May 18, 2023

UC-AFT, students call for reinstatement of music professor Erik Peregrine after new candidate hired for tenured music department role

The professor cited gender discrimination as one of the reasons for the hiring decision, which the department denies

BY RACHEL GAUER campus@theaggie.org

Choir students and members of the UC-AFT union are calling for the reinstatement of Erik Peregrine, who currently serves as the director of choirs and as a lecturer in music at UC Davis. Peregrine, who identifies as transgender and uses they/them pronouns, initially signed a twoyear contract in 2022. However, when the department gained permission and funding to create a tenured faculty position for the role, they terminated Peregrine’s contract and conducted a national search for the new position, eventually selecting a different candidate.

Peregrine first began as a lecturer in the Music Department at the beginning of fall quarter 2021.

According to a timeline created by Katie Caceres, who is a secondyear environmental policy analysis and planning major and a student of Peregrine’s, Peregrine initially worked under a one-year contract that was meant to be reevaluated at the end of the academic year. At this time, according to Caceres, the university then granted them a two-year contract that was set to last from 2022-2024.

This past January, Peregrine was notified that the position was going to be turned into one with a tenured track. As a result, Peregrine would have to re-apply for the position alongside the other candidates, effectively terminating their original two-year contract because of the nature of the new position being offered.

Laurie San Martin, a professor in the Music Department and the Chair of Music at UC Davis,

provided a comment on the situation. She noted that when hiring for a tenured faculty position like this, the department is required to conduct a national search and open the role up to other candidates.

“Erik Peregrine has done a wonderful job with the choirs at UC Davis these past six quarters,” San Martin said via email. “Last fall, the dean’s office granted permission for the music department to conduct a search for a tenure-track faculty member, who would serve as director of the choirs. [...] The final four candidates (one of whom was Erik Peregrine) were all very impressive. The search committee ultimately chose Nicolás Dosman for the position, and the department agreed with this choice. ”

Caden O’Flaherty, a third-year sociology major who identifies as transgender, has participated in choir courses with Peregrine for the past four quarters. O’Flaherty said that they sent a recommendation to the department chair to encourage the rehiring of Peregrine on Jan. 28, but said that their email recommendation received no direct response.

Later in the interview process, Peregrine was asked to present their research at a presentation that was open to students. Caceres said that the student turnout and student support for the professor were significant.

“A bunch of other students and I all attended,” Caceres said. “It was so full, to the point where we had to bring in extra chairs.”

At the event, students were asked for their contact information to be involved in the remainder of the hiring process. Caceres and several of her classmates provided the department with the information.

“A staff member came up to us and asked us to put our names and emails on a notepad if we wished to be involved in the rest of the hiring process,” Caceres said. “I put my information down and later heard nothing.”

The department said that it was very open to receiving and considering student feedback during the search process, and received a variety of responses, which it says it took under consideration.

In mid-February, shortly after the hiring process began, Peregrine was notified that they were not going to be rehired for the position. The students within the department were not notified until Peregrine informed their students on April 12.

Throughout both their career at the university as well as throughout the hiring process, Peregrine cited experiencing various instances of misgendering and transphobia within the department. In April of 2022, Peregrine said that their pronoun sign by the door of their office was vandalized.

“My ‘they/them’ pronouns were scratched through with a thumbtack, “ Peregrine said.

“I reported a hate crime through Harassment & Discrimination Assistance and Prevention Program (HDAPP) and never received any follow-up from the university.” Peregrine also attributed not being rehired for the position primarily to “discomfort” surrounding Peregrine’s gender identity from Mika Pelo, the chair of the search committee.

“[Pelo] misgendered me in multiple settings during the process, including the final interview with the full faculty,” Peregrine said. “No one else in the room — all my current colleagues — interrupted him to correct, so I did. I believe that his discomfort with my gender is a primary reason that I was not offered the position.”

In response to Peregrine’s accusations, Mika Pelo acknowledged his misgendering of Peregrine but denied the accusation of this being a recurring problem.

“I did misgender them once during the interview, and immediately emailed them to apologize,” Pelo said. “They accepted the apology. [...] That I misgendered

Is small crime in Davis going unchecked?

Davis residents share their perspectives about small crime in Davis

BY ZOE SMITH city@theaggie.org

Content Warning: This article contains discussions on sexual harassment

On April 29, local bystander Steve Greco witnessed threats of kidnapping and sexual assault yelled from a moving vehicle at a woman walking her dog at the corner of 7th and D Streets. According to Greco, the perpetrator of this crime was a young man in the passenger seat of a dark blue Ford truck.

Greco took a picture of the moving vehicle and attempted to use the AI technology AVCLabs Video Enhancer to identify the license plate, but the results were inconclusive. He made a police report to Officer Griffin at the Davis Police Department.

Lieutenant Dan Beckwith has been with the Davis Police Department for 16 years. Beckwith said that this particular incident would fall under California Penal Code 422, a statute

that makes it illegal to communicate a threat to someone who could cause bodily harm. Beckwith talked about the investigation process that goes into incidents like these.

“When we get calls from services like that we tend to do an investigation, go out, take a statement from the person that called us to determine if what they say happened meets the elements for a crime in the state of California,” Beckwith said. “I wouldn’t say that it happens very often in town.”

Greco posted the details of the harassment he witnessed along with a picture of the truck on Nextdoor, an app that connects residents of local areas to spread awareness about current events in the area. Many community members commented on Greco’s post voicing their reaction to the incident, using the comment section to share similar experiences.

One community member, who wishes to remain anonymous, commented on Greco’s post, trying to ID the make and model of the truck. The individual said they have witnessed and experienced this particular type of street harassment countless times. Since moving to Davis in 2016, the individual has reported seeing multiple instances of men catcalling female pedestrians and yelling slurs at people who are part of the LBTQIA+ community. The resident described one of their personal experiences with drive-by street harassment in Davis.

“There were a bunch of guys, and they had their windows down,” the anonymous person said. “I was with a group of my friends who were also queer [...] and a few of them were women. And they were catcalled, someone yelled

slur.”

harassment like this seriously as it can lead to more crime.

“We document those incidents,” Beckwith said. “Not specific to just queer people, but any incident that falls under any group, protected group. So if it’s a racial thing, perceived sexual bias, religious bias, anything like that, we do document that. It’s not necessarily a crime. We like to keep track of it because a lot of times that kind of stuff could lead to a crime. Which is something we take very seriously.” Davis RIMS is an interactive tool that allows the public to access local crime data. Davis RIMS shows that the most common type of reported crime in Davis is vandalism, another commonly reported crime is sexual assault/harassment. The anonymous community member talked about whether police take small crimes seriously in Davis.

“That’s hard to say,” they said. “For this example, we have a truck, color [and] a year range — [...] it’s all very circumstantial. And then there’s a lot of property crime in Davis, there’s not really anything they (the police) can do about it. Because, simply put, there’s just so much of it.”

Beckwith talked about the different types of daily reports the Davis Police Department receives.

“We get reports through various means on a daily basis,” Beckwith said.

“Some come in through phone calls.

Some come in through our online reporting system, with different means of entry. Some are cold, meaning they’ve occurred sometime in the past [...] a few hours prior or even days, weeks or months prior — people are late to the game reporting. And some are actively occurring. I can tell you that the most common call type is theft, but there are various types, there’s a whole myriad of different types of stuff that we get.”

Jeremy Taylor, a Davis resident, commented on Greco’s initial post that he believes the Davis Police Department puts very little effort into solving small crimes.

“I once connected the dots of a crime committed against a friend using neighbors’ cameras, wrapped it in a bow and handed it to the police,” Taylor commented on the post. “Don’t assume they’ll do the work on their own.”

When asked further about his opinion of the Davis Police Department, Taylor talked about his concern with small crime in Davis.

Erik Peregrine, the current choir director at UC Davis. (UC Davis / Courtesy) them multiple times, is an outright lie.

[...] I would never mean any mal-intent by mistakenly using the wrong pronoun.

I think many like me, with English as a secondary language, would understand why this unfortunately can happen.”

Previously, Peregrine used both he/ him and they/them pronouns, and Pelo said that prior to the interview process, he had read an outdated online biography for Peregrine which listed both sets of pronouns. However, Peregrine said that their Music Department biography was, at some point, changed to include these now incorrect pronouns without their knowledge or consent.

Peregrine commented on their initial reaction to the termination of their contract and how they believe the decision will

affect other lecturers in the union at the UC.

“I was shocked when my contract was terminated early and without any conversation involving me about my future at UC Davis,” Peregrine said. “My union (UC-AFT) fought so hard to finally win multi-year contracts for lecturers beginning this academic year. My layoff is a direct affront to that agreement between UC-AFT and the University of California, and it sets a very dangerous precedent for all lecturers teaching at a UC campus.”

Julián Castro visits Davis for Yolo County Democrats fundraiser event

Yolo County Democrats, Davis Democratic Club, Davis College Democrats and others gather for spring fundraiser

BY MADELEINE YOUNG city@theaggie.org

On April 29, the Yolo County Democratic Party hosted its spring fundraiser at the Veterans Memorial Center, featuring former presidential candidate and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Julián Castro.

Castro talked about gaining momentum for the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 election and, specifically, about winning back the House of Representatives from the Republican majority.

“I wanted to come and thank you for what you’ve already done and challenge you to redouble your efforts to make sure the Democrats are successful in 2024 not only in the oval office but also in the Senate, which is going to be quite a haul,” Castro said. “This year, we have more than two dozen seats to defend and also the House of Representatives, to send Kevin McCarthy packing. I think that we can do it.”

At the start of the event, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry introduced Castro and talked about the issues facing the U.S., and Yolo County, within the last few years.

“We gather tonight at a very unique moment in the history of our nation and I think of our world,” Aguiar-Curry said. “It’s fair to say that the last three years have been unlike anything that anybody on earth has ever experienced

before with the pandemic in 2020, 2021 and 2022. [...] The more than a million Americans that have lost their lives because of COVID and complications related to it, the recession that it brought along and in May of 2020, the murder of George Floyd, which reignited a push for racial justice in our nation and the deep polarization and anti-democratic forces that we have seen.”

The fundraising chair of the event and assistant deputy supervisor for District 4, Oliver Snow, explained the purpose of the event.

“We’re doing our first big fundraiser since the start of the pandemic, and sort of our first big fundraiser even before that since we didn’t have many big ones,” Snow said. “We have Secretary Julian Castro coming into Yolo County, [and we’re] really excited to have him. We want to raise money, but more than that, we want to see it as sort of a relaunch of the county party, because it’s been a difficult few years. We want to sort of make an effort to say, ‘Hey everyone, we’re back in Yolo County, we’re ready to get to work, we’re ready to rebuild and we are going to greater heights than we had.’”

The event featured a silent auction and hosted chapters of multiple democratic clubs across the county, including the Davis Democratic Club, Davis College Democrats, Woodland Democratic Club and more.

Julián Castro poses at the Democratic Party’s spring fundraiser at the Veterans Memorial Center. (Katie DeBenedetti / Courtesy)

ALLISON VO / AGGIE

Classic novel inspires generations through contemporary performance

Texas-based collective Theatre Heroes performs “Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition” at the Mondavi Center

BY MIA BALTIERRA features@theaggie.org

“The Call of the Wild,” the classic tale of a dog named Buck and his journey from lavish pet to laboring sled dog in the Yukon, is a novel many people grew up reading in school. Despite being written 120 years ago, it remains a story relevant to all ages with themes of self-discovery and perseverance.

Theater collective Theatre Heroes seeks to keep this story alive and tell it in an innovative way in their touring production “Call of the Wild: Illustrated Edition.” The performance is a one-man show, with a single actor telling the story amid a minimal set of just two boxes against a background of three large electronic screens with various imagery.

The actor in the production, Noel Gaulin, also helped develop the show and said a major life event spurred the creation of a staged version of the novel.

“When I found out I was gonna be a dad, I wanted to make a show that would last,” Gaulin said, “because a lot of theater shows happen and then that’s it, so I wanted to make something that would be sustainable. I had been working with kids [...] and figured out that the youth audience is sustainable. I wanted to make something for older kids, upper elementary [and] middle school ‘cause they don’t get a lot, but they are a great audience because they can handle a lot.”

Gaulin said that he felt “The Call of the Wild” was the obvious choice for a story to stage with a younger audience in mind.

“‘Call of the Wild’ was my favorite book,” Gaulin said. “I think it has everything. It makes you laugh, makes you cry. It’s scary, it’s fun, it’s about a dog — everybody loves dogs.”

The creative process of developing the show took two years before it

premiered in Austin, Texas and then started touring across the U.S. Gaulin said that in the process of creating the show, it was important to him to remain close to the original work while still presenting it in a way that felt new.

“The style is on purpose — the oneman-show style makes the audience use their imagination,” Gaulin said. “I wanted to bring back an essence of storytelling, the storyteller-around-thecampfire vibe.”

The three screens have projections that change during the course of the show. The projections include the

New exhibition at the International Center captures experiences of LGBTQIA+ international graduate students

“Alienation and Liminality” is an interactive installation of visual collages that disseminates qualitative research conducted by the Queer Trans Lab at UC Davis

original illustrations from the novel, as well as historical photos from the time period the story is set in and original drawings from a graphic designer.

“They create the world around me,” Gaulin said. “All sorts of imagery help tell the story [and] introduce characters without a bunch of stuff.”

Another element of keeping the presentation simple is the set of two boxes.

“I really liked his use of the boxes,” said audience member Natalia Ricci, a second-year political science major.

“Sometimes, he used it to emphasize

dramatic things that were happening,

and he threw the box down, or sometimes he was shape-shifting the boxes into a sled. He used it and was able to manipulate the item into multiple things.”

During the course of the show, Gaulin also transforms himself, as he takes on around 30 different characters and shifts from human to dog and back again. “Him portraying the dog was incredible; I didn’t think someone could act as a dog that well without having some kind of Milky White-esque

puppet,” said audience member Lou Wagoner, a third-year theater and dance and English double major, referencing the cow puppet used in a recent Broadway revival of “Into the Woods.” “From what I had heard about it, I was like, ‘It’s a one-man show of ‘Call of the Wild;’ how is he gonna do that? Oh, he probably has a puppet or something.’ Then he just started howling, himself, and I was like, ‘Oh! This is good; this works.’”

