The Highlander
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
For the week of Tuesday, October 5, 2021
VOL. 70, ISSUE 01
est. 1954
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How UCR plans to keep students safe
The Bizarreness of ‘Squid Game’ is ironically real and intense
WHAT COVID PROCEDURES IS UCR IMPLEMENTING TO PROTECT STUDENTS ON CAMPUS?
AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor
After two years of online classes, UCR has finally welcomed students and faculty back to campus for in-person learning. While for the majority of students this is their first year on campus, those who previously attended in person are also still adjusting. One difference from the last time in-person instruction occurred is the inclusion of COVID-19 and the precautions that come with it. The threat of the virus remains present, and those attending classes or working on campus are required to wear a mask indoors and be fully vaccinated or have an exemption. With masks and vaccination statuses being the main defense against COVID on campus, UCR has also implemented several other precautions to help keep students safe. Students and faculty who live on or commute to UCR must fill out the Daily Wellness Survey each day they are on campus before they leave their residence or arrive. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and asks a series of
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THE SHOW’S INSANITY IS A BRILLIANT METAPHOR FOR THE WORLD’S HARSH, UNFORGIVING REALITY.
health-related questions to ensure you have not contracted the virus. The survey also tracks what residence hall or building you live or work in to assist in contact tracing if someone you came into contact with has tested positive. When returning to campus was proposed for the fall, the University of California system set a goal of having 90% of all students vaccinated. UCR was able to meet this goal, with current statistics reporting that 94.2% of students are vaccinated along with 81.6% of employees. The total combined percentage is 92.3%. Students who did not report their vaccination status were blocked from enrolling in on-campus classes. Although those living on campus are all vaccinated, students are still required to participate in regular random testing to help locate any potential outbreaks. Students who test positive on campus will be required to self-isolate in a designated on-campus room for 14 days. During this period, they may not leave their room unless they want to return home and quarantine. Students with a meal ► SEE COVID PROCEDURES PAGE 4
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
Netflix Korea’s latest series, “Squid Game,” is taking the world by storm as a strange and violent show whose ruthless and depressing atmosphere exposes a dark reality of our society. And this was specifically the intention of the writer and director, Hwang Dong-hyuk, who stated how he “wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life. But I wanted it to use the kind of characters we’ve all met in real life.” As a result, this particular motivation perfectly encapsulates why “Squid Game” has become such a phenomenon as a visceral, yet addicting series that is on its way to surpass “Bridgerton” as Netflix’s most watched series of all time. Set in a modern-day, capitalist South Korea, a group of 456 debt-ridden and impoverished players compete in a series of children’s games for millions in cash. While that may sound trivial on paper,
the intensity is raised to an extreme as the price of failure is a contestant’s horrifying and instantaneous death. The developers of “Squid Game” delivered not only gutwrenching gore and violence, but also psychological drama and warfare amongst the players. The desperate and unfortunate run parallel with murderers, thieves and psychopaths in the same hellish and torturous environment, managed behind the scenes by a ruthless staff. Despite the pasts and circumstances of each player, the audience can see throughout each game how the rising stakes reveal each character’s morality and instincts: all desperate to survive, but hungry to win. Alliances are built and destroyed within the same episode, and the blurred equality within the game will upset many in the audience as it leads to many undeserved and meaningless deaths. And in the end, the price of the game is simply accumulated in a giant piggy bank hanging above the players as their deaths and actions are all done for the entertainment of the over-privileged. The feasibility ► SEE SQUID GAME PAGE 10
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UCR’s annual Block Party postponed
UCR’S ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY CONCERT IS POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO THE RISE IN COVID CASES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
ABHIJIT REGE News Editor
Though our return to campus means a return to some normalcy, this does not translate into the return of all UCR traditions. The Associated Students Program Board of UCR announced on Sep. 14 that our university’s annual Block Party will be postponed until a later time in the academic year, coinciding with UCR’s return to campus guidelines regarding large scale events. This measure aims to ensure that the Highlanders remain safe during a time when COVID cases continue to rise. But this is not only indicative of how future events may be handled, including UCR’s two other
annual concerts, the Winter Solstice and Spring Splash, but also exhibits our university’s gradual return to the full oncampus experience. Block Party has received mostly positive reception throughout the years, regardless of the format. The prior year, with online classes due to the pandemic, saw the usage of virtual platforms to hold UCR’s annual events. In 2020, the event was held virtually through the video and streaming platform, Vimeo, and was headlined by artists including Rico Nasty, Dominic Fike and Kaytranada. Though this concert saw one of the most diverse and extensive lineups, the event itself was riddled with many issues,
much of which were rooted in the online nature of the event. Most complaints were due to technical issues of the stream and the chatbox, which was eventually shutoff. The last in-person event in 2019 was headlined by Lil Baby, whose popularity has skyrocketed since, and featured artists including Smino and Boombox Cartel. Prior years saw a similar experience with many notable artists headlining, including A$AP Ferg and Playboi Carti in 2017 and KYLE and MadeinTYO in 2018. But the loss of this tradition would likely result in an outcry by many students who may hold nostalgic experiences of the packed, energetic crowds
of students, as well as the hype surrounding the headliners and their performances. While we currently have no information regarding this year’s headlining artists, one can expect our university to deliver considering prior lineups. ASPB’s prior efforts cannot be without applause considering the production and organization put into all the amenities and concessions. Though the possibility of an in-person event may be doubtful with the presence of COVID-19, ASPB has proven in the past to deliver bigger and better experiences each year, and the challenge of COVID gives them a chance to exercise their creativity for future H events. ■
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RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER ► FROM COVID PROCEDURES
