Volume 73, Issue 19 by The Highlander- UCR

The Highlander

“La Union Esta Presente”

The University of California (UC) faced a system-wide strike last week led by service and patient care workers, represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME 3299). The strike is motivated by what the union describes as unfair labor practices, restrictions on employee rights and unlawful access policies.

AFSCME represents 37,000 UC workers across all UC locations, including UCSF. They argue that the UC is making unilateral changes to protest policies without proper union consultation, limiting their ability to advocate for better working conditions and wages. The UC has reportedly threatened to arrest workers for engaging in picketing and using amplified sound while protesting.

UC campuses have implemented various limitations, and Union workers have urged the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to intervene. UCSD has imposed limitations on leafleting and banned literature distribution inside buildings and parking areas regarding the union’s cause. UCSF now prohibits activities within 50 feet of building entrances.

UCI Health requires approval for events near patient entrances in order to limit picketing activities and now requires a 10-day written request to use non-restricted areas. UCLA mandates scheduling a guarantor for large events and UCSF requires a security review by campus police, all in an effort to restrict union workers’ access

OPINIONS War on DEI at the Department of Education will hurt UCR

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S CRACKDOWN ON DEI WILL DISRUPT UCR’S MISSION AND CAMPUS CULTURE.

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

On Feb. 14, 2025, the United States (U.S.) Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague letter ordering K-12 schools and universities to eliminate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, including financial aid, dormitory floor communities and graduation ceremonies by the end of Feb. 2025, or risk not “receiving federal funding.”

The letter, signed by Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the Department of Education, states that using “race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life” violate federal anti-discrimination laws and the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which struck down affirmative action.

In response to the letter, the University of California (UC) President Michael V. Drake released a statement saying that the UC system follows state antidiscrimination laws and that leadership is currently evaluating the “potential impact and implications of the letter.”

Proposition 209, which passed in 1996, is California’s anti-discrimination law. It prohibits state institutions from discriminating or providing preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public education, employment and contracting.

So far, no UC campus has shut down affinity groups, culturally themed dormitories, graduation ceremonies...

SARAH TABEL Contributing Writer

Staff

Editor-in-Chief

Senna Omar editorinchief@highlandernews.org

Managing Editor Mata Elangovan managingeditor@highlandernews.org

News Editor Sanjana Thatte

news@highlandernews.org

Asst. News Editor

Dinara Godage

asst.news@highlandernews.org

Opinions Editor

Cecile Diroll

opinions@highlandernews.org

Asst. Opinions Editor

Spandana Janapati

asst.opinions@highlandernews.org

Features Editor Natalie Dahl features@highlandernews.org

Asst. Features Editor

Gabriela Galvan

asst.features@highlandernews.org

Radar Editor Maribel Gamez-Reyes radar@highlandernews.org

Asst. Radar Editor

Bobbi Monae Mandour

asst.radar@highlandernews.org

Sports Editor Isaac Solnick sports@highlandernews.org

Asst. Sports Editor

Terry Nguyen asst.sports@highlandernews.org

Photography Editor

Neorah Davis photo@highlandernews.org

Assistant

Staff Photographer Adam Oshun Arun

Production Manager Ashley Cho productionmanager@highlandernews.org

Asst. Production Manager

Sonali Whittle

prodassistant.highlander@gmail.com

Production Assistants

Frances Tong prodassistant.highlander@gmail.com

Giselle Ramirez prodassistant.highlander@gmail.com

Paul Lewis III prodassistant.highlander@gmail.com

Art Director Holly Dawson highlander.art.director@gmail.com

Copy Editor

Aaliyah Brown copyeditor.highlander@gmail.com

Graphic Designer Layna Lapikas llapi002@ucr.edu

Humans of UCR

CONTACT US

The Highlander 101 Highlander Union Building Riverside, CA 92521 www.highlandernews.org editorinchief@highlandernews.org

TIP LINE: (951) 827-2105

editorinchief@highlandernews.org

Help the Highlander stay on top of what is happening on campus and in the general UCR community. Call this number and leave a message or send an email for the Editorial Board with your tip. Be sure to include your full name, relation to UCR, and a number or email address where you can be reached for more details.

Shakim Zera (he/him), Psychology, Third year

“

I transferred here from RCC after two years, so it seemed like a smooth transfer, but some of my classes didn’t transfer over completely. So originally I wanted to become a vet or an animal veterinarian, but then I got rejected from the colleges I applied to, which were UC Davis and Cal Poly Pomona. I did the Upward Bound program where you could just do two years of community colleges, then transfer to those colleges.

I thought there’s probably a lot of science involved. Psychology is pretty interesting, so I went with that, and here I am now. My goal is to become a marriage counselor. It seems like the easiest field to get into on hindsight without looking too deep into it. I know it’s not easy, but I’d rather hear about family problems than just one-onone. It’s group effort versus single. Family in general, even if it’s not yours, you’re helping a family get along.

So I always ended up being the therapist-friend. I know it’s stupid when people say that, and I’m not saying that’s my reason for wanting to do therapy. I’ve already got great listening skills. Why not try it out as a job?”

Adelia Urena auren016@ucr.edu

Design Interns Henya Dadem hdade001@ucr.edu

Comic Artist

Emily Mata

emata015@ucr.edu

Business Manager

Emily Manus highlanderads@gmail.com

Asst. Business Manager

Lizbeth Martos highlanderads@gmail.com

Video Editor

Edwin Basurto video.highlander@gmail.com

Asst. Video Editor

Daniela Cruz video.highlander@gmail.com

Marketing Director

Carlie Servando marketing.highlander@gmail.com

Asst. Marketing Director

Abby Lazar marketing.highlander@gmail.com

Marketing Interns

Isabell Gracia marketing.highlander@gmail.com

Sriya Boppana marketing.highlander@gmail.com

Tech Director Michael Tin techdirector@highlandernews.org

Ad Reps

Allison Fry

Ashley Gonzalez-Benavides

Sanya Jain Kelley Manzo highlanderadrep@gmail.com

Distribution Manager

Cinthia Meza cmeza047@ucr.edu

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Highlander accepts letters from the campus community. They must be 600-800 words at length and include the author’s name and contact information. Topics should be UCR-centric and/or pertain to our generation of students. Contact Opinions Editor Cecile Diroll at opinions@highlandernews. org by Wednesday if interested in writing a letter and submit the completed letter by Saturday at noon. Letters can and will be rejected if it does not meet requirements.

LEGAL

The Highlander is published and copyrighted by the Highlander for the students, faculty and staff of UCR. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Highlander is strictly prohibited. Readers are allowed one free copy of the newspaper. For additional copies or for subscription information, please contact the Highlander. The Highlander fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. The Highlander has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against it. All inserts that are printed in the Highlander are independently paid publications and do not reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the staff or The University of California or the Associated Students of UCR.

Classified: $2 per line; 17 characters (spaces, dashes, etc.)

ASHLEY CHO / THE HIGHLANDER

“La Union Esta Presente”

SARAH TABEL Contributing Writer

TUC WORKERS STRIKE DEMANDING AN END TO UC LABOR PRACTICES.

he University of California (UC) faced a systemwide strike last week led by service and patient care workers, represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME 3299). The strike is motivated by what the union describes as unfair labor practices, restrictions on employee rights and unlawful access policies.

On Sep 20, 2024, AFSCME Chief Negotiator Seth Newton Patel sent a written letter to Melissa Matella, the UC Associate Vice President of Employee and Labor Relations, demanding to bargain the access changes that UC had made. These changes include leafleting restrictions, picketing limitations, signage size limits, space access and union access restrictions.

Patel claimed that UC never called attention to any proposals to change access rules. On Sep 23, 2024, UC chief negotiator Guillermo Stantussi stated that UC was willing to bargain effects and argued that UC has the right to set these access rules under Senate Bill 108. This bill only requires the UC to report on policies ensuring campus safety and access.

AFSCME countered that the access policies are a mandatory bargaining subject and Senate Bill 108 does not grant UC authority to implement changes without negotiations. The union insists that UC retract the new access policies before bargaining occurs.

UC campuses have refused to negotiate policy changes and instead proposed discussing the impact of these new policies. AFSCME has objected to this proposal, arguing that UC cannot unilaterally alter bargaining subjects without negotiation.

In Fall 2024, UC proposed new access restrictions affecting AFSCME’s union organizing efforts during contract negotiations. Subsequently on Oct. 9, 2024 AFSCME organized rallies across UC locations, highlighting the workers’ struggles

with inflation and housing costs. UCLA’s Employee and Labor Relations advocate, Brittany Jones issued a “final warning” to AFSCME in response to the protest. She claimed that the unions were violating UC’s times, place and manner policies and threatened sanctions if the union did not comply.

