The Daily Aztec 4/27/22

Weds. April 27 - Tues. May 3, 2022 Weekly Print Edition

Vol. 108, Issue 26 www.thedailyaztec.com

San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1913

2

The Daily Aztec

News

April 26, 2022 - May 4, 2022 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com

Anti-abortion group’s two-day display initiates counter protest on campus

by Gabriel Schneider STAFF WRITER

Monday morning students walking by Hepner Hall were greeted by an antiabortion group.

Ella Bast, an undeclared freshman at San Diego State was handed a pamphlet and threw it away after she saw what was inside. She said it was hard to see the images and what the group was saying went against her beliefs but understood it is a public campus.

By 12:30 p.m., the Project Truth group had grown in number and had set up large signs with depictions of dismembered fetuses. Students started to gather to counterprotest the group.

“There are people here with a bunch of different opinions, and I understand that everyone needs to be heard,” Bast said. “I am just unsettled by it and the fact that it’s here.”

William Wilberforce, a member of the anti-abortion group with Project Truth, has been doing this for 15 years.

“We go to all the colleges’ campuses and present the view that an abortion

is an act of violence that kills a baby,” Wilberforce said.“The pictures paint a thousand words so we found (the signs) to be very effective.”

Sophie Scholl, another member of Project Truth, said many people do not actually know the process and full information about abortions.

They wanted to show the injustices of abortion and offer resources to students.

Scholl said they were open to conversations and debates but had mixed reactions from students.

“We always encourage civil dialogue,” Scholl said. “That is what makes America so great is having differing views and talking about it reasonably.”

Sydney Hoke, an SDSU student, chose to return at the end of one of her classes after passing by and seeing the signs, to ask them questions.

“They responded with the same stuff that’s found in their pamphlet, there wasn’t much clarity just pushing the agenda of pro-birth,” Sydney Hoke. “It’s really disappointing to see them here, and I wish they would leave.”

Photo by Katelynn Robinson

Some students participated in discussions with the anti-abortion group, others took to the pavement with chalk and drew pro-choice imagery.

Photo by Gabriel Schneider

The anti-abortion group obtained permits from the university for their graphic display in front of Hepner Hall.

Mechanical engineering fourth year Aldo Rojas said he was frustrated with how the campus was handling the situation.

“I think the campus should be the first line of defense,” Rojas said. “They should recognize that this could be a very traumatic thing for students on campus to witness and hear about.”

“This isn’t a matter of free speech,” Rojas said. “These people are trying to harm students emotionally.”

The university said it is ready to provide support to students in regards to the graphic images on the signs.

“The organization did not initially submit a request through the system and, after being informed to do so, submitted the request and met the requirements per university policy (see the Building & Grounds Regulations) and was, therefore, permitted for a designated space,” the university said, in an email. “In an effort to support freedom of speech on campus, the university legally cannot consider the content of an activity or speaker in its review or permitting processes.”

Wilberforce said he gets different responses from students and staff at each different campus, but some appreciate the opportunity for civil discourse.

“A lot of students here are in an echo chamber. We are here to disrupt the echo chamber,” Wilberforce said. “We are here to say, hey guys there is more to life than what you are being spoon-fed.”

Randi McKenzie, an emerita assistant dean at SDSU, was walking to a meeting when a student on the counterprotest side called out to her.

“I think it is important as an educational institution to share different perspectives on given issues,” McKenzie said. “If one side of a debate is there, it is very positive to have an alternative side that is what free speech is all about.”

She said it was the right of the group to choose to come to a public institution to share their opinions and it’s the right for students to share theirs as well.

“I always love to see our students engaged,” McKenzie said. “I love that they are participating in political issues and raising debate.”

Kiarra Mapp, political science major, and president of Turning Point USA at SDSU, was at the second day of protests.

She said she felt compelled to join the anti-abortion group after one of her classes and stayed for over two hours.

“We have three groups of people with us here today we have the pro-life, the SEE ANTI-ABORTION GROUP, PAGE 3

Students react to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill

by Nicholas STAFF WRITER

Neikon Ebadat

Starting July 1, the controversial “Parental Rights in Education” bill will prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity for kindergarten through third-grade Florida students and will require “age appropriate” instruction after third grade, according to Florida’s government.

In a Public Opinion Strategies poll, a sample of 1000 Americans demonstrated 61% of registered voters support the actual language of the bill. Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard reportedly sides with the bill, against others in the party, suggesting it be expanded to “protect” children through 12th grade or not at all.

Sarah Buttress is a sophomore at

San Diego State majoring in Public Health and identifies as bisexual. She recounted instances when she heard of parents saying homosexuality is something they don’t want their child to see that are connected to the bill’s origin in her opinion.

“I think that’s where the root of it bothers me. If we don’t want to talk about sexuality or gender orientation at all, that is incredibly general and it just doesn’t work like that,” Buttress said. “To people who say that it isn’t targeting anyone and they just don’t want any sexual talk whatsoever: Great. Don’t show a movie where straight people kiss then.”

The bill has become infamous as critics dubbed it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Two LGBTQ advocacy groups filed a lawsuit stating it negatively impacts an already marginalized community by forcing them to look

for support only at home, rather than having multiple avenues of affirming care. They contend with the state education law by pointing to data showing lower rates of LGBTQ+ suicide attempts with more supportive spaces.

SDSU freshman, Kylee Kyte, majors in Social Work and identifies as queer. She said she was aware homophobia still exists, but was hopeful to be past the point of it being in legislation before the bill was signed.

“We had the Supreme Court case that protected trans individuals in the workplace, and so after that happened I said ‘okay, we’re going to start seeing a flood of legislation and a flood of systemic changes that would be good for the LGBTQ community,’ but then this bill happened and I was like ‘oh no, we’re still in the middle of all this,’”

Kyte said.

