Proposed NIH funding cuts are a direct hit to UCR’s research
initiatives
RECEIVING $41 MILLION IN NIH FUNDING LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FUNDING CUTS THREATEN CRITICAL UCR RESEARCH PROJECTS.
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Just a few weeks into his administration, President Donald J. Trump issued an order to cap indirect funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants at 15 percent, resulting in a cut of billions of dollars in research funding for universities and research institutions.
In response, California and 21 other states sued the federal government, arguing that this action would harm Americans who rely on medical research for new treatments and advancements in public health. The lawsuit claims that the order violates federal laws, including the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act and the 2018 Appropriations Act, which prohibits the NIH from making unilateral “deviations from negotiated rates” and requires federal agencies to adhere to specific procedural rules.
Angele Kelley, a U.S. District Judge from Massachusetts, temporarily blocked the administration’s order, stating that it “is justified to preserve the status quo pending a hearing” and that the plaintiffs would experience “immediate and irreparable injury.”
While the Trump administration is currently prohibited from freezing federal funding, NIH grants still cannot be disbursed, and universities are not allowed to schedule or hold meetings regarding their grants. Judge Kelley extended the temporary block on Feb. 21, 2025, until a final decision can be made on whether to issue an injunction, a court order requiring a party to cease an action, against the order.
LA’s hidden heroes
GABRIELA GALVAN
Assistant Features Editor
Overwhelmed by the roaring Los Angeles (LA) fires, residents were left with no choice but to evacuate from their homes and businesses. Many were forced to leave their residences and most beloved and essential possessions, lest they too get set ablaze. People lost their livelihoods, since they had to surrender their personal belongings and family pictures. . Of the most essential items lost within the blazing LA fires were medications and treatments. Reliant on these medications, individuals were burdened with the expense of replacing those medicines, paying for those medicines, safely admin-
istering those medicines and storing those medicines amid the fires. This life-threatening experience left many with type 1 diabetes without the vital medicine that they needed during a vulnerable crisis.
Combating the destruction of the fires were various organized volunteer groups looking to aid in the loss of medication and supplies for type 1 diabetes. Of those volunteers was Nour Sourakli, a University of California, Riverside fourth-year student studying political science.
As a type 1 diabetic since the age of seven, Nour’s first hand experience with the condition and its daily demands, while also having lived in the LA area..
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news Professor Spotlight: Dr. Adler Dillman’s Research on entomopathogenic nematodes
EXPLORING ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES AS NATURAL PEST CONTROL.
Dr. Adler Dillman, professor of parasitology and the Chair of the Department of Nematology at the University of California Riverside (UCR), researches host parasite interactions, with emphasis on nematode parasites. Nematology is the scientific study of nematodes, a type of microscopic roundworms.
He began his exploration as a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), where he published draft genomes – incomplete versions of an organism’s genetic sequence – of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) outlining their genetic material and refining their sequences. Dr. Dillman has been a professor at UCR since 2015 and continues his research on EPNs and further exploring their impact on insects.
Entomopathogenic nematodes are roundworm parasites that solely target insects and are commonly used as biological insecticides. The primary host for these parasites are soil dwelling insects. These nematodes are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) rays and desiccation, the removal of moisture, and have adapted to the body temperature of their insect hosts.
Insects are poikilothermic, meaning their body temperature fluctuates with the environment. These parasites enter the insects through bodily orifices, including the mouth, anus and spiracles, the insects’ respiratory openings. The nematode has two life stages. The free living stage is where the nematode freely roams in the soil. The active pathogenic stage is where it releases pathogenic material inside the insect.
Dr. Dillman is interested in understanding the nematode’s role in the process of liquefying the insect. He explained that when he was a student, “the dogma in the field was that the nematodes primarily serve as a vector - an organism that transmits pathogens to the host without being affected for this bacteria.” However, he wanted to explore whether the nematode itself plays a role in the toxicity.
When Dr. Dillman began working at UCR, he conducted experiments on nematodes, such as Steinernema carpocapsae, by manipulating them into sensing they were inside an insect to
activate their response. This was achieved by placing the parasites in insect tissue cultured in petri dishes. Once the nematode has entered the insect tissue it ejects pathogenic saliva that liquifies its host, functioning as a natural insecticide.
Dr. Dillman focuses his research on this pathogenic saliva by collecting these samples and identifying the proteins through mass spectrometry, a tool used for identifying chemical composition of organic samples. He found that the nematodes release a “cocktail” of proteins that are highly toxic to insects. His lab is continuing its investigation into which specific proteins are toxins.
In addition to studying insecticidal toxins,
Dr. Dillman is investigating immunomodulatory proteins, proteins that regulate immune function, in nematodes saliva. His focuses on three individual proteins: a fatty acid and retinol binding protein, a phospholipase enzyme and a Sensor Histidine Kinase (SHK) domaincontaining protein.
SHK plays a role in bacterial adaptation and antibiotic resistance. The SHK protein also induces paralysis by disrupting neurological signals to the brain. Dr. Dillman’s lab found that these three proteins enhance toxicity, particularly in younger insects. In the future Dr. Dillman aims to expand his research into parasites in dogs, specifically liver flukes.
SARAH TABEL Staff Writer
A guide to President Trump’s tariffs
UNDERSTANDING TARIFFS AND THEIR IMPACT ON AMERICA AND THE WORLD.
MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor
Returning to the White House for a second presidency, United States (U.S.) President Donald J. Trump has implemented multiple tariffs on imported goods. Ranging from universal tariffs on foreign goods to ones aimed at specific sectors.
A tariff is “a tax imposed by one country on the goods and services imported from another country to influence it, raise revenues or protect competitive advantages.” Because of this, according to Investopedia, there are some unintended side effects to tariffs, such as reducing competition, pushing up prices, generating international ten-
sions leading to and potentially causing trade wars.
Currently, President Trump’s current administration has opted for the use of reciprocal tariffs to. A reciprocal tariff is one in which the U.S. will match import duties levied by other countries. For example, if another country, say Sweden, taxed paper clips made in the U.S. at a rate of 20 percent, the U.S will impose the same tax on Sweden’s paper clips.
After announcing plans for reciprocal tariffs in mid-February, the federal government seeks to ensure fairness in
trade relations internationally. This was done through the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan,” a federal announcement “ordering the development of a comprehensive plan for restoring fairness in U.S. trade relationships and countering nonreciprocal trading arrangement[s].”
One of the major claims in the statement was that the “lack of reciprocity is unfair and contributes to our large and persistent annual trade deficit.”
According to an article by the World Economic Forum, the Trump administration shared that it will evaluate reciprocal trade not just on tariffs levied by the other country, but also take into consideration non-tariff barriers. These non-tariff barriers will include “measures like foreign-government subsidies, value-added taxes and digital taxes.” A report from Reuters indicates that economists predict President Trump’s policies will be inflationary, due to “importing businesses, which pay taxes, [that] will likely pass added costs to consumers.”
Other unintended results include potential imposed counter-tariffs, targeting U.S. exports in the agricultural, energy and machine industries, with the potential of escalating into a trade war. Predictions state that the “hefty tariffs on goods would harm the economies of all involved, cause inflation to spike and damage job markets.”
In another federal announcement titled, “President Donald J. Trump Restores Section 232 Tariffs,” it was announced that proclamations were signed to “close existing loopholes and exemptions to restore a true 25% tariff on steel and elevate the tariff to 25% on aluminum.” Claims were made in the statement that this action is to be taken to “protect America’s critical steel and aluminum industries, which have been harmed by unfair trade practices and global excess capacity.” These tariffs will be effective on March 12, 2025.
Predictions from the Council on Foreign Relations predict that since the U.S. relies on foreign entities for aluminum, with America buying half the supply from abroad, and imports for special aluminum products, that “a 25 percent tariff would make building military aircraft and lightweight armor plating in the United States more expensive.” While the U.S. only imports 26% of its steel supply compared to 44% of the aluminum supply, specialized products require specific types of steel for its materials, adding up taxes and prices for American producers.
Additional predictions are that the boost in steel prices will add 140,000 jobs to the U.S.’s steel industry, but on the other hand, it will be offset by a loss in manufacturing industries that rely on steel. Research from tariffs President
Trump implemented in 2018 estimated that 75,000 manufacturing jobs were lost as a result, with “additional losses from retaliatory tariffs.”
