Volume 72, Issue 26

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Elections Committee displays open support for UCR encampment

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE CANCELED ELECTIONS UNTIL ENCAMPMENT AGREEMENT.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

A sudden announcement by the Associated Students of University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) Elections Director, Alexandra Arias, during one of many protests held by pro-Palestine protestors at the encampment on UCR campus upended student government elections last week. It was revealed that members of the Elections Committee voted to shut down polling sites and stand in solidarity with the encampment. An announcement made on the ASUCR Elections Instagram stated that the committee is aware how this disrupt the flow of voting week and the elections overall, but “to continue the promotion of elections when there is a urgent call to end our university’s complicity in Palestinian genocide would be disgraceful.” So, the committee declared that they would “stand with unwavering support for Palestine,” until demands would be met by administrations.

While the week ended with an agreement to end the encampment and the elections returned to normal operations, Arias’ early decision resulted in a significant impact on the campus community and the course of elections for the 2024-2025 school year.

In an interview with The Highlander, Elections Director Arias shed light on the events which lead up to the Elections Committee making their decision.

Beginning the morning of Monday, April 29, 2024, Arias and her committee arrived early to set up the polling sites, but were informed by a pro staff member that an encampment was erected on UCR campus. They were informed that if they did not feel

“safe or comfortable” at the Bell Tower polling location, they could always move, but after setting up, they felt fine as the encampment was “something peaceful.”

In a post polling meeting, Arias and her committee came to the conclusion that due to a lack of volunteers at hand, they would have to close two of the six polling sites.

The committee continued to face manpower struggles on Tuesday, with the Assistant Elections Director being absent to provide support at the encampment.

As the committee faced these and various other logistical issues, moral questions were also weighed heavily. A message was sent out to the Elections Committee by the Assistant Elections Director that “they were torn,” because they wanted to support the encampment, but they also wanted to follow through with the work of the elections committee. Arias shared that many other committee members also felt the same, and so a conversation began as to whether they should close the Bell Tower polling site. This posed an issue, as it put the Elections Committee under the required minimum of four sites per their bylaws.

However, Arias pointed out that “by having a poll site at the [encampment], we felt that we were taking away from the encampment efforts [and] that the attention was being drawn away.” After further discussion alumni and former ASUCR Chief Justice Mohammed Almouazzen, who was assisting with the encampment, connected with organizers of the encampment and asked if closing down the polling sites would be beneficial to their cause; to which the response was yes.

ASUCR 2024-2025 election results

SENNA OMAR

Managing Editor

Friday, May 3, 2024, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) announced the results of the 2024-2025 school year campus elections. Of the 22,121 students attending UCR, 2,824 students turned out to vote in this election, resulting in a 12.76%

Executive Cabinet:

ASUCR President: Abby Choy

Received 1,072 votes (polled at 38%)

Executive Vice President: Naia Pizarro

Received 1,179 votes (polled at 42%)

Vice President of Finance: Cooper Kumar

Received 957 votes (polled at 34%)

Arias claimed that the organizers also said that what would help the most would be disruption, “They didn’t tell me to shut down elections … They just said that their goal with the campaign was that they need to disrupt business as usual. They needed to make sure that people’s lives were being affected. That it was making it harder for administration to go about their day to day.”

While considering the Elections Committee role, Arias understood that “the one thing that [the Elections Committee has power over is elections. We knew that we weren’t going to stop a whole war by doing this. We knew that we weren’t going to solve everything single handedly. But we knew that this would spark outrage. We knew this would make headlines. We knew that this was going to be a conversation and a topic that people were going to start talking about because the only time that ASUCR is really relevant throughout the year, other than a few wins here and there, a couple of statements, is election season.”

Arias put the decision down to a vote of the Elections Committee. The result was an 8-0-1 decision to shut down the elections. Arias did not allow her committee members to abstain, believing “you cannot abstain from genocide. You cannot abstain from war. You cannot simply abstain from something that has killed millions of people.” What this meant for the elections committee, according to Arias, is that they would close polling sites, would not process violations and stop communicating with candidates; however, people still had the opportunity to vote through their ballots.

In a speech on Wednesday at the

voter turnout. Special elections will be held in the fall to fill the positions of School of Education (SOE) Senator, one seat for the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Senator and Non-Traditional Student Director. Due to a tie between Keaton Bunker and Nathan Baw for

Senate Election Results:

Vice President of Campus Internal Affairs: Nadia Aierken

Received 874 votes (polled at 31%)

Vice President of External Affairs: Vivian Herrera

Received 2,197 votes (polled at 78%)

Vice President of Sustainability: Ellen Nguyen

Received 2,234 votes (polled at 79%)

Vice President of Marketing & Promotions: Ashley Estrella

Received 1,207 votes (polled at 43%)

Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Ahman Greene

Received 1,210 votes (polled at 43%)

Transfer Student Director: Allya Abdullah

Received 2,126 votes (polled at 75%)

International Student Director: Michelle Wang

Received 1,237 votes (polled at 44%)

First-Time College Student Director: Andrew Bui

Received 1,343 votes (polled at 48%)

Personnel Director: Grace Su

Received 2,211 votes (polled at 78%)

encampments, Arias declared that as Elections Director, she “would not certify the results” for elections until administration met the demands set by protestors.

Later that day during the 21st ASUCR Senate Meeting of the quarter, Transfer Student Director Mahnoor Javed, Executive President Ahluwalia and Vice President of External Affairs Ángel Rentería stood in solidarity with Elections Director Arias’ decision to suspend elections.

Transfer Student Director Javed delivered a statement to the Senate declaring that “as student leaders we believe it is essential to uphold principles of safety, inclusivity and respect for all individuals on our campuses. The failure to adequately address and prevent such incidents [such as the violence at UCLA] undermines these principles and erodes trust in our university leadership.” Javed later urged UCR administration to “prioritize the safety and well-being of our students.”

Following that speech, members of the Executive Cabinet and the Senate walked out in support of the protest. By the end of the week, multiple cabinets from ASUCR had released their own statements including the Office of the President, Senate and GCAP.

To learn more about the original demands and agreement made between administration and protesters check out “I believe that we will win’: the agreement that ended UCR’s encampment,” by Senna Omar on page five; to learn more about the efforts leading up to the deal, check out “Seven months of advocacy,” by Mata Elangovan on page four.

■ H

the ninth College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator seat, there will be a runoff election to see who will fill that position. The election results for the remaining positions are as follows:

CHASS Senator: Mia Rose Tuifua

Received 603 votes

CHASS Senator: Anahita Hooshyari Far Received 486 votes

CHASS Senator: Karen Vo Received 398 votes

CHASS Senator: Ryan Jun-Min Choi Received 370 votes

CHASS Senator: Alice Parra Rios Received 357 votes

CHASS Senator: Justin Ibay Received 356 votes

CHASS Senator: Carter Anderson Received 353 votes

CHASS Senator: Ricardo Humberto Miranda Received 315 votes

CHASS Senator: Keaton Bunker

Received 277 votes

CHASS Senator: Nathan Baw

Received 277 votes

CNAS Senator: Vinisha Lalli

Received 336 votes

CNAS Senator: Anthony Ching

Received 315 votes

CNAS Senator: Jeevan Rao

Received 288 votes

CNAS Senator: Mitchell Wei

Received 248 votes

BCOE Senator: Uma Akundi

Received 150 votes

BCOE Senator: Allison Pham

Received 130 votes

SPP Senator: Sofia Jimenez

Received 39 votes

Seven months of advocacy

HOW A DEAL WAS STRUCK BETWEEN ENCAMPMENT LEADERS AND UCR ADMINISTRATION.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

Tears, jubilation and cheers radiated through the crowd of proPalestinian students protesters gathered at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Bell Tower as they heard from student leaders and Chancellor Wilcox that their demands had been meet. Last week, in a scene familiar to college students across the nation, dozens of tents had been erected around the Bell Tower as students built an encampment to pressure administration to satisfy UCR’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine’s (SJP) “demand [for] UCR to withdraw from Israel’s apartheid regime.”

By the end of the week, an agreement had been signed between the organizers and campus administration to meet protester demands and end the encampment. For more information regarding the original demands and agreement made between administration and protesters check out “I believe that we will win’: the agreement that ended UCR’s encampment,” by Senna Omar on page five.

The erection of the first tent in the encampment on Monday, April 29, 2024, was the culmination of seven months of protests, sit-ins and walkouts, where organizers attempted multiple times to make contact with administration. UCR’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) president, Hibah Nassar, and lead negotiator on the resolution, Samia Alkam, claim that a lot of communication between them and administration regarding demands were met with no response, bar one specific “one-sided meeting” in which “there may have been listening involved, but never anything receptive.”

Hibah Nassar, SJP President, believed that if administration had met with protest organizers prior to the encampment, the actions of protestors would not have reached that extent. “The only reason why we hosted an encampment on UCR campus is because of the seven months of silence and neglect,” she expressed. Nassar stated that SJP took action in these various forms of protest to “simply to be acknowledged and recognized and heard,” but with no end result, they escalated to hosting an encampment to have their “demands be met by administration.”

