Volume 73, Issue 8 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

OPINIONS

“I don’t feel safe as a Black woman in this country under his Presidency...”

See Page 6 for UCR Students’ Opinions on Trump’s Second Presidency

Gov. Newsom’s special sessions provide hope for an uncertain future under Trump

CALIFORNIA’S SPECIAL SESSIONS TO COMBAT THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOW THAT THE STATE WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM THE EROSION OF RIGHTS UNDER ANOTHER TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

changes under Trump. By taking these measures, California is setting an example of how state-level protections can safeguard residents during a time of shifting interests.

Executive cabinet and staff nominations

OFFICIALS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR LEADING UP TO RATIFICATIONS

MATA ELANGOVAN

Managing Editor

As of publication, there have been 27 individuals that president-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated or assembled to serve in his cabinet, or in other senior positions during his second term. Here are the confirmed and prospective nominees for each of the positions.

JD Vance - Vice President

Prior to his nomination as President-elect Trump’s choice of vice president, Vance had been serving as senator in Ohio

since the 2022 elections. At only 40 years old, the junior senator was the first millennial pick on the presidential train. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr. Trump announced “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the great state of Ohio.”

Following the Nov. 5 election, California Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session on Dec. 2 for lawmakers to prepare the state’s defenses against potential policy changes under the new Trump administration. California has frequently taken a more progressive stance on policies than the federal government on major issues including environmental protection, immigration and reproductive rights.

For example, Gov. Newsom has been a leading proponent of California’s progressive policies with executive orders, including his plan to achieve net zero carbon pollution by 2045. In fact, the state of California has been a progressive leader for all issues on the national stage.

Because of Project 2025, an initiative pushing for conservative policies, California faces potential harm. Trump’s agenda conflicts with California’s policy goals by aiming to roll back protections in areas the state has been leading in. His plans specifically aim to weaken climate regulations, limit healthcare access and undermine rights for marginalized communities.

For example, Project 2025 proposes restructuring the Department of Health and Human Services to reduce federal influence on healthcare decisions, especially those related to reproductive health and public health standards. These plans would impact California’s Medicaid program by adding work requirements and benefit caps, which could potentially reduce coverage for lowincome residents

Project 2025 also suggests...

Video Games and Female Solidarity

GAMES THAT HIGHLIGHT FEMALE REPRESENTATION AND EMPOWERMENT AMIDST OUTCOMES OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

TRACI MAI MITCHELL

Contributing Writer

In light of the recent political uproar of the 2024 election, video games arise as a form of community and female empowerment. Turning to video games as a form of comfort, a handful of women in the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and the Riverside community share their experiences in the gaming community.

The involvement of women in the gaming community has been increasing rapidly over recent years. Still, as of 2022,

men continue to reign dominant in most aspects of gaming. There are many factors that potentially explain the reasons for this gendered dominance: time management, discrimination, domestic duties, etc. According to research found in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Of American video game players, 45% are female.”

While it is true that video games have been a space wellaccessed by men for a longer amount of time than women...

LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

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Executive cabinet and staff nominations

OFFICIALS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR LEADING UP TO RATIFICATIONS

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

Asof publication, there have been 27 individuals that president-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated or assembled to serve in his cabinet, or in other senior positions during his second term. Here are the confirmed and prospective nominees for each of the positions.

JD Vance - Vice President

Prior to his nomination as President-elect Trump’s choice of vice president, Vance had been serving as senator in Ohio since the 2022 elections. At only 40 years old, the junior senator was the first millennial pick on the presidential train. On his social media platform, Truth Social, Mr. Trump announced “After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the great state of Ohio.”

Susie Wiles - Chief of Staff Nominated as President-elect Trump’s chief of staff, Wiles originally served as his Florida campaign director in 2016 to his senior campaign adviser for the 2024 election. Succeeding a long line of previous chief of staffs in the previous Trump administration, Wiles is said to be “tough, smart, innovative, and is universally admired and respected,” by the President-elect himself. Trump further shares, “It is a well deserved honor to have Susie as the first-ever female Chief of Staff in United States history. I have no doubt that she will make our country proud.”

Thomas Homan - Border Czar

Returning to serve in the second Trump administration, Homan who had previously served as senior immigration official is once again in charge of borders and security as the “border czar.” Not much information was provided about the position on Trump’s announcement on Truth Social, where he shared, “I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all deportation of illegal aliens back to their country of origin. Congratula-

tions to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for job.”

Michael Waltz - National Security Advisor

Fl. Representative Michael Waltz was the second House member to be selected for the Trump administration. As national security advisor, Waltz would be navigating various international conflicts, such as the Ukraine-Russia wars. Touting experience as a combat-decorated Green Beret who served across the Middle East, Waltz will succeed four other national security advisors from Trump’s first administration. Holding a steadfast stance on the Ukraine-Russia war, Waltz commented, “Stopping Russia before it draws NATO and therefore the U.S. into war is the right thing to do. But the burden cannot continue to be solely on the shoulders of the American people, especially while Western Europe gets a pass.”

Elon Musk & Vivek Ramaswamy - Government Efficiency

Former Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and Tesla and X owner Elon Musk were turned to by President-elect Donald J. Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency. Designating Musk and Ramaswamy as leaders of this era’s “Manhattan Project,” they are set to “provide advice and guidance from outside of the government.” While no such department exists at the moment, this department is said to be the catalyst of change “throughout the government with major cuts and new efficiencies in bloated agencies in the federal bureaucracy by July 4, 2026.”

In a statement, Trump shared, “a smaller Government, with

more efficiency and less bureaucracy, will be the perfect gift to America on the 250th Anniversary of The Declaration of Independence.” However, he did not address how Musk would handle this position without issues of conflicts of interest, as Musk would be overseeing and managing agencies that regulate his own companies.

In addition to these individuals, there are a handful of other cabinet and senior positions that require no confirmation. These include: James Blair, Taylor Budowich, Stephen Miller and Dan Scavino for deputy chief of staff, Bill Mc-

Ginley as White House Counsel, Steven Cheung as communications director, Karoline Leavitt as press secretary, Will Scharf as staff secretary and Sergio Gor as personnel. As of now, there are 12 positions announced that require Senate confirmation. These positions will begin to be confirmed beginning January.

Fl. Senator Marco Rubio was nominated for secretary of state, Fl. congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general, Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, S.D. Gov. Kristi Noem for homeland security secretary, former TX congressman John Ratcliffe, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, former congressman Lee Zeldin for Environmental Protection Agency administrator, House member Elise Stefanik for United Nations ambassador, Robert F. Kennedy for health and human services secretary, N.D. Gov. Doug Burgum for interior secretary, former Ga. house representative Doug Collins for veterans affair secretary and Chris Right for energy secretary.

ELON MUSK AND VIVEK (COURTESY OF FMT)

KRISTI NOEM (COURTESY OF FLICKR)

Demystifying Ozempic

FROM INSULIN REGULATOR TO WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION

Ozempic, a weight loss drug that has exploded in use across America, has joined a list of treatments that started with benign intentions and evolved into a reflection of the modern weight loss and body image issue problems. The drug was originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the body is not able to regulate insulin properly, primarily affecting adult populations.

The creation of Ozempic was due to pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk’s Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drug that used manipulated GLP-1 receptors in the brain suppressing appetite. This worked more efficiently in regards to weight loss than Byetta, the first version of the drug. However, as people found

the daily injections needed to make the drug work unappealing, a longer-lasting drug was developed and approved. This drug is now known as Ozempic.