AFSCME has alleged that UC’s recent actions violate labor laws and broader worker rights protections. The union claims UC has breached the Higher Education EmployerEmployee Relations Act (HEERA), which guarantees employees the right to organize and advocate for better working conditions.

The UC’s implementation of access policies without negotiation may raise concerns under HEERA (Gov. Code 3571), including em-

ployer interference through restrictive policies and refusal to bargain in good faith. Union workers have expressed concerns about the UC restricting their First Amendment rights.

AFSCME 3299 executive board member Jesse Hernandez described these policies as a “crackdown on freedom of speech.” Union members have voiced concerns about retaliation against union activities; Hernandez stated that his colleagues have been cited for advocating and protesting.

AFSCME has requested that PERB intervene by ordering UC to cease and desist from interfering with union rights, rescind unilateral changes to access and speech policies and publicly acknowledge its violations.

ASUCR shirks responsibility in ASUCR week

VP OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND SPP SENATOR EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE ORGANIZATION’S WORK.

On Feb. 26, 2025, the Associated Students of the University of California Riverside (ASUCR) called their meeting to order at 7:27 p.m.

During public forum, Rishika Salvi, a fellow under Vice President of External Affairs (VPEA), began by explaining that this past week has been ASUCR Week with tabling initiatives and events hosted by her and School of Public Policy (SPP) Senator Sofia Jimenez. She specifically extended a thank you to the VP of Marketing (VPM), Ashley Estrella, for creating Instagram reels and VPEA Vivian Herrera, for having her committee assist at ASUCR Week events.

Following Salvi, VPEA Herrera continued with her disapproval of the current turn out from ASUCR student leadership at ASUCR Week tabling and events. She commented on the lack of commitment from the organization specifically saying “This is ASUCR week, A, S, U, C, R. That means the whole Association should have been there in solidarity to help.” She went further to mention to all the senators that “You are elected officials. You are a paid official. You should make the initiative to go ahead and help others in the association.”

Furthermore, VPEA Herrera stated she “hope[s] and plea[ds]” that going forward that student leadership within the organization will be supportive of each other in all ASUCR initiatives. She reiterated that this event should not have been a two person project.

She ended her comment by expressing her gratitude and apologizing to Senator Jimenez and intern Salvi for all their work for this week.

SPP Senator Jimenez also approached the podium during public forum. She began by detailing the timeline for planning the event from summer until now. She, as Salvi did, thanked VPM Estrella for her work, and VPEA Herrera and her committee because they have been “the backbone of ASUCR week.”

She continued by expressing that the event has been “a huge success,” garnering close to 100 students at events, describing the various prizes and snacks that were available.

Senator Jimenez also expressed her disappointment at the student leadership turn out for ASUCR week. She mentioned that student leaders would arrive 20 to 30 minutes late to 30 minute shifts while also not “check[ing] in or out with anybody.”

She also witnessed “people drinking [ASUCR week] beverages without permission, and allowing strangers to drink [them] without permission.”

She continued by saying it was students “who were in AS thinking that being in AS gives them permission to steal the things that [ASUCR] pay[s] for.” Additionally, people were “not working,” and instead they were “hanging out with their friends during volunteering when [they] were already short on staff.”

She further called out the staff for “not signing up for shifts and leaving it to people outside of AS or unpaid office staff to run their own days.” Moreover, she expresses that “since [senators] talked so much about accountability, this was a very clear opportunity to prove the student body wrong and that was not taken advantage of.”

Senator Jimenez ended her public comment by explaining that the stress from planning ASUCR week caused her physical health issues. “[I am] grateful for the work that has been done, but this event has allowed [her] to lose [her] respect for a lot of AS officials,” stated Senator Jimenez.

There were two other comments made during public forum. One being College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator Anahita Hooshiyari Far explaining a post on the R’Garden Instagram

The post detailed the postponement of the R’Garden Rockout due to College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) administration for “unspecified ‘risk’.” Senator Hooshiyari Far explained that this event was meant to garner support from students to sign a referendum for a portion of student tuition to be given to the R’Garden.

President Pro Tempore Leila Haidar commented that she would contact Senator Hooshiyari Far about the names of the administration to see who can be questioned for more information.

The final speaker in public comment was Rony Garcia, who reminded the Senate and the galley that there would be strikes from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week and asked for their support in the strike for better labor practices.

Following public forum, the Senate unanimously approved allocation exemptions of $8,417 for six unnamed student organizations. Also passing 14-0-0 was an allocation exemption request for the Highlander Statistics Society to increase their limit

from $1,500 to $2,358 and a grant request of $1,500 for the Philanthropic Association for their 5k. This line item also passed unanimously.

SB-W25-017 was approved 14-0-0 during the Legislative Review Committee (LRC). The bill described an adjustment to the SPP Senator role. All senators were required to sit on two committees of their choosing; however, this bill requires the SPP Senator to sit on the External Affairs committee and another of their choosing.

SPP Senator Jimenez explained that the Executive VP can waive this requirement, however, it is suggested that they work with External Affairs due to the “unique intersection between the public policy major and [the] advocacy work done by the External Affairs committee.” The motion to approve SB-W25-017 was passed 13-0-1.

Following the bill’s approval, CHASS Senator Hooshiyari Far presented the Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) meeting minutes.

The first item of discussion was a $587 grant for four medium-sized zero waste boxes, or “Terra Cycling” boxes. These boxes are meant to educate students on recycling their items properly and avoid contaminating other recyclables.

The second grant was for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers under BCOE. The project aims to create a "Microbial Fuel Cell" that can convert wastewater into reusable energy. The expected total to purchase the different parts necessary for the project amounts to $1,270.98.

The meeting ended with Senator Reports from CHASS Senator Nathan Baw and CHASS Senator Keaton Bunker. Senator Baw is currently looking into information on Professor Paul Green who was mentioned last week as “coercive” and “threatening.”

CHASS Senator Bunker’s reports consisted of his content with the CHASS Town Hall and LinkedIn with Your Career events, stating that they both had “pretty good attendance.”

During roundtable announcements, BCOE Senator Pham announced a “great turnout” at the collaboration event between the Highlander Action Committee and the Women’s Resource Center. SPP Senator Jimenez reminded the Senate that ASUCR week tabling would happen from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

DINARA GODAGE Assistant News Editor

Timetable delays: Potential derailments ahead for California High-Speed Rail

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THE POTENTIAL WITHDRAWAL OF $4 BILLION FOR THE PROJECT.

On Feb. 20 2025, United States Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) would be conducting a review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to “determine whether the CHSRA has followed through on the commitments it made to receive billions of dollars in federal funding.” The review, should it find noncompliance on the CHSRA’s behalf, would possibly threaten to remove $4 billion of federal funding for the California HighSpeed Rail (CAHSR) set aside by the Biden Administration’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Secretary Duffy’s statement stands in contrast to the recent success of the CAHSR in completing Construction Package 4 — a construction contract for the creation of infrastructure for a limited portion of the line — and the beginning of the track and systems construction process on the Merced to Bakersfield initial operating section.

Ian Choudri, the CEO of the

CHSRA, has responded to Secretary Duffy’s statement by welcoming the investigation, affirming that the previous completion of “multiple independent federal and state audits” means that “every dollar is accounted for" and that the authority “[stands] by the progress and impact of this project.”

The idea of a high-speed rail project in California to connect the economic and population nexuses of San Francisco and Los Angeles has been pursued as early as 1981. Throughout the 1990s, the project gained traction following the creation of the California Intercity HighSpeed Rail Commission in 1993, later superseded by the CHSRA in 1996, and the passage of the Swift Rail Development Act of 1994. The adoption of Proposition 1A in 2008 permitted the California legislature to issue $9.95 billion in bonds to create an 800-mile high-speed train line between the two cities, providing the funding for the beginning of CAHSR development.

However, progress toward the realization of this project has since been repeatedly stalled and delayed. The United States’

highly decentralized government consisting of various jurisdictions in the American West coupled with the political tradition of being resistant to large public works projects has hindered progress, leading to slow land purchases and environmental clearance for the construction of the tracks.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has also rolled back previous aspirations due to increasing political resistance, instead prioritizing the 172-mile Central Valley section between Merced and Bakersfield as a proof of concept for later expansions to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego. The original plan for service to begin as early as 2020 has come and gone, with the earliest expectations for trains to begin service on the initial operating section now slated for sometime in the 2030s.

Political opposition at the state and federal levels has also contributed to funding holds for the CAHSR project. Several California legislators have cited the failure to meet the 2020 deadline, the estimated $105 billion price tag and the seeming lack of managerial coherency as reasons to

delay the disbursement of funds for the project.

CAHSR has also been the target of external interference attempts. Tech billionaire Elon Musk allegedly presented his vision of the Hyperloop as a means to divert government funding away from the high-speed rail project and potentially thwart its implementation. In May 2019, Republican President Donald Trump unsuccessfully attempted to cancel $1 billion in federal funding for CAHSR following Gov. Newsom’s shift in approach to prioritize the Merced-Bakersfield section earlier that same year.

