Vol. 71, Issue 14

T he h ighlander

CHeck out our coverage of the sundance film festival

UC Regents Meeting sees a discussion of health disparities and the UC as a research institution

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The UC Regents meeting took place on January 27, 2023 and a major focus was mental health treatment. Two meetings took place with the first in the morning beginning at 9:45 A.M. where a meeting occurred among the Special Committee on Innovation Transfer and Entrepreneurship. The second meeting took place at 3:00 P.M. where the Public Engagement and Development Committee discussed a number of issues related to the UC and health disparities.

The first meeting was notable through Chancellor Wilcox’s presentation which provided a summary of the Inland Empire’s innovation and economic growth efforts, highlighting UC Riverside’s role as the area’s sole intensive research institution. Topics included cutting-edge faculty research, local business ventures, collaborative efforts with the region, and major infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

In addition, a second item was

discussed which pertained to an update on the CHIPS And Science Act And its impact on the National Science Foundation, University-Based Research and Technology Transfer.

UC Vice President for Research and Innovation Theresa Maldonado and UC Associate Vice President for Federal Governmental Relations Chris Harrington updated the committee on the federal landscape of IP support, specifically on the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act) and its potential to support university-based research and technology transfer initiatives.

The CHIPS Act was previously signed into law in the summer of 2022. In addition to significant funding for federal investments in computer chip manufacturing, the bill also directed the NSF to establish a new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate and authorized the creation of several new technology transfer and commercialization programs. This meeting was adjourned at 1:30 P.M.

To begin the second meeting,

► SEE REGENTS PAGE 4

FEATURES

Campus spotlight: Introduction to Costo Hall

Part 2

BRANDYN GUERRA Staff Writer

I visited each Program and Resource Center held within Costo Hall so that I could see for myself, and properly tell of how wonderful each one is. I want to start by saying that in my time here at UCR, some of the kindest and most passionate people I have ever met; I met in Costo Hall. These Programs put in a tremendous amount of effort into making the entire campus a comfortable and fun safe-space for all students. It is a hard lot of hard work but is all labor done out of love for their communities and for this school.

The LGBT Resource Center is another one of Costo Halls student programs and it can be found in room 245. They’re open 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday to Thursday, and 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Fridays. The LGBT Center offers a great, comfortable area to relax and talk as well as quiet spaces to study. They have a plethora of resources on hand as well that students are welcome to take free of charge, no questions asked. The LGBT student Program is another Center that is event driven, with events nearly every day of the week. They have ‘Tuesday Talks’, Queer Cinema Nights, Drag Club, QTPOC, La Familia, BlaqOUT, The Trans Group

and more. To get updates about their events you can follow them on Instagram @UCRLGBTRC or sign up for their weekly e-newsletter at https://out.ucr.edu/ newsletter.

The Middle Eastern Student Center is found in room 111 of Costo Hall. They’re open Monday to Friday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. They offer a great, friendly, safe space for studying and community. They have lots of events, lectures, and workshops that work towards teaching things like networking, leadership, and advocacy. They do ‘Mescafe Tuesdays’ at 11am for fun, educational discussions with coffee. Every spring they host M.E Week which works to create cultural awareness and showcase diversity while fighting against discrimination and islamophobia. Keep track of all MESC’s awesome events by checking them out and following them on Instagram @mescucr.

Room 229 of Costo Hall is home to The Native American Student Program. They’re open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday to Friday. The NASP is also incredibly dedicated to their student community, making sure that their students can get the resources they need, and offering a safe space for any and all Native American

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HEAT: will they, won’t they! Director Hoang remains adamant, while President Assaf strongly opposes.

The fourth Senate Meeting of the Winter Quarter called to order at 7:03 P.M. CHASS Senator Andrew Bui, CHASS Senator Alex Lu, CNAS Senator Shukan Shah, CNAS Senator Kyle Cheng were late to the meeting. Excluding BCOE Senator Chloe Au, all were present for the meeting. With a friendly amendment to move New Business before Committee Reports and adding Finance Hearing Minutes #4 onto the agenda, the agenda was passed 13-0-0.

The VP of External Affairs Government Relations Director Angel Renteria expressed solidarity with “all of the women and female identifying people” in the Senate, urging everyone to reconsider what ASUCR means. In addition, a concern was brought up about the ~$10,500 allocated for a musical event by ASUCR. Chief Justice of Judicial Council Alexandria Arias announced that an elections director candidate would be introduced later in the meeting for ratification, among other updates.

Marketing and Promotions Director Phanxico Hoang presented the HEAT proposal to provide clarifications about the event, and present its logistics. Hoang claims the event is not a concert rather it is a showcase for student DJ’s without a platform.

Vice President of External Affairs Amina Hearns asked for clarification about Hoang’s plans to address the sensory overload concern for HEAT. Director Hoang reported he has consulted Programs Coordinator Mayan Gutierrez with logistics, addressed the concerns about sensory issues, and plans to resolve the matter by providing a decompression room. VPEA Hearns believes Indigenous students, Black students, and other POC students are the ones who are greatly underrepresented and needs exposure. Hearns suggests prioritizing their voices in the HEAT event. In terms of her personal

Fear and Memory

MATA ELANGOVAN

Contributing Writer

Fear is deeply ingrained in our memory. We associate bad memories with fear and condition ourselves into being afraid of the potential outcomes. The University of California, Riverside conducted a study in which they demonstrate how remote fear memories formed in the distant past are permanently stored in our brains. The subject of these studies? Mice.

Contextual memory is the basic process in long term memory which allows us to remember the circumstances of an event. These circumstances involve but aren’t limited to the five senses, emotions, and social situations. Their formations are made possible by hippocampal circuits. The progressive and synapse-specific strengthening of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) circuits can ensure that these memories can be stored in the long term, and the standard model suggests that long term storage involves synaptic changes, whose substrates have not been identified yet.

Studies from some time ago suggest that the neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) play a role in preserving these contextual memories, but only of the remote variety. The PFC memory engram neurons are created during learning and mature over time, and then are reactivated during remote memory recall. They are not very well understood, and scientists are still trying to figure out if and how the synaptic strength of neocortical circuits change during consolidation.

opinion, she voiced that she still does not fully support ASUCR hosting the HEAT event.