Ozempic, unlike earlier versions of the drug, functions as a single weekly injection as opposed to requiring multiple injections in a week. The company aimed to create a drug which mimics “a naturally occurring hormone” which signals to the brain that the body is “full” and slows digestion “by increasing the time it takes for the food to leave the body. [The process yields results] similar to the effect of bariatric surgery.” Ozempic is not approved for weight loss; it’s a semaglutide containing partner Wegovy. However, Ozempic, unlike

Wegovy, is often covered by health insurance.

Out of pocket, the drug costs about $1,400 a month, which is an issue for many to consider, especially given that once stopped, most people gain back all the lost weight within a year. A woman who relied on the medication for her weight loss found herself unable to buy Ozempic after she changed jobs, which also meant changing insurance plans. Without Ozempic, she would have had to rely on buying a multitude of drugs rather than a single injection weekly.

Dr. Marcus Schabacker, CEO of the Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI), an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to “safety, quality and cost-effectiveness of care across all healthcare settings,” spoke in regards to stigmas around obesity stating that “we would not ask someone who has hypertension to just do exercises and change your diet and then you will be fine. No, we give them beta blockers. It’s not different here. Exercise and diet are key components of tackling obesity, but so are medications which have proven to be effective.”

However in regards to what the drug is being marketed as, many

online pharmacies, medical spas, and diet clinics are advertising Wegovy and Ozempic as something that many of their clients could benefit from. As of June 2023, it surpassed the erectile dysfunction medication, Viagra, when it came to mentions on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. This is after Facebook’s controversy of knowingly contributing to body image issues and eating disorders in young women. Yet, demand for the drug has risen so much that it is currently in a shortage.

All of this, in addition to the weight loss and diet culture that has become popularized on social media and contributed to Ozempic transforming into a weight loss medication. Dr. Rekha Kumar explains how many people on social media tout weight loss medication as a positive start to a weight loss journey that ends with increased self control and dieting that doesn’t involve the medication. She further elaborates that the medication is for treating the medical aspect of obesity, not for use as a cosmetic procedure. Many of the people applying for the medication don’t need it and many face problems if they need surgery or want to become pregnant, creating problems with longterm use.

Funding priorities lead to tuition increase

SEVENTH ASUCR MEETING FEATURES UPDATES ON UC-WIDE BUDGETING

On Nov. 13, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) discussed the UC 20252026 budget adjustments from the Office of the President. Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA) Vivian Herrera explained that this proposed budget is meant to address “University’s funding needs and priorities in advance of the Governor’s January State budget proposal for the next fiscal year.”

There are three main recommendations proposed by UC President Michael Drake. Increase non-California resident tuition for incoming students, a new proposed budget for current operations and a request for one-time State funding of

$1.36 billion for facilities renewal, enrollment growth, and clean energy.

The first solution would increase the undergraduate nonresident supplemental tuition (NRST) from $34,200 to $37,602. This would be a $3,402 increase per quarter. This proposed increase is meant to “enhance affordability and student success.”

VPEA Herrera condemned this proposal, claiming that it targeted undocumented students and decreased accessibility to higher education for other marginalized groups.

Following this proposed solution, the Office of the President also explained their outlined budget for the 2025-

2026 academic year in four main categories. By sustaining the core operations, the University believes that it can “expand access to students from all backgrounds, ensure an affordable experience, and maintain the educational quality enjoyed by generations of students.” The second category is faculty and staff. With an increased budget, the University could compensate their faculty and staff in a way that supports the transmission of knowledge in a safe environment. The final two categories are a ladder-ranked faculty program and managing competition between universities.

The final solution described is a $1.36 billion grant from the state. Providing context for

the budget plan, previously in May 2022, the Governor and the University had entered into a multi-year Compact that increased State support for shared goals between the Governor and the University. Under this compact, there is an annual “base budget adjustment of five percent,” which began for the 2023-2024 academic year though the 20262027 academic year. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also has the opportunity to “consider annual requests for one-time funding for the University, particularly to support capital projects in energy efficiency, seismic renewal, and deferred maintenance.”

SANJANA THATTE News Editor

DINARA GODAGE Assistant News Editor

OZEMPIC (COUTESY OF FLICKR)

Op-Ed: Letter by University of California students, faculty, staff and alumni concerning California’s role in the second Trump administration

By Harry Stoltz

Harry Stoltz is a fourth-year pure mathematics major at UCR. Harry is looking forward to pursuing a PhD in mathematics. He is the Vice President of the Pacific Math Alliance chapter at UCR. You can contact him at his email: hstol001@ucr.edu.

(This piece was shortened to fit publishing requirements in the Highlander. Read the full letter at sites.google.com/ view/ucletter.)

We, the undersigned, are concerned students, faculty and alumni in California’s University of California (UC) system. Our 10 campuses are home to 295,573 students, 25,000 faculty members and over 2 million alumni. We are committed to protecting our diverse community and are deeply concerned about the future of our country.

The state of California is uniquely positioned to act as a bulwark against the upcoming Trump administration. We continue to be the world’s fifth largest economy and our cultural impact is larger than that of most countries.

As such, we must use this opportunity to present an alternative to the Trump administration. Our next President has derided immigrants as “poisoning the blood of our country,” promotes misinformation about vaccines and after refusing to concede the 2020 election, led what scholars characterize as an attempted insurrection. We have a federal system in the United States — individual states have broad autonomy, and we need to embolden our leaders to use the power granted to them by our Constitution. It is encouraging to see that Gov. Newsom has already called a special session in

the California state legislature to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” It is critical to show our support.

Erosion of Democracy

Prior to the 2020 election, the Trump campaign promoted misinformation surrounding mail-in voting. In a Sept. 29 debate with then-candidate Joe Biden, Trump said, “This is going to be a fraud like you’ve never seen.”

On the night of the election, President Trump took to television and claimed the election had been stolen from him. In fact, Trump has claimed fraud in

sulted in the deaths of six people and hundreds injured — including an officer who had his eye gouged out by a rioter. Ultimately, the Jan. 6 attacks delayed the certification of the vote by multiple hours and 147 Republican lawmakers in the house voted “no” on certification.

Instead of denouncing the rioters, Trump has embraced them. Last year, he recorded a rendition of the national anthem, “Justice for All,” with a group of rioters sentenced to prison time for their role in the insurrection. Trump has said he will pardon the rioters, and calls it “a day of love.” To put it blunt-

CALIFORNIA MUST ACT AS A BULWARK AGAINST THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND PROTECT ITS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND DEMOCRATIC VALUES.

every election for the last eight years: 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and now again in 2024.

Ahead of Jan. 6, the date when Congress certified the electoral votes, Trump’s administration organized false slates of electors and sent them to seven state capitols in key swing-states to create chaos. The Former President urged his own Vice President, Mike Pence, to reject the real electors sent to congress and to violate the Electoral Count Act. When it became clear that Pence would not comply, Former President Trump instigated 10,000 of his supporters to break into Capitol grounds, and 800 supporters to enter the building. The ensuing violence re-

ly, this is disqualifying behavior for a president.

Mass Deportations

Some of the most pernicious attacks by Donald Trump have been directed at the millions of undocumented immigrants who live in the United States. It is estimated that over 1.85 million reside in California, and at least 600 are enrolled in the UC system. In fact, the state of California hosts one in five of the nation’s undocumented students.

In 2015, Trump famously launched his campaign by calling Mexican immigrants “rapists” and “criminals.” Since then, Trump has continued this rhetoric and now plans to enact a wide-ranging plan for mass deportation.

