04-17-2019

Wednesday, April 17 - Tuesday, April 23, 2019 Weekly Print Edition

Vol. 105, Issue 30 www.thedailyaztec.com

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Adela de la Torre’s inauguration highlights curiosity, compassion

PREFERRED NAMES A new policy will allow students to use their preferred names on their diplomas starting fall 2020.

PAGE 3

$162,000 LATER...

Editorial: Adela de la Torre’s expensive inauguration says something about her priorities.

PAGE 4

by Bella Ross NEWS EDITOR

As if 10 months on the job wasn’t enough to make it official, President Adela de la Torre celebrated her official inauguration in an April 11 ceremony in San Diego State’s Viejas Arena.

The two-hour ceremony featured an array of speakers, including university curator and anthropology professor Seth Mallios, CSU Chancellor Timothy White and de la Torre herself. There were also multiple musical performances, an opening prayer and a video capturing de la Torre’s first

months on campus.

In her presidential address, de la Torre focused on what it means to be the university’s first permanent, female, Latina president and how she plans to shape the culture of SDSU. “I know I stand here as the first woman to serve as permanent president to lead this university, but I recognize that I stand on the shoulders of women who have shaped the identity of SDSU from the very beginning,” de la Torre said.

The ceremony was marked by the Spanish words “solamente SEE INAUGURATION, PAGE 2

Photo by Bella Ross

President Adela de la Torre addresses Viejas Arena, filled with university community members, at her inauguration on April 11.

Plant Power Black community, allies pledge to fight racism following break-in at BRC attracts over 1,100 customers on first day

MURRAY TRANSFERS Sophomore guard Najé Murray transfers to Cal, marking end of her career at SDSU. PAGE 5

by Olivia Li STAFF WRITER

the vandalism occurred.

University spokeswoman LaMonica Everett-Haynes said the incident was under investigation and that officials still don’t know how the building was accessed.

She said the incident resulted in more than $400 in property damages, mostly to equipment.

Wood said the black community on campus is angry and hurt following the break-in.

This incident marks the second time this semester the center has been an apparent target, with a video released in early March capturing the sound of a racial slur being shouted at the BRC by

Plant Power, San Diego State’s first completely vegan restaurant, opened its doors on April 8 and has been packed ever since.

With students’ growing desire for healthier options on campus, Plant Power, located near the SDSU Transit Center, replaced The Den by Denny’s, which closed over winter break due to underperformance in revenue, according to February interview with Dining Director Paul Melchior.

“We’re the first fully plantbased restaurant that also has full sustainable packaging across everything that we do on campus,” said Ravi Parikh, franchisee for the campus location. “We are also oriented towards a more full plant-based diet and we want to introduce that to people and show them how good it can taste and how good it can feel.”

Popular menu items include “The Big Zac,” a spin on a cheeseburger but with a beef-like patty and a cheese alternative, the “‘Chicken’ Sandwich,” which includes a crispy chicken alternative and a variety of milkshakes made with almond milk. These fast food classics have even drawn the admiration of

SEE BLACK RESOURCE CENTER, PAGE 3

SEE PLANT POWER, PAGE 3

GRADUADO DE SDSU Jerry Flores, graduado de SDSU, escribe libro sobre la segregación en la sociedad.

PAGE 7 Photo by Kaitlyn Little

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INDEX News............................... 1-3 Opinion..............................4 Sports.............................. 5-7 Mundo Azteca.................... 9 Arts & Culture............10-11 The Back Page.................. 12

Dania Brett, University Senate Administrative Analyst, holds a sign that says “I stand with our black community” outside the Black Resource Center on the afternoon of April 15. She is part of a group that pledged to stand against anti-blackness on campus following two recent incidents where the center was an apparent target.

by Kaitlyn Little SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Students, teachers and faculty gathered at the Black Resource Center on April 15 to sign pledges to “create a welcoming and safe climate for San Diego State’s African American community.”

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer J. Luke Wood addressed event attendees, encouraging them to take three actions lined out in the pledge.

The pledge had a checklist with each point directed at a specific group: faculty, staff, administrators and students.

Some examples included faculty members doing things like

attending a seminar to reduce the classroom achievement gap for underrepresented students or implementing text that examines structural racism into their classes. Students were encouraged to pledge to enroll in an Africana Studies course or partner with the Black Resource Center on collaborative programming. All were invited to donate to the Black Resource Center and Africana Studies department and be an upstander to anti-blackness.

The pledge comes after the Black Resource Center was broken into over the weekend, resulting in a damaged television and other items being moved around the building. No center employees were present when

2

News

The Daily Aztec

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Bella Ross • news@thedailyaztec.com

Campus Sexual Violence Survey seeks to use data to strengthen available resources

by Johann Derek STAFF WRITER

Oribello

To improve sexual assault prevention and intervention services, San Diego State sent out a campus-wide email on April 8 featuring a survey to better understand the climate surrounding sexual violence on campus.

The university said in the email the issue of sexual violence on college campuses is apparent yet not discussed enough.

“Decades of research have shown that official statistics severely underestimate the number of sexual assaults on university campuses across the nation,” the email reads.

Students must complete the biannual survey before May 17.

Completion of the survey is optional and the results are posted publicly on SDSU’s title IX website once they are processed.

The survey is headed by Director of Advising for the College of Sciences Dr. Emilio Ulloa who said the surveys from

Inauguration:

continued from page 1 una vez,” or, “just one time,” which de la Torre said were commonly spoken to her by her grandmother to communicate the need to do something meaningful.

The words, also the name of a popular Spanish song, were sung to the arena by student talent prior to the president’s address.

“Now is a reminder that there’s only one time in my life to do something truly remarkable, to do something that has never been done before, to be part of something so meaningful that it can transform the world,” de la Torre said.

The president’s words of inspiration were also based in the point that, aside from holding the highest position at one of the top-ranked CSU campuses, she is a normal person. After introducing her as “President Adela de la Torre,” Chancellor White said even calling her by that formal name can feel wrong.

“It is somewhat ironic that I just referred to her by her title, because she barely uses it,” White said. “She much

previous years have assisted greatly in guiding how the university approaches the issue of sexual assault.

“These results have been shared with the sexual violence task force, members of which have used the data to inform their practices and intervention, guide decision making about where the greatest need may be and incorporated the information into their awareness, prevention and intervention programming,” Ulloa said.

Women’s Resource Center Coordinator Jessica Nare said the past surveys’ results have further reinforced the university’s long term efforts to end sexual violence on campus.

“We’ve been really lucky in 2015 and 2017 to collect a ton of data from our campus about sexual violence here at SDSU, including people’s attitudes and beliefs about sexual violence,” Nare said. “So this survey is really critical to our long term goals of ending violence here.”

Nare said the importance of understanding violence is valuable in

prefers ‘Adela.’”

These statements aside, normal people don’t generally have arena-sized ceremonies in their honor. And especially not ones with a $162,000 price tag.

The university said none of the funding for the ceremony came from state funds, student fees or tuition dollars – even going as far to put the statement on the event’s programs.

Of the total cost, an estimated $113,000 of it went toward venue and equipment expenses, according to the inauguration website. An additional $16,000 was estimated for transportation and safety costs with the reception following the ceremony running at “no more than $5,700.”