On the first day of encampment, Lead Negotiator on the agreement, Samia Alkam, delivered a letter to administration at 11 a.m. laying out the protestor’s demands. Within a few hours of the initial contact, an email was sent by UCR Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox to all students acknowledging that “The suffering in Gaza since the start of this war has been unimaginable — more than 30,000 deaths, millions of people displaced, and hunger that is bordering on famine.” With

this statement, Alkam believed that Chancellor Wilcox “end[ed] his silence on the death toll [in Gaza].”

At the same time, the Chancellor’s email also established restrictions on the encampment, setting out rules that reminded protestors they would have to comply with campus policy: large signs and banners would be taken down; chalk writing on the ground at and around the Bell Tower must be removed; and blocking access to any part of campus would not be allowed.

The tide turned on Tuesday when administration responded to an email from negotiation lead Alkam, scheduling a meeting between leaders of the encampment and administration for the following day. Taking place on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the first official negotiation, according to Alkam, was said to be around an hour long, and involved Chancellor Wilcox, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Watkins, and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Gerry Bomotti.

Negotiations continued until Thursday, May 2, 2024 where after eight hours of negotiation, the protest leaders reached an agreement with the administration to end the encampment in return for certain concessions from the University. According to Alkam, the negotiators for the protestors tried to “make the best decision possible to yield the most amount of material change” with what leverage they had, and felt that they were able to reach an agreement that was to their benefit.

Delving into the process, Alkam believed that UCR’s vision of itself as the “most diverse, most social justice oriented, most progressive UC,” gave negotiators leverage over the administration,“ and that this reputation was put at risk when students in encampments were claiming that “[the university is] complicit in genocide.”

For the protestors, the main goal during the negotiation process, according to Alkam, was to make sure that “as many material wins as possible” were made. Elaborating on this, Alkam declared that “our encampment was a success, because in our negotiations, we stood firm on disclosure and stood firm on so many points” but that there is “bureaucratic red tape associated with those and we were realistic about the timelines.”

UCR set a large precedent for actions by UC administration in regards to pro-Palestinian efforts. Commenting on external pressure set upon UCR administration, Alkam believes the outcome of the encampment at UCR “is not something [UC Regents] want for other UCs right now, and I

want to continue pushing and advocating. I want our university to be recognized as a leader in this conversation.” Moving forward, Alkam thinks of the goals as “a collective win for us. A collective win for Palestine. I want them to continue pushing and I want us to support each other.

“When we get those outside pressures, but the university stands firmly against those outside pressures and decides to stand with us anyway, that’s a really important look for us. “It’s a really important message to send to other universities that we rose above, and we’d like for them to rise above as well.”

In the end, the agreement brokered between the organizers and administrators was not a one-person effort. Reflecting on the events of the past academic year, Alkam stated “I just want to say that this was a community effort and we thank everybody who’s involved. I want to give a special thank you to MECHA. And a special thank you to ASUCR, especially external for their walkout, and I want to thank every single student who’s involved in the encampment. I think it’s really important for us. I have so much gratitude for the people who made this happen.” Deals were met in regards to demands due to the sheer “number of students who showed up and who support[ed] it.”

Alkam continued, “I really invite anybody who’s passionate, who’s supported the encampment, to continue being involved with SJP here on campus, and to continue making sure that we place the right pressure on our administration to continue meeting our demands because the fight isn’t over. The fight isn’t going to be over until Palestine is free. Thank you so much”

Multiple questions were sent to the University Communications team, some of which included topics such as what communication had looked like over the year in regards to the pro-Palestinian protestors, what discussion looked like in the meeting about the demands set by protestors, and an opportunity to provide general comment. In response, the Senior Director of News & Content of the University Relations team, John Warren, cited the general announcement which was sent to all students at the university.

The announcement stated, “Since Wednesday, several UC Riverside campus leaders have been meeting with the leaders of the student encampment on campus. These meetings have been productive, civil, and representative of multiple points of view on how to reach a resolution” in regards to how communication has looked since the encampments had gone up.

‘I believe that we will win’: the agreement that ended UCR’s encampment

DELVING INTO THE TERMS OF THE PROTESTOR-ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT.

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

After five days of camping out at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Bell Tower, members of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) encampment reached an agreement with administration addressing their demands and ending the encampment. In an exclusive interview with The Highlander, SJP President Hibah Nassar and Lead Negotiator Samia Alkam went into detail about what each point on the agreement entailed in regards to the original goals of the encampment.

Leaders of this protest came to an agreement with UCR officials on Friday, May 3, 2024 at approximately 12 a.m to end the encampment in return for certain concessions from the administration. This agreement was released to the campus community later that day at 11:35 a.m. For more information regarding the efforts leading up to the deal, check out “Seven months of advocacy,” by Mata Elangovan on page four.

Negotiating this agreement were Lead Negotiator Samia Alkam and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) President Hibah Nassar. These UCR students signed this agreement alongside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs (VCSA) Brian Haynes, Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Watkins and Christine Victorino, School of Education Professor of Practice and faculty advisor for the protest.

Around 1 a.m. on May 3, 2024, following the finalization of the agreement, SJP announced on their Instagram that there would be a “Huge Announcement” regarding the negotiation efforts with administration. In anticipation of the announcement at the encampment, the crowd of protesters and members of the student body engaged in chants regarding Palestinian liberation, such as “From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever,” and “Wilcox, Wilcox you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.” Negotiators Nassar and Alkam alongside Chancellor Wilcox, VCSA Haynes and Provost Watkins addressed the crowd at 11:30 a.m. Following the announcement of the agreement, protesters began chanting slogans such as, “Wilcox, Wilcox on our side, we are anti-genocide,” and “I believe that we will win, I belive that we will win!”

Members of the encampment had demanded that UCR “withdraw from Israel’s apartheid Regime;” SJP had four original demands of the administration, all of which can be found on the SJP instagram. These demands were as follows:

UCR must “Disclose” all UCR investments to the campus community, providing “full transparency and student control of [UCRs] investment and funding;”

“Divest … funds from companies and institutions complicit in the israeli occupation, apartheid and genocide of the Palestinian people.”

“End the Silence” of UCR administration concerning lost Palestinian lives and “their complicity with the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the 76-year-long occupation of Palestine.” SJP also demanded that UCR “commit to the protection of Palestinian, Arab, Muslim and allied students of conscience who are facing unprecedented backlash, and call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”

Finally, members of the encampment called for UCR to “sever ties and academic collaborations with Israeli Universities” as part of the Academic Boycott + Withdrawal demand. Specifically citing the “Education Abroad University of Haifa Israel Program” and the “School of Business Israel Residency Program,” demanding that UCR “completely divest [UCR student] tuition dollars from — and cut all institutional ties to — the

zionist entity.”

Following the announcement of this agreement to the campus community, SJP released a separate Instagram post detailing that the “UCR encampment has officially had demands met by administration.” In this post, UCR SJP declared “we are proud to be the first campus in the University of California (UC) [system] to peacefully end our encampment, without any violence, arrests, or dismissals and meet the demands of students.” Although this resolution has resulted in the end of the encampment, according to SJP President Nassar, “this is not the end of holding our University [accountable] for any and all complacency in genocide. We will continue to hold the administration accountable for its actions, and we will continue to ensure that our demands are met.”

The five terms of the resolution and Lead Negotiator Alkam’s explanations are as follows:

“All currently public information on UC’s investments will be posted to the UCR campus website. It will continue to be updated as the UC releases more information. The goal is to get full disclosure of the list of companies in the portfolio and the size of the investments.”

The first demand met by the university was disclosure; this is meant to provide a degree of transparency between the students and the administration as to where university funds are being distributed. According to Lead Negotiator Alkam, all currently public information regarding UC investments will be compiled in a singular space online so that this information is more accessible and discernible to the average student. Alkam elaborated that the website will be updated as the UC Office of the President “provid[es] us [with] more information, specifically on the investments of our endowment.” She continued, explaining that “the goal is to get full disclosure of the list of companies in the [UC investment] portfolio and the size of the investments.”

However, Alkam acknowledged that without information from the UC Office of the President, who is responsible for managing the roughly $300 million UCR investment endowment, divestment through UCR was not possible. SJP’s goal here, according to Alkam, is to get a “material” win regarding their demands and organizers saw this attempt at transparency as a step in the right direction towards achieving divestment.

“The UCR Administration agrees to form a task force that includes students appointed by ASUCR’s Diversity Council and faculty appointed by the Academic Senate to explore the removal of UCR’s endowment from the management of the UC Investments Office, and the investment of said endowment in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery. The goal of this task force is to produce a report to present to the UCR Foundation Board of Trustees by the end of Winter Quarter 2025. The task force will be formed by the end of the Spring 2024 quarter.”

Alkam highlighted that this point is the one most clearly associated with divestment goals. UCR administration agreed to the creation of a task force that includes students appointed by the Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) Diversity Council and faculty appointed by the UCR Academic Senate “to explore the removal of UCR’s endowment from the management of the UC Investment Office.” This task force will have the responsibility of ensuring that the investments will be both “financially and ethically sound for the University,” not only “consider[ing] return

on investment” but also ensuring things are ethically sound, “with specific regard to weapons manufacturing.”

This task force is projected to begin convening at the end of Spring 2024 until the end of Winter 2025 and give recommendations regarding removing the endowment from the UC Office of the President and finding an investment office that has no ties with companies who are associated with Israel and weapons manufacturing.