plan can contact dining services to have meals delivered to them. A student who no longer has symptoms after the 14 days will be released back to their oncampus residence. To maintain a type of “UCR COVID bubble,” guests are currently prohibited from visiting on-campus housing units. Students living on campus may not visit resident halls or apartments that they do not currently live in. Students are also discouraged from leaving campus to go back to their main residence since traveling to and
from campus can potentially spread the virus. Social-distancing practices are still in effect, and it is recommended that people on campus remain six feet away from others when in public spaces. Additionally, elevators are currently limited to one person at a time. UCR Chancellor Wilcox stated in a message to the community that until COVID cases in Riverside County trend downward, “campus leaders have elected to minimize the number of non-essential, inperson events, gatherings and
meetings on campus for now.” This has caused many classes that were previously scheduled to be in person to switch to online last minute. Gatherings like the annual Block Party have also been postponed as a result. Students wishing to, or who need to, get tested are able to do so on campus. Someone is recommended to get tested when they begin to have COVID symptoms, have come into contact with someone infected or have been in an area where an outbreak has occurred. On-campus testing is located at the Pentland Hills Bear Cave
meeting room. They are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m. On Wednesday’s, their hours are 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. On Friday’s, the hours are 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. There is also a drive-thru site on campus that is run through Curative. This testing site is located at Lot 26. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. Appointments can be scheduled online up to five days in advance. The circumstances surrounding the coronavirus
are continuously changing due to state, county and University of California restrictions. These precautions could potentially become worse if not abided by. They could also loosen as cases improve. With the start of a new school year, in an out of the ordinary situation, students and faculty are expected to follow these rules to help keep the community safe. Up to date COVID restrictions for campus can be found at the Campus Return H website. ■
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
The Newsom recall revealed the reality of California politics, and the public would be wise to take notice
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CALIFORNIANS SHOULD TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AFTERMATH OF THE RECALL IN ORDER TO REFRAME OUR POLITICAL EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD.
T
he election for the recall of Gov. Gavin Newsom was a tense moment for Californians. Republican Larry Elder had an overwhelming lead in the race for the empty spot if the governor had been recalled. However, much to the relief of many California Democrats, the polls closed with a resounding “no” from many counties throughout the state. While it seems as though the state can dust its hands of this ordeal, there is actually quite a bit that can be learned from the recall and how it was carried out. From the hefty price tag to the people who were vying for Newsom’s place, the recall’s failure is now a chance to analyze how politics are carried out. The elephant in the room that most people are quick to point out following the recall was the immense cost to run it. Though getting the millions of signatures was free, the resulting price tag for running the recall is leaving some taxpayers angry. However, while it may be tempting to point the finger and say that those behind the Recall Newsom petition should foot the bill, as disappointing as it may be, this should not be the reality. The recall process is important to keep around, should there be a need to recall someone unfit to be in the position. Though hypothetically, if Democrats feel the need to recall a governor in the future, regardless of if they win or lose, they wouldn’t want to be the ones pinned with the price of the recall. It would be unfair to say that whoever runs the recall is responsible for paying it back. Additionally, to make those who supported the recall pay the
fee might alienate people from ever wanting to run a recall again, feeling that they might be punished. Thus, the discussion of who deserves to face the cost should not be the priority. What should be front and center is a dissection of the things that went on during the recall election, and more importantly, who was on the ballot as a replacement governor. California has a history of celebrities running for political office, but this year featured people such as former Olympian Caitlyn Jenner and Los Angeles model Angelyne, neither of whom have any prior political experience — a common trait in celebrity candidates. There was even a real estate YouTuber who threw his hat into the ring as a Democratic replacement for Newsom. Celebrities on the ballot have fame to back their names rather than genuine political experience. Because of this and how frequently this occurs, it is necessary to implement requirements to get on the roster. Limiting the ballot to those with political experience might cut out people who have not been able to afford specialized education in the field of politics, which is something that should in fact be avoided. Reforming the recall process should not include closing it off to those who don’t have a master’s degree in political science to back their ideas. What a reform should block is celebrities with name recognition from obscuring those who have experience necessary to run a state government. The public deserves to see people on the ballot who will know how to manage the state, not someone who is running simply to boost their followers on social media. The recall also showed yet again that
the state contains more Republicans than many realize. Some people feel like their votes may not even matter because the state “will always bleed blue.” The support that Republican Candidate Larry Elder received should make it abundantly clear that California simply isn’t bleeding blue at every corner. Even maps of which counties voted “no” versus “yes” on the recall reveal that certain counties contain more Republicans than Democrats. Democrats have gotten lazy in promoting their goals and should become much more vigilant about their cause if they want to keep seeing their progressive candidates in office. Republicans are very good at getting their messages out there and rallying supporters; Democrats need to do the same. The recall election was so much more than just the failure to remove Newsom from office. It put a magnifying glass to political issues in California that cannot be ignored any longer. Recall ballots requirements need to be tightened, and Democrats need to get a move on, especially as the next gubernatorial election is dawning in a year’s time. The cost of the recall should be the least of our worries when we have these holes in our politics that could be so easily exploited that they necessitate the recall of a far more incompetent governor in our H future. ■
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.
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OPINIONS
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Safety on campus amidst a global pandemic should take priority for students and faculty alike
WITH A WIDELY VACCINATED STUDENT BASE, SHOULD THE ADMINISTRATION BE MORE LENIENT WITH COVID SAFETY?
SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer
After almost two years of so-called “Zoom University,” this year, UCR is allowing students to attend in-person classes. However, with this comes many new COVID regulations to keep staff and students safe. Despite 90% of the student population being vaccinated, UCR’s COVID restrictions are completely justified. All campus COVID precautions can be found on UCR’s Health, Wellbeing and Safety department’s website, or in the mandatory COVID training module on iLearn. With UCR’s push for mandatory student vaccination over the summer, UCR has reached its “magic number” for herd immunity and is allowing students to return to campus for classes this quarter. UCR has instituted a plethora of COVID precautions, prioritizing the health and safety of students and allowing for oncampus learning to be a possibility all year. Despite vaccination status, all students and faculty are required to wear masks around campus, and students are still required to receive COVID tests to prevent an outbreak on campus. Some students feel that the emphasis on COVID safety around campus is overwhelming. It is easy for students to still feel suffocated by this pandemic, and they should because the world is still amid a global pandemic. However, It is a privilege to be back on campus and returning to a sense of normalcy that we have all been hoping for since the start of the pandemic. If wearing a mask and getting occasional COVID testing will protect the student body and
RYAN POON / THE HIGHLANDER
allow for in-person learning to continue, no one should have an issue with this. Despite the overall drop in recorded COVID cases due to high vaccination rates, it is still possible for vaccinated students to contract and spread COVID-19. According to the Center For Disease Control, all individuals are encouraged to wear masks despite vaccination status to stop the spread. Especially with the rise of the Delta variant, COVID precautions are more important than ever to keep us on campus. The COVID-19 Delta variant, according to Yale Medicine, is even more contagious and deadly than the original virus, emphasizing the health
and safety of the general population. The best protection from both strains of the virus is vaccination, mask-wearing and social distancing. Enforcing these policies around campus is not only justified but necessary to prevent a breakout infection among the university community. It is important for the whole UCR community to do their part in stopping the spread of this deadly virus. If that means we have to wear masks while walking around campus or having to attend club meetings via Zoom, so be it. We are still amid a deadly global pandemic, a pandemic that has killed 696,000 Americans. To keep us on campus for the duration of the year, it is
our university’s job to institute policies that will keep the student body healthy and safe, and it is our job as students to follow these policies. Following UCR’s COVID guidelines has nothing but positive effects on our lives as students. These COVID precautions are only instituted for our safety and to ensure that campus doors are open to in-person learning all year. To be opposed to the overall health and safety of the student body and faculty would be foolish. Everyone is at risk, and the more serious we take these precautions, the sooner we will be out of this pandemic and free to go back to H normal. ■
Universities must provide their students with proper resources for transitioning back to campus AS WE RETURN TO LECTURE HALLS AND DISCUSSIONS, UNIVERSITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING THEIR STUDENTS UP FOR SUCCESS.
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DAVID MORENO Assistant Opinions Editor
For the past year and a half, students across the country
have had to adjust to taking classes in a remote setting. As this new style of learning was built on Zoom lectures and asynchronous course material,
the way students interact with both professors and peers has completely changed. For some students, remote learning has allowed them to flourish. For others, it has done the complete opposite. As we begin transitioning back to an oncampus learning environment, students need to be given proper resources by their universities and professors in order to succeed. From having the option to take classes remotely to the way in which they are assigned course work, students should feel comfortable and fully prepared to tackle the fall quarter. The same students who had virtual high school graduations are now being dropped off at college and are expected to make the switch to higher education on their own. Going from Zoom meetings to faceto-face lectures is no easy feat. Universities should be more considerate of students who may be suffering with anxieties about returning to campus by offering mental health services both on
and off campus. Resources like Counseling & Psychological Services. should be made more easily accessible to students, no matter their location. Students should feel supported by their educational institutions, and universities need to foster student trust in the transitional process. A big part of this is the way in which students are interacting with their course work. Taking a test in a remote setting is much different than taking one in a crowded lecture hall. Professors should be more considerate to how much their students have had to adapt in an online environment. Assigning tests and other assignments in person may hinder some students’ ability to succeed. Constantly worrying about if the person sitting next to you is properly wearing their mask can quickly become distracting. On the other hand, other students may have developed test-taking strategies that simply can not be transferred to an in-person environment, like sitting in a
safe space, playing relaxing music or even petting their dog. As we progress through the academic year, students should be able to work their way back to normal in-person activities rather than being thrown in to adapt on their own. As a result, continuing the use of online platforms like Canvas and Zoom could be very beneficial. After navigating through a global pandemic for almost two years, students should be given the space to adjust. Pursuing higher education is already a difficult task on its own, and adding anything on top of that only makes it more challenging. If students feel like they need to continue learning remotely in order to succeed, they should be given that option. Universities should embrace the hybrid learning environment because it only makes education more accessible. Educational institutions’ number one priority should be providing their students with all the resources they could possibly need to do H so. ■
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OPINIONS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
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The workplace is suffering from a lack of innovation, and it’s up to them to solve it ONLINE MEETINGS AND LACK OF FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS ARE RESULTING IN A DECLINE OF EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY AND MOTIVATION. EVELYN HOMAN Opinions Editor
When we thought that there was nothing more draining than sitting in a work meeting for hours on end, the pandemic brought around something even more draining — sitting in a Zoom meeting for hours on end. Educational Institutions have received plenty of attention for their hours of virtual classes making kids feel bored and burned out. Microsoft has reported that among their own employees, this same phenomenon is occurring. The switch to an online working environment, while safer, is resulting in thousands of workers feeling like they cannot separate their work from their personal lives, and the dreaded black Zoom boxes are deterring employees from sharing ideas with their peers. However, to place all of the blame for this on employees would be quite wrong. If workplaces want to improve morale among their employees and promote ideas even from a distance, then they need to provide employees support