In January 2025, immediately before President Trump’s reinauguration, Gov. Newsom acknowledged that California fully expected to see a repeat of the 2019 action following Trump’s reelection and expressed his confidence in the resilience of the high-speed rail project. He stated that Trump’s 2019 attempt “didn't necessarily slow down the project” and that last time, “the money was ultimately returned to the people of the state of California."

THOMAS DU Contributing Writer

War on DEI at the Department of Education will hurt UCR

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S CRACKDOWN ON DEI WILL DISRUPT UCR’S MISSION AND CAMPUS CULTURE.

So far, no UC campus has shut down affinity groups, culturally themed dormitories, graduation ceremonies or scholarship programs.

However, since taking office, the Trump administration has consistently targeted all aspects of higher education, including National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding, financial aid programs and access to education for undocumented, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and mixedstatus students, indicating a broader agenda against diversity and inclusion in higher education.

The Dear Colleague letter is a particularly severe attack on higher education because it directly threatens minority-serving universities like UC Riverside (UCR) that depend on DEI resources and programs to expand access to higher education, support student success and promote a sense of community.

UCR offers a variety of DEI programs and resources for students to participate in. Named after Rupert Costo, a local Cahuilla Native American activist, Costo Hall is the heart and soul of UCR’s campus. With various ethnic and gender programs, including the Native American Student Program, the African Student Program, Asian Pacific Student Program (APSP), the Chicano Student Center, Hillel, the Middle Eastern Student Center, the LGBT Resource Center, the Women’s Resource Center, Undocumented Student Programs and the Veterans Resource Center, Costo Hall offers mentorship, academic advising, cultural events and student professional development. It is a space where every student is welcomed and can connect with those who have similar backgrounds and identities.

advocacy with UCR’s South Asian Federation (SAF) and Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) representatives, a final proposal is being drafted to present to UCR’s administration by the next academic year. However, if the U.S. Department of Education eliminates DEI programs, this effort would face significant challenges.

UCR also offers the opportunity to reside in Learning Living Communities, where students with common academic interests or identities can live together. These communities include Stonewall, Pan African Theme Hall, Mundo, Markaz and more. These communities are essential for students’ social and academic transition to college, as they can build relationships with peers from similar communities.

Additionally, every year, UCR hosts graduation ceremonies for specific affinity groups, such as the Black Graduation and APSP Graduation. The Chicano Student Programs’ Raza Graduation Celebration is a popular ceremony allowing students to celebrate their success and achievements “in the spirit and traditions of the Chicano/Latino culture.” The celebration is bilingual, a meaningful feature given that nearly half of the undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic or Latino and first-generation.

Without these student programs and resources — including Costo Hall, the Learning Living Communities and graduation ceremonies — UCR will lose the vibrant sense of community and diversity it prides itself on. As one of the most diverse UC campuses, with 46 percent of enrolled students identifying as historically underserved students, eliminating DEI programs will reduce student involvement and engagement on campus if they do not feel like they belong or have a community.

The letter did not specify which types of federal funds might be at risk for schools and colleges. However, one significant source of federal funding is financial aid, particularly Pell Grants. The U.S. Department of Education allocates over $1.5 billion in Pell Grants to California. These grants are awarded to students with exceptional financial need and do not need to be repaid. Pell Grants are the most significant federal grant program for undergraduate college students.

At UCR, 47 percent of undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant, which is about 13 percent higher

than the 34 percent average for all UC campuses during the 2022-2023 academic year. UCR is recognized as the top university for social mobility; therefore, losing this federal funding would significantly affect students’ ability to access higher education, particularly in the Inland Empire.

The letter also highlights other forms of assistance, such as scholarships for underrepresented minority students. The potential loss of these funds would increase the financial burden on students, making higher education less accessible.

The legality and reasoning behind the letter’s actions against DEI programs are questionable. The Supreme Court and Prop. 209 prohibits considering race in college admissions and does not apply to campus DEI programs or resources. Furthermore, similar to many policies from the Trump administration, this action lacks a legal foundation.

Given the possibility that the Trump administration may dismantle the Department of Education, the civil rights division of the Justice Department could take on the responsibility of addressing issues related to DEI. This approach would likely be disastrous as it is clear that President Trump’s nominee to head this division, California attorney Harmeet Dhillon, would likely seek to dismantle DEI programs.

Additionally, with the courts shifting further to the right, decisions related to DEI cases could be influenced by biased judgments. It is essential that educators and individuals with firsthand experience in the public school system, rather than lawyers, be the ones to make decisions regarding DEI programs in schools and colleges.

The UC system must protect its students by safeguarding DEI programs and resources on campus. Universities like UCR would be among the first to feel the impact of such a regressive policy. The campus community and students who depend on these programs for support, a sense of community and academic success will be disproportionately affected if these programs are not protected.

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.

ARCHIVE / THE HIGHLANDER

Declining FAFSA applications from California high school seniors raises serious concerns

FEAR OF DEPORTATION IS PREVENTING CALIFORNIA STUDENTS FROM APPLYING FOR FAFSA, RISKING THEIR COLLEGE DREAMS AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.

In response to the letter, the University of California (UC) President Michael V. Drake released a statement saying that the UC system follows state anti-discrimination laws and that leadership is currently evaluating the “potential impact and implications of the letter.” Proposition 209, which passed in 1996, is California’s anti-discrimination law. It prohibits state institutions from discriminating or providing preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public education, employment and contracting.

So far, no UC campus has shut down affinity groups, culturally themed dormitories, graduation ceremonies or scholarship programs.

The Dear Colleague letter is a particularly severe attack on higher education because it directly threatens minority-serving universities

like UC Riverside (UCR) that depend on DEI resources and programs to expand access to higher education, support student success and promote a sense of community.

UCR offers a variety of DEI programs and resources for students to participate in. Named after Rupert Costo, a local Cahuilla Native American activist, Costo Hall is the heart and soul of UCR’s campus. With various ethnic and gender programs, including the Native American Student Program, the African Student Program, Asian Pacific Student Program (APSP), the Chicano Student Center, Hillel, the Middle Eastern Student Center, the LGBT Resource Center, the Women’s Resource Center, Undocu mented Student Programs and the Veterans Resource Center, Costo Hall offers mentorship, academic advising, cultural events and student professional development. It is a space where every student is welcomed and can connect with those who have similar backgrounds and identities.

A new affinity space, the South Asian Student Center, is being established to offer pro grams such as cultural events and mental health resources that reflect the identity of South Asian stu dents. Through student advocacy with UCR’s South Asian Federa tion (SAF) and Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) representatives, a final proposal is being drafted to present to UCR’s administration by the next academic year. However, if the U.S. Department of Education eliminates DEI programs, this effort would face significant challenges.

success and achievements “in the spirit and traditions of the Chicano/ Latino culture.” The celebration is bilingual, a meaningful feature given that nearly half of the undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic or Latino and firstgeneration.

in the Inland Empire.

ment on campus if they do not feel like they belong or have a community.

At UCR, 47 percent of undergraduate students receive a Pell Grant, which is about 13 percent higher than the 34 percent average for all UC campuses during the 2022-2023 academic year. UCR is recognized as the top university for social mobility; therefore, losing this federal funding would significantly affect students’ ability to access higher education, particularly

LILIANNA ANGEL Contributing Writer

ADELIA URENA/ THE HIGHLANDER

The price of security: how apps like Protector make safety a luxury

PROTECTOR PROMISES PRIVATE SECURITY FOR RIDESHARE USERS, BUT WITH OUTRAGEOUS PRICES AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY, IT TURNS SECURITY INTO A PRIVILEGE FOR THE WEALTHY.

On Feb. 19, Protector, a new rideshare app that offers private security, was launched in Los Angeles and New York. Protector allows its users to select security personnel with a variety of experience from Emergency Services Unit members to SWAT and even SEAL teams. These “protectors” are equipped with firearms and come with a customizable experience where riders can select the vehicles included in their motorcade, the number of guards in their detail and their desired dress code for security.

Some individuals took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to describe the Protector as “Uber with guns” — an apt tagline that highlights the appeal and danger of this application. While the idea of private security on demand can be exciting, the lack of clear details regarding Protector raises concerns about affordability, regulation and perceptions of safety.

Despite Protector’s claim of being “a revolutionary personal security app” that “makes private security available to the general public,” the statement does not translate to reality. The drastic cost of this service ensures that only the wealthiest individuals can afford protectors. The set starting rate of the application is $100 an hour with a mandatory five hour booking.