In response to SOE Sen. Leyan Elkatat’s question about the difference between HEAT as an event hosted by ASUCR rather than ASPB, Director Hoang argued HEAT would be the centerpiece of ASUCR: a tradition for students to know what ASUCR has to offer and showcase student DJs. CNAS Sen. Brenden Cano reiterated multiple times that ASPB would be more suitable hosts for this event. ASPB has 4 times as much funding, based on what they attain from tuition. ASUCR would have to scale down on some of the budget to save for elections. Hoang commented that the idea for the event was unprecedented and ambitious, but sees it as a great opportunity for ASUCR. Sen. Cano was concerned that the event will blur the line between ASUCR and ASPB, commenting that they would have to be clear it is an ASUCR event. Despite these concerns, Director Hoang expressed that he remains hard set on the HEAT event.

President Pro-Tempore Aalani Richardson requested a better outline of the event. Since the event is using ASUCR funds, PPT Richardson commented that the event planning should include ASUCR in the conversation and selection as well. In agreement with Hearns, PPT Richardson pushed for placing priority on representing BIPOC communities. President Mufida Assaf stated that this should not be an event that ASUCR hosts and suggested a collaboration with ASPB. President Assaf urged Director Hoang to not use the existing budget considering ASUCR can not pull funds from contingency and reserve accounts to host other programs like womens safety programs.

Director Hoang has reached out to ASPB. While the

A study of mice showed that during contextual fear conditioning (CFC) certain neurons activate inside the mice’s brain and that they would then associate the situation and context they were just in with aversive unconditioned stimuli. After CFC exposure, the mice showed freezing behavior, and it was noted that certain neurons were more active during that certain memory recall. The results of the study suggest that certain mPFC neurons that were active during CFC were reactivated during recall, which caused the neurons to stimulate memory recall, thus sending the mice into a state of fear.

conversation between ASUCR and ASPB has reached a halt, Hoang decided to proceed with HEAT in the meantime. President Assaf reached out to ASPB and found that ASPB has some animosity against the event which is why they have not been responding. According to President Assaf, ASPB does not believe money should be allocated until everything has been properly planned. Director Hoang was not aware of the rift between ASUCR and ASPB: he plans on contacting them. SPP Sen. Sean Nguyen suggested contacting VP of Finance Christian Martinez to see how the current ASUCR financial situation is before making a decision.

In response to the questions of ensuring the representation of BIPOC communities, the Marketing & Promo Director responded that a soft revival of HEAT and new ideas would allow students to share their cultures through art. President Assaf restates that ASUCR is not responsible for showcasing events which should be done under ASPB. President Assaf states that what was presented to ASUCR compared to what was discussed between Marketing & Promo Director and President Assaf in private was not correlating. President Assaf requested a meeting to rediscuss HEAT with ASPB included. The Marketing & Promo Director suggested open applications for 2 weeks to select a DJ. Afterwards, the marketing team would choose 5 candidates to perform at HEAT. Director Hoang states that he would be more than happy to open the selection process to the rest of ASUCR to counter possible biases. A motion to table conversation to the next Senate Meeting passed 160-0.

Article continued online.

Overall through the studies that were conducted for this research a few conclusions can be drawn out. The first being that system consolidation strengthens the mPFC circuit whereas memory extinction weakens it. And the other that the retrieval of remote contextual fear memory can be suppressed by preventing a certain group of mPFC neurons from firing up. From the later conclusion it is suggested that by doing so it can be used to potentially treat chronic maladaptive fear memory in PTSD. ■ H

UC Regents Meeting sees a discussion of health disparities and the UC as a research institution

The UC Regents meeting took place on January 27, 2023. Two meetings took place with the first in the morning beginning at 9:45 A.M. where a meeting occurred among the Special Committee on Innovation Transfer and Entrepreneurship. The second meeting took place at 3:00 P.M. where the Public Engagement and Development Committee discussed a number of issues related to the UC and health disparities.

The first meeting was notable through Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox’s presentation which provided a summary of the Inland Empire’s innovation and economic growth efforts, highlighting UC Riverside’s role as the area’s sole intensive research institution. Topics included cutting-edge faculty research, local business ventures, collaborative efforts with the region, and major infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

In addition, a second item was discussed which pertained to an update on the CHIPS And Science Act and its impact on the National Science Foundation, University-Based Research and Technology Transfer. UC Vice President for Research and Innovation Theresa Maldonado and UC Associate Vice President for Federal Governmental Relations Chris Harrington updated the committee on the federal landscape of IP support, specifically on the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS Act) and its potential to support university-based research and technology transfer initiatives.

The CHIPS Act was previously signed into law in the summer of 2022. In addition to significant funding for federal investments in computer chip manufacturing, the bill also directed the NSF to establish a new Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate and authorized the creation of several new technology transfer and commercialization programs. This meeting was adjourned at 1:30 P.M.

To begin the second meeting, Chancellor Wilcox introduced three elected officials, who discussed regional initiatives related to economic development, workforce training, health care, and education.

Wilcox gracefully introduced Mayor Patricia Lock-Dawson, who was elected as the 18th Mayor of Riverside in November 2020, following her 9 years of service on the Riverside Unified School District Board of Trustees. A Riverside native and the owner of PLD Consulting, she has played a significant role in securing funds for regional conservation, habitat, and infrastructure projects.

Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes was then introduced as the representative of California’s 60th Assembly District. She serves as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy. She is the first Latina millennial elected to the State Assembly and she focuses primarily on issues such as veterans, public safety, transportation, higher education, and the economy. Last to be introduced was Senator Richard Roth who serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development as well as several policy committees and serves on the Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response.

Following these introductions, UCR Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine Deborah Deas, alongside Executive Vice President UC Health Carrie Byington, and fourth-year medical student Patrick Samones presented updates on the successes and challenges of expanding the community-based model to address the physician shortage in the region. Riverside and San Bernardino County currently occupy the bottom quartile in many measurable health outcomes including diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, Dr. David Lo expressed his explicit mission to improve the health of the community and presented the latest research on air quality and asthma in the Inland Empire, which has contributed to health disparities in the area.

