March 16, 2023

Student, faculty discuss the use AI detectors at universities after reports of false academic dishonesty accusations

These tools have emerged to prevent academic use of ChatGPT, but how accurately can they detect the AI site’s work?

BY RACHEL GAUER campus@theaggie.org

On Nov. 30, 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, a chat-based artificial intelligence (AI) tool that uses AI to respond to users’ questions and requests. Although the platform has gained popularity due to the

convenience of its capabilities, which range from answering simple questions to writing full essays, ChatGPT users have since learned of several downfalls of the site, including the service occasionally providing false information and writing produced by the platform being flagged for plagiarism. While universities and other academic settings have long dealt with plagiarism, as ChatGPT has rapidly become more popular, they have had to learn how to detect work authored by the program. Online detectors exist to check whether content was originally generated by AI, but some have publicly disclosed that their platforms are not always accurate.

One UC Davis undergraduate student was recently accused of using ChatGPT on an assignment. The student’s name has been kept anonymous per their request, as they are currently under investigation by the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA).

“My advice to professors would always be [to

not] jump to using an AI classifier,” the student said. “First, do your own investigation and do it properly. Maybe try and compare the student’s writing to an example of their previous writing to see if the writing style remains relatively the same.”

The student also commented on the potential flaws of the AI detector technology that many professors have begun to use.

“The fact of the matter is that of the AI detectors available right now, none of them are accurate enough,” the student said. “As these Large Language Models become more and more advanced, the

Davis Chamber of Commerce hosts annual State of the City address

Mayor Will Arnold and City Manager Michael Webb joined the chamber to discuss housing, infrastructure and more

BY MADELEINE YOUNG AND ALEX UPTON city@theaggie.org

On March 1, Mayor Will Arnold and City Manager Michael Webb presented the annual State of the City address with the Davis Chamber of Commerce. The panel discussed pressing issues in Davis such as financial outlook, infrastructure investments, development updates, social services and the housing crisis.

Executive Director Cory Kohler said that while the chamber is financially stable and healthy, membership has

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declined due to the pandemic. The chamber contributes substantially to Davis’s economic position, dating back to when it lobbied for UC Berkeley’s farm (now UC Davis) to be placed in Davis.

Mayor Will Arnold began the address by discussing a key concern for Davis residents: housing insecurity.

According to Arnold, the city approved an unprecedented number of new housing projects to address student and workforce housing needs, as well as implementing several larger projects. He specifically mentioned Paul’s Place, a vertical home village that opened recently.

“Certainly there’s more to be done,” Arnold said. “We need to redouble our efforts on seeking supportable and sustainable housing, particularly for folks who are a part of our workforce, folks who qualify for low-income housing and for young families.” Arnold made a point to recognize the relationship between Davis public schools and the well-being of the city. He spoke about the schools’ steady decline in enrollment and why it is important to address the housing crisis in a way that ensures families with young children will be able to afford housing in Davis.

“As goes our school districts, so goes our property values in Davis,” Arnold said. “I’m a firm believer in that. It’s easy to say there’s a big difference between the work that the school does and the work that the city does, but in this case, there’s a real symbiotic relationship here between the quality of community assets that we’re able to provide and the quality of schools we have.”

During the address, multiple charts were presented detailing the city’s general funds and sources reported in this fiscal year as well as revenue trends. The lack of affordable housing, senior housing and student housing amounted to 29% of the key issues the city is focusing on. The data presented also revealed that other pressing issues were homelessness, crime, safety and development.

“The city really is looking at the full spectrum of housing needs in our community, whether it’s student housing, housing for folks who work in town, housing for folks who are coming off of the streets,” Arnold said. “These are all critical needs and all things that you have a council that recognizes the importance of that need and is continuing to do the work even in the face of community opposition when it happens to add housing.”

City Manager Michael Webb concluded the address by discussing the condition of the city and reviewing city research. He said that, overall, residents appear satisfied and

text-classifiers to combat them are always going behind them.”

Whitney Gegg-Harrison, an associate professor at the University of Rochester, recently published an article in which she outlined her stance against the use of AI detectors in screening student work, including via a platform called GPTZero. GPTZero is an artificial intelligence detection platform that was created by Edward Tian, who is a current undergraduate student at Princeton University.

“The main thing I want people to understand about ‘AI-detection’ tools is that false positives are far more frequent

than people tend to imagine,” Gegg-Harrison said via email. “I honestly think that professors should try putting some of their own writing into GPTZero, because they’ll almost certainly find some of it flagged as ‘likely AI-generated.’ Experiencing that with your own writing makes the issue of false positives that much more visceral.”

Following the accusation, the UC Davis student said that their sister tested the accuracy of GPTZero. In doing so, she found several ‘false positives,’ or works that were not generated by AI but marked as containing AI-generated content. The student commented on their sister’s research.

“Chat GPTZero detected that the second chapter of the book of Genesis in the Bible was entirely written by an AI,” the student said. “Of the 247 documents [my sister] ran through GPTZero, 40% were falsely detected to have used AI.” Hunter Keaster, who serves as the case director at the Student Advocate Office for OSSJA, commented on cases involving ChatGPT and the typical process that students face when referred to judicial affairs.

Yolo County ‘Zero Bail’ case study finds increase in crime and recidivism

A study of the 13-month-long policy reveals the outcomes of California Zero Bail in Yolo County

optimistic. Affordable housing is the predominant issue in Davis, followed by homelessness and public safety. While the city budget is dependent on property tax for revenue, cannabis taxes are quickly becoming a strong revenue source.

The city is investing in improving pavement conditions and expects to focus on repairing downtown and other busy streets in the coming year, according to Webb. Webb emphasized the importance of investing in these kinds of repairs before the damage gets too drastic. Specific focus was placed on roads and pavements, as currently, Davis pavements are rated between fair and poor. The address noted that without further action by 2029, 25.5% of streets and 26.1% of bike paths will be considered in “failed” condition.

“It’s crucial that we make every effort to stay on top of our road conditions and not let them get to a point of failure because at that point, they are exponentially more expensive to repair,” Webb said. “I want to applaud the City Council for making substantial improvements in terms of our investment locally in general fund dollars, seeking grants, using some of our gas tax money and putting that directly towards roads to the tune of about 9 million dollars a year. That is a huge improvement over what investments were made prior to that.”

BY MADELEINE YOUNG city@theaggie.org

On Feb. 14, the expanded study of “California Zero Bail” was completed and reported that there was 163% more total crime and 200% more violent crime in Yolo County. Zero Bail refers to Proposition 25, or SB #10, which eliminates cash bail for certain suspects, meaning those suspects can be immediately released from custody without paying bail money or bonds.

In Aug. 2022, District Attorney Jeff Resig published a study and analysis of re-offense rates of individuals released on “Zero Bail” that found that out of the 595 individuals studied and released on Zero Bail in Yolo County, 70.6% were re-arrested and 20% were arrested for a violent crime.

The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office released the “Posted Bail vs. Zero Bail Analysis” on Feb. 6 which covered background on the study, methodology, recidivism and other information.

“In April 2020, the California Judicial Council imposed a statewide Emergency Bail Schedule, commonly referred to as Zero Bail. This allowed individuals accused of certain types of crime to be released from custody without the payment of bail money or a bond,” the analysis reads. “Yolo county Superior Court kept an emergency Zero Bail Schedule until June 2021, when a new bail schedule was enacted.”

Resig explained why the Zero Bail policy was introduced in California.

“The Zero Bail policy was implemented by the courts in California in order to address the concern of overcrowding in the jails during COVID[-19],” Resig said.

“The rationale was that in order to protect human life from the spread of COVID[-19], courts should minimize

the number of people being in locked and confined environments. The Zero Bail order was initially given by the California Supreme Court for several months and then counties individually decided to continue it after that. Yolo County had the policy in effect for 13 months.”

The report on Zero Bail is one of many bail reform studies the Yolo County DA’s office has published over the years. These studies are intended to report on the public safety impacts of the policy. Resig explained in part why he believes the report shows an increase in re-offenses.

“Those who were released on Zero Bail had little incentive to not re-offend,” Resig said. “As a result of the Zero Bail policy, individuals were immediately released from custody without any judicial risk assessment, supervision, ankle monitor, treatment, support, et cetera.”

The study collected information from The California Department of Justice records, including all arrests, date of first arrest following release, total number of arrests and if the individual was arrested on misdemeanor and/or felony charges, amongst other details.

The study found that out of the people who were arrested, the average number of days until they were rearrested within 18 months was 185 for those who posted bail and 129 for those who were released under emergency bail.

“This study established that Zero Bail policies, without more [reform], resulted in significantly more crime and recidivism in Yolo County,” Resig said. “This study was not a complete assessment of all types of bail reform.”

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Davis Senior High School students strike for climate change

Youth climate activists marched to Central Park on March 3 to raise awareness about climate change

BY ALEX UPTON city@theaggie.org

On Friday, March 3 at 12:30 p.m., a group of Davis youth climate activists walked out of class and marched to Central Park in support of the Fridays for Future movement, a climate awareness group started in 2018 by environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The Davis chapter has been striking every week since 2019, according to one of the student speakers.

Eliot Larson, a 16-year-old student at Davis Senior High School and the local coordinator of Fridays for Future Davis, began by reciting the number displayed on the climate clock. The climate clock displays how much time is left before climate change becomes irreversible according to one group of scientists. On March 3 at approximately 1 p.m., the clock read six years, 140 days, 19 hours and 20 minutes. Larson talked about the urgency of climate change and spoke to both the adults and youth in attendance, asking them to take action before it becomes too late.

“It is not too late to hope, but it is too late to hope someone else will take action for you, because they are not,” Larson said. “This is your time.”

Larson gathered the younger activists in the audience into an open dialogue with Davis City Councilmembers Gloria Partida and Bapu Vaitla. One student asked how to get more involved in the city’s conversation about climate change.

“Show up, make public comments, say that these are our priorities, that really does get on the radar of city council,” Vaitla said. “The climate action plan is scheduled to be heard [next month] before council for final approval and it’s very important for folks to show up and state their priorities.”

In 2019, Davis Senior High School students submitted a letter to city council asking for youth voices at the decision-making table. They followed up with a letter last September and have yet to see any action taken. The students now implore the council to meet them halfway or at least recognize their efforts to be a part of the decisionmaking process.

Gloria Partida has been attending the climate strikes since the first one

in 2019. She said that she always encourages youth to be involved in issues that affect them and their community.

“I think that this is part of their studies,” Partida said. “I think that in order for them to understand why they’re studying whatever it is they’re studying in their classes, there has to be a link how that happens in the real world and this is definitely an excellent example of that.”

UC Davis student Sam Saxe-Taller joined the protest in support of the high schoolers. Saxe-Taller, a firstyear sustainable agriculture and food systems major, talked about how he uses his position as an adult with voting privileges to support younger activists.

“The threat of climate chaos is urgent and it matters to me to not just show up and demonstrate but to show up and demonstrate and support the folks who are organizing in high school and younger,” Saxe-Taller said. “Having been a younger activist in high school, I experienced both times where college students were powerful and effective in supporting my and our work, and times where they certainly sort of dominated and so it matters to me that we have a good relationship and support their work.”

People of all ages showed up to support the youth, including a group called the Raging Grannies. The Raging Grannies, an international group of senior activists, attend protests to sing songs about climate change. One member, retired school teacher Lynne Nittler, optimistically discussed the city of Davis’s efforts to combat climate change.

“[The city] tries hard and there’s always more to do,” Nittler said. “So we’ll just keep praising the efforts and encouraging more.”

An instagram page (@ climatestrikedavis) was created in 2019 for the Davis Chapter of Fridays for Future and recently celebrated week 176 on the climate strike. The page is used to announce protests, spread awareness and communicate with other young activists.