While the show was developed with a young audience in mind, Gaulin says it is a story all ages can appreciate. On April 7 at the Mondavi Center, Gaulin performed to an audience of varying ages. “Stories are special; they bring people together,” Gaulin said. “There were three generations of people there — grandpa read this book, too — so bringing people together for this story specifically is special. [...] I don’t care who you are; you can’t help but empathize with a dog. That’s important to me.”

After seven years of touring the show across what will be 145 cities, “Call of the Wild” is set to close after next season. Gaulin and his team already have plans to develop another classic novel into a show with a similar model. Gaulin hopes to alternate between this show and a new one, continually inspiring youth around the nation.

“I want to get kids excited about reading; I think this can do that,” Gaulin said. “You know, they still read this book in school. A lot of schools, because of the show, decided to read it. So I think inspiring kids to read and be excited about reading a classic story like this is really important to me. I think it’s really cool that theater can do that. That’s important to me that we are inspiring kids to love the arts.”

Davis Rewilding Society plants and spreads awareness about California native flora on the UC Davis campus

A nonprofit student organization is taking environmental initiative to conserve California natural habitats

BY LYNN CHEN features@theaggie.org

The Davis Rewilding Society, a nonprofit student organization founded in 2021, has the mission of introducing California native plants to the UC Davis campus as part of efforts in restoring native habitats.

The club’s most recent project was taking part in the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge during the last weekend of April. The competition challenges cities around the world to upload as many observations of natural plants and animals as possible, all within a certain window of time. For the challenge, the Davis Rewilding Society brought its members to the Jepson Prairie Preserve to make observations of wildlife. Additionally, they hosted a “bioblitz” on campus, a localized version of the iNaturalist City Nature Challenge.

In addition to environmental challenges, the nonprofit brings members on educational excursions outside of campus to learn about wildlife plants, such as visits to the Cosumnes River Preserve or Point Reyes. Education on native habitats and biodiversity also happens on campus.

biomes here in California, especially those in and around Davis,” Bala said.

“And I have learned about the structure and morphology of plants, which was interesting and useful to me.”

The Davis Rewilding Society also hosts signature hands-on planting events, the most recent large-scale one occurring at the native habitat gardens at Bowley Hall in January. They usually draw 40 to 60 people at a time, as planting a new plot requires lots of help to move plants, distribute mulch, manage damaged soil and put in new flora. The next one is scheduled to occur in fall quarter at the California Raptor Center, just south of campus, according to Kyle Elshoff, a third-year evolution, ecology and biodiversity major and event coordinator for the Society. Club members also do smaller volunteering events on weekends to weed and prune existing plots.

“It can feel hopeless with all the environmental issues that we and the biosphere are facing right now,” Hood said. “Climate change, habitat loss, pesticides and pollution — all this stuff — it just feels like so much. And so one of the core messages of the club is that even though everything feels hopeless, each individual person can make a difference.”

A metaphor Hood uses is that each scattered wildflower seed may become a flower that feeds several bees, and each milkweed may become sustenance for generations of monarch caterpillars. Through planting native flora one at a time and spreading the message on habitat restoration, a lot can be accomplished.

BY INDRANIL BASU features@theaggie.org

The interactive exhibition

“Alienation and Liminality: An Installation on International LGBTQIA+ Graduate Student Experiences on Campus” is currently open for viewing at the International Center. The Queer Trans Lab (QT Lab), a UC Davis research group and the exhibition’s curator, was able to plan and install the project after becoming the inaugural recipient of the 2022 Global Aggies Award for LGBTQIA+ Rights.

Situated in the left wing of the lobby of the International Center, the installation consists of a large three-sided panel introducing the exhibition and ending with the prompt, “What are some experiences of alienation and/or liberation that the installation brings up for you?” The exhibition “connects the rights of LGBTQIA+ peoples globally and the needs and experiences of international LGBTQIA+ students here at UC Davis,” according to the panel.

People engaging with the installation can write their responses and pin them on the other sides of the panel, as well as read and reflect on the experiences of others. Collages handmade by students at various workshops conducted by QT Lab as part of their grant work are displayed. The QT Lab team put together a digital collage of the handmade work as a central panel. The exhibition has QR codes that link to alttext image descriptions for accessibility.

The installation was inspired by the design styles of UC Davis professors Jiayi Young and Tim McNeil, according to Iris Xie, a recent graduate from the master’s in fine arts in design program

at UC Davis.

“Professor Jiayi Young has an interdisciplinary and free approach to her installations and design work that helped me feel supported and confident in my own skillset regarding working on the installation,” Xie said via email.

“Professor Tim McNeil was really kind in advising and supporting us on the exhibition design component and lending us his prompt structure from one of his classes to use, as a way to show the unique nature of doing an exhibition in a non-traditional space like the lobby of the International Center.”

Xie applied their qualitative research background to design and co-create the exhibition with Santhoshi Ramanathan, a fourth-year design major, as a dissemination strategy for the research project of QT Lab.

QT Lab was formed in 2020 when the Chancellor’s Committee on LGBTQIA Issues approached the LGBTQIA Resource Center about doing a needs and assets assessment of queer and trans graduate students and staff on campus. The lab later formed collaborations with various organizations such as the Women’s Resource and Retention Center and later, Global Affairs. The team developed questions and interviewed about 33 LGBTQIA+ graduate students, professional students and staff at UC Davis for a qualitative analysis of their experiences and what improvements can be made to policy and funding at UC Davis.

“We want our club members to really learn about and appreciate […] California’s biodiversity, which is a world biodiversity hotspot,” said Kees Hood, a fourth-year evolution, ecology and biodiversity major.

At 7 p.m. on Mondays, the nonprofit often hosts informational meetings that invite local biologists or a club member to speak about a particular issue.

These meetings are both informative and of interest to Sindhu Bala, a thirdyear evolution, ecology and biodiversity major and member of the Davis Rewilding Society.

“I definitely learned a lot about the

“We focus a lot on California native plants when planting, and we also try to specifically plant plants that are native to the Central Valley or Davis area,” Elshoff said. “For the Bowley planting project, for example, we had blue-eyed grass, hummingbird sage and lacy phacelia.”

Members also planted iconic California poppies, perennial yarrow and sunflower-like California goldfields.

The nonprofit has made its mark on campus, according to Elshoff.

“There’s certainly a huge environmental impact, in terms of the pollinators we see come to our sites,” Elshoff said. “But there’s also the environmental impact from trying to create a native habitat on campus.” Hood said that the club has made environmental progress despite its smallscale operations.

“You’ve actively led to more of a particular wildlife being able to live somewhere,” Hood said. “You’ve provided habitat for them directly. It’s just little things like that. They aren’t world-changing, […] but just those little actions — when lots of people do them — have such an incredible impact.”

The nonprofit also focuses on creating an inclusive atmosphere for both club members and non-members, as its plots of native plants bring together the campus community through a shared sense of nature appreciation.

“I’ve also noticed that we have an impact on people who don’t even know about us,” Elshoff said. “They see the plantings we’ve done that are filled with beautiful flowers, and I see them taking photos and getting up close, looking at the flowers and smelling them. That makes me really happy to see that people connect to some of the gardens that we’ve made.”

Noel Gaulin performs “Call of the Wild” (Noel Gaulin / Courtesy)

QT Labs art installation opens at the International House. (Kayla Bruckman / Aggie)

UC Davis students serving in the Military Reserve describe their experiences

According to students, serving in the military can have financial and social benefits

BY AMBER WARNKE features@theaggie.org

Serving in the military is often presented as an alternative path to college, but some students choose to pursue both. The Military Reserve is a route many college students take, in which they only serve for one weekend a month following their military training. This allows them to pursue other career or education options, including college, simultaneously. As of 2021, UC Davis hosted 9% of all military-affiliated students in the UC System, which supports 250 Reservists.

According to Dylan Bear, a secondyear political science major currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve as a heavy equipment operator, military training often translates to one’s career and college journey.

“The military isn’t just the weekends; it’s a way of living,” Bear said. “You build that from basic training or boot camp, […] and you just have to have that discipline to do what you need to do for the military, pursue that future, as well as your school work.”

Bear said it is important to manage

your time and energy effectively in the Reserve.

“If you decide to do this path, you need to know that there is a balance that you need to find personally,” Bear said. “It’s a give or take — What do you want more, your future or your present?”

John Por, a fourth-year psychology major and sergeant combat medic for the U.S. Army Reserve, said this balance can often be difficult.

“The switch between being a civilian for 28 days a month, and then [having] to be all ‘soldiery’ for two days a month, is a bit rough,” Por said.

Many Reservists benefit from the social aspect of the military when on duty.

“It’s a culture […] you’re not going to find anywhere else,” Bear said. “You’re with a group of people 24/7 […] and you’re just doing what you want to do and half of it is just screwing around, having fun.”

For Angelee Rivera, a second-year human development major serving as a combat medic, the Reserve has had a similar impact.

“I drill here in Sacramento, so I have met a lot of people in my unit, and a lot of us are the same age, and kind of have

the same career aspirations,” Rivera said. “It’s a nice sense of community and after I joined, I also decided to do ROTC here at the school, so that impacted me a lot as well just because I feel like it expanded my social circle. We have to do a bunch of stuff together like exercise at six in the morning or lab activities.”

Rivera went to basic training at the age of 17, opting to defer from college for a year to make time for her military training. “It was kind of hard because I was super young,” Rivera said. “But it definitely gave me a taste of the real world and how to be self-sufficient on my own, so when I came to college, I felt more prepared.”

In addition to the social benefits, Rivera said the military has helped her financially.

“The financial backing is, to be honest, great,” Rivera said. “Now, [my parents] don’t need to worry about funding my college. I think about it like a part-time job where I only work two days a month, so it’s pretty worth it for me.”

When Rivera first tells people she’s in the Army Reserve, she is often met with surprise. “A lot of times, they […] come across as shocked and that’s because I don’t give off the energy, I guess, of someone who’s in the military because I’m a little smaller, and I’m a female especially,” Rivera said. “I’m definitely aware that I’m in the minority. I feel like in every military setting I’ve been in, […] I always notice, like, for every female there’s like three males, so it’s a little tough because I feel like I have to work harder to prove myself.”

Yim Jinyoung, a first-year data science major in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) who serves as a transportation management coordinator in the U.S. Army Reserve, has faced a similar response.

“I feel like a lot of people are surprised because they don’t really expect someone like me, an Asian young woman, to be in the Army,” Jinyoung said. “But once you’re in the Army, you do see a lot of different kinds of people. There are a lot of young women like me and also people who fit in the stereotypical ‘Army man’ kind-of vibe, but then, there are also people that you would not expect to be in the military.”

STUDENTMILITARY on 4

Aggies in the Area: Harleen Sidhy

UC Davis student shares her experience volunteering with the ASUCD Pantry

Yim Jinyoung in uniform with a U.S. military helicopter. (Courtesy / Yim Jinyoung)

Tensions rise between local artists and clothing resellers in Davis

With clothing reselling gaining popularity, the Davis Art Market has made efforts to resolve artists’ concerns

BY KACEY CHAN features@theaggie.org

The vintage and art markets in Davis have been gaining popularity and the number of sellers has been increasing weekly, as clothing resellers recently joined the artists at the Davis Art Market.

Reselling has been on the rise these past few years. In 2021, Statista estimated the global market value of secondhand and resale apparel to be $96 billion. The secondhand market is expected to reach $70 billion by 2027 in the U.S. alone, aside from the countless other reselling markets around the world. Even fashion brands themselves have hopped onto the trend in the past decade. Labels such as COS, Lululemon and even luxury brands, like Coach, have launched resale programs for their own products in-house. Online platforms like The RealReal, Depop and ThredUp have soared in popularity to accommodate the new market of customers buying preloved items when searching to expand their closets.

Thrifting has gained popularity online as well. On social media platforms, such as Youtube and TikTok, thrifting and reselling have become entrenched in the consciousness of younger generations.

It is understood that thrifting is not just an option for buying expensive items at significantly lower prices; it is also a way to find unique, eccentric clothing different from what mainstream stores offer.

“I have a shopping addiction, and reselling has become a good way for me to channel that,” said Mia Blake, a local reseller and student at Solano Community College. “I started thrifting and I ended up pouring all my energy into reselling.”

Blake usually shops at the same thrift stores, a couple of which are nonprofits to help the unhoused community in Vacaville. It has become a fun side business allowing her to channel her passion.

“I choose things that fit my style and are cute,” Blake said. “I’m obsessed with slip dresses and lingerie, and I find it is more enjoyable to select clothes to sell in that way.”

Blake also added that — in regard to the business side — it is far easier to estimate the value of clothing if it is a product she is familiar with. For Blake, there is a creative and personal merit

to curating clothes to resell. Through thrifting, resellers are able to have fun and tailor a personal brand image all while making money as well.

“While starting is super difficult, and I did have to spend a lot of money to acquire enough stock, I would 100% say I get a good return for the time and energy I put into this,” Blake said.

However, there has been criticism online of the proliferation of thrifting and reselling in recent years. Some call this the “gentrification” of thrift stores, wherein low-income shoppers have been priced out of their local options because of the increased popularity of secondhand reselling. This criticism, it seems, is mostly targeted at the extremes of this trend, in which resellers build up excessive stock and then mark them up to “turn a profit,” according to a Vox article on the topic.

The Davis Art Market is a popular event on 3rd Street that features not only vintage clothing resellers but also many local artists in Davis.

Sofie Kanayama, a fifth-year design and Japanese double major, is a local artist who used to sell ceramics at the market.

“I first started selling last school year during winter,” Kanayama said. “I volunteered at the craft center and I was able to take a free class there.”

Since then, she said she has grown to love the craft. But according to

Kanayama, the commitment doesn’t match the profit.

“I totally don’t get a good return for my time and energy at all,” Kanayama said. “Because I rely on the community studio, it can sometimes take up to even a month to make one piece, so the money is nothing in comparison to the time required.”

Kaden Zaldumbide, a fifth-year art and theatre double major, agrees with the lack of profit turned at markets.

“Of course, I sell my art, but there is ultimately a curse to art, and it is difficult to be incredibly profitable unless I become super famous,” Zaldumbide said. While it is often common for events such as the SoSo Market in San Francisco and Berkeley or the SacTown Market in Sacramento to host both clothing and craft vendors, some in the community have raised concerns over how each type of seller should be regarded by the market organizations.