Susan Hackwood, UC Riverside’s Dean Emeritus of the Bourns College of Engineering and Director of the UCR Science to Policy Program, presented the third and final item on the agenda, providing a brief overview of the Science to Policy (S2P) Program. The program offers hands-on training and a platform to early-career scientists to develop the skills needed to engage in the policy world as scientists, communicators, legislative advisors, or science advocates. S2P Fellow Jacqueline Garrido, an electrical engineering graduate student, shared her experience as a fellow. She detailed how the program develops next generation leaders and policy makers in science, industry, and government through networking, professional development and mentoring opportunities. This meeting was adjourned at 4:50 P.M.

Both UC Regents meetings emphasized the need to address healthcare disparities, and improve the health of the community. The school has faced challenges but is committed to making headway in addressing the issues raised and ensuring the delivery of quality medical education and healthcare to the community.■ H

Six UCR alumni teamed up to establish a scholarship to help students chart course for science-to-policy careers

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

Six alumni who graduated from UCR’s Geography Department in the 1970s have established a scholarship for students in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. Awarded for the first time this year, the Geographers Scholarship for Global Change Science and Sustainability aims to support students focused on studying and resolving global climate change, either in science or policy.

Although the alumni had varying careers, the scholarship represents their shared interest in human sustainability in a changing world. Professors Charles Hutchinson and Mike Pasqualetti work on this issue through teaching and research at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, respectively, while James Huning retired from a managerial position at the National Science Foundation. Richard VanCuren retired as a research professor at UC Davis and Don Chambers retired as director of consulting services for Esri, a leading Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software company. Last of the six alumni is David Nichols, who retired in 2015 as assistant director of Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Engineering and Science Directorate.

In regards to the scholarship, Nichols expressed, “We wanted to do something to recognize the excellent education we received at UCR. We are also very proud of UCR both in terms of its academic status and as an institution that plays a role in supporting students from diverse backgrounds.” Nichols and his fellow alumni went their separate ways after graduate school but their professional lives remained connected, and when they were reunited in Anza Borrego State Park, they discussed how they could assist their alma mater in a substantial manner.

The six geographers pledged $40,000 initially, which soon grew to $100,000. A matching grant was also provided through UCR’s Beyond Brilliant student fundraising initiative, leading the scholarship fund to now be more than $220,000. Currently, the Geographers Scholarship for Global Change Science and Sustainability provides annual awards of $5,000 to 10,000 to senior undergraduates and graduate students from a variety of disciplines, administered through UCR’s Environmental Dynamics and GeoEcology (EDGE) Institute.

Nichols continued to explain how in the 1970s, UCR’s Geography Depart-

ment was at the forefront of automated cartography, the production of maps using computers rather than manual methods. For Nichols and many other students, this created opportunities to work with Esri which was then a fledgling company. Nichols worked part-time for Esri while still a UCR student and then became a research associate. “Automated cartography led to the birth of GIS. I did a lot of work developing very early software related to GIS and producing the products that Esri used.”

This year, the first four recipients were named: Rebecca Crust, a doctoral student in the Department of Plant Pathology; James Gomez, a doctoral student in Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences; and Alyssa Valdez and Aral Greene, both doctoral students in the Department of Environmental Sciences. ■ H

A NUMBER OF NOTABLE UC OFFICIALS, INCLUDING CHANCELLOR KIM A. WILCOX, WERE PRESENT.

The banning of TikTok on public college campuses reeks of censorship

Following a bipartisan bill proposed by the House and Senate to ban TikTok federally on Dec. 13, several public universities have followed suit instituting a TikTok ban on their campuses. The initial ban was aimed at government-owned devices and networks in an effort to avoid sensitive information being leaked to the Chinese social media app known for collecting users’ data. While this threat may have some credibility for lawmakers, banning the app on public campuses crosses the line into censorship. College students are not harboring the nations’ secrets and will find ways to bypass the block. While TikTok’s ban grows in popularity under the guise of national security, people should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they want to use the app.

Since its introduction in 2016, TikTok has come under attack from both the Trump and Biden administration citing fears over national security and the role China plays in controlling the app. The data collecting feature of TikTok, however, is not a new concept. All social media, as well as most internet websites and search engines, collect our data to better personalize our experiences and offer us products that we would be more likely to buy. TikTok is now being singled out because it is owned and operated in China making some fearful of them having our information and the unlikely threat of communism. The average American and college student are constantly being surveilled through their online usage and the introduction of TikTok is not something new that the general public fears.

Simply banning the app on public campuses will not stop college students from accessing it. This ban is both wrong and pointless as students will just use their own wifi or data to continue accessing the app. Monitoring access to any platform reeks of censorship and blaming TikTok is just another attempt to prevent an honest exchange of ideas, particularly amongst young people. In recent months the U.S. has seen a rise in the banning of books that are deemed “inappropriate” for students in K-12 schools, and now universities are beginning to feel the need to censor students’ social media. The books being targeted typically feature ideas that deal with race and the experiences of marginalized communities, making it seem that the U.S. is only concerned with hiding “progressive” ideas and wants to avoid these types of conversations to keep the public docile.

TikTok has developed several subculture communities and is generally known as a place to share ideas and speak freely. Many people use the app to relieve stress or grow their platforms. The information spread on the app is tailored to the user and harmful rhetoric is rare but usually only found if one is seeking it out and can be found anywhere on the internet, not exclusively on TikTok. Those who have previously felt isolated are now making friends and seeing others who look like them and have shared experiences on the app. While some students oppose the app due to its addictive properties or because they do not care for social media as a whole, it is unlikely that they are doing so because they are concerned about the ties the app has to China. TikTok is just like any other currently popular social media site, its downfall, however, is that it is owned by a Chinese company thus making its platform politicized.

The banning of TikTok on public campuses should be taken cautiously as it could lead to larger forms of censorship. Campuses are a place where students learn about the world and become exposed to different viewpoints. Educational institutions hold the power as to what information their students have access to and limiting certain views is concerning. Banning access to knowledge or information is not a new concept, but this new decision is proving to be the beginning of censorship in social media.

■ H

The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander EditorialBoard.Theydonotnecessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

CONCERNS OVER NATIONAL SECURITY ARE BEING UNJUSTLY USED TO LIMIT THE ACCESS SOME STUDENTS HAVE TO TIKTOK.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Florida’s war on history sets a dangerous precedent

DESANTIS’ BANNING OF AP AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY STUDY IS A DANGEROUS MOVE THAT REWRITES HISTORY.