and opportunities to break out of their Zoom cubicles. Conditions for workers have not been stellar for many since the pandemic hit. While essential workers come in potentially risky contact with others every day, at-home workers are suffering from lack of social contact. It is safer to work from home and many employees have stated that they enjoy the flexibility that working from home has provided them, and many want to continue to work from home when the pandemic ends. Despite these benefits, however, it cannot be ignored that many companies have simply decided to run things as though they haven’t changed. Meetings that could have been emails are no longer in conference rooms with free donuts.Younger workers are having trouble feeling unmotivated, and parents are feeling distracted from their work because of their family duties. For all the good that working from home can offer, the blurring of work and home lives and a lack of support for employees has led
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to the lack of innovation. But things don’t have to be this way. If the corporate workplace wants to revitalize its workers, it should modernize itself. The fact of the matter is, after almost two years of working online, old ways of working are no longer compatible with the heavilyonline workforce. Employers should take the time to encourage employees to get vaccinated and slowly bring people back into the workplace if they feel comfortable enough doing so. For those who don’t, offering employees access to places like WeWork, a company that offers independent workspaces for individuals or groups to collaborate in, so employees can work in a clean and safe environment away from their home life. Workplaces can also offer mental health support services, both physical and virtual, to employees. The pandemic has been especially hard on workers’ mental health, and workplaces should be offering
these services for free. Small events among employees can be organized as well so that people don’t have to sit at home and only communicate with their peers from there. If workers are to fight against the stress and difficulty of continuing to work during the pandemic, workplaces need to meet them halfway and offer them opportunities to interact, share their ideas and promote wellness of mind and body. It is not the fault of employees that they’re feeling burned out because of working online; it is that of the workplaces who took so long to realize that their employees are human beings, H not worker bees. ■
8 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
Features
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Spilling the tea REVIEWING THREE DIFFERENT BOBA SHOPS NEAR CAMPUS AND DISCOVERING NEW SPECIALTY DRINKS. ASHLEY CHEN Features Editor
If you’re around Riverside and are craving a fast and tasty boba drink, the city surprisingly has a wide variety of boba shops. Whether you desire tea, coffee or slush, all of these boba shops will satisfy your every need. Additionally, going to boba shops are a great way for students to meet new people, hang out with friends or even study for your upcoming test. Closest to campus is 7 Leaves Cafe, a wooded minimalistic shop located in the University Village. And although this location is tucked away and faces the busy streets, it is only three minutes away from campus by car and about a 10-15 minute walk. The only downside to visiting this 7 Leaves Cafe’s location is that customers must have their parking ticket validated in order to exit the parking lot. Inside, the shop looked very modern with bar seating along the windows. It was very quiet, making for the perfect study
C
on the best boba shop near UCR
spot — especially for those who prefer to study alone. That being said, it’s small size may not be ideal for large groups of students looking for a place to work. Fourth-year creative writing major David Moreno had the opportunity to try the iced matcha soy latte without boba. He stated that the ice to drink ratio was perfect and that the serving size was decent. Although Moreno thought the matcha was a bit on the sweeter side, the overall flavor was “earthy and delicious.” However, thirdyear political science major Amaray Alvarez had a different experience with the taro milk tea and believed that her drink tasted quite powdery. Up next is Sharetea, which is also at the University Village right across the parking lot from 7 Leaves Cafe. When you first enter, you automatically see the Sharetea logo on the left side of the wall and in the far left corner, the wall is decorated with big flowers going up to the edge of the roof. You automatically hear a wide variety of music, such as pop, K-pop and R&B when
you first walk in. Even better, as opposed to 7 Leaves Cafe, Sharetea offers a bigger seating area which is more suitable for larger study groups. Third-year political science and administrative studies major Madison Rheins ordered the winter melon iced tea with boba. She recommends getting half sugar since the tea itself was on the sweeter side. And although she expressed that the flavor of the tea was tasty, Sharetea’s boba was not a fit for Rheins’ liking as she believed that the boba was “too chewy” and would opt for getting a jelly topping next time. Ding Tea, which is found down the street from the University Village, had a pretty large selection of teas and milk teas. Although the store is unable to allow indoor seating, Ding Tea had a very warm vibe with its artsy design and welcoming staff. The store name was painted in cursive on top of the wall, and the leaves and flowers were also painted around the logo. They also had mirrors hanging on the walls for customers to take pictures with
ASHLEY CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER
their friends and families. I had the opportunity to try the passion fruit green tea with boba in a large cup, and it was delicious! The boba itself was not too hard nor too soft, and the tea was super refreshing. I asked for half sweet and half ice as I was expecting it to be a little on the sweeter side. However, I was surprised by how perfect the ice and sweetness ratio was. The passion fruit syrup was not overpowering since I was able to get a good mix of the green tea and syrup. Unfortunately, Ding Tea is not the best place to study or hang out for long hours as the store is still unavailable for indoor dining. If customers want to chat with their friends or families, they would have to either sit in their car or stand outside of the store. UCR has plenty of boba shops outside of campus for students who enjoy looking for new boba shops to try! Although there has yet to be a boba shop on campus, students have a wide variety to choose from that are H super close to school. ■
ASHLEY CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER
Discovering A guide to discovering UCR Campus:
SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer
Following the end of quarantine, a majority of students have migrated from online to in-person learning. With 70% of classes being held in person, one begs the question: What are the best places to hang out and study on campus? There are many beautiful spaces to study all over campus. First-year neuroscience major Natalie Dahl’s favorite place to study on campus is in the Rivera Library. She states, “The overall ambiance makes me feel studious and creates a productive atmosphere.” When looking for a change in scenery, Dahl says, “I love to study in the AI Rolling Knoll whenever I want to escape the stuffiness of my dorm.” Likewise, second-year history major Dustin Le’s favorite on-campus study spot is the Student Success Center, stating that he loves to “sit in the study nooks and spend hours pouring myself into my work.” For all the commuter students or those looking to simply get out of the house, there are plenty of on-campus spots to attend online classes. Both the Orbach and Rivera libraries have dedicated the whole second floor as a quiet space to attend classes and get homework done. The oncampus theater is available to all students from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays. The Highlander Union Building also dedicated the south half of room 302 for students to attend remote classes, giving students plenty of space to attend online classes.
