isn’t you.

T

he highly anticipated Netflix original, “Making a Murderer” season 2, has finally dropped and it is nothing like the last. While the storyline of Steven Avery continues from the first season with him still fighting for his innocence, it now incorporates his nephew, Brendan Dassey, who was also tried for the murder of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach.

The documentary follows the life of Avery as he fights for his innocence once again after being exonerated by DNA. However now he finds himself right back where he started; convicted for a gruesome crime he did not commit.

The new season does not hesitate to confront the media, how it responded to the first season and inevitably how it affected the second. It is no doubt that when “Making a Murderer” first came out on Netflix December 15, 2015 the viewers and media took to it fast. Both positive and negative responses flooded every social media site and news station as people watched the season play out.

The new season opens up to the mass media’s frenzied reaction in response to the first season. Fox News, The Today Show, Access Hollywood, ET, ABC and more pan the screen all with the headline--”Making a Murderer.” From twitter to celebrities, anyone and everyone is talking about it.

The show caused many to become enraged with the case and take action to fight for Steven Avery’s release, “Petitions calling for the release of Steven Avery continue to grow. The most activity the site, change.org, has ever seen,” said a host on Access Hollywood. The release of the show even resulted in many wanting the president himself to get involved, however the White House responded “Since steven Avery and Brendan Dassey are both state prisoners, the President cannot pardon them.”

The media’s role in this case

doesn’t stop there. From petitions to riots the show caused an uproar of responses, something no one expected to happen. The media’s role in the case was something the second season made sure to touch on because it undoubtedly could have an effect on the ruling and inevitably Avery’s future.

The documentary managed to catch the attention of Kathleen Zellner, one of the most renowned private lawyers in the United states, who won 17 exonerations. After Zellner watched the first season of “Making a Murderer,” she knew that if anyone could free Avery, it was her. Zellner is not like any ordinary lawyer. She states in the documentary “I told Steven Avery the same thing I tell everyone. If you hire me and you’re guilty, trust me, I’ll do a way better job than the prosecutors.”

“I will find out if you’re guilty,” said Zellner. “And we’re going to do testing. We can’t control the results.

The results will be turned over to both sides. You would have to be an idiot to be hiring me to prove that you’re guilty.”

The second season breaks off into two parts then, the first is the battle of Avery and Zellner. This case relies heavily on testing, recreating events and DNA sampling/testing. The second is Dassey and his post conviction lawyer, Laura Nirider, which focuses on “words and words only” as Nirider herself describes it.

With one crime committed, but two very different cases, the new season seems to have a lot in store. Both Avery and Dassey now have well renowned lawyers and teams behind them, compared to the first season when no one had even heard about Avery and his case.

The release of the first season without a doubt has made an impact on the trial against Avery and Dassey by gaining their case large recognition.

However, will it be enough to help them get out of jail? We will just have to watch and see.

Entertainment 7

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018

sonomastatestar.com

Student Spotlight: Régine Danaé MARTIN CONTRERAS STAFF WRITER

“W

hen my mom saw me on stage at the age of three she knew I was going to be an actor.” Régine Danaé has been acting ever since she could remember. She was in her first show at the age of three and hasn’t looked back since.

Danaé is a fourth year double major in biology and theatre arts who’s love for acting is an inspiration to everyone she meets.

Danaé has been in lots of shows throughout her life, but she feels that her favorite productions have occured while she has been a student at Sonoma State.

Of the numerous productions on campus, Danaé’s favorite has been the production of “Bulrusher” that occured in the Fall of 2017.

Eisa Davis’ play in short is about Bulrusher, a young child who was abandoned to the bulrushes of the Navarro River as a baby and developed waterbased psychic powers because of it. Bulrusher had a tough childhood and still found a way to be happy, vulnerable, and open to new experiences, such as love.

Danaé talks about why this production was one of her favorites.

