Volume 60 Issue 16

THE USD VISTA Biden’s student loan relief plan

Supreme Court weighs constitutionality of debt forgiveness

Student loans are a topic all too familiar for many college students, especially in America. In August of last year, President Biden released a plan to ease the burden of student debt for 43 million borrowers. This plan would forgive $10,000 in federal student loan debt for individuals who make under $125,000 or households that make under $250,000, with an additional $10,000 forgiven for Pell Grant recipients.

Student loan forgiveness was a vital component of Biden’s presidential campaign and has been a hot debate in the past few years, as college tuition continues to rise. According to NPR, critics of student debt relief say that it could lead to increased inflation. Some also believe it’s not fair to those who worked hard to pay off their debt on their own.

At the end of February, the Supreme Court started hearing arguments on the legality of Biden’s student loan relief plan. Challenges came from six

Game day superstitions

AMARA BROOKS SPORTS EDITOR

Many athletes and sports fans alike have their superstitions or rituals that are ingrained into their everyday lives. From avoiding cracks on the sidewalk to ensuring never to split the pole, there are things individuals must do in order to attract good luck. In the world of sports, many athletes and fans have superstitions that they must complete before a game in order to feel ready going into a match.

According to BelievePerform, a ritual can be defined as “a certain behavior or action that a sports performer [or fan] carries out with the belief that these behaviors

have a specific purpose, or power, to influence their performance; many sports performers believe that performing a specific ritual before a competition improves the outcome of their performance.

These performances are typically carried out at the beginning of games.”

USD sophomore Jane Riehs on the swim & dive team shared her pre-meet ritual she does, which begins with her warm ups before a meet.

“Typically before every meet I find a certain walk path,” Riehs explained. “I know it sounds weird, but every warm up I walk the same path to the diving board. Same steps, same footing, because if I change up the steps I believe I will mess up my next dive. I also do this during the meet. I walk the same path because I believe it is good luck. Same footing, same steps.”

Oftentimes people’s superstitions are not pre-planned, but they are more so something they have done habitually over time. For USD senior Solymar Colling, her game day ritual came from coffee trips with her dad before tennis matches.

See Rituals, Page 11

Republican-led states, as well as two students. The challengers argue that the president would need authorization from Congress to enact such a significant policy.

According to PBS News Hour, the conservative justices on the Supreme Court, who hold a 6-3 majority, appear to side with the challengers, while the liberal justices believe that Congress already gave authorization to the executive power to make adjustments to student loans. The decision is expected to be announced at the end of June when the Supreme Court ends its session. A pause on student loan payments that began during COVID-19 is also expected to end mid-summer, after being extended several times.

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce calculated that the average price of college tuition, room, board and fees rose 169% from 1980 to 2020. The report states, “It used to be possible to work one’s way through college; today, college costs are generally too high — and young people’s wages too

See Sudent Loans, Page 2

MORE STORIES

See A&C, page 3

See A&C, page 5

Spring Break

See Feature, page 8

Oscar goodie bags

See Opinion, page 9

Women’s

See

Protesters gather in Washington D.C. about student debt.

Photo Courtesy of @orland0cabllo/Instagram

Gower/Unsplash

Toreros discuss student implications of debt Supreme Court and student loans

Student Relief from Page 1 low — for that to be feasible. Consequently, more students have to take on larger amounts of debt to get a college degree.”

As a private university, USD’s tuition is well above the national average; however, according to the University of San Diego website, over 78% of undergraduate students receive financial assistance such as scholarships and need-based financial aid. Still, the average student loan debt USD students owe after graduating is $25,208.

USD junior Kehra Mctague heard about the relief plan and reacted positively to the idea of the Federal government canceling student loans.

“From personal experience I would love that because I do have loans out right now.” Mctague said. “So I think that would be a great thing for students, to not be drowning in debt after college.”

USD junior Paxton Earl acknowledged pros and cons to Biden’s student loan relief plan.

“I think the relief plan is a double-edged sword. The benefits of it are that it can increase consumer spending, reduce financial stress and in general provide more financial support and affordability for college students after they graduate,” Earl stated. “However, there are very significant macroeconomic effects that are costly. Student loan relief comes at the expense of the government, which means it also comes at the expense of the taxpayer: us.”

Earl also is worried the plan would continue to increase college tuition in the future.

“If the government promises to pay for part or entire parts of the cost of college, then universities can raise their prices, because the

cost is not borne by the student but on the government, since it promised relief. Also, if students have their loans forgiven, this will also incentivize students to take on additional debt. This increase in demand for debt could increase student loan interest rates.”

USD Economics Professor Stephen Conroy added to the possible negatives of the program.

“This is not a funded program so it will simply transfer debt from private households to the public debt, which we will all be responsible for. In that sense, it is a tax on households that either already paid off their student loans or that never got them in the first place. There is a fairness issue here, as some individuals may have made their college decisions in the past based on tuition costs and would, justifiably, feel anger or resentment that they made sacrifices in the past and are now paying this tax while others who did not make the same sacrifices are rewarded.”

Dr. Conroy added that there is also a risk of short term inflation.

“In terms of the macroeconomy, in the short term, it would also likely contribute to higher aggregate spending, which is potentially very inflationary.”

College comes at an enormous cost. If federal loan forgiveness takes place, it could ease the cost of education for millions of Americans, however the full impacts of the policy may not be fully understood until it’s instated.

The USD Vista reached out to the Office of Financial Aid for comment about student loan forgiveness and opportunities to relieve student debt, and director of financial aid Kellie Nehring said she would not be able to provide any information to the Vista at this time.

USD Vista

“I think that would be a great thing for students, to not be drowning in debt after college.”