This funding came from Aztec Shops, the SDSU Research Foundation, Associated Students and The Campanile Foundation.

The presidential medallion that Chancellor White placed on de la Torre during the ceremony was designed by SDSU art student RexArthur Ramos and ran at a total of about $5,000, all of which came out of the president’s pocket, according to the inauguration website.

order to properly address the issue.

“I think really understanding violence is an issue that happens at many levels and there are cultural elements to violence,” Nare said. “So, it’s really important that we understand what violence looks like within the culture of SDSU so that we’re able to make really specific interventions to work to address those problems.”

Student responses to the administration of this year’s survey have been mostly positive. Psychology sophomore Jessie Rayburn said the survey can further improve awareness since those who have been affected may be hesitant to reveal so.

“I think it’s cool that they’re trying to get information from students about that because I think a lot of students don’t come out with that information even if they have been sexually assaulted,” Rayburn said. “I think it’s good to try to get responses so we can do something about it.”

Rayburn said speaking up in order to raise the issue is utmost important,

Photo by Bella Ross

President Adela de la Torre stands alongside CSU Chancellor Timothy White and other higher education leaders at her inauguration in Viejas Arena on April 11.

As the ninth president of SDSU, de la Torre has entered at a unique time for the university with factors such as the development of a satellite campus in Mission Valley on the table. She brings

COMPLETE YOUR M.S. IN ATHLETIC TRAINING WITHOUT LEAVING SAN DIEGO. Find out more at pointloma.edu/MSAT

even if the issue isn’t personally relevant.

“I encourage people to speak up even if they don’t have the power or enough information about this because sometimes people think if you weren’t specifically sexually assaulted (yourself) then there’s not much you could really do about it,” Rayburn said.

“It’s something that happens and a lot of people don’t feel like they have the power (to address it). I think everyone has the same amount of power to do something about it.”

Nare said the survey is a straightforward way to help address sexual violence at SDSU and is a easy method to get involved on campus.

“It’s totally, completely anonymous and it really provides us with a lot of important information,” Nare said.

“I think that if you care about sexual violence and you want that to be an issue addressed at SDSU then it’s really helpful for us to take the survey. It’s a really simple way to get involved and create change.”

a variety of experience to campus, with a background in higher education leadership with previous positions at the University of Arizona, UC Davis and CSU Long Beach.

3 News Students will soon be allowed to use their preferred names on their diplomas in lieu of their legal ones April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Bella Ross, news@thedailyaztec.com

by Lauren J. Mapp SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Students who don’t identify with their birth or legal names will soon be able to have a preferred name printed on their diplomas from San Diego State.

Starting with the fall 2020 graduating class, students will have the option to choose between the legal and preferred name on their school records when they apply for graduation.

“I think it is important for the diploma to reflect how people identify,” said J. Luke Wood, the chief diversity officer at SDSU. “If you have a name that you are legally known by but a name that you prefer to go by, we think that’s important to be reflected so people have that option.

“Particularly for many of our transgender students, it’s really about acknowledging their identity.”

The change is part of a larger effort to make the campus more inclusive of transgender and non-binary students following the presentation of requests from students to campus administrators, Wood said.

“There was actually a group of students who came together and they wrote a proposal to us,” Wood said. “The proposal outlined a number of different changes that they want to see on campus, and we’re working on responding to what their concerns were.”

The university is also addressing another student concern by working to build computer systems that allow students to

Plant Power:

continued from page 1 many of SDSU’s non-vegans.

“I’m actually surprised that (the food) is really good,” math education senior Arlene Valdez said. “I’m not vegan or vegetarian and I was kind of sketched out but it’s really, really good. I got the chicken sandwich and it literally tastes like chicken. I thought the flavor would be kind of dull like tofu or soy but it’s really flavorful.”

The SDSU franchise marks the restaurant’s fourth location, whose menu is popular among the growing number of young vegans.

“Our mission is a really big one. It’s to introduce plant-based foods to the entire world,” Parikh said. “What we really want to do is provide that same type of feel and taste that you get from a fast food place.

But here, it’s fully plant-based, so much healthier for you, the environment and much more ethical from the standpoint of animals and reducing the amount of animal agriculture.”

A new option for SDSU meal plan users,

The Daily Aztec

identify as non-binary across the multiple platforms the university uses, Wood said.

With the diploma option, SDSU will join other California State University campuses — such as CSU Los Angeles and CSU Northridge — that have already started a preferred name option for diplomas.

“If it’s something that our students want, other CSUs are already doing it, and (the Registrar’s Office) has the mechanism to make it happen, it seems like it’s a very important win for our students,” Wood said.

Once it is started, the diploma name choice will be an addition to previouslyinstated preferred name options for BlackBoard, RedID cards and rosters for both classrooms and grades.

Journalism freshman Juniper Perkins said they started using a different name a few years ago, but once they started attending SDSU, they began solely introducing themselves with the new name.

Perkins said they appreciate the campus’ inclusion efforts, as some students can’t always afford to go through the legal process to formally change their name.

“I think it’s important because a lot of people might not be in a position where they can afford a legal name change,” Perkins said. “Their legal name change might not agree with who they really are, whether it’s their gender identity or just it’s a nickname that they prefer.”

Someone who wants to legally change their name or gender in San Diego County is generally charged $435 in civil case fees, according to the Superior Court of

the restaurant had long lines on its first week of opening, with over 1100 customers at the grand opening. Seating options include a limited amount of indoor seating and a larger outdoor terrace.

“Upon hearing that there was a vegan place opening on campus, I was very excited to see that there was going to be more healthy options that I could explore,” theater freshman Janelle Miller said.

Before its official opening, the restaurant had a soft-opening during spring break to acclimate its new workers, which consist of part-time students and full-time employees, to a slower crowd before the campus opened back up after spring break.

Though other dining options have recently closed, international security and conflict resolution freshman Gener Abdon thinks Plant Power is here to stay.

“I believe that Plant Power will prosper on this campus,” Abdon said. “I’m a part of a sustainability organization on campus and we asked people about their food choices and one of their complaints and trends I see is that people want to see healthier options for their body.”

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Photo by Bella Ross

Speech, language and hearing sciences freshmen Ashley Vanderpan and Serena Godson share a meal at Plant Power, including in avocado wrap and a burger.

File photo

Starting next year, students will be allowed to use their preferred name on their diplomas instead of their legal ones.

California website.

Those receiving public benefits, who earn under $1,301.05 per month or who the court deems unable to afford the fees plus household costs may qualify for a fee waiver, according to the California Courts website.

Aside from the financial burden of court fees for name changes, there can be an emotional burden for transgender and nonbinary students when they see reminders of their birth names.

Perkins said when they see their birth name on some campus portals and documents, it can have a negative effect on them throughout the day.

“It makes me very uncomfortable to hear that name ever or even see it written down,” Juniper said. “It kind of ruins the rest of my day after and it takes a lot to get me back to the level of happy and content that I usually am at before I have heard or had to read it.”

Until the option for diplomas is available next fall, students can change their preferred names or gender designations by submitting request forms to the Office of the Registrar. The preferred name will be seen on WebPortal class and grade rosters, BlackBoard, RedID cards, as well as in the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities and Student Life and Leadership.