“To work with Harry Waters Jr, from Back to the Future, has been one of the most informative and creative experiences that pushed me to my limits and beyond. I grew exponentially in the short time I spent with him as my director, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”

In “Bulrusher,” Danaé played the titular character whom the play was named.

In Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, directed by Alexis Macnab, Danaé played the characters Jenny and Marge. “Cape Feare” is an episode from The Simpsons in which an incredible disaster has just occured.

“Mr. Burns” is a three-act play that depicts the story. In this post-electric setting a group of survivors come together and show how life has changed imme-

diately after the devastation, how it’s changed 7 years down the line, and finally how it’s affected life 75 years later.

Danaé and her cast members are very excited for this production because it’s entirely student designed, this makes the production that much more collaborative, enjoyable and rewarding.

Danaé said, “Working with [Macnab] has been wonderful. She is extremely open to hearing the casts’ ideas about our characters and how they would move through the world, and you don’t always get lucky enough to find a director like that. I love that she gave students a real chance to apply the techniques they’ve been learning here for years.”

To anyone who has been, or is curious about theatre Danaé said, “Just do it! People get really scared that they won’t be good, or they won’t be welcomed, but acting, much like everything else, is a learning experience. You won’t get better if you don’t try, and the entire theatre department here is filled with some of the nicest and most inclusive people you will ever meet.

We love new people. If you’re willing to put in the work, we are willing to work with you.”

Besides her mother’s constant support, Danaé attributes Raven Symoné and the show “That’s SO Raven” for solidifying her love of acting. She looked up to Symoné when she was younger because she saw how Symoné was able to evoke happiness and joy to so many, she dreamed of doing just the same. In her eyes acting was the best way to achieve that goal.

After graduating Sonoma State, Danaé plans to attend graduate school in England for zoology wildlife conservation, aspiring to be the next Steve Irwin.

Danaé said, “I believe that teaching others about the beautiful creatures we share this planet with is the best way to get them to care, so I’d like to use my

COURTESY// Régine Danaé theatre skills to reach people and teach them about the animals of the world.”

Danaé leaves us with this piece of advice to share after four years of college and numerous productions, “always be open to new people and experiences because that’s how you grow as a person. Everyone and everything has something to teach you, so listen.”

YiaYia’s The Grateful Greek TERESA GULLI STAFF WRITER

W

hen planning on somewhere to eat, people usually stick to restaurants or fast food joints that they enjoy and know the menu, rather than exploring something new. All around Sonoma State there are many hole-in-the-wall restaurants that go unnoticed. If we take a close look we can uncover a new place to get food, one being Yiayia’s The Grateful Greek. This is a family-owned Greek-American restaurant owned by Tom Adams and Dr. Thea Robb, between a pub and hair salon in the City of Penngrove.

They make you feel very welcomed the second you step foot into the restaurant, as if you are a family member walking into their kitchen.

Right past the counter you immediately spot the kitchen right behind, bringing a homey ambiance to the environment. Paying is done at the counter with the menu displayed above.

The menu has an array of Greek foods ranging from gyros (lamb and beef, yogurt sauce and caramelized onions and tomatoes on pita bread) to sausage sandwiches to fries (plain, greek or garlic). It is difficult to decide what to get as everything sounds delicious and makes you want to order the whole menu. Having endless options will have people coming back for more to try a different dish each time, with every dish having a unique name.

According to Sonoma Magazine, “Each of

the menu items is named after a family member — from Brother Bill’s GBLT, Greek bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich, (favored by Tom’s Penngrove firefighter brother) to Tom’s Burger, Thea says her husband eats at least six a week and demanded there be one on the menu to Popi’s Flaming Cheese, named for grandma.”

The Sir Christo’s The Grateful Greek Gyro ($9.95) is a highly recommended choice as it is a staple in any Greek restaurant. The fries are a must try as a side dish to your meal, and you can get it three different ways: Plain Jane ($3.75), Greek and Garlic (both $4.75).

These are great dishes to make into a full and filling meal.

