Fall 2023 Vol.I

Handheld or Hardback pg.12

table of Contents 06 DEI: Detached, Excluded, Invisible?

Some Students Feel Chapman Falls Short of the Real Meaning By. Sukhman Sahota & Lisa Wong

12 Turning the Page on Print Books?

College Students are Indulging in Alternate Forms of Reading Due to the Digital Age. By. Carissa Nelson

18 My Uterus, Your Uterus

The Supreme Court Thinks It’s Theirs By. Tatum Foulger

Up in Flames: Anti-Smoking Battle Continues

24

By. Jamilyn Moreau

Fizzin’ or Fizzlin’ Out

A New Social Media App is Blowing Up at Chapman

28

By. Brian Guevara & Carissa Nelson

Social Media Stardom: From $200 Collabs, to Campus Vlogs Worth Thousands By. Carolyn Holt

34

Barren Bleachers: Women’s athletics continue their fight for the spotlight

40

By. Gil Bothwell

Pricey or Priceless: Is Chapman Worth the Money?

46

By. Gwen Buchanan

Panther Village: Chapman’s “Ugly Duckling”?

By. Brian Guevara

54 Give Me Some Credit!

The Trials and Troubles of Transferring Units By. Marjorie Stemmler

60 Make Room for More

Chapman Enters the Beginning of a New Expansion Plan By. Sydney Scott

Homework, and 66 Studying, Natural Disasters Some Chapman Students Try Balancing it All By. Kiana Kalahele

50

Takeover: Is 70 Technology Chapman Ready for AI? By. Sukhman Sahota

74 Swipe Right for Friends

Is Chapman’s Bondo a Good Match?

By. Nicole Kavros

78 Get in line!

Waitlisted for Classes By. Daniella Moreau

82

Chapman’s Unpaid Res Life Heroes

Despite no pay, RA and Orientation leadership remains in high demand.

By. Emily Cho

Achievement Unlocked: 86 New The Real World Are Seniors Ready to Level Up? By. Nicole Kavros & Gwen Buchanan

STaff page Editors In-Cheif

Marjorie Stemmler

Sydney Scott Managing Editor

Lead Designer

Gil Bothwell

Sukhman Sahota

Social Media Managers

Senior Writers

Daniella Moreau Jamilyn Moreau

Tatum Foulger Brian Guevara

Staff Writers Kiana Kalahele Lisa Wong

Gwen Buchanan

Carolyn Holt

Emily Cho

Nicole Kavros

Carissa Nelson

DEI Detached, Excluded, Invisible?

Graphic by Sukhman Sahota

Some Students Feel Chapman Falls Short of the Real Meaning

By Sukhman Sahota and Lisa Wong

C

oming into Chapman, junior Roshnee Moorthy anticipated finding a community where other creative queer students of color could surround her.

But, as she begins her third year, her excitement has lessened, and her frustration with DEI at Chapman rose. She hasn’t found a heavy dose of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

ulty and staff are what feed into that PWI experience.

In recent years, Chapman has made efforts to continue diversifying its campus. A vice president of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion was hired, and a Cross-Cultural Center (CCC) was built in 2017. However, students like Moorthy don’t see this as enough.

What she finds in heavy doses is white culture. Despite a number of events on campus with DEI in mind.

“While I can appreciate Chapman’s efforts to promote diversity through multicultural events, the ultimate environment tends to gravitate towards assimilation to whiteness in order to ‘fit in,’” Moorthy said.

Statistically, Chapman is majorly made up of people of diverse backgrounds. It’s 46% white, which is just shy of the 50% benchmark to be considered a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). However, students like Moorthy feel that everyday interactions with her Chapman peers, fac-

Stephany Cuevas speaking at the Cross-Cultural Center’s ‘Navigating a PWU as a First Gen,’ event.

Photo by Lisa Wong

Education professor Stephany Cuevas identifies how students like Moorthy feel.

“A school can act and say certain things about their diversity, but that may not always translate into a student’s individual experience.”

Professor Stephany Cuevas

“A school can act and say certain things about their diversity, but that may not always translate into a student’s individual experience,” said Cuevas.

Moorthy shares a similar sentiment. Despite Chapman’s status as being mostly made up of people of color, students in this bracket don’t necessarily feel like the majority. Each ethnic minority group is a Cuevas, who works with underrepresent- small fraction of the holistic majority deed students, their families, and their ed- mographic, meaning the number of white ucators, feels that Chapman is culturally people is still more than any individual white. ethnic group.

Areas such as the CCC allow students to “I see this disparity when walking around have a safe space, but those spaces may not campus on a daily basis,” said Moorthy. necessarily reach the rest of the campus.

Luca Nardi, the vice president of DEI for “[The] numbers may not be predominantly the Chapman chapter of sorority Alpha Phi, white but socially agrees that there’s it’s still a very white a ‘white culture’ “I’m surprised it’s only 46% institution itself,” on campus. Nardi said Cuevas. “So because navigating campus, it says that Greek life how is the institu- doesn’t look like it or even feel plays a role in this tion changing that? culture, especially like it.”

Psychologically, with its racist hiswhat does that do tory. to a student? What Cassie Chan does it do to their It’s only recently families? Do our that DEI has befamilies feel welcome?” come a part of Greek life.

Other students of color are shocked to hear the percentage of the white population in Chapman. For Cassie Chan, a junior art history and communication major, hearing the percentage made her look at her individual schools’ faculty only to find all three of her individual schools’ deans and majority of faculty is white.

“I feel that Chapman Greek life creates a sense of belonging for certain people,” said Nardi, who is white and Chinese. “I find that individuals who don’t fit a specific stereotype tend to feel even more isolated than they did before. In this sense, I feel that Greek life is not beneficial to DEI on campus,” she said.

“I’m surprised it’s only 46% because nav- Greta Cifarelli, a junior in the sorority igating campus, it doesn’t look like it or Kappa Alpha Theta, shares a similar sentieven feel like it,” said Chan. ment. She notes that Greek life on campus and nationally is predominantly white.

2021 Enrolled Chapman Student’s Race and Ethinicity Breakdown 2.2% Black or African American

7.39% Two or More Races

17.4% Asian 17.7% Hispanic or Latino

0.3% source: Data USA Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders

0.11% American Indian or Alaska Native

46.1% White

Even though the white population at Chapman is less than half, they still make up the majority. Graphic by Sukhman Sahota

ence and Spanish double major, knew that “I recognize that there is a lot of privilege Chapman would be a different experience at this school that I benefit from as a white compared to her Title 1 high school. The person,” she said. demographics changed when she arrived in Orange, but she didn’t think it would afShe also knows privilege extends to other fect her college experience. areas.

“I believe there are factors like location, “[At my] high school, a majority of students class, and upbringing that perpetuates the qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. It white culture at Chapman,” said Cifarelli. was just in high need of attention and government funds,” Felix said. “Here, every Cintya Felix, a sophomore political sci- freaking student has a car. Like a Tesla.”

“It’s hard to fit in when fitting in means changing who you are.”

Shandon Obregon

Socializing as a person of color at Chapman comes at a cost, making it hard to build community and a strong sense of identity at school.

“I have to kinda dim down my culture and who I am, as a person of color, in order to feel a sense of belonging at ChapIt doesn’t stop there. She has classmates man,” said Obregon. that don’t know how to do basic household chores. Some friends don’t care about how In recent years, Chapman has made major expensive restaurants are before going to steps in an attempt to be more diverse and them. And, Felix is the only housemate inclusive, in addition to opening the CCC. that pays her own rent.

President Daniele Struppa announced in the 2022 State of the University address that These experiences are what some students the university would prioritize becoming a say feed into a white culture – one that’s Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). One big full of elitism and exclusivity. step was hiring DEI vice president Reg Chhen Stewart.

Shandon Obregon, junior political science major, has expressed how difficult it is to Despite these efforts and Chapman’s status maneuver the social scene at Chapman as being mostly made up of people of colbecause of the overwhelming white influor, students in this bracket don’t necessarience at the school. ly feel like the majority.

“If you don’t act the way they [white students] act, they’ll judge: so it’s either be whitewashed or be looked at,” said Obregon.

Students of color struggle to find themselves socially at Chapman.

“It’s hard to fit in when fitting in means changing who you are,” Obregon said.

Reg Chhen Stewart showing his Black Panther collection.

Photo by Lisa Wong

The campus culture is driven by Chap- According to him, a university experiences man’s white administration and elitism, a pivot when the demographic of the institution changes, therefore changing its priaccording to Felix. orities to serve these communities.

“I think it comes down to faculty, staff, donors, and people in power…they don’t “You have to see yourself here…because accurately represent the demographics at the schools weren’t always built and deChapman, especially now that we’re trying signed by us, for us,” said Stewart. to be an HSI,” she said.

But students know that leaders across the The president of the student body, Rachel country are resisting that pivot.

Berns, also knows Chapman has a DEI This year, legislatures in 22 states – not inproblem.

She wants to see a deeper level of commit- cluding California – have proposed 40 bills to regulate DEI. These regulations would ment across the board. prohibit funding for DEI offices or staff at public colleges and re“Representation is not strict diversity training. something you can just “The schools weren’t target in one area of camalways built and de- According to an article by pus life and check off a box – it is something that signed by us, for us.” US News, officials heading these efforts claim must be integrated at all DEI pushes ‘woke’ ideollevels of the University Reg Chhen Stewart ogies and are a waste of experience…in order to taxpayers’ money. be true to its mission,” said Berns.

The bans that have already been enacted, and the proposed bills have all occurred in Chan would agree. public schools. It doesn’t affect Chapman.

“Representation is only a small part of But students say Chapman needs to show achieving diversity but it is hard to imagine it’s serious in its commitment to diversity, immense progress when neither our uni- equity, and inclusion. versity president nor our dean of students can speak to the experiences of people of What Moorthy calls “a need to be more aucolor, yet still attempt to speak on our be- thentic.” half,” Chan said.

But, Stewart says that molding and shifting campus culture is something that takes time. He said Chapman is in a process he calls ‘The Pivot.’

Juniors Chloe Caldwell and Dylan Glover read both print and digital books in their free time on campus. Photo illustration by Gil Bothwell

Turning the Page on Print Books?

College Students are Indulging in Alternate Forms of Reading Due to the Digital Age.

By Carissa Nelson

G

one are the days of lugging around a backpack weighed down with books.

iPads, kindles, and e-readers have made our bags lighter and reading easier.

Junior Panchali Dipankar still prefers the old-fashioned way.

“Nothing beats traditional reading where you have the physical book with the paper and you curl up on your couch and just relax and read,” she said.

Mobile devices have made digital reading among students more convenient and accessible, yet many still prefer reading physical books or even a mix of the two.

A 2018 “Academic Student E-book Experience” survey found that when reading for pleasure, 74 percent of college students preferred print books.

Still, e-reading among students has been on the rise.

Chapman English Department Chair Lynda Hall believes the digital age has prompted a shift in reading preferences.

“We as a society have evolved out of physical books.”

- Lynda Hall

“The library has now become a place of information, which it always has been, but more of a digital piece of information,” said Hall.

Chapman currently has three studentled book clubs: Books and Brews, Bookmarked, and American Classics In Literature.

Books and Brews reads and discusses a different book each month. Bookmarked hosts weekly reading and writing-related activities while American Classics in Literature focuses on classic American novels dating back to one century ago.

Books and Brews’ first meeting of the semester in Beckman. Photo by Carissa Nelson

Print books featured in last semester’s Books and Brews meetings include “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and “I’m Glad My Mom Died” by Jennette McCurdy.

But physical books aren’t the only form of reading.

Despite being a print reader herself, Books and Brews President Panchali Dipankar recognizes its limitations for a club.

Books and Brews hosts members across a multitude of majors and junior Bella Murrieta is one of them.

Murrieta is a double major in dance and PR and ad entertainment marketing.

Murrieta is an audiobook supporter and finds it easier to multitask while listening to a book.

Murrieta is not alone.

“I’ll listen to it when I’m doing chores or making “I’m trying to explore unconventional food or walking to class... methods of reading to see if that can bridge the gap between the members and It’s just very calming.” the people who don’t have a huge interest in reading,” Dipankar said.

- Bella Murrieta

In 2022, the 18 to 24-year age group had the highest number of audiobook listeners: 17 percent, according to a US Book Reading National Survey.

With the rise in popularity of books through social media, people find themselves reading the same trending books from the same authors. Dipankar’s main goal for this year is to diversify the reading to get Books and Brews members to think more critically.

“The way that I view reading is it’s this tool where you can read stories that are fun but also get to learn something new about someone or something,” Dipankar said.

“I want to get more people interested in that kind of belief so that way they can be reading more holistically,” she added.

of the Books and Brews club: 21 members responded.

The results indicated that around 50 percent prefer physical books, 14 percent prefer digital books, and 33 percent prefer both forms of reading.

Respondents were also asked how often they read, and 57 percent reported that they indulge in one to two books a month, while 19 percent said they don’t have the time to read anymore. Another 19 percent claim to read over five books every month.

Even presidents of book clubs struggle to find time to read.

