Volume 82 // Issue 5

IN THIS ISSUE

Safe zone

The HUB is hosting an event in support of the LGBTQ+ this week.

Read more on PAGE 9.

“Do the Right Thing”

Baseball wins

The iconic Spike Lee movie will celebrate it’s thirty-year anniversary with an on-campus screening and Q&A, on PAGE 6.

Read about the Seawolves’ hard-earned pair of wins over Stanislaus State on PAGE 11.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 82 // ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2019

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

Rohnert Park hires new police chief Tech High leaving

SSU at year’s end

ASHLEY GIESEKE STAFF WRITER

T

he Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety recently added a new police chief to the force who plans to bring new ideas and growth to the community.

Tim Mattos became police chief of the departement just a few short months ago. Joining the team back in December and taking over for interim police chief Jeff Weaver, he jumped at the opportunity as soon as he heard the position was available.

Mattos has dedicated much of his life to serving as a police officer and had been chief of the Suisun City Police Department before joining Rohnert Park.

In 1995, Mattos met a few of Rohnert Park’s officers and quickly became interested in transferring. He always wanted a career in a bigger agency where there was opportunity to flourish with rich resources.

“Coming from the outside, I look at this agency and the resources that are available are something I’d never experienced,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to work for an agency where we had the capacity and staffing to really do so much in the field of public safety.”

With over 29 years of experience, Mattos has developed different skills and the framework to build a successful force. “In this profession, you’re learning everyday. As you move up in rank, you take on different responsibilities, so it’s a constant learning process and through the years you develop your own style of leadership.”

Mattos had always had a passion for

JONAH TROSKY STAFF WRITER

A

COURTESY // Vacaville Reporter Tim Mattos when he worked for Suisun City police. helping others and wanting to be in the field of action. Prior to joining the academy, he had always wanted to be a paramedic, and during his waitlist period to become one, he got the opportunity to be an EMT and work hands-on in the ambulances. While doing so, he got to work side by side with the police department and realised that is where his true passion was.

If he was not an officer, Mattos believes that he would have became a fifth grade teacher due to the passion a child has at that age and the determination to learn. This has even became a consideration after retirement.

t the end of this academic year, Technology High School is leaving the Sonoma State University’s campus, after a six-year run, with plans of temporarily relocating to Waldo Elementary School.

Technology High School, or Tech High, as it is often referred to, was founded in 1999 with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math. In 2013, Sonoma State “had extra space,” according to Paul Gullixson, university spokesperson, so they rented it out.

With Sonoma State planning on renovating Stevenson Hall, there is an obvious need for more classrooms.

Last April, the Cotati-Rohnert Park School District and Sonoma State reached a deal that Technology High School’s last year at Sonoma State would be 2019. The original deal was through 2024, but by ending it five years early, it will save the school district some $5 million.

“The deal is really a win-win for both and we will continue having a great relationship with the school district,” Gullixson said. Technology High School will not only save money but will be closer to their middle school as well.

Robert Haley, the superintendent of the CotatiRohnert Park School district, sees Sonoma State as a great partner and will continue to be so. He knows what is best for the school district as well, “We believe this agreement and plan is in the best interest of the district as a whole and our community,” he said.

Tech High School will by no means be done using some of Sonoma State’s facilities, though. They will continue to use the Sonoma State School of Education and the Department of Engineering, as well as a couple of other facilities.

see CHIEF on pg. 5

see TECH HIGH on pg. 5

Campus murder still unsolved With over two years gone by and zero suspects in custody, the Kimberley family is left waiting.

MANDELA LINDER STAFF WRITER

K

irk Ryan Kimberly was last seen by his family on Oct. 17, 2016. When the 18-year-old Cotati resident did not return home the following morning, his mother, Jennifer Kimberly, began searching the area for her only child. On Oct. 19, his father, Kelly Kimberly, filed a missing persons’ report.

In the harrowing weeks that followed, a body was found on campus at Sonoma State University in a wooded area behind the Green Music Center parking lot. On Nov. 3, the body was identified as Kimberly. He had been stabbed to death and left in a shallow grave.

Over two years later, no one has been arrested or charged in connection with Kimberly’s killing, but those close to the case say the investigation is still active. Sergeant Spencer Crum with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said, when asked about the investigation, “The detectives are actively working on leads with the family that I’m not at liberty to discuss.”

Jennifer Kimberly believes that the case will be solved.

“It’s not cold. I can tell you it’s not cold,” she said. “As the months have peeled off, there have been glimmers of hope.

They’re not giving us anything definite but they’re not giving up, they’re still working on it.”

On Sept. 1, 2018, author Johnny Kerns released his book “Inherit the Whole Earth: Who Killed Kirk Kimberly.” Kerns is a forensic investigator who deals specifically with homicide cases. In his book, he names who he believes may be a viable suspect in the case.

Kerns said that he used cell phone GPS data, as well as information provided by sources close to the case. The person that Kerns believes is the prime suspect is currently incarcerated for a home invasion in Rohnert Park.

“I believe we know who killed Kirk, I name that person in the book, but I know that that person didn’t do it alone,” Kerns said. “The burial aspect gives me significant foundation for that belief. If this were just a 16 or 17-year-old kid who killed Kirk, that kid probably would not have been able to dig that grave, undiscovered, and bury Kirk, and dispose of the bike and of evidence all in that short timeframe.”

Kerns has an interesting relationship with the Kimberlys today. He said that his relationship with Kelly Kimberly is nonexistent, but that he and Jennifer Kimberly still speak. “We have a good long relationship to this day. She feels guilty about the things that she discussed with me for the book,” he said.

“They’re very fearful of damaging anything about the case that could lead to someone being brought to justice for Kirk’s murder, and also they want to protect Kirk’s reputation,” he said.

Jennifer Kimberly said she just wants the truth. “We don’t know if anything in that book is actually the truth. Everything has been told to us by other people. It’s still an active investigation,” she said. “I’m very much caught in the middle of hoping it does some good and doesn’t hurt my son’s case. I hope it doesn’t hurt innocent people.”

COURTESY // Kimberley family Kirk Kimberley, 18, was found burried in a shallow grave on the Sonoma State University campus on Nov. 4, 2016.

Kerns thinks that one of the reasons that the book was a difficult issue for the Kimberlys was that he revealed that Kirk had marijuana and Xanax in his system at the time of his death.

“I think I achieved balance by talking about all the good things that Kirk did and the great way that he was. He really was a handsome kid with a nice smile and a friendly disposition,” Kerns said. “At the same time, he was at the age where his friends were introducing him to drugs and unfortunately I think that’s what got him killed.”

Today, Jennifer Kimberly is trying to find a silver lining, but she said she has yet to find it. She attends meetings of people in similar situations, and although she is not religious, she does pray. She said that it does not seem to help a lot, but a little help is better than nothing.

“I’m not a religious person but I got a message from God that I need to be strong, set an example, be loving, and be forgiving,” she said. “I don’t believe that was a thought that I generated because I have been angry, sad, and depressed. It’s very hard for me to be loving and forgiving, but I know that’s the right

thing for me to do and I’m trying to do it.”

“A mother loves her child more than anything in the world,” she continued. “He was the most important thing to me in the whole world. He was my purpose for living.”

For Sonoma State, the question now is what to do with the site where Kimberly’s body was found. In the time since his body was discovered, the area has gone through some changes. Since it is an undeveloped part of campus, there were issues with vandalism and homeless encampments. Kerns described the area as “dark and foreboding.”

“You have this beautiful scenic campus but right in the center you have an area that is not policed, where criminal activity can fester, and that’s going to impact the student population,” Kerns said. “So it’s really important that either patrols are stepped up, or you just go and clean up that area, wipe out that area, remove the vegetation so that you can understand what’s going on there.”

Jennifer Kimberly said that she vitis the site often, see INVESTIGATION on pg. 5

2 Editorial

FEB. 26 - MARCH. 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

THE STAR Editorial Board Braden Car twright, Editor-in-Chief Kasey Williams, News Editor Gillian Chaffer, Opinion Editor Alison Snider, Ar ts & Enter tainment Editor Haley Kara, Student Life Editor Brennan Craig, Spor ts Editor Natalie Dolan, Photo Editor Mandela Linder, Adver tising Manager Samantha Billingsly, Distribution Manager Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers

Kayla Allen, Samantha Billingsly, Kaylie Boettner, Kelly Britton, Holly Chandler, Giulia Chlarson, Clark Fahrenthold, Julianna Ferrara, Alexander Funchess, Ashley Gieseke, Teresa Gulli, Will Hahn, Garrett Kitchen, Emily Kowalski, Katherine Kur tt, Madison Lam, Cole McKeith, Jack Messier, Gabriella Novello, Thomas Peterschmidt, Joseph Piombo, Devon Pique, Sunday Simon, Brandon Sparks, Jonah Trosky, Marissa Ugar te, Jackson Waldron, Aaron Waskowiak, Mattie Williams Photographers

Christine Von Raesfeld, Jessica Rivera, Kaitlyn Bradley, Jacob Loher, Ethan Prins

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: “Campus murder still unsolved” This well-reported story lays out where the years-old case currently stands, including an interview with the victim’s mother and an author who wrote a book on the case.