In response to the policy, Florida teachers began to take the vague wording of the bill literally by removing any reference to gender or sexual orientation from the classroom by threatening to use only they/them pronouns for students and asking to be called “Mx” rather than Mr/Mrs. They also stated they will be removing any material with reference to a mother or father and will not speak of their spouse as husband/wife in the classroom.

“I think there should be a double standard, but I also just think I’m not really sure what we are trying to ban from classrooms if there was a double standard,” Buttress said. “I can’t even remember a time in second or third grade where I looked back and said ‘that was really inappropriate to learn about.’”

April 27, 2022 - May 4, 2022 EDITOR: Katelynn Robinson • news@thedailyaztec.com

News

The Daily Aztec

Immediate Access replaced with Equitable Access books

by Eugénie Budnik, Gabriel Schneider SENIOR STAFF WRITER, STAFF WRITER

San Diego State announced it will be switching from the textbook access program Immediate Access to a new program called Equitable Access starting in the fall 2022 semester.

“Most students don’t realize that this is happening,” College of Engineering Student Council President Tito Hernandez said. “Most students don’t care because the communication behind it is really, really poor. Most students don’t know exactly what is happening, and they’re really going to suffer because of that.”

All of the students interviewed about the new program said they found out through social media and actually did not see the email sent out by the school.

Equitable Access will allow all undergraduate students to access their course materials on the first day of instruction for a flat fee of $22 per credit.

Students will be able to access their materials through the add/drop date even if they opt out of the Equitable Access program.

However, many students aren’t convinced about the cost benefit that the new program offers.

“Next semester I have 17 units. So, 17 times $22 equals about $374. Which I find crazy to be spending that amount on just books. The majority of the time, I can find my books on Amazon for way cheaper,” psychology second year Sarah Robles said.

A statement published by RedShelf, the technology company which partners with SDSU to provide access to course materials for students said the “Equitable Access program aims to improve student affordability, readiness, and success by ensuring that every student has access to

Photo by Gabriel Schneider

Starting in fall 2022, SDSU will be switching to a flat-rate $22 Equitable Access program for course materials.

all their required course materials.”

The previous Immediate Access program allowed students to access their course materials by the first day of class on a variable book to book rate.

Students will still access materials through RedShelf and will be billed for the program later in the fall semester through student account services.

The decision to enforce an opt-out rather than an opt-in was pushed by the publishers in the negotiation process.

Mara Macías, an SDSU Imperial Valley Librarian, said publishers are focused on making money, but the focus for the school was to get the best prices for students.

“This is a breakeven proposition for the bookstore,” Macías said. “This is not a money making proposition for the bookstore.”

Students are in the program

immediately after they register for classes and can start to opt-out on July 27, when book lists are released.

After the add-drop date, students will be notified that their account was charged with an Equitable Access fee that is added from the amount of units taken.

If a student forgets to opt-out and contacts the student account services it will be changed over and they will not be charged, according to Macías.

Macías emphasized that each individual student needs to decide if Equitable Access will be beneficial with the amount of units and required textbooks in their schedule.

Financial aid can be used with Equitable Access unlike the past program Immediate Access.

SEE ONLINE

3

Anti-abortion group: continued from page 2

pro-choice group and people who are generally interested in what we have to say,” Mapp said. “The biggest difference between all three of us is how we are handling the situation in total.”

She said the pro choice group was being reactionary and using a mob mentality instead of having a civil conversation.

“People are going to believe what they want to believe and it’s up to our optimism and willingness to have a conversation to really get anywhere,” Mapp said. “All of this reactionary –all of this clinging to emotion is not helping anyone.”

Mapp said, unlike the counterprotesters, the anti-abortion group was not going into peoples faces, calling names or be threatening unlike reactions from the counterprotesters.

“Civil discourse is about learning the other side,” professor of communication Michael Rapp said. “Keeping an open mind and then from there making educated decisions.You want to take the emotion out of it because we act differently and speak differently when we are emotional.”

Rapp said communication is about understanding people not getting them to agree with you.

“You want to take the emotion out of it because we act differently and speak differently when we are emotional,” Rapp said.

Photo by Gabriel Schneider

On Monday, students gather to counterprotest in front of Hepner Hall.

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to launch Youth Opportunity Pass, free access for 18-years-and-under

Photo by John Paul Cavada

From May 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, riders 18 years old and under can ride for free with the Youth Opportunity Pass.

by John Paul STAFF WRITER

Cavada

Over 85% of college students live offcampus, according to San Diego State’s Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity. SDSU prohibits freshmen who live on campus from bringing their cars to campus.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System will launch a pilot program, the San Diego Association of Governments Youth Opportunity Pass, for free public

transportation from May 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, for all riders 18-yearsand-under.

SDSU’s Parking & Transportation Services is aiming to spread awareness about this pilot program to freshmen students given the no-car rule.

Sponsored by the San Diego Association of Governments as part of its Transit Equity Pilot, this pilot program was developed in collaboration with the MTS, the North County Transit District and the County of San Diego.

All riders 18 years and under can ride

the MTS and NCTD services for free with the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass, according to SDSU’s Parking & Transportation Services.

Riders must carry an eligible form of identification, such as a school picture ID, driver’s license or birth certificate,whenever riding, according to the MTS website.

The pass covers free transit rides on all fixed-route MTS buses and trolleys, and the NCTD’s Flex, Breeze, Sprinter and Coaster. It does not cover MTS Access or NCTD Lift paratransit services.

Students who want to apply for the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass, can register through the MTS webpage within the PRONTO application or pick up a free Youth PRONTO card from the MTS Transit Store or NCTD Customer Service Centers, according to the SANDAG webpage.

SDSU’s Transportation Analyst, Silvia Croft, shared her expertise on how the pilot program could have a long-lasting impact on first-year students.