Dipankar acknowledged the difficulty of leisurely reading as a college student.

But are students even picking up books in their free time? ​​ Bookmarked President Amelia Bordner, a junior television writing and production major, believes many are trying to find that spark again with reading.

“People come to these book clubs and want to get back into reading because they’ve kind of fallen out of love with it,” Bordner said.

A survey on students’ leisure reading preferences was sent out to 170 members

Amalie Bordner, left, and Panchali Dipankar, right, leading Books and Brews’ first meeting of the semester.

“Our attention span has been bombarded by all sorts of outside influences.”

- Lynda Hall

This generation’s shortened attention span is also a factor that hinders students’ reading efforts.

Finding uninterrupted time to read booklength material is becoming more and more difficult for students.

The topic of attention spans has been prevalent in Hall’s classes in discussing Edgar Allan Poe’s definition of one sitting.

So how is Chapman’s library actively working to promote reading?

Through book displays, guest appearances, and reading programs.

Chapman’s library exhibits both virtual and physical book displays on a weekly and monthly basis.

These thematic displays are often in conjunction with black history month, Poe believed his short stories could be women’s history month, or LGBTQIA read in one sitting, an hour and a half give months. or take.

Sometimes the displays advertise campusHall defines one sitting as how much time wide activities like the “Engaging the one can sit still without being interrupted World” series hosted by Wilkinson by distractions like a phone call, a text, or College. an email.

Since 2020, this annual series of events In this generation, most people would say invites a range of speakers to discuss one sitting is 20 to 30 minutes. societal issues.

“So even if you wanted to sit down and read for pleasure, you’re going to get distracted by something else, right?” said Hall.

Many of these speakers are notable authors, and some professors, Hall said, recommend but don’t require their students to read their work prior to attending the event.

“W to Uni

Chapman’s library does just that.

“Having accomplished writers come physically to campus really lights a fire under students to read their work because “Whether you want to come physically in they want to know what it’s like touching a the library, to browse our collection or you want to do it from the comfort celebrity,” Hall said. of your dorm or your apartment or your home, what we offer is all On a smaller scale, Wilkinson College right here,” Chapman has a series of writers and poets Development Librarian who come each fall and Essraa Nawar said. a series of fiction writers who come Book clubs can take each spring. advantage of these readily available “Encouraging resources. students to come to those Through including things and to alternative forms read their books of reading like audiobooks, and to interact with those Dipankar hopes that members writers, it’s an opportunity you’re won’t always have to read entire not going to get any other way,” novels in light of each meeting.

Hall said.

Access to both physical and electronic resources in campus libraries is also key to promoting a culture of reading among students, according to a Wilfrid Laurier University study.

We’re here to provide access o resources for the Chapman iversity students, faculty, and the community.”

- Essraa Nawar

Books and Brews plans to implement polls on what genres and subjects members want to read and their preferred methods of reading to create a more democratic environment.

“I’m trying to stretch it out more to the student body so that way they feel like they have a voice, not just something that’s one-sided,” Dipankar said.

She added, “I’m trying to establish some sort of a community.”

Illustration courtesy of Roshnee Moorthy

My Uterus, Your Uterus The Supreme Court Thinks It’s Theirs

By Tatum Foulger Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

An abortion decision struck down by the current U.S. Supreme Court.

But that wouldn’t overturn the all-important Roe v. Wade, right?

But it did. The most landmark decision giving a woman the right to choose.

“I was absolutely devastated and enraged,” said peace studies professor Nicole Rangel of the moment she heard the news.

The Dobbs decision last summer took away the constitutional right to an abortion and removed several legal protections for abortion access, including Roe v. Wade, which had been law for more than half a century. However, a study conducted by BestColleges shows that over two-thirds of current and prospective college students support a woman’s right to choose an abortion.

And there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground.

Despite the statistics, students remain torn on how best to govern the practice. Should it be up to the federal government, the state, or the individual?

“I’m not here to tell anyone how to feel or what to do, but I don’t think anyone should be restricting our choices,” said senior Rebekah Sheff, an integrated educational studies major.

“It’s not up to a man or a government to tell me what to do with my own body.”

- Rebekah Sheff Rangel believes the Supreme Court’s decision is both a violation of constitutional law as well as an affront to human rights and reproductive justice.

Rangel teaches human rights law. Photo courtesy of Chapman’s faculty page

Roe v. Wade first went into effect in 1973 after a woman filed a lawsuit against the district attorney of Dallas County, Texas. For over 50 years, it upheld those rights.

“I refuse to accept that the United States curtails this fundamental human right and now falls far behind other countries, even those the country labels as human rights violators,” she said.

But even in California colleges, abortion remains a major controversy. Even at places like Chapman University.

Rangel added: “I will continue to fight ... our bodies, our choice!”

In states where abortion is heavily restricted, some women are paying the price. Earlier this year, more than a dozen women sued the state of Texas for forcing them to carry life-threatening pregnancies due to restrictions on abortion.

“I went from feeling physically okay to shaking uncontrollably. I was freezing cold even though it was 110 degrees out,” one of the women testified. “My husband asked me how I was feeling on a scale from 1 to 10. I didn’t know the difference between 1 and 10.”

It will irritate people like Rangel, but some believe the justices made the right decision.

“I have always been pro-life. And what that means for me is I think abortion is morally wrong,” said senior psychology major Kaitlyn Franks. “But politically, I feel it should be up to the states.”

Pro-life Franks. Photo courtesy of Franks

Franks is not alone.

In a statement following the ruling, Chapman Republicans said they “applaud the United States Supreme Court for its decision,” adding that the ruling supports the country’s foundation for life and liberty.

Deirdra Burley agrees.

“A human life starts from conception, and its life has equal protection under the law.

It should be treated as such, no matter if it’s inside or outside of the womb,” said the psychology and strategic and corporate communications double major. “I am pro-life without any exceptions.”

Despite the moral dilemmas on both sides, the facts indicate that banning the procedure jeopardizes health. “[Abortions] are in place to reduce risk of infection or complications,” said Jacqueline Deats, director of student health. “In some states that have banned abortions, there’s reports of an increase of infant mortality rates

due to forcing women to carry out terminal pregnancies.”

Her claims are backed by research.

The Commonwealth Fund, an independent research organization focused on health policy, found that strict restrictions on abortion are associated with poorer access to health care for pregnant people and infants, raising the risk of severe health challenges, particularly for those living on low incomes.

According to the report, states that heavily restricted abortion access in 2020 had maternal death rates that were 62% higher than in states where abortion was more easily accessible.

Students led a pro-life march on campus in 2021.

Photo courtesy of Chapman Republicans

Pro-choice Donohoe. Photo courtesy of Donohoe

Junior Paris Donohoe echoed similar thoughts.

“I knew what this meant for the women of America, and it was dark,” said the broadcast journalism and documentary and peace studies double major. “It was really hard for me to think about how many people would be harming themselves because they have no other option.”

Illustration by Foulger

Senior Kate Robinson believes the Supreme Court made the right decision but agrees there are exceptions where abortion should be legal.

But Franks, though she agrees with similar exceptions to the current bans, believes these are not usually the case.

“The majority of the population that is getting abortions isn’t the people who are raped or ill. It’s the people who don’t want to take responsibility for their actions,” she said. “And if they’re not financially able to do that, find someone else who will.”

While many suggest adoption as an alternative to abortion, it isn’t always a promising solution.

Pro-life Robinson. Photo courtesy of Robinson

“I think we should allow it in certain instances like a rape case, extreme health issues to the mother or baby, or incest,” said the strategic and corporate communications major.

“But if you’re just going off and having a onenight stand and you get pregnant, I don’t agree that we should be able to abort that child,” added Robinson.

In 2021, about 113,589 children in the United States were waiting to be adopted, according to Statista.

“We shouldn’t look at this decision in a vacuum,” emphasized Donohoe. “We should be looking at this overturning as an attack on poor people in our country, as an attack on communities of color in our country, and as a sign that the Republican Party does not want lower-class people to thrive.”

A woman protests the overturning in Austin, Texas. Photo courtesy of The Texas Tribune

For Franks, Robinson, and Burley, the United States is one step closer to justice for the unborn. For Donohoe and Sheff, though, it is a significant historical setback.

But one thing is for sure: The court’s Roe v. Wade overturn doesn’t end the debate.

“It’s definitely a really scary time,” said Sheff.

Anti-abortion activists protest on Roe v. Wade’s 25th anniversary. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

UP IN FLAMES: ANTI-SMOKING BATTL

Senior Kiana Kalahele finds ways to get her nicotine intake on a smoke-free campus.

Photo by Gil Bothwell

LE CONTINUES

By Jamilyn Moreau

S

enior Kiana Kalahele can feel the craving sensations kick in as she sits in her three-hour class, unable to focus. Instruction over, she scurries not just out the door but off campus.

She reaches into her pocket as she walks, grabbing that familiar cylinder.

Past the campus boundary, she can now inhale.

Ah, nicotine. Finally.

“It helps me deal with the stress of school. I’ve found comfort in having my vape sit in my pocket with me 24/7,” she said.

But Kalahele may be in the minority. There’s a reason why Chapman has been smoke-free since 2016.

Despite all the ads, the war on tobacco, the evidence, the shaming glares of the non-smoking world, there are still smokers who need to slip off campus.

Cigarettes. Pipes. Vapes. Weed.

The need for nicotine or tar is still out there despite the warnings. The National Institutes of Health reports that up to 18% of college students still engage in some kind of smoking.

California is known as “America’s non-smoking section” of the U.S. for being the first state in the country to ban smoking in all public areas. However, the battle between the tobacco industry and anti-smoking advocates continues. While Orange County has passed laws to reduce the use of tobacco products, the tobacco industry got more creative with marketing techniques and new product designs.

V

aping products that look like lipstick, highlighters, pens, and even a smart- The evolution of vaping phone make it convenient for vape users to devices. Photo by California Department of Public Health hide the device in public. Yes, there’s even an expensive app that will blow smoke right into your face. And in some stores, like Big Lots, you can even find the old-fashioned candy cigarettes.

But here’s something that smokers may not know. The experts say it’s not only bad for your body, but for your mind.

Dani Smith, Chapman’s Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor and Advocate, who deals with a variety of student problems said the tobacco industry is continuing to spread a myth that nicotine relieves stress. But research has shown the opposite is true.

“You may think it’s helping you to reduce stress, but in reality, we have an epidemic of anxiety and depression. I think vaping coupled with marijuana use is one of the major causes,” said Smith.

cigarette. But the tide is moving against her.

Victoria VanTwist, the program supervisor at the Orange County Health Care Agency, said 60% of public and private universities in California have a 100% smoke-free tobacco policy, which includes e-cigarettes.

“We are providing campuses with the tools, information, and knowledge that they need to implement a policy if they pass it because, Smith worries that social media makes again, there’s about 40% that don’t have a young people highly vulnerable to becoming smoke-free policy,” said VanTwist. a user.

“It’s not only the nicotine and or the THC that you’re inhaling; you’re inhaling chemicals from the vape pens,” said Smith.

Kalahele, on the other hand, said she was very aware of the negative side effects before ever picking up a

But alas, the warnings and educational resources can only do so much. And it’s not limited to just nicotine users. According to ABC News, the effects of smoking marijuana might cause more lung damage from tar than smoking nicotine tobacco.

Students like junior Ryan Jewik, a non-nicotine user, smokes weed at the end of the day to relax.

Whenever finals rolled around, Dunn noticed her friends would use nicotine to cope with their high-stress levels.

According to VanTwist, the biggest misconception regarding tobacco and e-cigarettes among college students is how addictive nicotine is.

“We’ve really tried to stress the importance of everyone knowing that these products often contain high amounts of nicotine, which is an addictive substance inside of e-cigarettes,” said VanTwist.

“When I’m not going anwhere for the rest of the night, you know, I’ll eat some food, play video games, chill out, and go to sleep,” said the computer science and data science double major.

Similarly, senior Bella Gerencser will smoke occasionally with friends.

“It’s more of a weekend thing,” said the screenwriting major.

But what about the students who don’t smoke?

Recent alumni Allie Dunn recalls the challenges that came along with being one of the non-smokers in her friend group at Chapman.

“I already have asthma, and I had to deal with second-hand smoke all the time because five of my closest friends at Chapman smoked,” said Dunn.

According to CDC, 90% of adult smokers who smoke daily started before they were 18, with e-cigarettes being the most common since 2014.

“I smoke nicotine often, every single day, and I have been smoking since junior year of high school, so almost 5 or 6 years now,” said Kalahele.

So here is the attitude the anti-smoking world is up against: Kalahele added: “I don’t think I’ll be stopping anytime soon just because I enjoy smoking and I’m so used to it, and to me, it’s a bit strange that critics are trying to tell people how to live their lives. I personally don’t really care about what the critics say.”

Fizzin’ or Fiz A New Social Media App is Blowing Up at Chapman

By Carissa Nelson and Brian Guevara

Y

ou may not think this way, but some of your peers do.