“Commitment to bimonthly meetings with the Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) of Auxiliary Services and an ongoing review of Sabra Hummus consistent with existing product review processes until we can find a resolution.”

SJP has been working on the removal of Sabra Hummus from UCR’s campus for multiple years due to the open support of Israel exhibited by Sabra’s parent companies, PepsiCo and the Strauss Group. Alkam explained that SJP had success regarding this endeavor back in 2017 though the passage of a resolution in ASUCR, however, campus administration refused to take the product off shelves.

With this new agreement, SJP will hold bimonthly meetings with the AVC of Auxiliary Services, and Sabra Hummus’ status as a product sold at UCR will be evaluated “in accordance with campus policies … allowing for a more permanent solution that cannot be reversed due to outrage,” stated Alkam. Currently, in comparison to the other two hummus brands sold by the university, Sabra brings in the most revenue, but SJP hopes that through organized boycotts of the product, these sale numbers will decline, causing it to be within the universities best financial interests to remove Sabra products from UCR campus.

“The School of Business has discontinued Global Programs in Oxford, USA, Cuba, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel.”

Characterizing this as a “huge win,” Alkam explained that Professor Sean Jasso’s ‘Egypt, Jordan and Israel’ study abroad program through the UCR School of Business is prohibited conduct under the UC anti-discrimination policy; this policy prohibits discrimination based on “actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics” as well as “citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity.” Since Palestinian students are excluded from participating in this program because of Israeli laws restricting the movement of Palestinian citizens in and out of Israel, “it is not appropriate for this program to exist on [UCR] campus,” explained Alkam. Global Programs were operated exclusively through the School of Business and therefore did not need to go through the same approval process as UCR Office of Study Abroad Programs. As a result, the entirety of Professor Sean Jasso’s Global Programs was disbanded and the only way for students to participate in study abroad programs now is through the UCR Office of Study Abroad.

“UCR will modify its approval process for all study abroad programs to ensure compliance with UC’s Anti-Discriminatory Policies.” Effective immediately, all study abroad programs violating the UC anti-discrimination policy were disbanded, meaning that, although Israel study abroad programs are still offered through the UC system, UCR students cannot participate in any study abroad programs in Israel. As of Friday, May 3, 2024, UCR students no longer have access to any Israeli study abroad programs through global programs or the UCR Office of Study Abroad.

U.S. House passes bipartisan “Antisemitism Awareness Act”; faces bipartisan concerns

LEGISLATION WOULD BROADEN THE DEFINITION OF ANTISEMITISM.

EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

The United States House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, also known as H.R. 6090, last Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Proponents of the legislation, such as bill sponsor Representative Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), claim the bill would help call out “antisemitism where it is” and ensure antisemitism on college campuses is “properly investigated and prosecuted.” However, opponents of the bill argue that the legislation takes an overly broad approach and risks “chilling [student] free speech” by “equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism,” according to a statement by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

The legislation directs the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when enforcing anti-discrimination laws such as Title VI. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination “on the basis of race, color or national origin.”

The IHRA defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or nonJewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The legislation also instructs the use of the IHRA

examples of antisemitism, which include “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor,” “using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis,” and “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.”

The legislation passed in a broadly bipartisan vote, 320 - 91. Opposition was also bipartisan, with 70 Democrats and 21 Republicans voting against the bill.

In a statement in support of the legislation, bill cosponsor Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) stated, “By codifying this definition into law, Jewish students will be more protected from antisemitic discrimination, harassment, and threats.” However, many lawmakers and organizations took issue with what some saw as an overly broad definition that could possibly infringe on constitutional rights.

In a speech on the House Floor, Rep. Jerrold (Jerry) Nadler (D-NY), ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and a “committed Zionist,” said “this bill threatens to chill constitutionally protected speech. Speech that is critical of Israel — alone — does not constitute unlawful discrimination.”

Some republican lawmakers have criticized the bill on religious terms, referencing one of the IHRA examples of antisemitism. “This bill is little more than an effort to score political points and is so poorly drafted that it violates the Constitution and could have serious ramifications for the Christian community,” said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) in a statement.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), voted against the bill because she believed it “could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that says Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews.”

Advocacy groups such as the Anti-Defamation League have asserted that this belief is an anti semitic myth that has been used over history to justify violence against Jews. Additionally, the Catholic Church refuted this belief in a 1965 declaration which stated the crucifixion of Jesus “cannot be charged against all the Jews.”

The bill now moves to the Senate where, as of May 5, 2024, its future is unclear. While Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has stated that the Senate is “going to look for the best way to move forward,” multiple senators, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), have voiced opposition.

OpiniOns THE HIGHLANDER

The UC has a responsibility to protect the student right to free speech

AFTER A BLOODY AND VIOLENT DISMANTLING OF THE UCLA PRO-PALESTINE ENCAMPMENT AND A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION AT UCR, THE IMPORTANCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PROTESTS IS

MORE CLEAR THAN EVER BEFORE.

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.

Inspired by Columbia University’s “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” pro-Palestinian protests have spread nationwide at college campuses, including the University of California (UC) schools, in the past week. Setting up tents and leading protests, students are standing in solidarity with Palestinians, urging for a ceasefire and pushing the university administration to divest from firms doing business with Israel. The UC campuses and universities across the country have responded to these encampments and protests with different strategies, including ones that inflict violence upon students. The solutions offered by many schools are more than an embarrassment; they call into question each university’s commitment to student safety and basic civil rights.

When UC Riverside’s (UCR) encampments began on April 29, Chancellor Kim Wilcox sent an email to students and faculty outlining the “immediate actions” and policies that the administration would enforce to ensure safety, including taking down “large signs and banners,” removing “chalk writing on the ground” and preventing the blocking of campus venues. Initially, this message alone sent underlying warnings of censorship and hostility to the protestors.

However, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) leaders and UCR administrators began negotiating on May 1 and held an “eight-hour” meeting the following day. It is likely that Chancellor Wilcox was preparing for the subsequent close session meeting with UC President Drake and all the other UC Chancellors to review “safety concerns on campus.” On May 3, SJP announced a successful negotiation agreement with the university administration, making it the first UC campus to reach an amicable agreement with student protestors. This led to celebrations on campus and a reminder of the enduring importance of the right to protest.

Unfortunately, UCR’s response to the peaceful encampment has not been the norm. UC Los Angeles’ (UCLA) administration has sparked criticism for its delayed and aggressive enforcement of on-campus

encampments. On April 30, around 4 p.m. at Royce Quad, protestors at UCLA were informed that the encampment had been declared “unlawful” and were advised that they would face suspension if they did not vacate the area. Later that evening, pro-Israel protesters violently attacked pro-Palestinian students with pepper spray, fireworks and tear spray. The attack continued for three hours before the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and California Highway Patrol arrived on the scene.

“The solutions offered by many schools are more than an embarrassment; they call into question each university’s commitment to student safety and basic civil rights.”

The attack on the UCLA encampment provided the administration with the latitude to censor and arrest students participating in peaceful protests. On May 2, the encampment was taken down by LAPD officers in riot gear, and over 200 arrests were made. Going forward, it’s unclear to activists exactly how this movement will continue at UCLA and just how much damage the UCLA administration’s failures have caused.

UCLA’s failed response should not give the green light for UC administrations to censor and arrest students participating in peaceful protests on other campuses. Campuses must divert to offering solutions as peaceful as the protests have been. As a public institution, the UC system has a responsibility to facilitate freedom of speech while protecting students. Faculty members and students should be able to express their opinions and assemble without fearing administrative retaliation or being shot with rubber bullets. Moving forward, the UC must communicate and listen to protestors so that productive discussions and progress are made, rather than allowing its students to be violently attacked and then arrested. One campus is not enough.

Historically, young people have pushed

boundaries on political issues — specifically on college campuses — and are often labeled as “rebellious” or “too idealistic.” Counting on the younger generation to be politically apathetic or unaware is not a solution, nor is it based on reality. In 1985, for example, UC Berkeley students staged similar encampments near the steps of Sproul Hall to protest South African apartheid and demand that the university divest from investments in South Africa.

Gen Z has grown up in an unprecedented time with unique issues, such as climate change, mass shootings, political polarization and a global pandemic. The proPalestinian protests spreading worldwide show that this generation is a strong political force. Bringing a new perspective on an almost hundred-year-long issue, the recent encampments force others to learn more about and confront this issue. Using social media, students have been able to disseminate information and report updates quickly, making university censorship that much more difficult. By documenting arrests at Hamilton Hall at Columbia and protestors standing in defiance against state troopers at the University of Texas, they have been able to put their institutions under a spotlight in a way no previous generation has. Gen Z is accustomed to being discounted by political elders, and they will not be discouraged by an unsupportive and unresponsive negotiating entity.

From the Student Researchers UnitedUnited Automobile Workers (SRU-UAW) protests fighting for increased wages for academic workers and the Providing Opportunities, Dreams, and Education at Riverside (PODER) advocating for equal employment opportunities for undocumented students, UC students are at the forefront of making effective change. The UC administration must divert to a peaceful response to these protests and facilitate an open dialogue with student voices. Universities cannot expect these students to give up and no amount of riot gear, rubber bullets, pepper spray, tear gas or violence will be enough to silence them.

UC’s free tuition for Native American students fails to address Native injustices

Free tuition For native american students at uc campuses is not enough to rectiFy hundreds oF years oF damage done to the native population.