“It’s one of those opportunities for younger students…to get people to try alternate modes of transportation.

Getting them used to something without

having to pay for it,” Croft said.

Croft said the pilot program would help resolve some financial hardships students may be facing.

“Especially people who choose not to have vehicles with gas prices, with how high they are right now. You’re looking at $6 per gallon. You would think that people would be able to move their kids without having to pay an additional fee to get them on transit,” she said.

As of March 11, average gas prices have reached an all-time national high of $4.331, according to data from AAA gas prices.

“Especially college students, I know how difficult it could be…I understand the financial hardships that a lot of students encounter. I really do see this being a positive program and I see our students finding a lot of opportunities through it,” Croft said.

The possibility for this pilot program to last indefinitely would rely on the ridership, the need, and the overall usage, according to Croft.

For more information on the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass, students can visit the SANDAG webpage here.

4

Opinion

The Daily Aztec

April 27, 2022 - May 4, 2022 EDITOR: Aaliyah Alexander • opinion@thedailyaztec.com

So, now it’s romantic be a creep?

By Samantha Festin STAFF WRITER

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and television programs like “Pretty Little Liars,” “Riverdale” and “A Teacher” share a common theme of predatory behavior, which should not be encouraged, as this behavior can lead to conflict and sexual assault.

Statutory rape is an issue for minors involved in forceful, intimidating and fearful situations with people in positions of power. Shows should portray sexual assault victims as people using their voice to stand up for themselves and ask for help when dealing with toxic partners rather than letting authoritative figures take advantage of their obedience. *SPOILERS AHEAD* The setting of “Pretty Little Liars” takes place in Pennsylvania, where the age of consent is 16, and “teens between the ages of 13 and 15 cannot consent to sexual activity with anyone who is four or more years older than them,” according to The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.

Aria Montgomery (played

by Lucy Hale), one of the main characters in “Pretty Little Liars,” was 15 years old in the pilot episode when she met Ezra Fitz (played by Ian Harding), who

Graphic by Emily Forschen

TV shows need to stop promoting the message that predatory tendacies aren’t romantic.

was 22 at the time.

Ezra shows predatory and manipulative behavior in his involvement with Aria, which he uses as research to write a true crime novel based on The Liars and revealing “A,” the main antagonist.

“Pretty Little Liars” uses mysteries like an anonymous alias and murder crimes similarly to “Riverdale,” a show that uses

anonymity and murder mysteries to create plot twists and suspense.

Geraldine Grundy (whose real name is Jennifer Gibson played

by Sarah Habel), a high school music teacher, showed predatory behavior with Archie Andrews (played by KJ Apa), her student.

Teenagers can be sexually active, but “Riverdale” oversexualizes and objectifies its characters in a way that influences audiences to

accept illegal sexual activity.

When comparing TV shows with reality, on-screen romances seem unrealistic, and the way characters portray romance does not always align with how couples handle predatory behavior in real life.

A “teacher” explores predatory grooming behavior between Claire Wilson (played by Kate Mara), a high school English teacher, and Eric Walker (played

by Nick Robinson), her student.

Predatory behavior should not have a place in healthy relationships, and no one should tolerate unlawful sexual activity, manipulation or gaslighting.

These shows all have a common issue of predatory teacher-student situations, and this can lead audiences to have mixed emotions about these behavior patterns. Normalizing this issue should not take place and dealing with unwanted sexual advances in real life should involve students knowing their rights and seeking professional help from trusted individuals.

Students can find support resources at SDSU Title IX for themselves and others who are experiencing or who have experienced sexual misconduct.

Samantha Festin is a senior studying journalism. Follow her on Twitter @xxpeace4everxx.

The Oscars was rigged, leave it in the hands of moviegoers next time

By Meghan Ellis CONTRIBUTOR

Screenshot from @sianheder.director

Sian Heder, director “CODA,” posing for a selfie at the Oscars.

Alright, before we get into it, I am not going to talk about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock. If that is what you were expecting, you might as well move onto the next article. Everyone else, get comfortable because I’ve got a lot to say.

The Oscars happened a few weeks ago and “CODA” won best picture, and I bet none of you could tell me what that movie was about. Do you know why?

Because nobody knew that it existed! It seems to be a recurring theme for the Oscars doesn’t it?

Every year, there are movies that get nominated for the Oscars and somehow, nobody has ever heard of it. There weren’t any advertisements and they weren’t being shown at the movie theater.

They just magically appear at the Oscars and all of a sudden everyone is supposed to know what it is. Same goes for “Power of the Dog” and “Drive My Car.” I understand they were shown at

prestigious film festivals and had an amazing set of cast members and crew members, but only a small percentage of people get to see this firsthand. Then after that, the members of the Academy get their hands on it and get to decide which movies got the honor of being nominated for an Oscar.

How has no one questioned this before?

Why does a small group of people also get to decide which movie gets an Oscar? Because let’s be honest, there have been some doozies that won. I mean, “The Shape of Water?” I have watched that movie numerous times, and I still don’t quite understand why the main character falls in love with a fish.

Having the general public involved in the voting process for the Oscars seems to make the most sense because if it wasn’t for people, like you and me, that go to the theaters or go on Netflix or Hulu and find a new movie to stream, these movies would not get this type of recognition.

If the public was allowed to vote during awards season, I guarantee you that “Avengers: Endgame” would have been nominated – and possibly won – for Best Picture. I still believe that it got robbed for Best Picture and nobody can tell me differently.

Be honest, would you rather watch “Avengers: Endgame” or “Nomadland?”

To drive this point home: It beat Avatar at the box office! What more do you want?

And don’t get me started on

Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Iron Man because I consider it a travesty that he has not won an Oscar for Best Actor.