Outside of studying and classes, the campus has many wonderful spots to hang out with your fellow students. Dahl loves to sit and talk with friends outside the art building, stating, “Overall, the area has a wonderful vibe and it makes me feel at home.” Le, on the other hand, prefers to hang out in his residence lounge as he states, “It’s a wonderful place to meet new people. There’s always someone hanging out there whether they’re studying or watching a movie.” If you’re trying to get away from dining hall cuisine, there are plenty of restaurants on campus that take dining dollars. Le states, “I love the food at Savor, especially their broccoli cranberry salad. The combination of sweet and savory is absolutely delicious.” Dahl, on the other hand, prefers some of the restaurants in the HUB as she often goes to Panda Express for a quick lunch before class.
A short walk away from UCR is the University Village, where there are a plethora of restaurants to choose from, with most offering student discounts. Le states, “My favorite place in the Village is The Buffalo Spot. If you haven’t tried their oreo shake, you should because it’s to die for.” Dahl loves to hang out at Sharetea as it reminds her of home. “My friends and I used to go there at least once a week, and I was so happy to find one close to campus,” said Dahl. Both on and off-campus, there are so many amazing hangouts and study spots for students to hang out and get involved in campus life. Whether it be eating dinner with friends in the HUB, hanging out in your hall lounge or studying in the library, the campus fosters a welcoming H and safe environment for all students. ■
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FEATURES
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
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A guide to returning to in-person classes:
Zoom’s out, university’s in — person!
TIPS FOR HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ON CAMPUS EXPERIENCE.
ISAAC CUNALATA Contributing Writer
Returning to in-person classes is certainly a transition for everyone. For our first-years and transfers, this may be your first time on campus! For those who have been on campus before, maybe you forgot how much gas costs when commuting or miss the days you’d roll out of bed and click the Zoom link 30 seconds before class started. Still, experiencing university from your bedroom is not even a close substitute for the college experiences you’ll have in person. Change is always a little difficult as new habits have to be made, but one aspect of succeeding in-person classes is remembering the lessons you learned during Zoom University! Here are a couple tips to help you get ahead in your studies.
Collaborate to graduate: Make Discord chats for your classes During quarantine, students would make Discord servers to help their peers with any questions or concerns they may have. You can still do that for your inperson classes! Whether that’s taking down the class roster from a professor’s email or giving the link to people in person, having a Discord chat is a great way to stay on top of deadlines, share resources or just get emotional support the night before a big assignment is due. On occasion, it has come up that students haven’t cited work they pull from Discord, so if you do use information you find there, cite your sources.
Listen to your readings instead of reading them Your professor assigned you a whole book to read? Consider downloading Audible, the largest online producer of digital audiobooks, and buying audiobooks. You can listen while commuting, walking, going on a run or laying in bed! You can even save time by choosing to listen at 1.5x, 2x or 3x the speed. A similar strategy to Audible is listening to online lectures instead of watching them. Find ways to access those lectures on your phone, connect your headphones and take in all that knowledge through your ears. The study hacks we learned during online classes are great, but where you’ll find more satisfaction are the things you can do in person that are harder to accomplish online. Here’s a quick list of ideas for things to try out!
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Go to the SRC
A great resource we have on campus is the Student Recreation Center. Many students forget to use it! Are you curious about weightlifting? Go to the SRC. Want to spend your day sitting in a jacuzzi? The SRC has a jacuzzi that can fit over 20 people. This is a well-maintained center that goes way beyond what a regular gym entails. Download the UCRSRC app to learn more about it’s hours and the different clubs you can join with it.
Join a club UCR boasts over 450 different clubs and organizations for you to choose from. These clubs span a range of interests from academic to cultural, athletic to religious and even fandoms. All of these clubs organize events and functions you can be a part of. If campus ever feels like a lonely place, simply ask the people
around you and find out what clubs exist! Every Wednesday, these clubs and organizations come out and promote their events around the Bell Tower. Feel free to explore these clubs and find what interests you.
Make friends with people in your classes Sometimes it’s easy to lean into working hard in class and forget your classmates could actually be a lot more similar to you than you’d think. If you’re in a class pertaining to your major, remember that these could become lifelong friends and maybe even work associates if your academic studies lead you down the same career or life path. Take a moment to introduce yourself to one or two classmates, and get to know them a bit!