On a long journey to address historic injustices against Native Americans, the University of California (UC) system announced free tuition for Native American students. However, that is not enough to reconcile the fact that universities are built on stolen land. UC Riverside (UCR) is built upon the Cahuilla [ka-wee-ahh], Tongva [tong-va], Luiseño [loo-say-ngo] and Serrano [se-ran-oh] peoples’ land and a mere acknowledgment of these communities at the beginning of school meetings and events does not make it acceptable. Free tuition and acknowledgment for Native American students are not adequate; more needs to be done. There needs to be additional funding than only free tuition for Native American students, genealogy should be used instead of tribal enrollment as a factor for eligibility, better support systems and full or some form of restitution.

Even with free tuition, Native American students face financial challenges due to high costs of living. UC expects them to rely on external scholarships, grants or loans, which may not cover all expenses. This shift in responsibility from the UCs to other organizations poses a significant barrier for Native American students, making college affordability a challenge.

The free tuition program for Native American students excludes non-federally recognized tribes or students who have been disenrolled, which prevents many Native American students from participating in this program.

Students from adoption or foster care backgrounds may lack access to the documents needed to enroll in their tribe, further limiting access to this benefit. Thus, universities must reshape how they account for Native students with varying tribal statuses by using “genealogy rather than tribal enrollment.” By shifting the focus from tribal enrollment to genealogy, universities can better account for Native students with diverse tribal statuses. This approach recognizes the complexity and diversity within Native communities, allowing institutions to create more inclusive and accurate representations of Indigenous students' backgrounds and experiences.

American institutions, including UC campuses and universities nationwide, have taken Indigenous lands and harmed communities. Since the United States (U.S.) colonized the land, climate change has deteriorated the climate. When the native peoples were taking care of the land, there was a healthy balance in nature. The U.S. is the second-leading country contributing to carbon emissions. Offering free tuition is the absolute least that can be done to begin addressing the historical and ongoing injustices inflicted upon Native communities and their land.

Furthermore, while free tuition is a step in the right direction, supporting Native American students on campus is equally as important. Particularly support for indigenous students leaving reservations needs to be expanded. UCs should boost on-campus

resources for Native students to ease this transition. While most UC campuses have some Native American resource centers, other campuses, such as UC Irvine, do not. Instead, there is a pamphlet listed as a resource on campus that doesn’t even address the Native American community. The UCs, as a whole, must do better. The resource centers should also be updated to include enhanced counseling, culturally sensitive programs and academic support tailored to their specific needs.

Overall, one way the UCs can provide restitution to Native American students is through restorative justice. This could be in the form of offering competitive payment for land alongside actions such as policy changes, community engagement, cultural revitalization, and partnership. Native communities are owed genuine apologies to address historical injustices and to promote equity and inclusion.

but more action is necessary. The UCs benefit from this land, yet they are not paying full restitution. Native people have a greater right to be here than the Universities and the U.S. The UCs utilize pathways to offer complete restitution or develop a better solution to a pathway to help heal this injustice with cooperation and collaboration from Native peoples.■ H

The UC is attempting to rectify the historical injustices they have committed against Native Americans by offering free tuition,

California is on thin ice when it comes to cybersecurity

When it comes to cybersecurity, caliFornians should be most concerned about the private sector’s size, not hackers.

TOMAS ALVES

Distribution Manager

If California were its own country, it would have the fifth largest economy in the world, behind only the United States, China, Germany and Japan. This makes California’s ports, public sector, businesses and consumers the targets of both domestic and foreign cybersecurity threats that look to exploit vulnerabilities in software or steal valuable data. Currently, the seat of California’s Cybersecurity chief lies vacant without a permanently appointed member. With the growing demand for cybersecurity in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and the lack of financial incentives from the government to attract cybersecurity experts, Gov. Newsom faces a clear dilemma that he must solve quickly. While California officials urge Califor-

nians not to worry about their government’s ability to respond to cyber-attacks while an acting Commander is in charge, they were unable to provide an updated number of data breaches when CalMatters reporters requested such information. The California Cybersecurity Integration Center’s (Cal-CSIC) Mission, as stated on its website, “is to reduce the number of cyber threats and attacks in California” while having a focus “to respond to cyber threats and attacks that could damage the economy, its critical infrastructure, or computer networks in the state.” According to the state’s recent commitments to addressing cybersecurity issues, these statements ring hollow.

The task of Cal-CSIC is to receive multi-

level reports from state agencies, businesses and public schools and then decide how to respond to them with the tools at their disposal. The tools that they can use include state-wide advisories, alerts and documentation of the types of cybersecurity attacks in order to inform future responses to such threats. However, these tools are currently being wielded by entry-level employees with limited experience in effectively deploying them, hindering the state’s ability to effectively respond to threats. The Governor’s Office, which is in charge of staffing the Cal-CSIC, faces multiple challenges in staffing efforts, including competition from the private sector.

The notion that the private sector might contribute to the “brain drain” of our state government’s capability to respond to cyber threats should be holistically concerning to Californians. The reason is simple: emerging professionals with the needed training in cybersecurity techniques are being attracted to a higher-paying private sector. While it varies by city, salaries for Data Security Analysts across California range between 140,000 and 205,000, while the Cal-CSIC Commander position offers a salary of $187,000, according to a Cal-CSIC posting. If the top position in Cybersecurity for the California state government cannot match up to private sector job postings in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego or San Jose, then it is no surprise that the

Governor’s Office is failing to recruit a commander with the appropriate capabilities that are in high demand.

In developing Cal-Secure, a multi-year roadmap for cybersecurity and protecting Californians, an apparent focus was given to addressing the aforementioned personnel and recruiting obstacles. The roadmap proposes that the state government must redirect its focus to increasing opportunities for cybersecurity professionals, developing capabilities and expanding cybersecurity training. While it briefly mentions competition with the private sector, this problem must be a priority for Gov. Newsom. It is undeniable that the task of Commander of Cal-CSIC accords a list of qualities requiring someone to be adept to a changing digital environment and trained in best practices to defend California infrastructure. Still, Californians need someone in charge who can be held accountable.

To avoid a “brain drain,” Newsom should provide the easy incentive that ensures government bureaucracy is higher-paying than that of the private sector. Even if a bidding war might be pursued due to the limited supply of talent, the increasing importance of maintaining a resilient Cal-CSIC should be a priority for Newsom and Californians. Having a permanent leader to make an organization function cohesively is paramount to any leadership structure and the fact that private companies could be winning this “talent war” is alarming, to say the least. ■ H

LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

EMILY MATA / THE HIGHLANDER

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

Limiting homework isn’t the most important step toward improving the California education system

AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

Restricting

the busy work students are required to do after school is a step in the right direction, but it is less effective than stretching out the school year.

State lawmakers are attempting to pass an assembly bill that would limit the amount of homework students have. A.B. 2299 increases oversight on homework distributed by holding “[two] public meetings” within the local education agency.

Although the bill sets forward progress in limiting the amount of stress and anguish that students experience from long hours of homework, it isn’t the best way to solve the larger problems of low graduation rates and summer learning gaps students face. In order to maximize educational productivity, it would be more effective to lengthen the academic school year.

Extending the school year would be a major beneficiary to many students and help alleviate the pressure of many issues that the educational system faces. In 2022, more than 15% of Californians were not able to graduate high school. Reasons as to why students don’t graduate vary wildly. The student might have felt overwhelmed with the workload or had a rough situation at home that prevented him/herself from attending school frequently. Limiting the

amount of homework that a student has can solve one of those two problems. Expanding the number of school days gives the

to be the most effective tool for tackling high school dropouts, as year-round schools have a 2% dropout rate. With more space

students more opportunities to complete their work assigned.

Year-round schooling has been proven

to tackle the workload that they face in front of them.

Expanding the school year is not only more beneficial for K-12 schools but is also more valuable for students pursuing an undergraduate education. Pupils who are given less homework may be less prepared for the work and stress that comes from an education at a university. Unlike high school and middle school teachers, professors are much less lenient and college courses are significantly more challenging. Even though the graduation rate among high schoolers in California is over 80%, the graduation rate among students pursuing a bachelor’s degree is about 52.8%. In order to be prepared for the work assigned in a college class, students must first be able to handle the academic workload — including daily homework — that comes out of high school.

Cutting down on homework may seem like the most important action toward improving the quality of academic success for California students. However, there are more effective ways to improve California’s educational system. Expanding the school year should be the next step forward. ■ H

New Title IX rules leave a gaping hole where transgender athletes stand

NAKASONE

YSABEL

Opinions Editor

Tearing down the Trump administration’s Title IX policies was the bare minimum of what needed to be done to improve student protections.

On the 50th anniversary of Title IX’s inception, the Biden Administration announced new provisions that extended the federal law’s reach to protect LGBTQ+ students. The new provisions are also a win for victim’s rights advocates who are lauding the dismantling of previous Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ additions to Title IX. Unfortunately, the policy fails to address the needs of transgender students whose participation in athletics has faced extreme Republican ire.