Robert Downey Jr. and Tony Stark are the same person and is now one of, if not the, most important character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that’s a conversation for a different time.

By letting the general public get involved with the voting and nominating process, the movies we actually watch and enjoy would get the recognition they deserved. For example, “Cruella” was nominated for one category, and that was Best Costume Design, and they won, which was well deserved. Some of the dresses that Emma Stone was wearing throughout the film were absolutely fabulous. But the movie was not about the dresses.

Cruella’s story is so different and emotional that it seems like it deserved more than just Best Costume Design; I think it could have been nominated for Best Screenplay.

The members of the Academy never take into consideration the big franchise movies, such as Marvel and Star Wars, for the more prestigious awards. The closest we ever got to seeing a big franchise movie being nominated was “Batman,” not DC Comics, just “Batman.” Then after “Batman,” it was “Joker,” which is still a part of Batman’s storyline.

What made “Batman” so special? It was almost ruined by George Cloony. Sorry, George.

We still love you, but it’s true.

I’m not saying all movies that have been nominated or won weren’t important. A good majority of films like “12 Years a Slave,” “Million Dollar Baby,” and “The Greenbook” tell important stories that make us feel true emotion. There are movies that define generations that are constantly being overlooked because the Academy says they aren’t “Oscar material.” Well, the Academy may say that, but movie goers have a different opinion.

By letting the public vote instead of just the Academy, not only would the Oscars viewership increase, but the films we all enjoy would finally get the recognition it deserves.

What are you waiting for?

Make some popcorn, get comfy on the couch, and start looking for the next Oscar nominated film. Who knows? It might rely on your vote.

Meghan Ellis is a senior studying rhetoric, writing and Spanish.

HELP WANTED Petition Canvasers Needed. $25-$50/hr+++ PT/FT Anytime!!!

No Exp Nec!!

PAID DAILY!!!!

Circulate 6 popular CA petitions and make great money. Fun & Easy!! You make your own hours!! You work wherever, and whenever you want!! We Pay Daily!!!!!

For more info, call 619-4800808

EDITOR IN CHIEF Catlan Nguyen MANAGING EDITOR Trinity Bland NEWS EDITOR Katelynn Robinson OPINION EDITOR Aaliyah Alexander MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Noé Sandoval ASST. MUNDO AZTECA EDITOR Karina Bazarte ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Ryan Hardison ASST. ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Cristina Lombardo SPORTS EDITOR Jason Freund ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Finley SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Sara Rott PHOTO EDITOR Noelani Sapla MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Mackenzie Stafford ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Jayne Yutig GRAPHIC DESIGNER Emily Forschen

STAFF WRITERS Neikon Ebadat John Paul Cavada Gabriel Schneider Maritza Camacho Madison Geering Aaron Velasquez Samantha Festin SENIOR STAFF WRITERS Eugènie Budnik Marco Perez Morgan Prickett CONTRIBUTORS Huy Huynh Serena Neumeyer Meghan Ellis ________________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Brian Arnold 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.

WATCH OUR LIVE BROADCAST ON WEDS. @ 12:30 PM

FOLLOW US /dailyaztec @TheDailyAztec @thedailyaztec /DailyAztecVideo

April 27, 2022 - May 4, 2022 EDITOR: Noé Sandoval • mundoazteca@thedailyaztec.com

Mundo Azteca

The Daily Aztec

5

Transporte público de San Diego será gratuito para estudiantes 18 y menores

Foto por John Paul Cavado

La transportación pública de San Deigo tendrá un programa para estudiantes y jovenes de 18 y menor para tener el transporte gratuito pare el mes de mayo y junio 2022.

por John Paul CONTRIBUYENTE

Cavado

Más del 85% de los estudiantes universitarios de hoy viven fuera del campus, según la División de Asuntos Estudiantiles y Diversidad del Campus de La Universidad Estatal de San Diego.

La universidad actualmente tiene restricciones de tener carro para los estudiantes de primero año.

El Sistema de Tránsito Metropolitano de San Diego, o MTS por sus siglas en inglés, lanzará un programa piloto, el Pase de Oportunidad para Jóvenes de la Asociación de Gobiernos de San Diego, para transporte público gratuito desde el 1 de mayo de 2022 hasta el 30 de junio de 2023, para todos los pasajeros de 18 años

y menores.

Los Servicios de Estacionamiento y Transporte de SDSU tienen como objetivo difundir el conocimiento sobre este programa piloto entre los estudiantes de primer año dada la regla de no conducir.

Patrocinado por la Asociación de Gobiernos de San Diego, o SANDAG por sus siglas en inglés, como parte de su Piloto de Equidad de Tránsito, este programa piloto fue desarrollado en colaboración con el MTS, el Distrito de Tránsito del Condado Norte y el Condado de San Diego.

El propósito del Pase de Oportunidad para Jóvenes de SANDAG se enfoca en proporcionar a los pasajeros mayores de 18 años y en transporte público gratuito, según la página web de SANDAG.

Todos los pasajeros menores de 18 años pueden viajar en los servicios de MTS y NCTD de forma gratuita con el Pase de oportunidad para jóvenes de SANDAG, de acuerdo con los Servicios de estacionamiento y transporte de SDSU. Los pasajeros deben llevar una forma de identificación elegible, como una identificación con foto de la escuela, licencia de conducir o certificado de nacimiento, siempre que viajen, según el sitio web de MTS. El pase cubre viajes de tránsito gratuitos en todos los autobuses y tranvías de MTS de ruta fija, y en los Flex, Breeze, Sprinter y Coaster de NCTD. No cubre los servicios de para tránsito de MTS Access o NCTD Lift.