Read the story on the front page.

Corrections/Clarifications

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

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

Opinions

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

Letters to the Editor Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts. The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication to any letter and to edit for length. Letters must sign all contributions and the editor must verify the signer and the writer are one in the same through personal conference. To send a letter to the editor, email star@sonoma.edu.

STAR // Kevin Flores

When fashion is racist

I

n a period of three months, Prada has apologized for a series of black monkey-like accessories with large red lips from their Pradamalia line due to their resemblance to blackface, Gucci discontinued a black turtleneck sweater that displayed large red lips when the neck was pulled up to the face, singer Katy Perry was slammed for her fashion line’s pair of shoes displaying large eyes and large red lips on a black background and Burberry has removed a sweater which replaced drawstrings with a rope tied similar to that of a noose used by lynch mobs.

Chief Executive of the King Center and Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter, Bernice King, in a tweet crafted in response to Burberry’s noose sweater, stated, “How can people guard their hearts and minds from normalizing and trivialising symbols and images that historically represent racism, bigotry and oppression?”

In some cases, the shocking insensitivity has been apologized for due to a lack of diversity within the fashion world, while others claim that time pressures are at fault. According to Global News, the fashion industry is facing pressure to “push products from the design board to the stores and online in weeks rather than months.”

These fashion houses would have benefited greatly from a little more time in the design stage and more diversity and sensitivity in the company.

In response, the fashion houses are making some changes to their staff. Gucci is planning to

hire a global director for diversity and inclusion, Prada is creating a diversity council where Theaster Gates and Ava DuVernay will chair and H&M, who faced backlash for their “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” sweater last year, is putting together a diversity and inclusion team headed by lawyer Annie Wu. Some companies claim their designs had no intention of harming people. In Perry’s case, she said her shoes were meant to be a “nod to ‘modern art and surrealism.’” One person’s supposed homage to surrealism is another person’s reminder of an insensitive and dehumanizing past.

The trend in black face reminiscent designs can’t be ignored and washed over. Black face, the minstrel show practice of white performers painting their skin black and drawing on large red lips for sketches which reinforce racial stereotypes for comedic effect, is still painfully alive.

The fashion industry forecasts fashion trends based of off runway designs and social media influencers. Fashion has always had a turbulent relationship with race, often playing off of racial stereotypes in photoshoots, lightening skin tones through photoshop and cultural appropriation. The Kardashians, some of the most important social media influencers in the modern fashion market, have been criticized for profiting off of work of designers of color without giving them credit, according to Marie Claire, citing Kylie Hair Couture, Kylie Jenner’s camouflage bikini line and Khloé Kardashian’s Good American brand.

High fashion, such as Burberry, Prada and Gucci, is made up of wealthy industry insiders with little to no diversity. The fashion world might respond to outcries and condemnation, but like most industries, it primarily responds to money. Luxury brands set the standards and trends that trickle down to the brands most people can afford, such as Wal-Mart, H&M, Forever21 and Target’s many clothing brands. However, luxury fashion doesn’t respond to the same incentives as normal companies. They don’t kowtow to demand, don’t respond to general trends and set their own prices, according to The Luxury Strategy, written by former Louis Vuitton marketing strategist Vincent Bastien. Confident their names will remain synonymous with luxury and wealth, it is easy for these brands to remain insular and white.

Only time will tell if Prada, Gucci and H&M’s promises to promote diverse talent and ideas with in the fashion industry will be a fruitful endeavor. They may be covering up a deep wound with a “flesh” covered bandaid. What these scandals have revealed, however, is that diversity is desperately needed not just in the fashion industry, but in every market sector.

Hopefully these events will not discourage young designers, models and entrepreneurs of color, but inspire them. The fashion industry might have stolen, appropriated and callously thrown their identities aside, but the economic success of these powerhouses and their numbers don’t lie: people of color have talent and consumers are all willing to pay for it.

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

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Opinion 3

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

Actor’s hoax attack exposes the desire for relevancy

JACK MESSIER STAFF WRITER

“S

weetie, they’re not going to find them.”

These are the words of Good Morning America host Robin Roberts in response to Jussie Smollett’s assertion, “I was talking to a friend and I said, ‘I just want (the police) to find (the attackers),’ said in an ABC exclusive interview prior to Smollett’s recent Feb 20 arrest.

Yet, beyond Roberts’ realization, her response indirectly hit—no, smashed—the nail on the abominable head: they’re not going to find his attackers, because they don’t exist.

What does exist: Jussie Smollett’s seemingly ever-apparent element of factitious disorder.

While a hoard of new evidence points to Smollett arranging his notorious Jan. 29 attack—with him paying the “attackers” $3500 to stage a hate crime in hopes of advancing his

acting career, according to Chicago police—to even rule the situation as simply an insupportable antic fundamentally undermines the destructive implications it imposes on furthering racial tensions and homophobia.

“It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim, or a Mexican, or someone black, I feel like the doubters would’ve supported me a lot more,” Smollett continued in the interview preceding his charges, “and that says a lot about the place that we are in our country right now.”

Now, “it feels like” what Smollett “had said” here with this, rather, indicates a hyper-focused, regretful re-evaluation of a victim-based point proven failed. Besides, if Smollett truly wanted to craft a hate crime hoax involving two white men, let alone one done meticulously, one can’t help but think his alleged attackers’ exclamation of East-side Chicago being “MAGA country” would’ve been left out of it.

Alongside Ressa Lanier, Cook County Assistant District Attorney, outlining Smollett’s instruction to the brothers in the bond proffer, which included purchases of a rope, gasoline, curved red hats and ski masks, he also orchestrated the Osundario brothers—whom Smollett knew through tv show ‘Empire’—to seemingly assault

him, and leave him as victim of a hate crime.

Alas, Smollett aimed to also portray him in a heroic light, only equaled by his selfish desire to take main stage costumed as a victim.

As citizens of a country already anchored by egregiously unstable race relations and potent political divide, Smollett’s deeply disappointing decision to stage an act, unveiled by mounds of concerning police evidence, disperses public distrust in the future claims of real victims alike.

Nevertheless, Smollett’s unwarranted actions—especially those playing on factitious victimization and heroism—rob victims of their validity in real cases as much as they rob American people’s perceptions of the reality behind the country’s status of improved race relations and diminishing nodes of homophobia.

Above all else, a greater emphasis must be placed on one’s achievement of true heroic status, and prioritized over glorified victimhood— something that’s been dangerously awarded to those thoroughly undeserving in our society.

Then again, perhaps this just says a lot about the place that we are in our country right now.

Maybe Smollett was onto something after all.

Breast implants linked to cancer and other medical issues

KAYLIE BOETTNER

STAFF WRITER

W

omen have long turned to cosmetic surgeries to enhance their looks. Whether it be rhinoplasties, tummy tucks or facelifts. However, none of these procedures can compete when it comes to the popularity of breast implants.

Breast implants, also known as breast augmentation, is the most popular cosmetic procedure performed annually. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, “Of the nearly 1.8 million cosmetic surgical procedures performed in 2017, the top [was] breast augmentation (300,378 procedures, up 3 percent from 2016).”

With beauty sometimes comes pain though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a long alphabetized list of complications that can come with breast implants.

The FDA says that the list is, “local complications and adverse outcomes that occur in one percent or

more of patients at any time after breast implant surgery.”

Breast pain, necrosis, infection and capsular contracture are just a few complications listed that could scare off any possible suitor. Also, going under anesthesia poses a very small but real threat. However, one of the scariest complications that could ever happen by far is cancer.

Many people might think it causes breast cancer simply because they are breast implants but that is not the case. The FDA says, “In 2011, the FDA identified a possible association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL).” ALCL is a type of nonHodgkin’s lymphoma which is an immune system cancer.

“There doesn’t seem to be a difference between silicone or saline filling in the implants.” NBC News says, “there’s some evidence that making them rougher—a design meant to make the implants less likely to move around inside the breast — may raise the risk.”

There is no concrete evidence on what could cause ALCL but there are several theories. Some women could be more genetically susceptible to ALCL, bacteria could grow on the surface of the implant, and the process of texturizing creates particles that cause scrapping leading to the immune system to respond but ultimately malfunction.

ALCL can be hard to recognize

and since it is still a newer discovery many doctors do not diagnose patients with it. This is the eerie reality when it comes to enhancing breasts. Men and women need to think about the risks involved in getting breast implants. They need to weigh the pros and cons and decide for themselves what the best option is.

On March 25-26, 2019, the FDA plans to convene a meeting of the General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel at the FDA’s Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, to discuss a range of topics concerning the benefit-risk profile of breast implants.

The FDA stated, “The FDA plans to publish a Federal Register notice and agenda on the FDA’s Advisory Committee Calendar webpage 15 days in advance of the meeting.” Also, anyone can sign up to receive email updates about all of the FDA advisory committee meetings if they want to stay informed.

Cosmetic surgeries already come with many risks and side effects. ALCL is the most recent and most alarming health risk associated with breast augmentation.

