Volume 72, Issue 07 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, November 14, 2023

VOL. 72, ISSUE 07

RADAR

est. 1954

FROM HIS SARCASTIC HUMOR TO HIS INSPIRING EFFORTS TO HELP OTHERS, THE ACTOR HAS LEFT AN IMPACT THAT FANS AND THE INDUSTRY WILL REMEMBER.

Remembering the life and legacy of actor Matthew Perry KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

studying acting and comedy while in high school. After a few small cameos and guest appearances on TV shows, Perry made his big breakthrough with NBC’s famous sitcom, “Friends.” The beloved show about the daily lives of six adults finding their way through their mid-to-late 20s in New York was a massive success. The show ran for a decade, pulling in millions of viewers. As “Friends” grew into an international hit, Perry became a huge celebrity along with his co-stars. Since the show came out in the ‘90s to early ‘00s, many people grew up watching it. Perry played Chandler Bing, one of the main characters, known for his sense of humor and sarcasm. Chandler was loved by many for his quick wit and banter with his other friends. From his entertaining bromance with Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, to his heartfelt romance with Monica Geller, played by Courtney Cox, Perry was at the forefront of many iconic moments of the show. than the typical minimum of three meals a ► SEE PERRY PAGE 15

NEWS

CONCERNS BROUGHT UP OVER FINANCE MEETING MINUTES.

ASUCR’s fifth senate meeting

OPINIONS

MORE EMPOWERED THAN EVER, BREAK FREE OF CONSTRICTING EXPECTATIONS THAT REVOLVE AROUND DATING.

A new rulebook for love: Dating your friend’s ex is not off-limits MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES Assistant Features Editor

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

The fifth Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) Senate meeting took place on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. All senators were present, excluding Senators Alex Lu, Kevin Nguyen, Leila Haider and Naia Pizzaro. The meeting began with a land acknowledgment to the local indigenous tribes who had lived on the land before and was called to order at 7:03 p.m. The first thing covered on the agenda was approving the previous meeting minutes for Senate Meeting Minutes #1, Senate Meeting Minutes #2, Senate Meeting Minutes #3, and Senate Meeting Minutes #4. All four meeting minutes were approved by the Senate 14-0-0. First on the Public Forum was Vice President of External Affairs Angel Renteria. He commended student life for their advocacy efforts. Afterward, he presented a missing flier that his office had made when Chancellor Wilcox had not shown up for the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) sit-in and encouraged everyone in the room to

COURTESY OF POLICY EXCHANGE VIA FLICKR

hold the administration accountable. He ends by telling everyone that if they are passionate about something, to get involved and organized. Next on the podium was Rumzi Asad Halim, treasurer for UCR’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). He came to the podium hoping to get a statement update from ASUCR regarding Palestine. Executive Vice President Victoria Nguyen responded that the members working on the statement were not present at the meeting but will ensure that someone from ASUCR will reach out to him or his organization to provide updates. During Ex-Officio Reports, the Senate reviewed ECAB Meeting Minutes #2. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Senator Grace Su and seconded by President Pro Tempore Abby Choy and was approved 13-0-0. For New Business, ASUCR delivered their Charles Young Statement. Charles Young was the first ASUCR student body president. He helped establish many traditions during ► SEE ASUCR PAGE 4

The answer to an age-old question — is it ever okay to date your friend’s ex? — would generally be no. If the threat of possible friendship damage isn’t enough to deter people, there are various demonstrations of what this “trope” decision might look like down the road in popular contemporary entertainment. Across the timeline of traditional and modern dating, the question of whether or not it’s acceptable to date a friend’s former flame has spawned the mass appeal of love triangle tropes and toxic unspoken rules of friendship, all restraining one’s individual freedom. Reading like a Shakespearean tragedy, resonating like Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” and being depicted in HBO’s “Euphoria” — all of these instances have negative connotations to dating a friend’s ex. However, these references are purely fictional and cannot be translated into real life. These examples need to be placed in the rearview mirror, and people must refrain from blurring the line between media

and reality. These stagnant tropes that have been repeated for entertainment are ingrained in a traditional viewpoint — controlling conduct and reinforcing the notion of ownership over others. An iconic cult classic movie, “Mean Girls,” depicts toxic ideologies humorously when Gretchen, one of the main characters, declares, “Exboyfriends are just off-limits to friends. That’s just like the rules of feminism.” The behavioral aspect of narrow ideologies that encompass unspoken friendship rules, modernly known as “girl code,” is highly disingenuous and incapable of elaborating on the actual complexities of human relationships. There is no issue utilizing these rules for entertainment purposes. However, when integrated into real relationships, they become a bargaining chip — a form of holding power over friends of the same sex. A 2019 survey of 1,500 singles conducted by the dating app Plenty of

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OPINIONS 7

FEATURES 11

RADAR 14

SPORTS 18

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► SEE DATING PAGE 9

2 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

Disability Awareness Week: Late to the Party! 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. HUB 355

Trivia Night 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Barn Stable

ASPB Presents Scotty’s Birthday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. HUB Lawn

R’Side Rally 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. HUB 265

Graduate Writing Series 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. HUB 260

BlaqOUT 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Costo 245

Mary Celeste Opening Night 8 p.m. HUM 411

Undergraduate Research FacultyStudent Mixer 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bourns A0342 Patio

Airness Matinee 2:30 p.m. ARTS Studio Theater

Super Smash Brothers and Mario Kart 3 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. SRC Mac Gym Lobby

Trans Remembrance Day Display HUB Display Wall

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UCR Orchestra and UCR Concert Band 8 p.m. University Theater

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NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

ASUCR’s ﬁfth senate meeting CONCERNS BROUGHT UP OVER FINANCE MEETING MINUTES.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

The fifth Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) Senate meeting took place on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. All senators were present, excluding Senators Alex Lu, Kevin Nguyen, Leila Haider and Naia Pizzaro. The meeting began with a land acknowledgment to the local indigenous tribes who had lived on the land before and was called to order at 7:03 p.m. The first thing covered on the agenda was approving the previous meeting minutes for Senate Meeting Minutes #1, Senate Meeting Minutes #2, Senate Meeting Minutes #3, and Senate Meeting Minutes #4. All four meeting minutes were approved by the Senate 14-0-0. First on the Public Forum was Vice President of External Affairs Angel Renteria. He commended student life for their advocacy efforts. Afterward, he presented a missing flier that his office had made when Chancellor Wilcox had not shown up for the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) sit-in and encouraged everyone in the room to hold the administration accountable. He ends by telling everyone that if they are passionate about something, to get involved and organized. Next on the podium was Rumzi Asad Halim, treasurer for UCR’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). He came to the podium hoping to get a statement update from ASUCR regarding Palestine. Executive Vice President Victoria Nguyen responded that the members working on the statement were not present at the meeting but will ensure that someone from ASUCR will reach out to him or his organization to provide updates. During Ex-Officio Reports, the Senate reviewed ECAB Meeting Minutes #2. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Senator Grace Su and seconded by President Pro Tempore Abby Choy and was approved 13-0-0. For New Business, ASUCR delivered their Charles Young Statement. Charles Young was the first ASUCR student body president. He helped establish many traditions during his time at UCR, including popular things like the Big C and the term Highlanders. A motion to adopt the statement was made by Senator Ray Khan and seconded by Senator Anjana Narasimhan and was passed 13-0-0. Next on the agenda was Committee Reports, which began with SR-F23-004 Resolution to Support the Use of Increased Funding for UCR’s Collegiate Recovery Services. PPT Choy explained that the resolution would be used to support funding for collegiate recovery services and would act as a call to action for the university to support the program. VPEA Renteria elaborated that the program is for students suffering from substance abuse and that UCR does not have a program established for it at the moment. This would be an individual effort to improve sustained wellness and would promote a low-barrier approach and

confidentiality to ease stress and stigma surrounding substance abuse. A motion to approve the Senate Resolution was made by Senator Khan and seconded by PPT Choy and passed 13-0-0. The next bill was SB-F23-009 Updating External Position Titles on Chapter 8, which, as PPT Choy explained, would update the titles and budgets in external positions to reflect changes that have been made. A motion to approve the Senate Bill was made by Senator Narasimhan and seconded by Senator Philson Ho and passed 13-0-0. SB-F23-005 Amendments to Student Voice Committee Bylaws was a change to the bylaws that was made to include an existing committee to the Office of the President and officialize its existence. Senator Juan Campos, chair of the committee, explained that the Student Voice Committee has two subgroups, Outreach and Survey, who go to connect with the student body, organize data and pass the message on to the respective office in ASUCR so that student voices are being heard. A motion to approve the Senate Bill was made by Senator Khan, seconded by Senator Su and passed 13-0-1. SB-F23-008 Amending Chapter V: Vice President of Finance and Committee Budget Exemptions, as explained by PPT Choy, is an amendment to the bylaws for the Vice President of Finance that allows for clubs and organizations to surpass their limit and spend more for competitions and similar events. Senator Kaden Ho elaborated that the purpose is to make things more flexible and open to make it easier for clubs and organizations to receive exemption approvals for financial reasons. A motion to approve the Senate Bill was made by Senator Khan and seconded by Senator Amariah Peedikayil. The final item from the Legislative Review Committee was SR-F23-003 Student Protection from Political Harassment. This resolution was a call of action to the university to stand up for its students. Vice President of Internal Affairs Ruhi Barman elaborated that it called for Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Programs and Title IX to ensure that students are being safe and protected on campus. A motion to approve the Senate Resolution was made by Senator Pizzaro and seconded by Senator Rachit Shah and passed 14-0-0. Next on the agenda was the review and approval of Finance Meeting Minutes #4. The meeting minutes were presented by Senator K. Ho. During this time, PPT expressed their concern as to why the majority of the committee had abstained from voting, but despite that, the Future Pills Exemption had passed. Senator K. Ho stated that a lot of people were present on Zoom and were not completely sure and were new to their positions. PPT Choy then asked why it says abstained if the members were unsure and Senator

K. Ho responded that he cannot speak on their behalf. PPT Choy asked again whether or not they discussed this during the meeting. Senator Su then asked for an explanation on the Future Pills Club, to which it was responded by Senator K. Ho that it was a pre-pharmacy club and that they had asked for an exemption to their budget for transportation for traveling to certain events. A motion to approve the minutes was not made, but a motion to approve line item A (Org Allocations) passed 14-0-0 and line item B (Future Pills Exemption) was tabled 14-0-0. Next on the agenda was to review and approve Green Grants. Green Grant #4 Loan a Lock, which included Green Grant #4 Loan a Lock Budget, was presented by Senator Narasimhan, who explained that it is a service to provide free rental bike locks to make bringing bikes to campus more accessible. A motion to approve the grant was made by Senator Pizzaro and seconded by Senator Peedikayil and approved 14-0-0. Green Grant #5 GCAP Shuttling Service included Green Grant #5 GCAP Shuttling Service Budget. It was presented by Senator Su, who explained that every year Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) provides shuttling to Ontario International Airport around Dec. to help reduce the overall carbon footprint. Senator Viraj Ala asked about a section on the grant entitled “other shuttling fees” for “$2000” to ﬁgure out what would happen to the allotted money if it were not used. EVP Nguyen responded that whatever is not used would be sent back to GCAP for future Green Grants. A motion to approve the Green Grant was made by Senator Narasimhan and seconded by Senator P. Ho and passed 140-0. No one went to the podium for Public Comment. During Senator Reports, Senator Narasimhan reported that she sent an email to the Senate table to see if anyone had an interest in working during the Global Fair, which will most likely be at the end of the winter quarter or spring, and to ﬁll out the form for their availability. She also stated that Bourns College of Engineering is planning on having its Town Hall at 4:00 p.m. and will have the dean, assistant dean and other representatives from BCOE present. EVP Nguyen encouraged her to reach out to the International Student Director as well for the Global Fair. Senator Ala reported that he had worked on the Afghanistan and Charles Young statements that ASUCR had adopted and that he had also worked with Senator Khan on the Breast Cancer Awareness event. Nothing was stated during the Roundtable and Announcements. H The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. ■

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5 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

NEWS

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Professor Spotlight: Vasileios Christopoulos

BACKGROUND OF DR. CHRISTOPOULOS AND HIS JOURNEY FROM COMPUTER SCIENCE TO NEUROSCIENCE. ALEXANDRA ARCENAS Contributing Writer

Professor Vasileios Christopoulos has been an assistant professor at the University of California, Riverside since 2019. He obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota in computer science and a minor in cognitive sciences. After obtaining his Ph.D., he went onto the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as a postdoctoral fellow to pursue his interest in neuroscience. Currently, he is a part of UCR’s Department of Bioengineering and the Graduate Neuroscience Program, as well as a visiting associate in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at Caltech and an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University of Southern California’s Medical School. Christopoulos studies through a neuroscience lens; his lab focuses on the development of the networks of the brain and how they are affected. However, the professor did not always find himself in the biological sciences. In an interview, Christopoulos shares his life story with The Highlander. He says that “people tend to tell the bright side of their stories, but there is a lot of pain” and “many times that you cry,” which he admits to because he believes that pain and failure are a necessity in the field of science. His journey began when he was a seventeen-year-old high school student in Greece choosing his future college — as most students here at UCR can relate — it was no easy task. In high school, he already had a dream to “give back to humanity.” However, he states that he did not really know what he wanted to do at this time. He decided to major in mechanical engineering to fulfill his love of math and picked a school in the southern part of Greece because of the area and the fun atmosphere. When asked about his past, he reflects that he realized as an undergraduate that he needed to develop a strong background in mathematics and programming. He believes such a background is advantageous for any undergraduate student because gaining analytical and computational skills can be applied to any career. At the same time, he does understand that it is not a path everyone can take. He admits that he wanted to become a physician or a surgeon at first because he wanted to do his part to help society, but he decided to pursue a more math based career because he loves mathematics and computation.

