The Chimes Volume 84, Issue 7

CHIMESNEWSPAPER.COM

VOLUME 84, ISSUE 7

JANUARY 23, 2020

CHIMES

THE BIOLA UNIVERSITY

Ensembles Assemble

Music major Ray Machen and the Cornet Cast took audiences into the world of “The Music Man.” Read how the Biola Youth Theatre, Theatre 21 and the Conservatory of Music joined forces to create the special project on Page 7.

Carlos Reyes|Courtesy

NEWS

A&E

OPINIONS

SPORTS

WEB

Puerto Rico Shakes SMU finds a missional opportunity in midst of the Puerto Rican destruction. // 3

Three departments join forces to take on “The Music Man” The American classic marks the first production of the semester. // 7

Chimes writers debate Australian government’s response to bushfires How should Prime Minister Scott Morrison protect Australia from fire? // 8, 9

Biola dance captain doubles as 49ers head coach’s nanny The Mock Rock choreographer has built personal relationships with Kyle Shanahan’s family of five. // 10

Women’s March returns for a fourth year March draws in smaller crowd due to questions about inclusivity.

Read more at chimesnewspaper. com/news.

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JANUARY 23, 2020

UPCOMING EVENTS:

BIOLA.EDU | Courtesy

BIOLA.EDU | Courtesy

BIOLA.EDU | Courtesy

January 24–25 3rd Annual Women in Apologetics Conference

January 28 Rosemead School of Psychology Information Session

Feburary 1 Woven Conference

This two-day conference is a collaboration between the Christian Apologetics department and Women in Apologetics, a Christian non-profit that exists to encourage, equip and educate women in Christian apologetics. This year’s conference theme is “Find Your Voice!”

Purchase tickets online.

CRIME LOG Vehicle Burglary — Lot K Reported Jan. 14, 7:39 p.m., occurred between Jan. 13, 1:30 p.m. and Jan. 14, 6:55 p.m.

A Campus Safety officer reported a locked vehicle burglarized in Lot K. This is an active investigation and was reported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brittany Ung

VISUAL EDITOR Marlena Lang

MANAGING EDITOR Thecla Li

WEB EDITOR Sasha Terry

NEWS EDITOR Micah Kim

DESIGN EDITORS Faith Lee Joshua Cheng

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Kayla Santos OPINIONS EDITOR Amanda Frese SPORTS EDITOR Andi Basista

The Woven Conference is a women’s leadership conference designed specifically to encourage women in their walk with the Lord and their position in the working world. This event is free for students and $20 for faculty, staff and alumni. Register online.

This event is designed for prospective students seeking information about doctoral programs at Rosemead School of Psychology. Attendees will hear a sample lecture, learn more about financial aid and admissions and more. This event is free.

DEPUTY EDITORS Lacey Patrick Ashley Grams Lauren McBride Zachary Devane Haven Luper-Jasso

JANUARY 14 – JANUARY 15

Grand Theft — Rosecrans Apt. 1 Reported Jan. 15, occurred between 12:30 a.m. and 1:13 p.m.

An apartment resident reported two locked bikes stolen from the bike rack.

This is an active investigation and was not reported to LASD.

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Andres Ramirez Bree Mays STAFF VIDEOGRAPHER Quinn Gorham STAFF WRITERS Sophia Silvester Emily Coffey Marc DeJager Adam Pigott Hannah Dilanchyan COPY EDITORS Victoria Chiang Lacey Patrick

BUSINESS MANAGER Kaylyn Schull OFFICE MANAGERS Christian Leonard Joel Ashor FACULTY ADVISER Michael Longinow The Chimes is published every other Thursday except during vacations and examination periods.

The Chimes 13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639 Office: 562.903.4879 chimesnewspaper.com Advertising: chimes.business.manager@biola.edu

Editorials, columns and letters to the editor express the opinion of those signing and not necessarily that of the Chimes. The opinions expressed in the Chimes do not necessarily represent Biola University, nor are they endorsed by the university.

NEWS

JANUARY 23, 2020

3

Student missionary team serves a shaken Puerto Rico The team was undeterred despite hundreds of earthquakes and aftershocks.

By Ashley Grams ashley.g.grams@biola.edu

E

ight Biola students and thousands of Puerto Rican residents woke to see picture frames falling from the walls and bed frames shaking violently on the morning of Jan. 7. In Ponce, homes crumbled to the ground and hundreds of residents slept in the streets at the center of destruction, fearing walls would collapse around them. This was one of several hundred earthquakes and aftershocks to hit Puerto Rico since last week, when the Student Missionary Union had a team on the ground in Guaynabo.

SMU sends out missions teams both domestically and internationally every winter break. This year, five different teams traveled to impact the world for Jesus Christ outside of Biola’s immediate reach. One of those teams flew to Puerto Rico with plans to lead a sports camp for youth and serve the local community on the northern side of the island.