Patients and doctors need to make sure they are informed of this new threat and make the healthiest decision possible for themselves and their patients, and realize the risks.

The chase for perfect breasts could just lead to someone’s death. Begging the question: is perfection worth dying for?

Palm oil: the ubiquitous conflict

ETHAN PRINS

STAFF WRITER

A

tradition among corporations and a newborn tribulation for the masses—palm oil—what we don’t know may still hurt us?

What is defined as “an edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of the fruit of the African oil palms” is about as random as oat milk: a new fad at your local bistro. However, palm oil has been esteemed controversial on both health and environmental grounds, so when it comes to rustic pasta sauce stick to your common kitchen oils and you may just save the world a little.

Palm oil has a myriad of benefits, according to newspaper The Independent: a true contribution in preventing vitamin A deficiency, cancer, brain disease, and even aging. It is also used to treat malaria, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and dementia.

How ironic that palm oil is used for weight loss and metabolic increase yet serves just as well the stuff we fry our tater tots in.

This product is quite the noise behind the curtains, and the demand just keeps rising. Its popularity is largely due to lack of including trans fats, and being packed with “good fats.” With the growth in demand for palm oil, current sourcing practices are not sustainable. The truth behind this new hot trend is a lot more mysterious than one may think. It’s all smiles until you realize it’s a bit of a double edge sword, and that goes for most lovely things—an unfortunate life lesson in itself.

Remaining ignorant or uninformed about something will allow you to not have the sense of responsibility to worry or think about it. Palm oil is found in roughly half of the packaged products sold in US grocery stores, and is now one of the world’s leading causes of rainforest destruction. Palm oil has been an insanely omnipresent issue, and this time our perceptive urgency has proved absent until recent activism.

Oddly enough, Iceland became the first retailer in Britain to announce its pursuit to phase out palm oil in home-centered products—nevertheless, this is merely a piece of corporation-led consumer activism which ignores the complex reality of oil palm production and its environmental consequences.

We all thought vegan cheese and fancy soaps were sexy until we learned that palm oil production is entirely responsible for human rights violations and modern day slavery on plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia. Not only is palm oil destroying forests, but it’s hurting people too. These are the largest producers, “accounting for roughly 90% of global supply,” according to The Lowy Institute, and widely existent in a range of cosmetics and confectionary.

Palm oil truly is a nasty secret. Plantations initiation attributes to the massive clearing of rainforests and carbon-born peatlands giving humans an additional contributing factor point in the losing race for climate change. Since it is used in a large variety of products from soaps to makeup to candy, it’s hard to avoid such a deadly additive. Assuming the destruction of what is natural only leads to the to extinction of what occupies it: treasured wildlife variety amidst the culturally and biologically diverse ecosystem.

Now hold on, this all sounds a little extreme— how were we supposed to know Hershey’s Chocolate and Top Ramen were leading causes in slavery, pollution, and extinction? That’s the thing—we weren’t supposed to know. “What we don’t know won’t hurt us” never fails to stir up something sketchy.

Fast fashion remains a threat to designer companies 21, H&M, Boohoo, and more are stores that rely on other’s creativity to turn into profit. Each week thousands of styles are created and implemented in the stores for the consumers and always ready to cycle out as the trends pass.

TERESA GULLI

STAFF WRITER

F

ast fashion is taking the fashion industry by storm with cheap prices and staying up to date with the latest trends. However, stealing high fashion designers artistic work, creating a cheaper version and making a profit is not ethical, but of course is in high demand. The reason they call it fast fashion is that it is fast on picking up the trends and current styles that the celebrities are wearing and putting it on the market at a way lower price. Stores like Fashion Nova, Forever

These stores encourage the throwaway culture by creating clothes with cheaper material and have someone itching to buy the newest and latest clothes as the old items are not in season or good to last more than three times through the wash. Through this throw away culture brings most individuals to feed the landfills with the unwanted clothing items.

According to Image, “every second, the equivalent of an entire garbage truck of textiles is sent to landfill or burned, and The Copenhagen Fashion Summit reported that fashion is responsible for 92 million tons of solid waste dumped in landfills each year.”

The reason that they can produce such large quantities of clothes at a fast pace in time to keep up with the trends are due to the lack of human rights across countries who make these products. Commonly, the companies do not have regulations for their employees and the workers are unpaid, or lack

thereof, poorly fed and work long hours each day. Consumers often buy that cute sweater for a low price without thinking about the production that goes into it.

Exposure to the harsh chemicals is another issue that the workers face. Since there is no other opportunity for the workers to leave, they are stuck in these conditions. Not only are the workers exposed to chemicals such as lead and toxin dyes for the fabrics but it goes into the water streams of the countries that they are in as well. It leaves a carbon footprint from the airplane travel to bring the products overseas, as well as pollutes their water sources.

“What these large corporations have done is remove the humanity and distance their consumers from the realities of how our clothing is made,” stated Fast Company.

“It can be hard to believe in our current age of automation, but the reality is that the garment manufacturing process remains largely human-powered,” according to Fast Company.

Kim Kardashian has expressed her concerns with fast fashion taking from designers and looking at it as copying rather than simply gaining inspirations.

“I’ve watched these companies profit off my husband’s work for years and now that it’s also affecting designers who have been so generous to give me access to their beautiful works, I can no longer sit silent,” Kim Kardashian tweeted. “It’s devastating to see these fashion companies rip off designs that have taken the blood, sweat and tears of true designers who have put their all into their own original ideas.”

Although designer brands personally give celebrities their brand to wear for free so the consumers who are less likely to afford will purchase their products, it does not give the excuse for smaller brands to take the work and create it themselves. Both of their targeted publics are middle class who are trend followers.

Constantly curating a life to follow trends throws away money as the trends change, and a new top becomes old news in a matter of a month. What should be done is to recognize the fast fashion tactics and invest in quality pieces that do not promote the throwaway culture. To only buy clothes when necessary may be difficult but will ultimately save the resources and effects it has on the planet as well as your wallet.

4 News

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

Sonoma State combats food insecurity

OLIVIA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

I

n an effort to combat food insecurity, Sonoma State, in partnership with the CSU, is hosting a CalFresh Festival on Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Ballroom B to help students get signed up for assistance to buy groceries.

According to the event webpage, A CalFresh card is as easy to use as a debit card and can be worth up to $150 a month. Students can sign up for CalFresh online to see what their exact benefits would be.

The CSU system has taken action by making it easier for struggling students to obtain benefits from CalFresh, California’s food stamp program.

CalFresh is a “nutrition assistance program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that can help students buy the food they need to live healthy and active lifestyles,” says the CSU website.

There is now an easily accessible link on student’s mySSU portals to the CalFresh website.

To be eligible for CalFresh benefits, students must be working at least 20 hours per week, or meet one of the other various requirements.

On Jan. 21, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced a bill that ensures low-income college students to have more reliable access to food through the program by streamlining the application process. Many people know that the paperwork for most anything is a task that can take a dreadfully long time. Dodd’s bill could benefit about 50,000 eligible college students across the state who could be able to enroll in CalFresh in an easier and less stressful way.

“Students shouldn’t be forced to make the heartbreaking choice between getting an education and eating,” said Dodd in a press release. “Hunger is a serious problem on college campuses across the state and my bill takes an important step toward putting food on the table.”

According to a recent Government Accountability Office report, one-third of college students are struggling to afford food and basic nutrition. Hunger is a problem that affects many college campuses around the nation. There are barriers preventing struggling students from getting access to healthy and fresh food.

“It’s scary to think that getting proper meals is a hardship that students are facing,” said Ron Gilbert, a Sonoma State parent. “This program is a great opportunity for them to get financial help to make sure they have a full stomach.”

The CalFresh program has provided help to CSU campuses by stretching tight budgets to allow students to incorporate healthier options into their diet. The application process can be very complex and difficult, which is why Sen. Dodd chose to address this part of the problem.

Dodd’s bill would mandate a single standardized form across all community colleges and universities in California that are automatically distributed to certain students when they become eligible for work-study programs.

COURTESY // JUMP Lobo’s Pantry hands out fresh produce in a heavy traffic area to any student about twice a month.

SSU acknowledges N-word incident BRADEN CARTWRIGHT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

S

onoma State University sent out a campus-wide email last week acknowledging the incident where the School of Art and Humanities’ Dean Hollis Robbins recited the N-word while reading poems to a class.

The email was sent out by Provost Lisa Vollendorf and Vice President for Student Affairs Gregory Sawyer on Wednesday, Feb. 20, following the publication of the Star’s article detailing the event.

“The n-word has a distinctly different meaning today than when these poems were published,” the email stated, “We understand how important it is to maintain the authenticity of an author’s work as well as take into consideration the historical pain that one word can cause.”

The email said there have been multiple discussions regarding the Jan. 29 lecture over the past three weeks.

The university also acknowledged the wide range of Sonoma State organizations focused on diversity in the email.

“We will create learning and training opportunities for our faculty and staff and continue our concerted efforts to diversify our faculty and staff ranks,” the email stated.