Black Resource Center:

like this and you have to show support,” Bycoskie said. “Like some of the speakers were saying, sometimes if you don’t know what to do, (you) just have to show up and be present so that’s what I’m trying to do today.”

Psychology junior Saadia Ali said she was disappointed by the break-in, and that she believes the school should uphold antidiscriminatory laws regarding harassment and embrace a zero-tolerance approach.

She said used a hypothetical example of a professor harassing.

“Get them fired,” Ali said. “There should be no room or space for harassment on this campus.”

In the meantime, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign the pledge. The form can be found online on the Center for Intercultural Relations under the Black Resource Center tab.

continued from page 1

a group of passersby.

With this in mind, Wood said he thinks it is time for the university community to take a hard look at how they support black students and what needs to change.

“What we want people to do is to be able to leave here with a commitment to doing something beyond thoughts and prayers,” Wood said. “While we certainly value their prayers and thoughts, what we really want to see now is their action to help us create a community that is welcoming for all of our students.”

Africana Studies assistant professor Antwanisha Alameen-Shavers was one of the faculty members who went up to speak.

She said it was important to identify the enemy in their fight to advance this cause as a call to action for the people listening.

“So I ask the question: Who are we fighting?” Alameen-Shavers asked. “We’re all together now. Who are we actually fighting against right now? Because if we don’t know your so-called oppressor, your so-called enemy, how are we to do anything about it? So, who are we actually fighting against?”

Business junior Brandon Phillips said he found the vandalism to be alarming and that the university needs to instill some new policies to more adequately address the matter.

“I would like to see (identity centers) protected more so if we could get some policies either to have police officers here or a security officer that is here full time,” Phillips said. “Anything like that will probably help protect these spaces.”

Political science senior Chloe Bycoskie said the vandalism is outrageous and that people outside the black community need to step up.

“I think even if you’re not a black student, you still have to be an ally in situations

Associated Students (A.S.) is currently accepting applications for the following volunteer leadership position:

Applications can be picked up in the Associated Students Office, located on the third floor of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.

DEADLINE: WED, APR. 24, 2019 @ 4:00PM

619-594-6555 as.sdsu.edu

4

The Daily Aztec

Opinion

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Kemi Giwa • opinion@thedailyaztec.com

De la Torre’s $162,000 inauguration was excessive

EDITOR IN CHIEF Will Fritz MANAGING EDITOR Jocelyn Moran NEWS EDITOR Bella Ross ASST. NEWS EDITOR David Santillan OPINION EDITOR Kemi Giwa MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Alejandra Luna ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Julianna Ress ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Lexington Howe SPORTS EDITOR Abraham Jewett ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Aaron Tolentino ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Dana Tsuri-Etzioni PHOTO EDITOR Michael Abshear MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Amal Younis ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mirella Lopez GRAPHIC DESIGNER Katherine Cooke

SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Kyle Betz Michael Cline Kaitlyn Little Lauren J. Mapp Jack Molmud Tristi Rodriguez STAFF WRITERS Sydney Faulkner Daniel Guerrero Breven Honda Kelly Kerrigan Olivia Li Diane López Antonio Márquez Johann Derek Oribello Spencer White

The Editorial Board

_________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Josh Diaz SALES MANAGER Valerie Barrientos

We had such great hope when it was first announced The Campanile Foundation, and not with tuition Adela de la Torre would be our university’s next dollars. The university even went so far as to president. mention this on the official programs handed out We knew her Hispanic, working-class background at the inauguration. would put her in a position to serve the needs of Well, for one, Aztec Shops gets much of its funding a more diverse group of students than what had from sales to students at the SDSU Bookstore or previously been represented. the Aztec Market, while Associated Students gets a We’ve seen plenty of good things from de la Torre. significant chunk of its revenue from student fees.

She was very willing to meet with Daily Aztec editors But let’s assume that somehow, SDSU managed when she first arrived on campus. She’s been open to to ensure that absolutely no part of de la Torre’s having conversations about disadvantaged groups inauguration was made possible with money that like undocumented students. And just two weeks originated from students — an unlikely endeavor. ago, she made an abrupt decision to keep faculty and OK, great. How many students’ tuition could have students out of been paid for the Professional with $162,000?

Studies and Fine How many “Spending that much money on pomp and Arts building students’ rent circumstance at a university where most indefinitely could have been because of freshmen are expected to spend at least the cost covered with that toxic fumes kind of money? of a used Hyundai Elantra on housing for just after hearing Spending that the concerns much money their first year is not a good look.” of faculty and on pomp and students at an circumstance at open forum held over spring break. a university where most freshmen are expected to All of these things have led us to believe that her spend at least the cost of a used Hyundai Elantra on intentions are good and her heart is in the right housing for just their first year is not a good look. place.

Then there’s the medallion de la Torre was However, appearances matter, even with the best presented with at the inauguration. of intentions.

The inauguration webpage says she paid for the And, well, the $162,000 pageant de la Torre $5,000 medallion out of her own pocket. We think threw for herself last week didn’t have a very good it’s awesome that she didn’t pass along the cost of a appearance. frivolous piece of glorified jewelry to students. We Even in announcing the president’s April 12 also think it was awesomely shortsighted of her not inauguration, the university was quick to defend to consider that advertising the mere fact that she the cost of the event. has $5,000 to drop on a shiny object makes her The inauguration webpage — yes, SDSU really look comically out of touch. made a whole webpage for the inauguration — said President de la Torre, you’re the first woman it was to be paid for by Aztec Shops, the SDSU president of SDSU. You’re the first Latina president Research Foundation, Associated Students and of SDSU. We expected better.

ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Samir Sandhu Meah Mapp SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kaden Cowles ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Evan Baumbach Bryan Diamond Simon Tran _________________________________ GENERAL MANAGER/ADVISER Jay Harn GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST Luis Valenzuela _________________________________ EDITORIAL 619.594.4190 editor@thedailyaztec.com ADVERTISING 619.594.6977 advertising@thedailyaztec.com PRINT The Daily Aztec publishes 5,000 copies of its weekly print edition every Wednesday throughout the semester WEB Daily content is available at www.thedailyaztec.com QUESTIONS/COMMENTS letters@thedailyaztec.com The views and opinions expressed in this issue do not necessarily reflect those of The Daily Aztec.

Sports

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Abraham Jewett • sports@thedailyaztec.com

The Daily Aztec

5

Murray announces SDSU departure Aztecs lose single-season 3-point record holder to Cal.

by Tristi Rodriguez SENIOR STAFF WRITER

San Diego State women’s basketball sophomore guard Najé Murray announced April 8 on Twitter that she will be transferring schools.

On April 16, it was made public that Murray will be taking her talents to Cal and become a Golden Bear.

The Stockton native will be returning home to Northern California.

“I am going to begin by thanking San Diego State University for the opportunities they provided me with,” Murray wrote in a statement. “There’s no words for how thankful I am for the friends I have made & the community I became a part of. Thank you to my coaches for believing in me, the fans for the endless support and the city for allowing me to call it home. With a lot of thought and prayer with my family, I have decided it is best that I transfer and look into different options. To my sweet sisters, you helped me grow, develop and learn. Our memories I will cherish in my heart forever and love will never fade away no matter where, I will always be there.