“We just wanted to serve them and love them and pour onto those kids,” said senior business administration major Priscila Fuentes.

Team Puerto Rico, led by junior elementary education major Alex Muir, left the United States on Jan. 1 and volunteered with Christian Community Church, a local church in Guaynabo, for the next 10 days. On the seventh day, they experienced the beginning of a series of earthquakes.

“As a leader, in a lot of ways you’re responsible for the people on your team,” Muir said. “At 4 a.m. when the first [tremor] happened, I just called the missions organization that we worked with to let them know what happened and then I called [Chief of Campus Safety John Ojeisekhoba].”

The team experienced the mainshock, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake, on Jan. 7 but the quake sequence had begun before they arrived on Dec. 28, 2019. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that more than 500 shocks at a magnitude of 2 or higher have

Billy Chedester| Courtesy

STRONG FOUNDATION: SMU’s Team Puerto Rico felt called to remain on the island in the midst of a series of destructive earthquakes. occurred in the sequence to date.

When the earthquake hit Ponce on the south side of the island, the Biola students were split up among their host family houses. Muir quickly got his bearing and referenced the safety procedure created by University Travel Safety and Risk Mitigation. He then verified the safety of his team and contacted Biola University personnel, including Ojeisekhoba. To protect the students, Campus Safety initially asked if the team needed immediate transportation to the continental United States. However, Ojeisekhoba said the team, host families and student guardians adamantly denied the offer and expressed their desire for the students to stay and complete the trip, despite limited access to electricity and water.

Jessica Bell| Courtesy

MISSIONAL PASSION: The team used a sports camp to minister to Puerto Rican youth.

We had a sense of urgency and more of a sense of purpose for each day, [knowing] not to take any day for granted because we could have left that day.”

-Billy Chedester, sophomore business major “I spoke to the missions organization about safety protocols and I also spoke to three host families,” Ojeisekhoba said. “All three hosts confirmed that our students were safe and I told the main host that students had to stay away from the south side of Puerto Rico.”

By staying on the north side of Puerto Rico and monitoring aftershock predictions, the team of eight was allowed to stay until their original return date of Jan. 11.

“I mean, naturally you see a need and you want to go be there for them,” Muir said. “[In the continental United States,] when a natural disaster happens [it’s] kind of every man for himself, whereas [in Puerto Rico,] the whole community comes together.”

As Puerto Rican citizens reeled from the natural disaster, the team decided to delay the start of its youth sports camp by one day. Instead, team members served an elderly couple affected by the quake and gathered together in prayer for their newfound community.

“Because we were able to stay even though that happened, it made us a lot stronger in our ministry,” said sophomore business administration major Billy Chedester. “We had a sense of urgency and more of a sense of purpose for each day, [knowing] not to take any day for granted because we could have left that day.”

The sports camp continued as planned over the following three days where each team member worked one-on-one with the youth.

Team Puerto Rico stressed the importance of using the earthquake as a means to bring God and Christianity into conversations with attendees.

“We were filling care packages and loading up trucks and stuff for people on the south side of the island,” said freshman elementary education major Jessica Bell.

“The next day, the people from the church were going to go down there and help them. It was super cool to see that, how their ministry doesn’t stop when we leave.”

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NEWS

JANUARY 23, 2020

This student went to Australia during one of the country’s worst bushfires The senior business management major and native Australian describes the landscape transformed by thick smoke.

By Lily Journey lily.k.journey@biola.edu

I

nstead of soft, white clouds, senior business management major Edwyn Ramos peered out of the plane window to see a canopy of black stretching for miles across the Australian landscape below. Glowing flames reflected off a dome of smoke, trapping the swirling charcoal-colored air under a film of heat and light.

Ramos was not sure what to expect when returning home to Glenwood, New South Wales this Christmas break. According to Google’s interactive crisis map, there were wild fires in all six of Australia’s states just last week. The damage in New South Wales—where Ramos grew up—has been especially brutal, as more than 3,000 homes in the area have been damaged or destroyed, according to CNN. More than 17.9 million acres have been burned so far, nearly 17 times the amount of land burned in California’s 2018 wildfires.

“It was maybe two hours to get back to Australia, and I look out the window and you could already see the black smoke,” Ramos said. “It was crazy. I remember for the first two days after I landed it was just red.”

The smoke alone continues to affect life in city centers as tour-

ist destinations like Sydney and Melbourne sit in a thick blanket of charcoal-colored air. CNN estimated the air quality is 11 times the hazardous level rating, and at least 28 people have been reported dead.

While his family has not been directly affected by the wildfires, one of Ramos’ friends already evacuated to the coastland areas after his region was deemed unsafe by authorities.