COURTESY // JUMP Lobo’s Pantry also holds daily walk-in hours during every week, where students can get non-perishable food for no cost.

Professor releases children’s book series

C

ommunications professor Hillary Homzie’s new children’s book series, “Ellie Mae,” can be found in stores now.

She gave advice for writing a book. “It’s the kind of thing where you just give up something. In order for me to continue my writing and my job teaching here at Sonoma State, I don’t have a program that I go home and watch.” Homzie said.

“If you think about it, every night you watch a couple hours of TV. Instead, if you were writing, even if you were only writing for an hour, you can easily write a novel in a year. Something has to give.”

CAMPUS CRIME Crime

Date

Location

Status

Unknown Sexual Assault

Feb. 8

Unknown

No Report

Hit and Run

Feb. 13

Parking Lot F

Closed

Underage Driver w/ Alcohol

Feb. 15

Santa Rosa

Closed

Driving w/out License

Feb. 17

Wolf Den Plaza

Closed

Auto Burglary

Feb. 20

Parking Lot M

Suspended

Petty Theft

Feb. 21

Darwin

Open

News 5

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

INVESTIGATION: Case still open, developing continued from pg. 1

where she has left flyers and a cross, and she was shocked to see that Sonoma State had cleaned it up. What she would like to see next is a memorial in her son’s honor. “My son played the saxophone,” she said. “What I wanted to do is donate just a bench, a tile mosaic bench, and put a saxophone in it and maybe some rainbow colors, because rainbows signify tolerance of all types of people, and Kirk was very multicultural.”

The issue is that Jennifer Kimberly’s idea was conceived because she was under the impression that the area had plans to be used as a housing development, and that a pathway from the housing development would run along the site.

However, according to Paul Gullixson, associate vice president for strategic communications at Sonoma State, that is no longer the case. “At one time there was discussion of possibly having that portion as part of that complex, but for various reasons having to do with planning issues, that did not work out,” he said. “There are no plans for that property at this time.”

Gullixson said that, although the homeless encampments have been removed, the area is still not a place that should be considered safe. “We understand the importance of that site for her, it obviously has deep emotional connections,” he said. “At the same

STAR // Mandela Linder A makeshift memorial at Kimberly’s gravesite. His mother, Jennifer Kimberley, hopes the site can be turned into a memorial.

time, it’s in a remote area, there are no paths, there are no improvements to that area, and as such it’s very complicated in being able to have a safe space.”

Jennifer Kimberley said she would like Kirk’s friends to share stories about him, “both naughty and nice.” She asks that people please share information with her if they hear it, but to not spread rumors as that only complicates the investigation.

As for the person or people responsible for Kirk’s death, she would like them to know how much the truth means to her. “If I had a choice between knowing the truth or having the murderer incarcerated, I would choose the truth,” she said. “I need a brave soul to tell me what happened, how it went down, and why him. Why?” Kerns also has a message for those involved. “The state is willing to work with you, up until the point that the state has to come drag you out of your house,” he said.

“If you cooperate prior to that point, the state saves resources, and you can show that you’re a good person for coming forward, you have every advantage -- even if you were standing there participating when Kirk was killed.”

“So as strongly as I can encourage those people who will read this article, they need to know that there’s an incentive in their own life, for the rest of their life, to come forward,” he said. “But the clock is ticking.”

CHIEF: Mattos takes over for interim chief continued from pg. 1

Just this last month, the Rohnert Park police department had to reward a family a $1.2 million payout due to what was said to be an illegal house search, prompting a federal court to order the city of Rohnert Park to pay the family and its legal fees. Mattos was not a part of the force during the incident but did say he hopes to learn from it and move forward.

“In order to continue to improve as an agency, we have to be willing to keep learning new ways to approach things,” he said.

Whether that be with new protocol or training practices, he sees this as a real learning experience that officers can use to grow. He never wants a member of the force to leave a bad impression on anyone in the community and hopes to change some misconceptions.

“I try and look at the situation and say, right wrong or indifferent, what can we learn from the situation that will make us better because our end goal is to help the community,” he said.

Nevertheless, crime rates have declined in Rohnert Park over the last few years, and

Mattos wants to keep this steady. There are different programs in place around the community that he hopes to work on because they have significantly made a difference.

“If I Were A Thief” is a program, centered around Christmas time, where officers go out and put themselves in a thief’s mindset. They go to areas where high crime rates reside and try to catch people in the act.

Different programs like this, along with more officers patrolling the town, are just a few of the ways Mattos has been working to keep the streets safe, particularly for the city’s youth.

“I’m looking forward to developing a strong relationship with Sonoma State and it’s police department,” he said. “It’s important that we work together in order to provide a safe community for, not only residents, but also our students” Chief Mattos believes that officers and students both being educated on safety -- when it comes to house parties or traffic stops -- is also something that he wants to work more on in his years to come as chief of the department.

TECH HIGH: New campus planned

STAR // Emily Kowalski The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety had an interim police chief following the abrupt retirement of former chief Brian Masterson last year.

NEWS IN BRIEF

continued from pg. 1

A big factor in the move is the allotment of space, which has been cumbersome for the students at Tech High. “We have the opportunity to construct a campus, on a district site, that is an improvement over what we have at SSU,” Hailey said.

With Tech High School moving to Waldo Elementary, 275 third, fourth, and fifth graders will be sent to John Reed Elementary School.

Technology High School students are excited about moving but are sad that they will be moving off a college campus with many good food options. Many students spend their lunches at Lobos or Wyden and Brewster.

The benefits seem to outweigh the costs, however.

Many students had to walk far distances to get to classes such as physical education. Bella Clarke is one of those students. “That was really frustrating. I was showing up to P.E. already tired,” she said.

The number of classrooms will go from 12 to 20 and the school will have much more of a school environment.

Principal Dawn Mawhinney is excited that the school will be constructed around their needs. “We’re going to have a quad… This is going to truly be their campus,” Mawhinney said.

Overall, the move is necessary, but being on a college campus gave the high school, “a certain cachet,” Gullixson said. Haley also acknowledged the prominence of being on a college campus, but has known all along that being at Sonoma State was not ideal.

“Ultimately, the quality of the school is based on the teachers, curriculum, and students that are there,” Haley said. Moving from Sonoma State to Waldo Elementary will be an adjustment, but in the long run, it will be for the better.

Sonoma State President Judy Sakaki, who came on board Sonoma State a few years after Tech High had already taken up residency in its halls, said she is “proud to have been a part of the development of this distinguished high school.”

Washington D.C. Last Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders officially announced that he will be running for the presidency again in 2020. The annoucement, which comes with little shock to those familiar with Sanders, was made official by the Democratic National Committee, although Sanders has been reluctant to formally consider himself a Democrat.

Florida New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been charged with soliciting prostitution at a spa in Florida just before his NFL team kicked off the AFC Championship game on Jan. 20. Kraft, who owns a home in West Palm Beach, denies any wrongdoing in the case, despite alleged video surveillance to the contrary.

Los Angeles The Academy Awards kicked off their first show without the assistance of a host, instead relying on individual and group presenters to supply the dialogue. A record number of minority nominees received awards in both major and technical categories, marking a complete shift in its winners from just a few years ago. Nevertheless, a couple of notable upsets caused a stir, most notably from director Spike Lee following the announcement of “Green Book” as this year’s Best Picture.

San Francisco San Francisco District Attorney, George Gascon, plans to erase some 9,000 marijuana cases going back to 1975 in an unprecedented declaration following California’s legalization of marijuana two years ago. Prior to Gascon’s declaration, instances in which individuals came forward to have prior convictions reclassified or expunged were statistically rare, accounting for only 23 cases within the district.

6 Arts Celebrate the 30th anniversary of “Do the Right Thing” S

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

JESSICA RIVERA

STAFF WRITER

onoma State Film Institute is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film “Do The Right Thing” directed by Spike Lee. There will be a screening of the film followed by a question and answer, on March 1 at 7 p.m. in Warner Auditorium.

Additionally, one of the cast members who played Smiley, Roger Guenveur Smith, will be taking part in the Q&A, as well as a roundtable discussion following the next day at 10 a.m. in Ballroom C. According to Sonoma Film Institute, Smith will be talking about “the rise of racial tensions and hate crimes in the United States,” as well as other political issues.

Smith’s character, Smiley, holds significant meaning to the film and this screening is a great opportunity for Sonoma State students to hear him talk.

“Smiley is a metaphor for what happens in the film because no one can talk about it,” explains Communications professor Ethan de Seife. “Smiley can’t articulate the complexities of race as represented by the two poles of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and neither can anybody else.”

Spike Lee is an American film director, writer, producer, and actor who has made over 35 films under his company since graduating from Tisch School of Arts graduate film program.

Lee is known for creating controversial pieces centered on race relations, racism in black communities and many other political issues.

Although this is one of Lee’s earlier films, it is one of his most memorable.

“I think it’s one of the most articulate cinematic statements on race and racial misunderstanding that has ever been made,” said de Seife, “It was highly

relevant in 1989 and I think it is highly relevant 30 years later.”