You will always have a fan in me.”

Murray told The Daily Aztec why she felt it was time to leave SDSU. “You just have to follow your heart and trust it,” she said. “My time here has been great, I just think that it’s no longer a place for me. That’s not bashing my teammates or coaches or anyone involved in anything I do here.”

Twenty-seven days before her announcement, Murray set the Aztec record for most 3-pointers in a season with 79, along with leading the team to the Mountain West semifinals.

The momentum appeared to be with SDSU for the upcoming seasons, but its future seems a little blurry with Murray out the mix.

The 5-foot-6 guard averaged 13.3 points to lead the Aztecs in scoring during Mountain West play.

She also finished the season leading the team with 61 steals.

So, why leave now?

Murray said the decision was a long thought-out process.

“It’s not fresh,” she said. “What made it final was me just trusting myself and allowing myself to acknowledge my feelings. You almost have to be selfish in a decision like this. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life.”

Prior to making her announcement public, Murray informed each of her coaches and teammates individually.

“I had it in the right order,” she said.

“Head coach, then the assistants, then I called every teammate on the phone oneon-one. It was emotional.”

Head coach Stacie Terry said the phone call caught her off guard.

“I was surprised and disappointed,” she said. “But I want her to have her best college experience, so I support any decision that she makes and I wish her the best.”

Following Murray’s announcement, friends, family and fans showed their support to her.

Several teammates responded on Twitter.

“Nothing but support for your new journey, thank you for everything this past year, love you,” freshman guard Sophia Ramos tweeted.

Freshman guard Mallory Adams also replied.

“So much love for you, I will always be cheering for you!! to new beginnings,” she tweeted.

Terry said the team has been understanding.

“They’re all handling it very well,” she said. “I spoke with the team individually to make sure everybody’s okay and everybody had nothing but positive things to say. I think everybody’s sad that we’re losing a part of our family, but they support Najé in whatever she wants to do.”

Two years, 62 games and 717 points later, Murray had built a very special bond with Terry.

“It always hurts when someone leaves your family,” Terry said. “But I’m excited for her and the next part of her journey, and I want her to find what she’s looking for.”

Murray said the relationship she built with Terry set the bar for what she is looking for in a future coach.

Najé Murray goes for a layup during the Aztecs’ 69-66 loss to Boise State on Jan. 5 at Viejas Arena.

Photos by David Pradel

Najé Murray rises up for a 3-point shot over her defender against San Jose State on Feb. 2 at Viejas Arena.

“She’s a woman of integrity, and she takes care of us over here,” Murray said.

“That is hard to find and something that is important to me as I find my new school – a coach that is going to take care of me and look out for me.”

Terry has always spoke highly of Murray, constantly praising her competitive fire.

That competitiveness is one of the reasons why Murray is seeking a new challenge.

“I would like to see what I can do at a different school, maybe a different conference and see how that goes,” she said.

Though Murray will be wearing another school’s jersey, her legacy at SDSU remains.

In her two years as an Aztec, Murray was awarded several accolades.

During the 2017-18 season, the Stockton native was named to the Mountain West All-Freshman Team after averaging 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and leading all freshmen in the conference with 1.8 3-pointers per game.

She was fourth in the MW in scoring among freshmen while ranking third on the team in scoring and second in steals and 3-pointers.

During the 2018-19 season, on top of breaking a school record as a sophomore, she was key to SDSU’s success.

Terry reminisced on her time with Murray.

“What I’m gonna remember from Najé is that she was a fantastic teammate,” Terry said. “She loved her team. She was so passionate about basketball, and that’s what I appreciate the most.”

Murray said she is going to miss the relationships she has built the most.

“It’s more than just my team,” she said.

I have friends in other sports that are my best friends and have become a part of me.

My academic advisor and academic staff, they’re dear to me. I have the best trainer in the country, Queenie Soriano, who has been someone I could confide in all year.

I’m going to miss the people that allowed me to call this place home.

Najé Murray dribbles past her defender during SDSU’s 61-59 win over New Mexico on Feb. 6 at Viejas Arena.

6

Sports

The Daily Aztec

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Abraham Jewett • sports@thedailyaztec.com

Water polo drops home match against Pacific

by Breven Honda STAFF WRITER

No. 16 San Diego State water polo lost to No. 8 Pacific, 12-7, on April 12 at the Aztec Aquaplex.

The Aztecs could not get off to a good start, with six of their seven goals coming in the second half.

Head coach Carin Crawford said the team was not ready for the Tigers’ defensive plan.

“I wasn’t thinking the goalie would be out (as far as she was),” Crawford said. “That was something I take responsibility for in terms of not preparing the team as best as I think I should have.”

SDSU was surprised to see Pacific’s (12-8, 5-0 Golden Coast Conference) style of defense— something they have not seen all season.

“They’re real risk-takers, so they were playing defense toward the attack side and really playing off it,” Crawford said. “We struggled to move the ball. There hasn’t been a team that we’ve played all season that is willing to take that risky of a defensive position.”

As a result of not being prepared for the Tigers’ defense, the Aztecs only recorded one assist and five steals.

Every game, the Aztecs decide a team MVP that receives a puka shell necklace, and for this game, it was sophomore utility Maddie Higginson, who scored a goal on three attempts and added an assist.

Despite playing the eighthranked team in the country, Higginson said her team played well, but not well enough to get the win.

“We worked really hard and we gave it our best, but we had some lapses of focus where we should’ve been concentrating,” Higginson said. “We need to correct the mistakes next time.”

When the Aztecs (15-13, 5-2 GCC) next face a GCC team, it will be for the conference championship.

The loss puts the Aztecs in line for the two-seed in the GCC tournament, and Higginson said playing every conference team in the schedule once helps them, especially when the tournament begins in two weeks.

“Now that we’ve played everyone, we’ll have the ability to prepare to the best of our ability, and we can bring it to them even harder the second time,” Higginson said.

Since the Aztecs played thenNo. 12 Loyola Marymount on March 22, the Scarlet and Black

Photo by Aaron Tolentino

Junior defender Casia Morrison attempts to keep the ball away from Broncos sophomore utility player Kelly Frumkin during the Aztecs’ 4-1 win over Santa Clara on March 28 at the Aztec Aquaplex.

have been hitting their stride.

They have gone 7-2, with the other loss being at then-No. 8 Arizona State.

Sophomore driver Karli Canale attributes the success to the aftermath of losing to then-No. 14 Princeton.

“In the two practices we had before the LMU game, things changed,” the La Jolla High product said. “The mood, the intensity, things were put on the

Prepare for the business of

line. We were so mad from the (game against Princeton) and we knew we could do better and we finally started putting it into practices and now we’re doing a lot better. I’m proud of what we accomplished.”

During the past eight games, the Aztecs are 4-2 against ranked opponents, including beating then-T-No. 15 Fresno State on April 5.

Canale, who scored twice, said

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the team will have to move on and use this game as a learning experience.

“We’ve been doing really well; we just need to pick it up and onto the next because we got a big game coming up,” Canale said.

Canale and the Aztecs take on UC San Diego for the Harper Cup, the final regular season game and Senior Day on April 20 at the Aztec Aquaplex.