The prices of these dishes are college friendly and will have you coming back for more with friends or even for a date. Everything on the menu is under $10 and would not leave you hungry-- only for another visit.

Dayna Pang, a fourth year at Sonoma State University said, “It was great reasonably priced traditional Greek food with very fast service! I loved seating outside, the ambiance was such a small historic town feel. You can tell everything is made from love here, they literally put a heart with a signature on the wrapping paper of the tray.”

You have the option to dine in or to take out your order, if you decide to dine in you can sit next door inside the pub (only if 21+) and grab some drinks with your friends or you can sit out-

STAR// Teresa Gulli side on their patio. Dining in in either locations, they will bring you your food quickly and will check up on you to see how the food tastes and if you need anything.

Kristen Rapin, a senior at Sonoma State University said, “It was nice to see how much they cared for me and their customers. They provided excellent service and me and my friends and will definitely be returning.”

Stop by this restaurant the next time you’re in Penngrove for lunch or dinner, especially if you’re in a rush to class, the service will not disappoint. Follow them on their Instagram account to check out their menu and different food pictures @thegratefulgreek.

8 Student Life

STAR // Natalie Dolan Rachel Beckman (floor) helps Steven Parker (right), Maireid Moynihan (middle) and Paul Lomuntad (left) as they crochet.

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018 sonomastatestar.com

STAR // Natalie Dolan Miana Coleman (left) who coordinated the event, helps Maireid Moynihan (right) with her crocheting at the HUB’s Crochet Night.

Crochet weaves experts and beginners together MORGAN ARANCIO

STAFF WRITER

T

he HUB is most famous for its safe space and accepting environment, which is something they pride themselves on. This year, they added a new Crochet Night to their Self Care program. Everyone sat in a circle and began crocheting.

The supplies were all in a table in the middle of the room so everyone could reach them. For the students that didn’t know how to start or what to do, there were a few experienced students that walked around and helped. They were more than happy to help anyone who was having difficulties, as it hard to get at first.

The hectic pace of the school year can bring a load of stress. Crochet Night offers a stress free activity, which is open to everybody and ability, to meet new

people in a casual and fun way. It’s an open space to sit with other students. The supplies were provided for the students and there were some snacks as well.

The beautiful thing is that everyone was at a different skill level, many being new and had never tried crotchet before.

Emily Ball, Senior Hutchins major, came with her roommates to give it a try but had never attempted crocheting before in the past. “I definitely recommend everyone to come to the next Crochet Night. It’s so fun and very laid back and comfortable. Nobody will make fun of you if you need help,” Ball said.

Ball had zero experience and despite that, she had a pleasant night learning a new craft with friends. Ball spent the night making friendship bracelets for her boyfriend and her best friend.

Miana Coleman, a graduating Senior Ceramics Major, was the proud lead

of this event, and came up with the idea.

Coleman wanted to bring people together and share with them something that brings her joy and teach students that are interested. “This event is important to me because crocheting really helps me, especially when I’m stressed out and overwhelmed. It’s a great exercise for self care and something I’m passionate about.” said Coleman. “It can be challenging at first but you get the hang of it and can be really fun or make great gifts for people.”

Coleman is self taught and watched Youtube videos to learn, but has the experience to help others. The current project she is working on is a blanket as a Christmas present for her boss.

For the students that wanted, they were able to take some supplies home and continue with the piece they were working on.

There are also those that have been crocheting for many years and are either self taught or a family member showed them. There were a couple students that brought their own supplies and just came to hang out with everyone.

One of the students was working on a pair of shorts she’s crocheting. She has been crocheting for six years when her grandmother taught her.

The HUB and Coleman are working to plan another event closer to finals.

They believe this is an important event.

The success of the first one only proves their point that this is activity makes a big impact on students.

Coleman confirmed that Crochet Night will stay in The HUB’s main room and will always welcome all students.

They are located on the second floor of the Student Center.

Student Life Calendar

Registration waits for no one.

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Dig Into Nature: Wolrd of

ASP Haunted House

Mushrooms

7 p.m.