Two additional public art installations coming to Veterans Memorial Theatre and San Marino Park this spring

The art pieces are the latest installments in the city of Davis’s “Art in Public Places” collection

BY ANTHONY W. ZAMMIKIEL city@theaggie.org

On Feb. 23, the city of Davis announced that two additional public art pieces were scheduled to be installed at the Veterans Memorial Theatre and San Marino Park this upcoming spring. The pieces will be the latest contributions to the ever-increasing “Art In Public Places” collection that the city of Davis maintains and updates.

The two pieces, titled “Balance Beam” and “Frog Totem,” were created by artist Cedric Wentworth and sculptor Mary Fuller McChesney and are scheduled to be finished and introduced to the Davis community at an undisclosed date and time this spring.

“Balance Beam” was created in 1999 and has been on display for more than two decades at the intersection located between 5th Street and Pole Line Road, but will now be displayed at the northern lawn of the Veterans Memorial Theatre.

“Measuring 6’ x 21’ x 5’ and built from steel and bronze, this piece is an example of the postmodern sculpture work Wentworth is known for that combines abstracted figurative subject matter with industrial structures,” according to the announcement released by the city.

The second installation, “Frog Totem,” was created in 2008. This installation will be an entirely new addition to the public art scene in Davis and will be installed behind San Marino

Park on the patio edge that borders the beginning of the greenspace located south of the park.

“The roughly eight foot tall concrete composite piece is a whimsical tribute to our natural environment,” the announcement reads. “The work says ‘Save the Frogs’ in English and ‘Salva las Ranas’ in Spanish, and the artist intentionally created this piece to promote wildlife conservation in her hometown of Petaluma.”

The installations are the latest additions in the extensive catalog that the city of Davis maintains, and the Davis community is largely supportive of the latest installments to the collection.

Rachel Hartsbough, the Arts and Culture Manager for the city of Davis, commented about how the public art collections positively contribute to the Davis community. She also shared how people should continue to support public art installations throughout the city.

“Public art in Davis, and any community, contributes to the quality of life for those who visit or call Davis home,” Hartsbough said. “We know from years of research that the presence of artwork can actually promote safety, improve mental health, increase economic activity, inspire tourists to visit, and so much more.”

Hartsbough shared how these displays will help benefit the community and expand where art is featured in Davis.

Fridays for Future’s hosts a global day of climate action in Central Park. (Kayla Bruckman / Aggie)

Fridays for Future’s has guest speakers and singers to bring together the Davis community to stand up for climate justice. (Kayla Bruckman / Aggie)

The Veteran Memorial Center, located in the heart of Davis, features its own theatre. (Sean Vanderaa / Aggie)

Aggies in the Area: Genece Grisby

UC Davis notable undergraduate scholar recognized by the Aquarium of the Pacific

BY FAITH DEMEULENAERE features@theaggie.org

With spring commencement around the corner, seniors say they are feeling excited, anxious

UC Davis offers resources and opportunities to set students up for post-grad success

BY REBEKA ZELJKO features@theaggie.org

Spring quarter is approaching, and along with it, the impending graduation of much of the class of 2023.

Minerva Padilla, a fourth-year managerial economics major, expressed that her time as an undergraduate UC Davis student was worth the hard work.

“I’m feeling so accomplished,” Padilla said. “I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, four years passed?’ I’m also a first generation [college student], so everyone in my family is like, ‘Wow, you are the first of all the grandkids!’”

Padilla said that as one of six siblings, she hopes to set an example for them to also go to college.

“I decided to go to college because it was kind of pushed on us in my classes,” Padilla said. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, and I didn’t want to put the financial stress on my mom, especially since there are so many of us. But now that I’ve looked back on it, I’m really glad that I came because I feel like I’ve learned so much that I can apply in life.”

Genece Grisby, a fourth-year marine and coastal science major with an oceans and the earth system emphasis, has been relentless in her pursuit of success, despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed.

According to Grisby, the pandemic held her back during the first few years of her undergraduate education, but she constantly searched for marine science jobs, asked questions and applied to numerous opportunities to gain relevant experience. As a result of her hard work, Grisby recently received the 2023 African American Scholar Program award from the Aquarium of the Pacific.

“Just generally learning about all the different animals, big and small, inside the ocean piqued my interest the most,” Grisby said. “Of course, I have a love for terrestrial animals, but anything in the ocean [...] has always had my entire heart. Right now, I am most interested in learning about the impacts climate change has [and] will have on popular megafauna such as sharks, rays and marine mammals.”

Grisby has reached enormous heights in her scholarly career and said the future is bright.

“[A] special thank you to everyone who has supported me and helped me reach my goals the last few years,” Grisby said. “You know who you are.”

Andrea Sanchez, a fourth-year psychology major, said she is feeling a lot of anticipation as her final months at UC Davis approach.

“I think I’m equally nervous and excited,” Sanchez said. “I didn’t get to fully enjoy my time here because I transferred here during COVID, but I’m also excited for this next chapter.”

Sanchez expressed that a big part of the nervousness she feels is about her post-graduation plans.

“It’s super nerve-wracking to go job hunting,” Sanchez said. “Especially because a lot of places expect you to have experience, and I’m pretty much at an entry-level position.”

To ease the uncertainty, Sanchez took advantage of the opportunities available to students on campus.

“I went to a lot of job fairs and resources on campus, so I definitely feel more prepared for the workforce,” Sanchez said. “They helped me with job searching, resume building and you can meet a lot of employers ahead of time to see what they expect from you, and so you don’t have to go through it blind.”

Marcie Kirk Holland, executive director of the UC Davis Internship & Career Center (ICC), wants graduating students to keep in mind what an accomplishment it is to have made it

Commencement at UC Davis. (UC Davis / Courtesy) this far, even as they search for jobs and prepare for post-grad life.

“It is [important] to remember that they have made it through a fouryear degree from UC Davis, and that demonstrates a lot to employers and potential graduate programs,” Kirk Holland said. “It shows that [you] can set goals and stick to them even though it’s difficult at times, or if they have to pivot. It shows they have what it takes to persevere, and that is highly transferable to any profession.”

Kirk Holland also highlighted the resources the ICC has available for all students.

“We have a wonderful advising team,” Kirk Holland said. “[Students] can also make an appointment with one of our career staff through Handshake […] and we have a great offering from a Youtube channel. [It covers] all sorts of topics, from what to wear to an interview to how to build a resume. There’s really something there for everyone, and we offer several [videos] in Spanish and Mandarin.”

Students can also take advantage of the ICC career fairs hosted once every academic quarter. Even with these resources, though, the job search process can be intimidating to some. Sanchez said that she was initially overwhelmed by the process, but the ICC was able to help.

“I wish I explored those resources more,” Sanchez said. “I didn’t get to until this year when I was more familiar with campus, and it made my experience go by a lot smoother. I want to emphasize to not be afraid to use and enjoy the organizations and resources available to you. Just don’t be afraid to go out and use those spaces; they are for us.”

It’s not only the resources that set up graduating students for success but also the experiences they have shared. Padilla said that UC Davis enriched her life in many ways during her four years as a student.

“I really made Davis my home; I feel like I found myself here,” Padilla said. “Everyone is so nice, and since I met all

These are the best and worst bathrooms on the UC Davis campus

Students review the quality of bathrooms on campus — citing the Teaching Learning Complex as the No. 1 option

BY KACEY CHAN features@theaggie.org

No one loves a public bathroom.

However, in times of need, these restrooms become a necessary evil. Here on the UC Davis campus, your bathroom experience will vary depending on which building you’re lucky (or not so lucky) enough to stumble upon. Students are full of opinions on what they think are the best and worst bathrooms, with reasoning spanning from privacy to the presence of terrifying chains.

Among students spoken to by The California Aggie, students almost unanimously agreed that the bathrooms in the Teaching Learning Complex (TLC) were by far the best. Located near the Silo bus terminal, the TLC bathrooms are the cleanest, most spacious and the most private, according to students.

“I love that you can tell when someone is inside or not,” Brenda Do, a third-year design major, said. “The doors cover the stall completely so there aren’t any gaps and the stalls are super roomy!”

Other surveyed students agreed with this sentiment. A few also reported the gender-neutral bathrooms in the TLC are a huge plus.

Another noteworthy bathroom is the one in Cruess Hall. In a TikTok post by user @treebeatle, the UC Davis student gives the bathroom a rating of “8/10” — respectable given the fact that it is the only positive score in the post.

The lovely decor of the bathroom should be noted, according to students. In the TikTok post, @treebeatle mentions the uplifting stickers on the walls, including one which says “BeYOU-tiful.”

“I love the easter eggs in the bathroom, especially the mirrors!” Do added. “It’s a fun walk to the bathroom because of the easter eggs all around.”

Student opinion appears to be more divided on the worst bathroom on campus. From the survey, a common response was the toilet in Haring Hall. Melissa Soria, a third-year psychology major, responded in their survey that “it gives creepy bathroom vibes all the way.” Similarly, in another TikTok post by @ treebeatle, the user gave this location a rating of “-3/10.”

“Immediately no,” the caption reads. “How much am I paying for

tuition again?”

Another popular answer, for all the wrong reasons, was the bathroom on the ground floor of Veihmeyer Hall. Located along Sprocket Bikeway, many students chose this location as the absolute worst on campus.

“The stairs […] when you open the door and the green tiling make the bathroom feel very ominous,” Angeline Gatchalian, a second-year chemistry major, said.

Multiple students also reported the odd and unusual inclusion of a shower in a lecture hall’s bathroom.

Perhaps most startling of all was the bathroom located in Hutchison Hall. Infamous amongst students, this toilet features a mysterious, dilapidated bed and mattress in a room behind the sinks. On the r/UCDavis Reddit forum, multiple students noted the

questionable chain attached to it. In a post from @treebeatle, the student gives the bathroom a rating of “1/10.” The caption tags the official UC Davis TikTok account. It reads, “still waiting on an explanation for the bed and chains” — a question that many students seem to also have in mind.

Lecture halls and other spaces that see a lot of foot traffic also received criticism from students. The Shields Library bathrooms in particular were named often in the survey.

“The second-floor women’s toilet is always smelly, dirty and not very accessible,” Skye, a third-year psychology major, said.

Similarly, another student reported that the third-floor bathroom only has one working stall.

Olson Hall and Wellman Hall were also criticized.

“Wellman and Olson are always dark, dirty and wet,” Do said.

A criticism of the former in particular seems to be the lack of privacy, which, according to a comment from user @KarlaFung on the UC Davis Local Wiki page for campus bathrooms, involves “stalls almost touching the toilet itself.”

“You could easily injure yourself somehow in there,” the comment reads.

With its long history since 1908, the UC Davis campus is bound to feature a variety of lecture halls and their bathrooms. These recommendations (and warnings) can hopefully steer students toward cleaner and more appealing locations for a toilet break.

For those interested in even more toilet talk, the Davis Local Wiki features a detailed list of bathroom reviews both on and off campus.

my best friends here, I really associate it with a part of who I am.” With the school year coming to a close, Kirk Holland offered some advice for the graduating class.

“I think part of it is being clear about what you want and what is important to you, then looking for jobs that reflect that,” Kirk Holland said. “It’s about finding work that [you] find meaningful, and considering things like where do you want to live, how much do you need to earn and so on. It’s about feeling confident about your options.”

Padilla said that it’s important to remember that everyone’s academic journey looks different.

“It’s not linear for everyone,” Padilla said. “It’s okay if it takes a little longer than you expect. I don’t like the idea that people all expect to graduate in exactly four years. I failed my first class here, and I was so bummed out. But like, it’s real, it happens, sometimes classes are hard, you just [have to] look at it and think back on what you can do better. You learn from it.”

“While I cannot discuss case specifics, I can say that students involved in suspected plagiarism cases involving ChatGPT retain the same rights that they would have in any other plagiarism case,” Keaster said via email.

Fabienne Blanc, a UC Davis parent whose student was involved in a ChatGPT plagiarism accusation, said that she has concerns about what she described as the “premature use” of AI detectors.