In areas like West Hollywood where there is a distinct demand for private security, a single Cadillac Escalade with one protector was estimated to cost around $1,000 for a five hour period. Although there are available options to split costs amidst all passengers, the mandatory booking period compared with the flat cost makes this service unaffordable for the majority of Los Angeles residents. It’s apparent that Protector is not focused on enhancing public safety. The main purpose of this program is to cater to elites or selfproclaimed celebrities who feel deserving of armed security personnel.

During its launch, Protector invited social media influencers from TikTok

and consulting companies to try out their services, clearly identifying its likely customers. The majority of the ratings individuals provided of their experience were positive with only one or two individuals briefly commenting on price.

This highlights that cost isn’t the primary concern for the targeted population of these services. While there is nothing inherently wrong with offering free trials in the promotion of a service, Protector advertising itself as accessible to the average individual is misleading.

Going beyond the cost, Protector also raises questions regarding regulations and safety precautions in place. Unlike Uber and Lyft which conducts background checks on drivers and prevents them from carrying licensed or unlicensed firearms, Protector has provided no information on how “protectors” are hired and trained. There is an inherent lack of transparency when it comes to what protocols are in place to prevent firearm misuse or liability issues in instances where firearms are misused by the protector, driver or passenger. Protector has also been vague about the kind of private security services that would be offered. While physical private security appears to be the primary method, there is no additional information provided on the possibility of using video surveillance, alarm systems or even cybersecurity protections during the ride. Additionally, because the exact duties and limitations of these guards are not transparent, riders have no way of knowing how they are

trained to handle various threats. Without this clarity, the presence of security could introduce more risk than protection.

Increasing access to private security as the primary method for individuals to feel safe in large cities can lead to the erosion of trust in the public government. Los Angeles already has a crime rate that is 61 percent greater when compared to other cities in California. By shifting focus toward private security, there is an increased risk of socio-economically disadvantaged individuals from being left out. In 2022, a survey found that three in four Los Angeles residents felt that their neighborhoods were safer with the presence of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). By solely looking toward private security, these individuals’ safety is forgotten.

Safety should be seen as a public good that is accessible to all individuals — not just a luxury for those who can afford it. Protector is promoting a type of security that feeds into feardriven narratives demanding additional security, which ultimately reduces trust in publicly funded services and law enforcement agencies.

Los Angeles doesn’t need ultraexclusive private security to address crime rates and resident concerns about safety. The city needs investment in public safety measures that serve the entire population, not just the rich who can afford their own police force.

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

SPANDANA JANAPATI

Assistant Opinions Editor

Like, comment and subscribe: Donald Trump’s America

KEEPING UP WITH THE YOUTH OF TODAY THROUGH INSTAGRAM.

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

The proliferation of social media has led Generation Z (Gen Z) to use their mobile devices to keep up to date with their favorite politicians. One platform that they use to stay aware of federal politics and updates is @whitehouse and @potus on Instagram, owned by Meta Platforms, Inc. As of 2025, Instagram has over two billion monthly active users, with a majority of the users — 62.3 percent — being between the ages of 18 and 34.

The official White House and President of the United States (U.S.) accounts are managed by the current presidential administration. Their sole purpose should be to engage the youth of America and ensure that they stay informed of national politics in an easy-todigest manner.

Currently, @potus represents the forty-seventh president of the U.S., Donald J. Trump, a businessman and entrepreneur who is the bringer of the next Golden Age of America — at least according to his Instagram biography. One of the most iconic posts released on the account was on Feb. 15, 2025, when the glorious president featured his official presidential portrait to the public.

Raising one eye to the sky above and staring with an intensity only seen in action films, the president managed to captivate the attention of Americans everywhere. Captioned under the post President Trump wrote, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”

This is an awe-inspiring message sent out to the youth of America, reminding them once more that anything is legal so long as they are rich, white, selfabsorbed and have power over the entire federal government. No opposition will be able to stand in the president’s way, maintaining him as a bulwark of democracy, as he is the only one with the potential to bring America back from ruin.

In an unmatched follow-up to the post, on Feb. 17, 2025, the white house Instagram account put out the same image. It was placed alongside President Trump’s booking photograph taken in a Georgian sheriff’s office, where he voluntarily surrendered himself after

being indicted on racketeering and other charges. The two images are nearly identical with the only visible difference being in the overall quality of the images, especially the subpar mugshot. Despite their flaws, neither account distracts from the appeal of the image overall, conveying to the viewer that their lovely president is here to keep an eye on them and will protect them from danger.

The text accompanying the image puts many screenwriters and playwrights to shame. Pulling a line from Trump’s post-indictment speech, it reads, “They’re not after me, they’re after you — I’m just standing in the way.” It truly is an amazing way to celebrate one of the most revered and respected presidents of all time on President’s Day.

With the amount of effort Trump has put into maintaining his vision of America and making it come true, people will celebrate his work for years. Young children will write essays on how he is the greatest president ever to live, distraught that they were not conscious enough to be aware of the changes that Trump brought to America. One day, some young man will look up to Donald Trump and want to follow in his footsteps, hoping that he too will be considered one of the best presidents of all time.

While the two platforms thoroughly celebrate the current president and his work, they also strive to bring humor to everyone’s miserable lives. On Valentine’s Day, @whitehouse shared a lovely poem to the public, reciting a parody of a popular poem. It read, “Roses are red, violets are blue. Come here illegally, and we’ll deport you.”

The post featured President Trump and Border Czar Tom Homan, bringing joy to all whose social media it graced, knowing that one day all illegal immigrants will be forced to leave the country. There truly is no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than by spreading love to those who are worthy and removing those who aren’t from the equation. Using this platform to spread the government’s love of Valentine’s Day was the best move the public relations team could have made for the Trump administration.

Weekly posts may keep people up to date on what is going on currently, but it’s the pinned posts on Instagram that catch wandering eyes. With President

Trump being a devout defender of the nation, it just makes sense that the very first pinned post on @whitehouse depicts the dangerous work that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have to do every day to protect Americans. The post contains an array of men of color who have been indicted for various charges, ranging from suspected ties to Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to even possession of drugs. The clear and true threat to the nation is not the countless school shootings in the U.S., the capitalist system or the overtaking of government from wannabe-president Elon Musk. Rather, it is lax control of the border and the people entering the U.S. searching for a better life. Cutting down on illegal immigration will have a direct impact on all other issues impacting American life, ensuring that every American will be able to walk outside knowing that their home is safe.

Meanwhile, @potus, doesn’t have a pinned post at all, making it difficult to know where to start. However, a link in the account leads to President Trump’s official White House website. There, he stands with a pointed finger and a smirk that would make the devil shy. Underneath it reads the text, “Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America.”

With all the effort the president and his cabinet have made to market and advertise this new age of America, the younger generation will not only be aware of what is going on in politics, but they will also get to consume it in a very comedic manner. The public relations team for both accounts have put in the work and now everyone will be aware of the pertinent changes happening across the nation.

■ H

*This is a satirical piece and is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about the writer’s opinion except through humor and/or exaggeration. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental or is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof of such persons and is not intended to communicate any true or factual information about that person.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Features Scotty-Scopes:

Let me see you work, work, work, work, work

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):

Reevaluate if this is really what you want to be doing with your time. Remember that your time is money.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):

Use your diplomacy to your advantage. You have a unique skill to help bridge gaps between people who don’t naturally get along, so utilize it to climb the ladder.

Aries (March 21 – April 19):

Aries, pull yourself together and act strategically. Whatever you’re doing right now is not leading you to your final career destination.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22):

Rethink that old job idea you want to spearhead, Cancer. This new idea could really be a breakthrough.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):

Ooh, Scorpio, people are jealous of whatever your gig is right now. Appreciate how good you’ve got it while it lasts.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):

Stop being impulsive, Aquarius. Focus and think about what you truly want to do with your time in your career, because it will really affect your future.

EVERYONE’S GOTTA MAKE MONEY SOMEHOW.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):

Don’t misuse your power, whether that’s in management or with your peers. Nobody likes a tyrant.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20):

Your job right now is an investment. If you quit now, you’ll be giving up the stepping stone that you’ve invested in for your long-term goal.

MAIN ST

Taurus (April 20 – May 20):

Communication is your strong suit professionally, so lean into it. Everyone needs an employee who can send a good Slack message.

ORANGE ST

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22):

Leo, you’re setting your sights too low because your inner critic is getting in your head. You are capable of more than you’re letting yourself believe.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20):

Even if it’s not biting you in the butt now, your lack of accountability will come back to hurt you. Someone is always monitoring.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22):

Working alone is not working for you, Virgo. Lean into roles with teamwork and collaboration and it will help you succeed.