He “sacrificed medicine for engineering,” as he says. Once he completed his undergraduate degree, another heavy decision was put upon him. Throughout his academic and professional career, Christopoulos has been motivated by the question, “What should he accomplish next?” When asked about the move to America, he answers, “when I came to the States, I left many things behind:

family, friends, my girlfriend at the time. Since I made the decision, I want this decision to feel it’s worth it.” Thus, he moved across seas to work with people who may have answers. He went to the University of Minnesota to complete his Ph.D. and worked under Professor Apostolos Georgopoulos and Professor Paul Schrater. However, there were times during graduate school when he found himself unhappy in his work. The second year into his graduate program, he knew that robotics was not for him. He found it “miserable,” actually. He believes that “if you are doing something you don’t like, then what is the point of wasting the most productive time of your life.” Now, thinking about it, he knows that it is important for him to be interested in his work and research even when out of the lab. If he starts only thinking about his work from nine to five, he knows he must switch his

focus to another subject. Therefore, when he is mentoring his new graduate students, he urges them to communicate what they want to accomplish and what specific direction they want to proceed in. He states that it is “important for me to be very careful because you don’t want to damage these people. I feel very responsible for my students.” He goes on to say that he constantly asks his students if they are happy in his lab because “you have to do what you love here” and firmly believes “you have to be very passionate about your research or there is no way to survive in this environment.” He lives by his statement, “If the question I have requires skills I don’t have, I am going to get the skills regardless of how much time they will take. I don’t care.” His determination to find answers at any cost motivates him to be a great researcher here at UCR. He believes one of the ultimate goals of research is that when somebody is talking about your field of work, they must bring up your name. Throughout his lab, he reminds his students that “failure is our friend,” and if they do not fail, it means they are doing something that is not very innovative. To which he follows up with, “And I don’t like things that are not innovative because we’re wasting our time.” Currently, Dr. Christopoulos has multiple ongoing projects at work. A few of these projects include work on developing functional neuroimaging of the human spinal cord for patients with chronic back pain, understanding deep brain stimulation treatment for schizophrenia and a collaborative study with Elena Kokkoni’s lab, focusing on the developing motor systems of infants and kids. Christopoulos does not believe that science should only look forward, saying that “there is no way to connect the dots when you move forward; you have to look back to connect the dots. There is no way to see the big picture.” More information on Dr. Christopoulos’ research or classes can be found on his lab website. He also has numerous publications to learn from.■ H

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KELLEY MANZO / THE HIGHLANDER

NEWS

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TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

Political Recap: Debate Recap! THIRD GOP DEBATE: WHERE THE LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES STOOD ON THREE KEY ISSUES. EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, contenders for the Republican presidential nomination converged on the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida, for the third Republican primary debate. In an expansive debate, candidates argued over issues ranging from opioids to TikTok. Three speciﬁc issues emerged as central to the conversation, garnering the most speaking time. Each candidate asserted their vision for foreign policy, the economy and abortion.

Foreign Policy

Ron DeSantis “Finish the job once and for all with these butchers, Hamas” - Florida’s Gov. Ron Desantis declared his strong support for Israel, saying, “I’m sick of hearing other people blame Israel just for defending itself. We will stand with Israel in word and indeed in public and in private.” Gov. Desantis also struck a hard line on Israel-Hamas discourse on college campuses, stating that “it’s the antisemitism that’s spiraling out of control” and that “if you are here on a student visa as a foreign national, you’re making common cause with Hamas, I’m canceling your visa and I’m sending you home, no questions asked.” Gov. DeSantis invoked his service in Iraq when asserting what he says is a commitment to protecting American troops, stating, “you harm a hair on the head of an American service member, and you are going to have hell to pay.” He asserted that, as president, he would not send American troops to Ukraine. However, he contended that a military response was necessary at the U.S.-Mexico border, stating, “I am going to send troops to our southern border. If you look at the threats that we face, terrorists have come in through our southern border.” Nikki Haley “There would be no Hamas without Iran; there would be no Hezbollah without Iran.” - Former South Carolina Governor and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, asserted a strong commitment to supporting Israel, saying the United States must “support Israel with whatever they need, whenever they need it.” Haley asserted that Iran, backed by Russia and China, is a main actor in the conflict, stating, “there wouldn’t be the Iranian militias in Syria and Iraq that are trying to hit our military men and women if it hadn’t been for Iran. And who is funding Iran right now? China is buying oil from Iran, Russia is getting drones and missiles from Iran, and there is an unholy alliance.” Haley believes the United States should take stronger action to combat Iran, contending that “Iran responds to strength; you punch them one, and you punch them hard and they will back off.” On Ukraine, Haley emphasized the importance of supporting what she characterized as “a freedom-loving, pro-American country that is fighting for its survival and its democracy.” However, she detailed that there should be limits on the type of aid Ukraine receives, stating, “No, I don’t think we should give them cash. I think we should give them the equipment and the ammunition to win.” Haley argued that supporting Israel and Ukraine is important to combat what she describes as an “unholy alliance” between Russia and China. Vivek Ramaswamy “To frame this as some kind of battle between good versus evil, don’t buy it.” - Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy asserted Israel has “the right to defend itself” but that the United States has other obligations besides defending Israel. He stated, “I would tell Israeli Prime Minister [Netanyahu] to smoke those terrorists on his southern border and then I’ll tell him as President of the United States, I’ll be smoking the terrorists on our southern border. That’s his responsibility; this is our responsibility.” Ramaswamy also stated he is “absolutely unpersuaded” that Ukraine should receive more aid. Ramaswamy justified this by claiming that “Ukraine is not a paragon of democracy” and calling the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, a “Nazi.” Chris Christie “I would say to Prime Minister Netanyahu [it] is pretty simple, America is here no matter what it is you need at any time to preserve the state of Israel. Remember that Hamas’ main goal is to get rid of Israel. Is to get Israel absolutely off the map.” - Chris Christie declared his support for Israel, stating,“it is absolutely your [Netanyahu’s] obligation to protect the territorial integrity of Israel,” to ensure that “Hamas can never do this again,” and finally to “continue

to isolate Iran [and] work with the reasonable nations in the Middle East.” On Ukraine, Chris Christie stated that “the last time that we turned our back on a shooting war in Europe, it bought us just a couple of years and then 500,000 Americans were killed in Europe to defeat Hitler” and that it is the United State’s responsibility as the “leaders of the free world” to be involved in the situation. He stated, “In 1992, this country made a promise to Ukraine. We said if you return nuclear missiles that were part of the old Soviet Union to Russia and they invade you, we will protect you,” and asserted the U.S. should “stand by” that promise. Tim Scott “I would tell Prime Minister Netanyahu, not only do you have the responsibility and the right to wipe Hamas off of the map, we will support you, we will be there with you, we’ll stand shoulder to shoulder.” - South Carolina Senator Tim Scott asserted the United States would stand with Israel in the Israel-Hamas War. If he were to become president, he stated that he would revoke federal funding for any college campus that “allows for antisemitism and hate” and “allow[s] students to encourage terrorism, mass murder and genocide.” He reafﬁrmed this stance by stating, “all the students on visas who are encouraging Jewish genocide, I would deport you from those campuses.” On Ukraine, Senator Scott stated, “I certainly have been very supportive of Ukraine. I believe that ultimately we should make sure that the President of the United States states what is America’s national vital interest in Ukraine,” which is to degrade the Russian military. Stating his stance on whether or not he would sign off on more military funding for Ukraine, Scott maintains that “We’ve been very effective using our resources and our weaponry and the incredibly high price of Ukrainian blood to achieve that objective” and that the “bottom line is we have to ﬁrst have the level of accountability that allows the American people to understand where the resources have gone.”

Economy

Ron Desantis “I’m going to take all the executive orders, the regulations, everything involving Bidenomics, I’m going to rip it up, and I’m going to throw it in the trash can.” - Governor Desantis painted a picture of an economy in which “many of you are working hard, and you’re falling further and further behind.” To address this, Desantis promoted deregulation as a means of economic growth, stating deregulation “is going to give the economy breathing room.” He also criticized the policy of the Federal Reserve, promising to “reign in” the Fed and stating it “should focus on stable prices; they are not an economic central planner for the American people.” Nikki Haley “We have to stop the spending binge that’s happening by Republicans and Democrats in Congress.” - Nikki Haley said that in the American economy today, “the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.” Haley proposed several measures to “start beeﬁng up the middle class,” such as eliminating the federal gas tax, cutting taxes on the “middle class” and by decreasing federal spending to “preCOVID levels.” Vivek Ramaswamy “Increase the supply of everything. It’s the law of supplies and demand.” - Vivek Ramaswamy touted his business experience as a CEO while laying out his proposals to bring down costs and grow the economy. Ramaswamy wants to increase the production of fossil fuels and nuclear energy to “bring down the cost of energy” and also deregulate land use restrictions in order to “increase the supply of housing.” He asserted a connection between patriotism and economic prosperity, stating, “The reason my generation has lost our sense of national pride in part is because people in my generation feel like the American Dream isn’t available to them … People will be more proud of a country if we’re all making more money in that country. This is how we revive national pride and our identity.” Chris Christie “Energy is the key to bringing this down. It’s what every American family needs when they turn on their lights, ﬁll up their car and go to the grocery store” - Chris Christie asserted the importance of energy policy in addressing high costs, stating, “energy is the key to this because it drives every one of those other prices. Now food gets to your grocery store, it

gets trucked, and those truckers have to pay for fuel [with] the higher fuel prices.” Christie wants to “unleash every bit of American energy” and also sees addressing the conﬂict in Israel and Palestine as important for bringing stability to the energy market. Tim Scott “By having an energy economy, we start allowing this nation to once again return as the city on the hill.” - Tim Scott declared that he would emphasize the production of energy in the United States. Scott also emphasized what he believes is a need to make the American economy more self-sufﬁcient, stating, “we can reduce the price of energy, we can reduce the price of food and the price of electricity if we focus on my build here, don’t borrow from China plan.”