Under DeVos, Title IX shifted wildly to protect the rights of the accused while hanging victims out to dry. A statement by the Department of Education accused DeVos’ Title IX rules of “weaken[ing] protections for survivors of sexual assault and diminish[ing] the promise of an education free from discrimination.” Undoing these provisions, which required colleges to hold live hearings and narrowed the definition of discrimination until it was almost invisible, was long overdue. Now, Title IX recognizes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. There is a new and expanded definition of sexual harassment that does not further the cover-up of less offensive misconduct. Additionally, colleges will no longer be required to hold live hearings that force victims to relive traumatic experiences or subject them to harassing questions. This change is essential as the previous model was criticized for discouraging survivors from reporting discrimination, harassment and assault.

Despite the necessity and importance of these changes, Title IX still falls short. In April 2023, the Biden administration released a proposal that would prevent all schools from enacting bans on transgender athletes. At the time, 16 states already had bans on

participation in high school interscholastic sports in place. This proposal mandated that any federally funded school or college would be barred from banning transgender athletes from playing on a team that aligned with their gender identity. This addition was notably absent from the changes announced a year later.

“The

The outright lack of protection for transgender athletes makes it appear as though the Biden administration’s release of their proposal was a political move rather than a serious effort to advance the rights of trans-student-athletes. This becomes especially convincing when looking at the serious drawbacks of this pro-

posal that could have given schools a legal basis for banning transgender athletes from more competitive teams. The proposal used language that mirrored right-wing rhetoric, which could be used to rationalize and advocate for these bans.

House passed a bill that devalues 50 years' worth of civil rights legislation for nothing more than a line in a speech at a county fair.”

This issue appears to have been turned into a campaign issue rather than what it is: a human rights issue. The major parties are taking shots at each other to score political points as the Biden Administration and House Republicans face this issue with insincerity and a lack of humanity.

The House recently passed a bill this month that would ban federally funded schools and

colleges from allowing transgender athletes to join a team consistent with their gender identity despite the fact that this bill won’t make it past both a Democratic Senate and the White House. The House passed a bill that devalues 50 years’ worth of civil rights legislation for nothing more than a line in a speech at a county fair.

Things are better in California, though there has been significant conflict when it comes to participation in high school athletics. In 2023, two students did not show up for a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) track and field ceremonies after becoming the target of a transphobic online harassment campaign. CIF condemned the harassment and expressed extreme disappointment that the runners felt so unsafe that they no longer felt competing was an option. While incidences like these run rampant across state borders, California thankfully does not have state laws banning transgender athletes from participating on a team consistent with their gender identity. In 2013, however, A.B. 1266 was signed into law, allowing transgender students to use bathrooms and join sports teams that align with their gender identity. CIF guidelines also support this policy. California colleges also allow student-athletes to play on teams that are consistent with their gender identity, and the state’s protections for transgender students go further than the new Title IX provisions.

The policies that bar transgender students from participating in sports are isolating and cruel, forgetful of the fact that this is a human issue. It’s tragic that this has been transformed into little more than a campaign fight that both parties have no intention of actually solving and only intend to use to gut each other in the press.

in between to complete the school work, students are better equipped

An unexpected week ahead...

Whatever you expected, it’s not what’s in the cards.

April 19 rch

There are choppy waters ahead, and you will need to step up and take responsibility. Consider the needs of those around you, not just your own; leadership is more than just taking charge and giving orders.

Sometimes, other people can be a lot, and you just need to take some time for yourself and clear your head. Use this time to look inward, and consider everything you’ve done to get to this point. When this period of solitude ends, you’ll be so much more aware of yourself and your needs.

Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

You’re on a mission, Gemini, and you won’t let anyone stop you. That doesn’t mean you can’t get in your own way, though. Be courageous, and charge forward, even into unfamiliar territory — you’ll thank yourself in the long run.

cAncer: Three of penTAcles

ncer: JUne 21 - JUly 22 Une JU

This is going to be a time of instability and uncertainty. The best thing to do is to look around you and see the community you’ve already built, and the community that has yet to be built; support the people around you, and they’ll support you in turn.

librA: foUr of penTAcles A: fo TAcles sepTember 23 - ocTober 22 epTember

You’ve been playing it safe, recently, and that’s worked well for you so far. It’s time to count your successes, the safety net you’ve built, and then let go of a little bit of that safety. Cut loose, even just a little, and allow yourself to just have fun. You earned it.

cApricorn: eiGhT of cUps pricorn: i hT cU december 22 - JAnUAry 19 ecember JA UA

You’re not entirely satisfied, Capricorn. Something in your life just isn’t right. Take the time to figure out what’s bothering you, what doesn’t fit, and see if it’s something you need to hold on to — otherwise, it might be time to let go.

leo: lovers JUly 23 - AUGUsT 22 Uly AUGU

You’re in the midst of a blossoming relationship, Leo! While it’s okay for connections to fade over time, this is one that has the potential to last. Don’t force anything, and don’t get nervous, but embrace your instincts and go with the flow.

scorpio: eiGhT of penTAcles corpio: ei TAcles ocTober 23 - november 21 c ober

You’ve been working hard, Scorpio. Take a look back at how far you’ve come: it’s time to enjoy the rewards of your efforts. Keep up the good work, but don’t be afraid to take a moment to yourself and indulge in the fruits of your labor. Take pride in your work.

AqUAriUs: JUsTice UA JAnUAry 19 - febrUAry 18 A UA

You’re facing down a big decision, and it’s time to make a call. Consider your options, and remember that you have to make the decision that’s right for you. It may be daunting, and it may seem impossible, but eventually, you have to choose.

virGo: pAGe of WAnds e AUGUsT 23 - sepTember 22 Tember

You’re bursting with ideas! You’ve spent this week dreaming and planning for the future. This is your sign to put those ideas into motion. As you prepare for the last few weeks of spring, remember that it’s not just the thought that counts.

sAGiTTAriUs: foUr of WAnds TTA november 22 - december 21 ovember

You’ve been a little out of your element, recently. Take some time to think on reminders of home, and ground yourself in the familiar. Reach out to an old friend, prepare a favorite recipe, or take a weekend trip back home. You need it.

pisces: ToWer W febrUAry 19 - mArch 20

These past few weeks have been full of surprises and upheaval. Look back for the things that have stayed constant: the things you’ve been able to rely on, and the people who’ve stayed by your side. These are the things that will provide you the stability you need amidst the uncertainty ahead.

Aries: emperor mArch 21 -

TAUrUs: hermiT rU ermiT April 20 - mAy 20

Gemini: KniGhT of WAnds Gh WA mAy 21 - JUne 20

Always have an escape plan!

Dating advice from The Highlander’s infamously and terminally single Opinions Editor, because coaches don’t play…

YSABEL NAKASONE

Opinions Editor

I don’t know how to tell my roommate about my feelings and that I’m interested in her. She’s leaving really soon and I know that I’m gonna miss her, but I can’t be 100% sure if she’s straight or not.

Anonymous

To be straight or not to be … The dilemma of lesbians with best friends everywhere. I recently watched a TikTok where this comedian, Ashley Gavin, was doing crowd work

talking to a girl who kissed her best friend with said girl sitting right next to her. These two actually kissed and even then the friend was on the fence about how she felt and, just watching, I knew that girl had to be going through the wringer emotionally. It really struck me that this is a somewhat universal experience, and the good thing about your situation is that you have a way to avoid total humiliation.

If your roommate is leaving, you’re on a clock. Take advantage of the fact that, if necessary, you never have to see

Embrace the outdoors

ASHLEY CARRANZA Contributing Writer

As midterms approach, escaping the confines of the library and embracing the outdoors can rejuvenate your spirit. Here are ten ways to infuse your college life with outdoor adventures.

1) Walk to class

If you’re a commuter or a student who walks to campus, skip the scooter and enjoy a refreshing walk to class. Arrive early to wander through campus and savor the scenic routes for a tranquil start to your day. One fun path you can explore is the grassy trail by Olmsted; once you’ve hit the art building, there’s a grass field with trees perfect for a picnic in between classes.

2) Eat outside

Enjoy your lunch break under the red umbrellas near the Highlander Union Building (HUB) or explore the serene garden by Orbach Library rather than eating in your car or at home. There are tables with charging outlets behind Coffee Bean, making it a great spot to study and eat.

3) Study outside

Utilize outdoor seating areas, like those near the Student Success Center (SSC), for a change of scenery while hitting the books. Although you run the risk of the wind blowing all of your papers away, the time in sunshine may keep you a little bit more peppy throughout your study session.

4) Hang out at the barn between classes

The Barn behind the Humanities building is a popular lunch spot near Lot 4. Its variety of food makes it the perfect spot to stop between classes, and drink refreshing

beverages to keep you cool in this hot weather. The patio makes it a perfect spot to catch up with friends over lunch, study and just chill between classes. And if you are a lover of live music, they often have bands perform during dinner time!

5) Facetime your friends

If you’re a bit shy, this one may come as a challenge to you. However, if you pick a quiet location outside to sit and chat with your long-distance friends, it may make the Facetime date even more enjoyable. While you’re at it, go for a walk around campus while you’re on Facetime to get some steps in.

6) Walk and listen

Take a stroll while listening to your favorite music or audiobooks using apps like Audible or Libby for a relaxing break from studying. Audible has just about every book on the market at your fingertips with a monthly subscription. I recommend downloading Libby, which is an app where you can check out e-books and audiobooks on your phone or iPad from your local library at no charge. You just need to sign up for a free library card if you don’t already have one. Reading large or dense books like “Dune” or “Midnight Sun” is time-consuming, but listening to the audiobook version is an easier task than sitting down and chugging through it all.