Four of Cups

King of Pentacles

King of Swords

King of Cups

Knight of Swords

Seven of Pentacles

Seven of Swords

Queen of Swords

Justice

Ace of Swords

Eight of Swords

Three of Pentacles

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

NORM’S NOOK SPOTLIGHT

The Giant Orange Artventure

GABRIELA GALVAN Assistant Features Editor

An art-venture with lots of a-peel! In effort to promote the establishment of a fundraiser, the Riverside Art Museum was in search of a subject that both reflected and represented the history of Riverside. After much discussion, the museum’s committee decided that the perfect object was the much-adored orange. Fruitful in nature, and in your abuelita’s backyard, the orange represents a communal subject that prospers throughout Riverside County. Riverside residents and local businesses jumpstarted the project by purchasing jumbo-sized fiberglass orange sculptures and further sponsoring artists to reimagine the citrus in light of Riverside tales and history. By mid-2006, 32 oranges grew a story on top of their peels in a mosaic, abstract and 3D fashion, and were eventually presented to the public. By the end of 2006, much of Riverside’s dear plastic garden was eventually removed from the public’s view and returned to its owners or sold at auction. However, honoring the University of California, Riverside’s naval beginnings, one of the 32 oranges can be found in the courtyard of the Humanities and Social Sciences Building, where it remains amongst its kumquat cousins.

The Giant Orange

STUDENT POLL

QUESTION: Since Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day is coming up, how would you recommend others show their support for maintenance workers at UCR?

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

Students should be cleaning up their own messes!

Give them a card

Tell them thank you.

Compliment them.

Ask them how their day is.

Bobbi M.

Emily M.

Gabriela G.

Fran T.

Isaac S.

GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

Neorah Davis / The Highlander

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

NATIONAL PARKS

Place for a boutonnière 6. Willow and Jaden’s last

La lead-in

White house?

Drink served with marshmallows

Like some humor or

Arizona national park

19. “Prince ___” (“Aladdin” song) 20. Egg protector

21. Attend a school, college or university over a period of time; 2 wds.

22. Exorcist’s target

24. Golf ball support

25. The act of spelling a word wrong

28. Partner of now

30. Where Seoul is 31. 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!”

MAIN ST

48. Parts of a min.

By Natali 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 ___

ANSWERS (DON’T PEEK!)

Due to editorial oversight, this is a reprint of last week’s crossword puzzle with the correct answers. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your readership.

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

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

ORANGE ST

10. Take care of

11. A Hindu male religious teacher

36. www.yahoo.com, e.g.

37. Hi-___ graphics

39. Dark loaves

62. ___-tzu; ancient philosopher

63. Black gunk

RADAR

“We Do Not Part”: The Jeju Massacre and generational trauma

Anyone who’s interested in learning about Korean history and culture must read this book.

Iris Aranda Contributing Writer

Korean Nobel Prize winner Han Kang's latest novel, “We Do Not Part,” was translated into English and released on Jan. 21, 2025. Originally published in 2021, the book was translated by E. Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. This work of literary fiction focuses on exploring the unspoken, dark history of Korea’s past.

The novel follows Kyungha, a writer, who leaves Seoul to visit her friend Inseon in Jeju. After Inseon injures herself, Kyungha is burdened with the responsibility of taking care of her friend’s bird, Ama. As the narrative unfolds, Kyungha learns about the horror of the Jeju Massacre and the generational trauma that emerged between 1948 and 1949.

Despite its reputation as a peaceful destination, Jeju Island has a complicated history, surrounding the tragic event of the Jeju Massacre. The Jeju Massacre was an uprising on Jeju Island in South Korea, marked by its violent repression. The residents of Jeju were protesting the election, which the Korean government at the time suppressed, leading to a massacre. The massacre resulted in the death of an estimated 14,000 to 30,000 people, which historians believe was the start of the Korean war.

The writing is beautiful and well crafted, making the novel worth reading. The novel is split into three parts: Bird, Night and Flame. Han

The power of visual storytelling: screening and Q&A with Ora Dekornfield

Highlighting the power of storytelling through film.

Aakif Iqbal Staff Writer

is a master at creating vivid imagery. She’s able to transport the reader back in time to experience the evolution of Korea and feel what it’s like to be Kyungha, discovering Inseon's family's generational pain.

The narrative’s form allows the book to blur the present with the past, as well as reality and dreams. Han uses italics to break the linear story structure model and to give Inseon’s apparition a chance to narrate her dark past with her friend. The novel uses poetic language and imagery, helping readers better place themselves into the shoes of the characters, and understand the emotional weight of uncovering past trauma. The book uses fiction and fact to uncover a Korean dark past that is unspoken.

Through this book, the reader gets to learn more about Korean history and culture. It’s through Inseon’s apparition that Kyungha — and the reader — grasp the layered horror of the Jeju Massacre. Even though Inseon didn’t directly experience the massacre, the trauma from the event is passed down to her. This book explores themes of generational trauma, slowly unpacking Inseon’s family trauma. A major symbol of the novel is snow, which is used as a metaphor to evoke loss and mortality.

Verdict: A classic in the making, this book proves Han Kang is a worthy winner of the Nobel Prize.

On Friday, Feb. 28, right inside the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) interdisciplinary south (INTS) 1128, three films were screened. “USA vs. Scott,” “Pretend I’m not Here,” and “This is what a Post-Roe Abortion looks like.” All three films — though made in previous years — all feel deeply relevant to the American political climate.

The Screening

“USA vs. Scott” tells the story of humanitarian activist Scott Warren as he fought for his cause in giving aid to people crossing the border. Made in 2018, this documentary-film feels like it could have been made nowadays in the way it shows how different perspectives view immigration.

“Pretend I’m not here” Is a fictional drama-film surrounding a translator. This translator stays ready on call throughout the entire night, helping to translate at a high school, hospital and police interrogation. Having been crafted with the help of University of California, Riverside (UCR) students and directed by Masters student Noah Amir Arjomand, the film deals with themes of identity, trauma, immigration and politics.

“This is what a Post-Roe abortion looks like” was the final film screened and the second film made by the keynote speaker, filmmaker Ora DeKornfeld. The film anonymously follows a

woman as she explains how she was able to achieve an at-home abortion.

Ora DeKornfeld

The work made by DeKornfeld — though surrounding people whose lives are intertwined with politics — is not as inherently political as it is inherently humanist. Her style ranges from hand-held fly-on-the-wall cinematography in “USA vs. Scott,” to playful stopmotion animation within “Post-Roe abortion.”

DeKornfeld has worked with The New Yorker, The New York Times and Vox. After playing the films, DeKornfeld and Arjomand participated in a Q&A moderated by UCR Theater, Film, and Digital Production (TFDP) faculty Kristophe Katrib. Students asked her questions varying from the politics of her film, to how she was able to work with The New York Times.

Later in the day, she led a workshop on visual storytelling, giving activities to students to help sharpen their interviewing skills and learn some of the ropes when it comes to documentary filmmaking.

When asked why Arjomand thought it was relevant to program this screening at UCR in particular, he mentioned that “with the new administration, a lot of these questions about the U.S. government’s treatment of undocumented immigrants and women’s reproductive

rights are just so urgent and we need to talk about them.”

DeKornfeld also wanted to stress the films relevancy to the current administration that “In the age of misinformation, when no one seems to be persuaded by fact, the only thing I can contribute to the cacophony is to tap into a feeling – what does it feel like to be this person, to live this experience?”

The thread tying all three of these films together is that they all focus on existence against all odds. In these troubling times, it is important to discover empathy for all works of life. Check out these films and reflect on what feelings they elicit.

3 Films Shown: 1.“USA vs. Scott” 2.“Pretend I’m not Here” 3.“This is what a Post-Roe Abortion looks like”

Courtesy of UCR CHASS

‘The Monkey’: A Stephen King adaptation that feels different from others.

A film with many creative and brutal kills where its dark humor is both a strength and a weakness.

Joseph Arriaga Contributing Writer

“The Monkey” is a film that shouldn't be taken seriously because the film doesn’t even take itself seriously. The film was directed and written by Osgood Perkins, fresh off his last hit film “Longlegs” in 2024. While “Longlegs” was more of a dark and serious film with certain humorous scenes, “The Monkey” is the complete opposite. This is a dark comedy; from beginning to end, it beats the audience over the head to remind them that “The Monkey” shouldn’t be taken seriously. Its humor and kills don’t always land, but it does offer at least an engaging and somewhat entertaining viewing experience.

“The Monkey” has violent scenes, but it has fun with the kills. The plot involves a toy monkey that has mysteriously reappeared and comes back to haunt the main character Hal (Theo James) by killing someone at random in a gruesome way. This is where the dark humor comes in.

At the start of the film, the humor works. It’s not the greatest, but it’ll get some chuckles from the audience. Around the film’s halfway mark it gets old and the humor gets in the way of the story. In one of the first kills

in the film, a lady gets blown to pieces by a shotgun blast and this results in the main character being covered in blood. Afterward, Hal makes a joke that “everything is fine,” when in reality it’s not. The humor in this scene didn’t work because the scene went on too long.