Abortion

Ron Desantis “I stand for a culture of life and I understand that it’s important that everyone gets a shot.” - Ron Desantis said that a “culture of life” should be promoted in the United States but emphasized that abortion laws will vary from state to state. He also views state referenda as important avenues in which to promote anti-abortion values, stating, “the pro-life cause, they have been caught flat-footed on these referenda and they have been losing the referenda” Nikki Haley “We don’t need to divide America over this issue anymore.” - Nikki Haley used her personal story to back her pro-life stance, saying, “I am unapologetically pro-life, not because the Republican Party tells me to be, but because my husband Michael was adopted and I had trouble having both of my children. So I’m surrounded by blessings.” However, Haley also emphasized a belief in abortion being a “personal issue,” stating, “I don’t judge anyone for being pro-choice and I don’t want them to judge me for being pro-life.” Legislatively, Haley took a pragmatic approach to abortion restrictions, stating there were not enough votes on Capitol Hill for such restrictions. “No Republican president can ban abortions any more than a Democrat president can ban these state laws.” Vivek Ramaswamy “Men deserve more responsibility. So we can tell women, “We’re all in this together.” - Ramaswamy asserted that there is a need for Republicans to put better alternatives to proabortion amendments and measures across the country. He specifically referenced the Ohio constitutional amendment, which effectively codified a right to abortion in the state, criticizing how the “Republicans did not have an alternative amendment or vision on the table.” Ramaswamy emphasized measures such as contraception, adoption and especially stressed “sexual responsibility for men,” saying, “[w] e live in an era of reliable genetic paternity tests that are a hundred percent reliable. So we can say men deserve more responsibility.” Chris Christie “This is an issue that should be decided in each state” Chris Christie argued that “the federal government should have absolutely nothing to do with” abortion and that it should be up to each state to “make the call for themselves.” Christie also asserted his belief that “pro-life” values should be used to care for people who need help in other ways, stating, “prolife for the whole life means that the life of a 16-year-old drug addict on the floor of the county lockup is precious and we should get treatment for her to restore her life.” Tim Scott “Well, I’m a hundred percent pro-life.” - Senator Scott was the only candidate on the stage who called for a specific federal abortion restriction, calling for a “15-week national limit,” Scott called on other candidates on the stage to join him in calling for this limit. Scott also stressed what he viewed as the importance of being “pro-life after the child is born.” For Scott, this means supporting adoption and funding H “crisis pregnancy centers.” ■

7 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

Opinions

OPINIONS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/opinions

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Artificial Intelligence is not the problem with college admissions COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND TEACHING MUST BE SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED TO GUARANTEE EQUITY AS AI BECOMES A COMMON STUDENT RESOURCE.

The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

As the popularity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms like ChatGPT skyrockets, its role has been under scrutiny in conversations about academic integrity. Personal statements are a standard part of the college admissions process, once thought to be the only medium of showing off an applicant’s unique qualifications. Administrators are concerned that AI will negatively impact the integrity of these statements and the college admissions process. However, the already canned statements made by applicants don’t contain much sincerity to begin with, and these platforms will make college admissions advice more financially accessible. Using AI as a tool in the admissions process is equivalent to having a professional consultant. AI, like most things, is user-sensitive. It’s up to the applicant to use any platform wisely. If someone is going to lie on a college application or plagiarize a response, they can do so without using ChatGPT. Many students already have an advantage over their peers since their parents can afford to pay for standardized test preparation, professional advisors and tutors. The situation is already unfair, and students who do not have the time for or cannot afford those resources should not be penalized for asking ChatGPT for advice. AI has been unsuccessful in leveling the playing field with professional human support and assistance remaining superior to AI assistance. Additionally, it would be fairly obvious if a student used AI to spit out a personal statement to copy and paste on their application. It would not be entirely effective for universities to ban AI since there’s very little they can do to regulate its usage. However, there should be consequences and accountability for flagrant and blatant violations. Students do put effort into their applications, and that shouldn’t be disrespected or ignored. It’s worth noting that there’s also no model to monitor college admissions consultants and whether or not they are crossing boundaries or violating academic integrity. Additionally, there doesn’t seem

to be the same degree of uproar about those advantages or possible abuses. There is already a serious problem with the content of personal statements. More and more frequently, students are being

asked to capitalize on hardship or trauma in order to gain admission. Applicants are fully aware that their chances of acceptance increase if they write about the adversity they have faced due to any number of life circumstances, incentivizing the trauma dumping of 18-year-olds. Personal statements already had minimal integrity,

with the standards dropping with each admissions cycle. There does need to be a line when it comes to actual assignments and college

work. Students should not be relying on AI to complete their education for them. There’s no point in paying tens of thousands of dollars to let an AI chatbot attend classes instead of the student. Using these resources for clarification or guidance does not warrant punishment, but universities should be taking steps to prevent abuses. Universities across the U.S. have taken different approaches to this, from discouraging the use of AI in writing and editing statements to allowing it. Professors are also revamping their teaching methodologies to prevent the use of AI. Courses are being completely shifted as students face more oral exams, group collaboration and handwritten exams. Some universities also provide screen recording platforms that students can be required to use during exams. These are the steps universities should take in response to AI rather than blindly and uniformly punishing all usage. AI can be a study tool and help students understand the content, but it should ultimately be up to them on exams and assignments. Hopefully, the presence of AI will e n c o u r a g e universities to craft unique personal statement questions rather than regurgitating the same mindnumbing prompts year after year. Perhaps it will act as a catalyst for a more equitable and holistic process that focuses on who the applicants are and not their trauma or the world’s most boring 500-word essays. AI will be a part of education going forward, but it all comes down to student choices and personal r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. Universities need to take proactive steps in revolutionizing education instead of targeting students trying to use the only tools available to H them. ■

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/opinions

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

The pathway to graduation for underrepresented students needs to be simpliﬁed CECILE DIROLL Assistant Opinions Editor

A NEW CALIFORNIA BILL ESTABLISHES A CLEARER SET OF ACADEMIC STANDARDS NECESSARY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS TO RETAIN FINANCIAL AID, NARROWING THE GRADUATION GAP FOR MARGINALIZED STUDENTS. A new bill, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last month, will require higher education institutions to adopt a common set of student educational progress standards by the 2024-2025 academic year in an effort to make fi nancial aid more accessible for students. Although the changes in AB 789 are intended to help underrepresented and marginalized students remove barriers that limit their ability to maintain much-needed fi nancial aid, “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP) requirements and the appeals process should be standardized state-wide to establish a clear and equitable system for all students. Currently, to qualify for fi nancial aid programs, such as the Cal Grant, students must meet minimum federal requirements regarding SAP, including maintaining a GPA of at least a “C” or its equivalent. However, individual higher education institutions have discretion and can impose their own individual SAP requirements for fi nancial aid purposes. For instance, both California Community Colleges and UC campuses require a GPA of 2.0, but UC fi nancial aid offices check student “academic progress” at the end of their second year. If students do not fulfill these requirements, their fi nancial aid is revoked and cannot be allocated again unless their case is approved through an appeals process. With varying and unclear SAP requirements across higher education institutions to maintain fi nancial aid, many students are left

unsure about the academic expectations to retain the fi nancial aid they need. According to the U.S. Department of Education, academic institutions must establish a “reasonable SAP policy” for federal and state programs, including the Cal Grant, that students must meet to qualify. However, the federal standard is very broad, allowing m a n y universities t o i mple me nt stricter SAP policies for their students. Some California State Universities, for example, allow students to “earn a lower GPA in their fi rst few years, as long as their senior year grades average a C” — which differs from the four-year university standard that requires students to show “academic progress” in their fi rst two years. Furthermore, the different SAP policies across higher education systems and even among campuses create an unnecessarily convoluted process that makes meeting academic standards for fi nancial aid confusing for students, particularly those planning to transfer between systems.

For this reason, states should establish standardized fi nancial aid academic rules that suit their population’s needs in correspondence with the minimum federal aid requirements. By banning stricter and varying SAP policies at college campuses, AB 789 sets a singular state-wide standard that simplif ies the process for students and supports their ability to meet academic fi nancial aid requirements. A B 789 also establishes minimum communication standards regarding SAP policies and the appeals process. It expands the list of special circumstances that students can use in an appeals process, such as “homelessness” or the loss of “childcare” and “employment.” The bill also does not “limit the total number of appeals” students can submit during their enrollment period if they fail to meet SAP requirements. This grants underrepresented students the second chance that many other students have to be successful in higher education. A report from John Burton Advocates for Youth, a nonprofit that advocates for

foster care and homeless individuals, shows that 87% of students who did not meet SAP policies in their fi rst two years lost their fi nancial aid or were disenrolled. Students who do not meet the fi nancial aid requirements should be offered multiple chances to appeal since many must balance a range of responsibilities, such as working full-time or caring for a dependent. Not doing so only widens the graduation gap among low-income and students of color. A 2021 study found, for example, that Black and Native American students are “twice as likely to not meet SAP standards” as white and Asian students. Restrictive policies that limit access to fi nancial aid for marginalized students only reinforce inequitable college policies and needlessly increase graduation gaps. Financial aid is the determining factor for many college enrollment decisions. The retention of fi nancial aid is critical for guaranteeing students’ graduation. AB 789 is a step in the right direction toward simplifying the overly complex fi nancial aid academic requirements along with other new programs, such as the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. Still, more must and should be done to simplify the pathways to graduation for underrepresented students in higher education institutions. Establishing a clear, consistent set of standards and policies across systems and campuses is a H good place to start.■

Americans should care about international aﬀairs TOMAS ALVES Distribution Manager

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS MAY SEEM FAR AWAY, BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE CAST ASIDE BY AMERICANS WHO ELECT THE MOST POWERFUL LEADERS IN THE WORLD. In light of recent events in the Gaza Strip, along with numerous other consequential developments around the world, many Americans have become disinvested from the debate surrounding American involvement in countries abroad. Looking at the traditional American political spectrum, it is safe to associate American isolationism with those on the right and American liberalism with those on the left. Yet, a recent history of American foreign policy failures has stained the psyche of the American public, especially the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, causing widespread disengagement from the American electorate. The United States’ history of westward expansion, benign political neighbors and the staunch belief in a settled North American continent provide considerable historical pretexts for isolationism. While some journalists like Jim Hoge, former editor of Foreign Affairs magazine, give the reason for America’s pioneer phase of manifest destiny to explain Americans’ overall disinterest in international affairs, many fail to recognize the impact of America’s disastrous foreign policy in the IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

Middle East and abroad. Not until the 9/11 terror attacks had there been a targeted political attack on American soil since the War of 1812, which both induced sharp spikes in Americans’ interest in international affairs. America has stable relations with its few immediate, one of which it shares the world’s largest land border with. This is an extreme rarity in the international sphere because many countries border several nations and must work and negotiate with them to maintain peaceful relations. Despite the geographical implications contributing to maintaining adverse or agreeable diplomacy alike, it is important to consider this difference regarding the fraction of domestic impacts that have truly shaken the American public throughout their history. Conﬂicts that resemble anything similar to Iraq or Afghanistan give Americans a reminiscent, bitter feeling of embarrassment and inefﬁciency. According to a fairly recent Gallup poll, 61% of voting-age American adults from

either major political party believe the United States should have at least a major role on the international stage. A decline of over ten percentage points in 2017 was taken after the election of the United States’ 45th President, who was infamous for posturing himself with an isolationist and “America First” stance. Some of the Republicans’ policy ﬁ xtures in 2017 promised to pull America out of its longest wars in the Middle East, decreasing funding for NATO and embarking on a trade war with China. For everyday Americans, displaying r a t i o n a l ignorance or placing trust in more welleducated politicians and groups of elites possessing the necessary knowledge and expertise for policy-making is an easy choice. Even though major foreign policy topics, including climate change and trade policy, directly impact the daily lives of many Americans economically, it is still insufﬁcient in persuading those to stay attentive to international issues. In a 2018 poll conducted by the CATO Institute, data analysis revealed

that states where Donald Trump and the Republicans won with the largest margins in the 2016 election had a lower curiosity in foreign affairs, while the reverse was true for states with the lowest electoral support for Trump. This highlights a clear correlation between trust and attention, as voters who trusted Trump were less likely to engage with foreign policy. As the most influential nation in the world, the United States holds enormous weight in the international sphere regarding military influence, humanitarian aid and economic leverage. While both political parties mostly agree that maintaining America’s influence and protecting its interests abroad is crucial to national security, their constituents mostly tether their vote to policy positions on domestic issues. This produces new leaders with clear domestic policy goals but convoluted and ineffective foreign policy initiatives. Thus, when an international crisis arises, world leaders will have to scramble to implement and advocate for effective policies.■ H

TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

OPINIONS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/opinions

The Biden administration’s communication with big tech companies to censor misinformation is an unconstitutional breach of power AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

Partisan officials cannot be trusted to have a fair and balanced outlook. A bipartisan committee would fix that problem. With a constant stream of information accessible at the tips of everyone’s fingers and unreliable news outlets craving attention, it is understandable that many people in positions of authority want the power to control what data is allowed to be pushed out to the public. However, the Biden administration’s efforts to contact major tech companies to limit what they deem misinformation is dan-

gerous and sets a bad precedent in the digital world. The United States Supreme Court must rule that no executive branch member should contact major tech platforms directly regarding misinformation. The United States was founded on the principles of protecting free speech from government encroachments. Permitting a president or any cabinet official to influence