“It is morally worse if a girl cheats than if a guy cheats, and that’s a biological fact.” “Has (redacted) asked you for sex yet?” “If you rev your engine in any Chapman parking lot, you have a tiny penis.”

These are all anonymous posts by Chapman students on the new Fizz app.

Introduced to the Chapman community last year, Fizz is a social media app that allows students to share anything they want on a forum exclusively for members of their school.

At Chapman, however, it is also known to create animosity between people since users can post essentially anything without consequences.

Some students love it, others hate it to the point where they need to delete the app for their own well-being.

One thing is for sure, though: it has captivated a solid chunk of campus for the controversial content and opinions shared.

Freshman Lily Reid acknowledges Fizz’s toxicity but still uses the “addictive” platform.

Anonymous Fizz users create faculty, and others. Photo by

zzlin’ Out

e controversial posts that often expose students, y Gil Bothwell and graphic by Brian Guevara

“Why does anyone use social media? It’s funny, it’s entertaining, it’s a quick source of serotonin boost to keep them happy temporarily,” said Reid. “The funny parts outweigh the bad parts sometimes.”

Fizz is a completely anonymous app, meaning anything that is posted cannot be traced back to any one individual. This feature created unprecedented changes in the dynamic of the Chapman community.

People are no longer worried if others don’t like what they post, because it might as well not be them! This allows users to feel safe to post but at the cost of accountability.

Having previously worked for Fizz, a Chapman student, who is anonymous due to legal reasons with Fizz, witnessed cases of people abusing the app’s anonymity aspect.

“Anonymity can always be dangerous in a way because there’s no accountability if they say something that is controversial or hurtful or inappropriate.”

- Ex-Fizz Employee “People feel really comfortable saying those things because their name isn’t attached to it,” she said.

Dean of Students Jerry Price has good reason not to think highly of Fizz.

“Fizz ruins my day frequently,” said Price, “I have a very, very low opinion of anonymous social media.”

Chapman Fizz has been a thorn in Price’s day with problematic posts. But Chapman is not where the app originated.

Created in 2021 by two Stanford dropouts, Ashton Cofer and Teddy Solomon, Fizz was made to combat the pandemic’s isolation and help connect college students through authentic social media.

The app launched its seed round in 13 campuses, and in two months, doubled to 25 campuses. Fizz’s current reach is on 80 campuses.

“Fizz ruins my day frequently.”

busy and used app.

Student ambassadors use a variety of content outlines like memes, gifs, polls, public service announcements (PSAs), or “hot takes”, highlighting trending topics on campus.

The other commitment is to moderate user posts by taking down anything explicit, discriminatory, or hateful to ensure a safe community on Fizz.

“Any posts with a release of public or personal information like someone’s address or name got sent to us ‘mods’,

“I have a very, very low opinion of anonymous social media.”

- Jerry Price

But how did Fizz make its way from Stanford to Chapman?

Donuts and student ambassadors.

Two Chapman seniors who will remain unnamed are both ex-Fizz employees and their past positions are what Fizz calls “content creators and moderators”.

and we were responsible for taking them down,” said one of the Chapman seniors.

Hired students made up the majority of Fizz’s user population during the app’s introduction to Chapman. Posts were slow until content creators came on the app to spark conversation and spread the word.

Fizz content creators and moderators are “It’s kind of like a self-sustaining compensated $500 a month with a twopart responsibility. The first role of the job community at Chapman,” the other entails posting hyperlocal content at least student ex-Fizz employee said.

30 times a day to create the illusion of a

“ ho an

To entice students to download the app, Fizz sets up camp on college campuses and offers free donuts in exchange for downloads, a common tactic for collegetargeted startups.

So, that’s how Fizz came to be. But how is it behaving on campus?

At Chapman, Fizz is being used to criticize Evan Fenley finds himself stressed every time he openes Fizz. Photo by Brian Guevara organizations and people without any One of the more harmful types of content repercussions. on the platform is false information.

Sorority women have to delete the app Price shared that an Orange high school when it’s time to rush, fraternities are allegedly trash-talking each other to bring student fell asleep in the Student Union and was taken by the police. more attention to their own parties, and sexism is rampant.

A Fizz user twisted the story and reported These concerns are apparent if you spend that it was a Chapman student who got arrested for rape. more than five minutes on the app.

“I had to delete the app. It was onestly bad for my mental health nd made me feel like everyone on campus hated each other.”

- Evan Fenley According to senior Evan Fenley, his feed was riddled with posts of one gender hating another, one frat hating another, or students making fun of a group of people from specific schools in the university.

They even included his full name.

“None of it was true! It’s just horrible that people have no compulsion to be accurate or fair,” said Price.

Pike fraternity member Evan Oakes has come across his own share of inaccurate rumors.

“People usually say that Pikes suck or the boys suck, but some are more deceitful or dishonest or harsh, saying stuff that we don’t do such as sexual assault allegations which is really just left field,” he said.

Posts displayed on the Fizz app. Graphic by Brian Guevara

But there is more to Fizz than false information and hateful comments.

Posts relating to trends, events, and campus life fill the Fizz feed.

To some, it is their go-to place for entertainment and how to stay up to date on what’s happening on campus.

“For the most part, nothing was really toxic on there, and it was educational in some ways,” said a Chapman senior exFizz employee.

Evidently, Fizz fosters a community among the student body.

3000 replies to a poll I posted,” said Reid.

“I like when I tell my friends ‘Oh that one was me’ and they’re like ‘Oh that was so funny.’”

Chapman’s Fizz community has its share of fans and critics, but the company aims to increase its scope of impact to more and more schools.

Fizz’s goal is to reach 250 campuses by the end of this year.

Each community that exists on the app behaves differently, and it is apparent that Fizz is a “Younger people successful platform on would use it to find many other campuses.

out about parties and As Dean Price said, This app allows people other stuff on campus “YikYak was the bane of to put their fingers on if they were kind of my existence before Fizz.” the pulse of campus life out of the loop.” unlike any newsletter or social media post before.

- Ex-Fizz Employee

Students can upvote or downvote posts, creating an interactive environment.

Posts with the highest upvotes are sometimes reposted on Fizz’s Instagram.

“I feel like people like the idea of having a lot of upvotes and felt personal validation,” said the ex-Fizz employee.

Reid agrees.

“I got 2k upvotes on one of my posts and

He has encountered the rise and fall of other controversial social media apps that have impacted campus culture.

For now, though, Fizz users like Oakes and Reid will need to continue to differentiate between entertainment and community, and misinformation and harmful content.

Social Media Stardom

From $200 Collabs, to Vlogs Worth Thousands

by Carolyn Holt

Sydney Serena smiles in front of Wilkinson Hall, fellow influencer Justin Souvannarath at her side. The screenshot is taken from one of her vlogs on YouTube.com.

W

hat if two million people watched you sit and snack on Starbucks egg bites on the grass in front of Wilkinson Hall?

And you got paid for it.

Sydney Parupsky— she goes by Serena online— has had this experience: A Chapman 2023 communications graduate, she has also been virtually watched 180,000 times while walking under Schmid Gate, 153,000 times while chatting with friends outside Memorial Hall, and 235,000 times talking on a phone on the Leatherby Libraries’ steps. She’s got people tuned in to watch just to brush her hair.

“I’m like the YouTuber at school,” said Parupsky in a first day of school vlog uploaded to her lifestyle channel for an audience of 2.61 million YouTube subscribers. “I do feel weird vlogging in public.”

It’s a small but elite field. Chapman students and former students who make money just by putting themselves out there on the internet for the world to see — and brand names who give them money. Media influencers.

In this digital era, some Chapman students are looking outside traditional jobs for a more creative way to make a living by influencing.

But how realistic is digital fame? Some make it, some barely make it more than a hobby. Professor Niklas Myhr, academic director of social media at the Argyros College of Business and Economics, said that internet influencing can be profitable if done right.

“But most influencers could make more money as a Starbucks barista,” Myhr said.

But Parupsky isn’t the only exception. Others with major success include Kelly Kim, 2022 graduate business major, and Amber Alexander, 2022 graduate and television writing and production major.

Their followers are in the millions, and advertising bucks are paying off nicely for them. They often advertise products in their videos and Instagram accounts for well-acclaimed companies.

Media app icon photos by Wikipedia, Timeline Fandom, and StickPNG.

They don’t like to talk dollar figures, but Parupsky said she’s able to make her online presence her full time income: “I started YouTube when I was 13… I was able to make it my full time job by age 18.”

And she kept it growing throughout her Chapman years.

Kelly Kim’s Instagram is followed by an audience of more than 109,000 people. Photos in compilation from Kim’s Instagram feed.

According to an article from Insider, YouTube ad revenues vary on factors like audience demographics and content category, and can range anywhere from $1.61 to $29.30 for every 1,000 views.

Kim and Alexander have earned company sponsorships from big brands like Lululemon, Garage and Curology, or sold merchandise like Alexander’s sweatshirt. Parupsky’s channel has featured collabs with Kim Kardashian’s line SKIMS, as well as Google Meet, and Shein, just to name a few. According to Marketing Amateur, for promotion in a video, brands pay on average $10 - $50 per 1,000 views.

Using these numbers, Parupsky’s SKIMS collab video, at 236,059 views, would have earned her anywhere from $2,360.59 to $11,802.95. Just in the last four months, Parupsky has had four brand sponsorships on YouTube alone– earning her anywhere from $9,442.36 to $47,211.8.

As a generation having grown up watching YouTubers online, a recent study by a decision intelligence company called Morning Consult indicated that Generation Z’s number one career choice is to be an influencer. Not that many can make it a career.

During his senior year at Chapman, Justin Souvannarath made two hundred dollars for a single Instagram post to his 5k followers, of a photo of himself in a Tommy Hilfiger polo. “I hated that polo shirt,” Souvannarath admitted.

With 5,900+ Instagram followers, Souvannarath can be coined as a “micro influencer,” though he doesn’t like the title. While $200 Instagram posts may seem minimal to a living wage, the marketing industry actually specially values micro influencers like Souvannarath.

“Companies are looking at micro influencers, who have a more modest following, who may not have as many followers but [smaller creators’ opinions] are more meaningful to them.

They have different voices who promote [products] in different circles,” said Professor Myhr.

Justin Souvannarath poses for the camera in this photo post on his Instagram account.

Souvannarath’s aspirations don’t end with polo collabs; his social media work is leading him towards other career heights.

“I always wanted to build my own skincare brand, and the funds from that I would want to give back to…POC and LGBTQ+ groups,” said Souvannarath. “Although I’m not quite where I am yet, I do have the proper…guidelines from my major to help me one step further to where I would want to be.”

There is of course a spectrum to making money from online platforms. Another Chapman alum, Megan Larian (business marketing major, music technology minor ‘23), posts TikTok videos to an audience of 365,000 fans, but she primarily sees her social media activity as “a part time hobby and creative outlet.”

Orange Coast College nursing program sophomore Paris Dowden has been following Larian on Tiktok for two years now. “What I liked about her videos is that she had tasteful style and makeup. Some of her videos are uplifting and playful,” said Dowden.

As a singer-songwriter, Larian said that she originally began growing an online audience to promote her music.

“There was a point not too long ago, however, when my growth was quick and thrilling, and brands were reaching out left and right,” said Larian. But she qualified this by saying the brand deals were all “relatively smaller, maybe like $500 per video.” She makes her primary living through other work.

Justin Yoon, broadcast journalism and documentary major, Chapman ‘24, says that a 9 to 5 is not for him. He uploads content to an audience of 241k fans on his TikTok, “Yooniverse,” about Korean beauty, blogs and other lifestyle content, and made collaboration TikToks for beauty brands in South Korea. One of his posts about his mother’s beauty habits got him over 29 million views worldwide.

He is convinced he’s on the road to skipping the American 8-hour Megan Larian’s TikTok page has accumulated multiple work day routine. multi-million views hits.

“I feel like social media right now is such a rising, big industry,” said Yoon. ”Everybody has some passion that they want to show… a story, or a skill that they have. I feel like anyone has a chance to blow up at any time.”

Justin Yoon films his interview for Chapbook for an upcoming weekly vlog in his YouTube channel, “Justin Yooniverse.”

In this digital era, the emergence of Internet-based careers is increasing by the day.

As Myhr also stated, an influencer career “could be a great investment, but it could also be exhausting and not be very predictable. You could strike gold or strike out.”

What you don’t see much on social media is influencers talking about Chapman University’s influence on them. But Larian said Chapman deserves much credit.

She transferred to Chapman in 2021 and shortly after that went viral on TikTok. She sees it as no coincidence: “I knew my intention was to apply my learnings in business marketing to my personal brand. I was never sure how that would manifest. It turns out my major led to the social media work I do now, primarily because I surrounded myself with such motivated people. When you are around students who are sure they’re going to do great things, and professors believe so too, that certainty rubs off on you.”

As for Parupsky — Serena — she no longer has Chapman as a backdrop for her work.

But her platform continues to grow. She added: “I love it. And doing what you love makes it ten times easier.”

Barren B Women’s athletics continue

By Gil B

S

ophmore forward Jenna Urrabazo lines up for a corner kick… and sends her shot sailing into the upper right seam of the net!