1 p.m.

Ballroom A, B

Yorkville Community

Wednesday, Oct. 31 Halloween Special Dinner 5 p.m.

The Kitchens

Center Sunday, Nov. 4 Dig Into Nature: Mushroom Blitz 10 a.m.

Osborn Preserve

Gaming Race

WINTER INTER SESSION

2019

Don’t miss your chance.

Stop #gradu-waiting Classes run January 3 - 16

For more info, visit: sonoma.education/Winter2019

6 p.m.

Dig Into Nature:

The Hub

Recording Bird Songs

Friday, Nov. 2

10 a.m.

Late Night Lobo ft. “Pop

Anderson Valley

Takeover”

Hisotrical Museum

8:30 p.m.

Lobo’s

Saturday, Nov. 1 Dig Into Nature: Natural History Hikes 10 a.m.

Osborn Preserve

Monday, Nov. 5 - Friday, Nov. 9 Donations for Lobo’s Pantry 8 a.m.

Student Center, 1st floor

Student Life 9

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018

sonomastatestar.com

QSA club tables against DHHS’s memo MARIAH PONCE STAFF WRITER

This week, the Queer Student Alliance club used their voices to make it known on campus what is happening in our world. Recently, it has been headlining in the news that the Trump administration is making efforts to eliminate basic transgender rights.

This action brought on by the administration has caused numerous people around the world to wonder if anyone is safe anymore to express their identity. The Queer Student Alliance, also known as QSA, took action and wanted to make a change.

This week, these brave students tabled around campus trying to educate and inform their fellow Seawolves about what the Trump administration is planning to do and how we as students can make a difference.

The Trump administration

is currently working to remove the rights of transgender people, stating that individuals will only be identified with what genitals they were born with. When a person is born, if they are born male or female, that is what they will be identified by their entire life. The transgender community is then disregarded, not being able to express their true identities.

Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services is working towards making a new interpretation of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prevents sex discrimination.

The soon to be drafted proposal would eliminate protection for anyone in the transgender community, disposing of laws that would protect a person that identifies as transgender in any setting, including housing, the workplace, health care, as well as schools.

The QSA club recognized

this loss of acceptance and safety and knew the word needed to be spread on campus.

President of the QSA club, Kendall Andrews, was the driving force behind the club’s decision to table, explaining that what is happening in the presidential administration is not acceptable and people need to be aware.

The club was designed to be a safe space for queer students to find a support system within Sonoma State University.

The club promotes acceptance throughout campus as well as creating events that support the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, the QSA club held a discussion circle for students and staff in the HUB center. Andrews stated that it was designed to give people in the queer community, as well as anyone that wanted to join, a way to express their feelings.

The club works hard to cre-

ate discussion circles as well as a safe environment for anyone that wants to join, no matter what they identify as. Andrews states, “I urge people to Google, educate themselves on what transgender means and support their transgender friends.”

The club has been receiving great deals of support from Seawolves, many stopping and listening to what the QSA club has to say about Trump’s administration trying to eliminate transgender rights.

Andrews stated, “A lot of calls are being made to representatives, we have had students competing against other students to see who can get ahold of them first.”

The QSA club had printed out pages while tabling with the numbers of representatives to call as well as a script if someone has phone anxiety.

They decorated their table with bubbles, posters, coloring books

and homemade anti-Trump whistles that students can make and use around campus.

The club is educating the students of changes that can be made by the current presidential administration as well as giving Seawolves an easy way to call in and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Sonoma State students and members of the QSA club, Emerson Robles-Tuttle and Elliott Pickett, accompanied Andrews while tabling.

The students voiced the concerns of unacceptance that can be created if people do not start taking initiative. Pickett states, “Please vote, your voice does matter!”

The calls and the efforts made by the students is what needs to occur. The QSA club is using the voices of their club members to get the word out on campus and helping make an impact.