COURTESY OF FREEPIK

tech companies’ censorship policies for the content they deem misinformation sets a bad precedent because executive branch members have their own political allegiances. This partisan lens can blind them from looking at information from opposing viewpoints. The entire year of 2020 is a perfect example of how misinformation can run wild and rampant. During the pandemic, there were numerous warnings from health officials that it is absolutely essential to distance socially to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Yet, during the Black Lives Matter protests, health officials were downplaying the risk of getting infected with coronavirus while protesting within large crowds. During the 2020 elections, the Trump campaign and a ludicrous amount of Republicans gleefully spread bogus claims that the elections were rigged because of mail-in voting, corrupt poll watchers, unethical Secretaries of State and a complicit media. Those lies would get high traffic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, with tens of millions of views and likes. The Biden campaign was partly responsible for spreading lies as well. During the 2020 presidential debates, President Biden claimed that he never opposed fracking, when he did during a 2019 primary debate. Given that people from all walks of life are susceptible to consuming and spreading mis-

information, it is imperative that one side does not have complete control over the flow of information. It may worsen this misinformation crisis rather than solve it. What makes this all so dangerous is that the executive branch has the unilateral power to implement executive orders to allocate federal money to tech companies like Facebook. This incentive structure allows these tech companies to follow many of the content restrictions a presidential administration requests, initiating an unfixable chain of events where each new administration scrambles to get a strong grip on social media companies to shut down legitimate criticisms and dissent. If the Supreme Court doesn’t want this problem to trigger a Constitutional crisis, they need to rule that no one working in the executive branch can contact tech companies regarding misinformation. Instead, Congress should design a committee or committees filled with people from all political parties and backgrounds — Democrats, Republicans, Independents — to oversee the content spread on social media platforms. Only then will there be a balance in tracking fabricated information. The Bipartisan Committee will ensure that false content is cleared up and inconvenient truths are protected. ■ H

A revolutionary female presidency is brought down by misogyny in politics MARTINA RAMALHO Contributing Writer

The impeachment suffered by Dilma Roussef, the first female president of Brazil, was based on biases, not actual crimes. Women, for generations, have watched others make decisions that directly affected their personal and social lives without a medium for input. Dilma Rousseff, the first female president of Brazil, became a symbol of resistance in her youth after combating the military dictatorship. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Rousseff was a member of several left-wing guerrilla movements opposed to the military dictatorship that had taken power in Brazil in 1964, combating censorship, repression and human rights abuses. She was later arrested and tortured by military members. However, her resilience and commitment to her political beliefs have earned her recognition as a symbol of resistance. She remained active in politics, advocating for human rights, and eventually reached mainstream politics when she became the first elected female president in Brazil. Rousseff’s leadership exemplifies the potential of women in political roles and the fragility of their positions as they are threatened by misogyny. Under Rousseff’s leadership, starting in 2011, Brazil continued to progress in reducing poverty and income inequality. Her government expanded social welfare programs such as Bolsa Família, which provided financial assistance to low-income families, and the Minimum Wage Policy, which increased the minimum wage to improve workers’ living standards in Brazil. She obviated infrastructure projects to improve

transportation, energy, education and health care. Rousseff’s government promoted domestic consumption and investment, contributing to economic expansion in the early years of her mandate. Rousseff took several steps to address gender-based violence and promote women’s rights in Brazil, launching the Women Living Without Violence Program that provided stations, shelters, hotlines and other support for victims of gender and domestic violence. She also launched Minha Casa Minha Vida, a program providing three million shelters for homeless people, giving priority to single mothers with children, who are often the hardest social group to lift out of poverty due to low job opportunities and accumulating responsibilities. She further implemented several campaigns supporting LGBTQ+ rights in schools. The public’s approval led to her second election in 2014, which was later interrupted by a politically motivated impeachment. The primary accusation against Rousseff was her alleged manipulation of the federal budget to different investment areas, which was not considered a crime in previous cases, such as in the instance of the current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Roussef changed the national budget with the vision of increasing the funding for public education and the social programs she launched. However, she was accused of “pedaladas fiscais,” a non-existent financial

crime. Such practice was previously employed by her predecessor and other presidents who advocated drastic changes that would reduce the severe inequality faced in Brazil. Rousseff’s impeachment was clearly politically motivated, as no evidence to take her out of office was ever raised. Former President Rousseff’s tenure was also interrupted by conversations regarding her physical appearance to question her seriousness and intelligence. While Rousseff’s leadership and redistributive policies invited political enemies, her leadership style did not cross boundaries for what is considered unacceptable. The case of Rousseff’s impeachment illustrates that deep-rooted gender biases and stereotypes persist in modern society. Despite progress in women’s rights and increased representation of women in various fields, women in leadership positions continue to face unique challenges and scrutiny that their male counterparts do not. The gendered double standard forces women to navigate a narrow path, and when they challenge or defy these expectations, they often face misogynistic backlash. Rouseff’s leadership exemplifies the potential of women in political roles, as her journey from resistance to the presidency showcases the resilience and commitment that female leaders can bring to their positions. Women’s journeys in leadership are marked by a long history of struggle against

patriarchal norms that must be dismantled to unlock the untapped potential of female leaders. ■ H

COURTESY OF PALACIA DO PLANALTO VIA FLICKR

10 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

OPINIONS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/opinions

A new rulebook for love: Dating your friend’s ex is not off-limits More empowered than ever, break free of constricting expectations that revolve around dating. MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES Assistant Features Editor

The answer to an age-old question — is it on the actual complexities of human relaever okay to date your friend’s ex? — would tionships. There is no issue utilizing these generally be no. If the threat of possible rules for entertainment purposes. Howevfriendship damage isn’t enough to deter peo- er, when integrated into real relationships, ple, there are various demonstrations of what they become a bargaining chip — a form of this “trope” decision might look like down holding power over friends of the same sex. the road in popular contemporary entertainment. Across the timeline of traditional and modern dating, the question of whether or not it’s acceptable to date a friend’s former flame has spawned the mass appeal of love triangle tropes and toxic unspoken rules of friendship, all restraining one’s individual freedom. Reading like a Shakespearean tragedy, resonating like Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” and being depicted in HBO’s “Euphoria” — all of these instances have negative connotations to dating a friend’s ex. However, these references are purely fictional and cannot be translated into real life. These examples need to be placed in the rearview mirror, and people must refrain from blurring the line between media and reality. These stagnant tropes that COURTESY OF FREEPIK have been repeated for entertainment are ingrained in a traditional viewA 2019 survey of 1,500 singles conducted point — controlling conduct and reinforc- by the dating app Plenty of Fish evaluated ing the notion of ownership over others. just how real these rules are for a sample of An iconic cult classic movie, “Mean Girls,” individuals. The survey concluded that when depicts toxic ideologies humorously when it comes to following the rule of dating a Gretchen, one of the main characters, de- friend’s ex, 33% of men expressed that datclares, “Ex-boyfriends are just off-limits to ing a friend’s ex isn’t a smart move, and 65% friends. That’s just like the rules of feminism.” of women agreed that a friend should never The behavioral aspect of narrow ideologies do it. Despite these stats, 77% of the singles that encompass unspoken friendship rules, said that before breaking the “rules,” approval modernly known as “girl code,” is highly should be sought before initiating something disingenuous and incapable of elaborating with the ex since friendship comes first.

NEORAH DAVIS / THE HIGHLANDER

Friends don’t ask friends to relinquish feelings or invalidate experiences when faced with societal norms that require drastic reformation. This is a complicated situation, and there should be understanding and respect on both sides. Preserving friendships in the

face of any conflict, including dating an ex, requires honesty and communication. Being formal and straightforward in informing a friend can go a long way in keeping the friendship. Hopefully, a friend would try to see that this isn’t a decision anyone makes lightly or would make unless they see the potential for a long-term and healthy relationship. If this was done out of targeted malice, this wasn’t a genuine friendship to begin with, anyways. People shouldn’t be made to feel guilty or targeted for something that is often beyond

their control. Feelings aren’t something people can tamp down and ignore with positive results. Trying to ignore genuine feelings to preserve a friendship could have the opposite effect and cause one to distance themselves emotionally. Hiding one’s feelings will only create division and less honesty between friends. At that point, it’s not really a friendship anymore. Trusting an established history with a friend is essential in a situation like this. Shakespeare formulates that a friend is “one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become and still, gently allows you to grow.” A real friendship shouldn’t contain tactics of guilttripping and gaslighting to control another person. In the end, no matter the outcome, an acknowledgment should be made of the real-life cases of couples that have started their relationships under these conditions. There is no room for toxic, one-size-fits-all ideologies of friendships and relationships in the 21st century. The issue is not that these ideologies have stood the test of time in contemporary entertainment; they’ve become a social norm that conditions how people perceive certain aspects of dating. The objective is to find love, and if you believe your friend’s ex is the one for you, then take a risk and go after what you want. ■ H

FEATURES 11 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/features

What does looking forward mean for you? How you view the future can change things… Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Ten of Pentacles This week, you will solidify a goal that will be a permanent foundation for your future. This means making connections or achieving milestones that can be recognized. This week isn’t about self-appreciation — you’re going to do tangible things with a targeted impact.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Two of Cups You and someone you care about are ﬁnally seeing eyeto-eye. After weeks of feeling out of touch and lost, you have ﬁnally found common ground and a path forward. You feel like your connection is renewed and strengthened.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Five of Wands You will get into a ﬁght this week, one that you won’t be able to walk back from. This disagreement will start out normally and devolve into insults and hurtful comments. You’re going to say things you don’t even believe and will regret.

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) Hermit You have to listen to yourself right now, Leo. Someone in your life has given you bad advice and led you astray. You’ve been taking the guidance of someone who makes you tamp down who you are. Their comments are slowly taking pieces of you.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20) King of Wands Reversed You’ve gotten your hopes up, Gemini, and this week is going to bring you crashing back to reality. You’re being impulsive and trying to ignore things in an effort to achieve a fantasy. Take a second to recognize how you’ve run recklessly through your life chasing something that isn’t real. Something that, maybe, never existed in the ﬁrst place. Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22) Two of Wands There are two paths in front of you, Virgo. It is very infrequent that your future comes down to a single choice, but this week is one of those times. In front of you are two options that will mean very different futures. Neither is bad, but you’re going to make the decision that you feel is best for everyone, not for you. Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21) Judgment Reversed

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22) Five of Swords Reversed You and someone close to you will make amends this week and patch up a battered relationship. Fixing something is inﬁnitely easier than breaking it, and the same goes here. You must let go of past resentments to move forward instead of stewing in it. You will attempt to be emotionally available to some degree of success.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Eight of Pentacles This week is nothing special, Scorpio. You’re just going through the motions, and life feels incredibly repetitive. You could try to break up the monotony with something light and fun but don’t go too crazy and mess with fate. Trying to change this outcome will mean you fail to master an important task.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Three of Wands

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) Four of Cups

You’re leaving people behind. As you make moves and think toward the future, you are forgetting about the present and your current commitments, whether they are to a friend or romantic partner. You’re only harming yourself as they learn to pick themselves up without you.

You’re feeling hurt and rejected, so you’re closing yourself off from new opportunities for love and friendship. You are letting reminders of the past deﬁne you. Block that number and stop texting them at two in the morning. Pursue someone who puts in the effort.

You’re being too self-critical, Sagittarius. You are making decisions based on the premise that you have no faith in yourself, and it’s causing others to doubt you as well. Stop making jokes and excuses about it, and see yourself through someone else’s eyes. Your own is compromised.

Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20) High Priestess Things you’ve been shoving into your subconscious will resurface this week. You will have to reﬂect upon past mistakes and feel the guilt. You have messed up, but you won’t seek forgiveness or undo the harm you’ve caused. If anything, this might be a learning experience, but you will likely just let the wave pass. ■H

12 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/features

Finding the best matcha latte on campus I tried and rated every iced matcha latte at UCR, so you don’t have to. ALISON WHITESIDE Contributing Writer

We are currently witnessing the mainstream-ification of matcha in the United States (U.S.). While it has always been a staple in Japan, industry statistics show that this tea-based powder has become increasingly high in demand in the U.S. The ingredient can be incorporated into smoothies, boba and even lemonade, but currently, you are most likely to see it in the form of an iced matcha latte. That being said, here’s my ranking of every matcha latte that UCR has to offer.

uses matcha cream instead of pure matcha powder incorporated into water, the tea flavor is not as strong. If you want strawberry milk, this is a nice drink, but as a matcha latte, it gets a 6/10. The regular iced matcha latte at Coffee Bean is a hit or miss. I have tried it multiple times, and while the ingredients are great and the recipe portioning is perfected, the matcha powder is not always completely dissolved. This one is a 6.5/10 on a bad day and a 10/10 on a good day.