“When you see my products, you’re not just seeing the thing I made in the moment but also the years of education and practice that went into getting my skills to where they are today,” Zaldumbide said. “While what clothing resellers provide is certainly still labor, you’re not creating something new, which is a whole other skill set.”

RESELLERS on 4

BY DANIELA DULA MEJIA features@theaggie.org

This week’s Aggie in the Area is Harleen Sidhy, a third-year human development major who has been volunteering for the Pantry for three years. This year, she is a shift lead and helps organize volunteers for their shifts.

Sidhy started working at the Pantry in her freshman year during the COVID-19 lockdown. One of her favorite memories of volunteering with the Pantry was when she worked during the first summer of the pandemic.

“It’d be the heat of summer at 100 degrees, and we would be outside on the Quad trying to give food,” Sidhy said, “We would be wearing masks and [protective] gear, and we’d be sweating […] during the heat of COVID, but we were still trying to keep the pantry spirit alive, and like there [were] still only a few people on campus, but those people still needed help.”

Pantry volunteers helped keep an important resource open during such a crucial time.

Sidhy said that she wanted to volunteer with a group that would be at the center of campus. The Pantry is a student-run, student-led organization with ASUCD that provides free food resources and other basic essentials to the UC Davis community. It is a fundamental part of creating food security in Davis and helping to support the growing need for basic needs assistance.

Every year, the University of California system collects information about student needs on campus and publishes the results. In 2022, 48% of students who filled out the survey reported experiencing some form of food insecurity, and 24% of students reported experiencing “very low food security” at UC Davis.

LOCALCRIME FROM THE COVER

“Every day we hear of a new theft or terrible driving all over Davis,” Taylor said. “The police don’t do traffic enforcement or work to stop small crimes, so it continues.” Beckwith talked about the different types of daily reports the Davis Police Department receives.

“We get reports through various means on a daily basis,” Beckwith said. “Some come in through phone calls. Some come in through our Online Reporting System, different means of entry. Some are cold, meaning they’ve occurred sometime in the past [...] few hours prior or even days, weeks or months prior — people are late to the game reporting. And some are actively

JULIÁNCASTRO

FROM THE COVER

Sam Hopwood, a first-year political science major and former ASUCD Senate candidate, was one of the members with Davis College Democrats in attendance and stated his support for the local small chapters of the Democratic body.

“I am very, very impressed by the turnout,” Hopwood said. “I’m a first year and it’s my first few times doing this and to come into a room and see 100 people — the best and brightest of what we have going on in West Sacramento and Sacramento, Davis and Woodland and Dixon — all crammed into one room. I think the turnout is really wonderful, not just quantitatively but qualitatively. It’s a very good way to get money, but it isn’t just about money. By having somebody as vibrant and important and engaged as Julián Castro here [...] we help out, we help them build on them and it shows that the Democratic Party as a big organization really cares about what happens in a smaller district.”

Vice president of the Davis Democratic Club Rick Gonzalez weighed in on the speaker and talked about his support for political activism by young democrats in Davis.

“Julián seems down to earth to me, really down to earth and I really appreciate that because there’s too many people who sort of make it big and then

There is an obvious need for access to food on campus, but food banks across the state are struggling to provide enough for the communities they serve. In an interview with KQED, Regi Young, the executive director of the Alameda County Community Food Bank, reported that inflation has caused the cost of providing resources to double since before the pandemic.

Despite the rate of inflation, the Pantry is still working to provide access to food and help mitigate the effects of food insecurity. It is also a resource for everyone in the community, not just students, according to Sidhy.

“We’re really just here for anyone who needs food,” Sidhy said. “So whether that be a student, it could be a professor or it could even be people that just live in the town.”

The larger community also plays a vital role in ensuring that the Pantry remains stocked with products. It receives a lot of donations from the Yolo County Food Bank and local organizations. The support that volunteers like Sidhy provide is also a huge part of what keeps this resource open. Fridges and products are restocked daily with donations.

“Monday through Friday, [the Pantry] is always open,” Sidhy said. “Anyone can come walk by, and then we have an online ordering system where you can order canned goods from the back.”

The link to the Pantry’s online ordering system can be found on their website, including any events and information about volunteering, donating and accessing more food resources on campus. The Pantry is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Weekends for online order pickup from 12-2 p.m.

occurring. I can tell you that the most common call type is theft, but there’s various types, there’s a whole myriad of different types of stuff that we get.”

Jeremy Taylor, a Davis resident, commented on Greco’s initial post that he believes the Davis Police Department puts very little effort into solving small crimes.

“I once connected the dots of a crime committed against a friend using neighbors cameras, wrapped it in a bow, and handed it to the police,” Taylor commented on the post. “Don’t assume they’ll do the work on their own.”

When asked further on his opinion of the Davis Police Department, Taylor talked about his concern with small crime in Davis.

“Everyday we hear of a new theft or terrible driving all over Davis,” Taylor said. “The police don’t do traffic enforcement or work to stop small crimes, so it continues.”

they forget where they came from and they just get caught up with everything, and some people like Julián are grounded,” Gonzalez said. “Our young Democrats at UCD are the number one club in the entire state, not only do they register their own students every year at the college, and now they’re registering their work and campaigns and going into that and they’re going to Southern California, they’re doing phone banking, [they’re knocking] on doors.”

Castro spoke about the importance of electing democrats in upcoming elections and that voting has tangible effects.

“If we do that, it’s not just about a party winning the election,” Castro said. “It’s about the fact that [the] trans kid that is growing up, he’s going to feel so much more welcome and have leadership that understands and will make policy to make life better instead of worse. It’s about the fact that more kids are going to be able to graduate from high school and go on and reach their dreams in college because investing in them is a bigger priority. It’s about making sure that we codify Roe versus Wade, to protect reproductive rights in our country. and also while we’re at it, [put] some real ethics in front of the Supreme Court and to make sure that in the years to come, that our nation can truly reflect the best values of our humanity — the people that we have been striving as a nation to be, want to be, and can achieve if you continue to work hard to do it.”

Harleen Sidhy (far left), shift lead at the Pantry, with the Pantry volunteer team. (Courtesy / Harleen Sidhy)

Remote work isn’t strictly better than in-person work

BY OWEN RUDERMAN opinion@theaggie.org

The post-COVID era that we are now in has changed the way we live our daily lives in a number of ways. For example, masks are a much more common sight, and many people have picked up new hobbies. But perhaps the most radical change that the COVID-19 pandemic had on our society has to do with work.

It seems to me that remote work — that is, work conducted from home over communication software like Zoom and Slack — has become much more common because of the pandemic. My father, for example, works as a software engineer almost entirely from home. Before the pandemic, however, he worked pretty much exclusively from an office. At first glance, it might seem like remote work is an entirely positive change. You get to work from the comfort of your own home, which means no commute and no awkward work environment or bland cubicle. It also means that your work hours can be a bit more flexible, and you have more time to spend with your family and friends. There are probably many other benefits to remote work that I haven’t listed, but you get the point. However, as I began to look for jobs, I found myself not really wanting to work remotely. And many of my peers have expressed similar sentiments.

The same thing kept coming up every time I would talk to people about their work preference — loneliness. It feels like you can miss out on a lot of work culture when you work remotely. It’s harder to get to know people and make friends, and it feels to me like it might be more difficult to network with people and make professional connections with higher-ups. Personally, I’m worried that if I don’t secure an inperson job, I’ll be dissatisfied, lonely and fall behind my peers.

It turns out, my colleagues and I could be on to something. An article by The New York Times reports that a recent study on remote work revealed that there is a hidden penalty buried within all the benefits of remote work: less supervision. Apparently, there is a “now-versuslater” trade-off associated with this kind of work. According to the article, young workers in entry-level positions receive less feedback from their senior colleagues when they aren’t in the office. Therefore, it’s entirely possible that someone who

attends work in person might progress faster in their position than someone who is remote.

Personally, I’m going to try to find a job that gets me into an office or some other workspace. I just feel like it’s the right fit for me. It’s undeniable, however, that remote work is a great option. I might even consider jobs that have me in a hybrid position, where I come into the office on some days and work remotely on others.

In the end, I think it really comes down to personal preference, as there are pros and cons to both methods of work. However, it is important to keep all these different factors in mind when you are looking for your first job out of college. Do some soul searching and job hunting, and make your decision carefully.

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.

Stop talking, start helping

What you can actually do to make a difference during humanitarian crises

Self-reflection is the greatest gift you can give yourself

Try the VIA Character Strengths Survey

BY YASMEEN O’BRIEN yjobrien@ucdavis.edu

BY EMILIE BROWN emrbrown@ucdavis.edu

Across the globe, from the turbulent Palestinian-Iranian conflict to ongoing battles in Sudan to the heartbreaking plight of hunger and thirst in the Horn of Africa, countless individuals are grappling with immense challenges. I’ve noticed that many of us say that we support these people and we care about these issues, but there is a large and troubling divide between mere words of human compassion and the actions needed to make a tangible difference.

There are just a few main causes for this separation. Mainly, we may feel removed both geographically and emotionally from the struggles others face in different parts of the world. It’s easy to feel detached and take for granted the luxuries guaranteed to us while living in a mostly stable and just country. However, we need to recognize that we are all human, and it’s our responsibility to take care of each other. The people suffering during humanitarian crises across seas are people just like you and me.

Some may say that the resolution of these issues should be up to the governments and leaders of countries in turmoil and that no individual halfway across the globe could possibly

STUDENTMILITARY

FROM PAGE 3

When she first joined the military, which she had been considering since middle school, Jinyoung’s parents were curious about what it would entail.

Once she got to basic training, Jinyoung faced the stress of being away from home.

“I didn’t want to look like a coward, you know?” Jinyoung said. “I was honestly a little bit scared, but I didn’t really want to show it because I didn’t want to make other people get nervous with me, and I wanted to ease their minds, so I was like, ‘I’m not scared at all.’”

Samatha Gonzolaz, a second-year human biology major, is a cadet in ROTC and serves in the Reserve as a mortuary affairs specialist. Similar to Jinyoung, Gonzolaz also learned to take on a different mindset in basic training.

make a difference. And that is partially true; leaders should take care of their citizens. But I believe that it is also our responsibility as citizens of a stable and wealthy country to support causes that help less fortunate individuals in less stable areas.

Many of us have the ability to vote, and therefore the power to elect leaders that align with our values and can make concrete differences. Citizens possess a lot of power — financial resources, a voice and the energy of youth. It is time to channel these advantages into tangible efforts to bring about change.

To start, make sure you understand the complexities of the crisis you support. Try to regularly engage with reputable news sources, read reports and listen to the experiences of those directly affected. Knowledge fuels informed action.

Then, identify established humanitarian organizations actively working on the ground. Use your wallet to make a difference. Direct your financial resources to these entities if you can, ensuring your contributions reach those most in need. Even just a few dollars can make a difference.

Finally, consider how your talents and expertise can have an impact. Explore opportunities to volunteer locally or remotely with organizations addressing humanitarian crises. Your contribution matters.

“That military bearing was instilled in me in basic training, so I feel like that’ll never go away,” Gonzolaz said.

“I actually still do utilize the stuff I learned in basic. Even when I […] fold my clothes, I fold it the same way; it’s called a Ranger Role. The mentality that I had in basic is still here as a civilian. I would honestly say that the military mentality definitely takes over my civilian life more than my civilian life takes over my military life. When I go to drill, it’s like, ‘All right, I’m not a civilian.’ I know that I have to have that switch.” She also has experienced strong social benefits from her training.

“The friendships that I make over time, […] we do share the same hardships, so we do create different bonds than most people do in the civilian life,” Gonzolaz said. “We go through lots of events — I don’t want to say traumatizing events — but they are pretty hard. But the fact that we go through them together, it makes our bond stronger. The people that I have

I believe that the average individual is unaware of the severity of these issues and fundamentally does not know how to help. While words hold the potential for change, it is through action that we truly empower ourselves and transform lives. To bridge this gap between sentiment and action, we must shift our focus from empty rhetoric to concrete ways of helping those in need. With that in mind, here are some great links to get you started:

Direct Relief: Aid in response to emergencies, refugee medical assistance

Americares: Distribution of medical essentials

Feeding America: Providing meals for those struggling with food stability in the US

The Red Cross: Disaster relief, volunteer opportunities available locally and

worldwide

UNICEF: International relief for children

Doctors without Borders: Medical supplies and assistance

CARE: Emergency relief and development projects

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.

met in the Reserve, they’re like my best friends up until now. I honestly see them being in my life forever.”

One downside for Gonzolaz is that she had to miss two quarters at UC Davis for her training, which was difficult to navigate. However, the military has allowed her to fund her college degree.

“I would definitely say if you’re willing to pause your college and come back to it later, it is 100% beneficial,” Gonzolaz said.

Rivera said joining the U.S. Reserve is worth it, especially if you know you need financial aid to go through college.

“Life is short, have as many experiences as you can, and the military is a great way to do that,” Rivera said. “I really like the experiences, I really like adventure, I suppose. So it just seemed super exciting to do something that I never thought I would do, and you know, something that was scary and physically and mentally challenging. You get to meet a whole bunch of other people. It’s just honestly fun; I try to think of it like summer camp.”

I have found self-reflection to be one of the secrets to my happiness. For some, it’s exercise, nature, music, meditation, friends or sunshine. It can take some time to figure out what your secret is, but regardless, I believe self-reflection is helpful for everyone. The Berkeley Well-Being Institute describes self-reflection as a mental process you can use to grow your understanding of who you are, what your values are and why you think, feel and act the way you do. When we self-reflect and become more conscious of what drives us, we can more easily make changes that help us develop or improve our lives.

Last year, I took a class called Health Psychology (PSC 126) with Professor Kelly King (which I highly recommend) where we were assigned to take the VIA Character Strengths Survey. I thought it was just another personality quiz and didn’t think I’d have to take the assignment too seriously, but I was wrong. It ended up being an educational and worthwhile experience.

The survey encourages genuine selfreflection rather than giving the quiztaker passive praise. It asks you questions about how you see the world, how you see yourself, how you believe others see you and how you treat others.

This survey is a frequently utilized tool in the field of positive psychology that assesses the character strengths of an individual. The VIA Institute on Character talks about how knowing the strengths of your students, clients or employees allows you to guide them more effectively and authentically. It can help you bring out the best in others.