Many students may think that a piece of film created 30 years ago doesn’t hold to be true just because it wasn’t made in their time.

However, there are many themes central to this movie that gets not only more and more relevant over time, but it also starts happening closer to home than believed.

“Do The Right Thing” is set in his own neighborhood where he grew up in Brooklyn, New York. The film is a portrayal of racial and cultural differences in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood during a very hot summer day.

As the temperature keeps rising so is the tension between various races such as Blacks, Puerto Ricans, Italians and Koreans.

Over the last 30 years, the film has maintained its relevance, yet it is beginning to see more modernized interest as it still relates so closely to what we see in present day racial conf licts today like the innocent killing of unarmed blacks and police brutality.

Some of the incidents in this film happen in places like the Bay Area.

“That’s just it — lives really are under constant threat 30 years after this film and 50 plus years after both MLK and Malcolm X were murdered,” said professor Marco Calvita.

The film has a clear underlying message that, the current of racism is normalized to us because as an audience that’s what we understand to be modern life in America.

It easily depicts how the smallest spark can set off some of the biggest issues.

“Lee seems to be saying that African-Americans should not be expected to always and forever just con-

COURTESY // Screen Rant

Netflix’s “Close” Review

WILL HAHN STAFF WRITER

N

etflix’s most recent action thriller, “Close,” is an entertaining film with immaculate cinematography and intense action sequences, although merely satisfactory due to its cliché story line and weak script “Close” follows the story of close protection officer Sam Carlson (Noomi Rapace) assigned to protect Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nélisse), whose recently deceased father left her his remaining shares of their phosphate mining company in Morocco.

Unfortunate events unfold and Zoe and Sam fend for their lives as they are being tracked by many others who are out to kidnap Zoe, due to her wealth and public persona.

“Close” opens with a thrilling, albeit short action sequence that sets the tone immediately, allowing for an opportunity to grab the audience into the unforgivable and corrupt world of the mining business.

However, the suspense of the film is unfortunately dragged down by the sluggish pacing of the story, along with a weak script to justify each character’s emotions and relationships.

There is an unbalanced structure of slow expositional scenes with wealthy business people discussing negotiations and buy-outs, along with action scenes involving the two main leads that are riveting, but leave the audience wanting more.

“The chase sequences in ‘Close’ are solidly exciting, though never stunning; and too much of the movie consists of either wealthy people or military types swapping over-explanatory dialogue in urgent tones,” said Noel Murray from The Los Angeles Times.

“The film runs a tight 94 minutes, but it feels longer because there’s nothing in it that we haven’t seen innumerable times before,” said Frank Scheck from The Hollywood Reporter.

The script is fairly simple and adds no real context to the characters’ lives or their backgrounds, with little dialogue between character interactions.

The line delivery from this scene was stale and their reactions toward each other did not make any sense. This scene is supposed to be pivotal in the film, but it rather provides a forced character arc and useless exposition between the Sam and Zoe. It seems that Sam and Zoe are meant to have a mother and daughter relationship, but there isn’t enough emotional connection between the two characters to make it feel that way. Rather, it feels rushed and unnatural.

This leaves Sam and Zoe’s character arcs not being fully realized, with the resolution for both of their characters seeming dissatisfying before the credits role. Furthermore, Rima also seems to be a plot device that, although plausible, is too cliché for the progression of the story.

Although the film’s story and its characters are not its strongest points, it would be a disservice to not mention the beautiful cinematography done by Malte Rosenfeld.

Rosenfeld buses a combination of high-contrast colors, with rich orange shots during the day and sharp blue shots during the night.

Morocco is the perfect setting for a sense of beauty and claustrophobia, due to its dense population and compact buildings.

Stills are also composed for just the right amount of time, adding a feeling of tension during dangerous situations.

Action scenes do not feel out of place within the story. Every time Zoe and Sam are in a thrilling confrontation with an enemy, it is nothing short keeping the audience on the edge of their seat.

Violence is used sparingly but is justifiable and realistic, while combat is slow, but heavy and intense.

“Close” is a generally entertaining action film, but there just isn’t enough substance and innovation to leave the viewer fully satisfied.

tinue to take murderous policies and treatment without fighting back, as Malcolm X says in his quote at the end of the film,” said Calavita.

Although it is not quite clear what Lee meant by “the right thing,” it is up to the audience to decide.

COURTESY // AllMusic Original score cover for the 1989 film “Do the Right Thing”

STAR // Kayla Allen Bassoonist Stephen Fratallone rehearsing with the Sonoma State University Symphonic Orchestra for this Sunday’s concert “Picture This!”

Orchestra returns for annual family concert MARISSA UGARTE STAFF WRITER

T

he Sonoma State University Symphonic Orchestra is kicking off their second semester season this week with their annual family and friends concert.

“Picture This!” is a family-friendly concert that will be held Sunday, March 3rd at 2 p.m. at Weill Hall. This is an annual concert, where the Sonoma State Symphonic Orchestra will play songs for the whole family to enjoy.

“The orchestra plays more fun and interactive pieces, last time we played pieces from movies like ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘How To Train Your Dragon,’ and ‘Moana,’” said cellist Ryan Toulouse.

This will be the third concert for the Symphonic Orchestra in their 201819 season.

The concert is different from the orchestra’s usual performances which generally includes classical music.

It will be a multi-display which includes artwork created by students from the North Bay, which will be on display as the orchestra plays each piece.

“Our first piece is titled ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ by Mussorgsky and our second piece is titled ‘La Osa y la Amapola’ written by Sonoma State’s own AJ Gonzales,” said tuba player Cameron Shellnut.

Gonzales is a student composer and won the 2018 Sonoma State Student Composition Competition with his piece “La Osa y la Amapola,” this will be a world premiere for his piece.

“La Osa y la Amapola,” translating to “the bear and the poppy,” was inspired by the recent Sonoma County Tubbs Fire.

The Sonoma State Department of Music website states, “The emotionally riveting orchestral tone poem

deals with the devastation of the recent spate of wildfires in California and concludes with a note of hope for the future.”

Shellnut will have a tuba solo in “Pictures at an Exhibition” that he describes as rare for this piece.

“Our growing brass section is probably the most exciting thing our Orchestra brings to the table” said Shellnut.

Shellnut mentions that this concert is a rare chance to see a saxophone and euphonium in an orchestral setting.

The Sonoma State Orchestra started four years ago and has been under the direction of Dr. Alexander Kahn.

The Symphonic Orchestra is comprised of string, wind, brass, and percussion performing an array of orchestral literature, ranging from the Baroque period to world premieres and from classical repertoire to film, opera and educational works.

“The Symphonic Orchestra started four years ago, so many of the performers who have been with the Orchestra since it started will be graduating at the end of this semester” said violinist Caleb Forschen.

The Symphonic Orchestra has two to four concerts a year in Weill Hall.

They also tour around California and occasionally out of state to perform throughout the year.

The orchestra will also be ending this year’s season with their season finale titled “Thematic Transformations” will be performed on April 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday’s concert will be unique with the integration and focus on art throughout the performance.

Following the concert their will be an art-making session led by Dianne Aoki. Tickets are sold online for $8 and free to Sonoma State students.

Entertainment 7

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

Student Spotlight of the Week: JULIANNA FERRARA

Dimitris Voulgaris

STAFF WRITER

P

enny for your thoughts?

That’s what comes to mind when getting to know Dimitris Voulgaris, an English major with a concentration in Creative Writing.

It’s not often you meet someone as forthright, open-minded and understanding as Voulgaris.

He’s the kind of person you right away feel comfortable talking to about anything.

Voulgaris is proud to be a “born and bred” Sonoma State University student who came here straight from his hometown in Long Beach, California.

Originally a Childhood Development major, Voulgaris shared how creative writing has become a lifelong passion and outlet for better understanding our world.

“I knew I wanted to be an English teacher, but in college, I found that I like writing more than I like teaching”, said Voulgaris.

Aside from the incredibly supportive and encouraging staff at Sonoma State, his zeal for writing has a story of its own, one of riveting, relatable and motivational accounts of life’s hurdles.

Long Beach was a great place to grow up in, beautiful and lively with lots to do and see. Voulgaris’ family has always been supportive and loving, and they still are, just a little more on the “old school side.”

They put a lot of pressure on him to strive for stable, high wage careers or get

into the most distinguished schools.

“They didn’t believe in mental illness,” he said, or would suggest that his pansexuality was just a phase and something he’d grow out of.

“Family bogged me down,” said Voulgaris, which is one of the main reasons why he ventured to the North Bay for college.

Most would be surprised to know that Voulgaris was a wrestler in high school.

“I was MVP all four years of wrestling in high school. I only lost two matches,” said Voulgaris, “people either look at me and laugh or [call me the] ‘gay kid in wrestling’, it’s an easy joke to make.”

Though he visibly carries himself with kindness, Voulgaris shared that he used to be a bully in sixth through eighth grade.

“Yeah, no I was a bad kid, I’m not going to lie, classic bully move making fun of the gay kids.”

This is what makes him who he is today, someone fully comfortable with themselves and compassionate towards others.