-Kehra Mctague

Photo Courtesy of Giorgio Trovato/Unsplash

Jennette McCurdy is ‘glad her mom died’ Respected author visits

COLIN MULLANEY COPY EDITOR

(content warning: eating disorder, childhood abuse and sexual abuse)

Although writer and former actress Jennette McCurdy visited USD on Dec. 8 last semester, her memoir, “I’m Glad my Mom Died,” continues to make waves and demonstrate its cultural impact. The popular book remains near the top of the New York Times bestseller list seven months after its publication and addresses McCurdy’s childhood experiences growing up with an abusive mother, who pressured her to become a child actress at the age of six. While Gen Z is arguably most familiar with McCurdy for her role as Sam Puckett on the popular Nickelodeon show “iCarly,” McCurdy declares in her new book — and during her Q&A hosted by the Torero Program Board — that she has transitioned into a new phase of life, centered around writing and her aspirations to direct and produce.

In her memoir, McCurdy addresses the pain that resulted from her mother’s erratic behavior and the pressure that her

mom, Debra, placed on Jennette to become an actress. Feeling as though she had missed her own window for success in life, Debra saw the potential to vicariously live out her dream through a young and vulnerable Jennette.

Thus began Jennette’s childhood acting career which would culminate in McCurdy’s role on “iCarly” from 2007 to 2012, as well as an eating disorder that would haunt Jennette for years to come.

McCurdy attributes her struggles with disordered eating to the pressure her mom and the acting industry imposed on her to be perfect, including pressure to support her entire family financially. From the age of 11, Jennette was taught calorie restriction and self-abuse tactics to maintain her mother’s impossible standards. Even after her mother’s death, the consequences of these learned behaviors continued with devastating effects, like Jennette losing a tooth from the stomach acid she vomited during daily purging that spanned many years. McCurdy’s willingness to be vulnerable, honest and direct in her recount of these traumatic events translates into an impressive and accessible work, with the promise of validating other children from codependent and emotionally enmeshed family systems.

Another part of her mother’s abuse included invasive “cancer screenings.” Since the time

Jennette was young, her mother was in remission for stage four breast cancer, with the understanding that the cancer could return at any moment. As a result, Debra lived in a state of fear and paranoia, which she inflicted upon her children by forcing them to submit to full body searches for cancer. Ultimately, Debra’s cancer did return, causing her death in 2013, when

Jennette was only 21 years old.

Only after her mom’s death was Jennette able to truly begin unpacking the harm which had occurred from her mom’s abusive behavior, but healing and finding herself was not a linear path. In the immediate aftermath, Jennette struggled with alcoholism and ongoing eating disorders, as well as a new, shocking revelation that her mother had kept a secret for decades.

During her visit to USD, McCurdy explained the process behind writing her book. The story — published by Simon and Schuster in 2022 — began as a onewoman stage comedy. However, this show was postponed and canceled in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her book is divided into two sections: “Before” and “After” her mom’s death, with emphasis on the personal growth she has achieved since finding her independence.

The memoir began as a series of vignettes, or short scenes based on the experiences that McCurdy deemed most relevant. By facing these negatively charged memories and unresolved traumas, McCurdy gained confidence in herself to deal with them and move beyond.

In doing so, several patterns emerged around all the ways her mother’s behavior had affected her, which allowed Jennette to separate herself from her mother’s abuse — characterized by a lack of personal boundaries and respect. Because Jennette’s mother had been so overbearing and controlling, Jennette had a hard time differentiating

USD

herself from her mother, until she engaged in the process of writing about what had happened to her in her childhood.

Nowadays, McCurdy is a huge advocate of personal boundaries and therapy. Since her mother’s death, McCurdy shared that her guiding principle and primary life advice for USD students is: “if it’s not a ‘hell yes,’ it’s a ‘hell no.’”

In other words, learning to trust oneself and one’s intuition after years — if not a lifetime — of being micromanaged and manipulated, makes a huge difference in terms of personal life satisfaction. Living life on another person’s terms — even if that person is a parent who one feels indebted to — is no meaningful existence, and it only promotes chronic feelings of guilt, emptiness and shame.

“Boundaries,” McCurdy emphasized repeatedly, in her characteristically frank and comedic style.

Unfortunately, the USD audience witnessed a verbal exchange near the end of the night, in which McCurdy’s personal boundaries were put to a test.

McCurdy asked the audience if they had anything else to discuss, at which point an unidentified audience member yelled back, “Butter sock” — a reference to McCurdy’s character on “iCarly.” McCurdy seemed confused and hurt by the student’s comment, but tried to interrogate the matter further.

“I’m just curious what made you say that; I think it’s really interesting,” McCurdy observed, asking the student to elaborate.

A surplus of sequels

‘Creed III’ and ‘Scream VI’ hit theaters

This March, many franchises are releasing more content from their respective series. For production companies, a formulaic approach to a movie series attracts fan bases and economic success with each new installment. As a result, many franchises release multiple films around the same premise, in hopes of generating great profit.

Released on Mar. 3, “Creed III” is another installment of the “Rocky” franchise, which began in 1976. Despite being the ninth film in the series, fans are still invested in the story, as it’s evolved over time. The first film was about Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, and his boxing career. After five films about Balboa’s boxing and other important people in his life, the franchise pivoted to focus on his protégé, Adonis (Donnie) Creed, played by Michael B. Jordan.

“Creed III” collected an estimated $58.6 million at the domestic box office, and approximately $100 million worldwide on its opening weekend. This is the third “Creed” film in the “Rocky” franchise. Despite having no connection to Stallone’s character, Balboa, the latest Creed installment still earned the best opening weekend in series history. In this film, Adonis Creed is thriving in his career and with his family when his childhood friend, Damian, played by Johnathan Majors, reappears after time in prison. The former friends ultimately face off in a boxing match. Majors rose to fame in the past few years and most recently played an important role in “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.”

USD junior Avery Leininger saw “Creed III” opening weekend and has been a fan of the “Rocky” franchise for some time now.

“It was cool to let Michael B. Jordan have his moment and focus solely on his story and his

character,” Leininger expressed. “It’s kind of necessary [focusing on Creed instead of Rocky], or it would [just] be the same thing again and again. But it would’ve been nice if Sylvester Stallone had a feature here or there.”

Acting as Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut, this is the first film in the franchise to provide a stylistic change to the often formulaic boxing story. As a result, some fans are happy with the change, including USD junior Avery Leininger.