A goal off a corner kick!!? It’s the kind of play that would make a crowd go crazy.

That is.. if there was a crowd.

But for Urrabazo, becoming a collegiate athlete has often not come with the support of roaring fans.

“At games the stands are always pretty empty,” said Urrabazo.

A far cry from the sold-out crowd for a Midwest collegiate women’s volleyball game.

Chapman sophomo action at a home so courtesy of Madelee

Bleachers their fight for the spotlight

Bothwell

The near empty stands of Ernie Chapman Stadium during the start of a women’s soccer home game vs. La Verne. Photo illustration by Gil Bothwell

Attendance across the nation has begun to make headlines about increasing interest in the world of women’s collegiate sports.

But for Urrabazo and other Chapman women athletes...

ore Jenna Urrabazo in It’s business as usual. occer game. Photo en Sabatier

Chapman Director of Athletics Doug Aiken, also an alum, is no stranger to the lack of turnout for women’s sports in his 25 years with Chapman Athletics.

“What our athletes deserve and what they actually get, is two different things,” said Aiken.

Historically, women’s programs have always lacked the same attention as their male counterparts, and Chapman is no exception.

“It inspired me as a student-athlete and woman, that we too can get to that level and get that kind of attention,” said Atis.

However, at other universities, things may be starting to change.

Mary Cahill, Chapman’s volleyball head coach of 34 years, said she was not surprised by the success and excitement surrounding the talented Nebraska team, but was thrilled that it was finally making bigger headlines.

During the last weekend in August, a crowd of 92,003 people filled Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.

But not to watch Cornhusker football.

The stands were filled in support of the University of Nebraska Women’s Volleyball Team: A WORLD record-shattering attendance for a women’s sporting event.

“For everybody to see it, I thought that was awesome for [volleyball] and for women’s sports,” said Cahill.

But as other schools across the country have begun to see their own personal attendance records broken, Chapman women’s programs have still struggled at times getting their bleachers from looking barren.

Chloe Castanon, a senior lacrosse defender, has grown accustomed to the lack of spectators.

Record breaking numbers of fans fill Memorial Statdium for a home Nebraska Volleyball game against NebraskaOhama. Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Chapman volleyball middle hitter Annika Ruud couldn’t contain her excitement hearing about that turnout.

“I still am shocked. I think it’s insane that many people were in attendance,” said Ruud, a junior.

“Women in general don’t usually get to play in an atmosphere like that…it’s groundbreaking.”

Junior teammate and libero, Angela Atis, echoed her enthusiasm.

Juniors Annika Ruud(24) and Angela Atis (3), high five before the start of their home game vs. Whittier.

Photo by Gil Bothwell

“There are comments like men’s soccer is just more interesting than women’s soccer,” said Urrabazo. “People don’t really realize that women’s soccer is really similar to men’s soccer in that it’s physical, we are playing at a fast pace…” she said.

Ruud believes she has always felt the stigma

Senior Chloe Castanon defends during a home lacrosse around it. game against Occidental. Photo by Gil Bothwell

“There is definitely a different environment. “People are kinda told that from the very beginAt our games there are barely any fans and ning and they don’t change their minds about it then you go to the men’s team…and they or give women’s sports a chance,” she said. have so many more fans. Sometimes it’s almost packed,” said Castanon.

Chapman lacrosse seniors Sophie Pelton and Olivia Ng acknowledge the differences in agIn the last decade the fight for increased gression between womens and mens lacrosse support and equal opportunity and compen- but feel they can’t do anything to change it. sation for women’s sports has grown exponentially. Professional organizations, such “Men’s lacrosse’s rules are so different than as the WNBA and the United States Women’s ours. They can hit each other, they can run into National Soccer Team, have led these efforts each other, they can shove each other. We can’t and used their platform in an attempt to do any of that stuff,” said Ng. grow recognition for women’s sports.

Some of these teams and athletes such as US soccer’s Alex Morgan, Carly Lloyd, and Megan Rapinoe have inspired Chapman athletes of today to chase their dreams in sports.

“I think that what really stood out is that they were making their mark as I was growing up which was really influential to me,” said Urrabazo, who has been playing soccer since she was only four years old.

Lacrosse seniors, Olivia Ng(left) and Sophie Pelton (right), during home games in the 2023 season. Photos by Gil Bothwell

And when it comes to changing the public perception on women’s sports, Chapman athletes agree, it is still no easy task.

“I feel like they are way more cautious with women’s sports, even though we can take it and we are playing a sport ready for physical contact,” she said.

However, despite these things, Chapman women athletes seem to be fairly satisfied with the university’s athletic department in accordance with Title IX on the surface, although there is still room for improvement.

Urrabazo believes the athletic department does a good job in creating equal opportunities between mens and womens programs.

“Through social media games are posted equally…the locker rooms are the same sizes, it’s not like a lot of things are different for the women around here,” she said.

Atis also shares how she felt connected to many members of the athletic staff.

“The Chapman faculty is really personable,” said Atis. “I think because we are a smaller school, they genuinely do care and they pay a little more attention to the athletes and the students in general.”

could help women’s athletes feel more represented and heard.

But while student-athletes seem to have a positive perception on the athletic staff, one bigger component has been brought into question: Where does Chapman prioritize athletics?

“Chapman Athletics does a really good job of posting about everyone’s game, all the games of the week, but I feel like Chapman as a whole, as a university, could do more to bring attention to all the teams,” said Castanon.

“We have to keep in mind kind of the perspective of athletics and where it fits in at Chapman University,” said Aiken.

As Chapman continues to grow, the focus is on the university’s ranking and academic

Annika Carlson, a junior three sport athlete in cross country, track & field, and lacrosse, feels one important missing component is the lack of coaching she has received from female staff. In fact, in not one of her three sports has she had a full-time female coach.

“There are different tactical aspects between women’s and men’s sports,” said Carlson.

“Having female coaches or coaches that better understand how the female body reacts to different training could make a huge difference for us.”

She added how having more female staff among the athletic department as a whole

Junior Annika Carlson jumps over a barrier during the steeplechase event at the Occidental track. Photo by Gil Bothwell

standing, all of which athletics has little impact on.

That at least has seemed to be the winning formula at the other schools across the country.

Both Aiken and Cahill agreed that students are involved and participating in a variety of different things that Chapman has to offer, rather than just attending games.

After the record breaking attendance at the Nebraska volleyball game, the school declared August 30th National Volleyball Day to commemorate the moment.

Even the university’s location can play a part.

In sports energy is contagious, and Nebraska There is so much to do off campus in southern California in contrast to schools like Nebraska where sports is everything.

“Every school is different,” said Cahill. “There’s so much going on at [Chapman]. It’s hard to get the large crowds.”

Aiken feels it is not much of a secret of where athletics falls on the university’s hierarchy. While at other universities where sports is a primary part of school culture, Chapman has established itself in different areas.

Members of the Alpha-Phi sorority show support during a women’s lacrosse home game. Photo by Gil Bothwell

“If it was a priority for our upper administration…” Aiken suggested. “It starts from the top and if athletics is not being prioritized, students are not going to prioritize it.”

In order to change the culture of women’s sports at Chapman it’s going to take a group effort.

Athletes supporting other athletes, students supporting their classmates, faculty supporting their students, or even spirit and rally groupsthat have historically failed to last at Chapman.

seems to have found a way to bring the school together in support of their women athletes.

Chapman’s women athletes are waiting for their turn.

Jenna Urrabazo still has her dream: That when she lines up for a game winning kick…

She is met with the support of the school on its feet.

Pricey or Priceless

Is Chapman Worth the Money?

By: Gwen Buchanan Natalie Peterson-Hunt, a sophomore biology major, loves her life at Chapman: The small classes. The beautiful campus.

The sports. The clubs. The parties.

connections. However, a big draw of the expensive university is that it gives attendees a raw liberal arts experience and opportunity for character growth.

But as great as Chapman may be, is it really worth $87,690 a year?

And according to Chapman President Daniele Struppa, it’s the experience that makes it all worth it.

That’s more than Harvard. Or Yale. Or USC. “I really do enjoy the experience that Chapman gives, but I wonder if I could get that experience paying a little less money,” said Peterson-Hunt.

Chapman University provides many resources and extracurriculars on campus, a well rounded education, and Design by Gwen Buchanan

Struppa, whose teaching career has been in mathematics, points out that the purpose of going to college isn’t to find a job. It is to explore passions that lead into careers.

“I don’t think I’m the president of the university because I am a very good mathematician. I am the president of the university because of my ground

education,” said Struppa.

When it comes to schools like Chapman, the money spent is what you make of it.

“In many cases, it depends on the effort you make. If the only thing you do is to go to class, go home, and do the homework, you’re not really taking advantage fully,” said Struppa.

Despite the great experience it provides, CTAS Higher Ed Business found Chapman to have the highest attendance cost out of any school in the US— and the students know it.

Daniele Struppa, the president of Chapman University, smiles for the camera. Photo Courtesy of Google Photos

In an Instagram poll, 81 percent of Chapman students reported that they don’t think it is worth the full tuition.

Fisher appreciates the job connections Chapman provides, with little competition.

But the incoming classes just keep getting bigger.

“Going to Chapman, I have more opportunities to get into (software engineering) programs, rather than competing with a bunch of other people from state schools,” said Fisher.

Last year, the percentage of admitted and committed students increased by 16 percent, according to university officials.

So why do so many stick with it?

Joshua Fisher, a sophomore software engineering major, had a chance to go to California Polytechnic State University, a less expensive and more prestigious school for that field. But he turned it down.

“Even though Chapman is much more expensive, I feel like with my experience and my goals, I could do better here. It would be worth it for me in the long run,” said Fisher.

Fisher said this while sitting next to his best friend… who attends a state school.

Alex Pruzinsky, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, goes to San Diego State University (SDSU). He doesn’t feel like his college experience is lacking in any way.

“I chose a state school for lots of reasons.

It’s cheaper, I get a really good quality education… I can get research done. It’s a really connected school,” said Pruzinsky.

“[SDSU] is the best option compared to Chapman.”

So how does Chapman compare to the absolute best options, like Ivy league schools?

Chapman’s tuition (without considering additional fees) is 62,400 dollars, a whopping ten thousand over the tuition of Harvard, which stands at 54,269 dollars. Those Chapman costs go up to the 85-grand plus when you include fees, food and housing. (And could be more if you live somewhere decent off campus.)

There is one way that Chapman provides students an escape from bankruptcy, and that is through grants, scholarships, and loans.

According to UnivStats, 82 percent of undergraduate students received grants or scholarship aid in 2023. The average amount received is $26,741 — which significantly reduces college costs.

in education. But Chapman asks for so much money from students who already have so much to do.

“For the experience, I think it’s worth it to go into debt and pay off student loans,” said Bayha. “But it’s hard to picture that right now as a sophomore who is struggling in organic chemistry.”

Like Bayha, Peterson-Hunt may have to transfer to a state school. She wants to stay at Chapman, but wonders how much the extra tuition pays off in comparison to other options.

“I sometimes wonder if lowering tuition would really impact my experience a ton.

Would it really change what I’m getting out of it?” said Peterson-Hunt. “I could get a biology degree at University of Oregon and pay less.”

For some students, the financial aid still isn’t enough.

Amelia Bayha, a sophomore health science major, is helping their parents with expenses. But they may not be able to attend Chapman next year.

“My grandparents have savings accounts for me, but we blew through those last year, and now my family doesn’t really know what they’re going to do with me.”

Bayha recognizes that the high prices pay off in their lifestyle and investment

Natalie Peterson-Hunt, sophomore,

Housing: strolls out of her apartment in Davis, a Chapman provided apartment -$4,458

complex.

Photo Courtesy of Gwen Buchanan

But even at its high cost, Chapman sends off thousands of graduates every year who found their experience to be worth the money. For senior Olivia Chilvers, she appreciates Chapman’s size and structure so much that she is staying to get her master’s degree next year.

“Because it’s a small private university, everything you get is very personalized,” said the computer science major. “You could pay a lot less to go to a bigger university but then they kind of treat you as just a number.”

To President Struppa, college experience is what each student makes of it.

“When we look at the financial impact of going to college, we are completely forgetting what is the most important component of our humanity; which is also the ability to live an interesting life,” said Struppa.

Like many others, Peterson-Hunt is going to college for the education and the experience.

Added Haley Schlatter, who graduated from Dodge College six years ago: “Even with the steep price, Chapman’s top of the line film program and professional network couldn’t be beat by other schools on my list.”

“I was really excited to be able to study biology and have a more intimate experience where I could form relationships with my professors,” said Peterson-Hunt.

School Supplies: -$4,458

Peterson-Hunt balances various school supplies in her arms. As a STEM major, she has textbooks, periodic tables, calculators, notebooks, and a computer.

Photo Courtesy of Gwen Buchanan

Food: -$2,528 Peterson-Hunt searches her fridge for food. As a sophomore, she no longer has a meal plan, and goes grocery shopping every week.

Photo Courtesy of Gwen Buchanan

S

o, you’re heading into your third year.