While the marketing of this film is primarily focused on death and dark humor, it tries to bring some family drama into the mix to make the audience care about the characters. One of the subplots in the film is that Hal has a son, Pete, who Hal disconnected from and only sees once in a while – because Hal is worried that the monkey will eventually kill him. The film tries to have scenes of deep emotion, but it gets ruined and interrupted by a random death to catch the audience off guard.

At its core, “The Monkey” has a message that the audience can leave the theater thinking of. It’s that death is something that can’t be controlled and happens to people randomly at some point in life. However, because of the film's mockery of death, the film presents mixed messages.

As a Stephen King adaptation, Perkins took the di-

rectorial control to have it deviate from many of the past adaptations of King’s work. In interviews, Perkins vocalized wanting to focus on creating a fun portrayal, rather than just sticking to horror.

The pacing in “The Monkey” is a mixed bag. In the first thirty minutes, the audience will be hooked and understand what type of film this is. However, as the film continues, it loses its appeal and feels like a chore to sit through.

This was the same problem that Osgood Perkins had in his last film “Longlegs.” Despite being praised by horror films for its interesting premise, this film failed to follow up on what was promised. While it’s unfair to compare both films since “Longlegs” takes itself seriously and “The Monkey” doesn’t, it’s interesting to see how these two films are both similar and yet so different.

Verdict: “The Monkey” will entertain an audience, and it has a great mix of practical and visual effects. However, its humor doesn’t always work, and the pacing ruins the film.

“Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” is the perfect rom-com

The adorkable charm of Bridget Jones takes on a new dimension as a widow and mother.

Ramita Setty Staff Writer

Twenty-four years after being introduced to audiences, Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) is back — middle-aged, a mother of two children and struggling to find joy in her life again after the passing of her husband Mark (Colin Firth). As a result, this latest installment has a healthy dose of heartache and grief.

Bridget has matured with age and loss, but she’s still the lovable, goofy Bridget Jones at heart. Balancing grief with the typical quirky rom-com humor was going to be this film’s biggest hurdle and it manages to do this relatively seamlessly — with a few small snags here and there.

There’s a certain predictability to the plot beats of the story and the humor does lean towards cringe at times. The sweetness and charm of Zellweger’s performance is enough to buoy the film, as she finds herself stuck between two new men.

Handsome and charming, Roxster (Leo Wooddall) has nothing to offer, which makes it difficult to root for him to end up with Bridget. That is what the film wants, but it still feels like cheating to set up one love interest so obviously for failure. But her son’s science teacher Mr. Walliker’s (Chiwetel Ejiofor) gruff charm is enough to make up for this, as he demonstrates intelligence and sensitivity, making him a swoon-worthy love interest.

Another bright spot of the film is the return of Hugh Grant’s lovably witty playboy, Daniel. With all his shared history with Bridget, the two have settled into an

easy camaraderie built on a years-long friendship that’s genuinely a joy to watch. Grant’s screen time is limited, but he makes a meal out of it, balancing joking vigor and sobering reflections on human mortality.

The same cannot be said for the rest of the supporting cast, which are many in number but aren’t fully fleshed out within the narrative of the film. This makes the film feel too bloated for its own boots, as the film runs in at exactly two hours. That is long for a rom-com, a genre that is typically at its best when films are kept short and lightweight. But these minor flaws do not weigh the film down. At the end of the day Bridget is back — older, more sensitive with loss but still not having lost her quintessential “Bridget Jones-ness.”

Verdict: A worthy installment that shows the series is capable of taking Bridget Jones in new directions while still keeping the character’s quirks and foibles endearing.

Think Piece:

Paddington is a Latino icon

“Paddington in Peru” goes beyond a simple family adventure and offers a touching exploration of the immigrant experience and cultural identity.

Cinthia Ochoa-Carmona Contributing Writer

“Paddington in Peru” is a hilarious family film that touches on the subjects of family, adventure and the dangers of greed. As Paddington begins to anchor down in London, getting his official passport, he receives a letter in the mail from The Reverend Mother at the Home For Retired Bears stating that his Aunt Lucy has not been doing too well and misses him more than usual.

Paddington visits his Aunt Lucy in this home only to find her missing. He then embarks on a journey to find Aunt Lucy and encounters a series of obstacles that feel oddly related to him. In this journey, he learns a lot about his past and his identity. Paddington ultimately finds his tribe and learns a lot about his childhood, but has to decide between staying with his real bear tribe or staying with his adoptive family in London.

Audiences may resonate with Paddington’s experiences of being in a new place that does not reflect the culture he grew up in. Even for viewers who have never embarked on a journey to look for a missing aunt through the Amazonian forest, Paddington reflects parts of the Latino immigrant experience and remains in touch with his culture through Aunt Lucy.

Coming from a MexicanAmerican perspective, there are many traditions and daily habits that stem from Mexican culture. However, growing up and navigating society, one rarely sees aspects of their own culture that may be forced to change in order to better fit cohesively within society. Paddington slowly continues to assimilate into his new environment and this

progressive change is reflective of the assimilation experienced by immigrants.

Many individuals who uproot their lives into a new environment have to swap out their old lifestyle for new ones. For instance, many immigrants have had to switch their daily morning walks near beautiful fields and farms in a small town where everyone knows each other for a walk in a small neighborhood where they might not even know their neighbor’s name. Paddington accurately describes the feeling of being happy in a new place while still feeling connected and homesick for the home left behind.

There’s also some insight into the greed that comes with colonization and how it is passed down generationally. In contemporary American society, there’s a lot of ingrained greed, racism, and discriminatory beliefs that plague many people’s minds. In this film, Hunter Cabot is the ship captain who takes Paddington through the Amazonian forest as he searches for Aunt Lucy. He, however, is unfortunately plagued with greed because of his descendants, including colonists and others whose souls are corrupted as they search restlessly for the treasure of El Dorado. By the time the avarice gene reaches Hunter Cabot, he decides to abandon his daughter for several years while he tries to find El Dorado himself.

Even after Hunter Cabot’s, he nearly ruins his relationship with his daughter again and almost ruins Paddingtons journey because of his avarice. In society, there are racist beliefs that have been passed down generationally and are present in many social aspects, such as law, education and day-to-day be-

haviors. Additionally, greed and avarice infect multiple areas of society, especially in the institutions that promise to help society but are distracted by their accumulation of money instead. As shown in “Paddington in Peru,” it is significant that people let go of their selfishness and focus on what matters — like family, friends, and other meaningful relationships.

Throughout the film Paddington’s adoptive family each find a little bit of themselves in this new experience, showing that no matter where people are in their lives, they can always grow and learn more about themselves.

Mrs. Brown, the sweet mother keeping the Brown family together, got the family moment that she wanted but ultimately learned the importance of letting children grow in larger spaces. Mr. Brown learned how to be more adventurous and take risks.

Judy, the intelligent and independent daughter, understood her mother’s perspective as she prepared for college when she saw Paddington reconnecting with his tribe. Lastly, Jonathan, the inventive son, decided to use his ingenuity for good and create useful projects.

At the end of the film, Paddington finds out he is part

of a very special bear tribe that protects the treasure of El Dorado. This is an accurate representation of the gold that is found within when people are able to reconnect with their cultures. We discover things that carry us every day that have a deep meaning and have been carried by others in our culture for a long time. At the end of the film, Paddington chooses to stay in London instead of staying with his bear tribe in Peru. Ultimately, we see Paddington continue to be himself in his new home and take up space as a Peruvian bear, regardless of how scary it may be.

RADAR REPLY: ‘Presence’

may offer enough to hold space for audiences, depending on expectations

Steven Soderberg’s newest film continues to use his big-name status to creatively experiment with filmmaking, even if it comes at the cost of alienating mainstream moviegoers.

Sebastian Morales Contributing Writer

Given the current state of the film industry, where franchises and sequels seem to dominate the screens, securing funding and production for original films has become more challenging than ever.

Thankfully, few directors working today through their acclaimed filmographies have gained enough trust from studio executives to create films that experiment and push the boundaries of filmmaking without the need for big-budget financial expectations hindering their vision.

Director Steven Soderbergh is just one example out of many who have acquired this reputation. His latest film, “Presence,” released on Jan. 19, takes advantage of this acclaim to craft an atypical rendition of the all too familiar expectations of ghost stories and haunted house films. Soderbergh also chooses to mix in heavy familial drama topics such as death, divorce and drugs around his film’s horror advertised plot.

“Presence” follows the Payne family as they move into their new generic suburban home, but soon realize that their new residence is anything but ordinary. Their daughter Chloe (Calliana Lang) becomes increasingly convinced that a mysterious entity haunts the house after a string of strange occurrences. Reluctant to believe Chloe due to her recent trauma, the rest of the Payne family struggles to make sense of their supernatural encounters while also attempting to deal with the mental baggage that the family carries together.