HARRY STOLTZ Staff Writer

With each passing week, there seems to be a new unhinged law in Florida. This time, Florida Governor Ron Desantis – and future presidential hopeful – has decided to take aim at the College Board’s preliminary plans for an AP course in African American history. The selective erasure of important historical education is a dangerous measure expected of dictators – not democratically elected politicians. Paired with a recent law that banned “woke books” from schools, Florida exemplifies the dangerous reality of the war on education. By erasing Black history and the injustices that exist within it, Governor Desantis is able to erase any context as to why current inequities persist.

When asked by the press why the course was blocked, Governor Desantis claimed that the AP course was “pushing an agenda.” According to Desantis, the course includes a “queer history unit,” the promotion of the Black Lives Matter movement and the mention of reparations. However, according to Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, professor of history and African and African American Studies at Harvard University, in an interview with TIME magazine, this is categorically false. “Those narratives

that they were singling out aren’t in the curriculum itself. What they see is buzzwords.” According to official AP course documents, these are optional topics related to possible research projects and not required for the AP exam. Additionally, the college board has recently adjusted the curriculum shortly after Desantis rejected the course. It seems that none of these topics are central to the course, like Desantis and his administration claim, but lying isn’t a new practice by the Florida governor.

The real issue – not whether AP African American Studies pushes communism, wokeism or some other nonsensical claim – is that the erasure of history destroys the collective ability to make rational decisions. If a given community is disproportionately affected by poverty, or any other issue for that matter, it’s important to understand why that is the case. Courses like AP African American Studies teach the valuable history behind contemporary problems. By blocking access to this kind of knowledge, another narrative is pushed instead – the idea that everything is fine as is. ■ H

AYLIN MORENO / THE HIGHLANDER

Horoscopes

Why Are You Single?

YSABEL NAKASONE Assistant Opinions Editor

ARIES

(March 21 - April 19): Strength

The Strength card is a symbol of action or courage. A lack of courage is likely standing between you and a relationship. Perhaps on your part or on the part of someone else.

TAKE

(July 23 - August 22): e Lovers

Right now, you’re facing trials. You have made a mess of things with someone you have strong feelings for and it will take time for you to regain their trust. There is little you can do but wait and be a reliable figure in their lives so your relationship can be rebuilt.

Taurus

(April 20 - May 20): e Star

You have some issues surrounding abandonment. You may feel friends and romantic partners regularly leave your life. Taurus, you are letting your fear impair your judgment and stop you from making clear decisions.

Gemini

(May 21 - June 20): e Empress

You keep your feelings under wraps, Gemini. You like to keep your motives clandestine and your aura of mystique is something you prize. You work hard to hide the parts of yourself you feel you should be ashamed of. Because of that, you feel like no one is really close to you, because how could they be?

(August 23 - September 22): Six of Wands

The Six of Wands reversed can mean an enemy being let inside the gate. Someone is directly interfering with your love life for mysterious reasons. Look to an unexpected figure in your life, their motive will not be immediately apparent.

Sagittarius

(November 22 - December 21): Ten of Swords

The Ten of Swords speaks of affliction and desolation. You are struggling with issues of your own and trying to find inner peace. You’re currently on what you feel should be a solo journey. It may be time to consider that you are wrong.

Libra

(September 23 - October 22): e Hierophant

This card can symbolize captivity or servitude. It appears that you feel incapacitated by some aspect of your life or held hostage by it. Try to focus on what you feel is controlling your actions and cleave yourself of it.

Cancer

(June 21 - July 22): Page of Pentacles

A reversed Page of Pentacles is a sign of unfavorable news. Something has come to light that has diverted your attention for the time being. For now, this requires a large sum of your time and energy and you can’t give another person the focus and affection you feel they deserve.

Scorpio

(October 23 - November 21): Judgement

This is a time of deliberation in your life. You are profoundly considering the implications of being in a relationship right now. Trying to figure out if that is something your life facilitates or if that’s something you’re even interested in at all is an important one deserving of thoughtful consideration.

(December 22 - January 19): Eight of Swords

You or someone in your immediate circle is facing censure. Either you are facing the music or standing by someone as they do. You are receiving heavy criticism, leading to lots of conflict in your personal life.

Capricorn Aquarius

(January 20 - February 18): Queen of Pentacles

Aquarius, you enjoy your freedom. You like that you are at liberty to live your life as you choose without the consultation of a partner. You feel more secure when you are in control perhaps because of a past romantic relationship or other pieces of your past. You’re not ready for a serious relationship yet.

Pisces

(February 19 - March 20): Queen of Swords

e Queen of Swords speaks to a uniquely female pain and sadness. is can speak to the pressures placed more so upon women to t a speci c mold in comparison to the di erent standards a man is pressured to meet. e standards demanded of you or a woman you care about are impacting your outlook and diminishing your sense of hope.

TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT’S IN BETWEEN YOU AND A RELATIONSHIP.

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Dreamstime

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Campus spotlight: Introduction to Costo Hall Part 2

BRANDON GUERRA

I visited each Program and Resource Center held within Costo Hall so that I could see for myself, and properly tell of how wonderful each one is.

I want to start by saying that in my time here at UCR, some of the kindest and most passionate people I have ever met; I met in Costo Hall. These Programs put in a tremendous amount of effort into making the entire campus a comfortable and fun safe-space for all students. It is a hard lot of hard work but is all labor done out of love for their communities and for this school. The LGBT Resource Center is another one of Costo Halls student programs and it can be found in room 245. They’re open 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. on Monday to Thursday, and 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. on Fridays. The LGBT Center offers a great, comfortable area to relax and talk as well as quiet spaces to study. They have a plethora of resources on hand as well that students are welcome to take free of charge, no questions asked. The LGBT student Program is another Center that is event driven, with events nearly every day of the week. They have ‘Tuesday Talks’, Queer Cinema Nights, Drag Club, QTPOC, La Familia, BlaqOUT, The Trans Group and more. To get updates about their events you can follow them on Instagram @UCRLGBTRC or sign up for their weekly e-newsletter at https://out.ucr.edu/ newsletter.