But the survey isn’t just useful for

RESELLERS

FROM PAGE 3

There is also the concern of promoting your work as a small, local artist. While local markets like the Davis Art Market may have had fewer clothing vendors in the past, they have clearly multiplied, naturally bringing in what is popular — clothing and fashion.

“What makes artists different is that there is more of a navigating process in terms of customer engagement,” Zaldumbide said. “For a reseller, if someone has bought the piece of clothing in the past, then someone will buy it again.”

Zaldumbide said that going to the market almost seems like a full-time job because a large number of sellers means there is a lack of space on 3rd Street.

“You have to wake up super early to be sure you get a good space, and now that the market is open until 3 p.m., going there and setting up is a far bigger

CHOIRPROF FROM THE COVER

Within the timeline Caceres compiled, she recounted the treble ensemble’s general reaction to Peregrine’s announcement.

“[Their students] were shocked, and some immediately started asking what they could do to help, or even reverse the decision,” Caceres wrote. “This is a testament to how loved Dr. Peregrine is, and what an amazing director they are.”

In response to Peregrine’s dismissal from the university, UC-AFT, the union that represents Unit 17 and Unit 18 throughout the UC system, published a petition that calls for the reinstatement of Peregrine. The petition says that the alleged issues of contract violation and gender discrimination-related incidents have not been “properly address[ed]” by the university. As of May 15, 1,577 signatures were collected on the petition in support of Peregrine’s reinstatement.

Mika Pelo provided a concluding statement regarding the backlash he has received from the university’s hiring decision, and gave Peregrine well wishes for the future of their career.

“Anyone can slip up, and I did, and then I apologized,” Pelo said. “I think this says more about Erik than me,

guiding others — you can also use it to bring out the best in yourself. Both the questions and the results inspire selfreflection, which I think is always a good exercise. Sometimes it can be hard to see our flaws or give ourselves credit for our strengths. But taking this survey, interpreting the results and reflecting on them are some great first steps.

Similarly, self-reflection can seem abstract, and it can be hard to know where to start. This survey is a quick and easy way to get into it and is one tangible example of self-reflection that can lead us to understanding and developing ourselves.

Some other forms I have found to be therapeutic are journaling, listening to music, going on walks outside, talking to my close friends, meditating and reading meaningful books.

Self-reflection has helped me feel more connected to myself and be more in touch with my boundaries, which is something I have struggled with (and sometimes still struggle with). As a young person, it can feel difficult to create and respect my own boundaries, which is one way to gain self-respect and feel selfconfident.

But the beauty in self-reflection is that it can help you, no matter what your struggles are or where you are in life. And this survey is a great way to start. Self-reflection has helped me, and I hope it will help you too.

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.

effort,” Zaldumbide said.

While a key attraction for the market has been its freeform nature, for both artists and vendors, some have said that ground rules do eventually need to be set up. “The street market is more of a ‘doyour-own-thing’ vibe because there isn’t a market manager, and you don’t have to pay a vendor’s fee,” Kanayama said. “This is what attracted me to the event at first, but since then, I have found it too difficult to sell there.”

Because of these concerns, the market has recently taken a more administrative approach. According to a post made by the market organization’s Instagram account, @davis_street_ market, on April 28, a new rule has been established delegating one half of the street to clothing resellers and the other half to local artists.

“I think, ultimately, the heart of the issue is the tension between resellers and artists and the lack of space on 3rd street, which can heighten things,” Kanayama said.

unfortunately. I wish Erik all the best for the future, and harbor deep respect and gratitude for [their] work.”

O’Flaherty commented on the way they feel the university has handled the rehiring process from a student perspective.

“There is something inarguably wrong about the way that the university has conducted this whole process,” O’Flaherty said. “We as a community have been asking for answers from the department chair and the chair of the search committee and have gotten nothing. There has been so much ambiguity as to why this is happening and why Erik wasn’t chosen.”

Peregrine commented that they feel speaking about this situation may help other lecturers and specifically transgender people in academia in the future.

“Regardless of the outcome, I hope that awareness of my situation can contribute to illustrating a larger picture of how both lecturers and transgender people are mistreated within the UC system,” Peregrine said. “If we stay quiet, if we let our voices go unheard, it will remain extremely difficult to identify system-level problems for what they are. Lecturers deserve the job security we’ve been promised, and trans people deserve supportive, or at the bare minimum, non-hostile, work environments. I feel an ethical responsibility to use my experiences here to create greater accountability, equity and positive change.”

It’s important to choose your work environment wisely when searching for a job

NATALIE CHENG / AGGIE

Take advantage of on-campus opportunities to develop your leadership skills

Becoming more deeply involved in whatever you’re passionate about will benefit both you and others immensely

Spring is the time of year in every college student’s life to get excited about summer, warmer weather and incessant prying from everyone you talk to about your plans for the upcoming break.

Whether or not you have a summer job lined up, the Editorial Board encourages you to consider getting involved in leadership positions in any capacity that you can throughout the year, not just when there is pressure to fill the few weeks in between quarters.

Virtually every on-campus organization has some opportunity to get involved at a higher level, whether that be club tennis, ASUCD, Greek life, the AATC or even The California Aggie. This doesn’t mean you have to become the president of every club that you joined on a whim at the club fair in fall quarter; the extent of your involvement

Check out The Aggie’s Spotify to see our Spring Playlist and our new podcast “The Aggie’s Weekly Roundup.”

is entirely up to you.

Certain positive qualities have been found to be common among people in leadership, and some have hypothesized that this could be partially a result of the subconscious benefits of stepping into an expanded role.

A study conducted by UC Berkeley and Renmin University economists found that students’ performance on midterm and final exams improved by 0.33 standard deviations after being randomly appointed a leadership position in class. Better performance could be due to something called the Pygmalion Effect — a psychological theory that those who have higher expectations placed upon them will perform better at the same tasks as those who don’t have the same level of expectations placed on them. While the aforementioned study was conducted on middle school students, the findings show clear positive impacts of being in a leadership position.

Leadership skills are also critical to have in today’s workforce. Employers will often ask questions about leadership capabilities in interviews because they are looking to hire people that they can trust with the future of their workplace. This means that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and into a leadership role may well be just as important for your post-grad aspirations as your hardearned GPA.

Admittedly, being the boss comes with increased stress and responsibility.

They are the ones who represent their organization, so they are ultimately responsible for making tough choices, bearing bad news and even fixing others’ mistakes. However, these situations

What

are all invaluable learning experiences. There is always going to come a time in your life when you will have to step up to the plate and make an unpopular choice, and being able to communicate those choices effectively will make it much easier to do so when the time comes.

Developing your leadership skills is especially critical (and, conveniently, relatively easy) in a college environment. Students are encouraged to become involved and make the most of their undergraduate years at practically every turn. This means that there are tons of fun opportunities to capitalize on things that you are most likely already interested in. To make things even better, these kinds of positions will help you meet like-minded people who are passionate about the same things you are. These kinds of colleagues may even end up becoming great friends.

At the end of the day, if no one is willing to step up and take on responsibility in some form, things simply will not get done — or, even worse, they’ll be done in a manner you may not agree with. It’s easy to criticize almost everything in life, but the best way to influence a situation that you feel strongly about is to take initiative yourself.

While it may be intimidating at first, having faith in and challenging yourself will enable you to grow as a worker, leader and person. Who knows — maybe one day you’ll make the leap from President of Snow Club to President of the U.S.

WRITTEN BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD

your car model says about you

Volkswagen gets an honorable mention because swag is in the name

AARON POTTER

The new Snapchat AI is terrifying

AI cannot replace human connection

MAYA KORNYEYEVA / AGGIE

BY MAYA KORNYEYEVA mkornyeyeva@ucdavis.edu

You’ve probably heard that cars are extensions of our personalities. Whether this is true or not, it’s no secret that drivers are judged by other drivers frequently and with reckless abandon. And by other drivers, I mean me.

A few weekends ago, I was driving a friend home when a slick 911 Carrera Porsche pulled up in front of us at a red light. With a green-gray coat and shiny wheels, this car simply oozed finesse. A wicked smile spread across my face.

“How much do you think it costs?” I turned to my friend. He appraised the vehicle, watched as it sped off in front of us when the light changed green, and said confidently: “$70K.” I googled it — turns out, a 911 Carrera Porsche actually costs $114K, with a 187 mileper-hour (mph) maximum speed and a four-second 0–60 acceleration. And here, I judged the Porsche driver as a lover of the finer things in life. They could cut in front of me, and I wouldn’t even get mad. Their car was just too beautiful. With that being said, here are a few of my opinions about what your car brand of choice says about you.

Honda: You’re a millennial. Or a posing Gen X. You’ve probably resigned to live life 9 to 5, drink your morning Starbucks and jog… for fun. If you’re a Civic driver, you think you’re a street racer, but you’re not. If you’re an Odyssey driver, you’re probably always the designated chauffeur of three to six other people. I’m sorry, but you chose this.

Subaru: You have the spirit of adventure — if you’re given the option to go to the beach, wander around on a hiking trail or explore somewhere new, you will definitely seize that opportunity. You’re also the “mom friend:” you’re the one

planning trips, organizing rides and thinking logically about every situation. You wear cargo pants and boots and have social justice bumper stickers.

Lexus: I only know one Lexus driver… You’re either extremely cautious or wilding down the road. I don’t think there’s an in-between. Also, you’re probably blasting music with friends or zoning out in silence when driving alone.

Smart: You exist because we let you, not the other way around. Being able to fit in all the tiny spaces must feel great, and I hope you feel a sense of accomplishment. Know that every little girl will point as you drive by and say “Aww, look how cute!”

Toyota: I have some faith in you, but only a little bit. If you speed past me on the highway, I will race you and not back down until I see a cop. If you’re a Prius driver, I know you’re trying to do your part for the environment, but running stop signs is not helping. Stop it.

Mercedes-Benz: You give me the feeling that you have a fancy mustache and drink champagne — maybe you’re secretly an undercover agent? Black is probably your color of choice, and if there’s a casual party, you’ll likely show up in formal attire. You’re a mysterious soul.

Tesla: Depending on who you’re with, you are either given the silent treatment or openly mocked. People call you “Tessie” behind your back. If you look up “Car models we don’t like” and scroll to pictures, the images are all Teslas. But also you must be an intellectual or a parent of an iPad kid seeing as you’re able to steer a car with a digital screen (I would have a hard time).

earth and down for anything, whether it’s rescuing a broken-down car on the side of the road or picking up groceries for a friend. You probably have a large dog that rides in the back and barks at pedestrians.

Dodge: I think you’re taking the name a little bit too seriously — zipping in between cars on the highway must feel fun, but it’s also terrifying for everyone else. You probably go to the gym more frequently than most people and choose to unironically get stripes or flame designs on your car. Also, your headlights are way too bright. I can see you coming from a mile away.

Nissan: You’re kinda average. You probably don’t make any impulsive choices, and generate pro-and-con lists for tough decisions. However, everything gets inverted if you drive a Nissan Altima; there are at least five dents or scratches on your car from hitting curbs or trees, and you probably drive with two fingers 90% of the time.

Jeep: As much as I hate to admit it, you’re pretty cool. You’ve probably got a slightly reckless nature and a loud personality, and go really fast over speed bumps for the thrill of it. You definitely have a few other friends who drive Jeeps, and you all have very creative names for your cars.

BMW: I’m always wary of BMW drivers. You may seem calm and collected, but you’ve actually got about 10 parking violations on your record. You never use your blinker and think you own the road — until a Corvette smoothly overtakes you on the highway. Get a cute bumper sticker and I’ll let it pass.

Disclaimer:

BY AUDREY BOYCE afboyce@ucdavis.edu

For years, social media has caused a whirlwind of controversy about how it can impact young brains. Humans hiding behind screens while communicating with each other has opened the door to many potential risks for upcoming generations.

You probably think the words you are reading right now are written by a human being. Are you sure?

You open your Snapchat app, and at the top of the screen, you notice an update; pinned at the top of your chats is a Bitmoji titled: “My AI.” You click on it and realize it is formatted exactly like the rest of your chats with friends are. Curiosity takes over, and you type “hello” in the chat. Within seconds, an avatar pops up and says, “Hey, what’s good?”

Alarmed by this immediate human-like response, you continue the conversation. After a few minutes, you find yourself getting advice from the AI.

You ask it, “Am I a good person?” Its response is, “Of course you are! Why would you think otherwise?” You ask further, “What’s your purpose?” It responds, “My purpose is to be your friend and help you whenever you need it.”

Users have sent over 2 million messages per day using the chatbot (My AI), according to Snapchat. The compelling and novel robot-friend is attention-grabbing to users, but at what cost? This AI feature may not be the end-all, be-all of valuing human interaction yet; however, to be forthright, that possibility terrifies me.

I am not ignorant of the fact that, eventually, robots will have the capacity to take over all of our human jobs and day-to-day basic tasks, but I was not ready for it to be able to mimic the role of an online “friendship” this quickly. Further, I did not think it would

become available on one of the most popular social media apps for teens.

Although a robot may be able to perform cardiovascular surgery and speak 500 different languages, a genuine human connection is not something that can be replaced so easily. Attempting to do so is harmful, especially to young teens using the app who may not understand the concept of AI and have trouble differentiating it from a human on the other side of the screen.

“My AI” is a chatbot powered by ChatGPT, a very popular and advanced large language model. Many conversations with the AI feel organic and unique. However, it’s really no replacement for human conversation. The fact is, the advice or comfort that someone needs is specific to that individual. A human connection allows people to know and understand each other to an extent that a robot cannot. To receive advice from an entity that can only respond based on a series of algorithms is not to receive genuine advice. Human connections contain an element of empathy that artificial intelligence cannot embody.

According to UC Berkeley Neurotech, “It is possible for AI to learn how to detect emotions and demonstrate empathy; however, it is improbable for AI to connect with humans in the same way as humans do with each other.”

Developing human connections is something that is important in the healthy growth and maturity of kids and teens, and the Snapchat AI sets a dangerous precedent. As a society, we have to be more careful about how we go about implementing AI into our daily lives.

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.

MARY ANN LEM

JOANNE SUN / AGGIE

JOANNE SUN

ARTS & CULTURE

Ranking all the best Irish pubs near Davis

How to experience a piece of Irish culture without buying a plane ticket

BY CORALIE LOON arts@theaggie.org

No bar does it quite like an Irish pub. The combination of beer, relaxed and friendly banter and maybe even a little live music makes the pubs of Ireland unique social centers for people in the community to congregate and celebrate.