This plan should not be taken lightly — at Trump rallies, supporters wave signs with the slogan “Mass Deportation Now!” His running mate, JD Vance, has suggested that a second Trump administration would remove one million people per year. Needless to say, this would devastate one of our most vulnerable communities — one that already faces rising hate crimes. Gov. Newsom needs to leverage his authority as governor to make clear that California will not stand for these attacks. We already have some of the most prominent sanctuary cities in the nation, which protect undocumented persons from raids and arrests conducted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gov. Newsom needs to make clear that California would not comply with Trump’s plans to tear apart families and deport people who are responsible for generating $151 billion of our GDP (~5% of California’s economy).

Conclusion

California is uniquely situated to combat the incoming Trump administration. We, the undersigned, hope that this letter has sufficiently outlined some of the ways in which Californians will be affected. We believe that California needs to act as an alternative for the country. Trump’s dark and divisive actions as President, as a candidate and as a convicted felon, need to be contrasted with forward-looking and empathetic leadership.

Op-Eds are not edited by The Highlander, excluding those related to grammatical errors and AP requirements. Op-Eds do not reflect the opinion of the Editorial Board and are not written by Highlander contracted writers.

COURTESY OF FLICKR

STUDENT OPINION POLL

‘Scared’ and ‘unsafe’: UCR students express concerns about Trump’s return to the White House

Compiled by: Cecile Diroll, Opinions Editor, Spandana Janapati, Asst. Opinions Editor

AMID MUCH UNCERTAINTY, UCR STUDENTS GRAPPLE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANOTHER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

Women’s Resource Center

On Nov. 5, 2024, Former President Trump won the presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris with 312 electoral votes. The Highlander wanted to see what the University of California, Riverside (UCR) students think about a second Trump administration and how it will affect their communities. Here is what they said:

Do you have any concerns about reproductive freedoms or access to healthcare for women under the Trump administration?

“Trump has said a lot of things … He said that he wouldn’t sign a federal abortion ban and in all honesty, I think he says that to protect himself. The crazy thing about politics is that all these politicians … truly just want to have control over women. They want the patriarchy. Politicians are grounded on this weird, awful [belief] that they should be in control of what we do vand how we handle our bodies.

“We, of course, are terrified to see what is going to continue to happen because putting abortion bans with the states has already caused so many problems and so many deaths.

Do you think a Trump administration will pose challenges to the LGBTQ+ community, particularly to LGBTQ+ students?

“I am a member of the queer community and I’m honestly really scared for my friends and my wellbeing and safety after this election. I definitely don’t think it is going to be a good thing for us … As soon as we saw that Trump won, all my friends on social media were freaking out. People were saying scary things and everyone was just really scared. I know that there are other things we can do … there are spaces for us like the LGBTQ Resource Center. But it sucks that we can only feel safe in a space like this … and that once we

leave this space, the world is not safe anymore.

“I am also someone who wants gender-affirming care … but it feels like I need to move up my timeline a bit or it won’t happen anymore. I see people worry that they won’t be able to marry their partner because those laws are going to get rolled back. People are worried that their hormones, their surgeries, won’t be allowed — things that they need for their mental and physical health … So honestly, it feels like the world has gotten a lot more scary.”

“But we are not only scared for our reproductive rights but … [also] for our rights as women. We are trying to fight these barriers [in the patriarchy] every day; we are trying to become a new progressive world. However, we are constantly reminded through the Trump Administration and through the Republican Party that they don’t feel as if we matter … What is so concerning for our reproductive freedoms and access to healthcare is that if they want control over us, they will take it. It’s important to just have faith that our generation will not allow that control to be taken.”

LGBT Resource Center

Ro Zheng Psychology, Third year (any/all)

Arianna Castro Biology, Second year (she/her)

Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP)

How

do you feel

about the future of climate change

policies under the Trump administration?

“The Trump administration is going to reverse any work that grassroots organizations, like GCAP and the Sierra Club, are doing … They are going to remove them; they are going to silence their voices and basically reverse all of our efforts because of the mass expansion that is going to come from their economic wants. They care more about fracking and economic expansion

in land-use without repatriation; without caring about Indigenous rights; without caring about how to conserve water and air … But that doesn’t mean hope is lost, there are so many organizations out there and disciplines coming together for this. This is not a loss of hope; there just needs to be more effort on our part and we aren’t going to give up.”

African Student Programs

Selah Okonkvvo Environmental Science, Fifth year (she/her)

How do you think another Trump administration will impact Black Americans, particularly Black students?

“A Trump administration will be very problematic for Black students and members in the Black community. There is already a fight for racial equity and I think his presidency won’t strive for progressive … His presidency brings a lot of racial tension in this country and division among everyone. As a Black person, you don’t really feel safe under his administration.

“I don’t feel safe as a Black woman in this country under his Presidency. I have to be very mindful of where I go and what I say. He doesn’t bring union, he separates us. And in terms

Undocumented Resource Center

How will a Trump administration affect the undocumented community?

“I’m not going to lie, I was very nervous once Trump was elected. The good thing is that I know that UCR has a very strong support system. I was able to talk with the lawyers and immigration attorneys we have. This was mostly because I am aware of these resources and aware of what’s happening with these events …

“I was able to inform myself and kind of get an image of how it’s go-

ing to look like. The immigration lawyers were able to explain the process and debunked some of the things Trump said, so it made me feel a lot better. It was very nerve-wracking to hear what he said before [about us] and know that he was elected. I think it’s scary when you are not informed. It’s scarier to know that you’re not certain about what’s going to happen in the future.”

of schooling, lots of Black students — at least the ones I know — rely on financial aid. The fact that he wants to dismantle the Department of Education [means] we will have the short end of that stick.

“I worry about what FAFSA is going to be like [because] I have a younger brother and he has two more years of university and my mother worries about that. [I’m concerned] about how we are going to pay for school; we as minorities rely on [Pell Grants] to pursue higher education … So, I just don’t feel safe.”

Maria Rodriguez Francia Business, Third year (she/her)

Anahita Hooshyari Sociology, Second year (she/her)

Gov. Newsom’s special sessions provide hope for an uncertain future under Trump

CALIFORNIA’S SPECIAL SESSIONS TO COMBAT THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SHOW THAT THE STATE WILL FIGHT TO PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM THE EROSION OF RIGHTS UNDER ANOTHER TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

Thus, California’s decision to call a special session and develop a plan to counter the Trump administration demonstrates commitment to protecting its citizens’ rights. This is especially important for issues like climate action and healthcare access which will be jeopardized by federal changes under Trump. By taking these measures, California is setting an example of how state-level protections can safeguard residents during a time of shifting interests.

For example, Project 2025 proposes restructuring the Department of Health and Human Services to reduce federal influence on healthcare decisions, especially those related to re-

productive health and public health standards. These plans would impact California’s Medicaid program by adding work requirements and benefit caps, which could potentially reduce coverage for low-income residents

Project 2025 also suggests removing public funding for abortion services and emergency contraception, clashing with California’s protections for reproductive rights. This is terrifying because women deserve the right to make decisions about their own bodies. Stripping them of this choice is deeply harmful as shown by the states that have implemented abortion bans and now have to deal with the ban’s severe consequences.

However, Trump’s environmental plans under Project 2025 will by far be the most detrimental to California. The President Elect has repeatedly said that climate change is a “hoax,” when it is clearly not, as 97% of scientists have agreed that climate change is real. Project 2025 will boost oil and gas development and limit federal climate initiatives, which will impede California’s environmental efforts as the state has advocated for climate action goals for reducing greenhouse emissions.

While carbon emissions are increasing nationwide, California has taken decisive actions through measures like its ambitious renewable energy goals and strict vehicle emissions standards. Without California’s leadership, national emissions would likely be much higher, further delaying the necessary transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Another destructive plan of the Trump administration is making drilling leases easier to obtain, which is a threat to California’s climate goals. Moreover, California must continue to lead the climate effort by fighting for these

policies to protect its own residents. The state also must ensure that the growing issue of climate change remains a priority at the federal level.