“Some universities are starting to use AI detectors routinely even though experts are warning that those detectors are unreliable,” Blanc said. “Some universities plan on passing all entrance essays through AI detectors. OpenAI’s own detector has an 8% rate of false positives, so that could mean that thousands of students who honestly wrote their essays could have their applications rejected because of faulty technology.” As ChatGPT has emerged in popularity, professors and academic workers have been met with the difficult task of deciding whether to use detection sites that aren’t 100% accurate yet or risk cases of academic dishonesty going unnoticed.

David Horsley, a professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at UC Davis, currently teaches ENG 190, which concerns professional ethics. Horsley commented on the future of AI, as well as its potential benefits within the classroom.

“There’s obviously a lot of potential for abuse,” Horsley said. “I do think there are some good use cases, such as creating model essays that can help students learn how to construct such an essay on their own. Frankly, AI isn’t going away, so we’re going to need to figure out how to live with it.”

Sofia Rhea, a second-year Ph.D. student and teaching assistant (TA) in the communication department, commented on the future of AI detection sites — including Turnitin, which many professors, TAs and others who grade student work currently use to detect traditional plagiarism.

“Turnitin has [...] developed some AI detection that I believe will be launched wide-scale by April 2023,” Rhea said. “Their AI detection can successfully detect AI written work with high accuracy and has a rather low rate of false positives. As technology like ChatGPT continues to get more advanced, so will the technologies used to detect it.”

Trust your gut

Chances are, you ignore your gut feeling pretty often. Don’t!

BY YASMEEN O’BRIEN yjobrien@ucdavis.edu

Having a gut feeling is one of the only times we feel like we truly know something, but even so, trusting it is surprisingly hard to do. I’ve been in situations where I was extremely unhappy — and I’m sure you have too — where my body felt like it was in a constant state of anxiety. It was screaming at me to get out of the stressful situation, but my “logical” mind ignored it for a very long time, even though my gut was right all along.

I have also been in situations where I’ve felt unexplainably unsafe or uncomfortable and have removed myself from these situations without any “logical” explanation. I didn’t stick around to see if I was right about these scenarios; I didn’t need to know. The feeling my gut gave me was all I needed.

A gut feeling — interchangeable with an intuition, instinct or hunch — is difficult to define. It’s the ability to immediately understand something without active reasoning. It’s that feeling we get in the pit of our stomachs or in the deepest parts of our consciousness.

Sometimes it whispers, sometimes it screams. But, because our gut feelings come from within us, they have our best interests at heart.

This may seem obvious — of course, our gut feelings come from within us, all of our thoughts and feelings do. However, in my research, I found some very compelling evidence of just how true this is.

Our intuition is not something we’re encouraged to rely on in the age of big data, it is often deemed as unreliable or even mystical. Although it is true that intuition falters, studies show that pairing analytical thinking with gut feelings helps you make better, faster, more accurate decisions. These studies also show that this pairing gives you more confidence in your choices than relying solely on intellect does.

This becomes important when you are overthinking or making a decision with no clear-cut answer. Even the U.S. Navy has invested millions of dollars

LEE / AGGIE

into helping sailors and Marines refine their “sixth sense,” precisely because intuition can override intellect in high-stakes situations such as on the battlefield.

There is actually a deep neurological basis for intuition. There is a wideranged neural network of 100 million neurons lining your entire digestive tract, which is more than in the spinal cord. The gut has incredible processing abilities.

Essentially, when you approach a decision intuitively, your brain works in collaboration with your gut to instantaneously evaluate all your past learnings, memories, personal needs and preferences, and then uses this assessment to make the wisest decision given the context. This turns intuition into a form of emotional and experiential data that should be valued.

One of the biggest problems with trusting our gut, especially as young people, is that it can be hard to discern intuition from fear. Fear is often accompanied by constricting or minimizing bodily sensations that make you feel tense, panicky or desperate.

I would describe fear as having a pushing energy, as if you’re trying to

Grade calculator

BY LIDYA SHCHERBAKOVA lvshcherbakova@ucdavis.edu

force something, or choosing a path because you want to avoid a threat. Fear is dominated by self-critical thoughts that encourage you to hide, conform or compromise yourself. You cannot let fear rule you. You would be doing yourself a great disservice to listen to this voice.

On the other hand, I would describe intuition as having a pulling energy, as if your decision is moving you toward your best interest, even if that comes with pursuing a risk or moving slower than others. This feeling is often accompanied by excitement and anticipation or ease and contentment. Physically, listening to a gut feeling tends to allow your body to relax because your intuitive inner voice is wiser and more grounded. It is your mentor. Intuition is not perfect — but it is probably a decision-making tool you’re underestimating and underutilizing. Use it!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

Get involved in community service

Improve yourself while improving your community

BY EMILIE BROWN emrbrown@ucdavis.edu

At the end of our lives, when we are on our deathbeds, we realize that all the money, all the popularity and all the things we bought, sold, owned and collected don’t really matter. In the end, the only thing that really matters is the impact we have on other people’s lives.

Community service provides all of us with the opportunity to truly make a positive impact on other people, which is an incredibly rewarding experience. Volunteering benefits your community, your health and your future, and brings us one step closer to a brighter world.

Community service allows you to give back. By volunteering your time and resources, you can help to make a real difference in the lives of others. Whether you’re volunteering at a local food bank, participating in a neighborhood cleanup or helping out at a community event, your efforts can have a positive and meaningful impact on the people around you. In my opinion, there is no better feeling than that.

Additionally, volunteering can help your health and overall well-being.

Personally, community service has helped me feel needed and powerful and has given me a sense of purpose I was previously lacking. I believe it can do the same for others. In fact, a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that those who volunteer have lower mortality

rates and lower depression rates, so community service can quite literally help improve your mental and physical health.

If you’re still in need of reasons to volunteer, community service is also a great addition to your resume. Not only can you learn new and valuable skills through volunteering, it also provides an opportunity to network with others in a setting you would not usually come across in your everyday life. Community service activities on your resume also tell your potential employers you are a kind and well-balanced person — the type they would want working for them.

Now that you know why you should start participating in community service, you’re probably wondering how to get involved as a student. Luckily, the Community Service Resources Center group of the Internship & Career Center has you covered. They keep a list of over 500 local community service organizations and ways to get involved today. You can find this list at icc.ucdavis.edu/find/volunteer/list.

Get involved today, for yourself and for others!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

CITYART

“We are excited to site these two new pieces of art because they will help us to provide access to artwork in more neighborhoods and locations and allow more of our community to benefit from the positive impacts,” Hartsbough continued. ”In this case, we are pleased to be able to showcase the work of two new artists to our collection, Ceric Wentworth and Mary Fuller McChesney. Each of their respective works brings a new aesthetic to our collection, and provides new examples of creative approaches to materials and artistic style and method.”

The Art In Public Places Collection was created by the city of Davis in 1973, with the objective being that the city would dedicate 1% of public funding that the city receives for capital

improvement projects to make public purchases of art intended to increase the quality of life for the Davis community.

“Artists selected through this program represent a diversity of style and media,” reads the city website page for the Art In Public Places Collection. “Sculptures, murals, paintings, tile work, and functional pieces are located around the city to enhance the quality of life for all Davis residents and visitors.”

Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to Rachel Hartsough at rhartsough@cityofdavis. org. The city of Davis recommends that members of the community take into consideration the necessary construction required for the installations and act with caution when around the construction areas.

SHEEPMOWER FROM PAGE 11

“We are looking at the benefits of using sheep as lawnmowers from multiple aspects,” Kiers said. “We started looking at operational aspects: do they save time compared to lawnmowers? Can they cut the grass as well as lawnmowers? Can they reduce the amount of labor needed, and can they get into areas where traditional groundskeepers can’t?”

Kiers also explained that using sheep to maintain and fertilize the landscape is ecologically favorable.

“We’re looking at sustainability and seeing whether the sheep can help fertilize the grass and the soil, whether we can reduce the need for pesticides and herbicides, and also we’re looking…to see if [the sheep] are actually attracting beneficial insects and bringing in the potential for more

biodiversity,” Kiers said.

The sheep also reduce the number of harmful pollutants emitted into the atmosphere by lawnmowers.

“It’s a way of controlling the grass that’s beneficial to the environment,” Dewa said. “[The sheep] don’t pollute, in the same sense, as a piece of machinery might.”

The sheepmowers program also benefits those that aren’t able to visit the sheep in-person. An Instagram account and live “sheep cam” allow people to view them virtually, and there is also a website that showcases the study, the researchers and, of course, the sheep.

“I just love seeing people’s reactions to the sheep,” Kiers said. “I love watching people bike by and just stop and look. People sort of come together and rally around it. I really like that.”

MIRANDA

Volunteers sort through trash during Coastal Cleanup Day 2018. (Aggie file)

In honor of women’s history month, here are some of the Editorial Board’s favorite movies that pass the Bechdel Test

At least five nominees at Sunday’s Oscars failed the test, but all nine of these picks pass with flying colors

The Bechdel Test is deceivingly simple. A passing movie must feature (1) two named women (2) who talk to each other (3) about something other than a man. However, many of our favorite childhood movies fail to pass (“Shrek”). While filmmakers today have gotten better at meeting this bare minimum requirement (“Shrek 2”), women are still severely underrepresented in modern cinema. Since March is women’s history month, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Bechdel-test approved films to watch once you finish winter quarter finals.

Sophie Dewees — Editor-in-Chief

“Kiki’s Delivery Service” (1989) is one of my all-time childhood favorites. The film tells the story of Kiki, a 13-yearold witch who sets out to find a life of her own. She settles in a beautiful coastal town with her cat, Jiji, and meets several inspiring female role models including Osono, a friendly bakery owner who helps Kiki find her way, and Ursula, a young artist who lives alone in a cabin in the woods. The film offers a sweet coming-of-age story of a girl learning how to live an independent life that, typical of Studio Ghibli movies, features beautiful hand-drawn nature scenes and picturesque landscapes.

Katie DeBenedetti — Managing

Editor

Content warning: sexual assault

Based on the title, it’s no surprise that “Women Talking” (2022) passes the Bechdel Test. The entire movie is, quite literally, women talking (and one man taking notes of the women’s conversation, as it should be). The film, directed by Sarah Polley, is loosely based on the mennonite community, and follows a group of women of all ages who discover that the men in their community have been abusing them. This group of women — the only people who know the truth — is tasked with deciding the fate of all of the women in the colony. They decide that they have three options: stay and fight, say nothing or leave.

Sonora Slater — Campus News Editor

“Dear old world,” she murmured. “You are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”

The 1985 film “Anne of Green Gables,” adapted from the novel of the same name, follows 11-year-old orphan Anne Shirley as she embarks on adventure (read: hijinks) in Avonlea after being adopted by middle-aged siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert. Although the quote above is from the book, not the movie, it captures the imaginative romanticism, the love for life and the overdramatic nature of a girl who has captured the hearts of audiences for generations, with her

Scan to read our editorial reflecting on our takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic.

story now having been adapted into all varieties of mediums. “Anne of Green Gables” celebrates female friendships (or “kindred spirits”), allows a young girl’s perspective and narration to take the forefront and serves as a love letter to girls everywhere who love using big words, sometimes act before they think and can’t shake the notion that, despite days when we’re “in the depths of despair,” there will always come again a time when we are grateful for the lovely world we live in.

Chris Ponce — City News Editor Content warning: violence, suicide. Sure, it’s not October. It’s actually not even close to spooky season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in the spirit early! And why not watch a horror movie to go with the recent rainy weather?

“Midsommar” (2019) is the perfect spring horror movie. This hauntingly beautiful horror movie is unique in the aspect that the cinematography features bright and flowery colors. The film stars Florence Pugh who gives a powerful performance as her character Dani experiences the different stages of grief. “Midsommar” features many female characters who are essential to the plot’s progression. Throughout the movie, we see how the people in Dani’s life — her boyfriend and his friends — take advantage of her grief and how she learns to adapt to the horrific situation she is thrown into.