This tariff in particular also holds the potential to impact the common consumer, hitting the construction, auto, packaging and electrical industries the hardest. Even something like building a car, “takes about half a ton of steel, so a 25 percent tariff could add over $1,000 in production costs per vehicle.”
President Trump also implemented specific tariff proposals targeting key trade partners such as Mexico and Canada. The two countries were the largest trade partners in 2024, but on Feb. 1, a federal announcement was made to “Impose Tariffs on Imports from Canada, Mexico and China.”
A Reuters article reports that leaders and top officials from other countries “warned a trade war could erupt and economies be damaged, and sought talks with Trump after the surprise announcement, which includes an extra 10% levy on Chinese goods.”
According to President Trump, a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico will be established to address the emergency situation of “the extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl.” The goal of this tariff according to the Trump administration is to “leverage America’s economic position as a tool to secure our borders against illegal migration and combat the scourge of fentanyl.”
An article written by FactCheck debunked Trump’s fentanyl claim that there were over 300,000 fentanyl deaths as a result of drugs smuggled into the U.S. In 2023, they confirmed that “there were 72,776 deaths involving non-methadone synthetic opioids, which includes fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Conducted by Forbes, an analysis of the Canada, Mexico and China tariffs predict that the overall taxing of goods will raise prices for consumers. This is mainly due to the fact that manufacturers cannot avoid tariffs by moving operations to another country. The China tariffs in particular are expected to impact a wide variety of products, ranging from electronics to shoes. According to the article, “Around 80% of toys imported to the U.S. come from China … and around 37% of footwear imports – totalling $9.5 billion – to the U.S. in 2023 came from China,” verified by the Toy Association Trade group and the U.S. International Trade Commission.
Covered in Senate: Elections concerns and coercive professors
ASUCR’S SEVENTH MEETING COVERS ELECTIONS.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at 7:05 p.m., the Associated Students of the University of California Riverside’s (ASUCR) seventh meeting was called to order.
First to speak at public comment was Rony Garcia, a representative of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 3299. Garcia called on the ASUCR elected officials to show their “support for those sacrificing themselves on our campus” during AFSCME 3299’s unfair labor practice strike. This strike will occur from Feb. 26 - Feb. 27 outside the Arts Building; all information on the protest can be found on AFSCME’s Instagram @ afscme_3299.
Concerned accounting student Christopher Buchanan was next to speak about his issues with the business School of Business (SOB) class structures. Buchanan suggested that the SOB adopt similar policies to those of the public policy department and College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), allowing students to enroll in classes for which they have not completed the prerequisites with consent from the instructor.
UCR Public Policy student Eunice Abel came to the podium next to report a “personal grievance against Professor Paul Green.” According to Abel, while she was enrolled in Professor Green’s fall quarter History of Black Education class, he used “coercive methods to get students to enroll in his classes.”
She described this coercive method as threatening to give students low or failing grades if they did not enroll in Professor Green’s winter quarter class. Abel shared that she received a poor grade since she chose not to enroll in his class. Multiple other students allegedly received incompletes in the course, forcing them to enroll in his winter quarter class.
Professor Green also allegedly used “antiBlack and misogynistic rhetoric” while teaching his lectures. Abel called on the senators to hold this professor accountable and to conduct an “investigation into the tactics and methods he is using.”
Senator Anahita Hooshayri Far responded to Abel’s concerns, assuring her they would add this to the agenda at their meeting with the CHASS dean on March 5. School of Public Policy (SPP) Senator Sofia Jimenez told Abel that she would work on removing Professor Green’s classes from the SPP course spreadsheet.
Following the senators’ comments and questions, Abel expressed her thanks , saying, “Thank you, guys. I feel very heard.”
Last to speak during public comment was
UCR’s California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) Vice Chair Makai Harrison. Harrison came to speak to the senate about the Fish and Game Commission meeting that took place on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. According to Harrison, the Fish and Game Commission was showing their support for Marine Protected Areas (MPA).
Harrison also shared that CALPIRG will have their lobby day on March 10, 2025, the same day as UC Student Association (UCSA). CALPIRG is also working on an initiative to make textbooks more affordable and increase civic engagement on campus.
After public comment, Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA) Vivian Herrera announced that the Diversity Council will host a town hall on Feb. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Highlander Union Building (HUB) 302.
On that same day, VPEA Herrera suggested everyone come to Feminist Craft Corner from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in HUB 367. At this joint event with the Highlander Action Committee (HAC) and Women Resource Center (WRC), students “can create friendship bracelets, protest signs and buttons.”
Next on the agenda was State of the Association (SOTA) reports from the Executive Cabinet.
Instead of giving her SOTA report, VPEA Herrera allocated her time to UCSA President Aditi Hariharan, who came from UC Davis to conduct her UCR campus visit.
Joining VPEA Herrera, UCSA President Hariharan explained the five campaigns they are currently working on: “We have Acquirer, which is our campaign for quality of a student’s education, [looking at] health equity, basic needs, etc. Seed is our environmental justice one which also ties in Indigenous justice. Racial Justice [Now is] our racial justice Campaign. UCweVOTE is our civic engagement campaign … and Fund The UC is our tuition affordability campaign.” She encouraged everyone to attend UCSA’s Student Lobby Conference from March 11 to March 13, 2025.
Elections Director Kevin Arizmendi, during his SOTA report, gave an update regarding the upcoming ASUCR election; currently, 110 people have filed for candidacy. According to Director Arizmendi, students must be enrolled in the college they are running for, so pre-business students running for CHASS senator positions can switch their candidacy to SOB senator if they are on the pathway to transfer to SOB.
Following SOTA reports, a motion to open the finance committee meetings was passed 12-0-0; Vice President (VP) of Finance Cooper Kumar presented the finance hearing meetings. One of
the items reviewed on the agenda was a $12,200 allocation for nine registered student organizations and passed 11-0-1.
VP of Finance Kumar discussed allocation exception requisitions to raise the equipment purchasing limit from $300 to $1,000 for an unnamed organization and a $1,000 grant request for the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), both of which passed 11-0-0. Another item was an internal hearing contingency request of $1,500 for ASUCR week from SPP Senator Jimenez, which passed 10-0-1.
The Senate reviewed three new pieces of legislation. SB-W25-014: Updating Chapter 21 of Bylaws which updated the office of sustainability bylaws with the new Green Campus Action Committee (GCAP) volunteer director position and bylaws. SB-W25-015: Chapter 19 - Volunteering Director Stipend, an accompanying bill to the previous legislation, allocating a stipend to the volunteer director next year. Both of these bills passed 11-0-0.
Passed in a vote of 10-0-1, SB-W25-016: Adding VPDEI to LRC Sending List calls for legislation to go through diversity counsel and the Executive Vice president (EVP) as a courtesy before it reaches the senate floor.
Earth Week Grants that were opened in a vote of 11-0-0. Senator Hooshyari Far presented GCAP’s request of $10,000 for six events happening the week of April 16, 2025. GCAP grants were approved 11-0-0.
During public forum, Joseph Anastacio and Government Relations Director Brianna Trujillo came up to make a comment on the VP of Diversity Equity and Inclusion’s (DEI) SOTA report. They clarified that the VP of DEI had no involvement in the Tacos for Ticano event and that their committee should receive credit for the work done at this event.
ASUCR’s seventh meeting of winter quarter was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. CHASS Senator Justin Ibay, CHASS Senator Karen Vo and College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Senator Mitchell Wei were absent; CHASS Senator Mia Rose Tuifua was excused.
Members of the Executive Cabinet (ECAB) were also required to attend this meeting to give their State of Associations. All ECAB members were represented at the meeting except for FirstTime College Student Director Andrew Bui.
VP of Internal Affairs Nadia Aierken, VP of Sustainability Ellen Nguyen, VP of DEI Ahman Greene, Transfer Student Director Allya Abdullah, Non-traditional Student Director Michael Corona and Personnel Director Grace Su Gave their SOTA reports via proxy.
On Saturday, Feb. 8. 2025, a kayaker off the coast of Chile was briefly swallowed by a whale before being quickly released unharmed. The incident was caught on camera and has quickly gone viral.
23-year-old Chilean national Adrián Simancas was kayaking in Bahía El Águila near the San Isidro Lighthouse in the Strait of Magellan with his father, Dell Simancas, when a humpback whale emerged from below and engulfed both Adrián and his kayak into its mouth. After a few seconds, the whale spat out what was perceived as unusual human meat, consequently freeing Adrián.