Time to take your pick of Chapman’s finest housing options: Chapman Grand, The K, even the new Chapman Court apartments on the way.

Or, you can go to Panther Village.

Panther

Chapman’s “Ug

By Brian G

Who would be excited by that?

“It’s musty, there are stains on all the curtains, the carpet is from the 70s, and appliances are ancient.” senior Rylie Sanow-Judy, Panther Village resident.

And that reflects the majority of students’ opinions who live in Panther Village right now.

It used to be a Quality Inn Motel. Now it houses Chapman Students.

But little do they know they’re due for a pleasant surprise. Maybe not in time for them, but Panther Village changes are on the way.

It’s no real secret now; Panther Village isn’t the most attractive place to live in the eyes of the student body. But things are looking up for the apartment community.

Renovations, upgrades and expansions are all on the docket for student residents in the coming years.

This wasn’t originally in the plans, however.

There have been rumors that Panther Village was going to shut down. Dean of Students Jerry Price explained that it was, but not anymore.

Panther Village has been the subject of criticism for years. Now Guevara

Price said the University planned on completely tearing it down and constructing a brand new replacement building. Then, the new Chapman Court came into the mix.

With the new apartments due to open in 2024, Price acknowledged that there was no longer a need to invest so much into gutting Panther Village

r Village

gly Duckling”?

Guevara Buakong working at the front desk in Panther Village.

Photo by Brian Guevara

“I feel like there’s not much you can do. Like at all. It’s going to look the way it looks because that’s the format.”

- Bronwynn Buakong, Panther Village resident.

For now Panther Village tends to be the last place people choose.

w, it’s looking like that’s going to change. Graphic by Brian

from the ground up. University officials now plan to spend the money on smaller upgrades that will increase the quality of life for those tenants.

But some are still skeptical. Junior Bronwynn Buakong doesn’t care much for these expected changes.

Equipped with a swimming pool, basketball court and gym, Panther Village has similar amenities to Grand or the K. But, upon closer inspection, you can see dusty pool chairs, a gym with an embarrassingly low amount of weights, and a basketball court with a rim that tilts down, seemingly unfixed for a long time. This housing complex has been people’s last option for years.

Students haven’t had a choice lately though.

Juan Tinoco, the Assistant Dean of Students for Res Life and First year Experience sent out an email on behalf of Panther Housing in the spring. This email explained that since Chapman over-accepted incoming freshmen, students needed to “plan accordingly in case [they] are not able to accommodate housing requests.”

Meaning: Don’t be surprised if you get stuck with Panther Village.

But there is at least one bright side, university officials point out:

Photo of Juan Tinoco. Photo courtesy of Chapman University

Affordable housing.

Panther Village is the cheapest of the second-year housing overall. It starts at $11,645, beating out every other place in terms of single apartments. This allows students to cut down on expenses at least a bit while they are here, which can mean a lot.

Price backed the positives of Panther Village, explaining that it’s “smaller and more cost-effective.” He also defended the apartments by saying that they check a lot of boxes, but they just “aren’t in demand for students.”

Sanow-Judy recognized this advantage and appreciated it, at least to the extent she could.

Dean of Students Jerry Price poses in front of Attallah Plaza. Photo courtesy of the Orange County Register

When Panther Village was purchased, it looked like this: a Quality Inn Suites building. Photo Courtesy of the Orange County Register

“I depended on Chapman for housing. They weren’t able to give it to me and so I started having to look for places with rent that was way over my budget. It wasn’t until late summer that they gave me Panther Village, which is the lesser of two evils to me.”

The one question that lingers is how long it will take.

Will it take a month? Two years? How long does it take to fix a basketball court? Students will likely love the news that Panther Village is getting that much needed glow-up, but at the same time, what are the odds of it being completed before a completely new set of students inhabit the apartments?

Senior Rylie Sanow-Judy has her criticisms of Panther Village, but appreciates it for being there when other housing options are full. Photo courtesy of Sanow-Judy

As Buakong said: “I feel like by the time they do renovations I won’t even be in school anymore.”

G

Illustration of a stressed student transferring credits.

Courtesy of Summer Motell

Give Me Some Credit!

The Trials and Troubles of Transferring Units

T

By Marjorie Stemmler

ired of community college, senior Jamilyn Moreau moved on to Chapman, in hopes of a fresh start.

Little did Moreau know how fresh she would be starting.

Now 26, Moreau said part of her time at Chapman felt like she had deja vu. Too many previous college credits didn’t make the transfer list.

“I had to redo classes multiple times,” said Moreau. Even though her English and math classes at Chapman felt almost the same as her community college classes.

She’s not alone. Students every year transfer into Chapman, take summer classes, or have AP credits from high school, and want their credits to be accepted. Some say it’s a confusing process, others think they weren’t given enough attention, and many think the whole system can be better. But the people in power think that often it’s the students who aren’t putting in the work.

“I want students to be more active and ask questions,” said Patty Michelsen, the associate registrar. “There are some students who never communicate with us.”

Also, some students may not be aware they need to have one-on-one meetings with the transfer team’ office. Or may not even be aware such an office exists. Many students have not even heard of Transferology, another helpful guide regarding credit transfers.

For Moreau, she said she asked the questions, but the process was overbearing. While most of her credits transferred from her second time at community college, only two out of her seven credits transferred from the first school she attended, leaving her behind her age group. Now, Moreau gets flashbacks on how scary the process was.

“I didn’t think I’d graduate because it was so stressful,” said Moreau.

With how it sounds, one would think the transfer process requires fighting sharks and wrestling bears, but the director of transfer admissions Shannon Crogan says it’s quite simple.

If a student were hoping to transfer to Chapman, they should start with a one on one meeting with the transfer admissions office: Crogan’s team. This is where the game plan happens, the student gets a feel of what classes can come in, and what classes are staying out.

Once the student is admitted and chooses Chapman, that’s when the registrar does a full evaluation of classes. Crogan describes the process as a teamwork between many parts of the Chapman staff.

Now, what if Chapman says no to a credit and the student thinks that’s unfair? That’s where the appeals process comes in. Students can put in an appeal in the hopes to gain more credits that were originally booted. But even this process can come with its own problems.

Anna Klose knows all too well about the appeal process.

Transferring from Virginia her junior year, Klose was already stressed having to move across the country, and then she got the news: Chapman didn’t take a whole semester’s worth of classes.

Thinking some of her classes should have been taken, she put in an appeal for a biology class, one Chapman said was “not a high enough level.”

“There’s not many ways to teach biology,” said Klose.

But what Klose didn’t realize was that she was the one who had to do the heavy lifting in the appeals process. She had to be the one to contact her past professors to get a syllabus from her past class.

“I don’t want to bother all these professors,” said Klose. She explained the whole thing felt awkward, like someone at the school could’ve been doing this instead.

But the worst part, Klose got the message that her appeal had been approved when it was too late to drop the class. So, unless she wanted it on her record, Klose had to take biology once more. “I basically had to pay to take a class I’d already taken before,” she said.

Truth is, the less information Chapman has on a school, the harder it is to help the student.

“The more obscure school you’re coming from, the more work you’ll have to do,” said Crogan.

Schools like Fullerton College up the road tend to have more students move to Chapman, leaving a log for the Transfer Admissions team. But for Klose, who came from the University of Hartford, there isn’t much to go off of.

The office of the Registrar (top left) and the Office of Admission, (bottom right). Illustration by Gil Bothwell

“Four-year transfers lack a lot of assistance,” said Crogan.

“[Chapman] complet perspective on college

Since the goal of a four-year school is to be there all four years, it’s much harder to move schools, compared to moving from a community college that Crogan said is a school designed to transfer. She even describes community college as “hand-holding” their students through the transfer process.

Even with hand-holding, there are some students who fall behind, like Alex Manalastas.

Manalastas transferred to Chapman back in 2022 after three years at community college. He admits he got spoiled with attention in the past, but going to Chapman, it’s like he got pushed into the deep end of the pool.

“I didn’t fully conduct my research,” said Manalastas. He didn’t realize the guidance he got at community college was not transferring over with him. This left him with almost none of his credits transferring over.

Manalastas decided to still give Chapman a try. But after spending a year of what felt like taking the same class over again, he decided to go back to community college and now is waiting to transfer into Fullerton College or Cal State Long Beach in a junior standing, two years worth of credit more than Chapman.

Michelsen of the registrar’s office sees this problem far too often.

She believes that students can be fine moving forward with transferring credits if only they took the time to meet with her and Crogan.

“We have resources but I don’t know if students realize we do,” said Michelsen, but without a social media page or any way to get the word out, Michelsen isn’t sure how to let students know that resources are available.

With her help, the school started using Transferology,

Jamilyn Moreau posing next to C courtesy of Moreau

a program that can allow s classes match up from thei man’s classes. This program much smoother, but Miche enough students use it, or e cause they don’t ask.

tely changed my Crogan agrees, saying, “Some people bulldoze it whether you say it’s a good move or e.”- Jamilyn Moreau through not.” But, she still believes that you’re more likely

Chapman’s Wilson Field. Photo

students to see what ir past school to Chapm makes the process elsen doesn’t think even know it exists, be-

to come out of the transfer process with a good experience.

“Chapman isn’t unique,” she said. She believes every school has the same problems with transferring credit and it’s hard to change that.

Crogan and Michelson both said there are a lot of helpful sites students can be using, like being proactive in checking the Transfer Equivalency System, a website that shows what can be brought to Chapman and what can’t based on school. Students can also keep up on the policies and limitations that come with transfering credit.

But, not every transfer has such hardships. Emma Walker, a now 20-year-old transfer student from Pitzer college, had her own trouble with transferring classes. But, she says her four AP credits from high school that never transferred at Pitzer did transfer at Chapman, helping her save some time with her general education classes.

“I worked really hard [for the AP credit], so I’m happy Chapman took it so I was able to get through GE’s quicker” said Walker.

Chapman isn’t always the bad guy when it comes to credits, even for people like Moreau. Despite all the hardships Moreau had, she still did find people who could help her, and came out happy in the end.

“Chapman gave me an advisor and helped me with (everything),” said Moreau, explaining how grateful she was to have Chapman help her in such a stressful time by helping to get as many credits transferred as possible. “They completely changed my perspective on college.”

Make Room For More Chapman Enters the Beginning of a New Expansion Plan

By Sydney Scott

K

eck. Swenson. The K. The Grand. The Sandy Simon Dance Center. Rinker Campus Center.

All buildings that are familiar to today’s Chapman students. Nobody knew any of those names five years ago.

Chapman isn’t stopping there. It’s got plans for more.

“It’s crazy how much it’s changed since my freshman year in 2018,” said Sarah Yang, a fall 2021 bio-chem graduate.

“Someone is really on a mission to expand.”

This year marks the beginning of a new five-year Chapman strategic plan: More full-time staff, building renovations, expanded programs, and a plan to increase the endowment toward scholarships to $500 million. The new plan, developed by Chapman faculty, plans to focus on specific projects that boost these areas.

“These [strategic plans] tend to include very specific projects,” said the dean of students, Jerry Price. “It allows us to say there’s a lot of things we can do to get better, but for the next five years, this is where we’re going to focus.”

A 3D rendering of one of Chapman’s upcoming renovations on campus, the Hilbert Museum, which is expected to open in the spring, just down the street from Dodge. Image courtesy of Johnston Marklee Architects

But, while many students have appreciated the growth in these plans, some students are concerned there are other areas that should be focused on.

This includes social spaces, such as the stairs in Swenson Hall, and academic spaces like the large study rooms that can be found in the same building.

“This is nice, but, I’d rather the freshman dorms be updated,” said freshman creative writing major Avery Marks.

“When Swenson opened I really loved it,” said Yang. “So many STEM students felt more comfortable being there, doing their work, and being amongst their peers rather than having to go into the library and be trapped in one room. It allowed us to be more collaborative.”

Past plans have included expansion into the health science and engineering fields as well as an emphasis on increasing Chapman’s national recognition. A major part of the new plan includes building and renovating new spaces for students.

“We want to provide various types of study and social spaces to students,” said Collette Creppell, the vice president of campus planning. “The aim is to have every sort of space that students need wherever they are on campus.”

“The aim is to have every sort of space that students need.”

Collette Creppell, Chapman’s Vice President of Campus Planning

Here is a breakdown of the buildings that are currently being finished as part of the most recent strategic plan: Since the K was built in 2019, there has been no newly constructed square footage added to the campus, however, during that time there have been six major projects that have kept Chapman’s campus planning department busy. Three of which have been completed.

The next to open, just down the street from Dodge in the former Dance Center, is the Hilbert Museum. Its expected opening date is at the beginning of this coming spring semester. The building will include a north and south wing for art as well as a lobby and a cafe. Between the two wings, there will be a courtyard with a floating open-air box that will join the buildings and provide shade.

“The idea is to have this beautiful space where you can sit in the shade and get your coffee and something to eat from the cafe, in between looking at beautiful California-based art,” said Creppell.

In the fall of 2024, a $160 million housing complex, renamed Chapman Court, is expected to open up with space for more than 800 students in approximately 230 to 250 units. The building is currently undergoing renovations to update technology and furniture as well as city approval for Chapman bus routes.