Owen Ruderman — Opinion Editor Ok, sure, maybe the last couple weeks of school aren’t the best time to be sitting down and watching movies. But when you’re finally done, “The Menu” (2022) is the perfect final course; a delectable dessert to round out the quarter. Ralph Fiennes gives a stellar, haunting performance as Chef Slowik, a celebrity chef who seems to be… slipping, to say the least. The rest of the cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult, sail out to the private island where the restaurant is located for a night of once-in-a-lifetime courses and unforgettable fine-dining experiences. And the icing on the cake: the movie passes the Bechdel test. So if you love dark comedy and food (and women), I think it’s about time you perused “The Menu.”

Levi Goldstein — Features Editor Content warning: domestic abuse, alcoholism, kidnapping, racism and racial violence, cannibalism.

If you’re looking for an emotional movie night, “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991) is the perfect balance of hilarious and heart-wrenching. In this classic film, Evelyn Couch, who is unhappy with being a housewife, befriends Ninny Threadgoode in her nursing home, and throughout their developing friendship, Ninny tells Evelyn stories of family and friends from her youth. The movie switches narratives from the present time to flashbacks of Idgie Threadgoode, Ninny’s sister-in-law, and Ruth Jamison, who bond as they cope with the death of a loved one. As Ruth and Idgie fall in love, open a café together and deal with Ruth’s abusive ex-husband in the past, Evelyn gains confidence to make changes in her life and Ninny makes peace with her family history in the present.

“Fried Green Tomatoes” is a heartwarming story of love and friendship between women that is woven with artful social commentary. It tackles difficult themes and is certainly a tear-jerker, but it also has humor that will make you laugh until you can’t breathe, which makes it one of my favorite movies of all time.

Clara Fischer — Arts & Culture Editor

Maybe it’s because the Davis rain has me missing summer or maybe it’s because I would rather be dancing on a Greek island than taking my finals next week, but either way, the movie on my mind right now is the iconic “Mamma Mia” (2008). This jukebox musical smash-hit is one of my all-time favorites. Not only does it feature Meryl Streep (a legend), but the ABBA songs that support the film’s plot have been a recurring feature in my life. These tunes have provided the soundtrack for countless road trips, karaoke nights and time spent dancing with friends.

To that matter, the film is essentially a culmination of these moments, resulting in a true testament to the power of love, family and female friendships. It’s refreshing to see older actresses being cast in roles that showcase their vibrant personalities without limitations, and I can only hope that my friends and I are one day as cool as Donna and the Dynamos.

Marlon Rolon — Sports Editor “M3gan” (2023) is the latest and greatest sci-fi horror flick to hit the big screen. The AI used in this film makes connections to our addiction to handheld electronic devices and provides a sneak peek into the future of how life could be with smart toys that are built for companionship. M3gan is a lifelike doll that is programmed to be a child’s best friend and essentially is built to replace a parent. This movie gives off “Chucky” vibes and is relatable to the infamous killer doll that is adored by many who are into dark horror films — M3gan is creepy, deceiving, obsessive, and demonic (oh, and I can’t forget she has some dance moves too). Like Chucky, M3gan is hard to kill, whether she’s disfigured or cut in half, she always finds a way to come back. The supporting cast — Allison Williams plays Gemma, a super busy aunt who gains legal guardianship of her niece, and Violet McGraw plays Cady, an orphan who tragically lost her parents in a car accident. Gemma feels forced to look after Cady but takes on the responsibility even though she has no time to care for a child due to her job that requires her to create, develop and program smart toys. She then creates M3gan…

Brandon Ngyuen — Science & Tech

Editor Searching for a gentle, springtime movie to cozy up to and watch with your family and/or friends? Look no further than the well-renowned Studio Ghibli film “My Neighbor Totoro” (1988). This animated coming-of-age story follows two young sisters who move with their father into an old, rural house in the countryside as they wait for their hospitalized mother to recover from her illness. As they get accustomed to their new home, the sisters explore the farmland and nearby forest, befriending neighbors like the sweet old Granny and, most notably, the giant, cuddly, plush spirit Totoro. Just when you feel like you are getting older with yet another speedy end to the quarter, legendary director Hayao Miyazaki’s fantastical adventure story captures a heartwarming nostalgia that will make you reminisce on playful memories of your childhood and make you feel young again.

WRITTEN BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD

No pharmacy? No problem

Home remedies to help beat the common cold

BY MAYA KORNYEYEVA mkornyeyeva@ucdavis.edu

Common colds suck — they just do. One day you’re feeling fine, and the next day you wake up with a headache, a stuffy nose and a sore throat. Nothing feels the same as you struggle through the next few days, getting by on painkillers and double the amount of sleep you’d usually allow yourself. But what if I told you there were ways to make your cold go away faster?

Ways to help your immune system fight it off through beneficial vitamins and restorative home remedies? Here’s a few of the many steps you can take to beat the common cold without taking a trip to a pharmacy. The first thing to understand is what foods and vitamins are naturally advantageous to consume when you’re feeling under the weather. Here are my personal favorites:

Honey

Honey is smooth, sweet and has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. My favorite way to use honey is by adding it to hot drinks, like herbal tea or warm milk, to help soothe a sore throat.

Ginger

Ginger is an ingredient that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Ginger can help with clearing up a headache, nausea or even a runny nose. Many stores sell lemonginger tea, or you can grate the root into salads or stir frys.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also a crucial supplement that every person should take to make sure they stay healthy.

Vitamin C gives your immune cells a boost when you’ve got a cold, strengthens cells to help prevent catching a cold in the first place, helps reduce blood pressure and prevents iron deficiency.

BY JENA TUFAIL jjtufail@ucdavis.edu

When I transferred to UC Davis in the fall of 2021, I had many aspirations about what majors I wanted to study. I decided very quickly that I wanted to either change my major or add a double major or minor in another discipline. I also, however, wanted to graduate in two years, so I recognized that I may not have the time to do so.

By my third quarter, I had already changed my major twice and had contemplated a few different departments for a minor. I had a hard time deciding exactly what I wanted to major and minor in, as I was interested in so many different disciplines. It was always exciting for me to learn about each different major and apply what I learned to my real life. However, I simply did not have time to switch to a different major every quarter.

I remember looking at the major requirements page on the UC Davis website for each of my majors, trying to pick potential classes for the future, when I saw a section under each major requirement that said “alternative electives.” Up until that point, I had taken classes only within each of my majors and minors, but then I realized I could take classes from different majors that interested me. Instead of being upset that I wouldn’t be able to explore as many disciplines as I would like to during my undergrad, I was able to find a way to incorporate numerous classes from different majors while still meeting my degree requirements.

Many majors at UC Davis offer this option. Not only is it a great way to finish off your degree, but it is also a way to learn about different fields and be exposed to different views and ideas.

The new skills you learn can not only be utilized throughout your time in college but also outside of class, in the future and in your career.

Last spring, I was able to take a social cognition course in the psychology department. I was fascinated by the material, and although I recognized that I did not want to major in psychology, I enjoyed learning information that was different from what I was used to in my other two majors. The information I learned in that class over a year ago is still relevant in my day-to-day life, and I use it not only when studying, but also when making daily decisions.

In addition to the course in psychology, I was also able to take classes in the Middle Eastern/South Asia Studies department, political science department, linguistics department and more. I believe that having the ability to take classes from several different majors has allowed me to become an even better student and a more well rounded individual. I learned information that I would have never learned within my own majors, and this has allowed me to gain an even wider view of the world around me.

If you have the opportunity during your undergrad to take classes in other majors or departments, I highly recommend it. Not only can it be fun to have a break from your major, but it is also exciting and highly beneficial as well.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

AARON POTTER

Take advantage of upper-division classes outside of your major College is the time to explore

JOANNE SUN / AGGIE

MARY ANN LEM

ARTS & CULTURE

A look into the weird world of Dave Malloy

If you’re looking for something new, consider this composer’s unconventional musical theatre discography

BY ADHITHI ANJALI arts@theaggie.org

The idea of musical theatre alone summons to mind the weird: longwinded solos, absurd dancing and even more absurd sets. One of the most famous names in theatre, Andrew Lloyd Webber, has certainly set the tone for this, creating adaptations of a poetry collection about cats trying to get to the afterlife (“Cats”) and a musical about a steam engine train trying to prove itself (“Starlight Express”). So, the “weird” in the world of musicals is a welcome — if not aspired to — descriptor.

The composer highlighted here is not a stranger to atypical stories or mainstream acclaim. Dave Malloy is best known for “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet,” an adaptation of a small segment of Leon Tolstoy’s distinguished 1869 novel, “War and Peace.” It won two Tony Awards for Best Scenic and Lighting Design in a Musical in 2016, but is overall widely perceived as a “flop” on Broadway.

Its spectacular fall and Broadway controversy is a multi-faceted one, bringing to light issues of commercial interests of Broadway as an industry and how this clashes with efforts to protect and offer roles for diverse actors.

Overall, “Great Comet” was not likely to last and draw in a majority tourist audience — after all, nearly 63% of Broadway ticket sales are from tourists. Understandably, this demographic is hesitant to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a musical that has not won more prominent Tony Awards, such as those for Best Musical or Best Score.

However, I believe that Malloy’s musicals are examples of how we place too much trust in Broadway as an institution to tell us what amount of weirdness is permissible and marketable. Instead, we can think about some of his other musicals which revel in unapologetic experimentation and (in the best way possible) nonsense that reimagines what musicals aim to do.

Though he has written 19 musicals, his most prominent aside from “Great Comet” are “Ghost Quartet,” “Preludes” and “Octet.” Malloy’s unique style of lyricism shines through each of these, forgoing a strict structure to instead

sprawl along the composition. There’s a sense that emotion barrels through the score, more intense than any demanding form or rules, but it is controlled in a mélange of classical music and electronic synth.

For example, the opening number of “Preludes,” Malloy’s musical about Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff’s hypnotism therapy after the failed premiere of his Symphony No. 1 in D minor, exemplifies Malloy’s approach to his songs. The transitions between singing and talking heighten Rachmaninoff’s turmoil and separation from reality. This is backed by a piano composition that grows more dissonant and sporadic as it is overlaid by the synthesized sound of strings.

The rest of the musical continues to play with classical sounds, including some of Rachmanioff’s work, but Malloy spins it into psychedelic, eccentric tunes that reflect Rachmanioff’s mind as he is brought to the edge through a phantasmagoria of bizarre and anachronistic hallucinations.

Passively listening to Malloy is a difficult task, even when he has a song that follows a common form.

For example, “Starchild,” a song from “Ghost Quartet,” may have a simple alternating verse-chorus structure, but it stuns with its lyrics and Brittain Ashford’s smoky voice.

Among this selection of musicals, “Ghost Quartet” stands out for its writing. It’s a story that moves nowhere,

The Avid Reader showcases community talent at local author

night

From environmentalist memoirs to action-packed fiction, local authors share their stories

BY ANA BACH arts@theaggie.org

On March 9, The Avid Reader hosted a local author night, where many members of the community gathered to hear from published authors from the area. The event started at 6 p.m. amidst pouring rain in downtown Davis.

The employees congregated at the back of the bookstore to present the authors; Elizabeth Nguyen, Bruce Rettig, Nan Turner and Tom Lin. Each author had roughly 10-to-15 minutes to talk about their work.

meanings; “hello,” “goodbye” and “love.” The phrase encapsulates the experience Anh is going through and the multiple identities she struggles to reconcile.

Nguyen ended by talking about the role that watercolor plays “in expressing the world through color as someone who is bipolar.” Even though the world seems to have a split black-and-white narrative with clear divides sometimes, there is still potential to see the color or liveliness in the elements that create this cohesiveness within society.

across time and space, and in constant circles. Loosely put, it is a ghost story that draws from seven centuries of ghost stories, among them Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “Arabian Nights.”