Typically enjoying a diet of krill and small bait fish, the humpback whale’s digestive system is not equipped to handle large prey, making it natural for the whale to reject Adrián as a meal.
Adrián described the incident to local media outlets, recalling, “I saw something blue and white passing by my face, and I did not understand what was going on. And then I went under and I thought that he had eaten me.”
In the background of the video, Adrián’s father, Dell — who recorded the whole incident — can be heard screaming for his son to “stay calm, stay calm” after Adrián was released from the whale’s mouth.
Adrián, in an interview with the Associated Press, described the “terror” of being trapped inside the whale, explaining, “I thought I was dead,” Adrián further elaborated, “I thought it had eaten me, that it
had swallowed me.”
But, Adrián expressed that the real fear did not set in until he resurfaced: “When I came up and started floating, I was scared that something might happen to my father, too, [and] that we wouldn’t reach the shore in time, or that I would get hypothermia.”
After a few moments in the water, Adrián reached his father’s kayak safely, allowing the pair to return to the shore unharmed.
Located 1,600 miles south of Chile’s capital, Santiago, the Strait of Magellan is a popular destination for adventurous tourists. Its icy cold turbulent waters provide challenges for sailors, swimmers and explorers alike.
Although it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, temperatures in this region remain cold, with lows dropping below 39 degrees Fahrenheit and highs rarely exceeding 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
A similar incident occurred on a California beach in 2020. Off the coast of Avila Beach, a humpback whale surfaced, swallowed a kayaker and his kayak, then let the human go. GoPro video taken by the kayaker of the incident suggests that — since the surrounding water was filled with small fish — the kayaker was simply caught in the crossfires of the humpback’s quest for food.
Whale attacks on humans are extremely rare in Chilean waters. However, it is becoming increasingly common for whales to die as a result of collisions with cargo ships.
Whales are at risk of major injury and death from ship strikes worldwide. But off the Chilean coast, these strikes have become more deadly over the last decade. Researchers have identified Chile as having one of the highest rates of whale deaths caused by ships globally because they lack measures to protect whales and mitigate such strikes.
Co-author of this research of the British Antarctic Survey, Dr. Jennifer Jackson told The Guardian, “This is the first study to look at [fatal whale collision] problem at a global scale, enabling global patterns of collision risk to be identified using an extremely large contemporary dataset of four recovering whale species.”
Whale species who are most affected include fin whales, humpback whales, sei whales and blue whales. To mitigate this issue, Dr. Jackson recommends implementing protective measures for whales, such as speed reductions for vessels and rerouting shipping lanes away from key whale habitats.
Dr. Freya Womersley of the Marine Biology Association expresses, “It’s encouraging to see that targeted shipping management – over a relatively small ocean area – could achieve full strike-risk hotspot coverage, making positive conservation outcomes very achievable for these species.”
Proposed NIH funding cuts are a direct hit to UCR’s research initiatives
RECEIVING $41 MILLION IN NIH FUNDING LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT TRUMP’S FUNDING CUTS THREATEN CRITICAL UCR RESEARCH PROJECTS.
Just a few weeks into his administration, President Donald J. Trump issued an order to cap indirect funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants at 15 percent, resulting in a cut of billions of dollars in research funding for universities and research institutions.
In response, California and 21 other states sued the federal government, arguing that this action would harm Americans who rely on medical research for new treatments and advancements in public health. The lawsuit claims that the order violates federal laws, including the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act and the 2018 Appropriations Act, which prohibits the NIH from making unilateral “deviations from negotiated rates” and requires federal agencies to adhere to specific procedural rules.
Angele Kelley, a U.S. District Judge from Massachusetts, temporarily blocked the administration’s order, stating that it “is justified to preserve the status quo pending a hearing” and that the plaintiffs would experience “immediate and irreparable injury.”
While the Trump administration is currently prohibited from freezing federal funding, NIH grants still cannot be disbursed, and universities are not allowed to schedule or hold meetings regarding their grants. Judge Kelley extended the temporary block on Feb. 21, 2025, until a final decision can be made on whether to issue an injunction, a court order requiring a party to cease an action, against the order. Katherine Newman, Provost of the University of California (UC), released a statement supporting the temporary block, emphasizing, “We look forward to the judge’s ruling and maintain our position that the Administration’s misguided attempt to cut vital National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding is not only arbitrary and capricious but will stifle lifesaving biomedical re-
search, hinder U.S. economic competitiveness, and ultimately jeopardize the health of Americans who depend on cutting-edge medical science and innovation.”
The UC system receives over half of the federal distributions in California for its 10 campuses, which include 21 health professional sciences schools, five cancer centers and six academic medical centers. In 2024, UC Riverside (UCR) received $41 million in NIH funding. If President Trump’s proposed cuts go through, the campus could lose $10 million in research funding.
UCR’s School of Medicine is the newest in the UC system, enrolling its first class of 50 students in 2013 and expanding to 364 students in subsequent years. In 2023, UCR opened the new School of Medicine Education II Building, which created additional instructional support spaces for students and allowed the school to enroll 125 more medical students per class. Federal research funds have also increased; last year, the school received $15 million in NIH funding.
As the leading research institution in the Inland Empire, UCR would face significant setbacks if NIH funding is reduced, including challenges in research infrastructure, staff layoffs, fewer opportunities for student research and disruptions to ongoing community-focused and medical research projects.
The NIH categorizes funding into two types: direct costs, which cover researchrelated expenses, and indirect costs, which include expenses necessary for research facilities and administration, such as building utilities and maintenance.
According to Dr. Meera Nair, Associate Dean of Biomedical Research at UCR’s School of Medicine, cuts to indirect expenses would significantly impact university research.
“The NIH indirect costs critically sup-
port infrastructure that allows the School of Medicine to maintain research technologies. The indirect funds also support vital regulatory oversight to conduct rigorous science while maintaining the highest level of integrity and providing safety for researchers and participants,” explains Dr. Nair.
Medical research labs must comply with numerous safety, regulatory and research integrity standards. Dr. Nair relies on NIH funding for required regulatory oversight, including compliance with research regulations and workplace safety measures. Decreased indirect funding would halt critical medical projects and prevent new ones from starting.
Furthermore, the proposed cuts would limit research, employment and training opportunities for students pursuing scientific, pharmaceutical, medical and academic STEM careers. Dr. Nair indicated that her two postdoctoral researchers and three graduate students are at risk of “losing their jobs” due to the NIH funding cuts.
UCR’s School of Medicine is a community-based medical research institution dedicated to supporting underrepresented students from the Inland Empire. According to the school’s 2024 enrollment records, 44 percent of students in the program are underrepresented in medicine, 40 percent are first-generation college students, 55 percent speak English as a second language and 73 percent have ties to the Inland Empire.
NIH funding cuts will hinder the School of Medicine’s mission to educate local youth and train the next generation of health professionals. Without a competitive medical research institution supporting these students, healthcare quality in the region will decline — a significant loss for the entire Inland Empire community.
Medical research being conducted at
UCR has far-reaching benefits beyond this region. Dr. Nair, for example, studies new immune cells that target obesity, a significant health issue in the United States (U.S.) affecting nearly 40 percent of Americans.
Dr. Declan McCole, a UCR biomedical researcher, uses his NIH funds to investigate how genetic variations in the PTPN2 gene contribute to autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which affects over 1.6 million Americans.
Additionally, Dr. Iryna Ethell, a UCR neuroscience professor, uses her NIH funding to investigate new mechanisms behind hyperactive neuronal networks in the brain, which can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism — affecting 1 in 58 children in the U.S.
UCR’s medical research is crucial for advancing and improving treatment of complex health conditions. Losing this scientific progress would have serious consequences for the advancement of science and the health of Americans.
Academics, students and government officials must unite to address President Trump’s attacks on higher education and research. Advocacy efforts, such as those led by Dr. Nair and the School of Medicine’s initiative to gather letter submissions, are crucial in highlighting the urgency and detrimental effects these cuts could have on the U.S.
With so much at stake, it is only through collective action that students and academics can safeguard the future of higher education and scientific research.
■ H
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.
ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER
Judge Moss siding with Elon Musk in UCSA v. DOGE will lead to serious repercussions
THE UCSA LAWSUIT AGAINST DOGE WAS A JUST ATTEMPT TO PROTECT STUDENT DATA AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN UPHELD BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer
On Feb. 18, 2025, federal Judge Randolph D. Moss granted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — an entity led by Elon Musk and his associates — access to student loan and financial aid data. This is a dangerous and irresponsible move that jeopardizes the privacy and financial security of millions of borrowers. Despite claims that DOGE’s involvement will streamline operations and cut government spending, the risks far outweigh any speculative benefits.
The University of California Student Association (UCSA) took the necessary and justified step in filing a lawsuit to prevent DOGE’s access to student data. Although Judge Moss temporarily blocked DOGE earlier last week, UCSA’s legal efforts were ultimately not upheld at the federal level. DOGE’s unchecked power, lack of oversight and potential misuse of sensitive student data present serious concerns about accountability that cannot be ignored.
DOGE’s access to student loan and financial aid data creates major privacy risks, particularly given their history of data breaches and governmental misuse of sensitive information. Past incidents, such as unauthorized data collection by intelligence agencies and financial institutions leaking private information, demonstrate the severe consequences of failing to protect sensitive records.
The decision to allow Musk’s associates to handle this data is not only reckless but also sets a dangerous precedent for future government action. There is no compelling evidence to suggest that DOGE, a new executive office created by President Trump through executive order, has the necessary safeguards in place to protect borrower data from unauthorized access, misuse or even sale to third parties. To make matters worse, DOGE is not an officially recognized government agency and should not be able to exercise such authority.
Without stringent oversight, there is no assurance that DOGE will not exploit student data for profitdriven motives, particularly given Musk’s extensive business interests in finance and technology.
Beyond the clear privacy violations, allowing DOGE access to student financial data could have a severe impact on borrowers in the long term. Historically, private entities with government influence have manipulated financial policies for their own benefit, often at the expense of the public. If DOGE gains the ability to influence student loan policies, there is a very legitimate risk that decisions will be made to serve corporate interests, rather than the financial well-being of students and borrowers.
The documents that DOGE has now gained access to contain sensitive personal and financial information, including date of birth, names, student loan account information, Social Security numbers (SSN), contact information, driver’s license number and financial background. This access opens the door for potential changes in financial aid distribution, loan repayment structures and interest rate policies — all of which could disproportionately harm low-income students, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students or those with family members who aren’t registered citizens.
Given the increasing costs of higher education, any policy shifts that prioritize cost-cutting would be devastating. For instance, overborrower protections, which reduce expenses by eliminating student resources, are one of those policies at risk. Prioritizing cost-cutting over these protections will hurt lower-income students, as higher education will be harder to access and loan repayment will become more difficult to pay.
The decision to allow DOGE to operate within the Department of Education, despite its nonfederal status, is yet another example of government
resources being handed over to private interests with little regard for the consequences. Legal experts have already raised concerns about the implications of this decision, yet the federal court failed to intervene.
The UCSA lawsuit was a crucial step in challenging this blatant overreach, and it should not have been dismissed just because “plaintiffs had not presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate imminent risk of an irreparable injury that would warrant the issuance of a temporary restraining order.”
The court’s reasoning fails to acknowledge that granting DOGE access to sensitive student financial data poses an immediate and lasting threat to borrowers’ educational and financial stability. If DOGE manipulates loan policies, alters repayment structures or allows data breaches, students could face sudden financial burdens, increased debt and barriers to higher education.
The lawsuit also rightfully called attention to the lack of oversight and the potential for misuse of student loan data. By taking legal action, UCSA upheld the rights of students across the country, sending a clear message that access to such critical information should not be granted without safeguards and accountability.
Despite the legal setback, the lawsuit succeeded temporarily for a total of seven days from Feb 11. to Feb. 17. The lawsuit halted DOGE’s access and sparked national discourse on the dangers of allowing private entities to interfere in public financial aid systems. The fact that DOGE’s access was initially suspended demonstrates that these concerns are valid and warranted. The failure to uphold the injunction does not erase the necessity of the lawsuit — if anything, it demonstrates the urgent need for further legal challenges and legislative action to restrict DOGE’s authority.
If DOGE continues to operate unchecked, it will establish a dangerous precedent for future governmental organizations to not be held accountable. Today, it is student loan data. Tomorrow, it could be broader financial records, personal health information and other sensitive data being handed over to private entities under the guise of efficiency. This is not about streamlining bureaucracy. It is about consolidating control over critical information with minimal oversight or accountability.
As a nation there are already little to no safeguards against President Donald J. Trump, which is why this decision cannot go unchallenged. UCSA took proper action by filing their lawsuit and Congress and the Department of Education should impose stricter regulations on data access and ensure that any entity handling such information is subject to rigorous oversight. Students and borrowers should also remain engaged by demanding transparency and supporting advocacy efforts that push back against this reckless decision. Ultimately, granting DOGE access to student loan data is a betrayal of public trust and a clear example of government overreach. If action is not taken now, this decision will set a precedent that could have disastrous consequences for years to come. The time to stand up is now.
Features Scotty-Scopes:
Your intro to introspection
Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):
You’re a natural-born leader, but don’t take responsibility for things that you don’t need to spearhead. It’s not your circus, and not your monkeys.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): Strength
You have the inner strength to prevail in the face of challenge, but you don’t believe in yourself enough to succeed. Push through the self-doubt and triumph.
Aries (March 21 – April 19): Two of Swords
Avoidance will not make your decisions go away, no matter how long you wait. Trust yourself enough to make the decision that is right for you.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Death
A new version of yourself is unfolding within you. Let this new you follow a path of growth and not fall back into old habits.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Nine of
Hustling is a lifestyle, but don’t overinvest in work. I promise that you can be alone with your thoughts.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): Eight of Wands
Resisting changes in your life will only make you frustrated. Whether you like what’s happening or not, focus your thoughts to accept what the future holds for you.
MUSINGS ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):
There are a lot of competing forces in your head right now, Sagittarius. Balance out your need for success, actions, determination and control, and things will work out.
Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): Five of Wands
Nobody is making you compete with yourself, Pisces. Just try to be the best you can be and release that tension within yourself.
MAIN ST
Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Nine of Cups
You’ve done a great job being content with who you are at your core. This satisfaction will only continue to grow as long as you stay true to yourself.
ORANGE ST
Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Knight of
You’re a hard worker, Leo, and you know it. Your ambition is your strongest skill, so lean into it.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20): The Magician
Gemini, you’re a resourceful person, but you have to believe in your talents enough to follow through with inspired actions. Don’t be manipulated into believing you can’t make a personal plan and follow through with it.
Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22):
Don’t let your introspection and soulsearching nature become sour and turn into isolation and loneliness. Though being alone might be your style, don’t let that turn into total withdrawal.
King of Wands
Pentacles
The Chariot
Swords
The Hermit
NATALIE DAHL Features Editor
NORM’S NOOK SPOTLIGHT
Picnic Hill Bird Bath
Picnic Hill is the little treasure hidden amongst the commotion of campus. Featuring the charm of little critters, picnic benches, a small garden and lively trees that surround the hill make it the perfect destination on campus for ample relaxation. However, that’s not all it has to offer. Picnic Hill has a special treat for any lover of birds and baths: a bird bath! The bird bath, made out of cobblestone and what looks like medieval ruins, is dedicated to a mysterious fellow by the name of George E. Fuller. The plaque found accompanying the bird bath is labeled with a just as mysterious quote by the British author, Ernest Thompson Seton, that reads, “Have the wild things no moral or legal right?” While the mystery stands, the tranquility of Picnic Hill and its bird bath provide an ethereal experience.
Picnic Hill
Mata Elangovan / The Highlander
STUDENT POLL
QUESTION: What do you look forward to most during Ramadan?
Answer our weekly question on the Highlander Instagram for the opportunity to get featured in the next issue!
I most look forward to deepening my connection with my faith and myself. Abayas.
staying up all night at the masjid :)
Taraweeh, Qiyams, and food.
Wearing Islamic clothing all month.
My favorite part of Ramadan is the community coming together and everyone collectively working on bettering themselves!
GABRIELA GALVAN Assistant Features Editor
Kiana K.
Henna P.
Senna O.
Byane B.
Shaima S.
Ayra B.
GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER
NATIONAL PARKS
MAIN ST
48. Parts of a min.
22. Exorcist’s target
Golf ball support
The act of spelling a word wrong 28. Partner of now 30. Where Seoul is
“Prince ___” (“Aladdin”
21. Attend a school, college or university over a period of
Someone who will ask for the manager 33. Utah national park 34. Cowboy boot attachment 38. Spider-Man’s foe 40. A professor delivers 42. Aid and ___ 43. California national park, with -mite
45. Sledding sites 46. “You ___ kidding!”
By Natalie Features
Down
49. A type of drug that slows down brain activity
53. One in a suit of four 56. Early stage 57. Fish eggs like caviar 58. Dress (up) 59. Search engine ___oo 60. Oldest national park 64. Pilot’s announcement, briefly
65. Vanilla 66. Nets
67. Without precedent
68. Fortnite dance
69. Rendezvous
1. The side Luke Skywalker chose
2. Feel the same
3. Another name for a sycamore
4. A billion years
5. Accommodations
6. Skedaddles it in a jazz song
7. If a snowboard and ski had a child
8. Frigid
9. Two, to or ___
10. Take care of
ORANGE ST
11. A Hindu male religious teacher
ANSWERS (DON’T
12. Synthetic sweater fabric
13. Telling fibs
18. Money
23. Like a rubber band
26. Dr. Jekyll’s servant
27. Marine eagle
29. About 2.5 acres
31. Mauna ___ (Hawaiian volcano)
32. Priestly garb
33. Rare biological term that means “animals” or “living beings”
35. Capable of pulsating
36. www.yahoo.com, e.g.
37. Hi-___ graphics
39. Dark loaves
PEEK!)
41. 32 pieces + board; 2 wds.
44. Like a bright night
47. Enter again
48. Soup’s cousin
49. Highly skilled senior member
50. Related on the mother’s side
51. “Poppycock!”
52. Who “ever loved you more than I,” in song
54. Direct a ship’s steering
55. Get rid of
61. Freddy Krueger’s street
62. ___-tzu; ancient philosopher
63. Black gunk ■ H
SENNA OMAR / THE HIGHLANDER
A love letter to the bicyclists, skaters and non-electric scooter riders of campus
MANY STUDENTS ON CAMPUS EXTEND THEIR SINCEREST GRATITUDE TOWARDS THOSE SEEKING TO MAKE THE CAMPUS A BETTER, SAFER PLACE.
Dear bicyclists, skaters, and non-electric scooter-ers of the campus of University of California, Riverside (UCR), Oh, how the pedestrians of campus adore you so. We keep you so close to our hearts, near and dear to us, because you are the far and few that respect our space, and we only hope to do the same for you.
More often than not, students of UCR experience poor interactions with the electric scooter riders that run rampant through this university like a plague. You, my dear friends, are the exceptions to the entitled self-propelled vehicle riders of campus.
Cyclists, we adore how you stay in the bike line. You look wonderful wearing the helmet and the other equipment that safely guards you from the terrors of the world in the form of electric scooter riders and cars. Hearing you ring your bell is like hearing an angel singing into my ears. Thank you for not creepily hovering behind me expecting me to move when I don’t even know you’re there — unlike some people.
Skateboarders, rollerbladers and roller skaters, we admire your gracefulness on the concrete and your politeness when you pass us by. Seeing your clothes ruffle behind you as you skate your heart out while also being considerate to everyone in proximity is truly a joy.
Skateboarders, we appreciate how loud your skateboard is, signaling to walkers to move out of the way when we hear you approach. Thank you for being thoughtful when attempting your cool tricks, making sure to be out of the way from everyone so nobody gets hurt and letting people pass by when you’re attempting a trick in a high-traffic area.
Non-electric scooter-ers, you get roped in when students talk about “hating the scooters on campus,” but do not be confused — people are not talking about you. You receive a bad reputation from your electric counterpart, but trust that the wider population of UCR does not confuse the two groups. We can tell the differences in not only your scooters’ physical characteristics but also by how you conduct yourself as you ride. You mind your own business, and we commend you for it. The childlike whimsy you exude as you push yourself forward on your Razor brings a smile to our faces. And lastly, I have a message for the electric scooter riders of UCR’s wonderful campus. Please do better. You act like you’re a car when you’re on the sidewalk and then switch up and act like a pedestrian when you’re on the road. Let’s have some common sense. And while we’re at it, let’s have some common decency and consideration for others as well. Get off your scooter in a high-traffic area. There are people walking, and you’re trying to speed past everyone with no regard. Get over yourself.
You don’t have to talk over the heads of pedestrians to your friend that’s also on an electric scooter that you “love cutting up traffic” (which is something that has happened to me before). You’re not in a sports car. You’re on an electric scooter. Wake up. Good for you if you feel super cool on your scooter — just keep it to yourself. Nobody cares that you feel like you’re in Fast and Furious while going down the street at some godforsaken speed. However, at the same time, we do care if you injure yourself or others by doing so. Nobody is rooting for you to get hurt either — that’s really the last thing we want. So please keep yourself and others safe, drive with caution and keep your entitlement to a minimum.
Sincerely, The rest of UCR
STELA NOELLE ABASTA Contributing Writer
RADAR
HBO’s “The White Lotus” finally releases its third season
Whether the show is cheap entertainment or deep cultural critique is up to
the viewer
By: Bobbi Monae Mandour, Assistant Radar Editor
After nearly three years, HBO’s popular television series, “The White Lotus,” made its comeback with a third season on Sunday, Feb. 16. The show’s first season, which aired in 2021, happened during a rather interesting time in recent history, as much of the United States’ social landscape was still in the throes of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020. Back then, it seemed like many jobs, for the white collar class at least, were still following the work-from-home trend.
Because of this, lots of people were finding entertainment within the home – especially through streaming television shows. Funnily enough, HBO’s dark comedy, “The White Lotus,” is based on satirical social commentary, some of which probably targets the very audience that enjoys watching it. With season three’s premier, the show introduces a brand new set of detached-from-reality characters with enough money in their pockets to vacation at a wellness retreat in Thailand.
Part of the fun of watching “The White Lotus” is seeing the absurdity of the behavior of the wealthy characters, who like in past seasons, seem to take their fancy vacation resorts for granted. For those who haven’t seen the past seasons, the series typically follows the storylines of multiple characters at once, who range in age and backstory, as well as socioeconomic status.
All of the characters meet – for better or for worse
– at a resort in some tropical setting, like Hawaii of season one, or somewhere stereotypically romanticized, like Italy in season two. The show follows the same juxtaposition, which is still present in the newest season: the wealthy, obnoxious vacationers are dysfunctional despite their picturesque vacations, and the local, working-class staff of the resort are affected in various ways by these guests.
One of the show's biggest appeals for fans is the mystery of what mishaps will lead to somebody’s demise in the end. So far, each season has ended with a death of a significant character, which tends to be cleverly foreshadowed throughout the story in hindsight, but has been difficult to predict for fans while the show is ongoing.
While “The White Lotus” is very plot-driven, it is also an intriguing show because of director Mike White’s talent with casting Hollywood
Some of these stars include Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, Alexandra Daddario, Sydney Sweeney and Walton Goggins to play characters unlike some of their past roles. In the new season, actress Parker Posey, a starlet of 1990s indie films, joins the cast to play a disaffected, overly-medicated, upper-class matriarch of an odd family. There is also the addition of Lisa, of the K-pop group Blackpink, who plays one of the hotel’s local Thai staff. With this mashup of a cast, the show really shines in its explorations of character studies.
Season three’s most curious set of characters, based on the first episode, is Parker Posey’s family, which has already perplexed viewers due to the suggested potential of incestuous urges between the teenage and young adult siblings. This is where “The White Lotus” veers into something a bit beyond satire, and maybe just pure absurdity. It’s hard to tell where exactly this
plotline will go from a single episode, but most welladjusted fans are probably hoping that their familial ties aren’t fully blood-related.
Following these character oddities, this season also features a peculiar, slightly toxic age-gap relationship between Walter Goggins’ middle-aged character and a young, bubbly British gal played by Aimee Lou Wood. Tensions seem to be on the rise between the aforementioned family and this couple, which seems to foreshadow sinister behaviors between the men in both contexts.
While the show offers ample class critique, it also seems like this season might bring into question the aspect of racial tensions, as well. One of the show’s recurring characters, Belinda, is a Black woman who existed in the world of the first season as one of the hotel’s staff, catering to the wellness needs of one notable rich white woman played
by Jennifer Coolidge. In the new season, her status in the “White Lotus” world has been elevated to being a guest, rather than a worker, at the wellness retreat.