“The movie stands out from the other franchise movies, because the filming was really different, the camera work and cool effects I haven’t seen in movies like this really stood out,” Leininger expressed. “The emotion stood out because usually there wasn’t a really clear person you are rooting for because you’re more sympathetic to the other characters, like Damian, and it wasn’t so clear cut on who a villain was, which I loved.”

Another film recently

released from a popular franchise is “Scream VI.” Released on March 10 as the sixth installment to the series, the film follows four survivors of the villain Ghostface, as the protagonists move to New York. Earning $44.5 million at the domestic box office and $67 million globally, “Scream VI” is successful thus far. One of the main characters of this film is Tara Carpenter, played by Jenna Ortega. This past year, Ortega rose to fame as Wednesday Addams in the new Netflix show, “Wednesday.” As a result, many fans of her work followed her to the “Scream” franchise, bringing more popularity to the already famous series.

Both “Creed III” and “Scream VI” are still bringing fans to the theaters because of their refreshing take on a longstanding series. With that being said, there are still people who find popular franchises to be redundant.

USD Senior Vice President and Provost, Dr. Roger Pace is a fan of independent and smaller

The student — seemingly unaware of the hurtful nature of their comment — continued to speak, to the horror of Shiley Theatre.

“My roommate and I almost brought you a ‘butter sock’ to sign,” the student replied, confidently.

However, McCurdy handled the encounter with dignity and grace.

“I’m really glad you didn’t do that, because I wouldn’t have signed it,” McCurdy concluded, before transitioning to a different topic altogether.

USD senior Mari AguilarVargas was present for the exchange and felt a range of emotions.

“It was so uncomfortable, I think you could hear a pin drop,” Aguilar-Vargas commented.

“Especially because Jennette had just explained her difficult experiences on the show, including how difficult it was to be treated by fans as if she was only her character, Sam, rather than a whole person with unique qualities, talents, goals and needs. We were all so mad at whoever harassed her.”

Many USD students feared that McCurdy would associate the rude comment with the university itself and take personal offense, after an otherwise enjoyable evening.

However, the lessons which McCurdy imparted to students through her talk and her memoir were far more salient and memorable, thanks to McCurdy’s generosity and willingness to provide signed copies of her book to the first 100 student attendees at her Q&A, free of cost to students.

films, unlike most franchises. As a professor of multiple film classes on campus and one of the professors to start the Sundance Film Festival class during intersession, Pace is well-versed on most film-related subjects. In regards to series like “Rocky” and “Scream,” Pace expressed concern.

“Even the [series] I enjoy, you’d have to admit that they’re getting stale. Inevitably a good idea runs its course and if you keep it alive just for the economics, you’re going to get kind of stale performances,” Pace explained.

“But after the pandemic, those are the films bringing people to the theaters, it exaggerated the risk avoidance… small films just aren’t being seen by people.”

Series like these tend to have economic success and large crowds, leaving those to wonder if the repetitive nature of these formulaic films will continue to have such a grand effect on cinema. While these films are performing well in theaters, many fans ponder the future of the franchises.

STELLA SCHNEIDER ASST. A&C EDITOR

Women’s historical achievements Important women and their inventions

JESSICA MILLS ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Women have a long history of not receiving credit when due. This is why many don’t know that female inventors were major contributors to many malecontrolled industries, such as technology, science and business. Despite these major impacts, women — particularly women of color — have historically had less access to resources to apply for U.S. patents in order to market their creations.

This article is just a short list of women’s inventions that changed the world, providing practical solutions that are widely used today. Many of these women did not receive credit for their work during their time or were downplayed and overlooked.

Computer programming

Grace Hopper (19061992), an American computer scientist, mathematician and Navy Admiral, made countless contributions to developing computer language. Hopper pioneered automatic programming and found new ways to use a computer to code. She was also involved in the creation of UNIVAC, the first completely electronic computer. Hopper invented the first computer compiler, which translates written instructions into codes for computers to read directly. This eventually led to her co-development of COBOL, one of the earliest computer languages that allows computers to respond to both words and numbers.

USD junior Zoey Delgado was astonished that much of the field’s foundation was formulated by women.

“I find that really interesting and honestly surprising because I consider computer programming to be such a maledominated field,” Delgado said.

Zippia reports that 71.3% of all programmers are male.

Solar panels and solarpowered heating

Hungarian-American biophysicist Maria Telkes (19001995) invented the first solarpowered residential heating system and solar distiller.

Telkes was assigned to the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development during World War II, where she created a solar distiller that vaporized seawater and turned it into drinkable water.

Alongside American architect Eleanor Raymond, she constructed the world’s first modern home, heated solely with solar energy.

Britannica cites that in 1952, Telkes became the first recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Achievement Award. In 1977, she received a lifetime achievement award from the

National Academy of Sciences Building Research Advisory for solar-heated building technology contributions.

Communication technology

Dr. Shirley Jackson’s (1946 – present) breakthrough scientific research led to the conception of the touch tone telephone, portable fax, fiber-optic cables, caller identification and call waiting.

When making a phone call, call waiting notifies users of an incoming call and can place the first call on hold while answering the second.

Highly decorated, Dr. Jackson is the first Black woman to earn a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She was also the first woman and Black individual to become the Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory System, serve as the chairman for this

commision, lead a national research university and be elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

USD senior Ryan Davis believes that it’s crucial to recognize Dr. Jackson and countless others and all they’ve achieved.

“I honestly have so much respect for women like Dr. Jackson who are working in a field dominated by men but continue to do their work without receiving the same recognition as their male counterparts,” Davis said. “It is crucial to celebrate and recognize women like Dr. Jackson, because it offers role models for the younger generation of women to look up to.”

In September 2014, Dr. Jackson was appointed by President Barack Obama as Co-Chair of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, providing advice on the nation’s quality and

adequacy of intelligence and counterintelligence collection. She served in this position until January 2017.