One regrettable thing about Zoom University is how online classes were the only activity you could seriously participate in. You had your class times, you had your assignments, but that was it. Nothing random. No spontaneity. Inperson university gives you a plethora of opportunities to try something new everyday. Your future best friend might be in line with you at Chronic Tacos. The club you joined might go see a concert for an artist you love. Maybe that girl in class has travel plans to the same places you’ve always wanted to go. Be friendly! Be bold! And embrace everything in person college has to offer. Best of luck starting out your 2021 fall quarter! Stay organized, stay curious and have fun with your time here at UCR. ■ H
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Radar TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
COURTESY OF NETFLIX ► FROM SQUID GAME
of this notion is especially haunting for viewers, considering the many revelations of the uber wealthy and the exploitation of their wealth and power. The show features many elements that define a great series, including a stellar cast delivering Emmy-worthy performances. Korean audiences will recognize many
of the actors as veterans in the industry. Lee Jung-jae, a well known actor in the Korean film industry, plays the divorced and indebted Seong Gi-hun, who joins the game to settle his debts and earn his way to reconnect with his daughter. Opposite of Lee is Park Hae-soo, known for his role in the Korean adaptation of “Money Heist,” as Cho Sang-woo, a childhood friend of Gihun and a cutthroat businessman wanted by
the police. HoYeon Jung, of Korea’s Next Top Model fame, plays Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean defector desperate to save her family, and Wi Ha-joon stars as Hwang Jun-ho, an undercover police officer who sneaks into the game to locate his missing brother. And most notably, Lee Byunghun and Gong Yoo, two of South Korea’s most acclaimed actors, make cameos as part of the game’s shady organization. For English-speaking audiences, Netflix has exceeded expectations with their dubbing cast, with experienced voice actors whose performances and delivery appear nearly seamless with the original scenes. Many news outlets compare the show thematically to Korean Director Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 film, “Parasite,” which similarly took the world by storm and covers many social issues particularly those regarding classism and poverty in South Korea. Unlike “Parasite,” the show is much more direct in highlighting this struggle of the impoverished and presents the players in a manner that connects with audiences outside of Korea’s borders. Many understand the harsh reality of a capitalist society, and this allows the viewer to easily relate and empathize with the protagonists while also understanding the motivations behind the antiheroes and antagonistic players of the game, who
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themselves are desperate to escape their harsh circumstances. Of course, like every part of life, the show is not without its faults or criticisms. While not a major hindrance, many scenes and plot points in the series are often drawn out far too long than needed. Oftentimes, the viewer may find themselves understanding the entire point of a scene long before it ends. The eighth episode in particular exhibits this issue as the episode stretches the drama out for as long as possible, despite the shocking revelations throughout the episode. The series could have greatly benefited from further editing to cut down certain episode’s length. Furthermore, some viewers may be turned off by the bizarre and grotesque nature of the premise, although this is often cited as the reason many viewers are attracted to this more realistic version of “The Hunger Games.”
VERDICT:
“Squid Game” brillianty taps into the nightmarish reality of a capitalistic society. With a stellar cast that delivers top-notch performances and intense violence, it’s no wonder the series is on its way to becoming the most watched Netflix series. ■H
‘Dear White People’ moves in a bold new direction for its fourth and final season ROBERT GOLD Contributing Writer
“Dear White People” was first released as a film in 2014 to critical and commercial success. Directed and written by Justin Simien, in 2017, he adapted his film into a Netflix television series, of which the fourth and final season was just released on Sep. 22, 2021. The film and the series both revolve around several influential Black student college leaders in ArmstrongParker House, a residential housing dorm where the majority of Winchester University’s Black students live as they navigate the world of racial politics. The final season takes the series in an entirely new direction, changing both the tone and the scope of the entire show. What has become most surprising is the series’ depiction of a Black Illuminati. While the Illuminati has been present in previous seasons, season four has finally brought them to the forefront. The show’s most threaded story plot amongst all four seasons of this 30-minute streaming comedy-drama is a secret society known as The Order of X. Nicknamed the Black Illuminati by the show’s protagonists, The Order is composed of elite Black alumni from Winchester University, the fictional college within the show. Members of the Black Illuminati now hold powerful positions within society as actors, politicians, university professors and tech entrepreneurs. Many fans were surprised that the narrator, Giancarlo Esposito, most notable for his role as Gus Fring in “Breaking Bad,” was more than just an omnipotent God describing the internal thought processes of our main protagonists. In fact, Giancarlo is actually a member of the Black Illuminati, where a power struggle
is taking place, and only through the help of two college seniors, Samantha White, played by Logan Browning, and Lionel Higgins, DeRon Horton, can the power balance be restored to the Illuminati. Giancarlo’s strategy seems to be to induct new members into the order that will align with him, all of which sounds very strange to Samantha and Lionel, who might also be confused as to whether they too have jumped into a different TV series. The depiction of an Illuminati group into a series about racial politics on a modern-day American university campus feels off-putting, like a season of “Orange is the New Black” taking place outside of prison or a live-action episode of “Rick & Morty.” But somehow miraculously, Justin Simien, the writer and director of the series, makes the macrocosm plot devices of the series still feel relatable. In the series, Black conservatives and Black liberals, are both secretly members of the Illuminati, who argue publicly in the polisphere and secretly preplan their public bouts of conflict and drama, knowing that the circus itself produces both ratings and book sales. In the real world, we, just normal civilians, are simply the sheep that are
allowing ourselves to be duped into purchasing controversy with our wallets, and this is the scary aspect of what Simien is pointing out that this may be more fact than fiction. Behind closed doors, the left and the right-wing talking heads might very well be golfing together and yachting together, merchandising the fact that they’ve gotten to us to hate one another over issues they pretend to care about. Simien is tackling real world issues in this series. “Dear White People” is not the only place where the bourgeoisie of the left and the right get together behind closed doors. The truth that Simien is preaching through this dramatic-comedy series is that average everyday Americans on both sides of the political aisle are being manipulated by the 1% to hate one another because controversy and drama creates book sales and ratings for the 1% that profits off of us being at each other’s throats. Aside from the Illuminati subplot, Simien has transformed the entire final season into a “La La Land” meets “Higher Learning” film about racial politics on a university campus. Fans of Broadway musicals may enjoy the spontaneous dancing and singing that takes place here. Unfortunately, those who aren’t fans of
POPULAR BLACK-CENTERED NETFLIX SERIES’ FINAL SEASON TAKES VIEWERS TO UNFAMILIAR TERRITORIES.