Gov. Newsom’s call for a special session to prepare for another Trump Presidency is a smart decision. California’s special sessions reinforce values around social justice and environmental action that exist in higher education, particularly at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

For example, UCR empowers students to become active participants in key issues, such as climate change and equity. A recent example is UCR’s Sustainability Committee, which advises

university administration on “matters related to sustainability.” The value of ensuring student services, including financial aid, is important to California and UCR, as the university was ranked number one for social mobility. As a research university, UCR also reflects California’s commitment to progress and inclusion, contributing to knowledge and equity in ways that benefit local communities.

Additionally, UCR’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) is leading groundbreaking work in air quality monitoring and clean transportation technologies, helping the state meet its climate goals.

School of Medicine also focuses on improving healthcare access and equity, particularly for underserved communities in Inland Southern California.

California’s special sessions show that the state supports educational institutions like UCR which helps students grow into active citizens while staying true to the state’s core values.

California’s approach to preparing for Trump’s Presidency should serve as a model for how states should maintain their values and support their residents. When federal policies fall short, California and other states should take the lead for progress — especially for the next four years.

UCR’s

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Scotty-Scopes:

A

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):

Just as Elphaba cares for Nessarose, lean into the nurturing side of your personality this week. The people around you will appreciate it deeply.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):

Lean into your free spiritedness this week, Capricorn. Just like Fieryo, you should be dancing through life.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): Queen of Cups

You’re at risk of becoming a Madame Morrible, Aries. Just because you want to protect your interests doesn’t mean that it’s the right thing to do.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Judgement

Lean into whatever partnership is strongest in your life. Find the Elphaba to your Glinda (or vice versa) and hold onto them tightly.

FIND OUT IF YOU’LL BE MORE GLINDA OR ELPHABA THIS WEEK.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Nine of

Just like Elphaba, your skills are astonishing. You’ve manifested an opportunity for yourself and can now choose whether or not to take it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): Ten of Swords

A big revelation is coming your way. Similarly to Elphaba, you need to take this awakening and let it push you forward.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Three of Swords

Just like Boq, you’re determined to get what you want. But don’t let that push for action lead you down a direction you don’t want to go down.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Nine of Swords

The window for contemplation is closing, Leo. All of the characters in Wicked had to make hard choices, and unfortunately you do as well.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):

As Glinda gave Elphaba her iconic black hat look, share your generosity similarly. Hopefully your intentions can be better, but spread the wealth regardless.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): Strength

Like the poser that the Wizard is, you’re playing it all wrong. Even if you’ve been put in an unfortunate situation, don’t let power get the best of you.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20):

Just like Doctor Dillamond, you are full of curiosity and wisdom. But watch out for the possibility of trouble on the horizon.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22):

Choices, choices, Virgo. Are you going to place relationships above personal interests? The

choice is up to you.

Ace of Swords

Wands

The Star

The Moon

Knight of Wands

Seven of Pentacles

LAYNA LAPIKAS /

NORM’S NOOK SPOTLIGHT

The Highlander “Prod”

GABRIELA GALVAN Assistant Features Editor

It takes blood, sweat and tears baby! On a less exaggerated note, The Highlander’s goal to re lease the highest quality of content — both visu ally and editorially — comes from the dedicated efforts of the contributors and staff during Sunday production (aka prod). And while meetings, dis cussions and interviews throughout the week lay the foundation for what takes place at prod, once it’s Sunday, it’s full throttle from there! Starting bright and early Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. — not always sharp — the Highlander sections (News, Opinions, Features, Radar and Sports) make their rounds one by one, finalizing edits on the articles for publication. Simultaneously the production, video and photo team will spend their time organizing and creating the visual aids for the paper such as the graphics, photos and videos. In the meantime, assistant editors will schedule article uploads to the Highlander website while lead editors oversee their given sections and decide any final details. Although prod takes an army and (sometimes) over ten hours to finish, the ability to provide reliable news to the community makes it all the more worthwhile!

The

STUDENT POLL

production team is locked in!!!

QUESTION: What are your favorite shows/episodes to watch during the holiday season?

Answer our weekly question on the Highlander Instagram for the opportunity to get featured in the next issue!

“When Harry Met Sally”

“Gilmore Girls”

“The Family Stone”

“Bob’s Burgers”

Charlie Brown

Spongebob Christmas episode

Amaris L.

Nola P.

Emily M.

Iris A.

Pratika P.

David C.

ASHLEY CHO / THE HIGHLANDER

GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

ACCESORIES COURTESY OF FREEPI K

A table usually has four

Invitation request

Buffalo’s tiny relative

Killed it, in Gen Z slang;

wds.

Frau’s opposite

Small cavern, in poetry

What the people of Munchkin Land fear

The mineral that easoning

“I had no ___!”

30. Frat party staple

31. Indian lentil dish

34. Faker in Oz

37. Unemployment check given by the British government

38. Santa ___ winds 39. It’s made out of yellow brick

40. Hospital unit

41. One who hasn’t turned pro?

42. Porch covering, with “ing”

43. “American ___”

45. Who Glinda preaches that no one mourns

47. Foot the bill

48. Who Jason Bourne works for 49. Pastel, icon-bellied bears

50. Gun it, as an engine

By Natalie dahl Features editor

Down

51. O. Henry’s “The Gift of the ___”

52. Unit of corn

55. Whodunit board game

58. Port city located in the southern part of Yemen

60. Adjective form of 1-Across

62. What Elphaba gives the Wizard’s monkey to make him fly

64. Pakistani language

66. Shrek, for one

67. Peninsula near Hong Kong

68. Son of Aphrodite

69. Yeses and ____

70. Part in a play

71. Harp’s cousin

72. Opposite of WSW

1. What Elvis’s blue shoes are made of

2. Take ___ (travel); 2 wds.

3. Wise mentor

4. Annoying delay on a Zoom meeting

5. What zoos should do beyond provide food and shelter

6. _____ and services

7. Fill beyond full 8. Like sushi

9. Circus height booster

10. Presidential power

11. Mischevious fairy in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

12. God with a hammer

15. ___ Beta Kappa

20. Anchor’s resting place

22. State with conviction

26. Curtain holder

28. Long, long ___

29. Mouse’s place?

30. Baby goat

31. Dungeon-like

32. You up it by adding chips to the pot

33. Well-____ plans

34. “That’s a ___!”

35. Corn Belt state

36. Kooky

37. Hair goo

40. ___ constrictor

41. Royal flush card

43. Rink surface

44. Female version of a hustler

45. Wives and girlfriends of high-profile sports players, Abbr.

46. Tennessee’s state flower

49. Dauntless, Amity, Erudite, Abnegation and ______

50. AMC, Cinemark or _____ Theaters

51. Like Christmas

52. Provoke; 2 wds.

53. Concur

54. Dark bakery loaves

55. Welsh valley

56. Pinocchio, at times

57. New Zealand slang for uncoordinated

59. Face-off

61. First-rate; 2 wds.

63. Good name for a lawyer?

■ H

65. “It’s no ___ Jo!”

The best of Downtown Riverside

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE 92501.

By: Gabriela Galvan, Assistant Features Editor

A fun day or night out may seem like an empty promise when considering Riverside’s seemingly suburban nature. While opting for fun time outside of Riverside seems like a good idea, driving to Los Angeles or Orange County is too expensive and time-consuming. Downtown Riverside offers an entertaining or delicious space for anyone looking to impress their date, have a bite to eat or have a refreshing day out with friends away from campus. When debating the course of your day, whip out this map of Downtown and consider this list of its best food, coffee shops, shops and attractions that make Riverside worth exploring.