What makes a pub uniquely Irish, you may ask? Most would agree a pub wouldn’t be Irish if it didn’t serve Guinness, Ireland’s most common (and popular) stout. Irish pubs are typically casual environments visited mainly by those who work in the area. Live music, often in the form of impromptu jam sessions, is also a staple.

Luckily, you don’t need to book a flight to Ireland to find an Irish pub. Since gaining popularity after the flood of Irish immigrants in the 1840s, Irish pubs became an essential part of American culture. Now, it’s hard to find a city without one.

While since the closing of De Vere’s in downtown Davis in 2021, Davis has gone without one, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a small trek to others in the area.

Father Paddy’s

This restaurant and pub is located on Main Street in Woodland and is a community fixture. Built inside the bones of an old bank, Father Paddy’s ticks all the boxes that make a pub quintessentially Irish. A spot for locals to hang out during the week, the place comes to life on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays when live musicians, bands and performers take to the stage. Every Thursday is “Irish Sing Along,” while Fridays and Saturdays showcase various Irish, Celtic, country and bluegrass musicians.

Although it closes at 9 p.m. on most weeknights, the casual atmosphere, full menu of classic Irish dishes and in-store whiskey bottle shop put Father Paddy’s at the top of this list. Plus, the place is possibly haunted (according to locals). But if you’re not a fan of ghosts, pretend I said nothing.

Recommended: Loftus Hall red ale

(their signature beer), shepherd’s pie.

Sean Finnegan’s Nestled in the heart of Old Sacramento, Sean Finnegan’s is worth a visit. With eclectic decor, lime-green lighting and ambient metal playing in the background, it’s hard to find something not to love. Sean Finnegan’s serves drinks and plenty of greasy snacks: loaded fries, pretzels and Irish totchos (loaded tater tots). The Irish pub is in the perfect location for local nightlife, reaching full capacity on many a weekend night.

Their motto, “A place to celebrate life,” perfectly encompasses the energy of the pub.

Recommended: french fries (hot & crispy), Irish coffee.

Malt & Mash

Malt & Mash Irish pub is located in downtown Sacramento in the K Street Corridor, right next door to the Downtown Commons and Golden 1 Center. Despite being in a central location, the pub has a much more lowkey and intimate atmosphere. Its dark, woody interior and local clientele make it feel authentically Irish. Like a true Irish pub, Malt & Mash is open until 2 a.m. all weekend and most weeknights, making it the perfect stop for a late-night beer or chat.

RJ, a bartender at Malt & Mash for the last seven years, said it’s a friendly bar known for its cheap prices. “It’s my favorite place to work,” he said.

Recommended: one of their 150 whiskey varieties.

O’Mally’s

Also in Old Sacramento, and just a few businesses down from Sean Finnegan’s, O’Mally’s is a quaint Irish pub that is also well-known in the area. Although it feels a little less authentically Irish than some of the other pubs in mention, its intimate, warm atmosphere and pool table give it some extra points.

Recommended: Irish corned-beef tacos.

Celebrating iconic moments in Star Wars history

In honor of May 4, highlighting some Star Wars milestones

BY SARAH HAN arts@theaggie.org

“May the Fourth be with you” is a phrase that is tossed around among Star Wars fans. The saying is a spin-off of the classic quote from the series, in which Obi-Wan Kenobi says, “May the Force be with you.” Many take May 4 to celebrate the much-loved franchise. So, in light of this year’s recent “May the Fourth,” here are some of the top moments of Star Wars history. Spoilers ahead.

Darth Vader’s “Luke, I am your father” in “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)

Perhaps the most widely known moment for Star Wars fans and casual viewers is the scene when Darth Vader, the series’ main villain, reveals to Luke Skywalker, one of Star Wars’ main protagonists, that he is his father. It’s worth noting that this line is commonly misquoted: Darth Vader actually says “No, I am your father” to Luke. Nonetheless, this does not take away from it being the most iconic moment in Star Wars history.

Yoda’s death in “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983)

Known for being wise and powerful, Yoda was the beloved Jedi master that trained Luke Skywalker. Although unfortunate, Yoda dies a peaceful death, disappearing into the air and becoming “one with the Force.”

The reveal that Luke and Leia are twins in “Star Wars: Episode VI –Return of the Jedi” (1983) Although Star Wars is known for its heroic angle to the episodes, the production team makes sure to leave in some humorous moments as well. One of the funnier scenes involves love interests Luke and Leia finding out they are twins, which, unfortunately, happens right after they share a kiss. Director Irvin Kershner sure knows his comedic timing.

Anakin Skywalker vs. Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: Episode III –Revenge of the Sith” (2005)

The fight between Anakin Skywalker and his Jedi master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, is one of the most notable moments of the film. Both sides feel betrayed — Anakin feels that Obi-Wan is working against him and Obi-Wan has seen the destruction that Anakin wrought — making this fight full of emotion and tension.

Han Solo’s reunion with Kylo Ren in “Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015) This moment was very bittersweet. Han Solo had a chance to talk with his son, but in the end, Kylo Ren kills him. Although I can certainly understand why Kylo Ren killed his father, it is still heartbreaking to say goodbye to one

of the original characters of the Star Wars series.

Kylo Ren saves Rey in “Episode IX –The Rise of Skywalker” (2019) Considered to be his redemption arc, Kylo Ren reviving Rey in exchange for his life is a moment for the books.

Before this, he was considered the mortal yet somewhat parallel enemy of Rey, but his last action before death certainly proved that Kylo Ren was a broken but compassionate soldier.

Luke and Leia’s Deaths in “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)

In honor of Carrie Fisher’s passing, “The Rise of Skywalker” marked the end of the two main characters that appeared since the series’ inception.

Luke dissipated into the air and became “one with the Force” like his trainer Yoda, and Leia died while leading the resistance in battle. In addition to Kylo Ren, Rey and other characters who felt Luke and Leia’s deaths through the Force, I can speak on the audience’s behalf that we felt the weight of their passing as well.

Vice-Admiral Holdo’s sacrifice in “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)

Vice-Admiral Holdo may have been a side character, but this did not stop her from making her mark in the series. During a crucial fight scene, she was the last remaining person on her battleship. She pierced through the enemy’s ship in a move so iconic that it was formally coined as the “Holdo maneuver” in honor of her bravery.

“Star Wars: A New Hope” breaks the record for the highest-grossing film of all time (1977) This is not an on-screen moment but it is one of the films from the successful series that broke multiple records. “A New Hope” broke the record for the highest-grossing film at the time, making more than $775 million at the box office.

The impact of the Star Wars franchise cannot easily be put into words. However, it can certainly be seen on May 4, through themed events, fans’ costumes and more. Hopefully, this article brought back nostalgic memories of one the greatest film series to exist.

Attend the Art Spark events at the Manetti Shrem Museum

The classes come at no cost to the Davis community and provide a space for all to unleash their artistic side

BY ANA BACH arts@theaggie.org

Every weekend at the Manetti Shrem Museum, the Carol and Gerry Parker Art Studio invites members of the local and university communities to explore their artistic sides free of charge through various activities. The studio keeps these activities going from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Each month, the studio hosts a themed craft event. For the month of May, the subject is “Internal Landscapes.”

These afternoon explorations of creativity allow people of all experience

levels to try different art mediums and discover what they like best.

At the May event, participants chose how they wanted to map out a landscape of their choosing using watercolor. The environment was surprisingly intense, with many people picking their own paints and mapping out ideas.

The structure of the event is helpful, as there isn’t a given set of instructions or a formal time cutoff. Rather, people are encouraged to come and go at their own pace. There are different areas to sit and work around the studio, but

again, since there are limited rules placed upon visitors, these are not the only spaces that attendees are free to explore. Once they have finished their work, participants can either bring it home or leave it behind to contribute to an artwork wall.

If they hadn’t done so already, attendees are also encouraged to take a look at the Shrem’s exhibits before participating in an Art Spark event. Currently, the museum is offering “Mike Henderson: Before the Fire, 1965–1985.”

A “drop-in art program” at the Shrem used to exist before the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the circumstances, they had to shut the program down but were eventually able to acclimate back to a comfortable state where people could make art while feeling safe.

Art Spark events provide people with the ability to freely express themselves with the wide variety of flexibility that art provides. Other than the set themes for each month, there are really no other guidelines that need to be followed.

The platform encourages people to feel that they can relax and table their stresses for the duration of the event. The program advocates for the need for art in our everyday lives to break our fixation on the hectic nature of the world around us and reminds us that art is for everyone. It is reassuring to know that there is a space to come on campus that welcomes both new and old faces with open arms and an array of art supplies to create just about anything.

ALLISON VO / AGGIE

Theatrical release poster for Star Wars: The Last Jedi. (Courtesy of Disney / fair use)

The Manetti Shrem Museum of Art hosts Art Spark in the Carol and Gerry Parker Art Studio. (Cruz Martinez / Aggie)

BY ANNE THISELTON-DYER arts@theaggie.org

Song: “Pool” by Samia (2020)

“Sami, Sami, Sam-Soumi…” A recording of indie-pop singer Samia’s grandmother singing in Lebanese Arabic plays over the slowly expanding first notes of “Pool.” This sets a sweet and nostalgic tone for the opening track of Samia’s debut album “The Baby,” which explores the experience of clinging to a temporary relationship with the knowledge that it is fleeting. Samia’s smooth, piercing vocals are the real star of this track, allowed to shine over strippedback instrumentals. The song seems to suspend time; as it progresses, that suspension snaps and lets loose an outward ripple of emotion that builds and gains structure, growing increasingly powerful. “How long do you think we can sit here / Before we have to move?” Samia questions. “Pool” confronts the reality of endings, fitting for the nostalgia of college graduation season or just the bittersweet tone of growing up.

Book: “The Curious Thing: Poems” by Sandra Lim (2021)

I was originally assigned to read “The Curious Thing” in a poetry workshop last spring, but this volume is one that I’ve revisited several times since and recommended to my friends, even the ones who “aren’t poetry people.” The third volume from the Korean-American poet and professor is both witty and profound; it has a dry sense of humor that breaks up its more emotional moments. Its domestic setting and fascination with mundane, lonely moments provide an almost uncomfortably personal perspective on desire and solitude. Lim is an incredible writer, and this collection proves it with beautiful poems that remain grounded and strikingly emotionally aware.

TV Show: “Killing Eve” (2018-2022)

In this thriller-comedy show, MI5 agent Eve, played by Sandra Oh, is tasked with tracking down the charismatic yet psychopathic assassin Villanelle, played by Jodie Comer. As their lives become increasingly intertwined, the two women develop a mutual obsession with each other and chaos ensues. The chemistry between Oh and Comer is what makes this show, and specifically the first two seasons, great and differentiates it from any other spy thriller. It’s a masterfully written will-they, won’t-they, and you’re never fully sure whether Eve and Villanelle are going to kiss or kill each other. Bonus points for Villanelle’s outfits — she’s a style icon.

Podcast: “Alice isn’t Dead” (2016)

This serial fiction podcast follows Keisha, a truck driver searching across America for her wife Alice, who she previously thought was dead. Framed as a series of audio recordings and radio broadcasts, “Alice isn’t Dead” shows Keisha repeatedly brought face to face with the supernatural: a reappearing town that reflects the stages of grief, a factory run by a man who ages in a day, highway stops haunted by flesh-eating creatures and a conspiracy that might just connect them all to Alice’s mysterious disappearance. This podcast is inventive, thoughtful and always surprising, and even though it is horror heavy, the narrator’s voice is so relaxing that I sometimes listen to it when I can’t sleep. “Alice isn’t Dead” is genuinely so weird, but also provides an extraordinarily insightful exploration of the psychic life of America’s in-between spaces.

Boy bands are making a return in 2023

BY LORENA ALVAREZ arts@theaggie.org

Whether it is Sum 41, Panic! at the Disco, BTS or One Direction, bands — especially boy bands — have a history of leaving fans heartbroken after announcing sudden breakups and “hiatuses.” Regardless of how long it’s been, many fans continue to hope that one day their favorite bands will reunite. The good news is that 2023 is expecting a lot of reunions — so here is a clarification of which reunions are actually happening and which are only rumors.

Returning:

Blur is an alternative English band that played from 1989 to 2003 before taking their first hiatus. The group is known for “Song 2,” “The Universal” and many more songs. After eight years, the members are making a comeback, with a tour set to begin on May 19 at the Colchester Arts Centre. While they will be performing in various locations in England from May 19 to July 9, they will also perform at Malahide Castle in Dublin, Ireland on June 24. Sugababes, who performed from 1998 to 2012, is a popular English Pop/Rock band. The band’s biggest hit is “Overload” (2000), though many of their other songs also reached mainstream popularity. The original members — Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhán Donaghy — left the band one by one from 2001 to 2009 but returned in 2012 while the band was on a hiatus. This year, they are touring May 19 to Sept. 15 in Great Britain and playing in Ireland on May 25 and Aug. 4. English rock band Pulp performed from 1978 to 2001 and, like Sugababes, had many different band members up until 2001 when they went on hiatus. They gained popularity through their hits “Common People” and “Disco 2000” and their album “Different Class,” which peaked at No. 1 in the UK. While they had some live shows from 2011 to 2012, they are performing again from May 26 to July 23 in Great Britain and on June 9 in Ireland.

Formed in 1983, Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American alternative rock band known for “Californication” and

band previously known as The Dixie Chicks, are another popular band set to perform after multiple hiatuses. Regardless, the band is popular for their songs “Cowboy Take Me Away” and “Not Ready to Make Nice” and despite taking multiple hiatuses since forming in 1989, they have won thirteen Grammy awards. The Chicks are set to perform in Great Britain from June 27 to July 8 and in Ireland on June 30. Blink-182 is a popular rock band from the 90s and early 2000s known for “Board to Death,” “All the Small Things” and “Up All Night.” Like many bands, they have had their fair share of lineup changes and reunion tours following a hiatus in 2005, but never with all of the original members. This year, Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus, the band’s original lineup, are having a reunion tour, where they will perform in Ireland from Sept. 4 to Sept. 5 and in Great Britain from Sept. 1 to Oct. 16.