Lollicup Fresh Ok, so this is technically a boba shop, but the menu offers matcha milk tea. This drink differs from a regular matcha latte in one way: the primary ingredient is milk tea instead of milk. This drink had the potential to be great, but there simply wasn’t enough ice or matcha flavor. You can tell the different ingredients are good, but the ratio is all off. With a bit of tweaking, this number would be higher, but I have to give Lollicup a 6/10.

Starbucks If you don’t want to gamble at Coffee Bean, make the trek to The Market at Glen Mor. I’ve had this drink multiple times and like to add strawberry cream cold foam on top. As far as quality goes, it has the right matcha-to-milk ratio and is consistently stirred properly. I give it a 9.5/10 and would consider it my overall top pick. Overall, Lollicup fell the most flat. The best matcha latte served at Coffee Bean is better than the best one at Starbucks. However, Starbucks is the overall top choice because of the variability of a Coffee Bean matcha latte. If you want to live on the wild side and brave Coffee Bean, go for it, and you might get lucky; if you want to play it safe, stick with Starbucks. ■H

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Located in the HUB, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is one of the most frequented and convenient spots on campus for a beverage. It currently offers a classic iced matcha latte and a menu-original matcha cream strawberry latte. Because the latter

IMAGES COURTESY OF FLATICON

The Getaway Cafe — reminiscing on a lost relic of UCR social life Exploring the ghost town of a once-great school bar. ZACHARY HANSON Contributing Writer

As one walks this ever-expanding campus, a preternatural emptiness quickly becomes apparent. Relict and nebulous, the University of California, Riverside breathes a sense of greatness now lost, the deceased culture of more outgoing student bodies remaining in the holdouts of an old UCR. Portals to this aged reality exist across campus allowing a glimpse into the past life of our institution. The Getaway Cafe, one of the two remaining bars on campus, is one of these doorways to a fever dream of a greater UCR. The Getaway Cafe opened in 1998 and has served 25 classes at UCR, hosting numerous students and faculty. It is with this antiquity in mind that I, in search of the soul of UCR and a quench for my weekly Thursday thirst, approached the Getaway. Upon entering the bar’s billiard room, the dusty and nostalgic smell that characterizes every college bar obliterated my olfactory system, beckoning me into the welcoming embrace of this night of drinking. Neon signs and UCR memorabilia covered nearly all of the wall space outside the billiard room, truly immersing me in this space; what was missing, though, was the patrons. The building remained almost empty during my visit, with only three customers aside from myself and my compatriots populating the space. Also disappointing was the

lack of a proper bar, with there only being a counter to place orders at. Realizing the night I was going to have, I approached the counter and ordered two beers, craving to escape a building feeling of isolation in this strange, empty place. The man behind the counter was very personable, explaining the various special offerings they had on draft. He presented a good selection, hosting fourteen varieties, including India Pale Ales (IPA), stouts, porters, a brown ale, a blueberry ale and more. Priced between eight and twelve dollars for a standard pint glass, it certainly was not a bargain, but it was fairly priced for being within walking distance from my final class of the day. For the first round I indulged in a heavier beer with the Bootleggers Brewery’s Knuckle Sandwich, which sat at 10.2% ABV. Perfectly served, crisp, sweet and surprisingly light for having such high alcohol content, the Knuckle Sandwich was a treat and, in a very positive sense, did not live up to its name. Beer in hand, I quickly found seating in the empty dining room, hoping to catch the tail end of Thursday Night Football — Thursday Night Football was never shown as they did not have access to the channel. With this revelation, I sat and drank and talked with my friends with whom I came. An unmistakable vibration of

melancholy had already overset me, dreams of a night of drunken socialization crushed by the inactive reality of this space. Little time had passed before I had finished my Knuckle Sandwich, a dim ethanol haze veiling my vision. I needed another beer. My second beer of the night was a Stone Hazy IPA, a hoppy, zippy, bright pale ale, which sat at 6% ABV. Once again, it served perfectly and was very pleasant. Bidding to escape the doom of this empty establishment, an exodus of my posse to the billiards room was executed, and, for only two dollars a game, we played a few. The pool cues and tables were exceptionally well maintained, exuding a sort of man-cave energy which was an oasis in this Sahara of loneliness. Inning after inning, game after game, this drunken competition revitalized my succumbing hype, zeroing my mind into what this place could be. Taking in the room around me, numerous signs of wear were visible on the walls, preservations of respite in the Getaway Cafe — in a philosophical delusion, I had found this soul of UCR I sought in these scarred walls. I found truth and insight in these abrasions, the physical marks of those who found refuge in the Getaway. I looked down and I had finished my beer.

Hungry — both literally and spiritually — and distraught, I headed back to the counter to order food and my last beer; the spinach artichoke dip was my food of choice, with it being simple but also wholesome and filling. This was not a normal dip. This spinach artichoke dip was the best I have ever had, containing perfect balance of cheese and spinach, incredibly seasoned chips and much more artichoke than typical in the dish. The final beer I decided to indulge in was Ballast Point Brewery’s blood orange IPA with 6.8% ABV. This beer was less good than the others I had, but was still pleasant. Slightly sour, very citrusy and a little bit yeasty, this beer was alright. By the time I had finished my food and beer, I was ready to leave the Getaway, having found the answers I sought. The Getaway Cafe itself is very nice, exuding a nostalgic sports bar appeal, but the complete absence of patrons was disheartening. It is clear that this bar was once great and had been a significant gathering spot on campus, but it now stands as a testament to the declining social atmosphere of UCR, an atmosphere that has disenabled many of the joys typical to college life on our campus. This decline is not a death, though; a broad social culture could be revitalized at UCR — more of us should go on a getaway to the Getaway Cafe. ■H

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FEATURES

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The easy way to build your own your salad HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY SALAD THAT SATISFIES ALL FIVE OF YOUR FOOD GROUPS.

REBECCA SUN Contributing Writer

Eating salads doesn’t just have to be healthy for you, it can also be delicious if you customize them with your favorite foods. It’s also an easy way to use up any leftover produce from other meals you’ve made throughout the week. Prep time: Less than ﬁve minutes if you have ingredients prepped beforehand. Serving: Depends on how much produce you have. Usually, 1-2 bowls. Ingredients: Leafy green base of your choice: I always choose a head of romaine lettuce, but you can also use spinach, arugula, kale, etc. This should make up the majority of your salad.

Steps: Wash all the produce you will use separately. Fill a bowl with water (and salt or vinegar if you want!) and let them sit for ﬁve minutes. Thoroughly rinse to eliminate any remaining dirt or taste from the salt or vinegar. Make sure to get rid of any bugs or dirt, especially if you’re using any head of greens. Chop or dice up any of the produce if you still need to. Be careful not to get too overzealous with your toppings and add-ons — remember, your base of greens is the majority. Everything else should be a smaller amount and should be evenly balanced for each ingredient. Add the dressing immediately or put in a small container if you’re packing the salad to go. Add your creation to a bowl or conH tainer and enjoy! ■

Other veggies: This is where you can add your favorite vegetables. I always add tomatoes, corn, avocado, shredded carrots, cucumbers and purple onions. Protein: You can go for any type of meat (I use chicken). Nonmeat options can include boiled eggs, salmon and tofu. Nuts and grains: Almonds, walnuts, pecan, sunﬂowers/chia/ hemp seeds — just to name a few (obviously skip if you’re allergic to any nuts!). Beans, chickpeas, or quinoa are good grains. Fruits: I personally never added fruits to my salad, but this is also a fun way to add a bit of sweetness. Mangos, oranges, raisins, peaches/plums, and most berries are all easy to throw in and a delicious addition. Dressing: Instead of store-bought dressings, a simple, quick homemade one always elevates a salad. A basic dressing only takes olive oil, lemon/lime juice, vinegar, minced garlic and black pepper/salt. You can also add dijon mustard or sweetener like honey or syrup. If you want to get even fancier, try replicating a restaurant dressing you love from a place like Olive Garden or Panera. Extras: Croutons, tortilla chips, or cheese.

Top tips to tackle your schoolwork STAY ON TOP OF YOUR STUDIES WITH THESE RECOMMENDATIONS!

IMAGES COURTESY OF FLATICON

NOLA PERIFEL Contributing Writer

Balancing free time and friends with school and academics can be difficult, but it’s important to fi nd a certain stability between both. Here are a few tips to help you avoid procrastinating so you can have time to spend with friends and for events! A major way to avoid procrastination is to create a strict schedule. What has helped me the most is to write down fi xed days and times to which I assign a specific piece of homework. I usually write these dates or times on a piece of paper that I pin or tape on my desk. You can also do this with a whiteboard, post-it notes, or even Google Calendar. You can set reminders on your phone to be notified to do your homework as well. The most important thing to follow with this tip is to stick to the schedule you have created. By doing so, the homework that you fi nish will be completed on time and will both give you a feeling of satisfaction and free up some extra time to spend. Motivating yourself to do the homework that you have been assigned (and that you have hopefully scheduled during your week) can be very difficult. A motivational hack to use, especially if you have a heavy workload, is to reward yourself. Some people like to reward themselves with Netflix, YouTube, TikTok and other forms of entertainment, whereas others prefer to reward themselves with a treat of some sort, like a beverage, a cookie or some candy. This method of motivation can be used when reading long texts or writing a paper. After reading three chapters of your book, take a break and watch your favorite TV show. After writing your introduction and the fi rst body paragraph of your essay, buy your go-to drink. This will get you to do your homework more efficiently because you will allow yourself to get something you love in return guilt-free. Another efficient tip is to do your homework when you get it. This means that if you are assigned a short assignment that you do not consider “long-term,” you should try to get it done within the day that it was assigned. This might seem a little excessive, but you will feel so relieved when the due date comes and you realize that you have done the assignment a week before. The satisfaction of complet-

ing the work and getting to spend time with friends instead of studying or doing homework will feel amazing. This tip might be hard to keep up if your workload is heavy but it can be used on short assignments easily. Another tip that I have is to give yourself a time limit on the homework that you plan on doing in a day. You should only work a certain amount of hours on homework per day, two or three at most. This will keep you from losing concentration and will allow you to be as efﬁcient as you can. This tip can also help you feel less stressed and overworked than if you had worked for four or ﬁve uninterrupted hours. Finally, the last tip is to turn off your devices. While studying, you may want to keep your phone on Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode. This will help you stay away from any strong distractions that may get in the way. If you decide to use the motivational technique of rewarding yourself with devices, a good idea would be to set an alarm or time limit to help control the amount of time you spend on apps and TV. These types of entertainment are usually very complicated to stop using after you have started, so setting these boundaries for yourself will help you get back to work in proper time. COURTESY OF FREEPIK I, like many people, have experienced procrastination on numerous occasions. I know the guilty feeling of spending a whole afternoon binge-watching a favorite show rather than working on a very important paper due two days later. Using these methods will help you feel in control of your academics and will free up some time to do the things that you would rather be doing than doing your homework. ■ H

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RADAR

TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

Alicia Keys tears out ‘Golden Child’ from the ‘Diary of Alicia Keys’ vault

Alicia Keys releases a never-before-seen record from her ‘Diary of Alicia Keys’ era that guides listeners back to the golden years of her fan-favorite album. STELA NOELLE ABASTA Contributing Writer