Surrounded by upper-class white guests, Belinda stands out both on the screen, and interpersonally. Though the show references her son coming to visit her, she’s seen seeking for a sense of community among other people of color. The show even overtly communicates this as a potential plotline, as Belinda notices two other Black guests at the retreat and shares a knowing look with them, later telling her son on the phone about the encounter.
Verdict: Overall, the new season of “The White Lotus” looks like a promising entertainment prospect, even though the concept of satirizing the trials and tribulations of rich people might start feeling like old news at this point.
stars.
Courtesy of Emma McIntyre
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ is a film that fails to entertain an audience
THIS MESS OF A FILM IS AN EXAMPLE OF EVERYTHING WRONG WITH HOLLYWOOD TODAY.
Marvel Studios has had a rough couple of years. With every success, such as 2024’s “Deadpool And Wolverine” and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” there comes a series of flops, such as 2021’s “Eternals” and 2023’s “Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania.” Marvel has tried their best to make audiences care about their characters, and it has worked to some degree, but without Iron Man or even the original Captain America, Marvel has struggled to make new stars to take center stage to lead the few films for the next couple of years. This is where “Brave New World” comes into play.
In this film, Sam Wilson has to solve a conspiracy that he is a part of. The plot is straightforward, but Marvel always has to tie this film with other films as this is the Marvel norm. The biggest crime is that this film tries to market itself as a “serious” and “down to reality” film as 2014’s “The Winter Soldier,” but the problem is that many scenes feel unfinished and make the audience wonder what got cut and edited out for time. One of the other biggest problems of this film is its poor pacing.
One of the weakest aspects of the film is the villains. Marvel has had a bad track record of villains, but this film has three, ranging from either bad to just forgettable. Without getting into spoilers, one of the villains is a “surprise,” but they just feel irrelevant. They were a big waste of screen time that could’ve gone to other characters instead. This is also the first Captain America film without Steve Rogers, and instead, his partner from the previous three films, Anthony Mackie, has to fill in the gap. For the most part, he does a decent job with
what he has to work with, and Mackie’s chemistry with his other co-stars carries the film.
The real star of this film and one of the only good highlights in this film is Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross. He is the only character in this film that has a full character arc. His character has to navigate through a sea of emotions and learn the value of trust after a failed assassination attempt. This causes him to turn into the Red Hulk. Seeing Harrison Ford let loose as the Red Hulk and fight Captain America was one of the film’s few highlights. The downside to the fight scene was that it was short, and the fragmentary computer- generated imagery (CGI) was very noticeable and distracting at times.
This film has its moments, but they’re very few in number. This film doesn’t know what it wants to be. At times it tries to be a political thriller with social commentaries, but at other times it wants to be a “fun” blockbuster. The reshoots were noticeable and affected the viewing experience.
This film also felt more like a Disney+ series rather than a theatrical release. In fact, a Disney+ release may have been better received. 2025 will see the release of two more Marvel films: “Thunderbolts,” which releases in
May, and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” which releases in July. Hopefully, those films are better than this, but so far, Marvel is off to a rough start this year , and if those films garner the same reception as “Brave New World,” it’ll be fair to say that Marvel will be in deep trouble.
Superhero fatigue has been the topic of conversation in the world of cinema, and with more misses than hits lately, it can be easily concluded that it’s real. It’s not that audiences are tired of superhero films, they are instead tired of bad and mediocre superhero films. For many years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been able to
provide the audience with escapism. Over the last few years though, that magic has disappeared as Marvel loses more of its audience with each new release. Hopefully with the release of this film Marvel can go back to the drawing board and start making entertaining films again.
Verdict:
While it’s not the worst Marvel film, it’s also not the best Marvel has to offer. If anything, it’s an excuse to go out to the theater. While this film has its moments with certain scenes and performances, it’s probably better to wait for it to hit streaming services.
JOSEPH ARRIAGA Contributing Writer
IVE’s ‘Empathy’ is a catchy pop album with a cohesive theme
‘Empathy’ keeps IVE’s classic aesthetics and concept while expanding their sound and musical versatility.
By: Joanna Simon, Contributing Writer
IVE is a K-pop girl group composed of six members, known for catchy pop songs, stunning aesthetics and talented members. Empathy was released on Feb. 3, 2025, and was announced in December for release in January, along with a pre-release titled “Rebel Heart.” Fans were excited by track teasers, and felt that they would like the songs on the album.
“Attitude” is an upbeat track that samples “Tom’s Diner” by Suzanne Vega, a song sample commonly recognized from “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy. They utilize this sample to keep the track’s high energy, and it’s effective in keeping a consistent momentum throughout the song. Overall, the song does have a bit of an abrupt ending, and would benefit from a better bridge that is less chant focused, as it seems to be an unfitting deviation from the rest of the song.
The music video is a little eccentric, but it fits the vibe of the track perfectly, with a classic style of choreo the group is known for. One notable aspect is the group’s stage presence, which feels cohesive and has improved significantly, making performances for “Attitude” enjoyable to watch.
“Rebel Heart” was a prerelease that came out on Jan. 13, 2025. Its upbeat chorus is the track’s biggest strength, and is reminiscent of previous IVE songs with similar sounds. Some criticized the lyrics for being a bit cheesy, but most fans appreciated the song either way, as “cheesy” English lyrics in K-pop songs are not uncommon, despite fan debates. The instrumental has a bouncy sound, with a guitar in the background and fast-paced percussion.
This track showcased IVE’s musical strengths when it comes to grand, upbeat pop songs.
“You Wanna Cry” is an emotional track with a more serious sound, showcasing vulnerability and less lightheartedness compared to other tracks on the album. The track is about simply being by someone’s side when they cry, which is a comforting message that embraces the album’s title, “Empathy,” well.
Wonyoung’s deeper vocals were a pleasant surprise. This track seems to showcase the group’s vocal diversity well. The guitar that seems to explode into the chorus is sudden, but not jarring, even when the chorus transitions into slower verses. This is thanks to the ever-present guitar in the instrumental, changing pace when appropriate, which seems to be a common feature of this album.
“TKO” is a fan favorite off the album, with a slightly experimental, bold instrumental and a fun martial arts theme in the lyrics.
The trumpet opening was a fun move that makes listeners interested in what comes next for the song.
The cowbells in the more experimental part of the instrumental during the verses introduces a new sound for IVE that most fans enjoyed, while the more melodic chorus offers some familiarity to fans.
“FLU” is a mellow track that features IVE’s higher vocals and a classic upbeat instrumental, but it doesn’t feel like much of a standout despite sounding pleasant. The lyrics comparing the feeling of being in love to having a flu are interesting, though. “Thank U” is a slow track that is dedicated to
IVE’s fans, and it’s a pleasant song with heartwarming lyrics, but doesn’t stand out compared to other tracks, especially when comparing instrumentals. However, the group delivers a good vocal performance.
“Empathy” is a solid release for fans of upbeat pop and typical girl group aesthetics. The lyrical quality differs from song-to-song, but for the most part, there is a cohesive theme relating to emotions. The production seems to be one of the biggest strengths on this album,
with instrumentals smoothly transitioning throughout songs. The members’ vocals and stage presence has also improved from their earlier performances, inciting praise from fans of the group.
Fans of IVE enjoyed the album, with many saying it kept IVE’s style and themes while changing their sound a little bit. The changes were not enough to be offputting, but just enough to show off a little experimentation, as seen with tracks
Verdict: “Empathy” is a solid pop release with a slight deviation of the group’s usual sound done in an artful way, and showcasing improvement in how far they have come in their career. The album itself isn’t particularly a standout release, but would appeal to most girl group fans and fans of aesthetic girls crush pop.
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
such as “TKO.”
‘Court of Gold’ Episode 1: Team USA’s redemption journey begins
“Court Of Gold” tips off with a dramatic start in Team USA’s journey to gold.
By: Karl Boudiwan, Contributing Writer
In the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Team USA’s Basketball team wins the Gold Medal after a dramatic game against the host country France. Released on Feb. 18, 2025 on Netflix, “Court of Gold” chronicles Team USA's Basketball journey in the Summer Olympics.