The Middle Eastern Student Center is found in room 111 of Costo Hall. They’re open Monday to Friday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. They offer a great, friendly, safe space for studying and community. They have lots of events, lectures, and workshops that work towards teaching things like networking, leadership, and advocacy. They do ‘Mescafe Tuesdays’ at 11am for fun, educational discussions with coffee. Every spring they host M.E Week which works to create cultural awareness and showcase diversity while fighting against discrimination and islamophobia. Keep track of all MESC’s awesome events by checking them out and following them on Instagram @ mescucr.

Written in the Stars

ALEXANDRIA LACHMAN

Staff Writer

Room 229 of Costo Hall is home to The Native American Student Program. They’re open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday to Friday. The NASP is also incredibly dedicated to their student community, making sure that their students can get the resources they need, and offering a safe space for any and all Native American students, where they can learn about and become empowered by their identities. They have lots of upcoming events, with a new lecture series coming in March, their 40th Annual Powwow on May 26th-28th, Medicine Ways in late spring, and a Summer Program for Native Youth. They put a lot of love and thought into every event, so be sure to follow them on Social media to keep updated. Instagram: NASP_UCR, Facebook: NASPUCR, Twitter: @NASPUCR, YouTube: NASPUCR.

The Veterans Center here at UCR can be found in Costo Hall in room 125. They’re open Monday to Thursday from 8 A.M. to 7 P.M., and from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Fridays. They’re goal is to offer Military connected students any and all resources they could possibly need to succeed in Academia, and life in general. Though they are focused on one specific community they are incredibly friendly and welcoming to everyone who steps through their doors, as every Student Center in Costo Hall is. They offer lots of different resources to students, including Vet Center Counseling every few weeks, Peer Mentoring, and help finding scholarship opportunities. They do open houses, biweekly meetings and video game and movie nights. They do Ally training twice a year, a Military ball in April, and they do partnerships with the Career Center for job-seeking help and Partnerships with the Women’s Center to highlight Women Veterans. Keep track of all their events by following them on Instagram and TiTkok @UCRSTUDENTVETS, on Facebook @ UCR Student Veterans And Servicemembers.

And of course, there is also the Women’s Resource Center which can be found in room 260 and is open from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. every Monday to Friday. The WRC is an incredibly inclusive safe space for anyone to come and relax, study, make friends or network. They offer lots of resources for students, including safe sex products, menstrual products and pregnancy tests that are (like the LGBT Center) Free of Charge and Free of Questions or Judgement. They also offer school supplies, a campus safety program and a mentorship program. They stay pretty busy with 1-2 events every week, often teaming up with other programs in Costo Hall or outside Programs like Planned Parenthood. They offer self-defense classes twice a quarter and snacks during midterms and finals and they make sure all their events are accessible by making sure they’re free of charge. If you’re interested in keeping track of The Women’s Resource Center’s events, follow them on Instagram @ucrwrc.

There really is a space for everyone in Costo Hall. The Student Programs that call the building their home are genuinely some of the friendliest, most welcoming, and most passionate people on Campus. If you’re looking to get more involved with the school or your community, make new friends, or even just look for a good place to study, go check out Costo Hall and its many different Student Organizations. I guarantee you won’t regret it.

Libra (September 23- October 22)

Libras are looking for a partner who will bring balance and direction to their life, pairing with a partner who is also a Libra is the most logical choice. Aries and Aquarius offer spice to the life of a Libra.

Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)

This sign is looking for someone who is able to be meaningful while also silly at the same time. Another Sagittarius or Gemini would definitely match the vibes of any Sagittarius. Aries can provide a guiding hand in life for any lost Sagittarius.

Leo (July 23- August 22)

Being lighthearted Leos ultimately want someone who will be a best friend and a lover. Sagittarius, Aquarius, and Gemini value the same goals and excitement in life, making them good confidants for Leos.

Scorpio (October 23- November 21)

Scorpios search for a significant other who looks deeper than the surface when it comes to understanding them. Cancer and Pisces, being both water signs, can match the emotions of Scorpios, while Virgos are up to the puzzle of understanding scorpios.

Capricorn (December 22January 19)

Needing someone who will understand them especially regarding their vulnerabilities. Capricorns and Virgos will be able to appreciate this sign and understand the need to be perfect. Scorpios, much like Capricorn, know what it’s like to be misunderstood.

Cancer (June 20- July 22)

This sign is looking for a partner who shares their same loving values. Scorpio and Pisces are two emotional signs that share some of Cancer’s values. Virgos are the perfect partner since they love to cherish reliable partners such as Cancers.

Taurus (April 20- May 20)

Set in their ways, taurus are more compatible with signs who share their pace. Capricorn and Virgo share these same fundamental natures. Cancers are also compatible due to their caring personalities.

Virgo (August 23- September 22)

This sign is looking for a partner who shares a thoughtful approach to life. Taurus and Scorpio are considered trusted partners. Capricorns also share the drive for hard work and aspirations.

Aries (March 21- April 19)

Being a dominant personality this sign needs someone who won’t get in their way. Compatible signs include Sagittarius, who are adventurous and outgoing, Geminis, and Libras.

Aries (March 21- April 19)

Being a dominant personality this sign needs someone who won’t get in their way. Compatible signs include Sagittarius, who are adventurous and outgoing, Geminis, and Libras.

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

Wanting to have fun and see where life takes them, this sign needs a partner who is just as agile. Sagittarius and Aquarius understand this and share the same curios-

Getting involved on campus is a great way to make new friends and it looks great on applications - and is way easier than you might think.

Staff Writer

Computer Science Major Survival Guide

NATALIE DAHL Contributing Writer

Going into a STEM major such as Computer Science can prove extremely challenging, especially given the competitive nature of the field and the strenuous workload. It’s not uncommon for students to run into countless obstacles that are overwhelming for them. With that said, here are some tips provided by fellow computer science students that ensure success in whatever CS field you wish to embark in.

Firstly, it’s critical that you come into each CS class or field with a humble attitude. Try not to assume that your peers are on the same level in terms of knowledge, skill, and experience and be open to making mistakes and learning from them. If you are modest and connect with those who are equally willing to grow and master certain fields, you can expect a healthy and cooperative learning experience. Additionally, don’t compare yourself with your peers as many of them have different opinions in CS and are in various paths in terms of knowing languages and understanding programs and concepts. There’s more profit in socializing and making friends in computer science since it promises a much needed network when you approach internships.