Los estudiantes que deseen solicitar el

Pase de oportunidad para jóvenes de SANDAG, pueden registrarse a través de la página web de MTS dentro de la aplicación PRONTO o recoger una tarjeta PRONTO para jóvenes gratis en la tienda de tránsito de MTS o en los Centros de servicio al cliente de NCTD, según la página web de SANDAG. La analista de transporte de SDSU, Silvia Croft, compartió su experiencia sobre cómo el programa piloto podría tener un impacto duradero en los estudiantes de primer año.

“Es una de esas oportunidades para los estudiantes más jóvenes... hacer que la gente pruebe modos alternativos de transporte. Hacer que se acostumbren a algo sin tener que pagar por ello”, dijo Croft.

Croft dijo que el programa piloto ayudaría a resolver algunas dificultades financieras que podrían enfrentar los estudiantes.

“Sobre todo las personas que optan por no tener vehículos con los precios de la gasolina, con lo altos que están ahorita. Estás viendo $6 por galón.

Uno pensaría que las personas podrían trasladar a sus hijos sin tener que pagar una tarifa adicional para llevarlos en tránsito”, dijo.

A partir del 11 de marzo de 2022, los precios promedio de la gasolina alcanzaron un máximo histórico nacional de $4.331, según datos de precios de la gasolina AAA. “Especialmente los estudiantes universitarios, sé lo difícil que puede ser… entiendo las dificultades financieras que enfrentan muchos estudiantes. Realmente veo que este es un programa positivo y veo que nuestros estudiantes encuentran muchas oportunidades a través de él”, dijo Croft.

La posibilidad de que este programa piloto dure indefinidamente dependería de la cantidad de pasajeros, la necesidad y el uso general, según Croft.

Organización latina ofrece recursos de productos femininos y becas para estudiantes en Sacramento por Alexis Perales CSU NEWSWIRE

En algunos baños del campus de la Universidad Estatal de Sacramento hay cajitas llenas de productos de mujer con el logo de Instagram impreso. El contenido incluye toallas higiénicas y tampones que están disponibles para cualquiera que los necesite.

La organización responsable de donar y recolectar estos productos es Mujeres Ayudando La Raza o MAR. MAR es una organización multicultural sin fines de lucro creada en UC Davis en 1990 antes de que se abriera un capítulo en Sac State en 1999.

MAR incorpora diferentes aspectos de la cultura latinx al participar en eventos de servicio comunitario al mismo tiempo que forma nuevas amistades y vínculos, estudiante de tercer año en antropología y dijo la co-coordinadora del club, Lexi Bravo.

La junta directiva del club adopta un enfoque de liderazgo diferente al de otras organizaciones. Bravo dijo que en lugar de un presidente, un vicepresidente y un secretario, su junta consta de tres cocoordinadores que supervisan el club y los demás miembros de la junta.

Según Bravo, su madre fue miembro fundadora de MAR en UC Davis y dijo que el club reformó sus roles porque los miembros querían ser cohesivos en la forma

en que manejaban las cosas para evitar que una sola persona estuviera a cargo.

“Hoy en día, creo que lo hace mucho más fácil porque no estoy preocupado por todo lo que tengo que revisar”, dijo Bravo. “Tenemos respaldo y personas en las que apoyarnos para ayudarnos cuando organizamos eventos como la conferencia de la juventud”.

La conferencia juvenil es una conferencia basada en becas para estudiantes de último año de secundaria para solicitar dinero para la universidad para la que el club recauda fondos, dijo Bravo.

Karina Baltazar, estudiante de cuarto año de justicia penal que se desempeña como una de las co-coordinadoras de MAR, dijo que la conferencia de jóvenes es un evento de todo el día para estudiantes de último año de secundaria que les brinda recursos para preguntas sobre salud mental o educación.

“Recaudamos muchos fondos durante el año escolar específicamente para ese evento”, dijo Baltazar.

Ella dijo que su evento de recaudación de fondos más reciente incluyó una asociación con Round Table, donde se les otorgó una VER STATEHORNET.COM

6

Foto por Alexis Perales

La co-coordinadora de Mujeres Ayudando La Raza y estudiante de tercer año en antropología, Lexi Bravo dijo que MAR ayuda a los estudiantes latinos a involucrarse más en su comunidad.

6

The Daily Aztec

Sports

April 27, 2022 - May 4, 2022 EDITOR: Jason Freund • sports@thedailyaztec.com

Women’s rugby heads to the ‘Ship

By Morgan Prickett SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The San Diego State women’s rugby club are heading to their first ever National Rugby Association of America’s National Championships starting on Friday, April 29.

Quite interestingly though, this women’s rugby team still isn’t officially an SDSU club.

Yes, you heard that right. SDSU women’s rugby is heading to nationals and they haven’t even achieved official club status on campus.

“It’s been a challenge,” head coach Tony Roulhac said. “Obviously, starting as a student organization and at the moment we’re just getting to the point where we’re going to be a club sport hopefully in the fall.”

Despite receiving limited support from the school, SDSU women’s rugby battled on and off the field to put themselves in a position to reach the National Championship.

Roulhac said it means a crazy amount to him that this team was able to battle this far with fewer resources.

“It’s a validation of all the work we put in,” Roulhac said. “The girls put in so much work to get there with fundraising and things like that so I can’t even explain it.

Everyone’s just on top of the world right now.”

Even though they’re not officially a club, SDSU women’s rugby will officially be making their trip to Houston, Texas to compete in the Division Two CRAA Spring Championships.

“It’s almost like we’re just any student organization competing against actual

Photos by Morgan Prickett

The women’s rugby team may not be an official club at San Diego State, but they’ll be representing the Scarlet and Black in the CRAA division two chamiponships this weekend.

school teams which is kind of crazy but I think we got it,” junior Juliette Bionaz said.

After an incredible 4-0 season where the Aztecs outscored their opponents by a total of 66 points, The Aztecs were able to receive a bid to attend the tournament.