Through the first act of the film and its official trailer, observant viewers, will quickly realize that “Presence” is entirely shot from the point of view of the entity, or the “presence,” that roams throughout the house. Due to this decision, scenes play out longer than traditional films and dialogue is delivered in a way that closely resembles staged theater.

Choosing this bold form of storytelling poses challenges as to how scenes seam-

lessly transition between each other, immediately opening the door for general audiences to be turnedoff or struggle to become immersed within the film’s narrative.

To navigate this challenge, Soderbergh edits his scenes akin to a series of vignettes with cuts of black for a few seconds before transitioning to another scene. For some viewers, this may only take the first 20 minutes of “Presence” to become welladjusted, but it is not hard to understand how the adjustment period may never find its footing for mainstream moviegoers.

The film uses the camera as a character who makes decisions and creates consequences that move the plot along. With the viewer being placed as the entity haunting the family, “Presence” slowly gives crumbs of information to misdirect and foreshadow its identity. However, the entity’s characteristics can be more accurately described as observing rather than haunting the family, and its intentions are just as vague as the au-

dience’s understanding of what the presence knows about itself.

Soderbergh crafts the mystery to intentionally lead audiences in one direction only to pull the rug out from under them in a way that does not feel forced but naturally earned by the film’s runtime and almost gutpunching reveal at the end.

This misdirection in the film, along with the questions raised without distinct answers, sings to Soderbergh’s understanding behind the concept that less can often be more, so that viewers can connect the dots of information on their own and feel rewarded for doing so.

Revealing less can leave room to theorize multiple aspects of a film without an obvious guiding light, and it also encourages repeated viewings that allow audiences to pick up new pieces of information that may alter their interpretations of the film’s mysteries after their first watch.

Soderbergh showcases his

willingness to potentially alienate general audiences so that his creative decisions are not compromised. Although “Presence” does offer an unorthodox film experience, and deserves recognition for doing so in the current film climate, it does not alienate itself from a few shortcomings like the lackluster script from David Koepp that elicits vast moments of awkward and disconnected dialogue.

“Presence” may also fall victim to misleading advertisement as a horror movie since the film has more to say within the lens of a family drama about uncomfortable dynamics than from the perspective of a scarytension filled ghost story. There are short moments of genuine terror within the film, but, unfortunately, the creators decide to convey these emotions by displaying characters being excruciatingly taken advantage of without any semblance of a trigger warning beforehand for audience members who might be similar real-life victims.

Verdict: Although “Presence” presents the viewer with an unconventional film experience they most likely have never seen before, it is this same experience that could create tension on whether or not general audiences enjoy the movie. In the same breath, however, Soderbergh’s unique vision may provide hardened film consumers with just enough to ponder over after their first watch.

High Fashion, High Style, High Vibes: “LV Bag”

This unexpected collaboration makes luxury sound as good as it looks.

Maribel Gamez-Reyes Radar Editor

Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Fall-Winter 2025 collection during Paris Fashion Week cemented its luxury status in more ways than one. Remember the Future — Pharrell Williams and Nigo’s long awaited collaborative runway — presented a different kind of “LV Bag.” At the forefront of their debut, the show is detailed to merge the past and present, incorporating the brand’s timeless design elements with the boundary-pushing drive of its collaborators.

Pharrell and Nigo’s reunion as creative friends in the music and fashion industry, layered with the rich legacy of Louis Vuitton’s craftsmanship opened the night for an immersive experience that would transcend sonically, with the dynamic tease of Bangtan Boys (BTS)’ J-hope and Don Toliver’s unheard collaboration “LV Bag” as the closing track. The soundtrack for

“Bad Influence,” and The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s chart-topping hit “Timeless”.

Generating interest with the quick snippet of lyrics and composition from the first verse, played during Pharell and Nigo’s standing ovation, this unexpected collaboration left fans anticipating the release of “LV Bag” on Feb. 21.

The track opens with a refrain that highlights Don Toliver’s psychedelic vocal and rap style over a deliberately laid-back, atmospheric beat, to complement the references of lavish life and luxury indulgences. This abrupt entry, with lyrics that will repeat later on, builds momentum in the tempo only to slow it down to heighten anticipation for the catchiest part of the song: the chorus, and later again with the pre-chorus. The hook— and perhaps the

big swag on me (LV bag) / Throwin’ up cash, club ecstasy (ecstasy),” to set the tone and carry out this vibe throughout the rest of the song.

It’s no surprise that J-Hope blends in seamlessly with the song, bringing a playful, light tone to his short verse. As the song loops back to the refrain and chorus, listening to their layered vocals introduce a refreshing and pleasing dynamic. A standout riff — “Ooh, we feelin’ right, it’s one of those nights, everything feelin’ right” — adds an extra flair of confidence and effortless style embodied in the sonic texture of the song and, by correlation, recognizes Louis Vuitton’s strong presence in fashion.

listeners engaged. Beyond the many references of high-status and success, the lyrics lack substance. It fails to factor in emotional complexity, which prevents it from offering a well-rounded narrative, by only relying on a surface-level storyline. That doesn’t mean the song isn’t a hit— especially with these two icons’ joint fanbases, many of whom are Western mainstream fans or longtime K-pop followers of BTS.

A common thread for all of these collaborators is their A-list standing in both realms of music and fashion, and their creative synergy reflects that. Meshed into the arrangement of the song, it carries this carefree sense of swagger that emulates the vibe worn with high-end designer streetwear clothing.

might not have direct ties to Louis Vuitton, but his image resonates with modern streetwear aesthetics within hip-hop culture.

The song is meant to be boastful, and that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It is a promotional debut that set high expectations for fans. If listeners understand that the song is meant to redefine the rules of expression, then it might win over some points. But, essentially, “LV Bag” is purely about encapsulating high-class vibes laid over an infectious melody of spacey synths and subtle percussion on its own.

The narrative of the song is successful as a feel-good anthem that checks off all the boxes with a minimalistic but upbeat tempo, ■ H

Considering that Pharrell is the luxury brand’s men’s creative director and J-Hope their brand ambassador, the interplay of their craft and styles is a major influence on “LV Bag.” Don Toliver

Verdict: At the pinnacle this song is a fusion of artistry that pushes the boundaries of the cultural landscape, that profusely intertwines music and fashion.

Henya D. / The Highlander

Tartan Tailgating: Watching AHL Hockey Behind Enemy Lines

SOLNICK Sports Editor

Located in Ontario, California, the Toyota Arena is home to one of the best teams in the American Hockey League (AHL), the Ontario Reign. The Reign currently sit atop of the AHL Pacific Division and the Toyota Arena plays a big role in the team’s success.

Luca Cagnoni and Filip Bystedt. But the player I really wanted to see was Yaroslav Askarov, the Russian goaltender the Sharks paid a premium to acquire from the Nashville Predators this past offseason.

Askarov has been hyped up as one of this generation’s best goalie prospects, but unfortunately, he’s been dealing with a low-

“A BEAUTIFUL TIC-TAC-TOE PLAY FROM FORWARDS ANDREW POTURALSKI AND ETHAN CARDWELL GAVE BORDELEAU A WIDE-OPEN ONE-TIMER OFF THE RUSH. THE FORMER MICHIGAN WOLVERINE MADE NO MISTAKE AND BURIED HIS CHANCE.”

With a capacity of almost 10,000, the Reign have the entire Inland Empire behind them and they boast one of the best home records in the entire AHL.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, I had the luxury of watching the Ontario Reign host the San Jose Barracuda, the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s San Jose Sharks, my favorite NHL team. Despite both teams being Pacific Division rivals and fighting for playoff spots, the game was extra momentous as it was Black Heritage Night.

In preparation for the occasion, I wore my Sharks Black History Month practice jersey, an item I found at a thrift store in Monterey, California, on top of my Barracuda shirt. As I arrived at my seat, I made it just in time for the playing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” A nice touch from the organizers of the event.

The song was followed by the traditional playing of the national anthem. Then, it was time for puck drop. I couldn’t wait. As a diehard Sharks fan, there hasn’t been much to root for the past few years. However, the years of losing have beefed up the team’s prospect pool and I was very excited to watch a handful of potential future Sharks in person.

Guys like Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund and Will Smith are already in the NHL. Nevertheless, the Barracuda are still littered with young and hungry players. This group includes Thomas Bordeleau,

er-body injury. Instead, former University of Vermont goalie Gabriele Carriere took his place.

Despite this loss in net, the Barracuda had plenty of reasons to come out with a win. These two teams had played each other just three days prior at the TechCU Arena in San Jose. The Reign left the Bay Area with a 6-3, so a payback victory would be extra sweet for the Barracuda.