“It hasn’t hit our area yet, but I know from other friends from the countryside that…have had to evacuate,” Ramos said.

Ramos recalled a conversation with a volunteer firefighter, who described the incredible wall-like flames high as three stories tall and spanning across many kilometers.

“From his view, he’s just plain worn out because flames are really, really hot. There are only limited things that these guys can do because these fires are happening in such far areas,” Ramos said. “It’s hard for emergency departments and firefighters to go to those areas. What’s worse is that it’s not just one area, it’s a whole bunch of areas.

That’s why I know that there are a lot of overseas firefighters that have come to help out.”

However, the recent fires are not just destroying millions of acres of land. They are also impacting what Ramos called “the Australian life-

Shutterstock|Courtesy

FORESTS DESTROYED: Ramos grew up in New South Wales close to where the fires raged. style” as the topography changes in the wake of the flames.

According to the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, the Australian beach culture usually thrives during these summer months. Tourists flock to the coast to soak in the stunning views, incredible surfing and laid-back environment. But instead of smelling suntan lotion and barbeque, Australian residents are breathing through masks in a sea of smoke.

“This season, December to February, is ‘bushfire season’ be-

cause it’s summer, but it has never been this bad,” Ramos said.

“Right now it’s a whole other world that we’re not used to.”

Fortunately, Sydney received much-needed rainfall last Wednesday on Jan. 15. However, Ramos says full restoration of homes, land and animal species could take many years.

“From what I know now, it’s getting a little bit better but it’s still pretty bad,” Ramos said. “There are a lot of forests that have been destroyed. It’s going to take a lot of time just to rebuild that.”

NEWS

JANUARY 23, 2020

5

Student Government Association enters spring semester with tightened budget SGA cut thousands of dollars in expenses to recover from a turbulent fall semester.

By Lacey Patrick chimes.copy.editor@biola.edu

L

ast semester was marked by financial complications and a budget thousands of dollars less than usual for the Student Government Association. Senators are now left with roughly $18,000 to use on student proposals and commitments. With the budget continuing to shrink due to miscommunication of past administrations and low enrollment, SGA’s team cut $5,150 in unnecessary expenses and event spending this semester.

“In terms of all financial situations, I’m hopeful about the good that an organization can do when they’re faced with hard financial cutbacks,” said president Renee Waller. “For us, it has increased creativity in our team. I’ve seen our finance team think outside the box. I’ve seen my senators rise to the occasion, and some of our most successful and impacting interactions and events have been things that really didn’t involve a lot of finances.”

Each student pays $120 per semester, which transfers into the student fee, according to Waller. Since Biola faced low enrollment for the 2019–2020 school year, the student fee had dropped significantly. The state of California’s minimum wage also increased, effective Jan. 1, 2019, meaning payroll costs would increase. SGA

cut senators’ hours to save money, but even then payroll increased $6,000 for the spring semester, according to vice president of finance, human resources and technology Thomas Burgess.

The proposed budget cuts became even more of a necessity when Burgess was notified that their budget would possibly drop by $12,000 due to a financial aid miscommunication.

The previous SGA administration had approved $12,000 in scholarships that were to be transferred to Financial Aid the summer of 2019. However, the scholarship money got lost along the way due to a miscommunication between Laura Igram, SGA’s advisor at the time, and the Accounting Department. When Igram went to fill out a journal voucher to transfer the scholarship money over, Accounting said it was already done. This later proved to be false. Igram canceled her voucher request and the mistake was only made known to SGA after the fall semester had begun. Shortly after Burgess was notified about the lost funds, Financial Aid agreed to cover the cost.

“Students were still depending on that money and we were thankful that Financial Aid was able to find a way that we would supply that money without increasing the burden on students,” Waller said.

Two months after the Financial Aid mishap, Burgess announced in a senate meeting that a misunderstanding between SGA, Global Student Programs & Development and Student Enrichment and Intercultural Development

Summer

2019

Minimum wage increase in effect

ant, but those things are not necessary at this time,” Waller said.

SGA cut funds concerning multiple areas specific to staff members, such as their retreat fund by $1,500, staff party by $750, office expenses by $300, staff picnic by $400, staff apparel by $500, internal and external branding by $700, and the SGA community event by $1,000, totaling $5,150 in budget cuts.

This leaves SGA with around $18,000 in contingency. Though the budget is low, SGA wants its budget situation to leave as small of an impact on students as possible, according to Burgess.

“My assumption at the beginning of the year was that students would not support an increase in the student fee.

That was an assumption,” Burgess said.

“If I am wrong about that, I want students to let us know. If they start noticing programs that are no longer there, that might be a result of the student fee not increasing and [if] they decide that they would actually rather make that trade, that’s something we want to know.”