On Nov. 2, singer Alicia Keys released “Golden Child,” a track recorded during the making of her second album, “The Diary of Alicia Keys,” in celebration of its 20th anniversary on Dec. 2. Keys takes us back to true 2000s R&B with soulful vocals and a heavy emphasis on the guitar, giving it an almost Latin vibe. The single is also written and produced by the singer herself. According to Genius, “Golden Child” originated with a poem that made its release in Keys’ book, “Tears for Water.” In an Instagram post, Keys shared a clip that gives insight as to what prompted her to write it: “When I had my first contract, there was a time when things [were] very, very shaky and bad, and people didn’t quite believe in the music I was doing, and I remember going home and sitting at my piano and writing this poem because I was trying to tell myself this.” Keys released the demo of the song on her website, “AKVault,” in 2013. “Golden Child” begins with a fuzzy sound reminiscent of an actual vinyl being played on a record player. It’s a subtle sound element that continues throughout the record as a nice touch. Chords from a synthesizer that reminds one of Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” lead into highpitched picks of the guitar and Keys’ dulcet hums. The bass and percussion drop once she begins singing, taking the listener on a smooth, soulful journey through

the wonders of Keys’ timbre. As she begins the prechorus, a sparkly chime sound plays, present in almost every early 2000s song. Simultaneously, the backing vocals can’t help but catch your ear as they build to the chorus, where she repeats, “You are a golden child.” However, the ending leaves room for more to be desired with Keys’ ad-libs. It almost sounds as if she gets tired, making it a bit unsatisfying. One can only wish the track displayed more of Keys’ iconic riffs. Thankfully, the song makes up for it with a guitar solo that takes us to the very end of the song as it fades out. A lot of songs that are meant to be empowering end up being overly cheesy with no depth, such as “Roar” by Katy Perry, “Brave” by Sara Bareilles, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson. As artist Bo Burnham has said, “I feel a lot of artists … infringe upon … responsibilities that just aren’t theirs, in terms of their audience, maintaining their audience at an emotional level.” However, “Golden Child” aims to remind the listeners how special they are without trying to solve their tough problems with simple answers. As previously mentioned, the track wasn’t even directed towards her fans, but rather, was written to help pull herself out of the slump Keyes was in. The song’s origin makes it feel much more organic and genuine H compared to many other “girl boss” hits. ■

VERDICT:

“Golden Child” is sure to make you reminisce on the times when you would come home from school and listen to “The Diary of Alicia Keys” on repeat on your iPod Nano. If you’re feeling nostalgic for music from the early 2000s, this record is the one for you.

COURTESY OF RCA RECORDS

The artistry of rebellion: punk fashion as a defiant canvas Fashion as a canvas: the punk movement’s impact on artistic expression. NISHTHA ARYA Contributing Writer

Critics argue that fashion is fundamentally utilitarian — a means of covering the body for protection and modesty. In their eyes, the practicality of clothing overshadows any artistic intent. This perspective contends that, while certain designers may infuse creativity into their work, the primary purpose of fashion is to serve basic needs. Some even argue that labeling fashion as art is a misguided attempt to elevate a functional necessity to the realm of high culture. From this viewpoint, art is a domain reserved for paintings, sculptures and performances, while fashion should remain firmly grounded in its pragmatic roots. The notion that clothing can convey complex messages or challenge societal norms is dismissed as an overreach, with critics maintaining that the essence of artistry is absent in the everyday act of getting dressed. However, in the rebellious crucible of the 1970s, punk fashion emerged as a form of artistic opposition, challenging conventional norms and laying the foundation for the ongoing debate — can fashion truly be considered art? Delving into the creative designs of Vivienne Westwood, we explore how punk fashion transforms clothing into a powerful and provocative medium of expression. Vivienne Westwood, the high priestess of punk fashion, breathed life into garments that transcend the mundane. In her iconic designs, torn fabrics became a metaphor for societal rupture, bold graphics conveyed dissent, and the Do It Yourself (DIY) ethos spoke volumes about individuality. Westwood’s creations were not just clothing; they were visual manifestos challenging the established order. One may find this sentiment, for instance, in the legendary “Seditionaries” boutique that Westwood co-ran with Malcolm McLaren. It served as a sanctuary for those who sought refuge from the mainstream, forming a subcultural hub where clothing became a means of visual protest. Through this, the “Destroy” T-shirt emerged as an iconic symbol of rebellion within the punk subculture, challenging societal norms on multiple fronts. Adorned with chains, spikes and anarchic graphics, the T-shirt epito-

mized the punk movement’s rejection of social expectations, political structures and cultural norms. It was a defiant masterpiece that not only revolutionized style but also served as a visual protest, capturing the raw energy of a generation discontented with the status quo. The “Destroy” T-shirt stands as a testament to the power of fashion as a form of rebellion, a wearable art piece that boldly declared individuality and nonconformity in the face of a mainstream culture it sought to challenge and disrupt. The example of punk fashion, as epitomized by Westwood’s designs, challenges the assertions that fashion can not be art. Punk fashion, at its core, is a visual rebellion insofar as it is an assertion that clothing can be a canvas for dissent and a medium for articulating cultural and social critique. The torn edges, defiant graphics and intentional chaos of punk attire are deliberate choices, transforming garments into potent symbols of personal and collective resistance. In the tapestry of fashion’s complex relationship with art, the example of punk fashion provides a compelling argument. It demonstrates that clothing can be more than a utilitarian necessity — it can be a rebellious canvas and a visual manifesto challenging the status quo. By acknowledging and engaging with opposing perspectives, we enrich the discourse, highlighting the nuanced ways in which fashion can embody artistic expression. Fashion, in its many forms, consistently blurs the boundaries between utility and artistry. From runway extravaganzas to streetwear revolutions, the industry is a testament to the limitless creativity woven into the fabric of our lives. In embracing the idea that fashion is art, we acknowledge its transformative power to shape culture, challenge norms and become beautiful expressions of the human experience. Thus, the act of dressing becomes a daily ritual of artistic self-expression, where each garment carries the potential to tell a story, provoke thought and ignite social change. ■ H

15 TUESDAY, NOV 7, 2023

RADAR

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Top 10 romance books to read this fall Smart girls read romance too. YSABEL NAKASONE Opinions Editor

Fall is in full swing, and it’s time to shamelessly break out the paperbacks with dirty covers. As you crack open a pumpkin spice love story, remember that romance, as a genre, is a women-driven industry when it comes to writing and purchasing. It generates over $1.44 billion and is the highestearning ﬁction genre, with a readership that is 80% female. It’s long past time to stop belittling romance literature and just enjoy it! IMPORTANT: Please note that no Colleen Hoover books are on this list. Read into that.

10. “Happily Haunted Afters” by Brittany Kelley This book is a sweet friends-toenemies-to-lovers brought back together by a haunted house and the dreams of a girl who feels constantly belittled by those around her. The pair has a lot of miscommunication to work through and a history that isn’t staying in the past. This is a soul-pinching second chance romance that can be knocked out in an afternoon.

9. “Done and Dusted” by Lyla Sage Save a horse because this cowboy romance is a brother’s best friend story with a touch of secrecy and a man who is entirely down-bad for his girl. As Clementine “Emmy” Ryder deals with the trauma of a riding-related injury and a return to the home she left behind, Luke Brooks is proving himself to be just the

8. “Her Favorite Jack-o-Lantern” by Rebecca Rennick This book is, by far, the spiciest on this list. With a quirky heroine obsessed with all things Halloween and a boy who just returned to his hometown, the two make an unexpected duo. This book is a light, quick read that will get you out of a reading slump with a quick and hot burn!

7. “Running into You” by K.M. Gillis The kismet of her best friend’s brother, whom she’s been in love with since her awkward teenage years, is far-fetched enough to make readers swoon. As he helps her train for a marathon, the tension is perfectly delicious! This one is a sweet and gut-wrenching read for anyone who

6. “Love Her or Lose Her” by Tessa Bailey If you’re looking for really obvious fall elements, cruise on by this one. Tessa Bailey weaves a powerful story of high school sweethearts Dominic and Rosie as their marriage is on the rocks. The thirdact break-up and super hot resolution are absolutely worth it in this standalone.

5. “My Roommate is a Vampire” by Jenna Levine This rom-com novel will have you giggling like a schoolgirl watching the centuries-old vampire Frederick J. Fitzwilliam’s attempts to navigate the crazy world of Instagram bikini shots, the relevancy of Taylor Swift and hipster coffee shops. Luckily for artist Cassie Greenberg, only a completely out-oftouch vampire would list a spacious apartment with a view for only $200. This story is told through Cassie’s point of view, supplemented with cute notes, text messages and letters to make for a

4. “Funny Feelings” by Tarah Dewitt “Funny Feelings” is a classic fakedating romance with an age gap and a single father. Dewitt manages to squeeze the best of romance tropes in this one for a comedic story going back and forth between past and present with dual points of view. The mutual pining in this story is absolutely a chef’s kiss.

2. “The Ex Hex” by Erin Sterling In this witchy second chance romance, Rhys Penhallow has returned to the site of his fleeting romance with the one who got away. After completely ruining it by being an oblivious man, he fi nds she has cursed him! As the two fight off angry ghosts and unhappy professors, old feelings can’t seem to help but resurface. This book is full of Halloween vibes and just the right amount of spice to keep you going.

3. “The Fall of Bradley Reed” by Morgan Elizabeth After Olivia Anderson gets left at the altar by a man that can only be deﬁ ned as the scum of the earth, eye candy FBI agent Andre Valenti is handling surveillance on her after discovering that her ex-ﬁance is framing her for a white-collar crime. This grumpy-sunshine romance is so satisfying, with a level of justice not seen in reality.

1. “Love and Other Words” by Christina Lauren With then and now perspectives, “Love and Other Words” dives into the youthful and resurfacing romance of Eliot and Macy after a series of events that drove them apart. This story breaks your heart, puts it back together and makes you wish for your very own Elliot Petropoulos. This is the story of two people absolutely meant to be together and who deserve to be together. Warning: you will cry. ■ H

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

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RADAR

TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

Remembering the life and legacy of actor Matthew Perry From his sarcastic humor to his inspiring efforts to help others, the actor has left an impact that fans and the industry will remember. KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

On Oct. 28, 2023, it was announced to the public that the 54-year-old actor, Matthew Perry, passed away in his home. The news came as a huge shock and devastation to everyone. Perry brought plenty of smiles and laughs to audiences’ faces with his unique humor on and off the screen. He was an inspiration to many for his journey with substance abuse and advocacy for rehabilitation. Later, Perry would make it his life’s mission to help others battle addiction. Matthew Perry’s life and legacy will continue to live on through his family, friends and fans. Matthew Perry was born in Massachusetts on Aug. 19, 1969, to parents Suzanne Morrison and actor John Bennett Perry, and was later raised in Canada for most of his life. His parents separated, and his mother went on to marry Canadian broadcast journalist Keith Morrison. Growing up, Perry got into some trouble in school and started drinking at the age of 14. He later moved to Los Angeles to be with his father and started studying acting and comedy while in high school. After a few small cameos and guest appearances on TV shows, Perry made his big breakthrough with NBC’s famous sitcom, “Friends.” The beloved show about the daily lives of six adults finding their way through their mid-to-late 20s in New York was a massive success. The show ran for a decade, pulling in millions of viewers. As “Friends” grew into an international hit, Perry became a huge celebrity along with his co-stars. Since the show came out in the ‘90s to early ‘00s, many people grew up watching it. Perry played Chandler Bing, one of the main characters, known for his sense of humor and sarcasm. Chandler was loved by many for his quick wit and banter with his other friends. From his entertaining bromance with Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, to his heartfelt romance with Monica Geller, played by Courtney Cox, Perry was at the forefront of many iconic moments of the show. Besides his big hit with “Friends,” Perry went on to star in other hit shows and movies. He appeared in a few episodes of the popular American legal comedy-drama series, “Ally McBeal,” and also had leading roles in films such as “Fools Rush In” (1997), “Serving Sera” (2002) and “17 Again” (2009). The actor was also nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for his performances in the TV series, “The West Wing” (2003), “The Ron Clark Story” (2006) and “Friends” (2002). Despite all the smiles and laughs on “Friends,” Perry was dealing with dark times behind the camera. Unfortunately, the fame and pressure got to him, and he started to struggle with alcohol and substance abuse. In a 2016 interview with Britain’s BBC Radio 2 show, Perry admitted that he did not remember filming seasons three through six. The actor’s co-stars on “Friends” often tried to talk to him, even holding interventions to help him stop, but to no avail. Perry sought treatment 15 times before finally quitting drugs and alcohol. He spent millions on his addiction recovery, going through many stomach surgeries and AA meetings before quitting. Despite the tough struggle Perry faced, he worked hard to reach sobriety.