Finally, “Octet” is one of Malloy’s most recent musicals, premiering in 2019. It follows an internet-addiction support group, exploring how technology mediates our relationships with people and how we relate to technology itself. It is largely a cappella, with its eight-person cast providing beautiful harmonies and even more intriguing disharmonies. “Monster,” a number at the show’s halfway mark, is wonderfully strange and heavy, choked with sinister and humorous lyrics that ultimately dissolve into uneasy repetition. “Octet” succeeds, overall, in presenting all the failures and sweet addictions of the online sphere in a surprising, non-condescending manner that so many other pieces fail to achieve.

None of these three made it on a Broadway stage, but they are inspiring in their creativity and astounding in their emotional resonance. Malloy’s concept and execution are tightly intertwined and his understanding of his craft is distinctly evident in the exuberant writing and composition. Check out his work for a surprising and unexpected ride that pushes your preconceived notions of just how weird musical theater can get.

Nguyen discussed her book, “Aloha Vietnam,” which follows 17-year-old Anh Nguyen, who uses watercolor painting to cope with her first manic episode and is later diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her VietnameseAmerican family is then introduced to the complex struggles of mental illness, whilst also coping with the hardships that come with leaving Vietnam and moving to Hawaii. Anh finds comfort in her love for the ocean and art, using the creative outlet as a tool in navigating a new place and finding belonging.

Nguyen briefly addressed the nonfiction elements of the storyline, reflecting on her own experience as a Vietnamese-American woman. She explained the connotation of the title, and how the word “Aloha” has several

Rettig came to the floor next to talk about his time in the Arctic, which is documented in “Refraction.” His memoir recounts his experience working in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, which is home to the largest oilfield in North America, and getting to know the Kaktovik villagers during his stay. The title refers to the mirage that is created when viewing the natural forms that make up the Arctic.

“Seeing and perceiving something is often different from reality,” Rettig said.

He emphasized that while this is a memoir, the main purpose of his book is to also shed light on the demise of our planet and the physical severity that the industrial environment places upon the Earth.

Review: What the indie horror film ‘Skinamarink’ reminds us about childhood

How it uses apophenia and liminal space to create a “fear of the dark”

BY CORALIE LOON arts@theaggie.org

You may be surprised to learn that one of the “scariest films ever made” cost only $15,000 to produce, according to Independent. The indie horror film “Skinamarink,” which was released in theaters in January and is now streaming on Shudder, has received rave reviews and a flurry of conflicting viewer feedback for its unique and unsettling depiction of childhood fears. Whether responses to the film are positive or negative, “Skinamarink” has successfully made an impact despite its low production value. In fact, it may be the film’s visual simplicity, grainy film quality and lack of linear structure that make it so impactful.

“Skinamarink,” directed by Kyle Edward Ball, follows two young siblings, Kaylee and Paul, who wake up in the night to find that their father is gone. The rest of the film is a slow-paced, ominous unfolding of every child’s worst nightmare: being left alone in a dark house. This fear of the familiar becoming unfamiliar, of the home becoming a twisted distortion of itself, is manifested in the viewer not through a flashy plot but through prolonged stillness and silence.

In between zoomed-in shots of Kaylee and Paul huddling together on the couch or passing between rooms, much of the film is composed of long shots of dim hallways, staircases and empty spaces. In these moments of darkness, oftentimes the only visual movement is the speckled and constantly shifting film grain, which undulates with all the meaning of a lowlit home video.

By giving us something other than just stillness, and something more than just darkness, these shots reproduce a nightmarish, childlike imagination in which shapes in the dark develop their own meaning. This effect is often referred to as apophenia, which Merriam-Webster defines as “the tendency to perceive a connection or meaningful pattern between unrelated or random things” — essentially, to see things that aren’t there.

“Skinamarink” creates apophenia not only through visual techniques but also through sound. The silence in between the children’s anxious and

barely decipherable whispers is more than just silence; it’s fuzzy white noise, a cheap microphone’s best attempt at capturing the subtle frequencies and air currents in a quiet room. Like a child staring into the dark corners of their bedroom, the viewer can’t help but pick patterns from the grain and fuzz, seeing or hearing things that don’t exist.

The film’s reliance on atmosphere and prolonged silence in lieu of action or a cohesive plot has not gone without criticism. Despite having a 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and a mostly positive Critics Consensus, the audience score sits at just 44%, with just as many viewers finding it terrifying as “frighteningly dull.”

It seems almost impossible that a film some claim to be one of the scariest of all time is also one that has bored so many to death. Yet, the expertise of “Skinamarink” lies precisely in its nonconformity and its refusal to exist in one space or another. It’s both mundane and terrifying, motionless and full of imagination, existing and making use of a type of liminal space.

“Liminal space” broadly refers to a transition or a threshold between things, whether conceptual or concrete. However, The Atlantic explains how the term has been popularized as a way to describe physical spaces that are often “devoid of humans and, in some cases, distinctly surreal.” Images of places such as abandoned shopping malls or long, empty hallways take up liminal space because of their unique combination of a familiar or recognizable place with “unnatural emptiness.”

Aesthetics Wiki, a subsection of Fandom Wiki, describes liminal spaces as feeling “frozen and slightly unsettling, but also familiar to our minds,” combining feelings of nostalgia with unexpected discomfort and eeriness.

Liminal space is possibly the best lens through which to understand the power of “Skinamarink.” The film uses shots of colorful Legos strewn on the floor and cartoons softly playing on the living room TV to disorient the viewer and strip them of their comfort. The toys are motionless, lying in a dark and empty room. The TV plays the same clip over and over again and no one watches it. Hallways that have been walked down a thousand times are suddenly empty, dark or even physically turned upside down.

“Skinamarink” is also a reconstruction of childhood. For the overly nostalgic viewer, it is a reminder of how our early memories are often more fantasy than reality. While we usually think of childhood as a time of familiarity and comfort, “Skinamarink” reminds us of its

liminality, the discomfort of having to make sense of a world full of unknowns and uncertainties. Childhood as a lived experience is far from comforting; rather, it’s a time when the desire for comfort is so overwhelming that it will inevitably be unmet. Perhaps those who failed to

be swayed by the film’s unsettling atmosphere have outgrown such childish fears. But for the rest of us, “Skinamarink” is a harsh inversion of nostalgia, turning the vision of childhood as a place of familiarity on its head.

Theatrical release poster for Skinamarink. (Courtesy of IFC Films / fair use)

MIRANDA LEE / AGGIE

How film scores have evolved with the film industry

Film soundtracks have long been a key feature in entertainment

BY SARAH HAN arts@theaggie.org

Films are some of the most influential works today, with one of their most critical aspects being the music that sets their tone. From horror movies to animation, many notable film scores have gained wide recognition among the public.

From the 1890s to 1929, the silent film era involved musicians playing live alongside films. Pianists and small ensembles played in the background, accompanying the movie’s visual story. Most of the music was improvised, but some consisted of classical repertoires.

One of the most famous scores during this era was the music in “The Assassination of the Duke of Guise,” which was written by the French composer Charles-Camille SaintSaëns. He was one of the first to create an official score for a film, which gave way to other popular soundtracks we know today.

Following the silent film era was the Golden Age of Hollywood, during which there was a spike in film scores. This particular time period for film scoring was characterized by creativity, matching of music to films and concert and orchestral pieces.

Austrian-born composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold was one of the most accomplished composers of this time. One of his works is the soundtrack in “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” which earned him an Academy Award. Another notable example of his work is the soundtrack in “The Sea Hawk,” which was considered one of the best film scores at the time.

The next shift in the film-scoring industry was in the 1950s when composers started to emphasize originality and diversity. In 1951, composer Alex North made a symphonic-jazz soundtrack for the film “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which integrated jazz with traditional classical music.

Following the work of North, musician Miles Davis also revolutionized film scores with jazz. He contributed to the soundtrack of “Elevator to the Gallows,” which featured many jazz improvisations. Davis’s work in the film “Gallows” was also significant because it paved the way for African American musicians that we know today, including Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones.

composed by Hungarian American composer Miklós Rózsa. It combines the style of more traditional orchestral repertories, such as suites and overtures, and is considered to have changed the film-scoring industry for the better. In the 1960s, jazz, pop and western music became more popular in films.

The soundtrack in “The Magnificent

Seven” by Elmer Bernstein incorporated western-style music; likewise, composer Maurice Jarre created a soundtrack for “Lawrence of Arabia,” which incorporated Middle Eastern styles. The 1970s were marked by the famous composer John Williams, who created the “Star Wars” soundtrack. The theme in “Star Wars” is considered to be one of the most well-known scores

today. Following the 1970s, John Williams also composed the soundtrack for “Indiana Jones,” “E.T.” and “Superman.” Meanwhile, other famous composers joined the picture, such as Jerry Goldsmith, who scored “Star Trek” and Hans Zimmer, whose work is featured in “Black Rain” and “The Pirates of the Caribbean.” Today, many pop singers are even contributing to film scores: one notable example is Shakira’s “Try Everything” in the movie “Zootopia,” which was a huge success in the pop industry. Seeing that film scores are incorporating a diverse range of musical genres, the future of film scoring seems to be on an upward trajectory.

The Arts Desk’s weekly picks for music, movies and more

BY CLARA FISCHER arts@theaggie.org

Movie: “Forrest Gump” dir. by Robert Zemeckis (1994)

This 90’s cult classic recently came out on Netflix, so naturally, I immediately dropped all of my other work to rewatch it. “Forrest Gump” is a heartwarming story about love, acceptance, identity and the relationships that make us who we are. Having won six Oscars, this film isn’t exactly underrated; however, its maintained cultural relevance and strong performances from the cast justify its success. If you want a feel-good movie that’ll make you experience a wide range of emotions, I recommend “Forrest Gump.”

Song: “Jesus in Berlin” by Nullzwei (2022)

Coming from Rotterdam-based newcomers to the house music scene, Nullzwei’s “Jesus in Berlin” is a catchy, tongue-in-cheek single that beautifully combines techno beats and wit. This song has been my and my friends’ getting-ready anthem of choice; every time this song comes on, someone inevitably turns the speaker up. I recommend giving this track a listen, whether you’re a die-hard house music fan or only a casual listener — you may be surprised by how much you like it.

TV Show: “Outer Banks” (2020)

While I have been known to be a bit of an entertainment snob, in my humble opinion, “Outer Banks” is one of the best shows Netflix has put out in recent years. With the recent release of season three, now is a great time to distract yourself from the stress of finals by watching a group of teenagers on a wild goose chase for a golden cross. The extended drama, though repetitive at times, is action-packed enough to keep me hooked, but not too serious to the point that I stress myself out by watching it. The cast has engaging chemistry, the dialogue is surprisingly witty and the soundtrack transports viewers to a sunny place far away from the Davis rain.

Podcast: “Anything Goes” by Emma Chamberlain (2020)

One of the major scores of the 1950s was the soundtrack in “Ben-Hur,” Theatrical release poster for Pirates of the Caribbean. (Courtesy of Disney / fair use)

Couch Concert: MONDAIJI

Problem child turned college student — and band

BY RUMA POUDELL arts@theaggie.org

From meeting at a UC Davis Jamming Crew event to performing at Turtle House and numerous other venues, MONDAIJI [problem child] is steadily growing its presence in the Davis community and beyond.

Adam Maru, the band’s leader, has been working on music since early 2019.

“I had music written, everything was ready to be played, and I just wanted to have people to play it with and work on it,” Adam said.

After a one-year hiatus from attending Jamming Crew meetings, Adam returned and just so happened to bump into MONDAIJI’s future lead guitarist, Michael, and drummer, Santiago Milano. From there, the three agreed to work together, and subsequently found keyboardist Elijah Hung and guitarist Shiyu Ji.

“I actually remember the first rehearsal we did,” Santiago said. “We played something for ten minutes. And it was really good. We didn’t expect us to have a jam that was that cohesive.”

Santiago remembers that at the time, some of their friends who were at the rehearsal even asked, “How long have you guys been playing together?” to which he exclaimed, “15 minutes!”

Upon hearing how quickly the band’s sound came together, you probably wouldn’t expect the diversity in each of the band member’s music tastes.