Her list of achievements and awards are continuous. To put it simply, Dr. Jackson is the reason we have easy access to much of the technology that allows our phones and communication technology to function today.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Hedy Lammar, an AustrianAmerican actress and inventor, co-created the technology that is now used in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS devices.

Lammar developed frequency hopping — the repeated switching of frequencies during transmission to reduce interference and interception. Lammar was well-known for her beauty and was thus overlooked when it came to her intelligence.

Working beside composer and inventor George Antheil, they

submitted patent applications for radio frequency hopping in 1941. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that Lammar obtained recognition for her achievements.

USD junior Haley Jacob was also surprised by Lammar’s impact.

“I don’t really find out about these inventions from women unless it’s a fun fact I see on the internet,” Jacob explained.

“I think women, even today, are discouraged from joining the STEM and business fields, because they think that they won’t be good enough, and men in that field can make it a very non-inclusive environment.

But, literally women like Hedy are the reason we have this specific technology.”

This list is microscopic compared to the long list of historical achievements women have and continue to contribute to. Learning more about women’s history is crucial for an inclusive and celebratory future.

The USD ViSTa ◆ march 23, 2023

In March, individuals around the world celebrate Women’s History Month.

Photo courtesy of @Womenshistory/Instagram

Dr. Shirley Jackson was the first Black woman to earn a PhD from MIT.

Photo courtesy of @African&Blackhistory/Twitter

Packing, styling and studying

How to maximize a limited wardrobe abroad

There’s something about packing for a trip that is uniquely stress-inducing. The more expansive the itinerary, the greater risk that the chosen combination of clothes will be inadequate.

For the nearly 80% of students who study abroad during their time at USD, I tried to synthesize my experiences and those of my peers to help aspiring students travel without succumbing to this fate.

My last two months were spent on Semester at Sea, a study abroad program where students enroll in classes on a ship while traveling to popular port cities all over the world. All throughout this incredible journey, I have had plenty of learning experiences when it comes to packing.

In India, the sweltering, sticky heat of Mumbai meant my clothes were plastered to my body day and night. Knowing this ahead of time, the cotton pants I thrifted before the trip were the best decision I could have made; even though they may not have been the most stylish choice, their function certainly kept me cool.

Conversely, I was woefully underprepared for the biting winds of Jordan. I wrongfully assumed it would be hot… even though we visited in the middle of February. Thankfully there were other students in my program with jackets to spare.

Being thoughtful is the first step to packing a suitable wardrobe. A common misconception is that people

think they need to buy a whole new set of outfits before going abroad, especially if they’re going to encounter a range of climates. However, the determining factor in being comfortable (or not) can come down to only a select few pieces.

Landon Lee, a sophomore from USD who is also on Semester at Sea, saw the importance of packing

pants, which has been kind of rough over the last few ports.”

Lee’s lack of suitable cold weather gear can be attributed to another important part of packing for a trip: leaving room for improvement. No matter the destination, there is a strong likelihood that new clothes will be purchased out of necessity or desire.

I picked up some jackets and pants, and that was a good time.”

thoughtfully in hindsight.

“Coming in, I knew very little about the climates which was the worst part about how I packed,” Lee said. “I didn’t know a lot of the climates were going to be really cold [and] I only brought one or two sweatshirts and a few

At just over halfway through the program, Lee himself has already experienced the latter of these situations.

“I would say I tried to pack as light as possible,” Lee said. “I knew there wasn’t going to be much space on the boat and also that I would buy stuff in port.

Space for new garments isn’t just important for adapting to physical conditions, but social ones as well. Different countries have different criteria for what’s considered appropriate. Especially in places with cultural values rooted in religion, popular Western fashion trends like exposing undergarments/skin can be perceived as disrespectful.

To avoid this, some students purchase more modest clothes in advance. Nia Queen, a junior at the University of Kentucky, described what it was like to conform to a more modest dress code in other non-Western countries, specifically India.

“In India, Kenya, and Jordan we were told to dress more modestly,” Queen said. “On the last day in India, I stepped off the boat in a shorter shirt and people were looking at me like I was a wh**e. I ended up going to change.”

Queen also stipulated that this expectation of modesty differed depending on the bodies in question.

“It was interesting because when White people with thinner bodies wore crop tops, left their shoulders uncovered etc. nobody really said nothing,” she said.

On top of cultural expectations comes the pressure to fit in with your peers. Just like on our campus, dressing with the trends while studying abroad may be done in a climate of opinion.

Here on Semester at Sea, it is common to see many students in designer labels or wearing seemingly new outfits every day. Some students find this a reasonable norm, while financial stipulations make others hesitant.

Leeza Voyevoda, a senior at the University of Alberta, offered her insight on the pressure to dress with trends.

“I feel like people who are traveling to several countries

shouldn’t be afraid to rewear outfits,” Voyevoda said. “I’ve already reworn several. On my Instagram, as if that matters, I’ve got multiple posts in the same outfit. I think people need to put less pressure on themselves.”

Despite her desire to relax, Voyevoda still has fun with fashion overseas.

“The thing that I feel like I’m missing out on is that people have matching sweatsuits I feel like I’ve never seen,” she said. “I definitely under-packed on the casual things, but with my normal clothes I always overdress.”

In my experience, Voyevoda’s advice rings true. I care a great deal about how I dress, so when I travel I like to observe fashion both incountry and in various student groups. Generally, in both areas I find people to conform to certain styles that fit their needs. What is considered “fashionable” is what works for one’s everyday routine.

For students who wear casual clothing most of the time, brands like Fear of God Essentials, Dolce&Gabbana and Aritzia can provide ‘elevated’ versions of the sweats and t-shirts they love.

However, money certainly cannot buy style. Secondhand items can be worn in a way that gives an illusion of luxury at a much more affordable price point.

Of course, no matter where in the world, it is a privilege to worry about your clothes. Not everyone has the time, money or energy to be selective about what they wear, and that makes it all the more important to be mindful of students’ privilege when doing so.

That being said, packing to suit different climates and cultures is something to be taken into consideration.