7) Take a neighborhood stroll

Venture around your neighborhood and embrace the sights and sounds of local life while soaking in the outdoors. Stare at the mountains. Romanticize life by pretend-

her again if you don’t want to. If you tell her right before she leaves and you find out she’s not interested, then you’ll be able to move on without having to do the awkward dance of pretending nothing happened. Once how you feel is out there, you need to be sure that the possible post-revelation situation is something you can live with. It’s up to you what you want to do, but know that chasing after straight women is literally a shortcut to being let down. Love someone who can love you back.

ing you are in a YouTube video narrating your life while walking around your neighborhood. Explore on foot what houses and streets are around you. Try something fun like playing I-spy or searching for odd sights along the way.

8) Go for a hike

After midterm week, schedule a day with a large group of friends or two and take a hike to the C! There are many trails around Riverside and the Inland Empire that make for beautiful adventures. If you have transportation and a full day available, go early on a Saturday or Sunday morning to the Hollywood Hills hike! This Los Angeles bucket list find will be worth the trip. Reward yourself with some Jamba after and take some pictures!

9) Relax at the beach

Join weekend beach socials organized by clubs like the Latino Business Student Association or the Running Club at UCR for a fun-filled day of sun, sea and relaxation. The warmer season is approaching, so take the opportunity to plan a lovely trip after many hours studying at the library.

10) Explore Downtown Riverside

One of the beautiful things about our college campus is its accessibility to the Downtown Riverside and the many museums and shops it has to offer. Take advantage of free transit to explore Downtown Riverside and its cafes, museums and bookstores or immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant art scene.

With these ten outdoor escapades, you can break free from the routine of campus life and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature.

A recipe for college success

NOLA PERIFEL Contributing Writer

As college students, preparing meals is probably one of the last things on our minds, however, it is also one of the most important things to do when living without a dining plan. There are many important things to consider when off the dining plan, such as grocery shopping, preparing lunches, preparing dinner, cooking balanced meals, finding meal inspiration, etc. …

First off, grocery shopping is very important when preparing meals. It’s important to prepare a grocery shopping list that is focused on planned meals for the week. If you are shopping just for yourself, it is clever to only buy the essentials, especially for college students who have parttime jobs. Look at the ingredients of the meals you are planning on cooking and add them to your list, choosing meals with similar base ingredients (eggs, milk, etc…) as to avoid buying too many different items that won’t be used across multiple recipes.

Another important thing to remember is to stay healthy. Eating balanced meals is very important to keep a healthy lifestyle. Eating microwavable and frozen food can be good once in a while to save you the trouble of cooking but it is best to stick to fresher foods. A balanced meal consists of 25% proteins to carry oxygen throughout your body and fuel your energy, 25% fiber or carbohydrates to promote heart health and 50% of fruits and vegetables as a form of vitamins for an overall healthy body. Here is a good example of a balanced meal: 25% rice, 25% salmon, chicken or another protein, 25% broccoli, green beans or vegetables of your choice and 25% of fruits with yogurt. It is also important to remember to add dairy to your diet to build bone strength.

a great coping skill when you are feeling overwhelmed because you get a feeling of

Rather than letting your tasks get ahead of you, prepare a meal schedule to organize

good suggestion is to sit down every weekend in your kitchen, before grocery shopping, and decide what you are cooking every night for your dinner and the lunch you will be eating the next day. Write down all of your planned meals on a piece of paper that you attach to your fridge so you don’t forget what you have planned and stick to your schedule. This way, every evening, you can cook your dinner and prepare tomorrow’s lunch.

Even though making food every night is time consuming, having specific “you time” to make whatever you want to eat can be very helpful as you can find peace within yourself. You are making something for you and forgetting your homework, classes and problems at that moment that you are taking for yourself. By creating a pattern and repeating this every night, you know for sure that you have some time to unwind and be by yourself.

Additionally, cooking can be very therapeutic. Obviously, cooking balanced meals helps promote your physical health, but cooking can also help your mental health. Cooking food for yourself can help soothe stress and relax because you are focusing your mind on a specific and great-smelling task. Knowing what you are putting in your body also makes you feel better overall and can even make you happier as you have control over your diet. You can also feel more free in the decision making process of your meals. Cooking can be

control over what you are making. You can choose to follow the recipe or not and you can make your own delectable cooking creation.

them ahead of time. Cooking your food every day can be time consuming but knowing

what you are going to cook beforehand can be reassuring and takes much less time. A

On the other hand, being too repetitive can get boring, so you can also make preparing meals more fun! If you cook with your friends and make a movie-themed dinner, it can make cooking so much more interesting and exciting. If you cook with a romantic partner, it can also be a sweet date night that you spend together, laughing and preparing food as a couple. Preparing a meal does not only have to be for you and it does not only have to be time for yourself because the amazing thing about cooking is that you can share it or keep it to yourself, depending on your mood.

Cooking does not have to be a hassle — it can also be something fun and entertaining that you can do for yourself or that you can share with friends and family. Although cooking is not the highest priority in college, it does not only contribute to your physical health, but also to your mental health. If you have fun preparing your food, it can be a pleasant activity to lower your stress levels and calm you down after a long day. ■ H

Ranking the ‘Star Wars’ films in The Skywalker Saga RadaR

In a major pop culture pheno over the ranking of the epi

menon comes many debates c space opera franchise.

KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

The informal fan-made holiday, “Star Wars Day” is celebrated annually on May 4. The date centers around a pun on the commonly used phrase in the franchise, “May the force be with you.” The wide fictional universe created by George Lucas has become one of the highest-grossing franchises with a dedicated fan base. “Star Wars” has expanded to various branches through multiple films, TV series, novels, video games and so on. At the forefront of the franchise is The Skywalker Saga — here is a ranking of the nine films.

9. “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)

In the conclusion to the sequel trilogy, the final film was highly anticipated. The two preceding films set questions that fans were dying to have answered such as who Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) parents were and what Kylo Ren’s (Adam Driver) fate was going to be. However, fans walked out of the theater disappointed. While the questions were answered, they messily unraveled the lore that had been carefully woven throughout the original and prequel trilogies. The last film was terribly written and played out as nostalgia bait, leaving a bad taste in “Star Wars” fans’ mouths.

8. “Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (2017)

Close to last place, “The Last Jedi” is disliked by many “Star Wars” fans for good reason. Despite being a major film in the Skywalker Saga, nothing moves forward. The movie felt stagnant and like a waste of time; no moments were worth positively noting. On the other hand, the film is majorly disappointing in how it deconstructs the beloved character, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). His character from the sequel trilogy is now a pessimistic, old man, far from the character developed from the original trilogy. Additionally, many plot holes were created, leading audiences to

scratch their heads.

7. “Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015)

The sequel’s first film in the trilogy, “The Force Awakens” had a lot of potential as it would be distributed under the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Ten years after the release of the prequel trilogy, many fans were looking forward to the franchise’s return. The trilogy started on a high, with a plotline and questions that fans were eager to see unfold and answered in the movies to come. However, these would later become plot holes or lose their potential from bad writing. Although loved characters such as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford) came back in the sequel, fans were unfortunately never able to see them all have a moment together.

6. “Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999)

While not everyone likes the prequel trilogy, its films stand above the sequel trilogy. The prequel succeeds in its goal to expand on the story before the original trilogy. As a result, audiences learn more about Jedis and how the galactic universe works. The world-building makes much of the film, which can come across as boring for audiences compared to other “Star Wars” films. However, it does introduce a new world that is full of excitement and brings the creative imagination of George Lucas to the screen. “The Phantom Menace” does not have much going for the film except for the epic battle at the end of the film between Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) against Darth Maul (Ray Park).

5. “Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002)

Most of the prequel’s lackluster qualities lie in its bad computer-generated im-

agery (CGI) and often awkward dialogue. This is especially true for “Attack of the Clones.” The CGI is so blatantly obvious that it’s hard to appreciate the film by itself. Additionally, the dialogue, especially between Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) and Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman), feels cringeworthy as the two’s romance starts to blossom. However, the film does have a more concise plot that bridges between “The Phantom Menace” and leads into the “Star Wars” series, “The Clone Wars.” The biggest highlight was Obi-Wan Kenobi and McGregor’s acting and character delivery. The background given also feeds into “Star Wars” fans’ hunger for lore and backstory.

4. “Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977)

“A New Hope” started the entire “Star Wars” franchise and was an instant success among audiences back then and even today. While audiences watching today will see that the cinematography is not exactly the best, however, for the film to come out in the 70s shows how ahead of its time “Star Wars” was. The film introduces the various characters that have since become iconic and does so in a way that gathers all of the audience’s attention. Additionally, with its soundtrack that has also become emblematic, there are many pop culture references to arise from not only “A New Hope,” but also the entire original trilogy.

3. “Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)

Loved by many, “The Empire Strikes Back” was a wide cultural phenomenon with abundant highlights throughout the film. It had beautiful cinematography that was once again way ahead of its time. “Episode V” was very character-heavy, developing them in a way that has the audiences fall in love with them and their growth. This became especially true with Luke

Skywalker, as audiences can see him in a way that amps up the anticipation for the final film and makes it even more satisfying. There were also plenty of iconic moments such as the scene when Leia Organa professes her love to Han Solo before he is frozen in carbonite and when Darth Vader’s made the shocking revelation to Luke that he is his father.