Episode 1 starts by explaining how the sport of basketball did not only develop in the United States (U.S.), but throughout other parts of the world as well, from countries like France and Serbia. It then mentions Team USA's horrible loss in the FIBA World Cup in 2023 as they ended in fourth place. With that, the NBA’s
biggest stars; Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and many others decide to use this loss as a motivation to restore USA Basketball and their reputation.
This episode also provides the viewers with historical context and interviews with players from different countries such as France, Serbia and Canada; The players from these countries share their opinions on facing Team USA and preparing for the Olympics. The episode also shows the animosity building up between the countries fighting for the gold.
The cross-cutting between Kevin Durant and Evan
Fournier was a really interesting choice, as it highlighted the rivalry between the two players going head to head constantly on the NBA level and International level.
From a production standpoint, “Court Of Gold” is visually amazing. The cinematography captures everything from the training camp footage to the intense interviews with the players. The editing not only captures the players’ tension, but also moves seamlessly between training footage, historical games and player highlights. The soundtrack in this episode complements its tone, enhancing the atmosphere while reflecting
Verdict: Whether they’re basketball fans or not, audiences will enjoy this episode as it sets the stakes for Team USA’s redemption journey., The docuseries offers an inside look at the challenges, determination and passion
driving the players toward Olympic gold. It also promises to be a gripping and intense series, delivering an immersive experience for viewers and basketball fans worldwide.
RADAR REPLY: Take a trip with “Symbiopsychotaxiplasm”
Open your mind with William Greaves’s defining avant-garde opus.
By: Aakif Iqbal, Staff Writer
Pronounced as “symbio-psycho-taxiplasm,” William Greaves’s 1968 film is as mind-melding as its title suggests. It is a defining work of a vant-garde cinema. Before Alejandro Jodorowsky acknowledged the fourth wall of the cinema, Greaves’s hybrid film did that tenfold. Greaves blurs the line between what is truth and fiction in a documentary.
This film perfectly reflects the 1960s, which was a decade of protest and experimentation. Everything was being questioned, from the need to go to war, the worshipping of politicians, and gender roles, among other issues. New never-beforeseen silhouettes came out of the fashion world and never-before-heard sounds erupted from the experi-
mentation of electronic synthesizers. The world of cinema was no different.
In New York City around this time, there was a whole group of filmmakers creating experimental films in a scene frequented by the likes of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Filmmakers like Jonas Mekas, Stan Brakhage, and so much more explored the boundaries of filmmaking. They questioned whether film needs to be shot with a camera, if the camera needs to move, whether there can be one subject, the length of the project and if it matters whether people watch the film in its entirety.
These questions led to some of the most infamous films in the avant-garde canon. Brakhage made “Mothlight,” a film composed
entirely of stills created by pressing moth wings, leaves and other organic materials between two strips of tape.
Andy Warhol also made “Empire,” which was composed of a singular shot focusing on the Empire state building for eight hours and five minutes.
Now, enter “Symbiopsychotaxiplasm.” It's as trippy and elusive as one would expect a late 1960s film to be.
The film is a documentary of Greaves conducting screen tests in Central Park.. He works with different pairs of actors, instructing them for the camera. Meanwhile, he also directs the documentary crew following him as well on what to shoot and what to look for. This is not a behind-the-scenes fly-onthe-wall documentary like one would imagine. Instead,
the substance of the film comes from its exploration of all the questions that are asked.
If viewers found Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” confusing, it would not be advised to watch this film. Even among fans of the avant-garde film scene, it is polarizing. For 75 minutes, its 16-millimeter hand-held footage disorients viewers. Multiple angles of the same scene play all at once. And the soundtrack, composed by Miles Davis, only adds
to this feeling.
Fans of Thomas Pynchon’s “Gravity’s Rainbow” may be more inclined to watch this as its playfulness and mystery appeals to the more academic side of art. Verdict: Though not considered a must-see in the avant-garde film world, “Symbiopsychotaxiplasm” really ought to be. As Black History Month soon comes to a close, check out this underrated trail-blazing experiment!
the culture of basketball.
Courtesy of Netflix
Courtesy of Mubi
The love between a poet and his muse
Shakespeare’s everlasting love for his fair youth will transcend time.
By: Mata Elangovan, Managing Editor
Not all were able to woo their unrequited crushes during Valentine’s Day, but there is one man who succeeded in most of his attempts. Whether it be wooing a woman of great beauty or lamenting a cold, harsh rejection, William Shakespeare took it all in stride. In a series of 154 sonnets, the first few addressed to a Fair Youth, also envisioned as a young man, and the last few addressed to the Dark Woman whom he held a complex love affair with, Shakespeare took time time to explore his own understanding of sexuality and desire, while also making sure the public knew of his own voracious nature.
Here are some of Shakespeare’s best sonnets addressed to his “lovely boy.”
1) Sonnet 126 - “O thou, my lovely boy”
Sonnet 126 is the last of Shakespeare’s series of sonnets addressed to his lovely boy, more colloquially known as the “Fair Youth” sonnets. Throughout the lines of 126, it is clear to see Shakespeare is thoroughly enamored with the young man the poems are addressed to. Not only did he find the lad physically attractive, but he also found a strong emotional connection to him. Despite “time’s fickle glass,” Shakespeare believes that the boy has not aged a day and manages to retain his beauty.
Despite the care and love that Shakespeare holds for this boy, there is still a dark side to his poem, and he laments the day that the youth will die. Shakespeare knows all too well that with the passing of time that the boy will fall victim to the “wretched minute” which passes and nature will offer his beloved up to death and old age.
The beauty of the sonnet is found in how it is the end of the story of Shakespeare’s love for the boy. One day, despite the boy’s death, he will be immortalized through Shakespeare’s sonnets, and his beauty will be known by those who read the poet’s works.
2) Sonnet 18 - “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
More commonly known as “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?,” this sonnet is essentially a poem confessing Shakespeare’s love for the Fair Youth. Using metaphor upon metaphor like a love-sick fool, Shakespeare does what he can to encapsulate the beauty of the object of his affections.
One thing that remains constant is Shakespeare’s fascination with the contrast between life and death. He reassures to his lovely boy that his “eternal summer shall not fade” and “nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade.” And in a relatively lascivious manner, he comments that as long as men breathe or have eyes to see from, they will read the sonnet, and it will give life to the boy.
It is a bold, yet quite an endearing claim that a written poem will give eternal life. To a degree, it is touching to think that Shakespeare wanted to eternalize the Fair Youth for future generations to come, sharing his beauty to those who have no idea who the poem even refers to. And to Shakespeare’s defense, his intent to preserve the boy’s beauty came true, as people read his works today and wonder just who was this individual that stole the poet’s heart.
3) Sonnet 116: “Let me not to the marriage of true minds”
Once again delving into themes of time and love, Shakespeare now has a mental breakdown as he tries to understand whether or not the concept of true love is real. He compares love to “the star to every wandering bark,” never dying and never changing. But the craziest part of the sonnet is when Shakspeare declares “if this be error and upon me proved, / I never writ, no no man ever loved.” For those who are not fluent in Shakespeare-talk, this essentially means that if he is wrong, then no man has ever loved before.
Emphasizing the idea that time has no boundaries, Shakespeare stands by his belief that love is a constant even when the people in a relationship change. This sonnet is one of many addressed to the Fair Youth, and it seems to imply that Shakespeare will always love him no matter how the two of them change over the course of their relationship. It is also a sweet way for the poet to tell his muse that no man has ever loved before if the love between the two of them is not forever. Which is a little silly to think of when the last of Shakespeare’s sonnets are addressed to the Dark Woman.
4) Sonnet 80: “Oh how I faint when I of you do write”
This sonnet is one in which Shakespeare shares his feelings of inferiority, as now there is a competing poet aiming true for the heart of his lovely boy. He falls victim to the idea that “a better spirit doth use your name” and that another poet “spends all his might” trying to win over the fair youth.
Using the metaphor of an ocean to represent the Fair Youth and ships for the competing poets, Shakespeare laments as his “saucy bark, inferior far to his” and that his rival is one who is strong in heart and soul. Despite bringing himself down, he pours praise onto his love and shares that his “shallowest help will hold me up afloat,” essentially saying that even with the bare minimum of love he receives from the young man, it is enough to keep him up.■ H
SPORTS Highlanders Heat Up the Court 87-66
UCR’s men’s basketball team defeats CSULB’s team.