Sports

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Abraham Jewett • sports@thedailyaztec.com

The Daily Aztec

7

Pitcher succeeds amid mother’s illness

by Daniel Guerrero STAFF WRITER

When Adrian Mardueño finds himself in tough situations on the mound for San Diego State baseball, he steps off and reads a message he has written on the side of his glove: “I ♥ U MOMMA.” The message is inspired by Mardueño’s mother, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, and it helps the junior pitcher refocus before getting back on the mound.

“I step off every time and any time something is going wrong,” Mardueño said. “I step off, I look at my glove and read that in my head, and that just clears my mind.”

Mardueño found success on the mound after throwing a combined 11 shutout innings against then-No. 6/7 Oregon State and Nevada, earning him Collegiate National Baseball Pitcher of the Week, Mountain West Pitcher of the Week on April 8 and later Perfect Game/Rawlings Pitcher of the Week on April 9.

All of which came around two weeks after he learned the news about his mom.

Mardueño said his mother has motivated him when he gets the call out of the bullpen.

“I’m doing it for my team and doing it for my family and my mom,” he said. “She just got diagnosed, so I was just doing it for her and trying to focus and make her proud.”

Mardueño continues to thrive on the mound and extended his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 15.1 after

a clean inning against Cal State Fullerton on April 12.

He also lowered his ERA to 1.46 and his opponent’s batting average to .136, putting him atop the Mountain West Conference in both categories.

Aztecs pitching coach Sam Peraza said Mardueño’s ability to succeed on the mound amid his mother’s health concerns shows his perseverance.

“I was just doing it for her and trying to focus and make her proud.”

–Adrian Mardueño, Junior pitcher Photo by Raymond Gorospe

Junior pitcher Adrian Mardueño warms up before the Aztecs defeated Nevada, 3-1, on March 8 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

“He’s a very driven young man and a focused young man,” Peraza said. “He’s able to separate his emotions outside of baseball and school. It just shows the kind of character that he has to keep his school and baseball commitments while dealing with such a heavy issue.”

Peraza said the coaching staff would understand if Mardueño felt he needed to step away from the team for a short time.

“All we can do is support and let him know that we’re here for him,” Peraza

said. “And if he wants to take a day off from the team and be with his family, he’s more than welcome to do so.”

In addition to the Aztecs’ coaching staff, Mardueño’s teammates have said they will also be there to support him in any way possible.

This includes sophomore pitcher Casey O’Sullivan, who said the team can provide support for Madueño due to their strong bond.

“He’s got 25 brothers around him that are willing to do anything that he needs

to help him through this time. We’re really just a big family,” O’Sullivan said.

“We’re here for so many hours a day together and living on campus together, that we’re kind of a family that is away from home.”

Mardueño said in order to keep his success going, he must have the same mindset when he steps on the mound. “(I need to) just have the same mentality that I’ve been having every time I go out there,” he said. “And, like I said, do it for my mom.”

Men’s basketball freshman Ed Chang to transfer BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN YOU BY TREATING THE FOLLOWING SKIN CONDITIONS: Adolescent and Adult Acne Mild to Severe - Chronic Acne Oily to Dry, Dehydrated Skin Sun Spots, Hyperpigmentation, Melasma Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Premature Aging Sensitive Skin, Rosacea

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Ed Chang launches a 3-point shot during the Aztecs’ 87-44 victory over Jackson State on Nov. 27 at Viejas Arena.

by Kyle Betz SENIOR STAFF WRITER

San Diego State men’s basketball forward Ed Chang has declared he will enter the transfer portal after one season on the Mesa.

Chang announced his departure via Twitter on Monday afternoon.

“I’d like to thank to (sic) San Diego State University & the Aztec men’s basketball program, I appreciate all of your support and giving me the opportunity to represent this program,” Chang wrote in a statement.

“You guys were tremendous on and off the court. I will cherish the memories that I’ve made with my brothers and the relationships that I will hold for the rest of my life. However, I have come to the decision to transfer and further my collegiate career at another program.”

Chang played in 13 games as a freshman for a total of 53 minutes and 21 points while collecting nine rebounds and four assists.

Chang made six field goals, all of which came from beyond the arc. He also went 3-of-4 from the free-throw line.

A native of Papillion, Nebraska, Chang was ranked as a four-star recruit by ESPN with a scout grade of 81 as a junior. At one point, he was the top-ranked high school basketball player in Nebraska.

Chang did not play basketball his senior year of high school after transferring to Garfield High in Seattle due to transfer regulations.

Still, he received offers to play college basketball at Washington and SDSU. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound freshman will now test his luck elsewhere just 10 months after committing to the Aztecs.

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8 / The Daily Aztec

April 17-23, 2019

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Alejandra Luna • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com

Mundo Azteca

The Daily Aztec

9

Graduado de SDSU escribe libro sobre la segregación en la sociedad por Diane ESCRITORA

y pude estar en el centro de detención. Les pregunté si podía ser un voluntario y luego escribí un libro”.

Señaló que aparte de ser aceptado en SDSU, una de sus cosas más felices y memorables es ser un padre de familia.

"Me había llevado casi tres

López

Jerry Flores, egresado de la Universidad Estatal de San Diego, fue influenciado por sus experiencias personales, su familia, su educación y la segregación para elegir su carrera y escribir el libro “Caught Up: Girls, Surveillance and Wraparound Incarceration.”

Flores dijo cuando se mudó a SDSU notó que la policía hacía distinciones entre las personas de la clase alta y la raza blanca, como también vio como su comunidad era apartada de los demás.

“La gente blanca en realidad comete el mayor crimen”, dijo Flores, profesor asistente del Departamento de Sociología de la Universidad de Toronto y graduado de SDSU. “Puedes verlo en el sitio de Reporte de Crimen Uniforme y te muestra que incluso cuando las personas blancas cometen la mayoría de los crímenes, las personas de color son las más castigadas".

Flores mencionó que se interesó en la educación y prisiones porque miembros de su familia estaban en la cárcel.

Durante un tiempo, Flores dice ver un aumento de policías en su barrio y se dio cuenta que las autoridades no estaban vigilando a todos por igual si no sólo a las comunidades minoritarias.

Es por eso que decidió realizar varios estudios basados en la marginalización que existe en la comunidad hispana en EEUU. Cuando Flores curzaba su

“Antes de elegir una carrera, elige una meta, piensa cuál es tu ángulo y qué quieres hacer”.

– Jerry Flores Egresado de SDSU.

Cortesía de Jerry Flores.

Jerry Flores pelea para la comunidad Latina después de sus experiencias.

carrera universitaria, él comenzó a reflexionar sobre todas las veces que sus padres no tenían los ingresos suficientes para ir a ver a un médico o las veces que fue detenido por la policía.

“Comencé a pensar en mi vida todas las veces que no tenía atención médica y mis padres tenían que esperar hasta que estuviera muy enfermo para llevarme de Los Ángeles a Tijuana para ir a ver a un médico para obtener todos estos servicios”, dijo Flores. “Pensé en el momento

en que manejaba aquí en La Mesa y dos policías me detuvieron a punta de pistola porque encajaba con la descripción de alguien que robó un camión. La descripción era John Smith, cabello largo y rubio, ojos azules y blanco. No soy blanco, soy de color”.