that particular style of storytelling may be in for a rude awakening. There’s nearly a half-dozen songs per episode, as beloved characters express their internal emotional turmoils through song and dance. Perhaps, one of the biggest and shocking changes made by Simien is that season four takes place in two timelines. The future and the present day both overlap with one another, giving the show a strange new science-fiction element never before seen before in this mostly standard comedydrama. As the story progresses, it continues to split back and forth between Samantha White in the present and Samantha White in the future, who dawns a cool cyberpunk quarantine mask, because unfortunately we’re still dealing with the COVID pandemic in the cyberpunk future.
VERDICT:
Dear White People has set itself off in a bold new genre bending direction for its fourth and final season, and although it is no longer the series that viewers originally signed up for, it is still accomplishes the one primary goal of all art, it entertains, it captivates and it keeps the consumer wanting more. ■H
COURTESY OF NETFLIX
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
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The Kid Laroi: Putting ‘The Land Down Under’ on the map
AS THE HOTTEST COMMODITY COMING FROM AUSTRALIA, THE KID LAROI LOOKS TO TAKE OVER THE INDUSTRY IN THE UPCOMING YEARS.
SAMUEL LAO Assistant Radar Editor
Though it may be sad to see the end of an era, when looking at the music industry, it’s safe to say that many of the artists we grew up listening to are beginning to fade away as a new generation of artists begins to emerge. At the forefront of this major movement, The Kid Laroi has taken the world by storm, dropping various hit songs, whether he’s complaining about divas or asking his girl to stay. Taking a look at the beginning of The Kid Laroi takeover, we see a familiar face in the late rap artist, Juice WRLD, who acted as a mentor toward Laroi as well as being a role model on how to take over the industry. Hailing from Australia, there have been various clips released where we can see Laroi at only 15 years old going
COURTESY OF GRADE A AND COLUMBIA LABEL
around the streets of Australia, trying to get himself out there. One of the clips, which is now viral, shows Laroi in a prepubescent state, showing around Adam22 from the NoJumper Podcast, talking about music, his aspirations and how he grew up. These viral clips helped Laroi spread his name, but the release of the song, “Addison Rae,” is what really propelled Laroi into the spotlight, even getting attention from Addison Rae herself. Typically, with songs like Laroi’s first release, artists can find themselves stuck in a certain image, and more often than not, struggle to find continued success. Instead, Laroi took the momentum he gained with his first single and followed it up with a collaboration with the legend himself, Juice WRLD. The song titled “Go” began breaking the charts and even has a music video up on YouTube, showing clips of the two together before Juice
WRLD’s tragic passing. Since then, Laroi has only been getting bigger, already releasing three versions of the same album and adding more and more music to each version. At only 18 years old, it feels as if fans have been blessed with the opportunity to see Laroi mature, and it’s only a matter of time before he conquers the music industry for his own. Adding to his growing list of popular songs, his most recent song release with Justin Bieber, “Stay,” was a huge summer hit. Laroi has already had plenty of chart-topping success, and it is exciting to see where he heads in the future. With many big names already craving to work with him, it would be no surprise to see his name on every billboard from here H to Australia. ■
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Sports
SPORTS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
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Highlander Spotlight: Incoming transfers that will participate in UCR Athletics KEVIN CONTRERAS Sports Editor HANSEL CHU Assistant Sports Editor
With the 2020-21 UC Riverside athletic season officially wrapped up, we will spotlight some of the new athletes that are going to contribute to the Highlander athletics in this next school year. Most of the transfers coming to UC Riverside will be participating in the basketball team. The new transfers will be looking to make an impact on UCR athletics and will continue to build off of the success from the previous season on their respective teams.
Men’s
The men’s basketball team has recruited four athletes during the 2020-21 season. These additions to the roster are expected to elevate the team both on and off the court. Their unique backgrounds are expected to continue and build off of the Highlander’s mounting success in the recent seasons. Kobe Jerome is a 6 feet and 3 inches tall point guard hailing from New Rochelle, New York, who previously acted as the point guard for the defending Virginia State champions Blue Ridge School. “UC Riverside stood out to me because I really loved the staff ... It gives me a real familyoriented feel, and that’s something that I really want to be a part of,” said Jerome in an interview with the Daily Progress. Jeffrey Ofoedu is a guard from Melbourne, Australia. Standing at 6 feet and 5 inches tall, Jeffrey adds a dimension to our offense that is needed,” said Head coach Mike Magpayo in a UCR press release. He is a multiple-time Victoria Metropolitan representative and was also a member of the Australian Junior Championship teams representing
Victoria Metropolitan which won a gold medal. His home club is the Keilor Thunder, for which he is a national junior representative. JP Moorman II is a 6 feet and 7 inches tall athlete from Greensboro, North Carolina. In high school, he played for the Greensboro Day School where he won two state titles. Most recently, Moorman represented Temple University, where he ranked No. 7 in the American Athletic Conference. Off the court, he was named the AAC Rookie of the Week during his 2017-18 debut season. During the 2019-20 season, he was also a team Student Athlete Advisory Committee representative and has recently been active in the AAC’s Racial Equity Action Group. Jhaylon Martinez, a northern California native, was an ESPN four-star recruit out of Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Arizona before joining the University of Las Vegas basketball team. There, he ranked No. 29 in the nation and was a number five prospect in Nevada, according to ESPN. “Jhaylon is a great student and is a fit for our team culture,” said Magpayo in a UCR press release.