SGA undergoes massive budget cuts to remedy lack of funds

October

2019 January

was going to cost SGA $16,500. Unlike most organizations on campus, GSPD and SEID are not direct beneficiaries of the student fee. Instead, they are promised a certain amount of money from SGA’s budget through memorandums of understanding. However, in Spring 2019, GSPD and SEID were operating off of an outdated memorandum that had been given to them when SGA had an abundance of money.

The current SGA administration is not responsible for this miscommunication, as it was past administrations that had given the memorandum to the two organizations.

GSPD and SEID had been expecting a sum of $16,500 for the fall and spring semesters based on what was allocated previously—which SGA would now have to pay out of their less than $30,000 budget. To remedy this, SGA has undergone massive budget cuts. “[We cut] a lot of our own funds which were used to celebrate the staff, which I think is really import-

- $12,000 in scholarships never made it to Financial Aid - Financial Aid covers lost costs

$12,000 in scholarship money to be transferred to Financial Aid

2019

Biola|Courtesy

Spring

2019 2019

Fall Low enrollment causes decrease in student fee

2020 December SGA informed that $16,500 was promised to GSPD and SEID by past administrations Illustration by Faith Lee|The Chimes

FINANCIAL TIMELINE: A brief history of the Student Government Association’s financial struggles that led to significant budget cuts and reduced funds for the Spring 2020 semester.

A&E

6

JANUARY 23, 2020

The Brilliance features Conservatory students in latest album

Biolans who worked on the project say the New York-based duo was open about their faith.

By Lauren McBride lauren.g.mcbride@biola.edu

N

ot many people can say they were featured on the album of a successful artist. Luckily, acoustic-rooted and pop-inspired duo The Brilliance sought out members of the Conservatory of Music’s orchestra and chorale to be featured in their newest album.

Their recent album released on Jan. 10, “Suite No. 2: World Keeps Spinning,” features both solo and ensemble performances from students.

The Brilliance is well-known for their neoclassical style, with dashes of pop and R&B sprinkled in. Incorporating the orchestra and chorale into their latest album adds some musical diversity to their record.

Recorded last March, the orchestra is featured on tracks “Release Me” and “Holding On,” while chorale is featured on “I Shall Not Fear.”

“It was a really collaborative process,” said Sarah Ritter, a senior music performance major and chorale member. “It actually relied more heavily on improvisation than I expected.”

According to Ritter, The Brilliance built some of their songs around the sounds of the orchestra and chorale.

During their recording sessions, the band would change elements on the fly based on the students’ sound, resulting in an intriguing mixture of classical, pop and orchestral music styles that flow seamlessly together.

The Brilliance’s music undoubtedly showcases their Christian beliefs and values, as many of their songs serve as commentaries on faith and culture. According to the students who worked closely with band members David Gungor and John Arndt, The Brilliance not only speaks their message out in their music, but also lives it out in their interactions with others.

“They wanted to share the heart of the project,” said senior sociology major Hailee Wachowiak, who was featured in “I Shall Not Fear.” “In the songs that we specifically sang in, they would explain what they were feeling when they wrote the piece.”

Wachowiak emphasized that the band members were open about their faith and the purpose behind their music. While some of their tracks, such as “I Shall Not Fear,” seem darker than others on the album, they recognize the human nature that comes from a Creator. Even the songs that feel more secular, such as “Facebook”

Marlin Owen|Courtesy

SOUNDS SERVE: [Left to Right] John Arndt, Shawna Stewart, Marlin Owen and David Gungor. and “World Keeps Spinning,” are still rooted in faith, promoting messages about where hope comes from without explicitly mentioning Christ.

Recording with the band was fastpaced and different than what most of the students were used to, having trained classically at the Conservatory. In addition to the resume boost, students say they appreciated the opportunity to be involved in a fun, collaborative atmosphere. In addi-

tion, Wachowiak was given a unique and valuable experience as the only student to sing a solo in their featured songs. Director of Choral Studies Shawna Stewart said this was an opportunity for the students to try something new with their music.

“Any time students get the opportunity to be involved in a live creative process outside of their traditional sphere of music-making, it is so valuable for them,” she said.

A&E 7

JANUARY 23, 2020

Biola|Courtesy

MIDWESTERN MUSICAL: Professor Harold Hill, who hails from Gary, Indiana, sweeps the townspeople of River City, Iowa, off their feet when he encourages them to pursue music.

Catch a triple threat performance in “The Music Man” Three departments collaborate to recreate an American classic.

By Kayla Santos chimes.arts.editor@biola.edu

W

hile most people associate the term “triple threat” with proficiency in acting, dancing and singing, this semester, Biolans can experience a different kind of triple threat in the latest production of American classic “The Music Man.” Although the cast dominates in song, dance and acting onstage, the behind-the-scenes preparation from Biola Youth Theatre, Theatre 21 and the Conservatory of Music presented a triple threat-like collaboration that made the show possible.