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Once Perry found strength in his sobriety, he dedicated much of his time to helping others recover from addiction. In 2013, Perry converted his old Malibu beach house into a men’s sober living home named “Perry House.” However, the house was sold two years later due to the financial costs. The actor became a vocal advocate for the treatment of criminals with substance abuse issues rather than incarceration. Many people have come forward with their own stories, detailing how Perry personally reached out and helped them get sober. At 18 months sober, Perry published his very candid autobiography, “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing” (2022). The book not only discussed his time in the limelight on “Friends” but included the dark truth of his addiction and the ups and downs on the road to recovery. Perry was incredibly intimate in his book, detailing his close calls with death and many years of struggling with addiction. The details and shocking moments shook fans, such as the actor taking 55 Vicodin a day at the height of his addiction. Inspired by the memoir, readers in a similar boat were able to identify with Perry and get sober. The candor and intimacy of the book revealed the heart of the actor and his courage to step forward with his story. Despite the amount of fame and popularity Perry received from “Friends,” he was determined to ensure the show wouldn’t be the thing people remember him by. In a promotional appearance for his memoir, Perry tells the interviewer, “When I die, I don’t want ‘Friends’ to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want [helping other addicts] to be the first thing that’s mentioned, and I’m going to live the rest of my life proving that.” While Perry recognized the jumpstart and privileges the show gave him, he wanted his life to be remembered for the value and care he put toward helping others. Before Perry died, he wanted to set up a foundation that helped those who were struggling with substance abuse. Motivated by his journey and struggles, the late actor had plans to further his mission of helping addicts toward recovery. The National Philanthropic Trust, Perry’s friends and loved ones recognized his commitment and launched the Matthew Perry Foundation following his death. The Foundation plans to “honor his legacy and be guided by his own words and experiences.” It is now accepting donations and has raised more than $49 billion since its launch. Matthew Perry was an actor that many people hold dear in their hearts for his charisma, humor and heart. Through many years of hard work and perseverance, the actor was able to overcome his battle and become an inspiring figure to others. While Chandler Bing is a character loved by many, what will be remembered the most from Matthew Perry is his dedication to helping others fight past their struggles. ■ H

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17 TUESDAY, NOV 7, 2023

RADAR

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‘The Killer’: An assassin left to his thoughts LUKE LIAO Staff Writer

The thriller delineates one man’s lethal course of action. “The Killer,” David Fincher’s hitman thriller, stars Michael Fassbender as a nameless assassin who embarks on an international vendetta after a hit gone wrong puts his life in danger. Despite what some might derive from the title, “The Killer’’ is more interested in the planning, traveling and happenings in between killings. As the titular character states in one of his many voiceovers, “It’s the idle hours that most often lead a man to ruin.” The film is an exacting crime procedural, sometimes falling victim to its self-imposed approach. In a lengthy introduction of sorts, the killer monologues about many things, but most thoughts end with him preaching about his fatalistic credo. He is also a man of many mannerisms with his “Work Mix” playlist and persistent usage of a heart rate monitor. To top it off, he’s as smart as a whip with a backlog of facts. If one were to read the film’s synopsis or this brief characterization, he might register as a familiar neurotic personality, a timeworn portrayal of a hired gun. David Fincher and screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, adapting the comic of the same name, know this, but their efforts to color this assassin are simply too sparse and starkly uninteresting. Sure, it’s amusing that the above-mentioned playlist only has music from the Smiths or that he eats McDonald’s between shifts like any other person, but all of this is superficial. Though the script’s no-frills approach is a part of the film’s DNA, it doesn’t help that the existing conversations are juttingly penned. Something that differentiates this character is the film’s usage of large corporations in its framework, creating a modern, 21st century

hitman. It’s surface level, but the sight of a killer picking up gear from an Amazon locker or complaining about why Airbnbs make for bad foxholes is admittedly humorous. The film also makes clear parallels between the killer’s criminal world and the corporate one and the impersonal goals of each one. Even if these aspects waver, what remains certain is Michael Fassbender’s turn as the killer. Expectedly, he’s a man of little words, but with a wince here and a twitch of the eye there, these scintillas prove to be enough. Through his steely, unblinking expression, there is an understanding that his mind is doing mental gymnastics, always calculating and mulling. Once the manhunt ensues, we see the killer going through the motions step by step: prepping for a hit, then executing it. Though it’s nothing new, Fincher’s signature sepia grading and airtight editing give the professionalism in action a dirty, exciting edge and a reminder of why these stories are so loved and emulated. When the spade work is finished, and zero-hour strikes, the rigidity of the killer’s beliefs and mental are put to the test — his actual workmanship wavering is never really in question, despite the hit gone wrong that puts everything in motion. The structure of these confrontations varies in regards to narrative importance, but its resemblance to a pulp genre film is a welcome decision. Proof of concept is found in the name choices of supporting players such as the Expert (Tilda Swinton) and the Brute (Sala Baker) and have their roles be just that. However cliché and dimensional H these characters were, their limited screen time was a virtue. ■

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Verdict: Though it’s a serviceable thriller, “The Killer” lacks a bite with its interesting choices, feeling slight against a faint, predictable story.

‘Attack on Titan’ finale: A fitting, albeit uncomfortable, end to one of the greatest works of modern fiction KIANOOSH NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

Eren Jaeger’s journey highlights the human condition, making his end a difficult one to swallow. !!!Spoiler Alert!!! After ten long years since it first premiered, Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan” anime series finally came to an end this past week, available for streaming on Crunchyroll. This highly anticipated 90-minute series finale included beautiful set pieces, voice acting and captivating music like most Japanese manga-turned-anime, making it enjoyable to experience. But the “Attack on Titan” series sets itself apart as a long-heralded modern masterpiece by viewers with its complex characters, its commentary on the human condition and how uncomfortable it makes audiences watching the main character’s demise. “The Final Chapters Special 2” occurs directly after the end of “Special 1,” with the surviving members of Paradis’ Survey Corps and Marley’s Warriors attempting to stop protagonist anti-hero Eren Jaeger from ending humanity beyond the walls. By the start of “Special 2,” Eren has already killed half of humanity in gruesome fashion with the help of the founder of all the Titans, Ymir. “Special 2” delves into Eren’s psyche with conversations with his closest companions, Mikasa and Armin, who eventually succeed in stopping him by decapitating him. This ends Eren’s advance on humanity, although he succeeds in wiping out around 80% of it. Eren is buried under the same tree where the anime began, seemingly coming full circle and giving the viewer a false sense of comfort that there will be peace before, later, showing that centuries later the world is once again at war. “Special 2” focuses heavily on Eren’s character and his justification for his actions in a way that delves into the human condition, leaving the viewer feeling uncomfortable. The discomfort comes from the fact that Eren is often a mirror for the viewer, and his non-traditional arc with his flawed characteristics makes him incredibly relatable. Viewers may find themselves rooting for Eren at points during his genocidal narrative arc because of how the story sets us up to root for Eren to accomplish his goal of achieving freedom. This is a goal he ironically never accomplishes despite his powers allowing him to do anything. Eren’s story is set up to highlight humanity’s deepest desires and insecurities; we wish we were powerful enough to solve the problems that torment us and those we care about. Eren’s arc at the beginning of the anime is a perfect mirror of this desire, as one often feels powerless against life’s big problems, and his sudden ability to impact the world that has wronged him is empowering. He is a near-

perfect anti-hero, which further increases his relatability as his quest for “freedom” is a noble one in theory but tragic when the viewer realizes that despite everything that’s done, Eren, nor anyone else, is ever truly free. The story of “Attack on Titan” is an incredible one insofar as neither the protagonist nor any of the supporting characters are able to achieve seemingly anything. The characters “save” a world that did not heed their cry for peace, nor did it seem that the possibility of Titans was ended, marked by the final post-credit scene, which calls back to the founder Ymir’s beginning. Critics have called the poorly written ending an unsatisfying closure to the decade-long anime that has become a household name. But, it’s clear that this was Isayama’s intention as a rude awakening for those who saw themselves in Eren and his actions. As a younger viewer, early Eren seems to derive his ego from his strength, driving him and those around him into a brighter future and that resonates strongly. His conviction to follow his goals is awe-inspiring, and it appears in his arc, much like other shonen anime, the reader can live out their personal dreams through Eren. The vulnerability displayed at Eren’s demise beneath his formidable exterior, as he confesses to his friend Armin that his justifications were flawed and expresses a desire for Mikasa to remember him completely, subverts conventional storytelling. His ego turns out to be his biggest weakness, destroying him and his relationship with those around him. That aspect of Eren is completely and utterly human. His pain and hopelessness are something we’ve all felt in some way or another. His quest for freedom is flawed, and he breaks down when he realizes it is all for nothing. Witnessing Eren’s demise means releasing your inner child, shedding the remnants of petty tantrums and abandoning the naive, overly simplistic worldview that once justified them. Completing “Attack on Titan” breathes fresh perspectives into the narrative, which H is why it is one of the greatest works of modern fiction. ■

COURTESY OF WIT COURTESY OF MAPPA

Sports

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

Highlander Hot Take: Taylor Swift is the real GOAT BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

The ‘Taylor Swift Effect’ is real, and it has conquered the NFL. Ever since her iconic Eras Tour took the world, Taylor Swift has become the definition of success. Both her tour and recently released film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” have gradually boosted the economy into a splendor of wealth, though the singer’s impact doesn’t just end there. Watching from one of the suite boxes during a Kansas City Chiefs game was Taylor Swift, an unexpected and bewildering sight for many in Sept. of this year. Swift’s glorious celebration of Travis Kelce’s touchdown brewed a storm of speculations that the two had something more going on behind closed doors. The entertainment and sports worlds both benefited from these rumors. As magazines picked up cheeky stories about the new couple, the NFL saw a boost in ticket sales and followership. When the New York Jets went up against the Chiefs on Oct. 1, low-priced seats at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey shot up nearly 35% in value once Swift’s attendance made headlines. The pattern of increasing ticket sales closely resembled the frenzy behind purchasing last-minute concert tickets, albeit with many skilled Swift fans adding these NFL tickets to their online carts. The NFL has possibly never been this entertaining until Swift made her appearances a must-see. Her presence, along with celebrity friends like Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, caused football games to rise in viewership, most notably among female watchers. The NFL has often been a male-dominated sport, but ever since young Swifties saw their leader on NFL grounds, the NFL’s viewership among female teens rose by 53%. Swift’s overall impact on female viewership opened a segway for a new demographic to watch football games on Sunday nights. Travis Kelce has also enjoyed a rise in popularity with his link to the famous superstar. His jersey sales nearly rose to 400%, and his name, along with Swift’s, became the most searched on the internet. Known for his agile ability to outsmart his competitor’s teammates, Kelce has been regarded as the NFL’s best tight end. His natural-born performance on the field certainly makes him stand out from a pool of football players, and he is now one of the most famous football names in the game. His endeavors with

Swift have significantly expanded his popularity and largely increased the relevant demographics of the Chief’s fanbase. However, many were not happy with the overwhelming coverage of Swift’s presence during every Chief’s game. In seeing how Swift affected their prices, the NFL took it upon themselves to have Swift’s name in every news headline they managed. On their Instagram account, the NFL posted a video of Swift speaking to Lively during a game, with the caption reading: “The @chiefs are 2-0 with @taylorswift in attendance.” Kelce even took it upon himself to say during his podcast, New Heights, that the NFL was “overdoing it” when it came to covering the Swift-Kelce news. Kelce appeared to be on the side that the NFL should be covering the game itself rather than eating up and promoting A-list game appearances. In defense of its high coverage of Swift, the NFL went on to say, “The Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce news has been a pop cultural moment we’ve leaned into in real-time, as it’s an intersection of sport and entertainment, and we’ve seen an incredible amount of positivity around the sport.” It’s fair to say that solely covering a celebrity’s attendance during a football game erases each team’s efforts as they compete against each other. But without Swift, the NFL would continue to be a sport for just men. Swift has redefined the NFL’s following, and the NFL has acknowledged that. It has not only brought in female viewers, as aforementioned but also a younger generation of fans that would have never clicked on the NFL in their TV programming. The NFL will no longer be regarded as just a sport; it will now and forever be marked by a brewing celebrity romance with the world’s most recognizable star’s name attached to it. Touchdowns and cozy dates between the young couple will be headlined together as the entertainment and sports worlds are united as one. H We’re living in Taylor’s Version 24/7, and sports fans will have to accept that.■