Voulgaris has used his past as a way to embrace his passion for creative writing.

“He has a naturally philosophical mind that wants to go deep, to understand the root causes of things, the furthest possible implications,” said Noelle Oxenhandler, professor of Creative Writing at Sonoma State. “He is a very compassionate person, and he has a drive to un-

STAR // Emily Kowalski English major and creative nonfiction writer Dimitris Voulgaris. derstand the nature of human aggression: a theme that recurred in a number of his writings.”

Voulgaris aspires to publish his short stories and poetry. Though he’s published three pieces in Long Beach 908 magazine, his dream would be to be able to write for Vice or The New Yorker, hoping to get into a “budding” new genre of creative nonfiction along with personal essays.

“Dimitris is smart but never glib, a reflective person who in his nonfiction writing adroitly uses memory to represent scenes from his past—not as ends in themselves, but to mediate upon what such events can teach him and his readers,” said professor of Literature and Creative Writing Anne Goldman. “This, to me, is memoir at its finest.”

Voulgaris’ latest piece “Razor Burn” can be found in Zaum 23, Sonoma State’s Literary Magazine. This will be his first published piece in the on-campus periodical.

Remembering a controversial figure Commentary

AARON WASKOWIAK STAFF WRITER

O

n Feb. 19, the fashion community lost one of its most prolific and notorious designers.

Karl Lagerfeld, renowned designer for fashion houses Chanel and Fendi, passed in Paris at the age of 85.

Over decades he defined his iconic black glasses and white pony tale as a true staple in the world of fashion, working alongside legends such as Yves St. Laurent and Pierre Balmain throughout his lengthy resume.

Beloved by many and despised by some, he led a controversial but undeniably formative career that had an incredible impact on fashion as we know it today.

In a quest to bring beauty into the world, Lagerfeld sparked outrage and controversy at many points throughout his life.

Whether it be the integration of a Koran quote into a low cut dress on the runway that infuriated the Muslim community, or his constant battle with the body positivity movement on the topic of obesity and what is considered ‘beautiful’, there is no doubt that opinions of him ranged wildly.

“Vanity is the healthiest thing in life,” said Lagerfeld, summing up the stemming of backlash towards his

ideology of what human beauty is.

Criticizing the outspoken models, both male and female, of the ‘#MeToo’ movement and promoting weight loss garnered attention from many celebrities and the media in his frequent Twitter comments.

“A ruthless, fat-phobic misogynist shouldn’t be posted all over the internet as a saint gone-too-soon,” actress Jameela Jamil took to twitter shortly after his death saying, “Talented for sure, but not the best person.”

Having been brought on by the Italian fashion house Fendi to reinvent their fur line of products in 1967, Lagerfeld had been no stranger to this scrutiny and outrage for many years.

With quote after quote that seem to clash so strongly against our increasingly politically correct culture.

However Lagerfeld’s legacy is simply too vast to be boiled down to a tyrade of Twitter outrage.

With an estimated revenue of over $4 billion a year, the fashion house Chanel of which he was the creative director is regarded as a giant of creativity and innovation that has largely been attributed to him.

His incredible work ethic showed him working on multiple new lines for the high camp brand into his 80s,

fueled by his obsession with never being bored.

“More than anyone I know, he represents the soul of fashion: restless, forward-looking and voraciously attentive to our changing culture,” Anna Wintour editor of American Vogue was quoted as saying in 2015 when she presented Lagerfeld the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Achievement Awards.

By all accounts, Lagerfeld was one of the hardest working individuals in the industry, constantly redefining the image of any brands he touched and swooping up awards and acclaim as he went.

The German born designer from Hamburg learned many languages, directed films, had his political cartoons published in news papers and even dabbled briefly in architectural design and photography.

Many of these interests stem back to his childhood which he was tremendously vocal about, telling stories of his early choice to wear suits and ties as a young boy and his mothers inclination to push him to be unapologetically eccentric and ambitious.

His legacy will most certainly be remembered, for what reason is up to the individual, but it is hard to deny that Lagerfeld lived his life to the fullest with seemingly little regret and pursuing his truest passions.

SSU singers open for Grammy award winning Irish band

KAITLYN BRADLEY STAFF WRITER

S

ix-time Grammy award winning Irish group The Chieftains came to the Green Music Center last Saturday with a surprise appearance by members of our very own Sonoma State University Symphonic Chorus.

Originating in 1962 in Dublin, Ireland, The Chieftains are profoundly known for their take on traditional Irish music. Performing with instruments, with an emphasis on bagpipes, they have brought massive attention to this genre of music.

The Chieftains started with the founding members Sean Potts, Michael Tubridy, and Paddy Monoley rehearsing in Monoley’s house.

Along with the main members of the group, they added in around seven extra performers for their tour. These include some fiddlers, a keyboardist, and many step dancers to bring the music to life.

They started to become very popular in Ireland and the United Kingdom but did not gain success in the United States until Island Records released their music. From there, their success skyrocketed with helping with the Oscar-winning score of the

film “Barry Lyndon” to their collaborations with some of the greats such as the Rolling Stones and Madonna.

Selected members of the Sonoma State Symphonic Chorus joined the group for two songs during their performance. This is not actually the first time the Symphonic Chorus has performed with The Chieftains.

Sonoma State Symphonic Chorus, directed by Dr. Jenny Bent since 2011, is filled with talented voices from fellow Sonoma State students.

“We had the opportunity to perform with The Chieftains when they performed at Weill Hall a few years ago,” Bent said. “Based on that experience, we are excited to sing with them again.”

Leading up to the performance, which was held in Weill Hall on Feb. 23, the Sonoma State Symphonic Chorus had been practicing regularly.

“Some of the singers remember the experience from last time and are excited to perform again,” said Bent. “We are all looking forward to this concert. It is definitely a fun concert.”

“We practiced the music on our own time then rehearsed it together a few

times. And that was it. Amazing opportunity and I am super lucky to be a part of it.” said sophomore Annie Kessler.

The two songs the students performed with the Chieftains was Shenandoah and Anthem.

Some students were not as familiar with this genre but now our very inter-

ested in it.

“The practice has been exciting and educational. Irish Music has been a new interest of mine since my senior year in high school, ”said freshman Andrew Cedeño. “When I was chosen to perform with The Chieftains, I did not hesitate to start practicing.”

COURTESY // BBC Six-time Grammy award winning band The Chieftains.

8 Student Life

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

COURTESY // Sonoma State University Students, community members and local businesses gather in the Student Center ballrooms for last year’s Career Fest.

Career Fest aims to connect students to community

GARRETT KITCHEN STAFF WRITER

T

he Career Center at Sonoma State University will be hosting a Career Fest from March 25 April 4, 2019.

This Career Fest is a two week long opportunity for students to interact and network with possible employers in their future.

The fest is split up into two parts, with the first week focusing on different workshops that are available and the second week consisting of different fairs according specific to future career paths.

The different industry fairs will take place in the ballrooms in the Student Center from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m on March 29 and April 2-4.

Along with the different booths and displays, there will be a Career Fest Pop-up that will be available if students would like to make a quick appointment to see their advisor or get their resume checked over. This pop-up will be located outside of the Student Center and will also include business attire if needed and some activities to de-stress from the day.

Caroline Stelzer, a student lead at the Career Center, said that attending this Career Fest could allow students to gain more networking skills that can continue to be used throughout their lives.

“Most lowerclassmen think that career education is something to focus on immediately prior to graduation, but part of our goal with our current outreach is to show that career education is important for every student at every stage of their journey,” said Stelzer.

Stelzer said that no matter if a students is looking for a career or not, there will still be something for everyone at the Career Fest this year. She said that as the years continue, the Career Center continues to mold the Career Fest depending on students’ needs, which will only increase the impact of these opportunities at these events.

The Career Fest has many things to offer, from advising to networking with other employers, there is much opportunity waiting out there at this year’s event.

Andrea Mapula, a fourth year Anthropology major, said the Career Fest is a useful resource when exploring different career opportunities within a student’s major.

“I think it is important for people to attend the for students. career fair to really look at their options for the fuTo register for this event or find more informature, make connections and meet possible employ- tion, the website Handshake will give you more inforers,” said Mapula. mation on how to register for the different fairs and She added that she herself has not visited the Ca- the job opportunities that may be available to you. reer Center, yet she finds that they are a very helpful resource that she should have taken advantage of at an earlier time.

Scott Reusser, a SOCIAL JUSTICE WEEK AT SSU fourth year Business major, said that resources like Career Services and the career Fest allows students to be exposed to pathways that may not have been available to them before.

Reusser recalls a past experience at a H. Andréa Neves and Barton Evans Career Fest and how Social Justice Lecture Series taken aback he was by the amount of opportunity that was present.

“I think that when you are a student without a clear direction, these campus opportunities help you weigh in different factors that you wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to,” said Reusser. He added that he enjoyed talking with the employers and also networking with the locals around him.