Food

#1 - Riverside Food Lab

For those self-proclaimed foodies, the Riverside Food Lab is the perfect opportunity for you to experience a plethora of different cuisines. It’s one of the only places in Riverside where walking five feet will take you all the way from Mexico to Japan. This journey comes with enjoying some good birria tacos from Mi Vida Gorda or a hefty serving of miso ramen from Soho Ramen. Food preferences are heavily catered to at the Food Lab when options include boba and ice cream to accommodate someone’s sweet tooth or even vegan options for those that have a restricted diet.

#2 - Tio’s Tacos

It’s definitely not hard to miss, and you’ll be grateful that you didn’t. Tio’s Tacos is Downtown Riverside’s definition of a dining experience. A Mexican restaurant surrounded by elaborate and beautiful artwork made of recycled materials, Tio’s Tacos will have you wandering the premises in awe of its eccentric atmosphere. Dine with the fishes in its sea themed section, or under the beautiful parade of migrating monarch butterflies made of tin; the decision might be hard and delicious, just don’t pass it up!

#3 - Saku Ramen

A night owl’s dream. With hunger looming over you and time working against your stomach, fast food may seem like the only option to relieve your starving person. However, Saku Ramen is one of Downtown Riverside’s only nonfast food options for a bite to eat past 12 a.m. Open 24/7, Saku Ramen offers hearty servings of tasty ramen all hours of the day.

#4 - Antonious Pizza Cafe

Pizza by the slice; can’t get more New Yorker than that! Jokes aside, when you’re craving some pizza but not up for the entire box most pizza chains offer, Antonious Pizza Cafe is the place to go! Between pineapple and pizza haters and classic pepperoni lovers, there are options for everyone. When you’re not up for pizza, you can opt for their salads, pasta, sandwiches or a nice, cool scoop of ice cream.

#5 - Marios Place

Fine dining for pasta fiends. Marios Place is an option for any fancy pants looking to have an upscale Italian dinner. With its dim lighting and live music, Marios place has the perfect ambi-

ance to impress a first date.

Coffee Shops

#6 - Back To The Grind

A drag show with a side of coffee! Doubling as a coffee shop and a venue, Back To The Grind is Downtown Riverside’s most lively cafe. In the wake of sophisticated and overpriced coffee shops popping up at every corner, Back To The Grind is a breath of fresh air as its history in Riverside spans 27 years of promised cups of joe and live entertainment. If you’re looking for the opportunity to ditch your classic cafe, visit Back To The Grind for a chance to experience a drag show, open mic nights and live gigs.

#7 - Molinos Coffee

Plot twist cafe: delicious and affordable coffee. Again, the rise of coffee shop culture has made it impossible to even afford breathing their coffee bean air. However, Molinos Coffee not only promises tasty coffee with a plethora of options on the menu, it also promises affordable prices that guarantee guilt-free sips. Molinos Coffee also opens their backdoors to an antique shop, later to be discussed, that offers the coffee and thrifting combo everyone loves.

#8 - The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

There’s no shame in taking the easy way out. If cafes aren’t your thing, stop by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for a more convenient and stress-free coffee experience.

Shops

#9 - The Raincross District

Thrifting made easier. In the wake of the thrifting trend, finding pieces that everyone on social media seems to source is overwhelming and seemingly impossible. However, The Raincross District, a consignment store in Downtown Riverside, has made thrifting easier by hosting multiple sellers inside its shop that do the shopping for you. Many sellers curate their items to appeal to different aesthetic tastes, so it’s likely you will find something that suits your liking. Apart from selling clothing, The Raincross district offers jewelry, purses, home goods and much more. If you’re looking to support local small business owners, consider shopping at the Raincross District.

#10 - MiCultura - The Mexican Art & Gift Shop

Get a taste of Mexican culture by stopping by MiCultura. This shop sells a variety of knickknacks and clothing that reflect the beauty of Mexican culture. The pieces include traditional wear, stationary appealing to Mexican tradition and traditional home decor.

#11 - Downtown Bookstore

This bookstore screams fairytale. Hidden behind a building and down a long walkway, the Downtown Bookstore invites you into a magical bookstore experience. Lined with rows of wooden bookshelves, decorative rugs and a reading sofa, the bookstore and its warm aesthetic is impossible to avoid, even if you don’t enjoy reading.

#12 - Downtown Apothecary

The smell alone invites you in. One of the most popular recommendations on this list for a reason, Downtown Apothecary is a beauty care shop that occupies its shelves with soaps, candles, perfumes and other beauty products. All the products you need to pamper yourself with can be found in this store alone, so don’t miss it!

#13 - Tiggy-Winkles Gift Shoppe

A little bit of this and a little bit of that. With the trinket collecting craze going on all over social media right now, Tiggy-Winkles Gift Shoppe is the perfect place to stock up on with whatever doohickey you need. Jelly Cats galore, funny gag gifts, silly socks, ornaments – you name it – you’ll find it here. Fulfill your knickknack dreams by stopping by.

#14 - Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe

Four stories of awful financial responsibility. Antiques on top of antiques, there is no getting out of here. The Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe features collectables, jewelry, vintage clothing, furniture, books, accessories and even a bar. One of the most recognizable and visited places on this list for a reason, this antique shop takes vintage to a whole new level with its astounding amount of memorabilia.

Attractions/Activities

#15 - Riverside Main Library

A place where you can sip on iced coffee for four hours and pretend to study. Or you can actually study, Riverside Main Library offers more than just a wide selection of books. From its study rooms, bookstore and stunning views of Downtown Riverside, this library is the perfect opportunity to have some downtime with the books.

#16 - Riverside Game Lab

Something more lively and more stimulating is the Riverside Game Lab. Lined with classic arcade games such as skeeball, pinball, Galaga and Mario Kart, the Riverside Game Lab offers a high-quality flashback to many people’s childhoods.

#17 - Fox Performing Arts Center

This place is an opportunity to sit down and enjoy the show. Downtown Riverside’s Fox Performing Arts Center is the space that welcomes the community’s favorite bands, comedians and other entertainment. If you’re looking for a good show, make sure to check out the Fox Performing Arts Center for any upcoming performances.

#18 - Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

Honoring hopeless romantics and paranormal thrill seekers, Downtown Riverside’s most beautiful attraction is none other than the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Even when paranormal talk surrounds this place, the undeniable beauty of the Spanish-style architecture drowns out all the scariness and brings in the romance. One night here is worth a little spook.

DOWNTOWN RIVERSIDE MAP

Radar

Video Games and Female Solidarity

GAMES THAT HIGHLIGHT FEMALE REPRESENTATION AND EMPOWERMENT AMIDST OUTCOMES OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

COURTESY OF EMBRACER GROUP

TRACI MAI MITCHELL Contributing Writer

represented by the game designers. Following interviews of some female UCR students and graduates, a list has been compiled of games that keep a female audience in mind.

The involvement of women in the gaming community has been increasing rapidly over recent years. Still, as of 2022, men continue to reign dominant in most aspects of gaming. There are many factors that potentially explain the reasons for this gendered dominance: time management, discrimination, domestic duties, etc. According to research found in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Of American video game players, 45% are female.”

While it is true that video games have been a space well-accessed by men for a longer amount of time than women, women still make up nearly half of the gaming population in the U.S. However, women are often not considered when it comes to game accessibility. The researchers observed that video games are often made by men for men. Video games are often focusing on what men would like best because they are more likely to be

On the topic of accessibility for women, an anonymous current UCR psychology student and ARC writing and reading tutor brings up a point about Legend of Zelda games; although the playable character is known to be male, she states, “Breath of the Wild (BOTW) from 2017 is an extremely accessible game for new people entering the gaming scene, which are generally women. Not only are the game mechanics more fluently understood, but Link’s androgyny [also] plays a key role in one being able to immerse themselves as their own hero, and create a story of their own.”