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO START AND SUCCEED IN YOUR CS CAREER!

Knowledge in the field of computer science is extremely valuable so learn how to self-research. CS classes teach you theories but ultimately, it’s your responsibility to work out the details of what you learned and build upon that. Teach yourself how to use various tools, understand course concepts, and utilize the best practices in projects. Computer Science is a massive field with a plethora of applications so put those resources available to your advantage. On top of gaining knowledge, learning more about these fields of CS helps you discover what you like and what works best for you as opposed to going with the first field you get into. Reach out to your peers, professors, and TAs about what resources work best for them. Going to the official documentation sites, geeksforgeeks.org and YouTube serves as great places to start. Be patient and disciplined when learning code and don’t be afraid to comment or document notes while doing so because it serves as good reference points.

Have a Sustainable New Year

EMILY LAM Staff Writer

Want to be more eco-friendly this quarter? Challenge yourself to refrain from buying clothes and reuse what you already have with these tips.

It’s hard to avoid falling into the trap of microtrends on TikTok and the internet, especially when it comes to clothing. The best thing that I have tried that helps me avoid buying new items is thoroughly going through my closet. I take everything out, lay it on my floor, and organize exactly what I have. This always helps me realize just how many clothes I have that I love to wear.

Another tip is to try and change up how you style your outfits. If you feel like you wear the same things over and over, challenge yourself to try pairing different pieces together or experiment with layering. If you wear it, you can also pair different pieces of jewelry with your clothing to give it a refresh. I also love trying out new hairstyles when my style feels stagnant. Your hair can change the whole vibe of an outfit!

Additionally, learning to properly fix your clothes can be a huge help in reinvigorating your wardrobe. Once you learn how to add that button back to your favorite sweater or mend the hole in your shirt, you can give new life to old clothing that can be worn once again. I also think that tailoring items of clothing to fit your body better makes you much more likely to love and wear them.

And if you’re still feeling the need to buy new clothing, try some of these tips to help you make smart shopping decisions. Avoid buying things on a whim! Rather than immediately buying something once you see it, let the idea of the purchase rest in your head for a week. If you’re still thinking about it, then you may really like this piece of clothing. Another thing to do if you want to make a purchase is critically take a moment to compare what you want to buy to other items in your closet.

Furthermore, it’s highly recommended to be on top of course registration. Look ahead of time for any tech electives you find interesting and plan around those. Track what quarters the tech electives are available and ask your peers which classes had helped them and what the class contents or projects consist of. UCR provides a yearly catalog of the CS classes that are offered every quarter so be sure to consistently track them.

Lastly, reach out to professors, TAs, and your peers. Finding friends to collaborate with in classes makes lessons go by easier and helps minimize the workload. Working on personal projects and developing them from school assignments are very important but team projects are highly valued just as much, if not more, because it shows that you can work well with others. Also, go to office hours and reach out to your TA’s so that you are given considerable feedback and advice on anything that concerns internships and computer science. Reach out to your professors if you are interested in specific research topics that they have done as well as what job opportunities are available for you at the moment. All in all, be proactive in networking and applying to jobs and internships. Getting your foot in the door is the biggest first step in your CS career and building that network with your peers and instructors gives you valuable support to achieve that.

If you already have something similar, it’s probably not worth it. Keeping your closet sustainable can be a really fulfilling feeling, so try it out!

STYLING WHAT YOU HAVE THIS WINTER SEASON!

Top 4 most memorable films

JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

“Judy Blume Forever”

Directed by Davina Pardo and Leah Walchok

“Judy Blume Forever” is a love letter to the YA section at your local library. e documentary highlights the life of Judy Blume up till now, where she continues to advocate against the censorship and banning of books. With colorful illustrations to retell the excerpts from her novels, the lm is captivating in its presentation of Blume’s history. With sincere stories, the life of Judy Blume is captured well within the documentary. Pardo and Wolchok shared in their Q&A that their inspiration for the lm comes from their own girlhood. “Judy Blume Forever” is a sweet documentary and will touch the hearts of all bookworms. Look for “Judy Blume Forever” on Amazon Prime in the near future.

“Fairyland”

Directed by Andre Durham

“Fairyland” was the most heart-warming lm premiere at this year’s festival. Durham tells the story of a father-daughter duo in San Francisco from the 1970s into the early 1990s. e father, Steve Abbott (Scoot McNairy) is a poet, which is o en included throughout the lm as a creative touch. Emilia Jones, former Sundance star from “CODA,” gave a phenomenal performance as the daughter, Alysia Abbott. With themes of LGBTQ+ struggles during the AIDS epidemic, fatherhood and coming of age, it is hard to not shed a tear during this lm by the rst-time director. During the Q&A portion of the lm premiere, Durham explained he was given the memoir by So a Coppola, a producer of the lm. Coppola thought Durham would portray the lm better than her as a San Francisco native with a gay dad. roughout the lm, you can feel the passion and how dear the project is to Durham. While the lm awaits its distribution pick-up, you can read Alysia Abbott’s story on paper with her book, “Fairyland.”

“Mutt”

Directed by Vuk

Lungulov-Klotz

With a talented cast and unique screenwriting, Lungulov-Klotz outdid themselves. Lungulov-Klotz is a Sundance Institute Lab fellow alumnus, leading to great storytelling. “Mutt” is a story of a young trans man, Feña (Lio Mehiel), navigating his relationships within 24 hours in New York City. Feña is a playful and relatable character. Steering through his relationship with queerness, his Chilean identity and familial relations, Mehiel brings life to the character. “Mutt” is one of the few LGBTQ+ stories that does not end in devastation, unlike many of the popularized LGBTQ+ lms. e lm might have been better as a TV series idea, but it is de nitely worth a watch. e lm got picked up by Best Friend Forever for the international market and will be on more screens soon.