Asimismo, Flores recibió su licenciatura en Sociología y su maestría en SDSU. Después continuó su doctorado en la Universidad de California Santa Bárbara donde se centró en estudios de encarcelamiento,

castigo y estudios femeninos.

Añadió que el tomar clases sobre mujeres y chicanos y el haberse graduado en SDSU con el título de sociología le hizo ver y comprender las cosas de diferente manera, el cual lo ayudó a pensar sobre la vida en general.

“Cuando estaba en SDSU tenía maestros que trabajaban en un detención juvenil y pude conocer gente”, dijo Flores.

“Quise ayudar a la gente y decidí seguir ese sueño. Investigué

años para transferirme a SDSU, así que cuando llegué me sentí muy agradecido", dijo Flores.

Agregó que en este momento está trabajando en otros estudios que se están llevando a cabo en Toronto sobre la comunidad indígena y LGBT. Sin embargo, espera que en un futuro este mismo proyecto se pueda llegar a realizar en EEUU y México.

“Antes de elegir una carrera, elige una meta, piensa cuál es tu ángulo y qué quieres hacer”, dijo Flores. “Por lo tanto, no escoja el título, primero elija su objetivo y luego elija el grado de acuerdo con ese objetivo”.

OPINIÓN

Aprendamos a conocer nuestro cuerpo y a decir ‘no’ por Antonio ESCRITOR

Márquez

En la vida de un estudiante lo más probable es que estemos ocupados todo el tiempo, ya sea haciendo tarea, trabajando o como yo tratando de salvar el

“Muchas veces me gusta decir sí porque sé que todos en algún momento necesitaremos ayuda de las personas que nos rodean”.

– Antonio Márquez, Escritor de Mundo Azteca

mundo.

Muchas veces me gusta decir sí porque sé que todos en algún momento necesitaremos ayuda de las personas que nos rodean.

Sin embargo, algo que yo no sabía era el daño que me estaba haciendo a mí mismo sólo por decir sí a todo y tratar de hacer todas las cosas en un día para

complacer a los demás y yo estar tranquilo.

Este semestre, me he dado cuenta que no siempre tenemos que salvar al mundo y hacer algo que no podemos o queremos para satisfacer a las demás personas.

En ocasiones debemos escuchar a nuestro cuerpo porque él también se cansa de tratar de solucionar lo que hay en nuestro alrededor.

Desde muy pequeño buscaba maneras de ser voluntario en mi comunidad y siempre tener buenas notas en la escuela, fue ahí donde me adapté a estar ocupado todo el tiempo. Con el paso de los años me di cuenta que ya no era un niño y que ahora tengo la responsabilidad de un adulto.

En mi mente quiero seguir siendo el niño que ayudaba a todos o me gustaría ser un superhéroe para resolver los problemas de mis amigos y familiares pero es imposible.

Es por eso que siempre digo “sí puedo ayudarte”, aún cuando estoy muy ocupado porque quiero ver a mi entorno bien para yo sentir que logré algo aún cuando yo no me sienta bien.

Durante mi semana de descanso de primavera, tuve la oportunidad de ir en una caminata junto con mi mamá.

Cuando estaba subiendo la montaña, trataba de no darme por vencido con el poco aire que tenía para lograr llegar hasta la cima. Mientras seguía avanzando me di cuenta que así me he estado sintiendo todos los días.

Siento como si siempre estoy escalando una gran montaña de responsabilidades y querer apoyar a los demás pero nunca termino de llegar a la cima por toda la carga que siento. Fue ahí que me comprendí que debo saber decir no cuando no puedo ayudar y no es que no quiera sino que yo debo saber balancear mi vida y mi tiempo.

Es difícil decir no a las personas que nos rodean porque pensamos que creerán que no queremos ayudarlos porque somos egoístas.

He tenido malas experiencias cuando digo que sí puedo hacer algo, al momento de hacerlo siento que no puedo y el estrés se acumula en mí y nada me sale bien.

Cuando eso sucede, olvido ponerme como prioridad a

mi porque debo cumplir mi palabra de apoyar a los demás.

La verdad es que cargar una mochila llena de

“Antes de elegir una carrera, elige una meta, piensa cuál es tu ángulo y qué quieres hacer”.

– Antonio Márquez, Escritor de Mundo Azteca.

responsabilidades, estrés y aparentar que estamos bien todos los días no nos ayudará a tener buenas calificaciones en la escuela ni a disfrutar la vida.

Aprendamos a escuchar a nuestro cuerpo y corazón, ya que nos ayudará a traer ese balance a nuestra vida.

Es importante que conozcamos cuándo podemos apoyar a nuestros seres queridos y cuándo es momento de darnos un tiempo para nosotros

mismos y seguir adelante.

Una de las cosas que muchos no hemos sabido hacer es cuidar nuestro tiempo.

Debemos saber primero a terminar nuestras obligaciones para después brindarles un momento a las personas que nos piden favores y no mezclar nuestras tareas con los problemas o acciones de alguien más.

Asimismo, tenemos que llenarnos de cosas positivas que nos hagan querer continuar para poder aportar cosas buenas a nuestro alrededor.

Al final del día, no tenemos que ser tan injustos con nosotros mismos, si no podemos ayudar a alguien, no nos sintamos culpables ni avergonzados.

Algún día podremos aceptar ayudar a nuestros familiares sin tener la necesidad de estresarnos y tendremos tiempo para nosotros también, sólo es cuestión de tiempo y organización.

Un consejo que les doy a los estudiantes es no seguir la misma rutina todo el tiempo, a veces nos merecemos tomar un descanso y hacer algo para nuestro bienestar mental y no siempre hacer feliz a los demás.

10

The Daily Aztec

Arts & Culture

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Julianna Ress • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Take Back the Night returns to SDSU

by Kaitlyn Little SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The Andrea O’Donnell Womyn’s Outreach Association hosted Take Back the Night, an open mic and rally for survivors and allies against sexual violence, on campus 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 11.

Take Back The Night is a nationwide event across various colleges, focusing on raising awareness of sexual violence on campuses.

This event has been part of Take Back The Week which is “a collaborative effort from the SDSU community to spread awareness about issues surrounding sexual violence and rape and to provide support to survivors” according to the Women’s Resource Center website.

Womyn’s Outreach Association President Shelby Rodich said the organization wants to provide a safe space and a healing space for survivors.

“Assault on college campuses is a big deal and it’s not one that’s talked about super openly and even when it is, it doesn’t always lead to action being taken,” Rodich said. “So by raising awareness and doing the march, we hope to get the word out to people.”

During the march, the participants walked past Viejas Arena and Fraternity Row. Some students living in the fraternity houses could be seen coming out onto their decks to watch; some even joined the marchers’ chants or blew air horns.

“No means no, it doesn’t mean maybe.

Don’t touch me, I ain’t your baby” were the words chanted by those taking a stand against sexual violence while marching on campus.

Interdisciplinary studies sophomore Jordan Koch is the Womyn’s Outreach Association’s herstorian, a portmanteau of “her” and “historian” the organization uses to refer to the person who keeps in touch with their alumni.

Koch said there is no denying that sexual violence occurs on campus every day.

Photo by Kaitlyn Little

Womyn’s Outreach Association President Shelby Rodich led the Take Back the Night march on campus.