While still leaving room for improvement in female identity, the main protagonist of the game functions to represent women at the same time as men due to his equal visual representation and acknowledgement of women as warriors in the Legend of Zelda universe. With BOTW leaning into Link’s visual gender neutrality, Nintendo has continued on to do some major improvements in representation.

Kayla Batchelor, a UCR graduate and former English Majors Association Book Club Coordinator, raves about “Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom” (2024) by exclaiming, “Finally, a Zelda game where you

don’t have to play Link! Zelda’s character development throughout the story was incredible to see, as she officially went from the supporting role to actively saving her Kingdom one echo at a time. Overall, this game empowered me to feel that same wisdom and resilience that is shown time and time again within the Zelda universe.”

Batchelor notes the emotional attachment that women have to the games that allow them to feel powerful. Being able to play the same storyline from a different perspective that is more familiar to the female audience creates a sense of affirmation.

One of the foundations of female solidarity is acknowledging and validating the experiences of women. A local community member, Mikayla Kirkpatrick, discusses the validation she felt when playing “Virago.”

Kirkpatrick states, “Virago is the story of a mother’s nightmare, and even more so, a haunting simulation of what it is like to be a little girl in America. I’d bet that nearly every woman can remember a time when a man was inappropriate with her or dismissive of her boundaries before she reached adulthood.”

While the game can trigger some trauma responses, it also validates the “horror” that comes with existing in a female body. When society makes women feel small, games featuring strong female characters really stand out for their empow-

ering and motivational representations.

Strong leadership roles are important for women to see in the video games they play, regardless of its gameplay style or genre. Women often experience workplace and occupation discrimination, which results in them feeling incapable of holding respectable positions in society.

Lidia Monsivais, UCR’s current English Majors Association’s President, explains that “as a woman, playing games can be a source of escapism… I find these games [‘Mass Effect’ and ‘Stardew Valley’] allow me to play a role as a confident leader of an army or of a community, one that as a woman, I haven’t always been told I can fill.” With role models such as Shepard from “Mass Effect,” women can feel capable of making a difference in their community, in the world and even in the galaxy.

The features of accessibility and representation in video games unite the female players in the gaming community. Games like “Breath of the Wild,” “Echoes of Wisdom,” “Virago,” “Mass Effect” and “Stardew Valley” are great games for women to find comfort and have a space to recover from today’s emotionally-taxing politics. Through gaming, women find the strength to fight on for another day.

‘Here’ represents a comeback

for sentimental films

“Here” offers a voyage through time rooted in reconstructing anecdotes of the human experience

AAKIF IQBAL Contributing Writer

Robert Zemeckis is a filmmaker best known for transporting viewers into the past. He is most well-known for the “Back to the Future” franchise as well as the 1991 American classic, “Forrest Gump.” In all of his films he is experimenting with technology, whether it was inserting Tom Hanks’ Forrest into old footage of world leaders in “Forrest Gump,” or having multiple feature-length films using early motion-capture technology like “The Polar Express.” In Zemeckis’s new film “Here,” this experimentation continues.

In “Here,” the director teams back up with writer Eric Roth, actors Tom Hanks and Robin Wright, and composer Alan Silvestri – all of whom worked on “Forrest Gump” – in order to tell another story spanning a long period of time. Unlike “Forrest Gump,” which only spans the 20th century, “Here” spans the entire history on Earth focusing on a particular home with revolving characters. Everything – from dinosaurs, to the indigenous tribe living on this land, to the first people who built a house in this spot, to the inventor of the sofa chair, the La-Z-Boy, – is covered by the film.

The movie employs computer generated graphics to de-age both Hanks and Wright for them to play teenagers, as it tells their entire story from when they met to the end of their lives. Zemeckis’s experimentation pushes the limits of the kind of pop-culture film language seen in his most popular movies in order to tell a non-linear story about history, family and humanity.

the distance.

The film tells its story in a non-linear approach by jumping from one scene of Hanks as a teenager to another of the La-Z-Boy inventor to the indigenous tribe all in the span of a few minutes. Scenes are contrasted with one another based on the ideas presented in timelines. For example, one character may remark about a loved one and then the film will cut to a parallel where another family talks about their loved one.

The narrative may be confusing at first, combined with the way the film is shot, but it’s easy to get immersed if viewers are willing to accept the film’s intention. However, this choice of direction is fundamentally why the film is failing.

Aside from depicting such a massive span of time in a dramatic way, the film’s writing and acting are not the kind typically associated with modern filmmaking. Most of the time, the characters in the film are portrayed with classic Hollywood acting. Diverging from the subtle emotional delivery that is highly celebrated today – especially on TikTok – the actors in the film opt for big emotions and big physical gestures. Hanks and Wright do an incredible job alongside actors like Paul Bettany and Leslie in carrying this melodrama. It’s not entirely unrealistic, but it can be understood why this is not resonating with audiences as much.

DISTRIBUTED BY TRISTAR PICTURES

Since the movie takes place in one spot, the camera remains stationary for the entire film. Whether the setting is during the time of the dinosaurs, or all the way to when a family moves in after the Youngs, the camera remains still. Every scene is captured in one shot, never cutting to different angles. Characters move throughout the space of the frame, from the foreground, to the background, to way off in

The dialogue also plays into this. The characters are dramatic and wear their hearts on their sleeves. There is no long build up or hidden subtextual meaning to the lines the characters say. Instead, everybody says what’s on their mind. The alcoholic World War II veteran lashes out at his grandchild. The mother who never followed her dreams talks about regretting not living her life more adventurously at

her 50th birthday party. The list goes on and on.

Though this movie may be underscored with classic dramatic film compositions, some of the moments in it are very unglamorous, showing the private lives of all of these families, warts and all.

All great movies prioritize their locations and “Here” is no different. While the camera remains stagnant throughout the film, the evolution of the singular location over time is what draws in the audience. From the slavery depicted in the scenes during the 1800s, to the Black family explaining to their son what to do when pulled over by a cop, the movie does not shy away from showing these aspects of America as well.

There is opportunity for criticism in these scenes, as well as those of the Indigenous tribe, because the film certainly takes risks in trying to be the sweeping epic it intends to be through covering many sociological topics. But, these flaws do not hinder the film’s message.

It may seem like the movie is a slow slog to get through, but that could not be further from the case. By jumping between these storylines, it never gets boring. There are so many popular music queues, from The Beatles’ “All My Loving” to 80s hits. The scenes with the inventor of the La-Z-Boy, as well as a section depicting a family in the turn from the 19th to 20th century as airplanes are invented, are so much fun to watch. No matter how tense a scene is, there is always a moment to release with some humor!

Since the film is based on a graphic novel, there are comic-book-esque panels that are collaged on the frame in order to show multiple moments at once. But it’s failing at the box office against another comic-book property. Although the film had a budget of almost $50 million, it’s only made back a fraction of that while trying to compete with “Venom 3.” And the poor response from critics on sites like Rotten Tomatoes, which garners a 36% rotten score, are discouraging audiences even more.

The poor response is a shame. With the state of the film industry right now, and with people pleading for more original movies to be made, it can be discouraging to see audience and critic dismissal of an original film by a successful director with well-known actors. This raises questions as to what direction the industry is heading towards.

Verdict:

For curious viewers, it may be worth it to check out “Here.” In all of its over-sentimentality, “Here” is a heartwarming experience that will make viewers reflect on life, family, relationships and the history of the U.S.