Lobo’s Bingo Night raises Halloween spirits CARLY OLSEN STAFF WRITER

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obo’s knows how to get people in the Halloween spirit. Last Friday, the cafe and pub held a bingo night for students to get together and have some fun, starting off their Halloween weekend. When 8:30 came around, it was time to start the game and students got ready to compete.

Friends gathered to play and judging by all the laughter and smiles going around, it’s safe to say everyone had a great time.

This event was organized by junior residential advisor Crystal Jimenez, who played the role of calling out the numbers for students to play. Residential Life, who helped put on the event, executes a variety of events at Lobo’s each month, including karaoke nights, trivia games, and crafting in order to get students involved and for them to meet new people. It’s also a great way for students to enjoy the Lobo’s menu and get drinks or eat together.

“I really enjoy putting on events at Lobo’s because it gives students something to do on the weekends and they get to connect with each other. It’s a safe space where students can come together and have fun,” said Jimenez.

“It’s also fun for me because I get to hangout with students outside of the residential community and get to know them.”

While the turnout wasn’t huge for this event, as many students were getting ready for Halloween festivities, it didn’t stop students from enjoying their beers and playing some bingo.

One group in particular started out with about six people, but as the night went on, more of their friends joined them and participated in the game.

Students played with bingo cards with a free space in the middle and used marbles as placeholders while random numbers were called out. Once they got a winning pattern, students yelled “Bingo!” in order to get their cards checked and approved by the facilitator. Winners received free candy as a prize if they got the correct pattern.

There were many rounds, as each time someone yelled out bingo, they would start the game over with a whole different pattern. This changed it up and gave many students the chance to win.

“I love coming to Lobo’s and participating in the events,” said junior Adrian Aguirre, “It’s a great way to get all my roommates and friends together to have some fun. We come here a lot

STAR // Carly Olsen (From left to right) Students Mikaela Burgess, James Hubbard, Emily Payner, Adrian Aguirre, Joe Miller and Justine Hernandez enjoy drinks and Bingo in Lobo’s on Firday Oct. 26. because there’s always something going on.”

Aguirre recently transferred to Sonoma State this fall and enjoyed winning a few rounds of bingo, which got him in the Halloween spirit with some free candy.

“I don’t come to Lobo’s that often, so I wanted to check out the Bingo Night with some friends.” said junior Josh Bombard. “My favorite part was definitely the free candy, I got some

M&M’s which are my favorite! It was a great time with my buddies and I would definitely come again to another Lobo’s event.”

The next events being held at Lobo’s is Late Night with Lobo “Pop Takeover” karaoke on Friday, Nov. 2.

It promises to be a great way to show off singing talents and a way to support peers who will be getting up on the stage.

Real Talk focuses on Latinx topics

EMILY HOFFMAN STAFF WRITER

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he Campus HUB, home to the program Real Talk, hosted every Thursday from 12 - 1 p.m., is a resource that is so rich yet so underrated and unknown at Sonoma State. The Student Center is one of the most bustling places on campus, especially during

midday when everyone gravitates there for lunch. Yet when people think of the second floor, they think of the bookstore.

When asked what she knew about the second floor, senior Alina Scott mentioned all the different resources including the HUB, but the HUB was the only one she couldn’t give a description of what it really was.

“I know it’s on the second floor. That’s about it.”

The HUB, which stands for Honoring the past, Uniting the present, and Building the future, is a place that celebrates the diversity of people, worldviews, and ideas through a multi-

tude of programs and clubs on the second floor right before the bookstore.

Real Talk is a program held by the HUB that embodies their mission; a place for students to engage and work with people whose cultural and political perspectives are different and even opposite from our own. This program in particular focuses on these aspects within the Latinx community.

The HUB leaders provide a safe space for students to feel at home with food and music playing in the background, and comfy padded chairs and couches aligned in a tight knit circle in a way that almost made the room feel like it wasn’t even on campus but rather in someone’s house.

The rules in the HUB are what’s said there stays there, and what’s learned there leaves there. One at a time, people

share in a circle openly, honestly, and respectfully about whatever is on their mind.