Michael enjoys hard rock. HElijahung enjoys KPOP, funk and R&B. Shiyu also enjoys R&B. Santiago is a sucker for jazz. Adam is heavily influenced by

Japanese artists. The cohesiveness of the band arises from a common goal though, according to Michael.

“Adam is our creative leader,” Michael said. “He came to us with this vision [...] That gives us a creative framework and focus [...] and then we get to support that in our own unique ways.”

The name of the band is derived from “mondaiji,” a Japanese word meaning “problem child,” according to Adam.

“The narrative of our band is kind of just that we’re a bunch of misfits in a way — not in a heinous or malicious manner — we just want to play music together but be a little unhinged sometimes,” Adam said. “Part of that narrative is that [we’re] a kind of villain in [our] own [lives] and think we’re playing parts of delinquents in a way.”

When asked how they would describe their style, the band said that this is the one thing they disagree on, but if they had to, they would use the phrase “sentimental emo bops,” as displayed in their Instagram bio.

Every aspect of the band’s identity is managed internally. From the marketing and their social media aesthetic to recording songs — it’s all done by the band members themselves in Adam’s apartment. Santiago called it a “DIY [Do it yourself] aesthetic.”

When first forming the band, MONDAIJI’s members didn’t expect to gain as much of a following as they have.

“The turnout is always so good.

We see the heads and people mashing together,” Siyu said. “People really support us. This is why I’m really glad to be a part of this band.”

He said the group was expecting about eight people to come to their first show, but they were thrilled to see over 100 people in the audience.

The members described playing together as “sentimental,” “very personal [and] very energetic,” an “emotional release,” “honkytonk,” “wholesome” and “so much fun.” Getting to play at Turtle House, a co-op in the Davis community known for hosting local bands, “felt like everything we had been doing had come to fruition,” according to Adam. Being in the band has brought each member together “like a family,” Michael said.

MONDAIJI was Elijah’s first introduction to rock and has been a creative push for him, and he said that he had “to get a little creative with what [he] play[ed] for the band.”

The band ended off The California Aggie’s interview by saying, “Ever since our first show there’s been this energy [...] There’s an enthusiastic attitude towards the creative process now.”

Listeners can expect MONDAIJI to drop a new EP soon. To support them, follow their Instagram (@ mondaijiband), stream their songs and catch them at their next show.

MONDAIJI was featured in a Couch Concert with The Aggie on March 11, 2023. The video from the concert will be posted to The Aggie’s YouTube channel.

If you’re on the younger side, you’ve likely heard of viral sensation Emma Chamberlain. Gaining notoriety through her ability to stay relatable even after immense success, Chamberlain’s podcast builds on this brand identity. Though her affluent lifestyle can make her perspective out of touch at times, hearing Chamberlain talk through her thoughts out loud is mentally stimulating, and gives the listener the feeling as though they’re participating in an engaging discussion with a loved one. The unique format of this podcast — no guests — relies purely on Chamberlain’s ability to engage listeners with just her rambles, and the rampant success of “Anything Goes” proves that she is more than capable of this.

WBBBIGWESTPOSTSEASON

FROM PAGE 12

After missing seven straight shots, the highlight of the quarter came at the 1:46 mark — Turner pulled up from the three-point line and splashed a three-pointer while getting the foul and earning a four-point play. UC Davis trailed UC Santa Barbara 28-10 at the end of the quarter.

The shooting slump followed the Aggies into the second quarter — shooting an abysmal 10% from the field — as the game started to get out of reach. Two minutes into the quarter, UC Davis scored their first point off of a free throw after redshirt first-year center Megan Norris was sent to the line.

The problems didn’t stop there for UC Davis; they got into foul trouble again, repeatedly sending the Gauchos to the free-throw line for easy baskets.

The last points that the Aggies would score in the second quarter came from third-year guard Grey Cambell at the 6:43 mark as she drove inside the paint for a layup, making it 33-13.

With six minutes remaining in the second quarter, UC Santa Barbara went on a 13-0 run that extended into the third quarter. This culminated in a nineminute scoreless drought for UC Davis, who missed their next 12 shots. Thirdyear guard Tova Sabel finally ended the drought with a free-throw shot, but by this point, UCSB led by a wide margin of 32 points and the score was 46-14.

With 5:49 remaining in the third quarter, Sabel ignited a spark for the Aggies by scoring five straight points, including a three-point play, to make it 47-20.

However, UC Davis couldn’t catch a break as UC Santa Barbara’s third-year guard Alyssa Marin quickly responded by scoring five straight points for the Gauchos. A few plays later, Marin closed the quarter with a three-pointer to put UCSB ahead 57-24.

The Aggies had a difficult time guarding Marin, who was on fire, scoring 11 points in the third quarter alone. The struggles on both ends of the floor were evident — UC Davis shot 25% (4/16) from the field and 0% (0/2) from the three-point line in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the Gauchos were more efficient with their shots, shooting

38% (5/13) from inside the paint and 50% (3/6) from three.

With the game out of reach entering the fourth quarter, the Aggies enjoyed their highest scoring output with 12 points. Turner and Sabel each scored six points.

The Gauchos ended the game with an 8-0 run and eliminated UC Davis from the Big West Conference Tournament with a final score of 70-36.

In a win-or-go-home situation, UC Davis played their worst basketball of the season — fouls, turnovers and missed shots that they historically haven’t made derailed the team’s chances of advancing to the next stage of the tournament.

“It’s always disappointing when you invest so much and don’t come out on top,” Gross said, who was visibly disappointed post game.

Despite the loss, there were two bright spots on the team: Turner and Sabel, who scored 16 and 15 points, combining for 31 of the 36 points scored by the Aggies.

In the end, UC Davis shot 22.8% from the field (13/57) and 12.5% from three (2/16), way below their season averages of 41% and 31%, respectively. The Gauchos had better success, shooting 42.9% (21/49) and 54.5% (6/11). It’s worth noting that UCSB gained 22 points out of 27 attempts from the free-throw line, whereas UC Davis gained just eight points out of only 12 attempts.

Although the season concluded in a disappointing fashion, Gross and her team achieved more than what was expected this season. In the preseason polls, the Aggies were projected to finish in fifth place in the standings. However, they finished fourth and defeated two of the top three teams in the Big West in the regular season.

“We had our fair share of ups and downs, and through it all, they stuck together, and they played for each other, and they stayed super invested and bought in,” Gross said. “As coaches, that’s all you can really ask for, and so I just want to thank them for that and tell them again how proud I am despite the game today not going our way.”

Mondaiji performs at The Aggie couch concert. (Kayla Bruckman / Aggie)

SB #80, which grants ASUCD Units increased freedom to publish and alter their own social media

and websites,

passed at March 9 meeting

Mental Health Initiative, ASUCD Committee on Engagement Initiatives give quarterly reports

BY KAYA DO-KHANH campus@theaggie.org

On Thursday, March 9, at 6:17 p.m., Vice President JT Eden called the Senate meeting to order. Eden called roll and recited the UC Davis Land Acknowledgement.

Travis Haskin gave a quarterly report for the Student Advocate Office (SAO), first reciting the SAO mission statement: “The ASUCD SAO is [...] dedicated to assisting students in disputes with the university, while also working to advance basic needs. The goal of the office is to ensure that student voices are heard [...] in various issues, including cases with OSSJA, housing and other basic needs.”

Recent developments from the office include building their training program, expanding media outreach by creating a newsletter and developing relationships with OSSJA and other external partners.

Next, the senators moved to Donation Drive Committee Confirmations. The Donation Drive Committee organizes and plans a donation drive and distribution event for unwanted furniture, home appliances and other miscellaneous items at the end of each academic year to support students’ basic needs and offer sustainable methods of disposal. Jasmeen Kaur was confirmed as the Donation Drive Committee chair.

Fourth-year psychology major Lisseth Hidalgo was confirmed to the DREAM Committee with no objections. The DREAM Committee seeks to build awareness of resources available to the AB 540 and undocumented community, as well as

HOMEREMEDIES

FROM PAGE 5

Garlic Garlic is another common household ingredient that contains the cold-fighting amino acid allicin, which eases inflammation and blocks harmful molecules. Eating garlic raw is the best way to get those fresh chemical compounds. I usually opt for a garlic spread or add it to soups and salads.

Besides helpful foods, there are also some practical steps to take when you’re sick. This includes sleeping as much as possible; studies show that during sleep, our body goes through many healing processes much faster than when we are awake, seeing as we are conserving

SKINAMARINK

FROM PAGE 6

“Liminal space” broadly refers to a transition or a threshold between things, whether conceptual or concrete. However, The Atlantic explains how the term has been popularized as a way to describe physical spaces that are often “devoid of humans and, in some cases, distinctly surreal.” Images of places such as abandoned shopping malls or long, empty hallways take up liminal space because of their unique combination of a familiar or recognizable place with “unnatural emptiness.”

Aesthetics Wiki, a subsection of Fandom Wiki, describes liminal spaces

the issues they face. The Senate table then went over public comments submitted via their online form.

Next, the Mental Health Initiative gave its quarterly report. At their 2023 Mental Health Conference, there was a turnout of approximately 200 attendees per day participating in various workshops, caucuses, keynotes

energy through minimal movement. Thus, our immune system can function at a quicker rate and kill off the bacteria and viruses attacking our cells. This explains why we often feel fatigue or loss of energy when we are sick: it’s just our body telling us to find the nearest bed and have a long restful nap.

Drinking lots of hot fluids is another good action to take. When we are sick, our bodies can become dehydrated quickly, and we need to restore water to our system so that our cells have a proper membrane layer to deflect any unwanted bacteria. Hot drinks like tea or hot cocoa and hot liquids like chicken soup can make you feel both comfortable and warm inside while giving your body a way to keep its immune system up and running.

Finally, using a humidifier or vaporizer can help clear up congestion in your nose and lungs, ease a cough

as feeling “frozen and slightly unsettling, but also familiar to our minds,” combining feelings of nostalgia with unexpected discomfort and eeriness.

Liminal space is possibly the best lens through which to understand the power of “Skinamarink.” The film uses shots of colorful Legos strewn on the floor or cartoons softly playing on the living room TV to disorient the viewer and strip them of their comfort. The toys are motionless, lying in a dark and empty room. The TV plays the same clip over and over again, and no one watches it. Hallways that have been walked down a thousand times are suddenly empty, dark or even physically turned upside down.

“Skinamarink” is also a reconstruction of childhood. For the overly nostalgic viewer, it is a

and healing spaces. The Associated Students Dining Services gave its quarterly report, with updates that included optimizing office space and the hiring of a new executive chef.

Senator Gaius Ilupeju gave the Senate President Pro Tempore quarterly report. He went over specific legislation that increased his responsibilities, how he

and stop the spread of influenza, which thrives in dry environments. Proper humidification is also hugely beneficial to stop irritation in the eyes and nose, which is why you will find one in just about every house you walk into. Pleasant scents like lavender, eucalyptus and mint can be added to make you feel more relaxed and keep the air fresh and pleasant. With these home remedies, the duration of your cold is likely to shorten — or, at the very least, it won’t make you feel like you just took a sledgehammer to the face.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

reminder of how our early memories are often more fantasy than reality. While we usually think of childhood as a time of familiarity and comfort, “Skinamarink” reminds us of its liminality, the discomfort of having to make sense of a world full of unknowns and uncertainties. Childhood as a lived experience is far from comforting; rather, it’s a time when the desire for comfort is so overwhelming that it will inevitably be unmet. Perhaps those who failed to be swayed by the film’s unsettling atmosphere have outgrown such childish fears. But for the rest of us, “Skinamarink” is a harsh inversion of nostalgia, turning the vision of childhood as a place of familiarity on its head.

made speaking time public to members of the Senate table, how he attended Chancellor meetings to represent the Senate and his collaboration with external bodies on behalf of ASUCD, such as with AggieWorks.