The Aztecs won their first two games of the season; 42-0 against the University of Nevada Las Vegas and 31-12 versus the University of California, Irvine.

Potentially the biggest game of the Aztecs’ season was their third match against a strong Clairemont side. The Aztecs narrowly defeated their opponent 19-14 and potentially secured their chances at reaching nationals.

The Aztecs then went on to win their final game by forfeit against California

State University Long Beach.

Potentially setting up a movie-style ending to the Aztecs’ season, Clairemont received a last-minute bid to the tournament which could result in a heated rematch between the two sides in the semifinals or finals.

“I just hope everyone goes in without the amount of nerves that I think we will because I know this is a big thing,” Bionaz said. “I myself am very scared but I think I need to get over that, and I hope that everyone else gets over that because I think when we’re in our heads that’s when mistakes happen so we just need to be confident in ourselves.”

The CRAA D2 Semifinals commence on Friday, April 29 at 11 a.m., and will be

broadcasted on the Bay Area Online Sports Network.

If the Aztecs make the finals, their match will commence at noon and will be televised for free on the Rugby Network along with the other Championship matches.

Bionaz hopes this tournament will be an opportunity to expand SDSU women’s rugby’s outreach.

“I think it’ll mean a lot to us as a club because it might be an opportunity to get other girls to join,” Bionaz said. “We really only have 20 people on the team and only 15 go on the field. A lot of people have concussions or injuries so it would mean a lot to us if we could get a little bit more recognition from the school so that we could get more players.”

Women’s golf ties for sixth in conference tournament

By Marco Perez SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The San Diego State women’s golf team finished in a tie for sixth place at the Mountain West Championships in Rancho Mirage.

The Aztecs failed to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Regionals and will have to hope for an at-large berth during the Division One women’s golf selection show on Wednesday April 27 at 1 p.m.

San Jose State — No. 5 in the nation according to Golfweek — won the team event and had one of its athletes win the

individual title. The Spartans opened up the tournament with a 12-stroke lead after the first round and never looked back, eventually winning the tournament by a commanding 30 strokes with a final team score of 4-under-par 860.

Natasha Andrea Oon — the No.6 ranked golfer in the nation according to Golfweek — won the individual title by seven strokes with a 10-under-par 206. Her SJSU teammate Lucia Lopez-Ortega finished right behind her in second place and at 3-under-par, and another Spartan joined the top three with Kajsa Arwefjall finishing in a tie for third at even-par.

The Scarlet and Black finished 39 strokes behind the winners with a 35-over-par 899. They finished in a tie with Nevada for sixth place, ahead of Colorado State and Wyoming in eight and ninth respectively.

Junior Bernice Ilas was the highest finishing Aztec. She finished in seventh place with a 4-over-par 220 and shot a 1-under-par 71 to move up four spots on the final day of competition.

Sophomore Anna Lina Otten had one of her best finishes of the year, finishing in a tie for 15th. She shot a 9-over-par 225 and shot an even-par round of 72 in her first round.

Last year’s Mountain West Champion, Senior Sara Kjellker, finished in a tie for

5

Photo courtesy of SDSU Athletics

Junior Bernice Olivarez Ilas and the SDSU womens golf team placed sixth out of nine teams in the 2022 MWC tournament.

21st. Her best round of the tournament came in the second round when she shot a 2-over-par 74.

Freshman Esti Garcia Rubio shot a 5-over 77 in the final round and finished in a tie for 29th. Fellow freshman Anika Sato rounded out the Aztec team. Sato recovered from back to back 6-over-par 78s and shot a 3-over-par 75 in the final round to finish in 34th place.

The Aztecs will find out if there is more golf to one played this season during the selection show on Wednesday. The show can be seen live on Golf Channel at 1 p.m.

The NCAA Regionals will take place May 9 to 11 across six different venues.

April 27, 2022 - May 4, 2022 Editor: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Arts & Culture

The Daily Aztec

7

Out-of-state student club hopes to form community for students across the nation

By Trinity Bland MANAGING EDITOR

While San Diego State’s entire student body is demographically diverse, its out-of-state student population is tiny and mighty.

According to SDSU Analytic Studies & Institutional Research, 12.4% of incoming fall 2021 Aztecs identified as out-of-state students and like the in-state students who live up or down the California coast, they deserve to find their safe space not just in California, but at SDSU. Founded in 2022 by its president, Massachusetts native, psychology and communication junior Jenna Green, the Out-of-State Student Association (OOSSA) discovers the beauty in the SDSU out-ofstate student experience.

“OOSSA will be a space for students to come that don’t really have a community here in California,” Texas native and OOSSA vice president of finance Nick Ables said. “I struggled a lot when I came here trying to find that community because I didn’t know anyone from my high school or from Houston. It would be nice to have that sense of community on campus, and for OOSSA to be a second home for out-ofstate students.”

Being the only space on campus dedicated to out-of-state students, OOSSA aims to ensure they feel a sense of belonging at SDSU, as well as provide the support they need when facing obstacles that can interfere with academic success, such as homesickness or loneliness.

“It’s hard being an out-of-state student and people don’t understand how hard it is until they get here,” Colorado native, psychology junior and OOSSA vice president Mollie Schnee said. “While I feel like SDSU provides equal opportunities for out-of-state students, I don’t think the university understands how hard it is to be an out-of-state student so there aren’t as many resources specifically for us.”

OOSSA will focus on mentorship, where

Screenshot courtesy of OOSSA Instagram

The Out-of-State Student Association host an Intent to Enroll booth at Explore SDSU 2022 on April 9, 2022.

out-of-state students will be paired with lowerclassmen to meet them at their level and to offer guidance, demonstrating it is possible to excel at a major university far from home.

“Coming from out of state and asking for what you need can be a challenge,” Schnee said. “There are people here in OOSSA to help you.”