COURTESY OF LARRY KOESTER VIA FLICKR

19 TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

SPORTS

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Celtics “ultra” fans show solidarity with Palestine despite UEFA guidelines SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

Green Brigade organizes collective action showing support for Palestinian resistance against genocide. The Celtics are a professional Scottish football (soccer) club founded in 1887 by Irish Catholic immigrants in Glasgow with the goal of raising money for needy Irish and Catholic families in the East End. With the football team starting as an avenue for social and political change, it is no surprise that Celtics fans are overwhelmingly left-leaning. Nearly 136 years after its formation, the football club still remains connected to its strong Irish roots. The Irish, having witnessed the detrimental realities of settler colonialism firsthand, are one of Palestines’ most vocal supporters so it is not uncommon for Celtics fans to regularly fly Palestinian flags at matches. Amidst the genocide Israel is conducting in Gaza, many Celtics fans, especially those in the Green Brigade, are increasing their show of support, taking to the stadium to show their solidarity with Palestine. Following repeated displays of solidarity with Palestine, Celtic’s “ultra” fan club, the Green Brigade, was recently banned from attending all further Celtic Football Club games this season. Completely funded by fan and member donations and known for its “anti-fascist” political stance, the Green Brigade often creates political displays for issues across the globe. The goal of the “ultra” club is to explore the intersection between football and politics, sending a meaningful political message while supporting their team and stimulating the environment of their home stadium, Celtic Park. Formed in the summer of 2006, the Green Brigade is an openly political, Celtic “ultra” group showing “solidarity with causes from Ireland to Palestine.” In the early days, the “ultra” group found their home in the back rows of Section 111 of Celtic Park, inciting fans from every section to come and join them. As the Green Brigade continued to expand, Celtics Football Club was forced to talk business, offering the Green Brigade a block of 300 seats in Section 111. This is not the first time this “ultra” club has run into trouble for their political displays. In November of 2010, in what is considered their most notorious act to date, the Green Brigade protested the embezzlement of a Poppy, a symbol for British military actions, onto the Celtic jerseys. Members of the brigade gatherers in the stands, unveiling banners reading “YOUR DEEDS WILL SHAME ALL THE DEVILS IN HELL - IRELAND, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN” and “NO BLOODSTAINED POPPY ON OUR HOOPS.” Despite the Green Brigade being some of the strongest Celtics supporters, following this display of collective action, the club vowed to ban all participants in the stunt from attending future Celtics matches. On Aug. 17, 2016, the Celtics hosted a Champions League Qualifications Fixture match against Israeli team Hapoel Beer-Sheva. In spite of UEFA guidelines, the Green Brigade covered section 111 in Palestinian flags. This resulted in an £8,600 ($10,511.77) fine, resulting in the Green Brigade campaign “#MatchTheFineForPalestine,” a fundraising campaign hoping to raise the fine amount as a donation for Palestinian relief. As they continuously surpassed their fundraising for Palestine goal, the “ultra” club continued to set new targets and donate to relief efforts; ultimately, over £176,076 ($215,217.52) were raised and split between Medical Aid for Palestine (MAP) and The Lajee Center. In 2019, the Green Brigade, in collaboration with The Lajee Center, officially launched the Aida Celtic, a club designed “to provide young Palestinian refugee footballers with a fully equipped and financed football setup.” Central to the success of this club were the donations garnered during the “#MatchTheFine” campaign; to keep the Football club open, the Green Brigade constantly fundraises and partners with a multitude of organizations. It is the hope of the “ultra” club that the “Aida Celtic, who sit in the shadow of an illegal separation wall, will be the next example” of

football breaking barriers and bringing hope. The Union of European Football Association (UEFA) guidelines have recently banned flying the Palestinian flag during matches, encouraging football teams to only allow their fans to bring in displays relating to the competing teams or risk fines. This has not stopped the Green Brigade from violating these guidelines and showing solidarity with Palestinians during both home and away Celtics matches throughout the last month. The “ultra” group’s first pro-Palestine display this month occurred during the Celtic’s home match against Kilmarnock on Oct.7 following Gaza’s “break out of prison.” Members of the Green Brigade displayed two large banners reading “Free Palestine” and “Victory to the Resistance.” In response to this display of solidarity with Palestine, Celtic Football Club issued a statement condemning the actions of the Green Brigade, stating, “Celtic is a football club and not a political organization … One of our core values from inception is to be open to all regardless of race, color, politics or creed. That is why the club has always made clear that political messages and banners are not welcome at Celtic Park or any match involving Celtic.” Despite the message put out by the Celtics, the Green Brigade continues to push for its members to have the right to express their political beliefs. The “ultra” group is encouraging supporters to “courageously fly the flag for Palestine,” distributing thousands of flags outside Celtic Park in spite of the recent flag ban. On Oct. 22, during an away match against the Hearts, members of the Green Brigade smuggled Palestinian flags into the stadium in order to pass them out to fans. The Green Brigade section and parts of the stadium were covered with Palestinian flags and symbols of Palestinian resistance, demonstrating the “ultra” groups’ unwavering support to the cause. Because of this stunt, the Green Brigade was denied their usual early entry into section 111 of the stadium during the Celtics UEFA championship league against Atlético de Madrid on Oct. 25. During this championship match, in another display of collective action, members of the Green Brigade dressed in red, black, green and white, all colors of the Palestinian flag, to create a giant Palestinian flag out of their section of the crowd. Before the match took place, Celtics club staff issued a statement saying that Celtics players and coaching staff would wear black armbands “as a show of respect and support for all those affected by the conflict.” The club also said that any banners, flags and symbols relating to the conflict and those countries involved in it are not displayed at Celtic Park at this time.” Fans paid no attention to this ingenious attempt at neutrality in the face of genocide and continued to wave flags throughout the duration of the match. However, fans paid no heed to the directives and held up thousands of Palestine flags ahead of kickoff and continued to wave them during the match. The Green Brigade has been banned from future Celtics games, with the club citing “unsafe and unacceptable behavior” as the reason. The “ultra” club themselves have other ideas for why they were suspended, stating, “We have absolutely no doubt that these sanctions are motivated by a desire to quash political expression within the Celtic support, specifically in relation to Palestine at this time … Despite this and any further H obstruction, we once again encourage fans to courageously fly the flag for Palestine.”■

COURTESY OF THE GREEN BRIGADE

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOV 14, 2023

Highlanders survive late comeback against UC Merced, 76-69, in their opening game ISAAC SOLNICK Contributing Writer

New look UCR open season with a win against UC Merced. Coming off of a record-breaking 22-win season, the Highlanders were looking to build off last season’s success with a home win against UC Merced. Debuting their new Nike jerseys, it was expected that UCR would pull away from an overmatched UC Merced Bobcats while sporting their flashy new uniforms. Despite playing at the NAIA level, UC Merced was determined to spoil the fashion show. The Bobcats offense revolved around senior guard Chris Bramah. Unfazed by Division 1 competition, Bramah completed a four-point play to give UC Merced an early lead. UCR head coach Mike Magpayo called an early timeout to get the Highlanders back on track. After the timeout, the Highlanders looked ready to match the intensity of the Bobcats. A block and a steal in back-to-back possessions from senior forward Wil Tattersall and a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Nate Pickens helped bring UCR back into the game. Matched up with Bramah, Pickens looked to disrupt the UC Merced star with aggressive on-ball defense. It led to some fouls, but Pickens was able to force an ugly 10-second violation against the Bobcats. On offense, Merced couldn’t find an answer for redshirt junior center Jhaylon Martinez in the first half. Working in the post, Martinez played bully ball with the Bobcats. Martinez’s physicality drew fouls and defenders onto him. He was able to kick it out to open shooters and even secured a three-point play. With the UCR offense on a roll, the Bobcats relied on their star backcourt of Bramah and junior guard Aiden Sevilla for scoring. A couple of 3-point plays from the duo made it seem like UC Merced would go into half-time with the momentum. However, redshirt freshman guard Barrington Hargress sunk a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, which got the crowd on its feet. The Highlanders headed to the locker room with a 41-32 lead. The second half started almost the same way the first half ended. This time around,

it was redshirt sophomore guard Isaiah Moses who knocked down the long triple. The Bobcats refused to give up as Sevilla and Bramah responded with 3-pointers of their own. UC Merced had rallied back, and UCR was on the back foot. The lead was cut to just three, but that was as close as it would get. After a timeout, Mike Magpayo and the Highlanders made the right adjustments. Showing off his athleticism, Pickens got up to block the much taller junior forward Myles Haynes of the Bobcats. On the other side of the ball, 3-pointers from junior forward Luke Turner and redshirt freshman forward Kaleb Smith put UCR back in control. Desperate for a comeback, UC Merced resorted to their half-court trap defense, but steady playmaking from the UCR guards helped get easy buckets. The Highlanders started the new season on the right foot as they cruised to a 76-69 victory. The Bobcats proved to be a good test, as Bramah and Sevilla combined for 44 points. Even though the Highlanders failed to pull away from UC Merced, there are many encouraging signs Mike Magpayo and UCR fans can look to. Despite shooting only 34.8% from the field and 29.4% behind the arc, the Highlanders used their advantage on the glass to win this one. UCR grabbed 23 offensive rebounds to make up for their poor shooting. Even after losing key players like Zyon Pullin, Flynn Cameron and Lachlan Olbrich, they learned that the identity of this year’s Highlanders squad is the same. UCR is going to live and die by the three, and the shooting performance should improve throughout the season. UCR is set to travel to Utah (11/10), the University of North Carolina (11/17), UCLA (11/30) and Washington St. (12/6). Four games against Power 5 schools will show H if this year’s UCR team can make another run at the Big West Championship. ■

APOLLO KUDSI / THE HIGHLANDER

UC Riverside women’s basketball team loses 52-90 to UCLA

HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

Highlanders go 0-2 to start the season. The UC Riverside women’s basketball team lost to UCLA 52-90 Thursday night in Westwood. Going into this game, the Highlanders previously lost to Southern Methodist University in Dallas Monday night. After going 6-26 last season, the women’s team looked to get off to a strong start this season. However, they had a tough task in facing a sound UCLA team, who was ranked fourth in the nation. The Bruins jumped out to an early 11-0 start in the first quarter. The Highlanders couldn’t seem to find a rhythm offensively. Redshirt senior center Matehya Bryant picked up two early fouls that took her out of the game, forcing UC Riverside to tap into the reserves early. UCLA continued to put up points on the board while simultaneously stifling the UCR offense. It wasn’t until the 57-second mark that UC Riverside finally scored their first points of the game as junior guard Jaden Sanderson knocked down a mid-range jumper to bring the score to 20-2. The Bruins scored again twice to close out the first quarter with a 25-2 lead. The Highlanders started to find their footing in the second quarter as the duo of Sanderson and senior guard Jordan Webster scored the first 15 points for UCR. However, UC Riverside couldn’t find an answer to stopping UCLA’s offense as both teams continued to trade baskets throughout the quarter. Fifth-year guard RyAnne Walters sank a 3-pointer with two minutes left until halftime to put up the first points on the scoreboard outside of Sanderson and Webster. However, the well-rounded UCLA team continued to score with ease as they entered the half with a 49-20 lead. In the third quarter, the Bruins were able to extend their lead to 31 with a layup from

forward Gabriela Jaquez, who is the sister of NBA forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. Bryant and Webster led the way offensively for UC Riverside early in the quarter as Webster continued to knock down jump shots and Webster scored from inside the paint. Near the end of the quarter, Walters scored a layup and sank a 3-pointer near the end of the quarter to bring the score to 62-36. UCLA continued to extend their lead to start the fourth quarter as Jacquez and guard Londynn Jones exchanged buckets to give the Bruins a 67-36 lead. Sophomore guard Makayla Jackson finished back-to-back layups with 5:51 left in the game to score her first points as a Highlander. The UCLA onslaught continued as the game winded down as back-to-back 3-pointers from the Bruins put them up 82-46 with 3:06 left in the game. The 3-pointers continued to fall as UCLA could not seem to miss down the stretch of the game. With time winding down, forward Izzy Anstey put the finishing touches on the game by knocking down a jump shot to give the Bruins a 90-52 win over the Highlanders. Webster led the way for UC Riverside with 18 points and six assists. Bryant showed her defensive prowess with 11 points, eight rebounds and five steals in the contest. The Highlanders drop to 0-2 to start the season and will be on the road to take on H Boise State next Wednesday, Nov. 15, time to be determined. ■