“Fancy Dance”

Directed by Erica Tremblay

“Fancy Dance” is an indigenous story of an aunt-niece relationship: Jax (Lily Gladstone) and Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson). e search for Roki’s disappeared mother leads to hidden secrets and unexplainable occurrences on the reservation. While the story is a bit slow at times, the sister-mother-like bond between the two helps overlook the lm’s minor aws. “Fancy Dance” adds to Tremblay’s lmography extending indigenous voices on screen for the best.

Manslaughter charges filed against Alec Baldwin in fatal ‘Rust’ shooting

THE ACTOR COULD FACE UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE SHOOTING OF HALYNA HUTCHINS ON SET

RAMITA SETTY Contributing Writer

Alittle over a year ago, a tiny film set in New Mexico exploded into larger publicity and controversy when a prop gun fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The storm of publicity revealed the various allegations of safety lapses and misbehavior happening on the set of the movie, “Rust,” as crew members protested safety conditions, an inexperienced armorer and more.

On January 31, New Mexico prosecutors filed involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, the star and producer of the film and armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed. If convicted, they could both spend a mandatory five-year prison sentence. The prosecutors have placed the brunt of the blame on Baldwin, arguing that as the one firing the gun, he was directly responsible for the shooting. Baldwin himself has repeatedly denied responsibility, claiming that first assistant director David Halls instructed him to point the gun at the crew. He also stated that gun safety did not fall into his duties as an actor and that he did not pull the trigger. However, FBI analysts reported for the gun to fire, the trigger had to have been pulled.

This case has had broader implications for Hollywood. Since the incident, there have been calls within Hollywood to increase safety on set. The shooting of Halyna Hutchins was not a stroke of bad luck but rather the result of a string of breached safety protocols leading to the incident. Just a couple of hours before the fatal shooting, most of the crew on “Rust” walked off set in protest over alleged inattention to safety and pay disputes. Gutierrez Reed had been reprimanded by the production manager for failing to do her job. Had safety protocols been followed by an experienced, competent safety crew given proper time to manage all of their duties, perhaps Hutchins would still be

Baldwin as a producer of the movie was also responsible for ensuring reasonable safety conditions. He held a gun in his hand but failed to act like he was. He did not check for himself that there was no live ammunition in the gun. As he said later, he felt it was not part of his job to do so. But this is not about what was in his job description. It is about acting responsibly with a gun, even under the supervision of a professional. If someone is holding a weapon in their hand and it is fired, they are responsible for what happens. A manslaughter charge could bring immediate, stark changes on film sets. There’s nothing Hollywood hates more than a liability, and if Baldwin is found responsible for the “Rust” shooting, it sets a precedent for gun safety to be taken more seriously. Even if Baldwin is not charged, this tragedy will follow him for the rest of his life. Every time he gives an interview or promotes a movie, someone watching will think and comment about the “Rust” shooting. His reputation will have a serious stain, and it does not feel as if audiences will be receptive to him in the near or far future. But will it have an impact on his career? Hollywood has had a history of protecting men much worse than Baldwin. Although he will not be producing, he will continue to be cast. As we have seen repeatedly, those with power in Hollywood do not fall easily.

Sundance exclusive: Rich Brian makes an acting debut in Justin Chon’s ‘Jamojaya’

JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

On January 22, “Jamojaya” premiered at Eccles Theatre in Park City, Utah for the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. The director of “Jamojaya,” Justin Chon, expressed his sentiment for the project during the pre-screening portion of the second viewing.

“My purpose as a filmmaker is to bring empathy to the AAPI community, so to further that, I am repping the Southeast Asian community,” Chon spoke.

“My purpose as a filmmaker is to bring empathy to the AAPI community, so to further that, I am repping the Southeast Asian community,” Chon spoke.

Representation throughout the film is done beautifully with Bahasa Indonesia being over half of the film’s primary language. However, it is one of the few things well-done in the movie.“Jamojaya” follows a father-son duo, as James (Brian Imanuel) tries to find a way to cut from his previous manager — his father (Yayu A.W. Unru). James receives a huge American record deal and spends his time crafting his debut record with the label in Hawai’i. The film tackles racism within the industry, as well as a broken relationship between James and his father.

Chon also adds a side-plot of the two mourning over James’ brother’s death. This detail of the death is brought up multiple times throughout the film, but there is no direction taken with this fact. The characters act sad, but that is the only depth they reach.

Verdict: Justin Chon creates another bland story with “Jamojaya,” but Rich

Verdict: Justin Chon creates another bland story with “Jamojaya,” but Rich Brian could take the film as a stepping stone into a successful acting career.

Together, James and his dad play tag throughout the film. James will ask his dad to leave, then he refuses. Later on, they will argue, then share a loving moment in apologies. The characters do this more than three times within 90 minutes. This ongoing dynamic makes the film appear longer than it is. The plot becomes a snooze within minutes. With Justin Chon’s filmographic history, he is known to be a better director than a writer.

The colors are honey-hued, warm and often stick to an earth-tone palette. The shots complement the colors, leading to a striking appearance at first sight. However, these sights become dull after 30 minutes.

For an inexperienced actor, Imanuel does a pleasantly surprising performance. It is worth noting Imanuel had taken no acting classes before filming. Unru also put on an act worth watching as well. The two have great chemistry, even using comedy to patch up their character’s pain. But the lack of personality within these characters from the poor screenwriting instantly depleted the actors’ potential.

Chon had a strong vision and unique talent. Still, the film is empty. With an unfulfilled story and odd sub-plots, “Jamojaya” ends up in disappointment. Chon’s previous films have had a consistent problem. The hopes of “Jamojaya” becoming the breaking of Chon’s poor writing curse did not come true.

But, Imanuel’s breaking acting debut may be the launching point for his next casting. The rapper-to-actor pipeline is not typical, however, Imauel could make it possible with his enjoyable performance as James.

Photo Courtesy of The Avenue

Photo Courtesy of Sundance Institute

Highlanders men’s basketball fall to CSU Bakersfield 82-76

in overtime

KIA NOOSHI Assistant Sports Editor

On Thursday night, UC Riverside men’s basketball team suffered a crushing defeat 82-76 at Bakersfield. Going into this game, the Highlanders were coming off the back of a great win against UC San Diego. This contest was the first of a two game road trip for the Highlanders and like many of the previous contests against Bakersfield the game was a close one.