By: Kishneet Kaur, Contributing Writer
On Feb. 20, 2025, in the Student Recreation Center (SRC) Arena, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball team faced off against California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), with UCR taking the win with a final score of 87-66.
The message before the game was “carpe diem,” meaning “seize the day.” This contributed to the big win because although CSULB’s team was reeling a little, they knew that CSULB would “swing for the fences and come out with their best punch.”
At the beginning of the first half of the game, CSULB’s team came in strong, taking an early lead until Hargress knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers putting UCR ahead 21-20. Magpayo explains that he wanted to attack opponents by taking a slow approach and letting the game come to them. However, when
this wasn’t working to their advantage, a more aggressive game plan helped the Highlanders get a hold of the game.
The top scorers in this game were Austin Johnson from CSULB, scoring 22 points, and Nate Pickens from UCR, breaking his personal record as a Highlander when scoring 27 points in a single game.
A play that stood out drastically was during the second half, with less than 10 minutes left on the clock: the ball was in CSULB’s possession, but a sloppy pass was poked away by Hargress. His momentum gave him a clear path to the hoop, leading to a fast break dunk.
Currently, in the Big West Conference, four-seed UCR goes against 3-seed California State University, Northridge (CSUN) on March 6 at home in the SRC. When reflecting on CSUN beating the two-seed UC Irvine, Coach Mike Magpayo
shared that it does not matter and that they control their destiny.
Magpyao elaborates that UCR beat CSULB once, and that UCR would have more control over their fate due to having home court advantage. According to the coach, catching the second seed “would be huge,” and he is optimistic that UCR could sneak into the top two which would allow for extra rest for the playoffs.. Currently, the team’s objective is to take each game, one at a time, and focus on themselves to ensure the team’s best possible outcome.
Junior guard Isaiah Moses commented after the game, “I feel like we’re really together and our chemistry is on the rise every single game. We love playing with each other and for each other and I feel like we’re growing as the season goes on.”
Overall, UCR walked out with a vital 87-66 win, im-
proving their Big West Conference record to 11-5. On Feb. 22, 2025, the Highlanders had another chance to climb up the standings against California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) at the Mott Athletic Center Arena, but the Highlanders left with a loss falling 12 points short.
Although Cal Poly SLO possessed a record of 4-11 going into this game, they exited the game with a big overtime win, improving their record to 5-11 in the process.
The final score of this game was 112-100. Hargress and Cal Poly SLO’s Jarred Hyder led their respective teams with 25 points each. The Highlanders' upcoming game is a road test against Hawaii this Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 at 9 p.m.
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Adelia Urena // The Highlander
Elena / The Highlander
Highlanders lose 75-69 shootout against Long Beach State
UCR
and CSULB go back and forth in Thursday’s high-scoring affair.
By: Isaac Solnick, Sports Editor
On Thursday eve-
ning, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) women’s basketball team traveled west to take on California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). These two teams faced each other once earlier this season in Riverside. CSULB won that matchup 63-48, but each team entered Thursday’s tilt on opposite sides of the coin.
The Highlanders were coming off back-to-back wins against UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, two teams ahead of them in the standings. Another win would continue UCR’s ascension up the Big West standings.
On the other hand, CSULB were hot to start Big West conference play, but have cooled down since. They had lost five of their last six games going into this one. Pressure was mounting on star senior guard Savannah Tucker and graduate forward Rachel Loobie to get the team back on track.
Tucker and the Beach meant business early on. A Tucker layup put CSULB up 7-0 in the early minutes. Rather than call an early timeout, UCR head coach Brad Langston allowed his team to find their groove and they did just that.
Junior guard Makayla Rose used her signature blow by move for an easy layup. Then, graduate guard Seneca Hackley knocked down a deep 3-pointer to get the Highlanders back into it.
Rose and Tucker were matched up on each other once again tonight. The pair continued to trade buckets in the first quarter just like they had earlier in the season. Rose, one of the conference’s best defenders, had her hands full with Tucker, the top scorer in the Big West.
Both Rose and Tucker lead their respective teams in minutes played this season and fans of both sides knew the spotlight would be on these two all game. Both teams kept trading blows as Rose and Tucker went headto-head.
The high-scoring first quarter ended 21-21. Looking to add some defense, Langston substituted junior guard Jordyn Marshall. She typically makes her presence felt on the defensive end. However, she also made contributions on offense, helping the Highlanders stay in this shootout.
To start the second, Marshall drew an offensive foul against Loobie, firing up her teammates. The energy from Marshall’s defensive play translated to UCR’s offense. The Highlanders quickly swung the ball around, not letting the Beach set up defensively.
UCR’s rapid ball movement combined with CSULB’s unwillingness to give UCR guards Seneca Hackley and Kaylani Polk any room to shoot from distance, left the Beach scrambling defensively. This opened up space inside for senior forward Esther Matarranz and sophomore forward Maya Chocano for easy buckets.
Meanwhile, the Big West’s best scorer kept doing her things. Tucker swished a deep triple, her thousandth career point with the Beach. She received a huge ovation from the crowd and her milestone gave CSULB the momentum to counter the UCR energy.
Despite Tucker’s milestone basket, Rose made her presence felt to end the first half. She blew by her defender once more for another layup. Then, she intercepted a lazy pass and glided her
way to the other end of the court to put away the fastbreak layup.
Rose’s efforts gave the Highlanders a one-point lead going into halftime, but this game was looking more and more like it could go either way.
UCR started the second half off hot, going on a 10-2 scoring run. However, the Beach reeled the Highlanders back in with a couple blocks and a handful of other strong defensive plays. CSULB retook the lead, and a layup in transition from freshman forward Mykelle Richards gave the Beach a 55-52 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In the clutch, the experience of the Beach paid dividends. Loobie, Tucker and fellow senior guard Patricia Chung turned it on in the fourth.
But it was freshman guard JaQuoia Jones-Brown who iced the game for the Beach.
Jones-Brown hit a tough jumper over the much taller junior forward Shelley Duchemin. She followed that up with a pair of clutch free throws to put away the game as the Beach would go on to win 75-69.
After losing to CSULB, the Highlanders traveled back home to host California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) on Saturday. The Mustangs shot a whopping 60 percent
from the field, but the Highlanders managed to secure a 74-63 win.
Despite not shooting as well as their opponents, UCR limited their mistakes, heavily outscoring Cal Poly SLO in points off turnovers, 338. Duchemin led the Highlanders offensively with 20 points while Rose chipped in with four steals on defense.
Saturday’s win improved UCR’s Big West record to 9-8. However, things won’t get any easier for the Highlanders. This week, they’ll host star point guard Lily Wahinekapu and the 14-2 Hawaii Rainbow Wahine on Thursday, Feb. 27.
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Photo courtesy of Joseph Kling
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - 2/20/2025
UCR VS. LONG BEACH ST. 75-69, L
UCR TEAM LEADERS: POINTS: SENECA HACKLEY (17)
REBOUNDS: ESTHER MATARRANZ (8) ASSISTS: MAKAYLA ROSE AND ESTHER MATARRANZ (4)
MEN’S BASKETBALL - 2/20/2025
LONG BEACH ST. VS. UCR 87-66, W
UCR TEAM LEADERS: POINTS: NATE PICKENS (27)
REBOUNDS: JOEL ARMOTRADING (7) ASSISTS: BARRINGTON HARGRESS (5)
SOFTBALL - 2/20 - 2/22/2025
MARY NUTTER COLLEGIATE CLASSIC UCR VS. BETHUNE-COOKMAN 3-1, W
UCR VS. WASHINGTON 10-0, L UCR VS. NEVADA 13-0, L
UCR VS. RUTGERS 6-4, L
UCR VS. SAN DIEGO STATE 4-1, L
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - 2/22/2025
CAL POLY SLO VS. UCR 74-63, W
UCR TEAM LEADERS: POINTS: SHELLEY DUCHEMIN (20)
REBOUNDS: SHELLEY DUCHEMIN (6) ASSISTS: MAKAYLA ROSE (4)
MEN’S BASKETBALL - 2/22/2025
UCR VS. CAL POLY SLO
112-100 OT, L
UCR TEAM LEADERS: POINTS: BARRINGTON HARGRESS (25) REBOUNDS: JOEL ARMOTRADING (8) ASSISTS: ISAIAH MOSES (4)
Be brighter.
The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and news around campus. If you are interested in the newspaper’s articles or pictures, we offer opportunities in writing, photography and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.