SPENCER BISPHAM CONTRIBUTOR

A religious man in Ganges, India dressed in traditional Hindu garb.

Photo courtesy of Spencer Bispham

An outfit of Voyevoda’s comprised of second hand garments.

Photo courtesy of Spencer Bispham

Alumnus-funded Japan trip

Political Science and Communication classes visit Japan over Spring Break

KYLIE DURHAM ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Disclaimer: I personally was a part of this Spring Break trip to Japan, however I am focusing on experiences from other students and faculty members.

On Mar. 3, two classes from the University of San Diego embarked for Japan as part of a fullyfunded excursion by the Chapman Family Foundation. This 10 day program started on Friday and concluded the following Sunday morning. The two classes in attendance were Dr. Leeva Chung’s Intercultural Communication 475 and Dr. Andrew Tirrell’s Politics in the Environment 349. A total of 36 students traveled to numerous cities in Japan to learn through firsthand experiences about Japanese culture and what it means to be a global citizen.

The Chapman Family Foundation is a fully funded program by USD alumnus Greg Chapman, class of ‘92. However, the dream to send students abroad globally originally comes from Dr. Edmonds-Poli of the Political Science department. The purpose of the program is to provide students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel somewhere outside of the United States in an attempt to integrate classroom lessons with real life experiences. As her second year abroad, Dr. Edmonds-Poli emphasized the impact of this opportunity.

“The idea behind the program is that it lowers the barriers to accessing study abroad by covering the cost,” Edmonds-Poli said. “Academically, it is within a regular semester class, so you have the first part of the semester to get an academic foundation that is going to help you understand your experience, and reflect on how what you have learned in the classroom relates to what you see in real life.”

The first class to be part of this program was Dr. Edmonds-Poli’s Mexican Politics and Society course during the last Spring Break. The group traveled to Mexico City for a week to examine the politics discussed in class taking place in real time. The trip allowed the class to make those connections through tangible practice. The success of the Mexico trip encouraged Chapman to send more students abroad — this time to a country with a drastically varying lifestyle: Japan.

Both classes noticed striking differences between the two cultures during their time in Japan. USD junior Jess Lefford, a student of Dr. Tirrell’s course, explained the main difference that caught her attention.

“Culture-wise, people are very polite everywhere,” Lefford said. “I guess one of the things that really stood out to

me was how respectful they are in different spaces, especially public spaces. They are hushed and watch their voice volume.”

Being quiet is a very large part of Japanese culture for a variety of reasons. In preparation for the trip, both classes were informed about this cultural norm alongside the expectations of being quiet in public spaces.

Dr. Chung explained in greater detail why Japanese citizens particularly ask for silence in these public spaces.

“Silence in that psychological space is important in Japan. I could be sitting so close to you, but you do not exist. And that is how they live their lives. They need 15 minutes of psychological quietness before they go to their next shenanigan. Public spaces are the only place they can do it,” Chung said.

The silence was even present at typically loud events in the United States like baseball games. Dr. Tirrell’s class watched a baseball game while in Tokyo, and students were shocked to see the stands much quieter than the ones at home.

Lefford pointed out the change in volume.

“I am used to so much noise at American sporting events, and even though there was exciting action happening, it was still very quiet,” Lefford observed. “Everyone was sitting there eating their food and watching the game, and then we were a whole group of American students who were still yelling and such.”

In addition to the overall silence, students noticed other discrepancies. For USD sophomore Josh Spaulding, he reflected back on his experience interacting with the citizens in Japan and noted what stood out to him the most.

“Their kindness and respectfulness. Everyone was just so hospitable and so kind. They were always willing to do the most,” Spaulding said.

Not everything went according to plan on the trip, however. Upon arrival in Osaka, both classes missed their connecting flight to Kyoto, which forced director Dr. Edmonds-Poli to quickly pivot to a new plan. Yet the unexpected turnaround once again proved the kindnessof-heart of Japanese citizens.

“As director of the program, my biggest challenge is making sure we don’t have any major hiccups, and it runs as smoothly as possible,” Edmonds-Poli said.

“I would love to claim credit for it moving smoothly, but I think our Japanese partners are really the ones responsible. They got us on the metro and had 40 rooms waiting for us at the nearby hotel; it was all their doing. I was so amazed at how dedicated they are to their hospitality, and making sure an unwanted situation got

resolved in a satisfactory way.”

The overall benefits outweighed the challenges that occurred on the trip. Many students reflected back on their time abroad and what connections they made between American and Japanese cultures.

USD senior Lily Rand approached the trip with an open mind and was pleased with the turnout.

“This trip allowed us to interact interculturally with people who have completely different experiences and lifestyles than we do. And for me that really was life changing in a way, as cheesy as it sounds,” Rand said. “You don’t realize how wrapped up you are in that ethnocentric mindset and in the U.S. culture until you get out of it. It puts everything into perspective in a way you have really

never been able to see before.”

Fellow classmate, USD senior Madison Kalahui, connected her culture in Hawaii to that of the Japanese.

“Obviously I got to learn more about the Japanese culture and traditions of how they do things,” Kalahui said. “I even got to see a lot of my culture in Japanese culture. I think the culture of Hawaii has a lot of similarities to Japanese culture, so it was really cool to see the similarities between the two in the food and lifestyle. Culture in Hawaii is a huge melting pot, and we have Asian influences everywhere.”

This experience connected the students of USD to not only their peers, but another part of the world. Dr. Edmonds-Poli touched on the significance of this study abroad on a larger scale.

“The overarching motive for doing this whole thing is it is really important for students to understand they are part of a much bigger whole in the world,” Edmonds-Poli said. “It is this idea of global citizenship, and that you are very happy to be who you are and where you are, but you also have an appreciation for places that are different. Places that do things differently than we do. You can really only have that through experiences like this.”

The week-long trip in Japan exceeded all expectations for students and faculty. With unique opportunities provided to students, USD stands as one of the strongest universities in the nation for study abroad programs. It is experiences such as this one that makes the college experience at USD rich in value.