These events Weill Hall at the Green Music Center | Sonoma State University throughout the CaSSU Students Free (must have ticket), all others $15 reer Fest will be free Reserve tickets at gmc.sonoma.edu or call 1-866-955-6040 (Mon-Fri from 10am-6pm)

Discussing Today’s Social and Political Issues

TUES, FEB 26, 2019 AT 7:30PM

Social Justice Week Events All events are held in the Student Center Ballroom A

Tuesday, Feb. 26

Wednesday, Feb. 27

Thursday, Feb. 28

Friday, March 1

Maria Garcia, North Bay Jobs with Justice: The Fight for $15, Citywide Minimum Wage in the North Bay and Organizing Low Wage Workers

Adrienne Lauby, Homeless Action! and Celeste Austin, The Living Room: Santa Rosa Homelessness in Sonoma County

John Bertucci: The Art of Politics in Cinema, a guided tour of great scenes

J Hanson Lee and Lindsay Roth: Social Justice and Three Hundred Million Peasant Workers in China

2 - 3 p.m.

10 - 11 a.m.

10 - 11:30 a.m.

10 - 11:30 a.m.

Corrina Gould: Confederated Villages of Lisjan/ Ohlone, Indian People Organizing for Change

Linda Sartor- Author: Turning Fear into Power

Occupy Sonoma County, Rebel Fagin: Climate Change Requires Direct Action

Nicole Wolfe, SSU Professor: Drug Prohibition and Social Justice

3:30 - 5 p.m.

11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

12 - 1 p.m.

12 - 1:30 p.m.

Ballet Folklorico Netzahualcoyotl, Grace De La Cruz

Zach Neeley, Verity: Moving MeToo Forward

North Coast Coalition for Palestine: Social Justice for Palestine

Gene Mendoza: The Path of Quetzalcoatl

5 - 7 p.m.

1 - 2:15 p.m.

1:15 - 2:45 p.m.

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Student Life 9

FEB. 26 - MARCH 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

HUB enlightens with LGBTQ+ SafeZone DEVON PIQUE STAFF WRITER

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afe Zone, a program hosted by the HUB, will be putting on an event meant to educate members of Sonoma State University about the LGBTQ+ community and the obstacles they must over come daily. The event will be held on Feb. 27 in the Alexander Valley room of the Student Center from 1 - 4 p.m.

“Safe Zone is a campus program for staff, students and faculty to learn more about queer communities and how to be supportive of them,” HUB Gender and Sexuality Program Coordinator Jordan Grapentine said.

“We go through a series of activities to help them get familiarized with different identities in the queer community, to talk about the different issues and barriers that queer students in particular face on and off campus and specific ways we can show our support whether we are inside the community or outside.”

Grapentine said.

The program is broken down into two levels. The first level is essentially “LGBTQ+ 101” and focuses on foundational knowledge regarding LGBTQ+ identities, including terminology, active listening, supporting the community and understanding and responding to the microaggressions that queer people face.

The second level dives a bit deeper than the first, covering trans and nonbinary identities as well as the intersection of different identities.

Safe Zone isn’t a new event, however its design is totally new. Tweaks have been made to level one and level two is making its first appearance in the program.

“Level two did not exist before so that’s new, but both levels are completely revamped,” said Grapentine.

Many students are glad Sonoma State has programs aimed to teach about the LGBTQ+ community.

“I think it’s important to have an open dialogue about this kind of stuff,” Sophomore Kelsey Venuti said.

“I didn’t know this was happening but I’m glad there’s something on campus like this.”

“It’s important to teach people to be open minded, especially for freshman that might be moving into a more diverse area than they’re used to,” Alpha Xi Delta member Celine VanZwol said.

While this program can certainly COURTESY // The HUB help improve the unMembers of The HUB pose for a group photo. The HUB is located on the derstanding of the second floor of the student center.

LGBTQ+ community, it isn’t an end all be all to comprehension of inclusivity and insight. to work around studnets’ schedules.

Things like sexuality are constantly evolving so “If none of the times work or folks are saying a it’s hard to say that one program can teach you every- group of people want to do this, we can find time to thing there is to know on the subject. coordinate that in our schedules,” said Grapentine.

“It’s not like you go through safe zone and you Ultimately, Safe Zone is a program in which our get a stamp of approval.” Grapentine said. “It’s just school’s community, staff and students alike can feel one step in a journey to be more inclusive and be comfortable learning about different genders and more aware of queer identities and the issues we face sexualities. in our community,” “It’s a really great learning opportunity and a Safe Zone will be a reoccurring event, offered space where folks can come in and ask their questions twice a month for the rest of the semester. If inter- that they may not know how to ask or what to say,” ested in attending but can’t make any of the times Grapentine said. “It’s really meant to be collaborative offered, fear not. The people in the HUB are willing and engaging.”

STAR // Christine von Raesfeld Black Student Union Treasurer Gregory Thomas hands flyer to student Trevor Paige during the MOCA Tabling Fair on Thurs. 21, 2019

Club fair brings together diverse groups SUNDAY SIMON STAFF WRITER

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ringing communities together to celebrate the diversity on campus, that is what the Multicultural Organization and Club Alliance’s does.

Thursday, Feb. 21 was the MOCA student involvement fair where many of the clubs and organizations of color came together to table with each other and engage with the campus, showing their faces and hopefully bringing more students of color out to get involved in their groups.

“It started about three years ago by my predecessor,” said Junie Lee, who is the campus HUB advisor for campus clubs and organizations. “She was a white woman from Wisconsin who wanted to have a space for students, specifically students of color from clubs, to gather and hang out, talk about their issues if they have any, and just support one another.

So it’s actually a discussion based support group.” Lee took over MOCA and expanded it into what it has become today, an interconnecting web of groups from different ethnic backgrounds, collaborating together to uplift the diversity on campus and possibly bring more students of color to Sonoma State University.

“We weren’t really doing any events with the actual group and so I created the MOCA involvement fair which is this, because I wanted students of color to be out, front and center, tabling, and tabling together because there’s more power in community, than there is by yourself.” said Lee. “It’s just been a great way to be together.”

Clubs such as the Black Student Union, Queer Straight Alliance and Hillel tabled side by side, with information on their clubs, what they represent and merchandise for students to take.

There were also many multicultural sororities and fraternities that participated

STAR // Christine von Raesfeld Members of Lambda Sigma Gamma at the MOCA Tabling Fair. in MOCA as well, such as Sigma Omega Neu (SON) and Sigma Lambda Beta. “[SON is] a Latina interest sorority.

We’re fairly new on campus. We were established here in 2012 of April.” said Kathy Marie Griffith, president of SON and a senior business major.

“Personally it’s empowering. We have family here that supports each other no matter what.” said Griffith. “It doesn’t matter about letters. We want everyone here to feel comfortable.”

While SON is a newer sorority, the Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity has more history.

“We were founded April 4, 1986 and

since then we’ve been one of the fastest growing Latino multicultural based fraternities based in the United States.” said Felipe Ramirez, a member of Sigma Lambda Beta and a senior double majoring in global studies and spanish. “[We] try to be here every time with MOCA and it’s really exciting because it also lets us know what other organizations there is out there and that we’re not the only one out here.” said Sigma Lambda Beta member David Mendoza, a fifth year double major in Chicano and Latino studies and Spanish.

Lee expects to see bigger and brighter things happening with MOCA, since ev-

ery year more and more groups have come to be part of the alliance.

“Every single time I send out my sign up thing, clubs are always signed up. I think they want this community, they want the space, they want to be able to be together and they always come through.” said Lee. More MOCA events can take place at Sonoma state, but it will take the student effort and involvement to move it forward.

“I really want it to organically come from the students. I’m hopeful that in the future there can be a conference, there can even be a retreat, but it has to come from the students.” said Lee.

10 Sports

FEB. 26 - MARCH. 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

Softball split part one of their series against Chico State

HOLLY CHANDLER STAFF WRITER

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he Sonoma State Seawolves softball team split their doubleheader against the Chico State Wildcats on Friday, Feb. 22.

This was a big deal for the Seawolves after getting swept by Chico State in last year’s softball season. It’s safe to say the Seawolves came out with a chip on their shoulders.

The sun was shining and the wind was blowing in the perfect direction of the outfield fence for some big hitting. The Seawolves, unfortunately, lost their first game to Chico State 8-0. Chico’s pitcher Brooke Larsen, a transfer from The Academy of Art University in San Francisco, threw a one hitter against the Seawolves, making the Wildcats 8-2 in conference games.

Sonoma State won their second game against the Wildcats 6-5 with Teresa Danenberg pitching for the Seawolves. Danenberg did a fantastic job at holding the Wildcats 6-0 until the 6th inning when Chico State scored 3 runs.

When Danenberg was asked about how she felt stepping onto the pitcher’s mound she said, “My mentality onto the mound was really confident. I’ve pitched well against them in the past, so knowing their hitters well already helped me I think.” Danenberg continued by saying, “Also, knowing my team could bring the offense gave me support.”

Chico State threw a total of three different pitchers to try and disrupt the Seawolves hitting streak in the second game.

Designated hitter Jordann White helped the Seawolves on their fight towards victory when she went 3-for-4 hitting against the Wildcats with a bunt, a single, and a double. White’s exemplary hitting resulted in 4 RBIs and a stolen

base.