Coordinator of vocal studies and artistic director for opera Jeanne Robison usually directs operas, but she recalls a specific incident that sparked her ambition to present a musical with Theatre 21 and Biola Youth Theatre.

While she was aboard a flight back to California from her Maine vacation a couple of summers ago, she was flipping through the channels on her seat’s TV monitor. She landed on the famous “76 Trombones” scene from “The Music Man,” in which professor and “conductor” Harold Hill helps the townspeople envision their children in a marching band. Intrigued by its large cast with actors and singers of all ages, she knew the production would flourish with the help of BYT and Theatre 21.

“It’s a fun musical and it’d be easy for the Conservatory students who are more trained in opera or classical singing to adjust to that kind of musical because it’s an American classic,” Robison said.

Upon her return, she approached assistant professor of theatre Zachary

Bortot and artistic director of BYT Michele Stevens about collaborating to bring the show to life—and they agreed.

Since December 2018, the trio has been meeting to organize the production.

While the departments have collaborated in other ways, such as sharing resources and ideas, this marks the first time the three have come together to present a full-fledged musical. With a cast ranging between ages eight to 28, each member offers a diversity of experience, whether it is an operatic voice or insight into best backstage practices. The cast is also nearly split down the middle between college students and youth, with 48 BYT members and 42 college students, all of whom have been rehearsing since September.

“They’re all at different levels of experience and ability,” Stevens said.

“Some have never been in a musical before. And that has probably been the most interesting thing—just the mix of diversity of experience, but I feel like [the college students and BYT members] have both learned from each other.”

As the director, Stevens has uniquely immersed herself in the world of high schoolers as well as college students, which has been rewarding yet challenging. When she directs BYT productions, she usually establishes rehearsal times from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

However, Stevens and Robison said it was difficult solidifying a time to gather with the college students, since everyone had a different schooling schedule. In addition, they worked with two full casts, doubling scheduling issues.

Eventually, Stevens established a six-hour block on Monday evenings as the weekly rehearsal time with the full cast, with an additional four Saturday rehearsals over the course of the semester. Throughout the week, college students met with Robison for more specific coaching. This pattern allowed

both casts to prepare for the production despite their different schedules.

Because Biola Youth Theatre usually holds their productions in Sutherland Auditorium, Stevens also found challenges in acclimating to the much smaller Lansing Recital Hall. During their 16 weeks of rehearsal, they would split time between Lansing and Sutherland.

“For the students, it’s definitely a shift when you go to a new environment,” Stevens said. “But it’s pretty standard in professional theatre too that you rehearse in one place and then move in the show for tech week.”

As a first-ever production collaboration between the BYT, Theatre 21

and the Conservatory, Robison, Bortot and Stevens are thankful to have seen cast members improve in disciplines they are not familiar with and expand their skill sets. Bortot is especially thankful the production allowed the three departments to become one family, rather than separate entities.

“I personally have a vision for great collaboration between all the arts on campus, so I think this is great because it further breaks down silos, rather than each functioning as their own individual thing,” he said.

“The Music Man” will be held in Lansing Recital Hall until Jan. 25. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased online.

Biola|Courtesy

TUNE UP: [Left to Right] Music majors Evan Brooks, Alex Mendoza, Kobe Burton and David Choi.

OPINIONS

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PRO

JANUARY 23, 2020

Australian government should prioritize economy

Prime Minister Morrison focuses on rebuilding the economy and disaster relief after fires.

By Hannah Dilanchyan hannah.o.dilanchyan@biola.edu

K

oalas. Kangaroos. Wallabies. Five months of devastation and fear.

The heart-wrenching images of these beautiful creatures attempting to escape certain death are plastered all over Instagram pages and news feeds.

These are only three of the many species that reside in Australia, which is currently threatened by grim bushfires that endanger this unique habitat. The New York Times reported that roughly 1 billion animals have been killed as a result of these fires, and while this large number is disputed, it illustrates the massive amount of devastation these fires are causing.

Internationally, people have turned this horrible natural disaster into fuel for their argument toward climate change reform. Even presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ economic advisor has referred to these fires as a “wake-up call” for policy reform, according to the Guardian. On the other hand, an LA Times editorial reports that the Trump administration has opposed steps that could help save the planet from climate change.

However, it is the voice of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison that matters the most. According to ABC Australia, Morrison has agreed that the nation’s climate change stance has yet to work toward reform. However, he is not actively working to reduce emissions because of the threat it poses to the economy, as the coal industry provides jobs for many Australians.

While some Australian citizens are discontented by their leader’s lack of action when it comes to climate change, Morrison’s decision to put his nation above politics shows his rightful consideration of the economy in response to the bushfires.