Ilupeju also gave a quarterly report for the ASUCD Committee on Engagement Initiatives, which creates outreach activities to help ASUCD

better engage with the student body. The committee’s goals include holding an employee retention event such as an association-wide gala and focusing on marketing strategies ahead of the 2023 ASUCD spring elections.

The senators then moved into elected officer reports, where they gave updates on their weekly schedules and progress on various projects. The status of previous legislation was addressed, and new legislation was introduced and all sent to the Internal Affairs Commission.

There was a motion to pass the Consent Calendar, and SB #77, #78 and #85 all passed unanimously. With the consideration of old legislation, SB #65, which would dissolve the ASUCD Donation Drive Committee, did not pass, with a one to 10 to one vote.

SB #76, which would increase the voting period to at least seven days for an ASUCD general election, did not pass, with a five to four to three vote.

An amendment for SB #80 was not adopted, but the bill, which grants ASUCD Units, bodies and services increased freedom to publish and alter their own social media and websites, passed unanimously. A similar bill was introduced and passed previously but vetoed by President Radhika Gawde. SB #80 was then edited to address concerns about potential violations of university policy. Eden adjourned the meeting at 1:02 a.m.

AVIDAUTHORNIGHT

FROM PAGE 6

“Refraction” has won several writing awards, including first place for narrative nonfiction in the International Chanticleer Book Awards as well as first place for narrative nonfiction in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association’s Literary Contest. Rettig currently does web design work in Davis and has a podcast that discusses the Alaska Story Project. His main emphasis is on the shared home all humans inhabit — Earth — and working to take care of it before it is too late.

Turner shared her intrigue for fashion, specifically for civilian clothing during World War II. “Clothing Goes To War” goes into great depth about the clothing choices made due to the scarcity during the war, and Turner explained to the audience how the production of clothing shifted towards prioritizing the needs of the military at the ti,e. With these adjustments in place, civilians were left with almost nothing and were encouraged to save their articles of clothing until they were scraps.

While working on her master’s degree in textiles, Turner interviewed locals on their experience living through the war. Many discussed the repurposing of men’s clothing and how the clothing shortages had the biggest impact on women because they faced intense societal pressure to look

presentable. Some women went to great lengths to achieve this presentable look by using leftover gravy on their legs to resemble the color of nylon stockings. Turner offers an in-depth look into the creativity and ingenuity that jump started this fashion intervention amidst all the conflict imposed by World War II.

Lastly, Lin called attention to the action-filled story of a ChineseAmerican assassin in “A Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu.” Ming Tsu is on a quest to rescue his kidnapped wife and exact revenge on her abductors. The story takes place during the late 1860s, during the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad.

Lin discussed the impact that his grandparents had on the book through their persistent efforts to migrate from China to the U.S. The story relates to the journey and driving forces that motivate us to go after what we want. New York Times book review editors called it, “a new old narrative: part revenge fantasy, part classic bloody tale of the Old West.”

The quaint setting of The Avid Reader brings both readers and writers together, even on the gloomiest of winter days. The Avid Reader frequently hosts community events like their local author night, which can be found on their website.

MBBBIGWESTPOSTSEASON

FROM PAGE 12

The second half began with an offensive explosion that saw the Highlanders take a 37-30 lead. Aggies second-year guard Robby Beasley made the Aggies’ only three-pointer to cut the lead to 37-33, but the Highlanders’ offense would continue to pile on. Several Highlanders’ players, including first-year guard Nate Pickens and second-year forward Luke Turner, made three-pointers that extended the Highlanders lead to 19 points (61-42) with six minutes left in the game.

Aggies star third-year guard Elijah Pepper, who broke the Aggies’ singleseason scoring record with over 600 points, reached 1,600 career points with just over four and a half minutes left in the game. He added another two points in the last minute of the game giving him 1,602 career points. Pepper finished the game with 22 points, but he shot 38% from the field (7 out of 18). However, the Highlanders’ defensive game plan emphasized the importance of containing Pepper.

“We tried to protect the paint. We tried to bring bodies [to Pepper],” Magpayo said. “It’s really hard. He’s kicked our butts, but luckily we found a way to survive and today this was probably the best job we’ve done of all three games this year.” Magpayo also gave credit to his guards, including Pickens, graduate student Flynn Cameron and fourth-year Zyon Pullin for their defensive success against Pepper and the Aggies.

When asked about recruiting Pepper and if he knew how special of a

player that Pepper would become, Les said, “I had an inkling. I’d like to say I knew but what I love about him is how hard he works [and] his competitive spirit. Those right there give you a chance to be successful and then add the fact he’s awfully skilled. It’s a lethal combination.”

Les added that Pepper has been a joy to coach and a fun player to have as an Aggie.

Pepper made the Big West All-Conference first team for his performance this season. This was the second time he made a Big West AllConference team; he made the Big West All-Conference second team last season. By achieving several accolades and milestones, there is no doubt that Pepper has been one of the most impactful players for UC Davis in his time here.

Despite the disappointing end to their season, the Aggies received a round of applause from their fans who had traveled to Henderson to watch them play. The 2022-2023 college basketball season was a memorable one for the Aggies. There are several moments throughout the season that will not be forgotten: beating UC Berkeley for the first time in program history, beating Cal Poly with a 13-point comeback in the last four minutes of the game and beating Long Beach State in double overtime to clinch a first-round bye for the Big West Conference Tournament. These are the moments that will be remembered from this season.

CHRISTINA LIU / AGGIE

Sudoku

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row, column and 3x3 square must contain each digit. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing.

Crossword

HUMOR

Almost there

BY VERONICA THEN vjthen@ucdavis.edu

Paid time off request

BY SANDHYA PFILE sbpfile@ucdavis.edu

Advertisement: Looking for a roommate for next year

My emotional support rat must have his own room

BY CARMEL RAVIV craviv@ucdavis.edu

Hello, my name is Juke Jakeson.

I am in dire need of a roommate next year for off-campus housing, and you must be in need of one too! It’s like I’m reading your mind! Ahaha.

A little about me:

I am very tidy and organized. I keep such a tight ship when I clean that sometimes I even wear a pirate hat! LOL!

• I love to cook cultural foods, such as three-bean casserole, Thanksgiving turkey and ham-and-Swiss-cheese sandwiches. (I plan to move to Switzerland one day.) I hope you like spicy food, because I have a tendency to add black pepper! I don’t mind cooking if you do the

dishes. It will be like practicing for marriage, which I think is very proactive.

If you are to live with me, I would like a balance of studying and fun activities. If you opt for a wild night, such as playing Uno past 11 p.m. or drinking Mountain Dew after brushing your teeth, I would appreciate being made aware ahead of time. Additionally, you must be well versed in Excel so we can coordinate schedules.

I’d love to find a place that is close to campus, especially the Physics Building. To be completely honest, I have a friend that hangs out there a lot. He’s a ginger, always down to eat and sunbathe. I would ask him to move in with me,

but he’s a cat, and I don’t think he has a stable source of income. I’m curious about his financial situation, but I know it’s rude to ask. I’m sure you will hit it off with each other once I introduce you all! I mainly respond through Slack, Pinterest DMs or Clash of Clans 1v1 battles, so feel free to contact me through any of those if you have questions. Have a nice day! Go Aggies :)

Disclaimer: This article is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and the names of “sources” are fictionalized.

NATALIE CHENG / AGGIE

CUT FUNDING. NOT OUR SKULLS.

Inside the California National Primate Research Center at UC-Davis, experimenters cut open monkeys’ skulls and sever part of their spinal cords to inflict damage, even though these kinds of experiments haven’t been useful to humans in the past. Another experimenter has been tearing thousands of baby monkeys away from their mothers for years to study early-life stress. UC-Davis has squandered hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, even though public records show a litany of federal animal welfare violations, including monkey escapes, injuries, and deaths.

UC-Davis, close down this relic, and channel your resources into human-relevant, 21st century science instead.

Help us close the California National Primate Research Center. Go to PETA.org/CNPRC

Using sheep on campus as lawnmowers has multiple benefits

UC Davis study finds that sheep mow and fertilize urban lawn landscapes while decreasing students’ stress levels

BY KATIE HELLMAN science@theaggie.org

For the past two years, 25 UC Davis sheep have been released from their barns seasonally to graze at various parts of campus. These sheep not only provide ecological benefits, but they also improve the mental health and stress responses of students.

Haven Kiers is the lead author of the new study, which was published in The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in January. Kiers is also the director of the sheepmowers project and an assistant professor of landscape architecture in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Science. She surveyed around 200 students with the help of co-authors and additional researchers.

“We noticed that people were just really happy when the sheep were around,” Kiers said. “It boosted their mood and people were starting to say that when the sheepmowers were out, they would come by before an exam to destress, or if they were already stressed they would come and sit [by the sheep].”

Caroline S. Dewa of the UC Davis Department of Public Health co-authored the paper and further commented on the benefits the sheep provided to students.

“For some people, it was an incentive to go to class because they knew if they went to class,

after class, they would see the sheep,” Dewa said. “For others, it was a place to relax and chill out after their class.”

To gather data for the study, student employees and student shepherds interviewed participants in person and through social media. Comments were gathered and grouped into themes that included community engagement, place identity, relaxation and academic stress reduction.

These students were found to have a notably lower likelihood of feeling “very stressed” or “stressed” when in the presence of the sheep compared to those who were not exposed to the animals.

“Since the 1980s, college students in the U.S. have self-reported a decline in their physical and emotional health,” the study reads. “[The results] highlight the potential value of nature-based animal-assisted interventions on campus as a strategy for improving students’ mental health and well-being.”

This tradition with sheep mowing, which includes Suffolk, Hampshire, Southdown and Dorset breeds, began in 2021 amid COVID-19 masking and social-distancing protocols. The sheepmowers program’s intention was to determine if there was a correlation between grazing sheep and the health of urban lawn landscapes so that they could be utilized more frequently on campus.

One-of-a-kind study explores changes in the coastal West region over past 10,000 years

The coastal West differs regionally in climate and oceanography throughout the period

BY LILLY ACKERMAN science@theaggie.org

A recent study out of UC Davis is the first of its kind in synthesizing climate and oceanography records. It drew records from individual regions in the coastal Western United States into a comprehensive paper that covers changes in the entire region throughout the Holocene.

The Holocene is the most recent geological epoch, or division of geologic time, spanning the last 11,750 years and continuing through today. Despite the fact that it encompasses the present, the Holocene is still relatively understudied in the world of geology.

Veronica Padilla Vriesman, the second author on the study, recently earned her Ph.D. from UC Davis in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. She explained why this synthesis paper was necessary.

“It’s interesting; [the Holocene is] the most recent geological interval, but in some ways, it’s the least understood geologically,” Vriesman said. “[G]eologists tend to focus on millions of years ago, and biologists and ecologists tend to focus on seasons. So this is kind of the in-between timescale.”

According to Vriesman, the inspiration for the study came out of a graduate seminar led by Professor Tessa Hill in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.

“We were looking into climate patterns over the past 10,000 years along the Pacific and the West Coast of North America,” Vriesman said. “And we realized that the paper we were hoping to read didn’t exist, so this paper kind of became a project out of what was missing from the literature.”

The study’s lead author, Hannah Palmer, who graduated with a Ph.D. in earth and planetary sciences from UC Davis in 2021, noted that the study found significant variations in climate patterns, ocean productivity and dominant tree types for coastal Western North America at different times during the Holocene.

According to Palmer, three main subsections within the Holocene can be differentiated, beginning with the early Holocene. This time period was characterized by warmer and drier conditions and reduced coastal fog. It also featured pine-dominated coastal forests (unlike the redwoods we are used to today) and reduced ocean upwelling and productivity, meaning there was decreased synthesis of organic matter and respiration from surface species like phytoplankton that support the consumers in the ocean. During the middle Holocene, the region began to transition away from the dry and warm

conditions.

“In the Middle Holocene, the region was wet and cool and the conditions we see today began to develop during this time (8,200-4,200 years before present), including an increase in coastal upwelling and ocean productivity and an increase in coastal fog and coastal redwoods,” Palmer said via email.