Senior admissions counselor and staff advisor for OOSSA Heidi Nguyen has been working with SDSU’s out-of-state admissions office for nearly seven years.

Nguyen, who graduated from SDSU in

2008 with a bachelor’s degree in social work, has seen how out-of-state students come in and struggle to find a community that keeps them connected to campus.

“My students mean a lot to me,” Nguyen said. “I have seen a need for relationship building and rapport building amongst themselves. Out-of-state students come in with this misconception that they’re the only one that doesn’t know anyone, but the reality is that everyone comes to college like that.”

At the start of each fall semester, the office of New Student and Parent Programs

hosts an out-of-state student mixer for incoming freshmen and transfer students to come together and make friends. However, Nguyen claims that historically, it ends there, leaving out-of-state students on their own to make connections to people and to campus.

“There aren’t any follow-ups or programming specific to the out of state student population, so the need for OOSSA has been here,” Nguyen said. “A lot of resources are available to students within housing, student services, advising and their major as they are coming in but not once they’re here and nothing additional for out of state students. To be able to give them their space, to give them fellowship, mentorship and guidance is invaluable, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

OOSSA’s executive board is still in the development stages of planning set meeting times but has an agenda to center the needs of students more than anything else.

“We’re new, we’re still growing and it’s a good thing,” Schnee said. “Students can give their input on what out-of-state students are looking for, what they need from it, what they want from it.”

OOSSA’s ultimate goal is to boost out-ofstate students’ confidence and morale in their decision to enroll at SDSU, as well as to validate their inevitable rollercoaster of emotions they will experience throughout their time at SDSU. “College is not all palm trees and pretty beaches. On the internet, you see beautiful pictures and you see students having a great time and you think, ‘that’s exactly what it is,’ and it’s a part of it, but it’s not all of it,” Nguyen said. “It’s hard, there are challenges and you need people you can go to, so we want out of state students to stick it out with OOSSA as a resource.”

OOSSA plans to launch their organization officially at the start of the fall 2022 semester. For more information or to get involved, follow OOSSA on Instagram at @oossasdsu.

SDSU advocates for the inclusion of drag culture

By John Paul Cavada

networking opportunities with renowned drag artists, according to the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity.

SDSU’s Aztec Nights: Scream, Qweenz!, was held by the Pride Center on Oct. 30, 2021, at Montezuma Hall.

STAFF WRITER

With LGBTQ+ pride on the rise, San Diego State’s School of Journalism and Media Studies seeks to support the cause. As the spring semester comes to a close, dragthemed events have been springing up on campus in a wave.

Of these events, SDSU’s School of JMS showed their support for drag culture through a Screening Circle.

The School of JMS Screening Circle is an opportunity for students to engage and learn through media about social issues for a more progressive community, according to lead planner Lauren Farberman.

Within their signature Screening Circle, the School of JMS presented the Emmynominated series, “We’re Here.” This JMS Screening Circle was held at the Tula Community Center on March 16 at 4 p.m.

“We’re Here” stars renowned drag queens, Caldwell “Bob the Drag Queen” Tidicue, David “Eureka O’Hara” Huggard, and Darius “Shangela” Pierce. Presented within the Screening Circle, viewers are taken on a ride through drag culture with the overarching theme of self-acceptance.

“We’re Here” is an American reality television series that follows these esteemed drag queens in their journey to recruit local residents as their “Drag kids” to participate in one-night-only drag performances to

TAX FILINGS

SEE ONLINE

AVAILABLE Copies of the tax filings for the

Photo by Brittany Cruz-Fejeran

Amber St. James performs in front of Hepner Hall at Aztec Nights’ ‘Dragstravaganza’ event on Sept. 4, 2021.

express their genuine selves, according to HBO. These drag queens work with individuals who are struggling with insecurities that prevent them from fully embracing themselves. Through the power of drag, Bob, Eureka and Shangela work to unleash the individuality and self-acceptance hidden within their drag kids.

As a surprise for the attendees, the starring cast of the show attended the Screening Circle in-person for a live drag performance and Q&A session. The live

performance was led by SDSU Alumna, Amber St. James, a founding drag member of the Sisters of St. James Productions.

Alongside the School of JMS, the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity has also advocated for drag culture through events on-campus.

SDSU’s Aztec Nights: Dragstravaganza, The Festival, was held by the Pride Center on Sept. 4, 2021, at the Campanile Walkway.

The festival featured outdoor performances, pop-up tent activities and

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS SDSU

for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 are now available at the Associated Students Office, Room 320, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union or on our website at as.sdsu.edu

619-594-6555 as.sdsu.edu

8

The Daily Aztec

The Back Page

April 27, 2022 - May 4, 2022 Editor: Ryan Hardison • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Content creator Jasmine Le inspires viewers to embrace their ethnicity

By Serena Neumeyer CONTRIBUTOR

The rise of social media influencers has changed the outlook of trends and decisions made by people online and in the real world. From a number of platforms, these influencers have built a following around their passions and lifestyles that continue to grow with their content. However, with that power comes an understanding of not only creating trends, but facilitating change as well.

Jasmine Le is among these rising content creators with over 700,000 subscribers on YouTube as she continues to grow her following on other platforms through her fashion , beauty and lifestyle content. She originally began her journey on YouTube at the age of 13 making American Girl doll stop-motion videos. As she got older, Le was drawn to the beauty and fashion world by YouTubers Michelle Phan (@ michellephan) and Ashley Rous (@best. dressed). In doing so, she started making sit down videos where she shared her own raw and personal experiences online.

“I didn’t really do beauty until I was about fifteen or sixteen and that’s where I found my niche,” Le said. “When I first started watching @best.dressed, I was inspired by how open she was about a lot of things. At first, I felt like I had to stay in this bubble but then I saw how well she integrated different types of content on her channel and I kept doing that not only because it was fun, but because I felt it made my followers feel less alone in their experiences.”