Much of Morrison’s campaign was focused on economic prosperity for the nation, particularly in the coal and tourism industries. NPR reports that he “championed working-class economic stability” and was a voice for Australia’s silent majority, who are the working class in Australia—many of whom are employed by the coal industry.

Morrison was passionate about putting his people first.

Morrison promised to address the problems facing his nation. He acknowledges climate change but has decided to stand firm in his protection of his nation’s coal industry. According to the Minerals Council of Australia, the organization employed about 50,000 Australians in 2018, calling their coal mining “sophisticated and hi-tech.”

Many environmental activists, such as the passionate Greta Thunberg, argue that Australia must end the construction of a giant coal mine planned for the northern part of the nation. Australian Resources Minister Matt Canavan fought back, claiming that many environmental activists aren’t truly concerned with emissions reductions, but rather desire the “radical massive changes to [Australia’s] economy and

society.”

While environmentalists seem to be concerned with climate change, they have interrupted many ways people seek to prevent wildfires in the past.

Known for its dry climate, Australia has completed “controlled burns” in some areas, which help the nation prevent major wildfire disasters. A controlled burn is when a small area is intentionally set on fire to burn dry brush and grass that could cause danger to forestry during dry and hot seasons. However, one of Australia’s environmentalist groups, the Greens, protested that the controlled fires would contribute to climate change and the practice is now frowned upon.

Because of Morrison’s lack of action in regards to climate change during these fires, much of his support has burned out. Rather than focusing

on the claim that climate change is the cause of these fires, he has chosen to preserve Australia’s economic future.

Much of the nation’s economy derives from coal, iron and gold mining as well as natural gas. Australia is a significant exporter of these resources. Morrison has chosen to focus on natural disaster relief to fight destruction as it happens, which is the best way to protect wildlife without damaging the coal industry. The New York Times writes that Morrison has sent military-aided evacuations for those threatened by the fires.

Morrison and his administration are doing the right thing. Morrison plans to act on climate change, but he does not want to do it in a way that will threaten his nation’s economic stability. Instead of focusing on those who only see the world through climate

change, Morrison plans to rationally fight disaster by providing practical relief and stabilizing the economy.

What many people do not realize is that Morrison is indeed leading his nation toward a more sustainable future. In an interview with Australia’s Today Show, he explained that he plans to “reduce carbon emissions per capita by half between now and 2030.” He shared that Australia is a leader with renewable resources for the world.

Morrison goes on to explain that he does not want people to lose their jobs so he is choosing to beat “emission reduction targets” rather than shut down massive sources of employment for his citizens. There is much more at stake here than most people see. Morrison is defending his country’s economy while paving the way to a more sustainable Australia.

OPINIONS

JANUARY 23, 2020

Australian government should prioritize environment

9

CON

By denying the role of coal emissions in recent bushfires, Morrison neglects to prevent Australia from future disasters.

Art Illustration by Joshua Cheng|THE CHIMES

By Amanda Frese amanda.g.frese@biola.edu

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hen I was 13 years old, the Rim Fire burned through forests in Tuolumne County—where I grew up. A few years after the fire, my dad and I drove through the burned area. I looked out the window at the trees that now looked like toothpicks stretched across mountainsides. We drove by the creek where my dad had first taken me fishing. It was unrecognizable. The ferns and cedar trees that lined its water pools were completely gone. While I stared at the blackened trunks of dead trees, my dad told me it broke his heart to see the country that he grew up exploring completely burned.

The Rim Fire in California burned 257,314 acres. The bushfires in Australia have already burned 14.5 million acres. Australia is facing devastation to its land on a scale I could never imagine.

The Great Barrier Reef faces decay, kelp forests are disappearing and rainforests are burning. According to TIME, hundreds of homes have burned and at least 24 people have died. The World Wildlife Fund reported that nearly 1.25 billion animals died

as the fires push entire species closer to extinction. However, the Australian government has not responded to this heartbreaking devastation by defending their country and its ecosystem.

Instead, they’ve defended their coal industries. Regardless of whether or not climate change is the cause of the intensity of the fires, the government’s choice to defend industries that stand for environmental degradation in the face of such a devastating loss shows passivity when it comes to caring for the land they were elected to govern and protect.

Throughout his governance, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison repeatedly said Australia has adequately curbed emissions, especially since the population of Australia is relatively small, the New York Times reported. However, Morrison’s platform for his election in 2018 was, in part, catering to the needs of coal miners and the mining industry.

Australia contributes massively to coal exports and has a diverse ecosystem with plants and species that are especially vulnerable to emissions.