Finally, the late Holocene features characteristics we are used to today.

“The Late Holocene is the most variable interval, both spatially and temporally, and a novel spatial trend appears in terrestrial climate with warmer coastal areas and cooler inland areas,” the study reads.

The study also found a marked change in several environmental factors within the last few hundred years, a time period referred to by Palmer as the “Era of Colonization.”

“A critical finding of this study is the signature of human impacts on the climate and environment beginning several hundred years ago at the onset of settler colonization and continuing through to today,” Palmer said. “Notable changes include changes in fire activity, shifts in pollen and vegetation composition, landscape change (such as movement of sediments and changes in the chemistry of sediments), and changes [in] marine resource use.”

The authors hope that their study, which puts together several pieces of the complicated history of the Holocene, can help inform decisions and further research in the face of a changing climate.

“The patterns identified here can inform how we predict and plan for future climate change,” Palmer said. “Further, I hope this study informs future work [that studies] human-environment interactions.”

Return of sheep grazing on campus for the second year during sheep mowers event in spring of 2022. (Haven Kiers / Courtesy)

JOANNE SUN / AGGIE

UC Davis suffers a 34-point loss against UC Santa Barbara in Big West quarterfinals

BY MARLON ROLON sports@theaggie.org

A season of ups and downs for UC Davis Women’s Basketball came to an end in Henderson, Nevada after a lackluster performance during the quarterfinal round of the Big West Tournament. The Aggies fell to the No. 4 seed UC Santa Barbara, 70-36.

“It’s obviously really disappointing,”

UC Davis Head Coach Jennifer Gross said, following the team’s playoff exit. “We felt like we were playing some great basketball last week going on the road and got two big wins. We were trying to carry that momentum into this week and obviously struggled today — struggled to make shots, struggled to get stops. It’s always hard when you don’t finish the season playing your best.”

The Aggies went into the tournament with momentum, winning seven of their last 10 games and earning the No. 3 seed in the tournament. A week prior to the quarterfinal loss, UC Davis even defeated UC Santa Barbara by a margin of 21 points on the road, splitting the season series 1-1. On the road, the Aggies also defeated the No. 2 seed Long Beach State during their regular season finale.

However, coming into this season, a lot of uncertainty swirled around the team; they were no longer the Big West favorites that dominated the conference over the course of the last four seasons. UC Davis Women’s Basketball was in a rebuilding stage after three star seniors who won four regular season championships, two Big West Tournament championships and two trips to the prestigious NCAA Tournament graduated last year.

“We brought a lot of new pieces

this year, we obviously graduated some talented seniors that had been pretty successful and brought in Tess Sussman, Tova Sabel, Victoria Baker, Nya Epps and Megan Norris coming in from a redshirt year,” Gross said.

The Aggies struggled in the early portion of the season and it was evident that it would take time for the new players to gel with the rest of the team.

The roughest stretch of the season came from Nov. 22 to Jan. 5; in that span, the Aggies lost seven of 10 games.

“We have this whole new group

of people and you can’t snap your fingers and have them just gel and create chemistry,” Gross said about the adjustment.

As the season progressed though, the Aggies looked more comfortable playing with each other. This newly built chemistry led to the highest point in their season. From Jan. 19 through March 2, UC Davis won 10 of their last 13 games.

“It was all the off-court stuff, all the relationship building, all the team building that sort of led us to this

Despite late rally, UC Davis falls to UC Berkeley in extra innings

BY CAROLYN

FENN sports@theaggie.org

The Aggies’ softball team couldn’t keep up with their four-game win streak from the previous weekend, losing 8-5 to UC Berkeley on Tuesday, March 7 at La Rue Field. Despite losing the game by three runs, UC Davis displayed tremendous resiliency and rallied back to tie the game in the seventh inning, sending the game to extra innings.

Because UC Berkeley is a part of the PAC-12 Conference and UC Davis is a part of the Big West, their faceoff is a once- maybe twice-a-year occurrence — depending on outside tournaments. And the rare match up was going to be tough for Davis, as UC Berkeley’s ranking by the NCAA at 29 and UC Davis at 56. With the two teams in different conferences, there isn’t much opportunity for the players to face off, which could’ve been the cause of UC Davis’s struggles in the middle of the game. Pitching for the Aggies was thirdyear Pitcher Kenedi Brown, who was named Pitcher of the Week by the Big West Conference. After pitching her second career no hitter earlier in the season and being 6-3 this season, it is no surprise that UC Davis Head Coach Erin Thorpe would have her pitch against one of their most challenging opponents. To start the game, the Aggies

appeared to threaten Cal with their outstanding pitching. Brown was able to maintain her 0.00 ERA, keeping UC Berkeley from even touching first base for the first two innings. Along with their strong start defensively, UC Davis took the lead 1-0 by the end of the first inning thanks to an RBI by third-year shortstop Libbie McMahan that brought in third-year outfielder and catcher Anna Dethlefson across home plate.

Despite Brown keeping her strong 0.00 ERA in the third inning, only allowing a single walk, UC Davis’s offense didn’t carry on into the inning. For the next four innings, UC Berkeley’s third-year pitcher Sona Halajian prevented the Aggies from hitting the ball and did not allow any runs across home plate. The only times the Aggies were able to get on base came as the result of walks or the batter getting hit by a pitch.

While the Aggies were struggling to get hits, UC Berkeley was able to get the better of Brown, scoring two runs in the fourth inning and taking a 2-1 lead.

In the sixth inning, UC Davis’s defense began to fall apart as well. UC Berkeley capitalized on two errors by the Aggie defense, scoring three runs and jumping to a 5-1 lead.

While a home run by UC Berkeley’s third-year infielder D’Asha Saiki that brought two of Cal’s players across home plate was unavoidable, one of the runs was a result of an error by the UC Davis

defense.

The first run of the sixth inning by Cal came as a result of a throwing error by UC Davis’s third-year third baseman Bella Pahulu, allowing UC Berkeley’s third-year catcher Amanda Kondo to score.

Despite UC Davis’s defensive struggles at the top of the sixth inning, the offense came back strong, letting their bats fly and starting a comeback. McMahan blasted a home run deep to left field, cutting the deficit to three.

The Aggies’ defense kept Cal from scoring in the top of the seventh inning, giving the offense one last opportunity to even the score. However, they were down by a margin of three and against a PAC-12 team, so this was no easy feat.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, McMahan once again set her mark by hitting the ball to the left side of the field, allowing Dethlefson to cross home plate on an RBI, narrowing UC Berkeley’s lead to just a two-point difference.

With two outs and two strikes posted on the scoreboard, the win probability was low, but the Aggies had players on first and second base. It seemed as if the game was nearing its end until third-year right fielder Sarah Starks sent the ball flying down center field. This hit led both third-year utility player Leah Polson and McMahan to score and tie the game, 5-5. However, the Aggies could not close, and the inning ended on outs, leading to extra innings.

Despite UC Davis’s impressive rally against UC Berkeley, Cal proved to be the stronger team in the game’s extra inning. UC Berkeley was able to muster up three runs with four hits in the eighth inning and the Aggies came up with zero hits and zero runs. Cal ultimately secured the win 8-5.

The Aggies’ performance seemed to be very unpredictable throughout the game. There were strong moments by both the offense and defense, but with no consistency, it was only a matter of time until the opposition would capitalize.

However, one player that shined during the game was McMahan. Her four at-bats resulted in three hits, three RBIs and one home run. While this was a difficult loss for the Aggies, they displayed resilience, forcing UC Berkeley — who is 17-4 overall — into extra innings.

In their next outings, the Aggies defeated Rhode Island (4-3) and San Jose State (3-1) on Friday, March 10 in San Jose. On March 11, UC Davis traveled to Santa Clara and defeated Utah State University (7-6) and fell to Santa Clara (3-2).

The Aggies will travel to Southern California to open their Big West Conference play against Cal State Fullerton in a double header on March 17.

stages of the game against a confident and physical UC Santa Barbara team. Especially inside the paint, UC Davis had a hard time guarding fourth-year center Ila Lane who dominated inside the key with 10 points in the first quarter.

“We went back to some things we hadn’t run as much lately and we’re just like ‘let’s throw everything at ‘em, let’s just throw everything we run for Ila [Lane] right away and see what they got and see what they do,’” UC Santa Barbara Head Coach Bonnie Henrickson said in the post-game interview. UC Davis had a hard time generating points, only managing to make two of their 10 shots in the first eight minutes of the opening quarter. The Gauchos quickly jumped out to a 14-5 lead while the Aggies got into foul trouble early, committing seven fouls in the first quarter.

final stretch where I felt like we had developed that tremendous chemistry and so that was really a prideful moment for me just seeing that showcase itself on the court,” said Gross.

However, when it mattered most, the Aggies had their worst outing of the season and only managed to score 36 points in the quarterfinal — the fewest points scored in a game in program history.

Big West Quarterfinals

The Aggies fell behind in the early

MEN’S BASKETBALL

“We felt like going to Ila early deep in the paint, right in front of the rim where she could just pivot quickly and score,” Henrickson said of Lane’s impressive performance in the first quarter. “[Lane] got great position and we made good on-time target passes and we shot 12 free throws in the first quarter.”

As the quarter progressed, the shooting woes continued for UC Davis as the Gauchos’ defensive pressure seemed to bother the Aggies. UCSB forced third-year guard Evanne Turner to go left; Turner has trouble shooting when opponents force her left, making her uncomfortable as she could not drain a shot.

Aggies lose to Highlanders in Men’s Big West Conference Basketball Tournament

Aggies’ loss featured shooting struggles and turnovers but also a major milestone for guard Elijah Pepper

BY PATRICK FIGUEROA sports@theaggie.org

Henderson, Nev. — The Aggies struggled in their one and only game during the Big West Conference Tournament, as they lost to the UC Riverside Highlanders (68-52). The season ending loss eliminates the Aggies from the tournament.

The Aggies struggled to make shots throughout this game. They shot 34% from the field, and did not make a single three-pointer in the first half. UC Davis averaged 34% from the three-point line in the regular season but managed to only make one three-pointer out of 16 attempts in the entire game. Aggies Head Coach Jim Les attributed this to the Highlanders’ physicality throughout the game.

“I just thought that their overall physicality was really good, and they were putting bodies on us,” Les said when asked what the Highlanders did to make it difficult to score. “I thought they contested. They hard contested every look. We got very few open looks, and you know when a team is that aggressive and physical, I thought we got sped up a little bit. Any open opportunities we did have, I thought we rushed them, but then that’s a credit to them and their defense.”

On the other hand, the Highlanders

struggled to shoot from three in the first half, as they made only two three-pointers on 10 attempts. This contributed to a low scoring first half, in which the Highlanders led 28-24. However, in the second half, the Highlanders made seven out of 13 three-pointers that allowed them to pull away from the Aggies. Surprisingly, this was not part of the Highlanders’ game plan.

“Well, you know what’s funny is we wanted to pound the paint,” Highlanders Head Coach Mike Magpayo said when asked about the three-point shot’s role in his game plan. “Of course we’re a good three-point shooting team, but we wanted to pound the paint. It sucked in their defense, and we found some open guys.”

Both teams had their fair share of turnovers, but the Aggies had 12 costly turnovers that slowed them down in the first half. This included multiple errant passes that were either the result of a miscommunication or risky decisionmaking. They finished the game with 17 turnovers, but they managed to stay in the game until the second half because their defense forced 14 turnovers in the game.

Despite a tough end to the season, Evanne Turner earned a slot in the All-Big West First Team and Megan Norris was awarded Big West Freshman of the Year

UC Davis women’s basketball recap. (Christine Minarik / Aggie)

Libbie McMahan’s late heroics are not enough as the UC Davis Softball team drops to 13-7 on the season

(CARI)

The Davis women’s softball team falls to the Cal Golden Bears. (UC Davis Athletics / Courtesy)

UC Davis men’s basketball Big West postseason recap. (Maia Zhu / Aggie)