2. “Episode VI – Return of the Jedi” (1983)

Concluding the original trilogy is “Return of the Jedi.” From start to finish, the film is extremely well done, tying up the story seamlessly. After the past two films, the set-up for “Return of the Jedi” is high, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and eager to see how the story unfolds. The characters on their own and when paired all together are unmatched as the actors’ performances and chemistry with each other is a major highlight of the film. The film is a redemption arc for the Skywalker family that satisfies all fans.

1. “Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005)

A major favorite among fans, the last film in the prequel trilogy garnered major success for its plot, cinematography and performances from the actors. Although a lot of the prequel trilogy has been known to have bad CGI, “Episode III” improved beyond the first two films. The history and lore are shown dramatically in a way that has audiences’ eyes glued to the screen. The execution of the film as audiences were anticipating the downfall of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader was a compelling sight and the performance of all actors uplifts the film and makes it an intense watch. Additionally, the amount of memes and quotable moments born from this film alone is endless, solidifying it as an iconic movie to this day.

‘Turtles All the Way Down’: A lesson in loving and prevailing

NEORAH DAVIS

Photo Editor

The newest John Green story brought to screen will leave you teary and full of hope.

Directed by Hannah Marks, “Turtles All the Way Down” is a faithful adaptation of John Green’s 2017 novel about a teen with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In the movie’s emotionally charged opening sequence, Aza (Isabella Merced) informs her therapist that she’d “kill to be like normal people.” Already, we’ve gotten a glimpse into Aza’s mind, her intense fixation on bacteria conveyed through the b-roll of the organisms as seen through a microscope, punctuated with crackling electronic sound. This fixation permeates every aspect of her life; Marks tactfully inserts such sequences, alongside narrated internal monologue, into various scenes throughout the movie, allowing the viewer to empathize with Aza profoundly.

Externally, Aza’s life looks like a typical 16-year-old’s. She spends many of her waking hours with her best friend Daisy (Cree Cicchino), at school, in Aza’s bedroom or at Applebee’s. It is in this fast-casual dining establishment that the pair first learns about the disappearance of a famous area billionaire, Davis Pickett Sr.; Aza attended summer camp as a kid with his son. Daisy is thrilled at the prospect of earning the $100,000 reward for locating him and convinces Aza to help her investigate. Their investigation leads them onto the Picketts’ expansive property, where Aza is reunited with Davis

Jr. (Felix Mallard). The mystery surrounding his father’s disappearance then takes a backseat — a pleasant departure from the novel’s substantial focus on it — as the movie explores a romance between Aza and Davis.

Aza is hesitant about pursuing this relationship at first, fearing her thought spirals will get in the way of authentic intimacy, but the ever-supportive Daisy encourages her to lean in anyways. It is because of Daisy’s encouragement that the anxious protagonist is able to enjoy some carefree, glee-filled moments as she gets to know Davis, despite interludes of intrusive thoughts. Marks proves to be adept at bringing the Gen-Z teenage experience to life on screen; the text exchanges between Davis and Aza are especially realistic, as is the way Aza exuberantly reacts to his flirtatious words in the privacy of her room. Even outside of their dynamic, the movie depicts many moments of pure joy, the kind that is uniquely felt in youth — and its quintessential pop soundtrack certainly contributes. That said, the dialogue and production design is predictably emblematic of the straight-to-streaming teen romance genre, always feeling a little contrived.

What’s unexpected is the level of emotional depth this movie is able to support. In addition to a persistent fear of infection, Aza articulates a feeling that she doesn’t know

if she’s real. She resists taking medication for her OCD to preserve the parts of her chemistry that make her, her; she is wary of accepting a substance that promises to override her natural thoughts, further blurring the line between self and intruder. At a turning point in the movie, Aza gets stuck in her thoughts after finally allowing herself to kiss Davis despite microbe-related reservations. She can’t handle the fact that his potentially infectious saliva lingers in her mouth, and must feed drastic compulsions to calm her mind. Aza subsequently opens up to Davis about what she is going through. What could be an empowering moment, a chance for connection through vulnerability, instead feels like a reckoning. This is confirmation to Aza that she is not capable of functioning in a romantic relationship, perhaps any relationship, without her mind’s interference. Ensuing events send her lower and lower.

Merced is cast perfectly as Aza; she portrays the character’s internal strife with incredible rawness. Similarly, Judy Reyes gives a standout performance as Aza’s mom, a widow trying to do right by her daughter but plagued by a feeling of helplessness, as she can’t free Aza from her thoughts. It is the chemistry between the two that makes the movie’s darkest moments so palpable. It’s also Aza’s mom who helps her walk steadily toward the light again, reminding

her daughter of the strength she sees and admires in her.

“Turtles All the Way Down” handles the topic of OCD and mental illness without sensationalizing it nor overwhelming the viewer with despair. The way Marks weaves an audio-visual representation of Aza’s disorder with the narrative conveys the extent to which OCD disrupts the day-to-day functioning of an individual who lives with it. The disorder is examined internally, rather than through its effects, straying from what one might expect from a movie with similar subject material. This treatment may in part be because of the PG-13 audience it caters to, but is also a testament to Marks’ directorial voice, which does push the envelope in some areas. Though this movie is far from a masterpiece, its messages prevail long after the credits roll. This is for anyone who’s felt like they’ve been going it alone. ■ H

Verdict:

Though not without its shortcomings, “Turtles All the Way Down” is worth a watch for its poignant portrayal of a mental illness.

Love, from the murderous, the forbidden to the cybernetic

Five unconventional romance movies.

“Decision To Leave” (2022) Investigating the death of a man, detective Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) monitors the primary suspect Seo-rae (Tang Wei) in what could be a black widow case. Seo-rae’s beauty seduces Hae-jun through her seeming compassion for him, putting him in a stupor as the detective is in a committed but loveless marriage. Apart from the possible manipulation at play, Seo-rae is the most beguiling aspect of the film portrayed to be caregiving, but also contains a side of herself that has an intense desire to be the subject of voyeuristic love and scrutiny. The two’s love is intricate as it is convoluted — sensual but chaste, going beyond words and residing in gazes — and it is best imagined as a cat and mouse chase. It’s a knotty and fetishistic noose that director Park Chan Wook constructs by reworking the fatal attraction trope into what is his most fascinating approach to sexuality.

By Luke Liao, Staff Writer

“Her” (2013)

The near future of “Her” has grown closer each year since its release in 2013. For now, the story of Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), who falls in love with the sentient artificial intelligence (AI) operating system, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johnans son), remains large science fiction. Their connection is ex pressed in complex ways, from Saman tha composing a piano piece as a symbol for their love to a complicated surrogatevirtual sex scene, concerning a material and immaterial being, knows no bounds. The result is tough and tender, reflecting on how the need for connection may transcend flesh and blood, displaying how humans find solace in technology while recognizing the limitations of such connections.

“Two in the Shadow” (1967)

The heart wants what the heart wants in Mikio Naruse’s final film. Shiro (Yūzō Kayama) accidentally kills Ayako’s (Mitsuko Kusabue) husband in a fatal car accident. Guilt-ridden and in an act of self-retribution, Shiro delivers the widow monthly payments that he isn’t legally obliged to pay. As much as they are repelled by the idea, the two meet more and more and realize their feelings for another. The time spent together, which begins as transactional and steely, naturalizes into something deeply affectionate yet never quite free of the past. The impossible situation that binds and haunts man and woman is dubious to say the least. Beneath the melodrama exterior is a stinging depiction of forbidden love, imposed more by the individual, not society, and an understanding of second chances.

“Badlands” (1973)

“Phantom Thread” (2017) Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis) has neurosis; it makes him a master of his haute couture craft, but it also shrivels him into a dreadful partner in any relationship. So, when Alma (Vicky Krieps) becomes the tailor’s muse and lover, she soon falls under the mercy of his domineering and unspoken threat of being outed from his fashion house. However, Alma is strong-willed and, more than anybody, seems to know the complicated man best. With this pushback, “Phantom Thread” slowly ripens into a tale of codependent love where the dependency and roles of dominance are willingly given up and accepted. And by centering these gambits around ornate dresses and bucolic settings, the barbed remarks and power plays become strangely bewitching.

Like “Bonnie and Clyde” before it and countless films after it, “Badlands” concerns lovers on the run. Kit (Martin Sheen) is 26, a war veteran who echoes James Dean not just in looks, but in identity, grappling with social estrangement. Holly (Sissy Spacek) is 15 and a conventional American teenager and, through voice-over, looks back at her time with Kit. Together, the two roam the barren outskirts of Montana without purpose and without a destination in mind. It’s here that Kit begins a killing spree, in cold blood and seemingly originating from nowhere. Less interested in narrative and more in the evocation of feeling, director Terrance Malick tells a strangely divine, unmistakably American story where everything from nature, violence and romance must run its course.