Under the Paris Climate Agreement, Australia was set to reduce climate emissions 26-38% by 2030, compared to their 2005 emissions. However, according to BBC News, the United Nations found there had been no improvements in climate policy or reduction in emissions since 2017. By neglecting to limit coal exports—which admittedly are valuable to the economy—Morri-

son’s passivity allowed emissions to fuel the bushfires. Had Morrison considered taking action against climate change, such as placing restrictions on industries that contribute to emissions, Australia could have avoided the severity of the recent bushfires.

Though the bushfires are the worst reported in Australian history, Morrison declined to consider major changes in policy regarding fossil fuels, coal and renewable energy, according to a recent interview with ABC News Australia. Instead, he promised “historic change” in how and when defense resources are deployed in the event of a natural disaster. Morrison proposes focusing on relief in fires, cyclones, floods and drought—prioritizing what he believes to be a practical response to disaster. However, this is not the historic change many Australians were hoping for.

Though Morrison argues that focusing on disaster relief is just as effective in fighting against climate change as reducing emissions, the Australian government can only respond to a disaster after it occurs. By limiting coal exports, the government would limit emissions—actively preventing damage before disaster strikes.

By neglecting to address the coal industry’s emission contribution in Australia, Morrison denies his role in allowing the bushfires to grow in severity. Rather than addressing his short fallings as a leader in protecting the Australian environment, Morrison

proposed a solution that ignored the coal industry’s contribution to climate change altogether. His change in policy is not historic. It is only a desperate reaction to the devastation he knew he had the power to prevent.

Morrison’s inability to address climate change marks a turning point in how governments should respond to disaster that can be prevented through environmental preservation. Morrison made the decision to put the economy before the environment, upholding the coal industry, rather than limiting emissions that could prevent intense fires in the future.

However, governments around the world can learn from the damage this has caused to Australia.

Reflecting on the fires that impacted my home, I understand that the environment is home to the memories of the people who have lived and explored the land, the species and the plants. If it is within the government’s power to protect this, it should do whatever it can to prevent intense destruction. There is no amount of money that completely reverses the impact of the loss of firefighters, homes and animals.

Morrison did not protect Australia.

However, by reducing emissions and limiting the use of fossil fuels, governments everywhere have the capability to care for the environment they were elected to protect. Through climate action, leaders everywhere have the chance to protect their communities before heartbreaking disaster strikes.

10

SPORTS

JANUARY 23, 2020

49ers Super Bowl extra special for head coach’s nanny

Junior Anna Gustafson got a front-row seat to San Francisco’s magical season as a nanny for the Shanahan family.

By Austin Green & Andi Basista austin.m.green@biola.edu chimes.sports.editor@biola.edu

A

t first glance, junior intercultural studies major Anna Gustafson seems like a typical Biola student. She owns a Disneyland pass and met her best friends on her dorm floor. She is passionate about Mock Rock, having led the Men of Honor team to a first-place finish in the contest last year. Like many other Biolans, she nannies for a family when she goes home on break.

But Anna holds a unique connection to her favorite NFL team.

The family she nannies for? That would be the Shanahans. As in 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Make no mistake—the Bay Area native has long been a die-hard fan of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, who will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2. In fact, her passion for the Niners was what helped her land the job in the first place.

Alumnus Dale Gustafson still remembers the exact moment his daughter’s 49ers fandom became her own.

It was a frigid January day in 2012 and the Gustafsons had just moved back to the Bay Area. The 49ers were

playing the New Orleans Saints in the playoffs. The Saints had just staged a furious rally to take the lead, and then-Niners quarterback Alex Smith had only 40 seconds to lead his team down the field and give them a chance.

“I think he’s gonna do it, Dad,” Dale remembers Anna telling him while they stood near their seats behind the 49ers’ end zone.

She was right. Smith connected with tight end Vernon Davis for the game-winning touchdown right in front of the Gustafsons’ seats. After that, Dale remembers, Anna was hooked.

“It became an addiction at that point,” he said.

The 49ers reached the Super Bowl the following season but faded in the years after. Smith, Davis and the rest of that team’s core soon moved on. But Dale and Anna stayed faithful even as the Niners plunged back to the bottom of the NFL. Team flags coated in red, black and gold line Anna’s Biola dorm room.

Her bed is draped in a 49ers blanket, her keychain stamped with the team logo. Even as the Niners declined, the father-daughter duo got season tickets and attended as many games as they could. Then one day during her senior year of high school, Anna’s relationship with her beloved 49ers changed forever—because she let a call from

Anna Gustafson|Courtesy

FAMILY BONDS: Dale Gustafson passed down the 49er’s spirit to daughter Anna Gustafson.

Anna Gustafson|Courtesy

NINERS NANNY: Anna Gustafson with father Dale at Levi’s Stadium supporting her 49ers.

an unfamiliar number go to voicemail.