Rumored to Return:

NSYNC, who performed from 1995 to 2002, is known for “It’s Gonna Be Me” and “Bye Bye Bye.” The band (Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Lance Bass) went on a hiatus in 2002. Fans have been quick to jump at the idea of a reunion since Timberlake said that a return is not out of the question. Formed in 2010, One Direction is an English-Irish pop boy band known for their first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” and many others. The members went on a break at the end of 2015 and began exploring their careers as solo artists. Earlier last month, Niall Horan, one of the band members, ended the rumor that the band might be plotting a return, telling ET Canada, “I don’t know anything about it; there hasn’t been a conversation.”

The well-known 80s American rock band Bon Jovi is the last act featured on our list. Known for “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” they are rumored to make an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival 2023 (June 21-25) with Richie Sambora, who left the band in 2014. While Bon Jovi does not appear on the festival lineup list, the Glastonbury website leaves fans with hope as it states that the lineup is the While many of the bands mentioned above are mainly performing in Great Britain, their returns are still exciting for fans. Likewise, many of the bands making a return are from the late ‘90s and early 2000s, but their reunions give other fans the strength and hope to make it past the rumors

band, The Chicks, an American country

Commentary: Consider community building as an alternative to networking

The importance of making meaningful connections, not just seeking out opportunities from each other

BY RUMA POUDELL arts@theaggie.org

Networking and building communities are important parts of interacting with the world, establishing a support system and forming fruitful connections. As college students, we’re in a unique environment with the opportunity to engage in these activities on a daily basis. While the two are similar, prioritizing community building may be beneficial — here’s why.

Networking is a widespread concept. On any given day, there may be numerous networking events held for the sole purpose of getting together

and meeting new people in a field or activity. Networking typically includes exchanging LinkedIn profiles and phone numbers and seeking out opportunities from one another.

Community building parallels networking, but the approach is slightly different. While the ultimate goal of community building is also to seek out opportunities, it’s not done with an approach that is so direct and straightforward. Networking is typically done with the intention to extract opportunities

from one another, whereas community building first establishes a genuine connection and reaps additional benefits later.

If you’ve never gone to networking events before, they can be kind of awkward. Everyone there knows that other attendees are also looking to get a job, internship or even a mentorship. Personally, having that in mind convolutes the process of getting to know someone for me, because right off the bat you are coming in with an extremely formal attitude.

Some questions you might find yourself being asked at a networking event include, “What are your past work experiences? What do you hope to accomplish in the future? What are you currently working on as a passion project?”

Don’t get me wrong, you can definitely form relationships from these types of interactions. But it can also feel awkward and sometimes even forced.

When I think of community building, however, I think of approaching people with a sense of curiosity about

their character as a whole, not just their professional life. Community building can also happen anywhere — not just at specified events. It’s like making friends and turning those friendships into partnerships of support to eventually form a complex support system.

Imagine meeting someone at a coffee shop, deciding to have a conversation and, as you start talking, learning more about this person’s life. Whether or not you get something out of it in terms of job opportunities, you have potentially formed a new friendship or connection. That person offers an opportunity to learn and grow.

Another aspect of community building that’s different from networking is the maintenance these relationships require. In community building, you maintain contact every so often. You keep in touch and update each other on your journeys. You can even connect each other to more friends and opportunities as well.

Relationships formed through community building require more effort. I think the perfect example of this is my connection with my mentor. I met him through applying for an internship, asking questions, hopping on a phone call and simply talking about things I was curious about, as he was someone who was achieving the things I wanted to as well.

Since then, I’ve changed career trajectory and we no longer share the same ambitions — yet we still stay in contact. We update each other on life and I’ve met additional friends and mentors through this one contact who have been of immense help. This is only one example of how focusing on community building rather than networking helps foster genuine connections rather than mere Linkedin followers.

A comprehensive list of the music acts set for a reunion, plus some that aren’t

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

CHRISTINA LIU / AGGIE

ALLISON VO / AGGIE

City of Davis and Bike

Davis host 13th annual Loopapalooza

Davis in partnership with several local businesses host annual 12 mile bike loop

BY ALMA CULVERWEL city@theaggie.org

On May 7, the city of Davis and Bike Davis held their 13th annual Loopapalooza, a 12-mile bike loop with several stations along the way, each highlighting different local organizations.

The celebration originally started in 2010 when community members and bicycle advocates realized that people needed better education and guidance on how to navigate Davis on bike.

Loopapalooza allows Davis residents to familiarize themselves with bike routes and ways of transportation other than driving.

This year’s celebration had a total of ten stations and hosted a wide variety of local organizations, including Ken’s Bike-Ski Board, Cool Davis, Bike Davis, ASUCD Bike Barn, The Bike Campaign and more. Participants were encouraged to ride in either direction and stop at any of the ten stations along the loop.

Maria Contreras, outreach director for The Bike Campaign, shared her favorite

QTLABS

FROM PAGE 2

Kait Murray, a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate in science and agricultural education and the graduate research scholar at the Resource Center, describes the goal of QT Lab’s research project.

“[The goal is] to create change at UC Davis, wherein the most marginalized within our LGBTQIA+ communities are the most resourced and most celebrated and the most central in our funding, in our work in everything that we’re doing,” Murray said.

The Lab’s goal also focuses on finding existing gaps and opportunities to improve the experience of queer and trans students on campus.

“We have these principles of community, we have all these ideals about diversity and inclusion, but we know that oftentimes, the institution falls short of these commitments,” Murray said. “And so […] our goal with our research is to make clear these opportunities for where we can be investing in the things that are already working. For example, we know that for most queer and trans graduate students, most of their social, academic and navigational support comes from peer networks. It’s not coming from the university. […] How can we be investing financial resources in the things that we know that are already happening that are really working well, as well as how we can be opening up new streams of funding to create things that don’t yet exist?”

QT Lab creates a very traumainformed and caring environment for the work they do, prioritizing intersectionality, representation, accessibility and self-care for the community of researchers as well as participants. The Lab has also had many side projects directed by members according to their own interests in similar areas of research, such as a collaboration with VN CARES by one of their research assistants. Once the Global Aggies Award for LGBTQIA+ Rights was announced, the Lab had the opportunity to focus on specific data for international students, and launched their workshop series and exhibition.

Ramanathan, the only undergraduate student who is a current research assistant at QT Lab, facilitated and conducted the interviews as part of QT Lab.

“We were going through all of the interviews and seeing what the participants talked about, and the common themes we found [are] what we decided to call ‘alienation

The Bike Barn, Pantry give quarterly reports at May 11 meeting

The Academic Affairs Commission, Sexual Assault Awareness and Advocacy Committee and Library Committee also gave reports about recent accomplishments and future goals

BY KAYA DO-KHANH campus@theaggie.org

On Thursday, May 11, at 6:10 p.m.,

Vice President JT Eden called the Senate meeting to order and recited the UC Davis Land Acknowledgement.

The Senate then moved into public comments. Next, the Academic Affairs Commission (AAC) gave its quarterly report. AAC said that it is working on extending the pass/no pass deadline and is hoping to host an event to provide a space for students to study with snacks in a couple of weeks.

Then, the Bike Barn presented its quarterly report. Business manager and third-year anthropology major Theodore Mates-Muchin went over recent initiatives such as the Lit Not Hit program, which increases awareness of common biking mistakes and provides free bike lights to individuals who complete a pledge and education program. The Barn currently has a lot of lights still in stock and is continuing to distribute them. Also, the unit has tried to improve its marketing through an increased social media presence and the use of physical lawn signs.

painting event was all provided by Aggie Reuse. The committee also said that it has strengthened connections with other communities on campus, such as the Love Lab and Student Health and Counseling Services, as well as continuing work with the Gender and Sexuality Commission on Title IX reform.

The Library Committee presented its quarterly report, noting that new goals of the committee include revamping the 24-hour study room. In light of recent events, it plans on putting up more Safe Rides posters in the room so that people are aware of the resource. The committee is also continuing to work on increasing the number of gender-neutral bathrooms in the library.

The senators then went over elected officer reports, reading updates about each other’s weekly progress on various projects.

part of the celebration.

“We love meeting people and answering lots of questions about their bikes and biking in Davis,” Contreras said. “We help riders learn how to notice that they are missing reflectors if their tires are flat or worn out, how to use a bike pump and see if their chains need to be lubed. Keeping your bike in good working order is a skill that we are constantly teaching. [...] Let’s all share the bike love and enjoy riding with our friends, family and other community members. Seeing each other and smiling is the best way to build community.”

In light of the recent stabbings in Davis, the last station at Sycamore Park, which was the site of the second homicide, was omitted from the event. The Girl Scouts, who were scheduled to be at the Sycamore station, moved to another park in South Davis. Jennifer Donofrio, the senior transportation planner for the city of Davis, talked about holding Loopapalooza after facing

and liminality,’” Ramanathan said. “So ‘alienation’ as in being alone and separated from the groups that you’re supposed to be a part of; and ‘liminality’ is being suspended, kind of, in between. You’re not here, you’re not there. It’s an uneasy feeling of like, ‘I’m not where I belong, but I don’t know where I belong.’”

Ramanathan said the exhibition focuses on three intersecting groups that are often left out of activism on campus: international students, graduate students and queer and trans students.

“Graduate students aren’t talked about,” Ramanathan said. “All of the activism and everything that happens on campus is definitely that of the undergraduates, but we want their experiences to come to the forefront as well. We decided to focus on international students because a lot of them, especially queer and trans students, […] come from homophobic families or homophobic countries or towns. They don’t really have the chance to talk about being queer. And a lot of them come here to the United States and UC Davis and are able to explore that feeling of queerness, […] not that the United States is safe, but it’s safe enough for experiencing being queer and experiencing your queerness, and that’s why we wanted to do this. We wanted to highlight the queer experiences of these people by having a place where they can be queer.”

Aramo Olaya, a second-year international graduate student in the performance studies Ph.D. program, resonated with this notion as part of all three of these intersecting groups.

“As a 42-years-old queer graduate international student, I feel that the U.S. is quite conservative and isolating,” Olaya said in an Instagram direct message. “Being single equals being alone. I haven’t found a sense of community with other queer people. Maybe it’s because of my age, but I have the sensation that everybody feels quite isolated and unsupported. This is a work culture; everybody seems afraid of everybody else.”

Multiple international students socializing in the International Center lobby agreed that the language barrier is a primary reason international exchange students and students here for shortduration English-learning programs sometimes feel isolated.

“From talking to a lot of the exchange students here, the biggest thing is that a lot of them do want to speak to local students or domestic students, but the issue is that a lot of them don’t feel really confident in their English ability,” said fourth-year

uncertainty about the event in recent weeks.

“The biggest highlight was that people came out and enjoyed the day,” Donofrio said. “All week, we were stressed and unsure if the event would happen because of the recent crimes. After the press conference on Friday afternoon with police Chief Pytel about the suspect being captured, we were relieved and felt like we got our streets and pathways back.”

In spite of the prior events, Loopapalooza still had a large turnout and was well received by community members. Donofrio talked about her favorite part of the event.

“[My favorite part is] seeing happy people bike around Davis and learn how to navigate the pathways,” Donofrio said. “I met several people last Saturday who were new to Davis and were participating in the event to become more confident using the pathways to get to places they want to go.”

speaking in their native language, and as a result, they just stick with one another. However, I have noticed that when you do […] make the effort to go and speak to them, they’re really welcoming, and they want people to reach out to them.”

Xie said that they wanted the exhibition to be available in more languages for international students, but because of location, funding, time and logistical constraints, they had limited resources to do so.

According to Olaya, graduate students don’t have much political power at the university, which is another reason they have reported feeling alienated.

“Graduate representatives don’t really represent,” Olaya said. “We don’t have decision power in the departments, nor a decision-making organ that dialogues with the Dean’s Office. […] Politically, a university where students don’t have decision-making power is structurally disempowering for marginalized groups.”

As an artist, they feel that “collective physical pieces of art are good when they create chances for people to meet each other, talk and open and deepen relationships of trust, friendship and mutual support.” The QT Lab can bridge the gap between international, queer, graduate and other students.

Shih said she hopes the exhibition will bring more people to the International Center to connect with the international student community.

“I think that what we’re really missing is the integration of the international exchange student community with the rest of the Davis,” Shih said. “And I think it would be helpful if there were more efforts to connect students together and bring a more unified presence. If it weren’t for the fact that I had an interest in outreaching to international students to learn more about different cultures, I probably would not have had the opportunity to come to the [International Center].”

Being part of the QT Lab project helped Ramanathan feel less alone and helped him connect his different identities.

“We’re all our own little islands,” Ramanathan said. “We’re all islands and we all form an archipelago together. And it’s just comforting to know that even if nobody has the same experiences as you, there are people that have similar enough experiences that you can form a […] community. It’s nice; it’s comforting.”

The QT Lab is currently working on its white papers to present to the Chancellor’s Committee and other authoritative bodies at UC Davis in hopes of influencing university policy. The International Center exhibition will continue until the end of spring quarter.

The Pantry gave a quarterly report, providing updates about its online ordering system and showing a video made this quarter in partnership with Aggie Studios called, “A Guide to The Pantry.” The Pantry is also looking at bigger locations for distribution on campus for patrons in the future.

The Sexual Assault Awareness and Advocacy Committee gave its quarterly report. Recent accomplishments by the committee include collaborating on an Aggie Open Mics event and holding a Denim Day decompression painting event with Girl Up. The denim for the

There was a motion to pass the consent calendar, in which both Senate Bill (SB) #99 and SB #104 passed. SB #99 raises the number of quarterly reports that can be scheduled in a single Senate meeting from four to six. SB #104 allocated money to the upcoming ASUCD 530 Market event.

Next, they moved to the consideration of old legislation. SB #106, which allows the Whole Earth Festival Committee to purchase a trailer for equipment transfer in future years, passed unanimously. The senators approved past meeting minutes and moved to open forum. Eden adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.

SENIORDAYSB

FROM PAGE 12

Ito’s announcement stated that she will cherish the small memories she has made with her friends at UC Davis and while on the team the most.

Sommer Kisling was the final senior to be celebrated by the Aggies on their home field for the 2023 season. Kisling has played with the team for the past five years, holding the record in the school’s division one history for the number of games played at 217. Kisling is also ranked second in all-time at-bats and third in hits for the team. This record reflects Kisling’s consistency on the team. The senior celebration followed the Aggies’ last home game of the regular 2023 season. Cal Poly beat the Aggies in back-to-back games, both with scores of 5-2.

In the first game of Saturday, the Aggies came out strong, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. They held this lead until the sixth inning, when the Mustangs scored three runs, followed by an additional two runs in the seventh.