‘Conclave’ is a solid drama, more political than religious

At first glance, “Conclave,” which came out on Nov. 5, feels like a solid distraction from postelection woes. Two hours in, the Sistine Chapel guided by some of the most distinguished character actors dressed in bright red robes fighting over the election of the Pope of the Catholic church isn’t a half-bad way to spend time at the movie theater.

“Conclave” is not about religion in the slightest. Rather, it’s about how to push an ancient institution forward into a progressive future and the dangers of giving leeway to regressive actors. Suddenly, “Conclave,” despite being about a 2,000 year old church, feels uncomfortably relevant to current events.

The story begins with Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) processing the death of the Pope and the knowledge that he will be in charge of the “conclave,” the process to pick the next Pope. Already struggling with his faith, the shadowy dealings of each candidates’ dirty secrets come spilling out as

lead Cardinal Lawrence bends a few rules to manage an increasingly dirty process.

Director Edward Bergen’s previous film, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” has been called one of the best war films of the 21st century and won several Academy Awards as a result. “Conclave” has the tone of a war movie as well, and not just because Stanley Tucci (in fine form as a cowardly American Cardinal) literally yells, “This is a war!” in Ralph Fiennes’ face.

Through its charged, thrilling score that loudly punctuates each scene, the film illustrates the tense standoff between the progressive and conservative Cardinals. The cinematography, featuring birdeye shots and bright bursts of redrobed cardinals streaming through each shot like bloodww, drives in how small and petty these mens’ dealings truly are.

But if this all sounds a little bit dull to prospective viewers, it should be said that “Conclave” is absolutely fun to watch. It’s fun to

watch Ralph Fiennes dramatically reveal another Cardinals’ sins in the dining hall in the same vein of Regina George distributing Burn Book copies everywhere in “Mean Girls.” It’s fun to watch Isabella Rosselini’s underappreciated nun character drop some truth bombs before leaving a group of stupefied men with a dramatic curtsy.

For all their many faults throughout the film, the Cardinals do know how to create drama like no other group on Earth. If nothing else, there is one moment that will make every old person gathered in screening collectively gasp, and it’s worth seeing it in theaters.

Verdict:

This film produces a solid time at the movies that isn’t quite an escapist fantasy but more of an entertaining parallel to our current political reality.

Ralph Fiennes shines as a man who finds the future of the Catholic Church resting on his bright red-robed shoulders

RAMITA SETTY Staff Writer

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Jorge Rivera-Herrans “EPIC: The Vengeance Saga” is a thrilling climax in a fascinating series of concept albums

The eighth installment in a musical concept, The Vengeance Saga is a satisfying tale of a hero’s revenge in progress.

JOANNA SIMON Contributing Writer

*Spoiler Alert*

Jorge Rivera-Herrans has been working on a series of albums since he was a college student in 2019, and starting 2022 he’s been releasing them all, with the final album in the series likely set to come out in a few months. Before officially releasing songs, he gained fans on TikTok by posting behind the scenes clips of his work on the musical concept albums.

Fans have eagerly been looking forward to this particular album in the EPIC saga –a series of songs that take inspiration from Homer’s “Odyssey,” which is a Greek epic poem that includes Greek gods and characters. The albums are presented in a musical-style format, weaving a storyline with audio and lyrical imagery. The main character, Odysseus, goes through trials, temptations, and turmoil while he is far from his home for over a decade, facing Poseidon’s wrath. “The Vengeance Saga” specifically covers Odysseus escaping confinement, receiving help from a god and facing Poseidon on his way home.

“Get in the Water” has been a song that fans were looking forward to for a long time, as the unreleased demo was teased by Rivera-Herrans as with many other songs from EPIC. The song is a chilling one, as Poseidon catches Odysseus in the ocean just as he is about to reach his home, threatening him to surrender and face certain death in the waters. The song’s eerie notes and emotional vocals carried this concept to its fullest potential, making it shine on the album.

“Six Hundred Strike” is a song that fans didn’t talk about much beforehand, as there were barely any released snippets — but it quickly garnered just as much popularity as “Get in the Water” upon release due to the twist the song throws in the plot. As Jorge said before, EPIC doesn’t follow the “Odyssey” accurately- and this song definitely takes a big, but satisfying deviation as Odysseus retaliates against Poseidon in a sadistic manner, enacting vengeance on the god.

Rivera-Herrans took inspiration for this song from video game boss fights and fights in anime, which shows in the upbeat instrumental and Rivera-Herrans’ bold vocals. A guitar, an instrumental motif representing Odysseus, makes a fitting appearance in the song, adding to the hype, fast-paced mood.

Despite the praise, some fans have said the song felt out of place with the anime-influenced production and big plot diversion. Other fans have defended “Six Hundred Strike” by pointing out that EPIC is not a musical which linearly follows the plot of the “Odyssey.” While it may not stand true to the source material, it still creates a solid character arc, following up on earlier material where Odysseus was succumbing to violent urges.

Steven Rodriguez is a brilliant casting for Poseidon, with his raspy voice carrying the rage and arrogance of the old God of the ocean. Rivera-Herrans, who sings as

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Odysseus’ in EPIC, brilliantly portrays the fear of a mortal that is at a God’s mercy. When the character dynamic is flipped, the pain in Rodriguez’s voice almost makes listeners feel bad for him while they simultaneously feel encouraged to cheer for Odysseus as Rivera-Herrans portrays the perfect mixture of anger, grief and defiance in his voice.

“Not Sorry For Loving You” is a sullen song that makes one sympathize slightly with the character of Calypso, even as she trapped Odysseus on her island for seven years. The details in this song are impeccably executed upon closer inspection. The calypso as an instrument makes an appearance, and the only voices that can be heard in this song are Odysseus and Calypso, emphasizing how he is the only other person on her isolated island.

Though the song is a beautiful one, with Barbara Wangui’s lovely vocals, it does feel like an odd placement in the album narratively, with some fans saying it should have been a conclusion to the last album as Odysseus leaves the island.

“Dangerous” is a more upbeat synth pop track, with the god, Hermes, telling Odysseus how to survive his journey home, playing on his cheeky nature even with his grim warnings to the hero. Meanwhile,“Charybdis” is a track that is somewhat repetitive in its melody, but it has a gorgeous instrumental that makes the listener successfully imagine having a fight with a sea monster in the ocean, with its gripping intro and Odysseus’ defiant guitar motif.

“The Vengeance Saga” has all the great

qualities that EPIC is known for, with references to past events in the storyline, musical motifs for characters, and a cohesive emotional narrative with its main character, Odysseus, following arcs foreshadowed in past songs. Despite critiques of the album’s latter half not fitting with the storyline due to Poseidon being easily defeated, most agree that the album is musically consistent with previous sagas and has solid production.

Thus, it can be argued that the album can stand alone relatively successfully, despite some previous sagas having a stronger quality in that department, “The Vengeance Saga” still has some of the most iconic tracks in the series. EPIC has quite the dedicated fanbase, with many animators having come out with beautifully done animations, most commonly posted on YouTube, adding to the experience of following this album’s storyline. Now fans eagerly wait for “The Ithaca Saga,” where Odysseus returns home to his family after many years, and can finally protect them from the dangers they are facing.

Verdict:

“EPIC: The Vengeance Saga” is a unique passion project with a lot of heart and work behind it, and it clearly shows. This album, regardless of divided opinions on the storyline’s progression, has built a lot of anticipation for the final installment in the saga through its dramatic moments and shocking emotional arcs.

Barrington Hargress leads Highlanders to 70-69 victory over Lancers

With city supremacy on the line, Riverside rivals go back and forth in this must watch game.