Program coordinator Shelley Gomez shared her thoughts on similar programs. “Most commonly known is Greek life. The Greek community has their own council and own space to come together.” said Gomez. “We are accomplishing the same mission for those who have difficult circumstances simply because of their diversity.” When asked if she believed the Latinx community has a harder time navigating life and feeling accepted at Sonoma State and in general, she responded, “Most definitely.”

Junior Alexis Mercado, a junior of Latina descent, had never heard of this program before. “I think that Real Talk sounds like a great idea, especially because I can relate. I knew the HUB held meetings and stuff. They have free coffee, but I didn’t know about this. That’s really cool.”

What Gomez, the members of this organization and Mercado all have in common is recognizing the importance of what Real Talk is, and that it is important students across campus are aware of what exactly goes on at the HUB and when.

Real Talk is just one of the multitudes of programs and clubs underneath the HUB umbrella.

You can find out more details about the Hub on their website. The HUB, Real Talk, and all it encompasses are a STAR // Jennifer Spence hidden gem that will become just a little Shelly Gomez (bottom right) hosts Real Talk in the HUB less hidden with more awareness and attendance. to discuss Latinx topics, issues and concerns.

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OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018 sonomastatestar.com

STAR // Luis Madrigal Julia Prichard, 9, runs as she tries to get possession of the ball back from the opponent.

Women’s soccer sends East Bay packing KASEY WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

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resilient Sonoma State Women’s Soccer team beat Cal State East Bay 1-0 at home on Thursday, slipping by the eleventh-ranked Pioneers in a game that was closer in score than it was in competition.

A late goal in the final five minutes of the second half from SSU forward Sam Layman, a deep right field cross from near-midfield, put the Seawolves up 1-0 with little time for the Pioneers to recover. It was her third on the season.

By winning their second in a row, they solidified their third-place position in the CCAA rankings with 25 points, behind only Chico State’s 26 and UC San Diego’s 27, both of which have contributed to SSU’s loss column and pose significant threats to their postseason aspirations.

Despite the close score, CSUEB needed their goalkeeper, Brianna Vasquez-Ortiz, in top form as she was bombarded by shot after shot in the second half, making a few excellent saves in the process, including a brilliant effort in swatting away an early second-half shot by SSU’s Molly Murphy.

In total, SSU put up three times as many shots on goal (9) as CSUEB (3).

The disparity in skill and conditioning was apparent from the outset, as head coach Emiria Dunn’s Seawolves were more aggressive, skilled, and pre-

cise than Robin Hart’s Pioneers, who spent a good portion of the opening half struggling to match the tempo of the home team and fend-off the constant pressure by its talented forwards.

The most unsettled SSU looked was early in the second half, when CSUEB’s Aulani Fernandez threw Bella Amyx to the ground during a dust-up at midfield, resulting in some restraining and choice words from both teams. The teams were ultimately separated and no cautions were delegated.

It was just one example of poor temperament in a match filled with frustration, physicality, and three yellow cards, all for the Hayward-based squad, and all of which demonstrated their frustration.

The statistics show remarkable dominance for the home team as SSU enjoyed a significant advantage in ball possession and passing.

Layman, often roaming wide right on the pitch and covering significant ground when she felt it necessary, saw a solid first-half shot on goal def lected

by Vasquez-Ortiz five minutes before the half.

It would eventually become a sign of things to come in the second half.

Despite utilizing fewer substitutions overall, Dunn’s women proved to be the better-conditioned crew, outlasting the first-half lull in offensive activity to come storming back, dominating the second half in style, taking their time with positioning and tight, one-touch passing.

The Pioneer’s effort cannot be faulted, however much craft or discernment they lacked, as they could have gotten ahead early or tied late on some great shots by Jordan Lemieux, Liz Hernandez, and Abby Buitrago, all saved or def lected by SSU goalkeeper Kristen Spear.