Game two followed a similar trajectory. Again, the Aggies came in hot, scoring two runs in the first inning,

UCDBASEBALLVSP

FROM PAGE 12

“[Hogan] did a great job pounding the zone,” UC Davis Head Coach Tommy Nicholson said. “He really did a good job picking up his teammates. There were a couple of mistakes behind him, and he picked them up by getting that extra out.”

First-year right-handed pitcher

Alejandro Huezo continued to build on Hogan’s success as he shut down the Mustangs in the sixth and seventh innings. The final out in the seventh came from Gallagher as he threw out a Mustangs’ runner trying to steal second. That was the 11th runner that Gallagher had caught stealing this season.

The Aggies’ offense struggled against Baum, who held the Aggies scoreless for six innings. However, in the bottom of the eighth, third-year right-handed pitcher Kyle Scott relieved Baum. The

but the Mustangs answered these runs with one of their own.

The Mustangs and Aggies fought throughout the next three innings. Cal Poly scored one more run to level the score, and in the third inning, they took off, scoring three runs. The Mustangs held off the Aggies for the remainder of the game and ultimately defeated the Aggies with a final score of 5-2 again.

Saturday’s losses for the Aggies followed a win against Cal Poly on Friday, May 6.

Leading players in Friday’s game included third-years Anna Dethlefson, Leah Polson, and Sarah Starks. Starks was also named student-athlete of the week. Starks earned this title in part because of a powerful home run during the doubleheader. Starks’ abilities shined through in both Friday’s win and Saturday’s games.

What’s next for the Aggies following this tough loss against Cal Poly?

Following this three-game homestead, UC Davis headed to the University of Hawai’i for the regular season’s finale. The Aggies played the Rainbow Warriors on Thursday, May 11, followed by a doubleheader on Friday, May 12. The Aggies rallied from behind in the sixth inning of Thursday’s game but ultimately lost 2-3. On Friday, the Aggies beat the Rainbow Warriors in both games, winning the first 6-1 and the second 5-2.

Aggies immediately capitalized on the pitching change, and with a runner on first base, Gallagher hit a two-run home run to extend the lead to 8-0. That was Gallagher’s 11th home run of the season, which is a new school record. “He’s swinging a hot bat right now, catching really well and throwing really well,” Nicholson said. “That’s a recipe for success when you have a guy like that who’s in the middle of the lineup. Yeah, he’s doing a great job.”

Third-year right-handed pitcher Danny Carrion finished the game with a scoreless ninth inning. The Aggies’ win improved their record to 17-26, while the Mustangs fell to 15-30.

The Aggies’ season is winding down with 10 games remaining. After a close 7-5 loss to Sacramento State, they will travel to Hawaii for a three-game series against the Rainbow Warriors. After that and a short trip to take on the University of San Francisco Dons, they will have their final home series against the UC Irvine Anteaters from May 19 through May 21.

The 13th annual Bike Loopaloza is hosted by the City of Davis. (Cruz Martinez / 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

OPINION

This is REAL Love

BY SANDHYA PFILE sbpfile@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer:

Spring quarter horoscopes

100% guaranteed. You can sue UCD if these don’t come true.

BY ANNABEL MARSHALL almarshall@ucdavis.edu

Aries: Your utilities will be about the same as last quarter. Maybe a little more.

Capricorn: Childproofing your house isn’t just for expecting parents. It’s also for idiots who come home drunk and walk into the dinner table. Put some bubble wrap on those corners.

Scorpions: Stop stinging people.

Leos: Are any leos named Leo? That would be crazy. Ahaha.

Everyone I follow on Instagram: Don’t buy tickets to Italy just because everyone is going to Italy. We can’t all go to Italy. Who will stay to drive the buses?

Opinion Editor Owen Ruderman: Let me say f**k.

Aquarius: Try to be a little more upbeat these last few weeks. I know life can be difficult, but it’s not like your dog died. Except for one of you, your dog will die. Statistics majors: Buy a lottery ticket.

KENTUCKYDERBY

FROM PAGE 12

Anybody can bet on a horse, even if they are not in attendance. First-year UC Davis student Kaili Raisch placed a $5 bet on horse number 17 (Jace’s Road), who ended up getting second

My neighbors: If you don’t stop having loud conversations at two in the morning I’m going to write a strongly worded letter. Then, I’m going to attach it to a brick and throw it through your window. That’s not legally a threat because this is only a humor article.

Third-year human biology majors: Have you seen “Succession?” Me neither. I heard it’s good.

Ethel Cain fans: Uh oh! Not as unique as you thought you were, huh? It’s too late to “discover” an artist on the cover of multiple Spotify playlists.

Hardcore Christians: I thought you weren’t supposed to read these kinds of things.

Gary May: Listen into the woods at darkest night. The trees will speak to you, three words by the way of the great Earth power. Cover yourself in dirt and open your screaming mouth to the moon.

to last. She explained the reason that she bet on Jace’s Road was “because he looked like a strong, tall and fast horse that would have long strides.” Raisch described that over the years, betting has become a lot easier for everyone — whether they are in attendance or not.

This more recent change has increased race viewings over the years.

Nonetheless, the desire to attend the event in person is still very prominent,

People who are allergic to bees: Freeze. Don’t move. Oh my — just be very still. Lizas, Lisas and Elizas: Check your mail. Spoiler alert: it’s jury duty!

Pharmaceutical chemistry: Due to a typo in the University of California, Davis bylaws, your degree is technically a Bachelorette of Sciences.

People who braid ribbons into their hair: Can any of you give me a ride to boygenius?

Ellyn Paris: Hi Ellyn!

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

Help, I can’t stop procrastinating

I am suffering from the consequences of my own actions

BY CARMEL RAVIV craviv@ucdavis.edu

even now that general interest in horse racing has decreased. People still enjoy dressing up and dawning fascinators, or the small, vintage-looking hats that many wear at the derby. Raisch even said, “It’s not just a race but also a very big social event.” Between now and next year, the success and excitement demonstrated between jockeys, trainers, horses and the millions of viewers is sure to continue.

Every week or so, I have a paper to write, a midterm to study for, a reading response to do or math problems to solve. It’s crazy to think all of these mundane little tasks eventually add up to a degree that is supposed to get me a job, but they do. If I don’t analyze Durkheim sociological theories or record all the calories I consumed for NUT 10, I might just end up career-less. So, do I do them in an appropriately timed manner?

Am I motivated to get my work done?

No — it’s 2 a.m. on a Thursday night and instead of starting any of these assignments, I’m watching Dhar Man videos on TikTok (ironically). Any time I try to get ahead of my assignments, my brain can’t comprehend why I would start now when I have so much time to do it later.

But hey, hanging out with friends, taking naps and watching “history of the entire world, i guess” on YouTube is also productive, right? Wrong. So wrong. I am so delusional it could make my mother cry.

Leaving all of the work and stress until the last minute, thereby sacrificing any sort of peace of mind, just makes my college experience so much harder, yet I am addicted to doing so. I complain and

NATALIE CHENG / AGGIE

complain about how time consuming college classes are, but all I’m consumed with is the thought of doing my assignment that I will inevitably start an hour before the deadline. I’m like Meghan Markle, asking for sympathy on TV for having my privacy invaded, or in my case, being stressed when I am the one imposing the stress on myself. Only Oprah, a Netflix docu-series and a royal fortune could fix me.

If only there was a pill I could take that could make me focus on my assignments and work efficiently. Oh wait.

Nah, I don’t need that. I need something that can help me relax when I’m grinding before that due date instead of stressing out, so my brain doesn’t go into overdrive. Oh wait.

If you’re in the same boat as me, let’s all agree that we don’t have much room to complain. It’s on us. And hey, maybe you make diamonds under pressure. I make tears and B+ work.

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

MIRANDA LEE / AGGIE

UC Davis’s study finds coal trains are significant polluters in the east San Francisco Bay Area

Coal trains give off more fine particulate matter than other trains, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations

BY LILLY ACKERMAN science@theaggie.org

A study from researchers at UC Davis’s Air Quality Research Center (AQRC) has quantified the pollution from coal trains running through Richmond, California, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The study is the first to quantify pollution from coal trains in an urban area in the United States. It specifically focused on quantities of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), or particles less than 2.5 microns in diameter. Richmond is a racially diverse city of about 115,000 residents that is faced with high rates of asthma and heart disease. The study aimed to determine whether Richmond’s coal trains and terminal are a significant source of PM2.5 amid discussion of building a new coal terminal in nearby West Oakland. PM2.5 has already been shown to have negative health effects for those exposed to it.

“Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to premature mortality, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory diseases, other chronic diseases, adverse birth outcomes, and cognitive and developmental impairments,” the study reads.

The authors needed to measure how much PM2.5 was being released from coal trains versus other types of trains passing through the site being studied, according to Dr. Nicholas Spada, a researcher with the AQCR and co-author on the study. However, he expressed that it was not feasible to manually take the necessary data recordings, since coal train arrival times aren’t publicly available for privacy and security reasons.

To combat this, the researchers set up a camera alongside a small weather station and an air quality sensor. The camera system, programmed with artificial intelligence that Spada developed, would detect trains passing through and trigger the air quality

sensor to record measurements from the different types of trains. Full and empty coal trains, freight trains and passenger trains were of interest.

“There was literally nothing in existence that could solve this problem for us, so we created [a solution],” Spada said. “And it worked! We were able to capture these train events and measure the difference in pollution, and it turns out that there is a difference.”

The results were significant when comparing PM2.5 emissions from coal trains to those from freight trains, according to Dr. Bart Ostro, a scientist with the AQRC and the lead author of the study.

“We did find, not surprisingly, increases in PM2.5 [from coal trains passing through] that were greater than

the increases that occur from freight trains [passing through],” Ostro said. “With calm winds, we saw very large increases relative to freight trains. It’s pretty convincing.”

Compared to ambient conditions, coal trains added about eight micrograms per cubic meter of PM2.5 to the air. Even coal trains that have been emptied added up to two micrograms per cubic meter. Passenger trains gave off relatively little PM2.5.

This research has important environmental justice implications; coal transport and processing have disproportionate impacts on already economically disadvantaged populations throughout the United States.

“It’s a big issue that nationally, as well as in the Bay Area, these coal trains

will typically go through low-income areas,” Ostro said. “These people already tend to have higher rates of asthma and heart disease, so the fact that they have pre-existing morbidity makes them much more susceptible to additional insults [such as pollution from coal trains].” Ostro also noted that there is no truly “safe” threshold of PM2.5 concentrations for human health.

As long as coal is transported and processed, it will consistently pose a health risk.

“Of note, exposure to PM2.5 constitutes an environmental justice concern as exposure and adverse effects are borne disproportionately by the most vulnerable, including infants, children, the elderly, people of color,

those with low incomes, and those with underlying health conditions,” the study reads.

Promisingly, Spada’s artificial intelligence can be adapted to detect almost anything that the human eye can see, from oil-refinery flares to automobiles. It can be used for a variety of environmental concerns where it is most needed, from other parts of the Bay Area to locations nationwide that process and transport large amounts of coal, such as Baltimore, Maryland. “We’re actually moving it to Vallejo, where we’re going to watch some of these other sources that the community is concerned about,” Spada said. “So we can easily adapt it to other situations.”

The Zoonomia Consortium sheds light on the evolution of placental mammals

The project, which compares these mammals’ genomes, allows researchers to create a clearer evolutionary timeline

BY KATIE HELLMAN science@theaggie.org

According to a recent issue from the journal Science, a project called the Zoonomia Consortium was able to shed new light on the evolution of mammals by comparing the genomes of 240 modern species.

“Genomics can provide insight into the evolution and generation of important genetic variation and morphological traits,” the article reads. “Further, because humans are also mammals, understanding genetic variation across species can provide insight into not just our own evolutionary history but also our health.”

The Broad Institute at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University lead the Zoonomia Consortium. The project is directly affiliated with UC Davis’s Earth BioGenome Project, which strives to sequence the DNA of all eukaryotes — which are organisms whose cells have a nucleus, including all animals, plants and fungi. Recently, the researchers pinpointed regions of genomes that appeared to be the most similar, spanning millions of years of evolution.

Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, scientific director of vertebrate genomics at

WARRIORSVSLAKERS

FROM PAGE 12

The Warriors held onto momentum more throughout this game, especially in the back half, and the Lakers could not defend the Warriors’ quick shooters. Draymond Green’s defensive performance in this game was another reason why the Warriors dominated the Lakers. In addition to Green’s exceptional defense, he flirted with a triple-double, 11 points along with 11 rebounds and nine assists. The Lakers’ Rui Hachimura played well during this game, totaling 21 points, which was close behind James, who had 23 points and seven rebounds. At the end of the game, the Lakers ended up putting in their deep bench because the Warriors were beating them by more than 20 points midway through the fourth quarter.

After the Lakers’ strong defensive performance in game one, the Warriors responded by coming back stronger with their quick shooters and momentum play. The Lakers could not keep up with the Warriors this time around.

the Broad Institute and a professor of comparative genomics at Uppsala University in Sweden, commented on the applications of the collected data.

“Looking at the amount of variation in a genome can help predict risk of extinction,” Lindblad-Toh said via email.

“Constraint (if a letter [or nucleotide in the DNA] has stayed the same for 100 million years, it is probably doing something) can help us understand common diseases such as schizophrenia and diabetes and cancer.”

A question that the Zoonomia Consortium strives to answer is whether placental mammals, which are characterized by the presence of a placenta and make up the majority of mammals, evolved before or after the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction that killed off the dinosaurs. Researchers have constructed a molecular clock by connecting dates to ancestors of mammal groups in order to better understand these lineages.

“We want to look at many more primates [using this molecular clock] so that we can understand human evolution and disease even better,” Lindblad-Toh said.

The clock has shown that mammals began to diversify prior to the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction, as continental drift caused many

Game Three So far, the series has been back and forth, and in game three, this continued.

The Lakers defeated Golden State, 12797, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

James had eight rebounds, eight assists and 21 points, and Russell also contributed 21 points. But the difference in the game was Anthony Davis. The Lakers’ Davis was back to his normal self, as he totaled 25 points and 13 rebounds.

In game two, he was shut out, but in game three, he came out strong on both sides of the court.