The night lights in Japan pictured during USD student’s Spring Break.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Kennedy

Tirrell’s “Politics in the Environment” class posed for a picture to commemorate their time in Japan over break.

Photo courtesy of Michelle Kennedy

OPINION

Lavish 2023 Oscar goodie bags

Party favors for the rich and famous need to go

MARIA SIMPSON CONTRIBUTOR

The 95th annual Academy Awards, more commonly referred to as the “Oscars,” took place on Mar. 12 in Los Angeles, California. While the ceremony itself went well, with Michelle Yeoh being the first Asian woman to win ‘Best Actress’ for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and no one being publicly slapped during the ceremony, the award show was not entirely unproblematic. This year, it was revealed that the Oscar goodie bags presented to attendees contained a piece of land in Australia. I was not even aware that awards shows like the Oscars had goodie bags, but apparently since the 1990s, the hosts and the nominees for the most prestigious categories have been gifted “Everyone Wins” goodie bags.

These Oscar goodie bags should be eliminated. They are a waste of money and perpetuate a world that is heavily materialistic, tolerates exploitation and pushes unrealistic body images as the norm.

The bags, which are organized and distributed by LA-based marketing company Distinctive Assets, are not officially affiliated with the Academy Awards, though they have become a hit tradition with most nominees. Individual companies pay for their items to be included in hopes that it will boost their business.

According to a CNBC Make It interview with Lash Fary, owner of Distinctive Assets, “We get calls from about 25% to 30% of the nominees each year who want to make sure we know where to get their bag to them.”

This year’s bags were estimated to be worth $126,000 each. With 28 people — composed of the hosts and nominees of the top award categories who did not opt out of the party favors — receiving the bags this year, the total spent on the luxurious gift packages is over three and a half million dollars.

Public discourse on the goodie bags sparked primarily because of the square meter of land in Queensland, Australia, included in each set of gifts. But that was not the only extreme item featured. The party favors — over 60 items total — also included a vacation

at a Canadian estate, a stay in a restored lighthouse in Italy, liposuction treatments, a facelift and a home restoration project, among smaller (but still luxurious) items such as silk pillow cases, edible massage oil and a loaf of Japanese milk bread. These bundles are presented to some of the most famous, wealthiest and most privileged individuals in the world. Austin Butler, ‘Best Actor’ nominee for this role in “Elvis,” is estimated to have a net worth of four million dollars. Cate Blanchett, who was nominated for ‘Best Actress’ this year, is estimated to be worth $95 million, while the ‘Best Actress’ category winner, Michelle Yeoh, is said to have a net worth of about $40 million. They are perfectly capable of affording their own liposuction and luxury vacations with their own money. Presenting such lavish gifts to the elite members of society literally wastes millions of dollars. That money could go to a charitable cause. Think about how many homeless people that money could support, or how much that amount would contribute to something like cancer research, for example. Instead, the Academy threw millions out the window to help celebrities keep up their unachievable good looks and try foreign snacks they could buy on their own. For future award ceremonies, such money could be organized

as a donation to a worthy cause.

The items inside the goodie bags are just as problematic as the insane amount of cash spent on them. First of all, the item that raised the most concern: the plots of land in Australia. This is not an isolated incident either; last year the goodie bags supposedly included a plot of land in Scotland. This gift item is horribly problematic because it implies that these elite members of society are so entitled that they can trade around pieces of another continent, as if it is their right.

The bags also include multiple cosmetic procedures, which I find equally disturbing. It’s no secret that celebrities often undergo cosmetic procedures to look younger, fitter and prettier than what is usually achievable for the average person. I already saw this as an issue when I believed they were using their own money for these alterations as it creates unattainable ideas of what a normal body should look like, causing harmful mindsets for regular people. However, it sickens me to find out that these procedures are gifted to movie stars, encouraging them to use the goodie bag item to alter their appearance. The items in the bags encourage an unrealistic body image, exploitation of Indigenous peoples in foreign countries, and a disturbing notion that the rich and famous are a more worthy sect of the

population than everyone else.

The Oscar goodie bags are not a totally black and white issue. Some may argue that good comes out of the gift bags. For example, according to the Wall Street Journal, the Australian plots included in the 2023 gifts helps fund conservation efforts. Secondly, it was reported that over 50% of the companies who donated gifts are owned by women and/or minorities, which helps attract more business to said companies. Finally, he also noted to The Independent that the importance of the lavish gifts isn’t the fact that they are free, it is the fact that they provide secluded getaways for celebrities who do not often get the privacy they crave. However, I find these reasons to be insufficient in proving overall positivity of the “Everyone Wins” bags.

According to Daily Mail, for every two square meters of the privately owned Australian land purchased, two trees will be planted, but there is also accusation that photos and information of the area were taken without the permission of Indigenous people living there. The plots of foreign land in the gift bags seems to encourage exploitation behind the façade of conservation. And while it is nice that Distinctive Assets has focused on female and minority owned businesses, these are still luxury businesses designed for the rich and famous, and

businesses are now required to pay at least $4,000 to donate their goods and services, according to Indian Express, suggesting that they are thriving to begin with. And although it may help those businesses get publicity, donating entire luxury vacations to nearly 30 stars is drastic. It would be incredible to see those same celebrities and businesses work together to donate those items to people who cannot afford them on their own. Lastly, it is understandable that Hollywood’s biggest stars want a rare, private getaway, but they have the money to research, organize and finance those trips on their own. They don’t need their next vacation included in a gift basket. Although the goodie bags may have a couple of positive aspects, I don’t believe that the activism included in the baskets makes up for the incredible amount of money spent on celebrities who do not need free favors, or for the outright harmful ideas that the specific items encourage. The items in the goodie bags are problematic, and they waste huge sums of money that could be directed toward making a real difference. The Academy Awards and similar award ceremonies should recognize this and shift their priorities to make a positive impact, rather than helping boost wealthy celebrities further.

The views expressed in the opinion section are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.

The contents of this year’s Oscars “Everyone Wins” gift bags.