At the final whistle, SSU was able to celebrate a win that could have, and likely should have, been easier, although the regular season was not over just yet.

Their difficulty scoring continued on Saturday in the last game of the regular season, when SSU lost 1-0 in double overtime to CSU Monterey Bay on a penalty kick late in the final period. It was their third loss of the season, now leaving their CCAA record at 8-3-1 and 10-3-3 overall.

After another game in which SSU owned a significant advantage in possession and shots on goal, their inability to convert left the game scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation, and despite valiant effort in both overtime periods, the game ended on a sour note when CSUMB midfielder Melissa Wilson converted a low penalty kick passed goalkeeper Kristen Spear.

It was only her third goal allowed in the last seven games and ninth on the season.

CCAA playoffs begin Tuesday, Oct. 30 and all signs point to a home game against sixth-seeded Cal State LA, a team that the Seawolves beat 1-0 with def lected goal late in the game back on Sept. 23.

Sporting events lack student attendance

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he Sonoma State Athletic Department has had lots of success since its start in 1964. Our Seawolf athletes have brought home national championships in men and women’s soccer, as well as men’s golf. While our Seawolves continue to excel every year, many sporting events lack numbers in student attendance.

With recent NCAA appearances in women’s volleyball (2015) men’s basketball (2016), men’s soccer (2016), and softball (2017), our Seawolves have proven themselves as quality athletes. Many students believe campus sporting events lack student support, including Cameron Levin, a Senior at Sonoma State.

“Our school has a lot of talented athletes and their skills are unnoticed by many students that don’t attend games,” Jones said. “I know our athletic department works recruiting and coaching athletes and we should support their efforts as students.”

Sonoma State has recruited several students that became successful professional athletes, including NFL offensive lineman and super bowl champion, Larry Allen. Sonoma State eliminated the football program in 1996 and some students are confident our school spirit and support for campus events would increase if the school brought back the football team.

“Our school is unique and differs from other universities since we don’t have a football team. A potential return from the team would bring about new events throughout the semester that would encourage new students to socialize and rep their Seawolf pride,” said Corey Jones, a senior.

Regardless of the possibility of

another football team, some student athletes believe the school needs to take further steps in advertising campus sports.

“We get pretty good turnouts every now and then, but I think the problem stems from the lack of advertising. Usually when the times of games are posted around campus, people take notice and show up as a result,” said Brandon Tillis, a Senior Guard on the men’s basketball team.

“I think it’s really awesome when you see students and faculty up in the stands cheering you on.

The more people know about it, the more you’ll see attendance increase, no matter what the sport.”

Many students and athletes think the campus could improve its advertising strategies. There’s no argument that publicizing campus events will boost student support for all teams. While the school makes efforts by spreading the word through campus televisions as well as Lobovision, the school could take additional steps to ensure more students come out to sports games on campus.

Josh Alegria, a Senior, offered his opinion. “Aside from advertisements through Lobovision and screens in the student center, the school can strengthen its efforts on social media,” explained Alegria.

“Perhaps the school can benefit from advertisements or promotions through Instagram or Twitter. I know hundreds of students such as myself that are consistent users on both of social applications. If the school can somehow implement advertisements directed toward the Sonoma State community online, then I think students will definitely come out and support campus sports.”

OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018

sonomastatestar.com

Sports 11

Sonoma Fishing Club excited for upcoming tournaments JOEY PIOMBO STAFF WRITER

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he Sonoma State Fishing club consists of fifteen members who have a passion for fishing. The team has been competing for years in tournaments around California and out of state. These tournaments are extremely competitive and often times money is at stake.

The club has been very successful in years past, winning a firstplace prize and placing in the top ten in other tournaments.

The team has had a tremendous amount of success in recent years.

They have been put to the test in many different tournaments. These tournaments take place all over the state of California and even Arizona. The club competed at Lake Havasu in Arizona, Clear Lake in Lake County, California and the Sacramento River Delta last year. The tournaments begin in February and end in the month of May. If the team has an outstanding year their season is extended to the month of June for the National Championship.