ISAAC SOLNICK Sports Editor

This past Tuesday, the city of Riverside stood still and watched the California Baptist University (CBU) men’s basketball team host the University of California, Riverside (UCR) at the Fowler Events Center. With home-court advantage, the Lancers were looking to make it three in a row against the Highlanders.

Boasting a strong roster led by senior guard Dominique Daniels Jr., the Lancers headed into this game undefeated with a pair of home wins. Standing at just 5 feet, 10 inches, Daniels Jr. is an explosive scorer and one of the best in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Despite an injury that cut Daniels Jr.’s 2023-2024 season short, the senior guard still earned All-WAC Second Team honors.

The injury hasn’t seemed to slow him down. Daniels Jr. picked up Preseason All-WAC Team honors as the Lancers won their opening two games of the season.

Meanwhile, UCR has its own star guard in redshirt sophomore Barrington Hargress. The 2023-2024 Big West Freshman of the Year has picked up where he left off this season with a pair of strong performances against Oregon and BYU.

The Highlanders suffered a heartbreaking defeat at last year’s game against CBU, losing 70-69. However, Hargress had extra motivation after he missed the potential game-winning shot. A complete toss-up, this year’s game could go either way.

Still figuring out rotations, UCR head coach Mike Magpayo put out his third different starting lineup in as many games. By bringing in senior forward Niyi Olabode into the starters, Magpayo looked to slow down CBU’s electric offense. Nevertheless, the Lancers got out of the blocks quickly.

A Daniels Jr. 3-pointer put the Lancers up by

six points early on. Then, CBU’s junior guard Martel Williams dribbled past redshirt freshman guard Parker Strauss before elevating over senior forward Joel Armotrading for a powerful one-handed dunk. Williams let out a huge roar and got the Fowler Events Center rocking.

The Highlanders could have easily been flushed out by the crowd noise, but the team showed their resilience once again by keeping their cool in such a hostile environment. Magpayo praised his team’s efforts during the tough times: “[CBU] has [physically outdone] us the last two years, and that’s how it looked in the first half. But our guys showed a lot of fight and grit, and [I’m] just really proud of them.”

After Williams’s dunk, redshirt junior guard Isaiah Moses checked back into the game. With Hargress already on the floor, the Highlanders now had two playmakers on the floor. With the UCR guards carrying the burden of running the offense, the Highlanders were able to find their feet in the game. Considering how the game started, UCR was lucky to find themself only down by seven going into halftime.

The Lancers got a quick couple of buckets to start the second half, but the Highlanders refused to stay down. They did a good job of not rushing to get it all back. Instead, UCR slowly and meticulously cut into the CBU lead by getting high percentage looks. After an acrobatic 3-point play from Hargress brought UCR within three, the Fowler Events Center drew quiet. The Highlanders were on a roll and the possibility of a UCR comeback started becoming a reality.

After a Moses jumper gave UCR their first lead of the game, the two rivals kept trading the lead until the final moments. With a little over a minute left, a stepback mid-range shot from Hargress gave the Highlanders a three-point lead. Then, a pair of free throws from Daniels Jr. made

it a one-point game again. UCR failed to score on their next possession and gave the Lancers a chance for a game-winning bucket.

With the game on the line, CBU called a timeout and put the ball in the hands of Daniels Jr. Following the game, Magpayo shared what went through his mind during the final play, “Don’t let Daniels draw a foul. Make him shoot a shot.”

Met by Hargress at the center court logo, Daniels Jr. called for a high pick and roll. Armotrading switched onto him and redshirt sophomore Kaleb Smith brought the help defense, but left junior guard Sam Silverstein alone in the corner. The Highlanders didn’t foul Daniels Jr., but he kicked it out to a wide-open Silverstein.

The crowd stood and watched Silverstein’s shot fall just short. Hargress swallowed up the rebound and launched the ball forward for a leaking Moses. He dribbled the clock out as the Highlanders escaped with a huge 70-69 win.

Hargress’s 25 points were vital, but it was his confidence in the clutch moments that was key. He made big shot after big shot and helped the rest of the team throughout the tough moments that come with a rivalry game.

On Thursday, the Highlanders played their first home game against La Sierra University, winning 79-51. Smith led the team with 21 points as UCR attempted a whopping 44 3-pointers. Later today, UCR will have a tougher test on the road against Santa Clara University. The Broncos have lost their last three games and will look to get back on track against the Highlanders. It’s important that UCR doesn’t take their opponents too lightly, but tonight’s game presents a great opportunity to extend the win streak to three games.

PHOTOS COURTESY APOLLO KUDSI & UCR ATHLETICS

Raise the Riv’s Impact on UCR Athletics

The NIL collective of UCR helps our teams compete at the highest level.

TERRY NGUYEN Assistant Sports Editor

Raise the Riv is the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective for the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The collective supports student-athletes of the UCR men’s basketball team, and the UCR athletics program as a whole.

Mark Nguyen, one of the executive board members of Raise the Riv, is one of many hardworking individuals behind the scenes that helps build the collective’s platform. Raise the Riv has helped UCR recruit and retain top-level talent to play for head coach Mike Magpayo and the men’s basketball team.

Nguyen shared, “NIL has really leveled the playing field for mid-major programs like UCR...If you talk to any coach, retaining players is really key to success because there’s continuity and growth [that facilitates winning].”

The Big West is a very strong mid-major Division I conference, and UCR has had success against high-major programs in the past. Magpayo has victories against current Big 10 members Washington and Nebraska, along with Big 12 member Arizona State.

UCR’s program has also remained at the top in regards to retention. In the past four years, UCR men’s basketball had only one undergraduate transfer out of the team, whereas in Division I, 25% of athletes enter the portal every year. The process involves several factors: the strength of the athletic director, the development players are receiving from coaches, the value in the UCR degree and the investment of the community into the Raise the Riv collective.

The money that Raise the Riv generates is distributed amongst the student-athletes on the men’s basketball team and helps UCR remain competitive in the Big West. In fact, UCR has had the third-best record in the Big West during Magpayo’s four-year tenure as head coach.

Elaborating on community and fan involvement in sport, Nguyen explains, “Back in the day, if a fan wanted to [donate] money, it would go to

the athletic department and get [divided and invested in the program], enabling the purchase of new weights or a new treadmill or maintenance [for] facilities. But now fans [have] more say in how the team competes by donating money [directly to specific programs].”

Magpayo was also very focused on fundraising during the offseason, helping support his student-athletes on the men’s basketball team. One event that stood out amongst the men’s basketball team was the annual tip-off dinner. Remarking on the event, Nguyen explained, “At the end of the event a lot of the alums came up and said, ‘hey, this is one of the best events [I’ve] been to,’ in relation to UCR Athletics.” Other events Raise the Riv has hosted include Tacos and Tequila and the Men’s Basketball Golf Tournament.

UCR Athletics helps build the image and brand of the university, and men’s basketball is the main attraction of the program. A men’s basketball team that is competitive, entertaining and winning will help facilitate growth of the uni-

versity.

Sharing an example of an influential basketball team, Nguyen commented on Gonzaga University, explaining, “[It’s] a small school out in Spokane, Washington, but because of their men’s basketball program everybody knows about Gonzaga.”

Wesley Mallette, touting Silver Waves Media’s designation as one of 2024’s “100 Most Impactful People in Men’s College Basketball,” has been assisting in growing UCR’s image in the Big West and collegiate athletics. This asset, in conjunction with UCR’s position as a fastgrowing institution supplemented by its athletics department, builds a platform for future success under the directorship of Mallette.

For more information about Raise the Riv, visit raisetheriv.org

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