“I want people’s voices to be heard because personally, I haven’t been affected by these issues but I know I have a voice and I know I have the courage to speak up for people that maybe don’t feel safe to do the same,” Koch said.

Mechanical engineering junior Jimmie Salazar is part of an internship at the Womyn’s Outreach Association and said he joined because he wanted to learn more about women’s oppression.

“I wanted to come to support this

whole untapped potential because I have a sister who is younger than me,” Salazar said. “So, I want to get to learn more and see what I can do to help out our younger generations. These events are important because it voices the problems that we’re facing today in our current generation.”

Biology sophomore Shyan Polman said she came because she is passionate about the Women’s Resource Center and the resources it provides.

“I think it’s important because a lot of

sexual violence is overlooked,” Polman said. “There’s so much information that this event brings (awareness) that I had no idea about and I’m pretty sure many other people don’t really know about either, that everyone should know.”

The event ended with victims and allies sharing their stories and support.

Rodich said that WOA has been hosting this event since it’s start. It can only be anticipated for more to come.

‘Spring Awakening’ production addresses social issues

by Sydney Faulkner STAFF WRITER

Presented by the Skull and Dagger Dramatic Society, “Spring Awakening: A Children’s Tragedy” shook the stage of the Experimental Theatre April 12-14.

It was written by German playwright Frank Wedekind, translated by Jonathan Franzen and directed by Adam Robinson, a third year theatre performance major at San Diego State.

“Spring Awakening: A Children’s Tragedy,” is an emotional production, simultaneously filled with laughter and heartache.

The show deals with a group of adolescents coming of age and exploring their relationships with others.

In the darker moments, there are instances of child abuse, rape, suicide and death from unsafe abortion methods.

The heaviness was not without reason, however.

“I want the audience to feel something after seeing this show,” Director Adam Robinson said. “I have my ideas and messages that I want to communicate through the show, but I don’t want to force too much on the audience.

Whether people walk away with an emotional connection to the characters or walk away thinking, ‘What the heck was that?’ is viable for me. I just want to

make an impact of some sort. I want the audience to feel different than they did when they came.”

Robinson said that the idea to produce “Spring Awakening” came to him shortly after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida in early 2018.

He noticed the push for gun reform was coming from the young students rather than officials, as the children were the more progressive of the two, which he related to “Spring Awakening.”

Hannah Luckinbill, a theatre performance junior, plays the role of Wendla Bergman, a 14-year old who is raped, and later dies from unsafe abortion methods.

Hannah said that although “Spring Awakening” was written in 1891, it is still relevant to society today, including the themes of religion, sexuality and authoritarianism present in the play.

“I wanted the audience to take away that nothing good can come of absolutes,” Luckinbill said. “Everything should be questioned and examined, because such repressive climates as the ones we see in ‘Spring Awakening’ can only breed injustices. The audience should leave knowing that they have the power to prevent such tragedies from Photo by Hannah Beerfas

SEE SPRING AWAKENING, PAGE 12

Moritz (Ben Breitenstein) and Melchoir (Brendan Mokler) take a moment in front of Wendla Bergman’s grave site. Set design is by Emily Klemmetsen, lighting design is by Hannah Beerfas, costume design is by Jill Jones and makeup design is by Mia Marx.

April 17-23, 2019 EDITOR: Julianna Ress • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Arts & Culture

The Daily Aztec

11

Wesley House provides affordable housing for SDSU students on a budget

by Lauren J. Mapp SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Housing for students at San Diego State may come in the form of dorm rooms, College Area houses and apartment buildings, or simply living with local family members, but in some cases, these might not be viable options.

The cost of both on- and off-campus housing has continued to increase over the years, with the cost of dorms rising by $5,819 between 2008 and 2018.

This can make it difficult for students to balance life between their classwork and paying bills.

Throughout the California State University system, 10.9% of students experienced homelessness during a 12-month period, according to the Chancellor’s Office Basic Needs study published in January 2018. The study also found that 41.6% of CSU students deal with some level of food insecurity.

Wesley House Student Residence — a campus-adjacent, non-profit housing community — aims to ease the financial burden of college by providing affordable housing to San Diego-based students in need.

“Our main program is affordable housing, so certainly compared to anywhere else on the block and anywhere else in a walk to campus radius, we are far below market rates,” said Nicole Celeste Marquel, director of development.

Beginning as a campus ministry in 1934, Wesley House dropped its religious affiliation and re-established itself as a secular non-profit organization in 2005, according to the website.

Residents pay between $925 for a studio and $1,800 for a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment monthly to live at the edge of SDSU. Unlike other buildings catering to college students near campus, the cost is static and

Photo by Julianna Ress

Wesley House is located on Hardy Avenue.

doesn’t increase with the number of people living in it, Marquel said.

Students receive guidance in applying for state benefits like CalFresh, lower electric bills and Medi-Cal, said Melanie Lucero, former program director.

“It’s important that San Diego State students get supplemental Medi-Cal because health services only pays for so much,” Lucero said. “If they’re depending on them, if they have to go to the hospital or something, they rack up huge bills. So we encourage them to apply for supplemental Medi-Cal.” Program directors at Wesley House provide additional support through life skill development and educational

workshops for residents. These programs help the residents not only be successful while in school, but succeed once they graduate.

There is currently a 100% graduation rate for the students who live at Wesley House during their senior year, Marquel said.

“Ultimately our long-term goal for our students is to help them break that generational cycle of poverty, especially among the first generation students, which the majority of our student residence are,” Marquel said.

Student resident and graphic design junior Derek Patterson moved into Wesley House in September 2018. He

first heard about the apartment through Project Rebound — a CSU program that helps students who are current and formerly incarcerated go to college.

Through the help of Wesley House and Project Rebound, Patterson said he was able to successfully attend a four-year school in lieu of community college.

“They’re more than willing to help you out in any way they can, so it’s been very, very helpful,” Patterson said. “I’d probably still be at community college and I’d probably just run that course and get a degree through a community college without the help of those two organizations.”

British band Foals takes the stage at the Observatory

by Spencer White STAFF WRITER

Photo by Spencer White

Rock band Foals performed at the Observatory on March 23.

British rock band Foals performed to a sold-out crowd at the Observatory on March 23 in support of its new album “Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost.”

The album is the first part of a twopart double album that came out earlier this month. The band finally came out and performed a mix of its songs from its 14-year career, including big singles like “Mountain at My Gates” and “My Number.”

The band played six songs from the new album, opening with “On the Luna.”

On the Apple Music page for the new album, lead singer and songwriter Yannis Philippakis detailed every song on the album and mentioned that “On the Luna” touches on this current peculiar moment in politics.

“There’s a line in there about Trump and how it’s strange to be in a time where you’re mortified by certain things that happen in politics but at the same time being transfixed by it,” he said.

Phillippakis was in very high spirits and appreciative of the sold-out crowd that was bursting at the seems almost the entire night. The last time Foals played in the city was also at the Observatory, right around its last stop at Coachella.

Phillipakis seemed determined to give the audience an honest rock show that was anything but sanitized.

One of the most profound moments of the show came when the band performed its song “Black Gold,” in which Greek singer Philippakis sang, “The future is not what it used to be.”