When talking to the clubs president, Josh Hanna, he explained their success in recent years. “We have been one of the most successful college fishing teams in California,” says Hanna.

Hearing their tournament history it is no surprise that the club is ranked so highly.

In 2017, president Josh Hanna and club member BJ Kendrick won a tournament at the Delta earning their club a $2,400 cash prize. In 2018, Tyler Owens and Josh Hanna took 4th place winning $500 for the club. BJ Kendrick and Brock Trudeau got a well respected 9th place.

Making the trip to the Delta a successful one. At Clear Lake this past year Trenton Wells and Brock Trudeau placed 8th with fellow club members Tyler Owens and BJ Kendrick placing 10th.

The club has also qualified for the National Championship three years in a row which is something to be very proud of. To put into perspective how the team has placed Hanna explains, “You know you fished well when you place top ten”. Most of the tournaments consist of twenty or more teams meaning that these competitions have a great deal of skill.

When being in the club the main goal is to have fun and compete in tournaments.

In order to compete in a tournament, one must either own a boat or have a partner that owns a boat. When fishing at these tournaments it is vital to know how to bass fish. With the team's recent success it is no surprise they have nearly mastered the skill of bass fishing.

The club was created for one reason, to have as much fun as possible fishing with some lifelong friends. It is important to be competitive but the real beauty of the club is that they just want to have fun fishing.

COURTESY // Sonoma State Fishing Club Members of the fishing club flash their trophies after a tournament Josh Hann describes what the team does when they aren't catching fish when saying, “We often have barbeques and other events”.

The club plans to have enormous success this upcoming fishing season. Each member has fished throughout the summer and arrive back to Sonoma looking to compete. The members will be competing in three tournaments this upcoming year.

First, they will be fishing on Lake Mead just 24 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

The team has not competed in this location in recent years.

Secondly, they will be returning to the Delta in hopes of placing well once again.

Lastly, the team will also be returning to Clearlake this year. If the team has success like past years they will also get the opportunity to compete in the National Tournament in June against 200 other clubs.

To follow the team’s success this upcoming year you can find the club on Instagram @sonomastatefishing or Facebook @ssufishing.

Seawolves Speak!

Who will win the 2018 World Series and why?

JESSICA BENNETT STAFF WRITER

East Coast meets West Coast in the 2018 World Series. The Boston Red Sox have claimed the title of the 2018 World Series Champions. Taking on and defeating The Los Angeles Dodgers in just a short five games, making history for the first time in World Series history with an 18 inning game. This year, Sonoma State has a personal connection to The Los Angeles Dodgers. Sonoma State pitcher Alum, Scott Alexander, joined the 25 man roster during game one. The Red Sox took the title during an away game but the fans back in Boston went crazy, with the final score being 5-1. The fans for the Los Angeles Dodgers felt something different after returning to the World Series for the second time in a row and letting it slip with not only the Astros but now the Red Sox. The following Sonoma State Seawolves were asked the following question before the series begun in a prediction to see who would end up on top. Three Seawolves predicted correctly, while the other two laid with loyalty to the boys in blue.

Brett Klein Senior, “The Red Sox because they've already had a historic year and they are unbeatable with their pitching staff.”

Gina Cappalla Sophomore, Hutchins major “I think the Dodgers will win because they have been having a winning streak for the past couple seasons and I don’t see it dying any time soon.”

Lisa Rodarmel Senior , Political Science major “I think the Boston Red Sox are going to win because they are a stronger team, but there's a lot of ballgame left so who knows.”

Nicole Alonzo Senior, Kinesiology major “The Dodgers, we don’t cheer for anyone else but the Dodgers, born and raised a Dodgers fan it’s called loyalty.”

Michael Byerline Senior , Chemistry major “I think Boston will win because of their ability to execute two-out hits and Dave Roberts’ subpar coaching decisions.”

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OCT. 30 - NOV. 5, 2018 sonomastatestar.com

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