The Highlanders were once again led by Zyon Pullin who had another 20-point performance dropping 26 points and tacking on five assists leading the Highlanders in both categories. Pullin now sits just two assists behind Marcellus Smith for third in program history. Both teams were incredibly efficient in the first half shooting above 50 percent from the field, all but securing another close encounter between UCR and CSU Bakersfield. UC Riverside took a 35-33 lead into halftime, with Flynn Cameron having just one miss overall in the opening 20 minutes combining with Pullin to create a formidable UCR backcourt.

UCR was once again great on the boards holding Bakersfield to under 10 offensive rebounds for the eighth time in their last nine contests. Cameron was seemingly auditioning to be the third splash brother with five makes from deep for the second time this season and fourth time in his Highlander career. He and Jamal Hartwell II combined for eight of UCR’s 12 triples, with Hartwell adding 12 points off the bench as the leader of the Highlanders’s second unit as the Highlanders outscored the Roadrunner’s bench 19-2 . Hartwell kicked into gear in the second half with back to back threes in quick succession to put the Highlanders up by four after the midway point of the second half. Hartwell’s hot streak turned into a series of buckets, as Vladimer Salaridze joined the downtown party to extend UCR’s lead down the stretch. Pullin led the Highlanders in the second half with 19 of his 26 points coming after halftime.

With time winding down, UCR had lost its lead and

was in a back and forth shootout with the Roadrunners. Bakersfield hit a clutch shot with 18 seconds left leaving the ball in the hands of Pullin who hit a dramatic game-tying three with two seconds on the clock to force overtime.

Overtime started off close, but as time went on Bakersfield went on a run off the back of Antavion Collum who led Bakersfield and all scorers with 31 points on 9-12 shooting in a monster performance for the Roadrunners. The heartbreaking loss puts UCR at 8-3 in conference play behind UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine as UCR vies for one of the top seeds in the Big West with tournament play coming up.

UC Riverside looks to bounce back from their loss with a win as it makes the trip south to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, battling the Titans on Saturday February 4th from Titan Gym. This is the last game in their road trip as they return home to face UC Davis next Thursday February 9th.

■ H

UC Riverside women’s basketball wins a thriller 66-63 against Cal State Fullerton on National Girls and Women in Sports Day

HANSEL CHU

Sports Editor

The UC Riverside women’s basketball team defeated Cal State Fullerton 66-63 in overtime Saturday night at the SRC Arena. Going into this game, the Highlanders rode a six-game losing streak and looked to break that losing streak with a win against the Tritons. After trailing by as much as six points down the stretch, UCR was resilient and continued to fight, which resulted in a much-needed win.

In the first quarter, senior forward Anna Blount scored the first basket for UC Riverside before sophomore guard Una Jovanovic scored two straight field goals to give CSUF an early 4-2 lead. Soon later, junior guard Jordan Webster knocked down back-to-back threepointers to give the Highlanders an 8-6 lead. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm during the end of the first quarter as neither team was able to score points. After a steal from freshman guard Zoe Tillery, senior guard Mele Finau finished a layup on the fastbreak to put UCR up by four before the Tritons finished a layup on their end to put the score to 12-10 at the end of the

first quarter.

Cal State Fullerton jumped out to an early 7-0 run in the second quarter to give themselves a five-point lead, 17-12. However, Tillery answered back with back-to-back three-pointers to give UCR the lead right back 18-17. The Highlanders would continue to build momentum as back-to-back jump shots from sophomore forward Esther Matarranz pushed the lead up to 22-17. The Tritons would fight back and eventually take the lead with a three-pointer from junior guard Gabi Vidmar. With three seconds left on the clock, Blount finished a layup at the buzzer to tie the ball game up at 26-26 at the half.

Both teams exchanged baskets at the start of the third quarter. UC Riverside found themselves up by three points as Blount finished a layup in the paint. Soon later, Webster knocked down a pair of free throws to push the lead to five, 35-30. The Tritons continued to chip into the UCR lead but the Highlanders kept them at bay by knocking down timely free throws. Finau connected on a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter to bring the score to 41-38 at the start of the fourth quarter.

CSUF jumped out to an 8-0 run to begin the fourth quarter as they took a six-point lead with 7:01 left in the game. Blount responded at the other end with an and-one layup to bring the score back to 46-44. Both teams exchanged bucket after bucket, but UC Riverside struggled to close the margin. With 2:23 left in the game, Blount finished a layup to bring the deficit to 52-49. After multiple defensive stops, Tillery knocked down a mid-range jump shot to bring the score to 52-51. However, Jovanovic finished a clutch layup with 22 seconds left on the clock to give the Tritons

a three-point lead. Tillery knocked down another mid-range jump shot to bring the score to 52-51 with 11 seconds left on the clock. The Highlanders were forced to foul Jovanovic on the other end. However, Jovanovic went one for two on the charity stripe which led to Blount grabbing the rebound and going coast to coast, eventually getting fouled on the layup where she calmly sank two clutch free throws to tie the game at 55, sending the game to overtime.

In the overtime, Cal State Fullerton managed to secure a six-point lead with about 2:16 left in the game. However, UC Riverside managed to answer back once again with timely shots as Tillery knocked down a three-pointer from the left wing to bring the score to 63-60 with 2:02 left in the game. After a defensive stop on the other end, senior guard RyAnne Walter finished a sweet left-handed layup to bring the game within one point, 63-62 with 1:27 left in the game. On the defensive end, the Highlanders forced a defensive stop and called a timeout to draw up the game-winning play. With 27 seconds left to play, Blount attacked the baseline and managed to roll in a layup to give UCR the lead 64-63. On the other end, CSUF had a chance to take the lead as senior guard Fujika Nimmo found herself wide open for the three but was unable to convert, which gave the Highlanders a 66-63 victory.

Blount finished the game with a career-high 21 points and six rebounds. Tillery, off the bench, had a careerhigh 17 points and four rebounds. Webster chipped in with nine points and three steals.

The Highlanders break their six-game losing streak and will go on the road to take on UC Davis on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 6:00 P.M. ■ H

THE HIGHLANDERS LOST IN A NARROW MATCHUP TO CSU BAKERSFIELD AFTER FORCING OVERTIME VIA A ZYON PULLIN THREE POINTER WITH 4 SECONDS LEFT.