A map of the

The third building in the works is the Killefer Quantum Studies Laboratory and Optics Lab, off of N Olive St., with the goal to open in Spring 2025. This building involves both renovations and new construction as the current building is registered in the National Register of Historic Places. This is not only for its architecture but for the role it played in desegregation in California. Just one of many historical buildings Chapman has renovated for student use.

Sam Chen, in the newly renovated Dod compared to the tables that used to be t

Students like Marks and junior Sam Chen are looking forward to these upcoming buildings, especially the new spaces in the Hilbert Museum that are closer to Dodge than the main campus.

“I don’t want to drive my scooter to the main campus every time I want Starbucks and then have to go back to class,” said Chen, a creative producing major. “It’d also be great to have a place across the street to hang out because there are no good study spaces in Dodge anymore after the lobby renovation.”

Marks, a creative writing major, is always excited about a new coffee shop and plans to make more appearances in that area of campus once it is open, but she is happy to hear housing capacity is expanding buildings on the Orange campus that are discussed in this story. with the addition of the Chapman Court.

Photo by Gil Bothwell and illustration by Sydney Scott

“The most sustainable building is the one you keep,” said Creppell. “All of our work has been within existing buildings with some very transformative renovations of spaces and buildings.”

At the end of these projects, Chapman will have only added 6,000 square feet of new building footprints to campus, which will be a part of the Killifer project in the form of a small North Wing behind the existing space.

dge lobby, with only benches for seating, there. Photo by Sydney Scott

But as these are finishing up, what next for the upcoming 5-year strategic plan?

Well, Chapman intends to create a student success center on the Orange campus.

According to both Creppell and Price, this could look like a variety of things, including the consolidation of advising, financial aid, and health facilities; spaces for students to relax and study, or a mix of both.

While they don’t know whether it will be a renovation of a property to be acquired by Chapman in the future or a new construction, it definitely won’t be a side house or an old unrenovated building.

“The aim is to make it very easy for students to get to and centralize it,” said Creppell.

“I haven’t heard any students talk about these buildings until this,” she said.

While many students are excited about these projects, some wish more students were involved in their development.

If any faculty members want more student opinions in the future, there are plenty eager to give their opinions on the project.

“I think it would be a good idea to get students involved in these projects,” said junior screenwriting major, Jessica McCrorie. “Specifically freshman and sophomores, as they will get the most use out of them.”

“It’d be so easy if it’s just one place,” said Marks. “Personally, I don’t know where to go and find those resources on campus. It feels like everything’s really spread out.”

She feels that it could be as simple as sending out a questionnaire to students to see what would be the most beneficial and how it will affect their academic and social life at Chapman.

However, students like Marks hope to request renovations to buildings currently in use, such as adding kitchens to the freshman dorms, even if they’re communal.

Price said they do include student opinions when developing these new spaces.

He has already broached the student success center to a few.

“Some students have said they don’t need more services like offices, they need study spaces, meditation spaces, and those kinds of things,” said Price. “So those will be examined as well as adding certain offices.”

McCrorie thinks there might be a disconnect between the building planners and the students.

Chen feels that it’s unnecessary.

“Seems like the resources to build or renovate a building like that would be better used somewhere else,” he said.

Outside of the A 3D rendering of the new wing property. Rendering Court building and campus improvement projects, this s trategic plan includes a goal to gain $500 million in endowments within the next five year. This will involve campaigning for these funds and strengthening relationships with alumni, parents, and volunteers across Chapman.

According to Price, this is in an effort to fund a higher portion of scholarships and financial aid from donations, rather than tuition revenue. This would go towards the Chapman Fund which currently provides merit and need-based scholarships to more than 86% of students.

“We’ve reached a capacity where we really can’t grow very much, so we’re worried,” he said. “As long as we have enrollment growth, we can take a percentage of the tuition we collect to create more financial aid, but once we stop growing, we can’t do that.”

This strategic plan also includes investing in updated tools and technologies that are more advanced including updating online systems across various areas such as academic affairs, g being added to the Killefer registration, and tesy of EYRC Architects waitlist management.

Chapman also aims to hire more full-time staff members, accelerate its rise in standings, and improve student retention and graduation rates.

Initiatives towards expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as furthering their efforts to become a Hispanic-serving instittion are also included.

Additionally, the plan wants to work to-

Additionally, the plan wants to work towards promoting sustainable research and creativity throughout the university. This is supported by the addition of the Quantum Studies Laboratory and the expansion of the graduate health research programs.

An area, according to Yang, that definitely has room to grow.

“It was small when it started out,” she said.

“There was only one student at the time.”

Although she is a humanities major, Marks thinks this is a great way of helping to provide internships for STEM majors in research.

“Things like internships that will benefit the student body as a whole should be the priority,” she said.

According to Price, the plan aims to do just that, by finding faculty that are creative and inspirational.

“The benefit is not only bringing them in but bringing the way they go about their work as a catalyst for other people to rethink what they do and how they can collaborate,” he said.

Collaboration is one of the animating ideas for the strategic plan and the buildings.

Creppell stated: “These projects should not simply meet what we call programmatic needs, but should foster a sense of community.”

Studying, Homework, and Natural Disasters?

Some Chapman Students Try Balancing it All

By Kiana Kalahele

Following the destructive wildfires in Lahaina this summer, senior business administration major Jessica Miyasato now takes on the hefty task of juggling more responsibilities than ever. She must help her grandparents rebuild the house she grew up in, raise funds for restoration, and also, graduate from college.

All while being over 2,000 miles away from home.

Miyasato’s grandparent’s home wa of the many structures that did not vive the brutal Maui wildfires in Au 2023. Photo courtesy of Google M

disasters -- from tornadoes, floods, and wildfires -- that have impacted their families, friends, and homes.

“Even though the fires hit back in August and restoration has started since then, the emo“I feel bad if my priorities aren’t focused on tional damage is still there for me,” said Mimy family,” said Miyasato. “But, it’s also a yasato. “I still find it difficult to focus in my matter of trying not to flunk out of school classes and on schoolwork.” in my senior year.”

Just like Miyasato, many other students at Miyasato is only one out of the many stuChapman who were born and raised in Hawaii dents at Chapman who have endured men- have voiced the distress they still feel from the tal and financial turmoil due to natural impacts of the wildfires.

d

Restoration from the fires is far from over.

Graphic by Sukhman Sahota

Junior strategic and corporate communication major Lauren Kalama is from the island of Maui.

Kalama may not have lost her house, but she did lose something else near and dear to her heart.

as one Her childhood. t surAugust “I used to visit the town of Lahaina on Maps

faced a natural disaster firsthand, it can still affect you if you’re from that same community.”

the island of Maui every week with my family and now, just like that, it’s all gone,” said Kalama. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

According to Moors, she recommends people take time to heal, whether it’s through seeking professional guidance or finding ways to distract themselves.

Even now with Kalama and Miyasato being back at school, they don’t feel like their heads are completely in the game.

But, it isn’t always easy.

Especially with being far away from their hometowns during a time of turmoil, Miyasato’s and Kalama’s healing processes have been stunted.

“I keep zoning out during classes, trying to stay alert,” said Kalama. “But, my mind always finds a way to wan“A part of me wants to seek out help from a der. You really can’t forget that kind of therapist or someone on campus, but my busy devastation impacting your culture, school schedule makes that basically your people.” impossible,” said Miyasato.

Chapman psychology professor Amy Moors noted the mental struggles that students face when dealing with personal issues, like natural disasters, on top of academics.

Even though Miyasato and Kalama were unable to find counseling that fit into their daily schedules, they did find a healthy distraction to keep themselves occupied.

Chapman Pua’ikeana.

“The most immediate reaction to natural disasters is shock, including numb- Pua’ikeana, also known as Chapman’s Hawaii ness or denial as well as anxiety and club, currently serves as a helpful way for guilt,” said Moors. “Even if you haven’t

students who have moved from Hawaii to California to stay connected to their hometown and find community with other Hawaii born and raised students on campus. However, the club’s approach has now shifted a bit this semester in response to the wildfires.

and academic stumbles.

“(Pua’ikeana) has become a second home for me, a home away from home,” said Kalama. “We’re still focused on building community, but now we come (to meetings) with a perspective of really wanting to help each other, providing resources, and allowing each other time to talk, grieve, and reflect.”

“(My hometown) has suffered its fair share of tornadoes and each time it happens, it doesn’t get easier,” said Anderson.

Tornadoes are high up on that list.

For senior computer science major Kayla Anderson, her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri is well known for having tornadoes hit.

Throughout her life, Anderson has lived through more tornadoes than she can count on both hands. Luckily, destruction from these disasters has never resulted in anything “too bad” for her and her family.

The club hopes to continue serving as a safe space for “I’ve gotten used students as the recovery to coping with these efforts in disasters by now, but Pua’ikeana provides resources to help students Lahaina trudge on. sometimes I get worfrom Hawaii find comfort in being away from ried about that ‘What home. Photo courtesy of Lauren Kalama According to Kalama, if,’” said Anderson. it will take years for the historic town “What if something worse happens to my to rebuild itself anywhere close to family and I’m not back home? You just never what it once was. really know.”

However, it doesn’t just stop with wild- According to Anderson, the most destructive fires. tornado in Missouri happened in Joplin in 2011, where 8,000 homes were damaged and Students at Chapman have 161 lives were lost. unfortunately faced other natural disasters that have resulted in mental “It’s scary to know it’s happened before and

Some students find themselves overwhelmed when dealing with a natural disaster on top of their studies. Graphic by Kiana Kalahele

right now, I’m just going through life, through college with my guard up,” she said.

Hailing from San Francisco, senior creative writing and communication studies double major Kari Lien is another student at Chapman who has dealt with a particular natural disaster striking their hometown.

Flooding.

San Francisco and Northern California are both known for intense flooding, especially during the winter months.

Therefore, Lien especially gets worried during the fall semester, hoping that their family is safe back home.

with mental toil from disasters and other personal issues are able to find ease somewhere. Even in the little things.

Students continue to face struggles associated with natural disasters. Not weekly, but daily. And while the process may get easier over time, the stresses of helping out “I make sure to call my mom everyday family, dealing with psychological turmoil just to check in and see how everyone’s and still finding the motivation to focus on doing, but also to make sure that my fam- school, is no easy feat. ily is safe and nothing bad has happened while I’m off at college,” said Lien.

Yet, it’s not impossible to heal from.

Lien has gotten better at not letting those intrusive thoughts protrude into their studies, citing joining clubs on campus and studying with friends as two healthy distractions.

“The anxiousness of the situation is still there, but it’s luckily moved towards the back of my brain,” said Lien. “I feel a bit more in control of myself than I did when I first moved here for school.”

Lien hopes that those who are dealing

Several resources are available through Chapman and external organizations to help students cope with the trauma from these disasters, including therapy and advising appointments with Student Psychological Counseling Services.

“Take it slow, take it easy. Don’t try to take on too much all at once,” said Moors. “The best thing students (who are going through this) can do is focus on themselves and be there for their families when they can.”

By Sukhman Sahota

Illustration of a human working with an AI robot. Graphic by Sukhman Sahota

It’s reached people that aren’t at

A

rtificial intelligence appeared in sophomore graphic design major the forefront of technology or arEaston Clark’s life without warnen’t aware of what’s going on, ing, from ChatGPT to Adobe Photoshop’s AI-Generative Fill tool. AI has quickly made its way into every application on Harry Lada Clark’s phone and computer, whether he liked it or not. All have been implement- er science Professor Franceli Cibrian, AI ed to push technological innovation in the is another major invention that, if taught properly, can benefit students. modern world.

But is the “modern world” ready for these “AI is not going to take that job of humans.

Humans that use AI will take the jobs of humore than-modern changes? mans that are not using AI.” Cibrian said.

“There’s a moral gray ground, and we don’t necessarily know where AI stands,” Clark Some students have urged their professors to start incorporating discussions about said.

AI into their class courses simply because As artificial intelligence continues to prog- they don’t know how to use artificial intelress towards its goal—simulating human ligence. intelligence processing with computer systems—it has started its journey into the academic world. Giving universities two options: Get with the program or fall behind. And falling behind isn’t for Chapman University.

Students were once expected to come up with essays and projects themselves. Now, with generative AI, they can do it with a click of a button. But, while some Chapman professors are hopping onto the idea of AI-infused classes, others are straying away. Leaving students confused about whether it’s okay to indulge in artificial intelligence.

“If you don’t have the knowledge, you’re not going to be able to use it efficiently and fairly,” Cibrian said.

Chapman created the AI hub page to address the University’s ever-changing guidelines for teaching, research, and learning with AI. That includes any social and ethical implications and how students can use AI ethically. It is a living document that

However, the looming fear of AI taking over the job market seems only to grow for students as companies continue to add AI elements to their products. For computEaston Clark talks about his take on AI in his classroom and in the art scene. Photo courtresy of Easton Clark

can change as Chapman learns more workforce. He has embraced artificial about AI and generative tools. intelligence as a tool for his students.