Women’s
The women’s basketball team will be adding a total of five new transfers onto the team for the 2021-22 season, along with two new freshmen. Anna Blount is a 6 feet and 1 inch tall junior forward out of Stockton, California. In 2019, Blount was a three-star prospect in her senior year of high school and committed to University of Las Vegas. After two years at UNLV, Blount decided to enter the transfer portal and commit to UC Riverside. This last season, Blount averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. When speaking about Blount, coach Powell stated she “can finish well and
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we’re looking forward to her impacting all areas of the game.” Mae Bryant is a 6 foot tall sophomore forward out of Sammamish, Washington. In the 2019-2020 season, Bryant committed to Grand Canyon University and was named to the Western Athletic Conference All-Newcomer Team and also earned a WAC Player of the Week. Bryant, in that season, averaged 7.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. “Mae is a really high motor forward who can rebound the ball,” says coach Powell. RyAnne Walters is a 5 feet and 6 inches tall sophomore guard out of Sacramento, California. In 2019, Walters was ranked No. 90 in the ESPN Top 100 Class of 2019, and she committed to play at UC Santa Barbara. In only seven games played, Walters averaged 2.6 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Walters decided to transfer to UC Riverside after dealing with injuries in her time at UC Santa Barbara. “She’s a great ball handler, can get to the rim and is a true playmaker,” says coach Powell. Mele Finau is a 5 feet and 9 inches tall
UC Riverside’s men’s basketball team gears up for another quarter
KEVIN CONTRERAS Sports Editor
Flynn Cameron, junior point guard “I feel great being back. Our team goal is to finish what we started last year. We continue to grow together each day … I expect us to compete at the same level, if not greater than last year. We’re all capable and hungry basketball players who are excited to play with one another.” “I’m looking forward to playing with a great group of guys and growing together each day. I’m looking forward
to competing in our practices and games to come. I’m also looking forward to experiencing UCR for what it’s meant to be. Without COVID, this is a great opportunity to meet new people and have some more support at our games.” “This quarter, I’m continuing my first degree in marketing while also continuing to create and be a part of the UCR men’s basketball culture.” Head coach Mike Magpayo How do you feel being back? What are your goals and expectations this year?
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SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE NEW TRANSFER STUDENT ATHLETES WHO WILL HELP ELEVATE UCR ATHLETICS IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
junior guard out of Dublin, California. In high school, Finau earned Multiple time All-Contra Costal Tri-Valley Conference selection and committed to the University of North Colorado in 2019. In this past season, Finau averaged 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game but shot a respectable 35% from the three-point line. According to coach Powell, Finau “ is aggressive and physical and can shoot the three ball.” Olivia West is a 5 feet and 5 inches tall redshirt senior guard out of Launceston, Australia. In the 2018-19 season at Utah State, West earned academic all-Mountain West honors, was a Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and also earned the Joe E. and Elma Whitesides Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. In this past season at Hawaii Pacific University, West averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting an efficient 4541-85 shooting splits. “She has lots of game experience and a maturity to her game, as well as being a lights out shooter ... I have high expectations for her to come in and do big things immediately,” H says coach Powell. ■
THE HIGHLANDERS ARE EAGER TO MAKE A LARGER IMPACT IN THE BIG WEST CONFERENCE.
“With our success the past two years, we know there are heightened expectations for this year’s team, and we have to own that. As a coach, it feels great that we have a lot of experience coming back, with eight guys who have started games in the past and three players on the team who have received Big West All League honors in Dom Pickett, Zyon Pullin and Callum McRae, which gives us a good foundation to contend at the top after finishing 3rd last year in the Big West. With our recent transfers from Depaul, last year Flynn Cameron and this year in JP Moorman and Jhaylon Martinez , being an older team should pay dividends for us. We were a top 100 team last year most of the year, finishing 106th per KenPom rankings, and we hope to make a jump again this season.” What are you looking forward to both on and off the court? “This group of student-athletes is truly a great group of young men to coach and a great representation of our university. If you ask me what I am most looking forward to, it would be to have our studentathletes who were solo here on campus last year so to speak — to interact with the campus community this year. Also vice versa, I implore any of the students on campus to get to know and interact
with our men’s basketball team. We have a global team, players from all around the country and all around the world, and we are proud that they are humble, good guys! If you know these guys, you will root for them and will want to cheer them on at the SRC Arena come November!” “On the court, I am excited to see if we can Raise The Riv to our 3rd winning season in a row and see where we stand when all the chips are down at the Big West Tournament this year in Las Vegas.” What will you be working on this quarter? “This quarter, we will be looking to get off to a good start to the season while managing the challenges that come with our school work and our basketball load ... Our first game will be Nov. 9th. So we will be working on collectively getting stronger … as a team and keeping a growth mindset through the early parts of the season in November and December.” “We have a very entertaining schedule with games against a couple Pac 12 schools, a powerhouse Mountain West Opponent, as well as a few WCC opponents. Also, we get to play our crosstown showdown versus Cal Baptist this year here at SRC Arena Dec. 12. Big West Conference play starts after Christmas, so we will focus on H the non-conference until then.”■