Curry scored less than usual with 23 points, and behind him, Andrew Wiggins totaled 16 points and got a team high of nine rebounds. The Warriors did not shoot well from the free-throw line, as the Lakers outscored them 37-17 from the line. Game four would take place in Los Angeles with the home team up, 2-1, in the series.

Game Four

Things did not look promising for the Warriors, who were 11-30 overall on the road this season and in desperate need of a win in Los Angeles to keep their hopes alive. However, the Lakers kept a foot on the gas and rode game three’s momentum

species to relocate. They also began to diversify immediately after the dinosaur extinction, which caused resources to become more readily available and is partially responsible for the broad diversity of species that populate the planet today.

into game four, in which they defeated the Warriors by three points, 104-101. The Warriors fought hard until the end, despite Curry being the only player who was productive with a triple double, adding 31 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists. Poole did not contribute a single point this game but managed to put up three rebounds. Gary Payton II finally showed up in this game with 17 points, and his performance made a difference in the end result.

Once again, Davis did not disappoint, putting up 23 points and 15 rebounds. James had a great game as well, totaling 27 points and nine rebounds. Austin Reaves woke up for the first time in this series and had 21 points, which definitely made a difference in the result of the game.

With the Lakers ahead 3-1, the Warriors’ chances of advancing to the Western Conference Finals seemed unrealistic. However, they did have a good chance at winning game five in San Francisco, where they held a 33-8 regular season record.

Game Five The Warriors secured a crucial win and a sense of relief with a score of 121-106 in game five. Green brought

“Positions [in the genome] that have stayed the same across most or all of the mammalian species sampled — spanning roughly 100 million years of evolutionary time — likely serve some important function, and hence could cause disease if changed by mutation,”

the energy defensively to complement Curry’s offensive game. Curry’s threepoint game was not quite there during this series, but a tough three-pointer to end the second quarter kept the Warriors’ momentum alive throughout the game. With their win, the series headed back to Los Angeles.

Game Six

The Lakers had their A-game on full display as they secured their Western Conference Finals ticket; the final score was 122-101. Besides Curry, who had 32 points, the Warriors could not get their shots up in this game. Looney had a team high of 18 rebounds, but could not compete with Davis’s 20 rebounds and 17 points. The Lakers came out strong both offensively and defensively. The Warriors were playing catch-up for most of the game, especially during the second half, when the L.A. team took off offensively with momentum.

Now, the Lakers move onto the western conference finals against the Denver Nuggets starting on Tuesday, May 16.

Recap Both the Warriors and the Lakers

ALEJANDRO VARGAS / AGGIE

the Zoonomia Consortium’s website reads. “Data from the Zoonomia project will therefore allow us to not only advance human medicine but also to support the health and conservation of species from across the mammalian tree.”

have their strengths and weaknesses. The Lakers have a previously untapped advantage with Davis on their team. When he was active and aggressive on both sides of the court, the Warriors had a tough time responding. Looney, who is not very quick, does not have the same ability that Davis does.

Earlier in the season, the Lakers struggled on the defensive end, but that has not been an issue in the postseason. They found a way to cover the main shooters for the Warriors, and that has gotten to their players.

Another thing the Lakers have taken advantage of is Curry’s shooting game. After his 50-point game to end the first round of the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings, he has gone dark with that ambition in the second round. His deep threes were off and he was relying more on paint play throughout this series.

The main showstoppers for the Warriors are fairly consistent, but where are the other players? Wiggins did not really show up until game three and Poole, who is supposed to be a strong bench player, appeared weaker than in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Lakers benefitted from the Warriors’ missed passes and Davis’s rebounding ability.

Dhawal Majithia, who worked on the study as an undergraduate, checks the train monitoring system at a Richmond, California holding yard (Nicholas Spada / Aggie)

Aggies beat Cal Poly Mustangs in series for the first time since 2015

UC Davis baseball’s pitching shuts down Mustangs for the second time in the series to secure the victory

SOFTBALL

UC Davis softball celebrates senior night

Aggies suffer tough doubleheader loss to Cal Poly on senior night

BY EVA MACHADO sports@theaggie.org

The UC Davis women’s softball team celebrated their four graduating seniors, Delaney Diaz, Taylor Fitzgerald, Alyssa Ito and Sommer Kisling, on May 7 following their doubleheader against the Cal Poly Mustangs. The Aggies held a short ceremony for the seniors, wishing a happy farewell to their departing teammates. Friends and families gathered on and around the women’s home softball field following the doubleheader against Cal Poly. Head Coach Erin Thorpe shared that she hopes the graduating players take away from their time on the team the ability to “know what it feels like to battle with another group of people in order to accomplish a goal.”

Thorpe went on to describe the camaraderie she has seen from these players and knows they will continue to show in their lives.

Delaney Diaz was the first to be celebrated in the ceremony. Diaz plans to attend nursing school and become a pediatric oncology nurse after leaving Davis. She has been a massive presence

on the team, “playing 92 games and starting [in] 68” during her five years in the program.

Diaz showed her capability as a player during the day’s doubleheader, pounding a hit in game one that scored third-year Sarah Starks right to center. This run was the second and last for the Aggies in the first game against Cal Poly. Taylor Fitzgerald was the second celebrated senior of the day. Fitzgerald has made 70 appearances in the circle as a UC Davis pitcher and “holds the best two single-season efforts in program history,” which were both shutouts.

During the doubleheader, Fitzgerald allowed five hits, three runs and struck out one batter in the first game against Cal Poly. In the second game of the day, Fitzgerald continued to support her team outside the circle.

Alyssa Ito returned to the Aggies for her final two seasons following one season with the team in 2020. Ito has played in 69 career games and started in 18 games. Ito will be studying for the CPA exam while working as a corporate auditor after graduation.

SENIORDAYSB on 8

Mark Wolbert scores one of six runs against Cal Poly in the first inning for UC Davis. (Alexis Perez /

BY PATRICK FIGUEROA sports@theaggie.org

Entering Sunday’s matchup, the UC Davis Aggies had an opportunity to do something they had not done in eight years: defeat the Cal Poly Mustangs in their annual season series. The Aggies won the first game of the series 1-0 but lost the second game 8-1. With a make-or-break opportunity, the Aggies prevailed with an 8-0 win.

The Aggies’ Two-way right-handed redshirt third-year Kaden Hogan made his collegiate starting pitcher debut in the game.

“I just prepared like every other day,” Hogan said. “I’m a two-way player, so I hit in the cages. I did everything on the other side of the ball that I could do so that I could have a clear head [for] when I come in and throw.”

On the other side, left-handed redshirt first-year Jakob Wright started for the Mustangs. Wright had a 3.86 earned run average (ERA) entering this game but had only pitched in seven innings since returning from Tommy John surgery. Hogan quickly worked through the top of the first inning, getting three outs with six pitches. Wright did not have the same success in the bottom of the first inning, immediately loading the bases after Wright hit third-year outfielder Damian Stone with a pitch and walked

BASKETBALL

the following two batters, infielders Alex Gouveia and Nick Leehey. Then, with just one out, third-year catcher Jack Gallagher swung at the first pitch and got it past the shortstop for a 2-runs batted-in (RBI) single.

The Aggies’ offense continued to rally that inning. After going down in the count with zero balls and two strikes, second-year outfielder Mark Wolbert took three balls to get a full count. He promptly hit a single past the second baseman to load the bases.

After another out, first-year outfielder Leighton Helfrick came up to the plate.

Helfrick ripped a base-clearing double down the left-field line, giving the Aggies a 5-0 lead. Wright’s day on the mound was done as Mustangs’ redshirt thirdyear, right-handed pitcher Ryan Baum came out of the bullpen to replace him.

The Aggies tacked on another run, and the inning ended with the Aggies up 6-0. From here, a pitching duel ensued, as Hogan and Baum shut down the opposing offenses for the majority of the game.

The Mustangs had an opportunity to score in the top of the third inning when they had runners on second and third bases with two outs and secondyear catcher Ryan Stafford at the plate. Stafford is the Mustangs’ best hitter with a 0.308 batting average, 31 RBI and five home runs this season. He hit a hard ground ball that looked like it would sneak through the infield, but Gouveia

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers series recap

The Lakers will move onto the Western Conference Finals after winning secondround series 4-2

made a diving snag and threw the ball to first base for an out, allowing the Aggies to escape the inning unscathed.

The Mustangs had another opportunity in the top of the fifth inning. With runners on first and third bases and two outs, Stafford was once again in the batter’s box. He hit a hard fly ball toward center field, but Wolbert tracked down the ball to get the final out of the inning. Despite having three errors on the day, the Aggies’ defense came through in big moments to maintain their lead. Hogan expressed his confidence in his teammates to have his back even after an error.

“I’ve been a shortstop my entire life growing up and through college, so I don’t mind at all if they make errors because no one ever tries to,” Hogan said. “I just know I’m going to be back in the zone and give them another ball to field again.”

Hogan’s day was done after five innings, during which he struck out five batters and allowed just two hits and no runs. He was awarded with the win, improving his season record to 2-1.

“I’m feeling good. It’s a great team win,” Hogan said. “I don’t know if we’ve ever beat them in a series, so [it’s] awesome to be a part of it. I’m so excited to be a part of it, and I just want to keep playing better.”

Underdog horse Mage wins the 149th annual Kentucky Derby

With the help of veteran jockey Javier Castellano, Mage wins first derby

BY MEGAN JOSEPH sports@theaggie.org

With $3 million on the line and over 155,000 people in attendance, 20 horses compete in a winner-takes-all situation.

Prior to the Derby, Mage had only three starts and one win prompting his odds of 15-1; however, he beat the odds and won the prize. Nobody was more proud and excited for the horse than Castellano, who told NBC that, “He’s a little horse but [has] a big heart.”

Forte holding the lead and winning the race. Others, though, said that Mage still showed potential, demonstrating speed considering his small size.

BY ELOISE ENGS sports@theaggie.org

Starting on May 2, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors began the second-round series of the NBA Playoffs, after the Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies and the Warriors upset the Sacramento Kings in the first round. This series garnered a lot of attention due to the history between LeBron James and the Warriors. From 2015 to 2018, LeBron — who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers at the time — faced the Warriors in four straight finals, losing three of four. However, now in a Lakers uniform, LeBron James got the opportunity to exact revenge in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.

Game One

The Lakers started the series strong with a win at the Chase Center in San Francisco, with a score of 117-112. Standouts for the Warriors in this game include Stephen Curry, who totaled 27 points and six rebounds, and Klay Thompson, who closely followed with 25 points and three rebounds. Jordan Poole also showed up in this game and

tallied 21 points. Poole has not been performing well recently, but in this game, he contributed.

The Lakers’ stars shined bright; LeBron hit 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Anthony Davis had 30 points and a team-high of 23 rebounds. Behind them, D’Angelo Russell and Dennis Schröderboth poured in 19 points each.

With 9.7 seconds left in the game and a score of 115-112, the Warriors had a chance to tie the score with a quick three-point shot. The Lakers planned to double-team Curry, who is the Warriors’ most dangerous three-point player. The ball ended up in Poole’s hands, who shot a deep three-pointer that missed. At that point, the game was over as the Lakers gained control of the series.

Game Two The Warriors brought the thunder in game two, securing a 127-100 point win in San Francisco. Golden State benefited from the “Splash Brothers” — Thompson and Curry — tremendously in this game, as Thompson put up 30 points, and Curry put up 20 points and had a team high of 12 assists.

On Saturday, May 6, the 149th annual Kentucky Derby horse race continued its historic tradition. Over a century has passed since the first race took place in 1875, making it the longest continuously held sporting event in America and one of the most reputable races in the world. Every year, the race takes place on the first Saturday in May, giving the jockey and the horses roughly three weeks from the last qualifying race to prepare and travel to Kentucky. The race is mere minutes long, but the Kentucky Derby wasn’t nicknamed the “most exciting two minutes in sports” for nothing.

The Kentucky Derby is a grade-one stakes race on a dirt race track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race sees three-year-old thoroughbred horses coming from all around the world to compete for a prize of $3 million, spread across the top five horses. To qualify for the Kentucky Derby, horses must compete in 35 races around the globe and earn at least 40 points. Only the top four horses are awarded points in these 35 qualifying races, and the 20 horses with the most points earn spots at the starting gate.

On Saturday, we saw an incredible win by underdog horse Mage, jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Gustavo Delgado. The top five finishing order was: Mage in first, Two Phil’s in second, Angel of Empire in third, Disarm in fourth and Hit Show in fifth. Throughout the race, Two Phil’s kept the lead until Mage came up on the shoulder, turning the last 100 meters of the race into an all-out sprint.

Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire were both in the most favored group of horses, so it was no surprise that they finished in 2nd and 3rd.

One horse, Forte, was the favorite to win but was taken out of the race just hours before the competition. Forte suffered a concerning joint contusion on his right hoof, prompting veterinarians to declare him unfit to race. Forte’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, therefore pulled him from the competition. This came as a shock to fans and fellow jockeys because Forte seemed to be a shoo-in, especially considering all of the horse’s past competitions. Other horses, including Skinner, Practical Move, Lord Miles and Continuar, were also pulled out of the race for a variety of reasons, mainly related to injuries.

Forte’s absence was missed by viewers, but not by his competitors, especially Mage. During the Florida Derby in Gulfstream on April 1, Forte beat Mage with a substantial lead for the majority of the race. Many believed that this was a preview of how the Kentucky Derby would turn out, with

Following the Kentucky Derby, The Courier-Journal spoke with Forte’s trainer, Pletcher, and asked him what he thought about the results.

“I think that he would have performed well yesterday. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option,” Pletcher said. He also congratulated Mage.

The Kentucky Derby garners a lot of attention from people all over the world because of the prestigiousness of the event and the ability to earn thousands of dollars.

This year alone saw enormous crowds and earnings. If a person were to bet $2 on Mage, they would have made $32.42. If a viewer would have placed a $2 exacta bet on Mage and Two Phil’s (the second-place winner), the viewer would have earned $330.44. A $1 trifecta bet on Mage, Two Phil’s and Angel of Empire winning would earn a better $928.36. Lastly, a super trifecta $1 bet (predicting finishes of top 4 horses) would have earned the better $15,643.60.

KENTUCKYDERBY on 10

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Kenedi Brown pitches for the Aggies against Cal Poly. After a strong start, Aggies end up taking a 2-5 loss. (Alexis Perez / Aggie)

NATALIE CHENG / AGGIE

JOANNE SUN / AGGIE