“The Chapman community continues to investigate how to ensure academic integrity in the classroom as we prepare students for the future workplace, which will include the use of AI,” said Cathy Pohan, executive director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Team.

“[Teaching AI] can really help us get these students career-ready and be at the forefront of our fields,” Ross said.

To him, artificial intelligence is here to stay, and at a certain point, all professors must accept that fact.

“To put our head in the sand and think However, professors remain the gate- this isn’t going to change the way that we keepers on whether artificial intelli- work is really short-sighted,” Ross said. gence appears in their classes. Yasmine Bari, a junior broadcast journalism ma- During the first week of school, students jor, wants her professors to start utiliz- encountered most professors addressing artificial intelligence in their class ing the usage of artificial intelligence content. in classrooms. Some students, like Bari, are excited for AI to be implemented, “It is better to get on it [artificial intelli- while others detest the usage. gence], sooner rather than later, and be able to understand the implication of it Students like Alexandra Der Boghosian, and how it can help and a junior political science major. harm people,” Bari said.

“Students using ChatGPT is a waste of Chapman com- time for them,” Boghosian said. “Why munication Pro- are they in school if they’re gonna use fessor Michael that [ChatGPT]?”

Ross has already seen ar- Some students receive an inconsistent tificial intelli- consensus from professors and the unigence change versity about AI’s usage. Cassie Chan, a his work field, junior double major in art history and and recogniz- communication, would prefer her proes that ignor- fessors be on the same page when it ing its implica- comes to artificial intelligence. tions will soon negatively affect “It should be more consistent because some students I’m going to use it, whether the teacher when joining the is very verbal about their position, for or Communication Professor Michael Ross has moved towards a AI-infused classroom Photo courtresy of Michael Ross

against [AI],” Chan said.

give his art a human touch is why he is an artist.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a step in every form of creation, from AI-gen- What’s AI’s reason for being an artist? erated essays to AI-generated art, and it is only growing faster.

“I chose this font. I chose this color. I chose where to place this,” Lada said.

Generative art has gained populari- “With AI art, you don’t have that control ty for its easy ability to create images and sense of intimate personal connecfrom just a prompt. The speed at which tion, which is what makes it art.” these innovations are made and added to platforms has Viewing artificial created questions intelligence as a surrounding the tool rather than ownership of a competitor can these AI-generathelp some stued pieces. dents in the future.

Cibrian shared Franceli Cibrian “People utilizing the importance of it, and then sayteaching students ing it’s their art—I don’t believe it is,” how to expand and grow from anything Clark said. generated by artificial intelligence.

AI is not going to take that job of humans.Humans that use AI will take the jobs of humans that are not using AI

Photoshop introduced AI generative fill in early 2023, allowing users to add or delete, remove background, and change the height and width of a photo in a fraction of the time it would take humans to do.

But, graphic designer and Chapman alumnus Harry Lada has yet to feel the impact artificial intelligence could have on the industry.

“Students should be able to make a decision about the outcome that AI gives: ‘Is it true? Is it false? Is it in the middle?

How can I improve that?’” Cibrian said.

In its earliest stages, artificial intelligence has already changed the classrooms for many students and professors. Students will continue to use generative AI to help with their class loads, but it’s up to the professors if students can academically analyze AI-generated text, images, and resources.

“Anything computer-generated for graphic design doesn’t have that same level of intentionality,” Lada said.

“If you read a paper written by AI, you can tell AI writes it. You can tell it’s genAI’s lack of personal creativity may ulti- erating a response; there’s no necesmately be its downfall. Lada’s ability to sary, logical conclusion,” Clark said.

Swipe FOR FRIENDS Is Chapman’s Bondo a

By Nicole Kavros

GOOD MATCH?

Freshman Griffin Dickman (right) and freshman Weston Little look at each other’s profiles on their phones while sitting inches away. Photo by Gil Bothwell

F

reshman Leah Jacobson came to Chapman wanting the same thing as everyone else: A friend with shared interests.

So, she downloaded the Bondo app.

“I made an account, and I tried to reach out to people, but I don’t think anyone really uses it,” said Jacobson. “I just have it on my phone now.”

Made by Chapman alumnus Briggs Boardman, who graduated with a business degree in 2022, Bondo is a new app with the goal to bring Chapman students together through shared interests and hobbies. Dean of Students Jerry Price saw that it had the goal of becoming the next best friend maker. He even had Chapman pay Boardman a small fee to develop it.

But many students are saying it’s falling short. Even the creator himself is giving it low marks. For now.

“If I were to rate Bondo out of 10, I’d say it’s a three just because it’s so new,” he added. “And then the new feature will come. I think that’ll bump it up to an eight.”

Boardman said after its creation earlier this year that around 500 people have signed up for the free app, which can be downloaded on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Users have a variety of unique passions to choose from, including DIY projects, magic Founder Briggs Boardman sees lots of room for growth in the shows, botany, and fencing. It’s a fascinating app. Photo courtesy of Briggs Boardman concept to students—they could hand-pick friends who like the same things as them right from their phone, without ever leaving their room.

Trouble is, even with the app’s good intentions, not enough students want to bother with it.

“I think it’s a good idea. I just think it’s not being utilized as well as it could be,” said Jacobson.

Freshman business major Dylan Massaro also created an account on the app, just to find that there weren’t as many users as he’d hoped.

“I downloaded the app and I made a profile, but I didn’t see enough other accounts, so I haven’t really opened it since,” said Massaro.

“There was one person I actually met in one of my classes, who I had met on Bondo first,” shared freshman biology major Kirby Williams. “But I haven’t really interacted with many people on the app.”

But it does work for some people.

Sophomore communications major Avery Grant advertises herself on the app as a Taylor Swift and Disneyland fan. The app has helped her find other students who also enjoy both of these specific interests.

“Bondo connects me to like-minded peers at Chapman,” said Grant. “I’ve been able to find other students who have similar interests to me.”

Though Grant has found virtual conversation through the app, this connection hasn’t translated offscreen.

She hasn’t actually met anyone from the app in person. In fact, not many students have.

“(Bondo) is a good idea, and I’m surprised no one’s thought of it before, but it’s kinda hard to make friends on it,” said freshman political science major Griffin Dickman. “No one’s really asking to hang out or make plans or anything.”

Why does this seemingly simple solution actually not solve the problem? Some students think they know why it’s even more difficult to bond when the spark starts online.

“There’s other ways to meet people that are more organic,” said sophomore psychology major Nicoletta Johnson. “Usually when you post yourself on the incoming class Instagrams, you’ll meet people and talk to them a little bit, but then how many of those people do you really see in person?”

For the same reasons that apps like Instagram don’t always cultivate strong real-life connections, Bondo falls prey to the same confines as social media.

“You can’t know a lot about a person based on a post, it’s hard to tell how good or real a connection can be when you only talk about a few shared interests online,” commented Johnson.

Boardman recognizes that this is true, even for an app that’s meant to be more authentic than the superficial social media platforms.

Sophomore Avery Grant lists her interests on her Bondo profile. Photo from Bondo “You’re never going to make a friend or partner through an app

like this. That’s hardly ever going to happen,” said Boardman.

But Boardman says his app is intended to act as the opposite of never-ending scrolling apps.

“The goal is not to text people and become friends on the platform. It’s to see what people like to do and create opportunities for them to do these things in person, because that’s really where relationships are going to form,” explained Boardman.

It’s not meant to keep people in the app, scrolling through options endlessly.

As Boardman said, the app wants you to get off of it and talk to its users in real life. Like the dating app “Hinge” says in its

Bondo (logo on the right) is meant to act as an opposite of social media apps like Instagram (logo on the left). Graphic by Nicole Kavros

slogan, Bondo is “designed to be deleted.”

With financial support from Chapman University, Boardman has spent the past year creating the application to help foster connection among students.

Dean Price has his own reasons for promoting the Bondo app: “I got a desperate email from a parent during orientation in 2018. It was Friday night, she said her son was in his room alone. She said, ‘he’s just not connecting with anybody.’’” said Price.

This made Price think about the possibility of a space that could cultivate friendship for students going through similar experiences.

“You move across the country, you show up here, you’re with 1,800 other people. And people seem to be cliquing with each other, and you think, ‘I’m not, and I have what you would call niche interests. How do I find other people?’” said Price. “‘How do I find the few out of 1,800 other people?’”

Most students recognize it’s a good idea.

But there just aren’t enough people, and the people that are there aren’t reaching out.

But Boardman is prepared. He doesn’t just accept feedback from students—he expects it.

“It’s really a platform for students. I was a student, but things Students have the choice of picking from hundreds of available users on the platform change. So, if people have ideas of things or features that the to message. Graphic by Nicole Kavros app should have, then they should try and get in touch with me, then we can make it happen,” said Boardman.

Both Price and Boardman emphasized that the app is still in development, and there are many updates coming in the future that will really transform the app.

“Soon a feature is coming that’s designed specifically for bringing people together offline. If you’re looking for a study buddy, a carpool buddy, some plans for the weekend, or literally getting lunch with somebody that day, you can fill out a questionnaire and get matched with people who are also looking for that thing,” said Boardman.

“I want feedback from everybody. I’m basically going to ask for permission to DM students in the app,” he said. “Because I do want to make this thing as good as possible, and you guys have great ideas.”

GET IN LINE! W

hen fall registration opened for junior Jesse Tango, she was excited to enroll in the classes that had been sitting in her shopping cart for weeks. As she began to select classes, her excitement quickly came crashing down.

The CCI minor is just one of many programs at Chapman that appear impacted. The term “impacted program” refers to situations where a university admits more students into majors than departments have the capacity to teach.

Waitlisted. Again. And again.

“I had to make my schedule five different times,” said the business administration major.

Many students, like Tango, are feeling the pressure of not getting into the classes they need each semester. In fact, on a recent Instagram poll, 58 percent of students reported being waitlisted for a required class. The university recognizes the frustration among students, but departments across campus have never let it interfere with students’ graduation.

Vice Provost Brad Petitfils stated that Chapman’s admissions office works closely with departments to avoid these situations.

“Everyone realizes that this is a frustrating and stressful experience for students,” said Petitfils. “The goal is to try and decrease some of that stress.”

“We always have waitlists of anywhere between 10 to 40 students for each class,” said Patrick Fuery, the director of the creative and cultural industries minor. “So, in those terms, it is impacted.”

Students may find themselves on the waitlist for a variety of different reasons. Some students may not have the prerequisites for the course, while others are just waiting in line for the chance to take the class.

Sophomore Avery Grant said the high demand for CCI classes has her concerned about class registration.

“I’m not competing with freshmen to get into these classes. I’m competing with juniors and seniors who are going to register before me. So I am concerned about it,” said the communications major.

However, while this might affect her schedule this semester, it shouldn’t affect her graduation.

D E T S I L T WAI

FOR CLASSES

By Daniella Moreau

Many students report being waitlisted for classes required for their major or minor. Photo by Carissa Nelson

Vice Provost for Academic Administration Raymond Sfeir said there has never been a situation where a student can’t take a replacement class in order to graduate.

“We always accommodate those who need the class, especially in their senior year,” said Sfeir.

This is generally done by program advisors approving a different class to be taken instead of the one required on the course catalog.

When Fuery created the CCI minor, he anticipated the program to have 30 students.

Today, it has 215. As there are so many students transferring into the minor, most of them find themselves waitlisted for classes because there are not enough professors to offer more course options to accommodate the amount enrolled in the minor.

the high demand for classes correlates with the high demand for the major. However, other programs are reaching new heights with the number of students switching to them.

According to Petitfils, students try to bypass the waitlist by asking directly for a permission code.

“This fall at the undergraduate level, we had just over 10,000 individual permission requests submitted. So it’s a huge, huge issue right now,” said Petitfils.

But, when Tango gets waitlisted for some classes, she doesn’t get her hopes up. Instead, she finds alternative classes as a backup plan.

“If you took all the minors in Wilkinson, added them together, and times that by three, it would still be smaller than “I stayed on the waitlist for two classes, but I CCI,” said Fuery. didn’t think that I would get in. So I already had other classes on my schedule,” said TanBusiness admingo. istration is one of the largest majors Sfeir said mathematics, languages, and at Chapman, so freshman foundations were impacted by the high number of freshAs a transfer student, Tango registered later men students in Fall 22. than most juniors which made it difficult to get the classes she wanted due to the classes being full. Photo by Tango

“It was difficult for languages to find enough

Instagram poll results reveal that 58 percent of students have been waitlisted for a required class, 26 percent have not, and 16 percent were waitlisted but ultimately got into the course. Photo illustration by Moreau

part-timers to teach all the classes they wanted to offer, particularly in Spanish,” said Sfeir.

allowed in his class when he saw that the classroom had more seats.

“When I saw the max on my class that I’m teaching was 35 students, I literally walked down to the classroom and counted how This is even a prob- many seats were in the classroom, and there lem for highly selective programs like Dodge were 40 seats,” said Dusserre. and the College of Performing Arts, which admit fewer than 10 percent of all students While the high demand for some courses who apply. While getting into the program is will only continue to increase, programs hard, students also struggle with getting into such as CCI are up for the challenge. the necessary classes due to waitlists.