Photo courtesy of @swagassets/Instagram

OPINION

Hobbies are priorities

Time is money, spend it on what you enjoy

JACKIE MARQUEZ OPINION EDITOR

Last semester I was enrolled in 17 units, working a part time job, writing for The Vista and participating in various extracurriculars. At that same time, I was trying to juggle my social life, finances and physical health. I had bit off more than I could chew, and eventually felt so overwhelmed that I started seeing a therapist through the Wellness Center. During my time in therapy, my therapist gave me a lot of advice for how to manage stress and anxiety. One of the best tips she gave me was to intentionally set time aside for my hobbies.

Prioritizing your hobbies over other responsibilities for a set time every day is imperative. Doing so benefits your mental health by lessening the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. On top of that, it helps you develop important skills outside of school and work.

I made time for my hobbies by including 30 minutes to an hour every day of free time into my schedule. It’s easy to overlook your free time, but I found that intentionally rearranging my schedule so that I had a period of time blocked out was really helpful. During this time I did basically anything I enjoyed that wasn’t related to school or work. Some of the activities were baking, journaling, playing video games and crocheting. The great thing about a hobby is that it can be literally anything you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be productive or creative, unless you want it to be. I found that after consistently spending time on these activities, I was less stressed and felt more positive.

The first reason you should make time for your hobbies is that taking time for leisure activities that you enjoy helps prevent burnout. According to WebMD, burnout is a feeling of exhaustion that happens when you experience “excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress.”

Spending time on a hobby helps relieve these different types of stress by temporarily altering your brain chemistry.

In an article by The Conversation titled “The science behind why hobbies can improve our mental health,” it was reported that taking part in activities you enjoy causes your brain to release a neurotransmitter

called dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that allows your brain to experience pleasure. It uplifts your mood, causing you to experience more positive emotions.

Another study, conducted by Kaimal et. al, explains that participating in an artistic hobby such as drawing or sculpting is correlated with lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone in your body that is associated with stress; when your stress levels are high, so are your cortisol levels. By lowering your cortisol levels, participating in a hobby can help you de-stress and relax by uplifting your mood. This ultimately prevents burnout.

Hobbies have additional benefits beyond improving your mental health; they also help you develop important skills like creativity and collaboration. In a Utah State research article, it was found that participating in group hobbies improves social connection. Group hobbies are activities you do with others, for example participating in a team sport or playing multiplayer video games. Participants in these activities communicate with others, work together and form friendships. This ultimately develops interpersonal skills.

Non-collaborative hobbies can also lead to the development of beneficial skills. Artistic hobbies like painting, drawing, playing an instrument or writing boost your creativity. They also help you strengthen your critical thinking ability.

Both collaborative and individual hobbies build skills that are relevant in the real world. Being able to connect with others, work as part of a team, think outside the box and problem solve are all skills that benefit various aspects of your life. These skills make you a better friend, student and employee.

Making time for your hobbies is beneficial, but it goes against societal norms. Our culture prioritizes hard work and efficiency. When it comes to work-life balance, the scale tips toward work. Zippia reported that the majority of workers find it necessary to check their phone or email outside of working hours. On top of this, 66% of workers reported that they often skipped at least one meal a day because of work.

As a college student with limited free time, it’s easy to push off your leisure activities to meet a deadline. With our

focus on productivity and efficiency, it is almost expected that you give up bits and pieces of your personal life to achieve success. Even though this is the norm, it isn’t healthy. If you constantly push your hobbies aside to focus on school or work, you are essentially putting those responsibilities ahead

of your mental health and — ironically — your efficiency as well. Ultimately, setting time aside for hobbies ensures that they are not left behind in an attempt to maximize your personal productivity.

Dedicating time to something you enjoy every day helps regulate your emotions,

Photo courtesy of @linesbyloes/Instagram

Photo courtesy of

prevent burnout, lower stress and improve important life skills. I encourage you to take a look at your own schedule, and see if you can move some parts of your day around so that you can fit some leisure time into your schedule. After all, prioritizing your hobbies is a way of prioritizing yourself.

The views expressed in the opinion section are not necessarily those of The USD Vista staff, the University of San Diego, or its student body.

Pre-game rituals

USD athletes and fans share their routines before game days

Superstitions from Page 1

“I need to have some caffeine before matches,” Colling stated. “This started in high school when my dad and I would always get coffee at Starbucks before playing my match, and I played some of the best tennis of my life.”

Colling also shares that she keeps track of certain clothing items that bring her good luck before matches.

“I also have some lucky sports bras, skirts and shirts, and when I feel like I play well in them I write a heart or something on the tag and save those only for game days.”

This superstition started in high school when she would keep track of which outfits she wore during winning tournaments. If she would win a match in a particular outfit, it quickly became her new ‘lucky outfit.’

USD senior Rashaan Ward, shared that before every football game, he must talk to a female figure in his life. This routine phone call is one that he has done since he first started football, as he started every game by calling his grandmother.

“I know it sounds weird, but I must call either my mom or my grandma before every game,” Ward shared. “If one of them doesn’t answer, then I call a good girl friend. I don’t know what it is but something about speaking to someone like that before a game just helps to calm my nerves before I play.”

Many celebrity athletes are superstitious as well, spending their whole career following different game day rituals. NBA legend Michael Jordan spent every game on the Chicago Bulls wearing his college North Carolina practice shorts under his uniform. After winning the national championships with the Tar Heels in 1982, Jordan believed that the shorts he played in were lucky. This ritual caused the legend to request the NBA manufacturer to create longer

shorts for players. Along with fitting his UNC shorts he also wanted something to grip when catching his breath between plays. Jordan’s switch to longer uniform shorts influenced the rest of the league, as players switched their traditional tighter and shorter shorts for Jordan’s longer version.

Tennis champion Serena Williams dedicates the majority of her success on the court to how closely she follows through with her routines and superstitions.

Prior to a match, the athlete makes sure to bring her shower shoes to the court and tie her tennis shoes a specific way, and she must bounce the ball five times before any serve. When competing in tournaments, the champion ensures to wear the same pair of socks for the duration of the event.