Yet, from the opening minutes of the first period, it appeared that this game would be a repeat of its predecessor. The Reign dominated offensive zone time and continuously peppered Carriere with shots. The former Vermont Catamount was up to the test, stopping every shot that came his way.

Carriere was sharp early on, but his teammates were not. The Barracuda struggled with breaking out of their defensive zone as the Reign’s neutral zone trap was working wonders. This sustained pressure in San Jose’s own zone riled up the home crowd.

They would have more reason to cheer after Barracuda defenseman Braden Haché was sent to the penalty box for tripping. Screams of “Get in the shed!” erupted around the Toyota Arena as the Reign were about to go on the power play.

They’d come up empty on the man advantage, but the Barracuda were still pinned in their own zone. This led the Barracuda

to play dump and chase hockey. As I was sitting behind the Reign goal, I got an upclose view of some big hits from the Barracuda forecheckers. The biggest of them came from the 5’ 9” Bordeleau. The young forward constantly threw his body around with reckless abandon.

This strategy led to plenty of post-whistle scrums as the tension on the ice started heating up. The physical nature of the game gave the Barracuda some momentum, but they were unable to capitalize on their chances in the first period.

The Barracuda seemed destined to break the deadlock in the second period. San Jose’s checking line created a couple chances for Mitchell Russell, but he was denied both times by Reign goaltender Phoenix Copley. Then, Cagnoni rifled a wrister off the post. Eventually, the Barracuda found the goal they had been so desperately looking for.

A beautiful tic-tac-toe play from forwards Andrew Poturalski and Ethan Cardwell gave Bordeleau a wide-open onetimer off the rush. The former Michigan Wolverine made no mistake and buried his chance.

I was initially a little shy to celebrate Bordeleau’s goal since I was sitting in front of perhaps the biggest Reign fan in the entire stadium. He was decked out in Reign gear and would initiate every “Go Reign Go!” cheer. He even brought a cowbell with him to further enhance the atmosphere in the arena.

Fortunately, he was very respectful and didn’t give me any trouble. In fact, the two of us laughed off the whole situation as I celebrated one of my favorite Sharks prospects giving the Barracuda a 1-0 lead to end the second period.

In the tightly contested third and final period, both teams continued to push, shove, and exchange words with each other. A couple fights almost broke out, but the referees were quick to break the players up, much to the disappointment of myself and every other fan in the Toyota Arena.

All the Reign fans would have to get used to the disappointment as the Barracuda quickly made it 3-0. First, it was

Cardwell who pounced on a loose puck in the slot. Then, Russell finally capitalized on a chance off a beautiful feed from teammate Rem Pitlick.

These two quick goals completely changed the outlook of the game, but didn’t deflate the spirit of the Reign. They kept looking to break the shutout as their passionate fans continued to cheer them on. However, Carriere was sharp the whole game and he looked destined to earn his first career AHL shutout.

As the seconds ticked away, it seemed Carriere would fulfill this destiny. But with less than a minute left, Ontario’s Andre Lee and San Jose’s Scott Sabourin were each awarded game misconducts for their scrap on the ice after the referee’s whistle. Sabourin also picked up a minor penalty for cross-checking on the play, which was served by Bordeleau.

Lee’s wrestling match with Sabourin inspired his teammates and the fans finally had something to cheer for. The Reign would capitalize on the ensuing power play via a Martin Chromiak one-timer. Carriere’s shutout was spoiled, but his performance was still worthy of the first star and a 3-1 revenge victory for the Barracuda.

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at the Toyota Arena. Not only did I get to see my favorite AHL team beat one of their fiercest rivals, but I also witnessed the diehard fanbase of the Ontario Reign firsthand. Despite never once leading the entire game, the Reign faithful backed their team the whole way. The fans were able to tilt the ice in their favor and this especially showed early in the first period. If Carriere hadn’t stood on his head for 60 minutes, this could have easily been another big win for the Reign.

Since this game, the Reign have gone undefeated at home and look primed to make a deep run in the Calder Cup Playoffs. If they do win their first Calder Cup this year, the Ontario Reign will put the Toyota Arena and the Inland Empire on the hockey map.

ISAAC

MY EXPERIENCE ROOTING FOR THE AWAY TEAM IN THIS TENSE CLASH BETWEEN THE ONTARIO REIGN AND THE SAN JOSE

GRAPHIC BY ADELIA URENA

No. 7 UC Riverside upsets no. 1 University of Hawaii 61-51 and punches ticket to championships

Highlanders women’s basketball beat University of Hawai’i, 61-51, ending their 14 game win streak.

Sofia Majeed Contributing writer

Coming off of a win against California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo on Feb. 22, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) defeated the University of Hawai’i (UH) by ten points this past Thursday. The Highlanders, currently seventh in Big West conference standings, pulled off an outstanding upset against UH. Hawaii boasted a 14 game win streak and are currently no. 1 in conference standings. In their last match up in early January,

UCR lost by 14 points.

From the beginning of the first quarter, energy levels were high on both sides. UCR went in knowing they were fully capable of ending the win streak, and that they did.

“I think we had a better scout and I think we were more prepared than last game. We had a good scout on them, and we focused on how we could be better than last game. We watched our last game and made sure

UCR’s early lead slips away in narrow 7-6 loss to LMU

Highlanders let victory slip away in one-run loss to LMU

Kishneet Kaur Contributing Writer

On Feb. 26, 2025, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) baseball team stepped up to the plate against Loyola Marymount University (LMU). The game’s final score was 7-6 with LMU pulling ahead by one run and stealing the game. With identical records of 5-3, both teams came in with similar starts to the season.

Before their game against LMU, UCR entered this game confident as they came off a road series win against Utah Tech in a four-game non-conference series.

UCR lost the first game but took the last three games of the series with scores. UCR won 5-4 and 8-6 on Feb. 22, and 4-0 on Feb. 23. A mentionable play from these games was by Jayden Lopez, who hit his second home run of the season in the third inning in the game that powered the Highlanders to a UCR 8-6 victory.

The game started with LMU batting and UCR pitching in the top of the first inning. UCR gained an advantage by having

an offensive push in the first inning by bringing a run home by Robert Pitts as he got to walk and again in the bottom of the fourth inning by driving in two more runs.

UCR had the upper hand up until the top of the fifth inning when LMU snatched the lead by four runs. Sophomore pitcher Joshua Torres made his season debut for UCR in 2025. Sporting the number nine, Torres played four innings, recording four strikeouts. Torres’s performance was significant in the team’s execution of the game. Additionally, senior first baseman Andrew Rivas drove in three runs showcasing his offensive prowess.

The Highlanders will now make the cross-town trip to California Baptist University on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 6:00 pm. These preseason games are crucial to the team as they steadily approach their first game of the Big West Conference on March 6 to March 9 at home in the Riverside Sports Complex at 6:00 pm against the University of Hawaii in a three-game series.

that we did better than that,” shared guard Hannah Wickstrom, who was instrumental in securing this win for Riverside.

Once again, the Highlanders played consistently and aggressively beating a team much higher in the conference standings. The same scenario played out when UCR beat UC Davis just a few weeks ago, 55-53.

“We have something to prove. I think that sometimes we might be a little

overlooked, but I think we shouldn’t be,” commented guard Makayla Rose. “I feel like this team has a lot of fight, we have a lot of skills, we have a lot of talent, we have a lot of weapons and I feel like we just want to show everyone that and send a message to the league.”

UCR and UH were tied at the end of the second quarter, causing both teams to make some explosive plays during the second half.

In the third quarter, UCR made five out of six field goals, tightening the lead between the teams. After a couple three pointers, UCR overcame any deficit in points to win the game. Wickstrom and guard Shelley Duchemin combined for 32 points, working seamlessly with Makayla Rose for a strong offensive punch.

The Highlanders will play their last away game of the season on Thursday, March 6, against Cal State Northridge.

Men’s Golf - 2/24/2025 - 2/26/2025

Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate

Women’s Golf - 2/25/2025 - 2/26/2025

GCU Invitational

Women’s Basketball - 2/27/2025

Hawaii vs. UCR

61-51, W

UCR Team Leaders:

Points: Hannah Wickstrom (18)

Rebounds: Esther Matarranz (7)

Assists: Kaylani Polk (4)

Baseball - 2/28/2025

UCR vs. CBU

3-0, W

Men’s Basketball - 2/27/2025

UCR vs. Hawaii

82-76, W

UCR Team Leaders:

Points: Barrington Hargress (25)

Rebounds: Isaiah Moses (7)

Assists: Isaiah Moses (4)

UCR Team Leaders:

Matthew O’Brien: W (1-1) 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 2 BB

Andrew Rivas: 2/4, 1 R

Tyler Gordon: 2/3, 2 RBI

Be busy.

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.

PAUL LEWIS III / THE HIGHLANDER