“I’m hopeful that CCI will start getting the Dodge College states on its website that resources that it needs. I’ve got meetings admission to the minor programs is highly with the provost coming up. So I’m hoping selective due to high demand. that will yield something good,” said Fuery.

“Dodge College is currently impacted in all programs, so even qualified applicants may not be admitted due to lack of space,” according to its website.

Until then, students like Tango might find themselves resorting to finding less appealing options to meet their credit requirements.

Generally, the university sets a cap on how many students can enroll in each course when creating the schedules. However, instructors can increase the number of students that they will allow in their class. For instance, if a classroom has 50 seats, then an instructor can let 50 students in, they just cannot go over the fire code.

But, Petitfils hopes to reorganize the academic advising model to simplify these kinds of problems that often arise during class registration.

James Dusserre, a business administration professor, increased the number of students

He said: “One of my hopes is that we’ll get to a point in the next year where the academic advisors will be able to register students directly for classes.”

Chapman’s Unpaid Res Life Heroes

By: Emily Cho

Despite no pay, RA and Orientation leadership remains in high demand.

A

s junior Nina Riley runs on 5 hours of sleep and 12 hour workdays, she drags herself to the orientation campus event but still with a smile on her face.

“It’s a lot of work and go, go, go.

You’re always on your feet, but in a fun way,” said the second year orientation leader.

RAs and orientation leaders do a large amount of work, but most students don’t know just how much really goes into it.

Or that they don’t get paid.

Many think they should be paid. RAs at other universities, such a USC, have made their no-pay complaints public issues. But Chapman officials say the leadership experience is compensation enough.

The RAs of Glass Hall are ready for the freshmen to move in that day. Courtesy of Tyler Weiztman

Assistant Dean for Residential Life and First Year Experience Juan Tinoco has seen that most of the students agree.

There is never a shortage of applicants.

“Their role is seen as a valuable volunteer and leadership experience, by providing benefits such as leadership training and other non-monetary benefits,” he said.

Dean of students, Jerry Price agrees and doesn’t anticipate that structure changing. Too many students are just happ to get those jobs.

“We feel that the orientation leader is more of a leadership opportunity rather than an employment position,” he said.

According to Tinoco, Chapman received 180 applications to be an orientation leader and accepted 140 of those this year.

As for RA applications, at an overflowing number of 190 applications, last year was the most they have ever received. They ended up hiring 68 RAs.

While orientation leaders make nothing at all, Chapman RAs are compensated in free room and board.

“We aim to compensate RAs at a level consistent with

An RAs job starts in the summer where they train for two weeks. They help the freshmen move into their dorms, meet with each student one on one for roommate agreements — sometimes settling roommate disagreements — and answer every random call they

our peer institutions,” said Price.

“Based on the nature of the job and the large volume of applicants we received, we feel the current compensation level is appropriate.”

-Jerry Price Not everybody agrees.

“I could have sworn RAs were being paid. That’s crazy… that’s kind of ridiculous if you ask me,” said freshman Sofia Youngs.

At some universities, this lack of pay has inspired protests among many RAs due to their university’s lack of proper financial compensation. However, their staff have threatened to punish RAs who do not show up to work, with probation or being fired from their jobs. The RAs backed off.

Most Chapman RAs and orientation leaders say it would be great to get paid, but they don’t mind volunteering their time.

“I’m willing to do it for free, but we do put a lot of work in,” said Riley.

Being an orientation leader or a resident advisor (RA) sometimes isn’t easy, but they keep coming back for more.

Like senior and second year orientation leader Matthew Pool.

“I would do it again in a heartbeat,” said Pool.

Imanni Wright’s RA profile board sits out in front of her door for her residents to get to know her. Courtesy of Imanni Wright

get about a new situation.

A fact that many students appreciate.

Sophomore broadcast journalism and documentary student Ingrid Lee saw her RA, Imanni Wright, as one of the biggest helps she received her freshman year.

“She helped me really adjust well to living away from home and just like learning this new experience,” said Lee. Like RAs, orientation leaders put in a lot of work too.

They start in the summer, training 12 hours each day for a week, then do it all again for orientation. This position also includes running the fenestra forums for their freshmen, also working numerous orientation events.

Being an orientation leader technically only requires working on orientation-week. But according to orientation staff, they really should be talking to their freshmen all year.

Jerry Price is the vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Chapman University. From Chapman website

Students often see them smiling and busting their butts to make it all happen, but generally don’t see everything they do behind the scenes.

“They took all of the students in their Fenestra Forum out to coffee and got to know them further and on a more personal level,” said freshman Ainsley Savant, speaking about her orientation leaders.

It kept junior broadcast journalism student Zoey Franklin from even applying.

“I can’t go two weeks without working, nor do I have the resources to request those two weeks off, which sucks from an accessibility point,” she said.

It’s not just freshmen who see this. Senior Justin Lee has been impressed with these workers every year of his Chapman experience.

But for others like junior Tyler Weitzman, the job more than exceeds his expectations.

“I know they have to know everything inside and out about Chapman and the college student life,” said Lee, a senior applied human physiology student.

Ainsley Savant (right) sits with her new friends, waiting for the convoca-

Sophomore and first year Weitzman enjoyed the job tion ceremony to start. Courtesy of Ainsley Savant orientation leader Zoe Zadah so much, he came back this would recommend for people to apply “if they want to help year as a lead RA for the Pralle building. Lead RAs do get others, meet new people, get more involved at Chapman, paid, but the role includes more responsibilities. and build their resume.”

The returnees are the biggest advocates why people should apply. Despite no pay.

“We get paid in other ways, such as getting free merch, free meals at the caf, and making new friendships and connections with people we would have otherwise not met,” said Zadah.

While some students feel that is a pretty sweet deal, especially for students who may be struggling to afford Chapman housing, others aren’t quite as happy.

Tyler Weiztman is the lead residential advisor in Pralle Hall. Courtesy of Tyler Weiztman

Senior and third year RA in Chapman Grand, Imanni Wright, feels that training should be a time where they are given additional compensation since they have to sacrifice time they could actually be making money.

He also points to another motivating factor: It’s great for the resume.

“A lot of the time we have to end our internships or jobs early due to that and we lose out on that income,” said Wright.

“This is a very time consuming role and most employers know it is. So it’s something that I’ll be able to talk about in interviews,” he said.

Here are some pros and cons about RAs and orientation leaders getting paid, based on numerous interviews.

Freshman Annie Gelfer feels that the quality of orientation leaders and RAs could possibly drop due to only the motivation of getting paid.

“I think it would have a negative impact as candidates would be in competition with some who were not 100% into it and whose main goal is the financial reward.”

“Some of them would just be in it for the money and don’t actually want to do a really good job or make a difference,” she said.

Just don’t expect to see any public protests about it at Chapman.

Junior broadcast major Ben Sherman agrees, as he has considered applying to be an orientation leader at one point.

Nina Riley (right) has lunch with other orientation leaders on Memorial Lawn.

Courtesy of Nina Riley

Nina Riley loved the orientation job so much, she signed up for a third year.

“It’s so difficult and so exhausting,” said Riley. “But I find myself after a week is over, absolutely missing it.”

NEW ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: THE REAL Are Stressed Seniors Ready to Level Up? WORLD

By Nicole Kavros and Gwen Buchanan

Seniors have the choice to travel, go to graduate school, or apply for jobs after college. Graphic by Nicole Kavros

A

lisha Nijjar has already started blocking out time in her calendar to study for the LSAT. Law school.

Yet she’s only three weeks into her senior year.

With the amount of pressure students face regarding their professional future, she still feels like it’s not enough.

“It’s stressful knowing I have to go into the real world soon, but feeling supremely underprepared,” said Nijjar.

Nijjar is one of many Chapman seniors who struggle with anxiety, a full schedule, plans for the future, all the while trying to enjoy their last undergraduate year.

Senior business and peace studies major Alisha Nijjar balances multiple classes and extracurricular involvements with studying for the LSAT. Photo courtesy of Alisha Nijjar

Chapman has resources to help seniors cope with these stressors, but not many seniors use or even know of them.

Jennifer Kim, Assistant Vice President at the Office of Career and Professional Development, recommended that students come in to that office as early as possible.

“The best way to (alleviate stress) is to start your job search earlier than senior year. The stress comes when you feel like you’re procrastinating or you’re starting your job search too late,” said Kim.

Jennifer Kim, Assistant Vice President at the Office of Career and Professional Development, assists seniors in their job search and application process. Photo courtesy of Chapman

Although she emphasized that the center can’t guarantee students a secure job, they offer mock interview events and programs and advisors for each college.

“We help students with their resumes, their cover letters, and interviews,” she added.

But since that little roadbump called COVID-19, it’s only gotten harder to land jobs and internships.

A study conducted last year by Frontiers in Psychology reported that higher levels of academic-related tension correlated to lower mental health in college students.

On top of that, the study showed that those students “also reported an exacerbation of stress in response to the pandemic.”

Maybe the picture would look different for Studies correlate high levels of academic-related stress in college students with lower mental health.

Graphic by Nicole Kavros

Chapman’s current seniors in a pre-pandemic world, but in this one, they just can’t keep up with everything the professional world is expecting of them.

Nijjar, for example, works two on-campus jobs.

She was an Orientation Leader this fall. She’s on the University Program Board. Resident Advisor. Student Assistant for the Center of Global Education. Executive Board for the Peace Studies Union.

You name it, she’s done it.

Not to mention that she’s a double major in business and peace studies. With a law minor.

She still fears that this isn’t enough to guarantee her success. And Chapman might be partly to blame.

“I think Chapman has resources to help seniors,” said Nijjar. “But I don’t think they make it known well enough.”

Students like Kiana Kalahele feel that there’s just too do in too little time. Graphic by Nico

She’s not the only one who thinks that.

Andrea Vasquez, who is a senior business major working in the Chapman Office of Career and Professional Development, sees the issue first hand.

“There’s a lot of students that come in senior year to the career center and probably did not visit or use our services before,” said Vasquez.

“Coming in sort of last minute might feel more stressful.”

o much to ole Kavros

Even working in an office meant to help students, Vasquez feels unprepared for what her future has in store.

Despite her efforts to apply for internships, they can be hard to come by in a competitive area of study.

Senior Sydney Scott on a site trip for her summer internship. Photo courtesy of Sydney Scott

And the Chapman Career Center can only do so much.

“Usually, having experience is what they look for. But then it’s hard when no one’s opening the door for you,” she said.

For many students, Chapman is merely a baby step into the marathon of college study.

Kasey Markell, senior health sciences major, has been applying to graduate school while still in the process of completing her bachelor’s degree.

Markell is far from done with her academic journey. Four years down, five more to go.

“I’m planning on going to a two year master’s program to get my athletic training certification and then I’ll probably do another three years of PT school sometime after that,” said Markell.

Unlike Nijjar, Markell takes comfort in her experiences at Chapman.

“My stress level is on the higher side just because this is such a big life decision,” said Markell. “But it’s also kind of nice knowing I’ve already gone through a similar process getting into Chapman.”

Not every senior is in a panic during their final countdown. Sydney Scott is taking it easy with classes, taking easier ones like yoga to lighten her load. She even has secured employment.

“I’m just vibing,” said Scott with a smile. “I have two classes left and a full-time job offer.”

Not everyone is as lucky.

But preparing for the rest of their lives isn’t enough. Many seniors must also work on major class projects. Especially psychology majors.

Callie Malone, senior psychology major, feels that her capstone paper must go above and beyond if she wants to go into a research field in a graduate program.

Most students work on their capstones over the entirety of their senior year. Malone is writing hers in just one semester.

Seniors are expected to know where they’re going after graduation, but many are lost.

Graphic by Gwen Buchanan

“It’s like, oh my goodness, this is what determines my future, and which program I get into,” said Malone.

When asked about her level of strain this semester, Malone just laughed. Academics isn’t the only pressure in her life.

“Oh babes. I am very stressed… Just everything all together,” said Malone. “This is my last year. I’m not going to see most of these people again. I’m just trying to find balance.”

Feeling stretched too thin is a common occurrence with Chapman seniors.

Kiana Kalahele is a business and English double major with a psychology minor.

She has to use three hands to count all of her on-campus commitments.

Her calendar is packed-full with club meetings, shifts from her three jobs, and dance practices.

“A big stressor is the advanced class load,” said Kalahele. “Plus we have to do senior seminar classes, and for those you have to do a whole project.”

With two majors and a minor, she’s taking 18 credits—the most you could take at Chapman—but she still has to stay one extra semester.

“I’m technically walking in spring, but I’ll still be here for fall semester. I have more time than other seniors, but I’m still pretty stressed,” she said.

Just knowing what the senior class deals with is only half of the battle.

Is there a way that Chapman can better prepare their students?

Or is living off three hours of sleep and two twinkies a day just the normal senior year experience?

And their next stop? The real world.

Students at Chapman are offered services at the Office of Career and Professional Development, but they find that the services aren’t advertised enough. Graphic

by Nicole Kavros