Jordann White said her approach at the plate was, “To hit hard ground balls.

I just focused on attacking the ball early in the count and committing to my swing.”

Left fielder, Cameron Kirtlan also did a great job offensively by going 2 for 3 in her at-bats against Chico State. Kirtlan came out swinging hard and earned herself a double, a triple, and an RBI. When asked what adjustments the team made after the first game Kirtlan said, “We made our adjustments at the plate and came out with better energy and mentality.” In preparation for future games Kirtlan said, “Once we can start making less errors we can be successful.”

The sun quickly faded and the game came to a close end when Chico batted in two runs; making the score 6-5. Everyone in the stands was on the edge of their seats with two outs and a runner on third. The next at bat would determine whether or not the Seawolves could walk away with a win at the top of the seventh inning. Teresa Danenberg got the third out by striking out the last batter, resulting in a Seawolves victory against the Chico State Wildcats.

The Sonoma State softball players proved that they can not only hang with Chico State, but that they can also beat them.

The series against Chico State ended Saturday, Feb. 23 and you can catch Saturday’s scores online at sonomaseawolves.com. The Seawolves next series will be away games against Cal State Dominguez Hills. Their next home series will be an intense one against UC San Diego.

STAR // Christine von Raesfeld Left: Softball team members get together before the start of a new inning on Saturday 23, 2019.

Right: Sophomore Cameron Kirtlan runs to second base

Women’s basketball loses to undefeated UCSD JACKSON WALDRON STAFF WRITER

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onoma State started with a very strong first quarter but it was not enough as the offensive efficiency and defensive pressure of the Tritons eventually overwhelmed the Seawolves.

The final score was 79-61 in favor of the University of San Diego Tritons. This certainly show improvement for the Seawolves, as their first game against the Tritons resulted in a 86-47 loss. Freshman Zane Sheckherd led the way for the Seawolves, scoring 17 points in the game and going an impressive 5-8 from three. “The game felt good today, we fought and played hard,” said Sheckherd.

With a 10-11 record coming into this game, the Seawolves were big underdogs against the 23-0 Tritons. The first quarter opened with Sonoma State pushing the pace of play. They were up by 6 at one point and finished the quarter up 16-11.

The second quarter was the highest scoring for both teams. UCSD was running a full court press at some points but the Seawolves were frequently able to transition quickly and score points.

The quarter was back and forth but a late push from the Tritons brought the score to 43-35 with the Seawolves trailing to finish the first half. UCSD would outscore Sonoma State 32-19 in this quarter.

The start of the third quarter was dominated by UCSD. The Tritons opened the quarter by scoring 13 consecutive points. Coach Shayewitz of the Seawolves called a pair of timeouts to stop the Tritons pace but Sonoma State could still not create enough separation to score. Sheckherd helped put some life into the Seawolf offense, scoring on two straight three pointers.

The Seawolf offense was working hard. They were setting pick plays, cutting and driving but were having a difficult time finding high percentage shots in open space.

The Triton’s were able to capitalize on their opportunities in this quarter.

The quarter finished with Sonoma State behind, 66-50. Sydney Sharp of the Tritons scored 22 in the game, including a number of three pointers in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter would finish in favor of UCSD as they outscored Sonoma State, 13-11. Northern had another strong quarter. She scored a nice right handed layup while getting fouled and then hit the free throw shot. The next possession, she had a beautiful drive to the basket, finishing it with a smooth left handed finish.

Sonoma State played well in spurts but the consistency of UCSD was too much for the Seawolves. UCSD was able to shoot 27 free throws, Sonoma State only generated 7 attempts from the line. The Tritons took the big win and kept their undefeated season alive, final score 79-61.

Junior Ugochi Anudokem put up another double-double in the game which has

become the standard for the standout forward from San Jose. “I felt like we had a really good defensive first half, we just let up in the second half,” said Anudokem.

“This game really tested and exposed our weaknesses since San Diego capitalized on our mistakes.”

Two days later, the Seawolves played in their final home game of the season.

The game would end in a loss, with Cal State San Marcos winning 68-54.

Their final two games will be played on the road against Humboldt State, on Feb. 28 and against Chico State, on March 2.

STAR // Ethan Prins Sonoma State’s Ugochi Anudokem screaming support from the sideline during a game earlier this month

Sports 11

FEB. 26 - MARCH. 4, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

STAR // Emily Kowalski Robert Towne pitches for Sonoma State in Saturday’s game.

Men’s baseball wins both games versus Stanislaus State THOMAS PETERSCHMIDT STAFF WRITER

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n enduring spectacle happened on our home baseball diamond, as the Sonoma State University Seawolves beat Stanislaus State University in a 5-2 game, followed by a nail-biting victory with a last minute 4-3 win.

The first was an action game focused on offense as both teams were hitting well and running up the score. The second was a slower more defensive battle as the Seawolves proved that they would not stop their dominance over Stanislaus University.

Shortstop Dan Deely understood the effort his team was putting in and it showed. “[We] made the plays to make sure we could get the win,” Deely said.

This idea was best understood by the offensive work they put on as well as their defensive effort. When asked about the team goals for the game, Sir Gomez, junior pitcher, said, “play hard, play aggressive.”

To prove their dominance in the first game, the Seawolves had an energizing double play on defense.

As the ball was hit high it was caught successfully and thrown home to stop Stanislaus University from scoring and giving the Seawolves their next chance to hit.

In the second game the Seawolves defense was shaky at best. Letting two runs come in early in the first inning proved that Stanislaus State University was not going to let the Seawolves walk over them.

Defensive errors lead to a sloppy start as Stanislaus held the lead until the bottom of the sixth. With a brief slip up in Stanislaus’ defense, they attempted to tag the second place bag to stop the Seawolves. The throw ended up hitting the player and that allowed the Seawolves to take advantage of the scrambling Stanislaus team by making a single into a double that finally put them on the board.

This brought the energy back to the Seawolves as they followed that play with another run to only then be down by one.

As Stanislaus University was dominant in the first couple of innings the Seawolves owned the game in the final innings. Josh Lenney was the player at bat for the final run in the second game. When asked how the team improved and came back to get the win, “[We] got it going, [which] put the team back together,” Lenney said. Even with his valuable effort he focused on the team aspect of the game and com-

plimented the pitchers on their tireless work.

Tyson Canfield, the Pitcher who finished off the second game had some thoughts on how he puts his team first. “[I] go out there and give everything I can for the team and hopefully come out on top,” Canfield said.

As the Seawolves take the doubleheader victory today with great poise they seem to be making great strides in the right direction as these two wins come at no better time. They have been struggling with weather and tough loses, but for now they can have a sigh of relief after this win.

As the Seawolves are early in their season there is still much work to be done.

The Seawolves face off with Holy Names this Wednesday. Followed by a short break the team will then travel down to Southern California for several games against UC San Diego. The second half of playing Southern California teams will be held here on campus against Cal State San Marcos. For more information regarding the team visit sonomaseawolves.com.

STAR // Emily Kowalski Junior, Will Floyd, up to bat during Saturday’s game.

Sports Schedule Tuesday, Feb. 26 Men’s Golf Bay Area Invitational Wednesday, Feb. 27 Men’s Tennis @ Holy Names University 12pm Baseball vs. Holy Names 2pm Thursday, March 28 Women’s Basketball @ Humboldt State 5:30pm

Men’s Basketball @ Humboldt State 7:30 pm

Baseball @ UC San Diego 6 pm

Baseball @ UC San Diego 1 pm & 4 pm

Friday, March 1

Saturday, March 2

Womens Track Kim Duyst Invitational Turlock, CA

Women’s Track Kim Duyst Invitational

Women’s Tennis vs. Point Loma 1:30 pm

Women’s Water Polo @ Pomona 11:15 am & 6:45 pm Softball @ Cal State Dominguez Hills 12 pm & 2 pm

Women’s Water Polo @ Pomona 9 am & 2 pm Men’s Tennis vs. Point Loma 9:30 am Softball @ Cal State Dominguez Hills 11 am & 1pm

Women’s Basketball @ Chico State 5 :30 pm Men’s Basketball @ Chico State 7:30 pm

12 Photo

FEB. 26 - MARCH 2, 2019 sonomastatestar.com

Men’s baseball victorious this weekend

STAR // Emily Kowalski James Harwell up to bat during Saturday’s game against Stanislaus State.

STAR // Emily Kowalski Will Floyd slams a fast ball pitched by Stanislaus State.

STAR // Brandon Sparks Anne Fernandez shows her sibling which colors to paint with at Sibling’s Weekend craft night.

STAR // Christine von Raesfeld Sonoma State pitcher Robert Towne prepares for his next pitch.

STAR // Brandon Sparks Mikayla Bocanegra spends time with her sibling in W+B during craft night.

STAR // Brandon Sparks Halle Rodgers (right) plays Connect 4 with her brother while sharing pizza for dinner.

STAR // Christine von Raesfeld Black Student Union Treasurer Gregory Thomas poses with Bismarck during the MOCA Tabling Fair on Thursday.