Next came “Spanish Armada,” which got a huge reaction out of the San Diego crowd. Another nautical-themed song that had fans jumping was “Red Socks Pugie,” a song that plays around with the concept of two lovers swooning over each other through the imagery of blood vessels.

Fiercer moments came when the band performed, “Providence,” as Philippakis screamed, “I’m an animal just like you, I bleed just like you,” all while blood-red stage lights poured down on the audience.

The band ended the main set with the speaker-crushing anthem “Inhaler” before coming out again for an encore. As the band came back, Philippakis said, “Let’s devastate this place,” while still smoking the freshly-lit cigarette in his hand.

The band then performed “What Went Down,” where Philippakis screamed at the audience, “When I see a man, I see a lion” over and over again, and the high-energy closer that Foals has become known for, “Two Steps Twice,” getting to the barricade one last time.

Philippakis was hard to contain by the tight security at the Observatory, but he and his band put on a show that was reminiscent of how rock n’ roll could and should feel.

12

The Daily Aztec

The Back Page

April 17-23, 2019 Editor: Julianna Ress • arts@thedailyaztec.com

All the best this year’s Coachella offered

by Kelly Kerrigan and David Santillan

Following Beyonce’s legendary performance at last year’s Coachella Arts and Music Festival (which is now a Netflix documentary titled “Homecoming”), fans were left wondering how the music festival would outdo itself this year. And though Bey’s act is a tough one to follow, this year’s lineup featured a diverse group of artists from every genre, including Spanish-language music, making it the biggest showcase of Latin music the festival has ever featured.

LATIN MUSIC TAKES OVER MAIN STAGE Reggaetonero J Balvin (a surprise guest last year during Beyonce’s second weekend performance) gave an electric performance on Saturday that featured vibrant, cartoonlike dancers, playing crowd favorites such as “Reggeaton,” “Con Altura,” and “Mi Gente.”

Balvin also paid homage to reggaeton giants Daddy Yankee, Wisin y Yandel and N.O.R.E during his set by playing “Gasolina,” “Rakata” and “Oye Mi Canto.”

“We’ve been waiting 15 years for this!,” Balvin yelled to the crowd in Spanish.

Other notable Latin acts included Puerto Rican Latin trap artist Bad Bunny, Spanish pop star Rosalía, Chilean alternative artist Mon Laferte and Mexican norteño band Los Tucanes de Tijuana.

Headlining this year’s festival were pop queen Ariana Grande, psychedelic rockers Tame Impala and rapper Childish Gambino.

Festival-goers didn’t disappoint either, sporting bright neon colors, band tees, animal prints and everyone’s favorite Coachella accessory: glitter. Here are some other cool things Coachella had to offer this year.

THE “OUT OF THIS WORLD” ART This year the festival brought a new galaxy theme to the artwork that was featured throughout the Empire Polo Fields. Not only did they bring back the giant moving astronaut from 2014, but they brought in some new space art like the “H.I.P.O” display, which featured a rocket on a launchpad with literal hippo workers doing experiments.

The “Archive of Affinities” artist Andrew Kovacs put together giant colorful cacti, which added to the desert state of the grounds.

KEVIN PARKER’S LASER SHOW Tame Impala played at Coachella for the fourth time on the Saturday of the festival, but this was the band’s first time headlining. The 90 minute set featured new and old songs, and a whole lot of lasers. The kaleidoscopic visuals and hypnotic ring on stage enhanced the performance, but there

Spring Awakening: continued from page 10

occurring by listening to and exercising empathy toward others.”

Brendan Mokler, a film production junior, plays Melchior Gabor, a teenage boy who raped Wendla Bergman.

“By not teaching kids about their bodies and how they work, it causes them to run wild and make bad decisions because they don’t know the difference between what is good and what is bad,” Mokler said.

“There’s also an element of shame that plays into this production. The characters feel humiliated by simple bodily pleasures and natural hormones that cause them to do unspeakable things. It is imperative to find a balance within teaching your children and letting them discover and learn on their own.”

Ben Breitenstein, a theatre performance senior, plays the role of Moritz Stiefel.

Moritz is a teenage boy who commits suicide after suffering from parental and

was nothing more visually appealing than the use of lasers. During hit songs such as “Elephant,” the lasers beamed green into the crowd, making fans gasp in awe.

NEON AND ANIMAL PRINT Every year, Coachella-goers cover themselves in glitter, dye their hair new colors and wear as little clothing as possible to survive the desert heat. Everyyear, the fest brings a new trend from the latest summer and spring fashion, and this year those styles included neon colors and everything animal print. From snakeskin to leopard to zebra print, the people of Coachella did not hold back accessorizing pants, shirts, bandanas and shoes in the wild patterns.

Neon’s comeback was more apparent than ever at Coachella, as well. From nail polish, to artwork, to makeup and everything in between, both performers and fans alike put on their brightest colors.

THE SURPRISE GUESTS The first weekend of Coachella is known for the star-studded surprise guests artists bring out to assist with their performances.

Ariana Grande closed the weekend with the reunion of *NSYNC, Zedd brought out popstar Katy Perry and Halsey stopped by during Khalid’s set. Other surprise guests included Nicki Minaj, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Vince Staples and Marshmello.

THE BEST OVER-PRICED FOOD YOU’LL EVER EAT $10 for a coffee, $9 for a lemonade and $16 for a burrito? It is no surprise that Coachella does not hold back when upcharging the crowd on food and drinks. Luckily, if you did end up dropping a majority of your bank account on the festival food, you probably do not regret it. The food ranged from juicy burgers, to refreshing popsicles perfect for the desert heat. There were plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options throughout the festival, providing something for everybody’s diet. But the best part was the inclusion of Postmates delivery. This year, festival-goers could order food from various restaurants on Postmates and have the food waiting for them at the delivery destination.

THE HEINEKEN HOUSE The 21+ stage changed locations and its appearance from previous years, but was one of the coolest and least crowded stages of the grounds. The Heineken House lineup was packed with various electronic, house and techno artists. For a place to cool off, chill out or dance, the Heineken House was one of the best places to go. Also, right across the way is the Arctic Tent, which features a 4D experience put on by HP, featuring music from performer Rufu.

societal pressure.

Lexi Vierra, a theatre performance sophomore and a Skull and Dagger board member, said Moritz’s in-depth monologue before committing suicide was captivating.

“He truly conveyed the essence of the character,” she said. “The monologue stood out to me as the most memorable part in the show. It made his reentrance at the end of the production all the more heart-wrenching.”

Director Adam Robinson said “Spring Awakening” was a 13-month long project and would not have been possible without the talent and input of the entire cast and crew.

“This was a collaborative process,” he said. “In my rehearsal rooms, I made sure that everyone had a say about how the production went. I love hearing ideas from all my cast and crew, and “Spring Awakening” would not be what it is without those ideas.”

Photos by Kelly Kerrigan and David Santillan

Aside from being a music festival, Coachella is also known for featuring vibrant art pieces that dot the festival grounds. Pictured above is a roving astronaut sculpture titled Overview Effect, created by production studio Poetic Kinetics. Pictured middle and below are the multicolored cylinder sculptures titled Sarbalé ke, created by Francis Kéré.

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