Athletes are not the only ones with their superstitions: many fans participate in their own rituals before their respective teams compete. NFL fans admit to following the same routine every game day, and if they’re not completed, then

they truly believe they have an impact on the result of their team’s score. From wearing the same jersey all season long, eating the exact foods and watching the game in the same spot, routines play a large role in fans’ game day superstitions.

USD sophomore Airion Medina is a fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team and has his own superstitions he explains he must do before each game.

“I have to do 10 jumping jacks before they play,” Medina shared. “Along with jumping jacks I also wear my Thunder’s jersey to help bring the team good luck and help them win.”

In an IMG Academy article on superstitions they reported that superstitions and rituals have been proven to improve athletes’ performance as the belief in a lucky routine or object helps to boost in-game confidence. These superstitions provide athletes with another way to reduce anxiety and provide them with a sense of reliability and comfort before a competition. Along with superstitions, the

participation in visualization techniques has been linked to improved performance among athletes. Teams often will utilize both techniques together, to help accomplish overall team-oriented goals.

Women’s tennis participates in these practices as a group before every match.

“As a team this season we have been saying an affirmation before every match, and it is something that I think all of us have as a superstition

now,” Colling shared. Superstitions are a major part of the sports world for both athletes and fans. Participating in these habitual routines is something that has bonded fans, and many athletes have become famous for their “strange” practices. No matter how strange or random the superstition is, they provide athletes with a sense of comfort that allows them to compete to the best of their ability.

Jane Riehs walks the same path on the diving board every meet.

Photo courtesy of Jane Riehs

USD senior Rashaan Ward calls his grandmother before every football game since he was younger.

Photo courtesy of @usdfootball/ Instagram

Michael Jordan wears UNC practice shorts under his Bulls shorts.

Photo courtesy of @DarrenRovell/ Twitter Serena Williams dedicates her success to her routines and superstitions.

Photo courtesy of @tennis_world_usa/ Instagram

Women’s basketball competes in WNIT The Toreros compete in the tournament for the first time since 2015

AMARA BROOKS SPORTS EDITOR

On Thursday, Mar. 16, women’s basketball hosted Long Beach State for the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). This marks the USD’s team’s first appearance since 2015, in which they also competed against Long Beach and won 63-56. In their last appearance, the Toreros lost to UCLA during the second round, ending their post season.

USD first year Veronica Sheffey shared how the tournament allows the Toreros to continue playing during their offseason despite an early loss in Vegas in the first round of the WCC tournament.

“It means a lot to be invited to the post season tournament,” Sheffey explained. “Unfortunately, we fell short of making it to the WCC tournament, but our hard work throughout the season has still paid off by being able to make it to this point. As a team, we are thankful that we are able to have this opportunity to continue our season and finish off strong.”

Students and families packed into the Jenny Craig Pavilion (JCP) to watch the opening round of the event. The Toreros put on an electrifying performance, dominating in both offense and defense for the entire game. The game maintained an upbeat back-and-forth momentum, as

Long Beach crawled their way back every time the Toreros took the lead. By halftime, the Toreros managed to clinch the lead and went into the second half with a 31-29 lead. By the start of the fourth quarter — and with great performances from Ayanna Khalfani and Myah Pace — the Toreros quickly put the game out of reach.

Khalfani added seven points to the board during the last quarter, and guard Pace put up an excellent three point shot and foul to tie the team over for the win. The Toreros eventually beat Long Beach with a 75-57 win and advanced to the second round of the tournament. This win marks the team’s eighth consecutive win against Long Beach State and now makes USD 7-1 alltime in WNIT first round games.

USD senior Kasey Neubert was the one to watch, as she had a career high night, finishing with 18 points and 19 rebounds. Neubert’s 19 rebounds not only mark a career high, but they are also the single most rebounds by any Torero in a single game since 2015. Khalfani and redshirt senior Kiera Oakry had amazing games, both putting 15 points on the board. Khalfani finished the game with 11 rebounds, six assists and four steals, while Oakry put up five assists and two steals.

USD sophomore Willie Allen attended the game against Long Beach and described his experience watching the women’s team.

“They are absolutely fire to watch every single game,” Allen shared. “I can’t always make it to every game, but the ones I do attend never disappoint. The energy the women’s team brings to every game is electric and I just love hyping up all the players and dancing along with the cheer and dance team.”

On Monday, Mar. 20, the Toreros hosted UC Irvine for the second round of the tournament. This was the first time the two teams have competed since December 2021, in which the Toreros won 75-64.

As the past two games were hosted at home in the JCP , the

USD community cheered them on during the games. Sheffey explained how a full stadium helps the team during the game.

“It goes a long way if students just simply show up and fill the stands,” Sheffey said. “Having that support and extra energy in the gym is very helpful and makes the game more exciting.”

At the start of the game, the ball was active on the Anteaters offensive, forcing the Toreros to stay alert on the defensive end. Oakry added five points in the first quarter, generating a quick switch to the Toreros offense, as Pace hit a three pointer to push the Toreros into the lead

by 10 points. By the end of the second quarter, the Anteaters took the lead, until first year guard Kylie Horstmeyer hit an unlikely half court buzzer beater, which put the Toreros at a 24-16 lead by halftime. The Toreros kept the lead during the fourth quarter and took a 16-point lead, holding it for the rest of the game. The team defeated UC Irvine 58-48 and advanced to the WNIT Super 16 for the fourth time in program history. The Toreros will travel to Eugene, Oregon on Mar. 23 where they will compete against Oregon. This will be the first time the two teams will compete.

Senior Kasey Neubert had a career high finishing against Long Beach State with 18 points and 19 rebounds.

Photo courtesy of @usdwbb/Instagram

Sophomore Kylie Horstmeyer hit a buzzer beater at halftime, putting the Toreros in the lead.

Photo courtesy of @usdwbb/Instagram

USD women’s basketball advances to the sweet sixteen round of WNIT.

Photo courtesy of @usdwbb/Instagram