‘Mushoku

Tensei: Job-

less Reincarnation’

is the next fantasy showstopper

For the spring season, what seems to be in the cards for anime fans are continuing fantasy series with powerhouses such as “KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! 3,” “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3” and “The Misfit of Demon King Academy II Part 2.” Amongst these highly anticipated series is arguably the progenitor of all fantasy anime, the second part of the second season of “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation.” Written by a Japanese novelist under the pen name Rifujin na Magonote, the work first started as a self-published internet web novel and earned a press release under Media Factory as a light novel series accompanied with illustrations by Shirotaka. A manga adaptation of the light novel by comic artist Yuka Fujikawa ensued in the June 2014 issue of Monthly Comic Flapper and the anime television series adaptation was then produced by Studio Bind in January 2021. The most recent part of the series premiered on April 7, 2024, with 25 planned episodes and a special episode, it can be watched on Crunchyroll.

“Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” is commonly referred to as the series that popularized one of anime’s most notorious subgenres of fantasy: Isekai (translated to ‘another world’ or ‘other world’ in English). These works revolve around a displaced character who is transported and forced to survive in a different world — these worlds can be fantastical or video-game-like (sometimes, a fusion of both).

In “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation,” the story centers around an underachieved, bullied 34-year-old man who was evicted from his house after skipping out on the funeral service for both of his parents. Afterward, he comes to the conclusion that his life is meaningless, yet, in his last attempt to become a better person, he intercepts a truck furiously heading towards a group of teenagers, in which he is able to save one of them. In his death, he reincarnates as a baby in a world of magic and fantasy, complete with swordsmen, elves and dragons. Given the name Rudeus Greyrat (Yumi Uchiyama), he resolutes to make his new chance at life count, creating strong bonds with his family and discovering his affinity for sorcery.

The first season received critical acclaim, garnering a plethora of nominations for the fantasy category and Anime of the Year awards, to no one’s surprise. Studio Bind struck it out of the park with its fluid, enchanting and dynamic animation, breathing life into every spell Rudeus conjures, every heavy sword and spear clash and every meticulous fight movement. This aspect only served to enhance the already compelling narrative of the series as Rudeus navigates familial complications, his past traumas before his reincarnation and, most significantly, a region-wide disaster known as a “Mana calamity” that forcefully teleported citizens to random locations of the world, which lead to innumerous deaths and Rudeus to be teleported in the most dangerous region: the Demon continent.

However, where the first season of “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation” went full throttle with its action with gorgeous animation, the second season took an entire u-turn from this direction. It opts for a slower pace and takes its time dissecting Rudeus’ reliving of his past trauma through having a character that he gave his heart and soul to leave him after their first night together. This damage to him is explored thoroughly and this approach to telling his story takes precedence over what fans fell in love with in the first season — the dynamic fight scenes and fast-paced narrative.

The first half “Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2,” while interesting and captivating in its own way, is too slow. Each episode feels lethargic and drawn out with payoffs that feel too small and, worse, predictable. The show becomes too linear and many side plots become almost forgettable. And while a new cast of characters would normally be welcomed as a fresh source of new dilemmas and stories to follow, the new narratives are sadly uninteresting — excluding that of Nanahoshi Shizuka (Shion Wakayama) who is revealed to also be from Japan and was one of the teenagers that tragically died from the accident that the 34-year-old Rudeus tried to intervene in.

Highly anticipated by anime fans, this reincarnation story shows that it has more to offer in its renewal.

By Brendan Vo, Radar Editor

It is enthralling when Rudeus and Nanohoshi interact with one seeing their reincarnation as a blessing and a second chance at life and the other seeing it as a curse, forcing themselves to forge an inter-dimensional path back home.

Amidst that, the now latter half finally focuses on what was missing from the first half — the payoffs of established storylines. While the pacing initially resembles the familiar slowness, the story finally finds its characters developing and changing with Rudeus starting a married life, Nanohoshi bonding with Rudeus and taking steps towards her goal and a promise for more action evident from its opening sequence that shows Rudeus taking up arms to venture into a dangerous labyrinth with former allies to save his mom, a story that was put on the backburner from season one.

VERDICT: The second half of season two of ‘Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation’ promises to reconcile the mistakes of the first half with more fervor and interest in its existing narratives and a promise for more action.

THE HIGHLANDERS BASEBALL CAN’T KEEP UP WITH UNLV IN 13-7 LOSS

By: ISAAC SOLNICK, STAFF WRITER

On Tuesday, the 12-26 (3-15) University of California, Riverside (UCR) Highlanders hosted the 23-20 (10-14) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels of the Mountain West Conference. Exactly one week before this game, the two teams played each other in Las Vegas. In that match, the Rebels lit up the scoreboard against the High- landers until the game was ended prematurely via mercy rule.

After the home series against UCI, the Highlanders lost four straight games on the bounce. The smallest margin of defeat was eight runs in those four games. The Highlanders needed to show some fight in the rematch against UNLV before conference play picked up again.

UCR’s pitching would continue to be an issue. Fol- lowing the game against UNLV, the Highland- ers hosted the No. 12 ranked UC Irvine (UCI) Anteaters in conference play. In the three game series, the Anteaters scored a combined 42 runs as the Highlanders were swept at home.

In the first inning, UNLV’s graduate designated hitter Austin Kryszczuk and junior outfielder Cole Koniarsky of the Highlanders traded solo home runs. In the top of the second, Rebels junior shortstop Brendan O’Sullivan knocked another solo home run over the left field wall.

The early runs were a sign of things to come. The Highlanders propelled themselves into the lead after a flurry of hits in the bottom of the second. It also helped that senior pitcher Noah Carbajal of the Rebels struggled with his accuracy in the long inning. for the Highlanders.

Juniors Jayden Lopez and Bubba Rocha were hit by the former Long Beach State pitcher. A two runs batted in (RBI) double from junior shortstop Zachary Chamizo followed up by an RBI single from Koniarsky capped off a five run inning for the Highlanders. Carbajal finished the rough inning, but he was relieved immediately after. UNLV’s relievers did a really good job of neutralizing the Highlanders offense. Notably, freshman pitcher Dylan Rogers threw three shutout innings without giving up a hit. With the Rebels bullpen shutting down the Highlanders, it was up to the UCR pitching and defense to see out the game.

The Highlanders got off to a great start defensively in the third inning. Rebels junior third baseman Isaac Rodriguez was picked off at first to end the inning early.

UNLV Rebels bullpen work together to put out the early fire

With all the momentum on their side, UCR held a tight grip on this game. However, in the next few innings, the game would start to slip away.

First, junior outfielder Kade Higgins scored on a sac fly in the fourth. Then, Higgins earned a walk with the bases loaded in the fifth. After a two RBI single from senior outfielder Alex Pimental, the game was tied at six a piece. Before the Highlanders were out of the inning, Higgins scored on another sac fly to take the lead back.

While the Rebels were heating up, the UCR bats went cold. Rogers was followed up by Junior Albert Roblez. Roblez, a former Riverside City College Tigers pitcher, threw another shutout inning before being relieved.

UCR MEN’S GOLF TEAM CONCLUDES ITS SEASON AT THE BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS

BY: TERRY NGUYEN, CW

The 2024 Big West Men’s Golf Championship took place April 28-30, at La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, California. The Highlanders concluded their season, as they did not qualify for the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I Men’s Golf Championship.

In the Individual Tournament, senior Mark Gao led the way for the Highlanders, shooting +8 in the three day, 54-hole tournament, 74-7476.

Chanhee Ryu, sophomore, and Josh Hu, fifth-year, round out the top three scorers for the Highlanders, shooting +12 and +13 respectively.

Cal State Fullerton’s Tegan Andrews took home the individual title at La Quinta Community College, finishing 14-under par, four strokes clear of runner-up, Clay Seeber of LBSU. “It was a tough battle, [and] Clay Seeber is a great competitor,” An- drews said following his win. “I think the thing it took was taking note of my breathing, not getting too quick and taking big, deep breaths. That kept me in it, kept me poised, kept me centered, [and] I was able to hit some really good drives and clutch shots in the right moments.”

Long Beach State Takes the Team Title, while Tegan Andrews (CSUF) Wins the Individual Tournament

In the seventh, Pimental cranked the ball over the fence. His three run home run extended the Rebels lead to four.

Highlanders junior third baseman Rudy Rodriguez IV hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, but three runs from the Rebels in the ninth put the game out of reach. Senior pitcher Matthew Maloney closed out a 13-7 victory for the visitors.

With the loss, the Highlanders dropped to 12-27 (3-15). UCR will stay at home and host a weekend series against Cal State Bakersfield. In their remaining games, the Highlanders will need to keep their opponents off the scoreboard. They can’t expect to win many more

Long Beach State successfully defended their champion ship in 2023 by taking home the team championship in 2024, as they shot a cumulative 14-under par over the 54 holes. Cal State Fullerton and Cal Poly SLO round out the top three, shooting 10-under and 2-under par respectively. “I’m just proud of the team, everyone fought,” Seeber said following his individual runner-up at the tournament. “Me personally, I had a good week, [you] always want to win, but second isn’t horrible and we have some stuff we need to improve.”

The Beach will get the opportunity to showcase their improvements, along with individual champion, Tegan Andrews, as they qualified for the NCAA Regional Qualifying Tournaments. The Beach will tee it up at the Chapel Hill Regional, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Tegan Andrews will take his talents to San Diego, competing in the Rancho Santa Fe Regional. Both Regionals will take place May 13-15, and will determine who moves onto the finals, being held May 24-29 at Omni LaCosta Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA.

Sumaya Khoury/The Highlander