In creating a safe atmosphere for her followers, Le strives to bring Asian representation within her platform and media itself. In the past, Le remembers the struggles she faced growing up in Huntington Beach, a predominantly white and conservative area. Having to endure racist remarks and hurtful stereotypes as a young girl made her resent being Vietnamese, so she did everything to

abandon that part of herself in order to belong.

“I remember I wanted nothing more than to be white because to everyone I was just the Asian girl,” Le said. “I know what it’s like to be the ‘other’ and I want to use my platform to do good because there’s no point in being an influencer if you’re not influencing people to do the right thing.”

Taking on that responsibility in bringing Asian representation online brought more viewers to her channel, especially women of color who saw themselves in her. Le’s channel became an outlet of expression that reflected her passion for beauty and fashion while inspiring young girls to feel beautiful in their own skin. Online, her followers built a community that also found comfort in “girl talk” and sharing in their experiences together.

Her efforts were soon recognized by large brands, among them being Savage X Fenty, a brand widely known for celebrating fearlessness, confidence and inclusivity. Le became their next ambassador to showcase Asian women in their lingerie designs with the hopes of freeing women like Le from feeling insecure in their own bodies.

“To me, being an ambassador for Savage X Fenty was the brand that told you that you’ve made it,” she said. “When I got the text from my manager that I got it, I dropped my phone and started freaking out! I was so shocked!”

Alongside being an ambassador for Savage X Fenty, Le attended the annual Head in the Clouds festival after being invited by the organizers, 88rising. This music production company is renowned for highlighting Asian R&B and rap artists – among them being Rich Brian, Joji and NIKI. In November, Le not only met up with other Asian content creators at the event but even found herself meeting NIKI backstage, who had actually reached out to her personally after uploading her “Boob Job” vlog on YouTube.

“88rising was one of the first brands

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Le

Jasmine Le’s online presence has reaped significant rewards, including a partnerhsip with Savage X Fenty.

to reach out to me and I really love their mission of representing Asian people in the industry and giving them the recognition that they deserve,” Le said. “It was a real full circle moment for me because I’ve always tried to be that representation at events where I stick out like a sore thumb but it was really nice to be seen by a really cool brand like that.”

With the spotlight on Le, it’s easy to

forget that she’s actually a student at San Diego State finishing her four years as a business marketing major this spring.

Although her heart has always been set on content creating, Le was originally drawn to marketing for its creative side in graphic design and from her own experience in representing large brands.

SEE ONLINE

SoundWave A Cappella are pitch perfect at ICCA

By Huy Huynh CONTRIBUTOR

SoundWave, San Diego State’s first and only coed a cappella group, recently competed in the ICCA (International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella), placing first in the virtual Southwest Quarterfinals on March 5, and third in the Semifinals that occurred in Phoenix, Arizona at the Herberger Theater Center on March 19. As seen in John Legend’s show “Sing It On” and the book “Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory,” the ICCA showcases a cappella groups from all over the country, as well as the United Kingdom.

Currently consisting of 18 group members, SoundWave was originally established in 2012 as an R&B group, but only started competing in 2020.

Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic’s burdens, SoundWave’s president Julia Pearl discussed the group’s journey and finally competing in the tournament.

“SoundWave competed for the first time ever in 2020 and qualified for semifinals, but the competition was cut short due to COVID-19,” Pearl said. “Finally making it to Phoenix two years later was such a full-circle moment for everyone that was

Photo courtesy of SoundWave

SoundWave performs five songs during their ICCA set.

in the group in 2020.”

The ICCA requires each group to perform a 10-to-12-minute performance showcasing the group’s strengths with the main focus being on musical performance, but also scoring on presentation. Because of this, choreography is common among

these performances, as shown through SoundWave’s set and their use of intricate blocking and even dance choreography one would see in an actual dance group.

Known primarily for being the group’s beatboxer, Mario Fong was awarded “Outstanding Vocal Percussion for Entire Set.” Fong further elaborated on the preparation process.

“After many nights of setting dynamics, blocking formations, and getting to know one another much too well, we not only came out in the end with an awardwinning ICCA set, but more importantly a performance that we can all be proud of,” Fong said. “The lengthy process of preparing and practicing for such a largescale performance was a challenge for sure, but incredibly rewarding nonetheless.”

In their 10-minute set, the group performed five songs, including “Hypotheticals” by Lake Street Dive, “Making Bad Decisions” by Bea Miller, and, most notably, “Stupid Deep” by Jon Bellion, as they won “Outstanding Arrangement” for the song cover.

Describing the bonds created during the competition with other a cappella groups, Brandon Bartosh, SoundWave’s business manager, affirmed the positive lessons learned from this experience.

“We all cheered each other on as the

groups came backstage one-by-one after their performances. Along with being there to perform, the best part for me was learning from other groups…learning how they developed their set and how they ran their rehearsals,” Bartosh said. “It was an uplifting community for sure!”

Despite the connections made in Phoenix, Pearl summed up the experience saying SoundWave’s own comradery will most likely stick the most for the group.

“After working tirelessly on our competition set for nearly six months, there really is nothing like the feeling of performing on a stage with 17 of your best friends,” Pearl said.

With an event as prolific as the ICCA, the a cappella group is starting to make waves, and they urge their fellow students to jump on it.

“If you haven’t heard of SoundWave yet, come to our performance…we’re really good, for real,” Fong said.

SoundWave’s next two performances will be on April 30 and May 30, with the first one occurring at the Heart of a Child benefit concert, and the following one in La Jolla at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Tickets for the La Jolla concert are currently available online at the La Jolla Music Society website and include dinner as well.