“I was looking for someone 25 [years old] or older... but your voicemail [greeting] says ‘Go Niners’ so I think this is going to work out just fine,” Mandy Shanahan’s message said. “Can you babysit for us this weekend?”

Mandy’s husband Kyle had just been hired as the next head coach of the 49ers. He was returning to the Bay Area where he had spent some of his childhood while his father Mike was an assistant during the old Niners dynasty.

Since that fateful voicemail, Anna has become a trusted caregiver for Kyle and Mandy’s three children—Stella, Carter and Lexi. She picks them up from birthday parties, helps them with their homework and sometimes even sleeps over at the family’s mansion.

Anna especially relishes getting the chance to talk more about Jesus with the kids, who attend a Christian school.

She is on a first-name basis with most of the extended Shanahan clan, including Mike, a hall-of-fame NFL coach.

Kyle, meanwhile, has developed a reputation as a fiery, respected leader and genius tactician in a sport where both culture and strategy are vital to a team’s success. A quick web search of his name will yield stories about how he helped rebuild the team’s identity behind the scenes and how his play-calling has made the Niners’ offense unstoppable in the playoffs.

Anna, however, sees another side of her boss that few get to witness.

“He is the chillest dad I have ever

met,” Anna said.

It is not uncommon for her to arrive at the Shanahan home to find Kyle playing with all three kids or shooting hoops with Carter outside. Anna has also become close with Mandy and greatly admires the way she handles her responsibilities both as the 49ers’ head coach’s wife and at home caring for the children while Kyle is away.

Kyle was gone more often than not while Anna spent time with the Shanahans during winter break—he was spending hours at the team facility preparing for the NFL playoffs. One morning while she was staying over, though, Anna awoke to a noise. She walked downstairs to find Kyle making chicken nuggets for breakfast at 5 a.m. Naturally.

“Look! They’re gluten-free!” the head coach bragged.

In the closing moments of the victory that would send the 49ers back to the Super Bowl, the Shanahan family gathered to take the field for the trophy presentation. Mike presented Kyle with the NFC Championship trophy and the Levi’s Stadium crowd let out a huge cheer as father and son embraced. Next to Kyle, Mandy, Stella and Carter beamed with pride while Lexi eagerly grabbed at the falling red and gold confetti.

Their nanny was beaming, too.

From their usual stadium seats behind the end zone, Anna and Dale celebrated not just their lifelong favorite team, but the family at its forefront with whom they now share a special bond.

SPORTS 11

JANUARY 23, 2020

Students and athletes share fitness center during drastic renovation The construction project ensures Biola will uphold DII requirements.

By Andi Basista & Ashley Grams chimes.sports.editor@biola.edu ashley.g.grams@biola.edu

W

ith the start of a new semester comes a new and unusual look to Chase Gymnasium. Orange cones line the edges of torn-up dirt and concrete, showing signs of a new foundation for Biola Athletics. The versatile gym was built in 1966 and has received few renovations since then. Fifty-four years later on Jan. 2, the university started significant construction on the facility, adding two new wings to the gym.

Due to the renovations, students have been forced to share the workout facility during the interim period, which has interrupted the daily training routines of both students and student-athletes.

Biola officially transitioned into Division II in September 2019. To meet the standards established by the NCAA, Athletics must include a minimum space requirement for athletic facilities to accommodate student-athletes. Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations Eddie Shepard noted the renovations are in accordance with NCAA health and safety standards, particularly pertaining to the athletic training room. The regulation intends to ensure athletes will be properly served with adequate access to weight training, preventative medicine and locker room amenities.

“The NCAA transition kind of helped us to have the momentum to get this project going,” Shepard said. “But I would also say that we needed to do it one way or the other, regardless of [the regulations]. I think it would have been a longer process had we not transitioned to the NCAA but it was something that we had to do in the next couple years.”

The north wing spending has reached $2,066,000 while the south wing is budgeted to reach heights of $4 million, according to Associate Vice President of Facility and Auxiliary Operations Brian Phillips.

However, the new facilities come at a price. Renovations mean that both students and student-athletes would have to share one small workout room until construction is finished. The weight room is currently divided up into segregated halves to best accommodate everyone, one side for students and the other strictly for athletes.

“They took away a lot of the yoga balls and the rowing machines and a lot of mats to do abs,” said sophomore public relations major Kate Roberts. “It’s so frustrating though.

There could be one or two athletes in that station working out and even if there aren’t, you’re not even allowed to go in the premises, you’ll be asked to step out to give them their space.”

Students are still in the process of learning how to adapt and adjust to the temporary gym situation. Priority is given to Biola sports teams, who have set times in which they have total access to the entire weight room. Students, how-

M.S. in Athletic Training apu.edu/athletictraining APPLY TODAY!

Marlena Lang |THE CHIMES

WORK IN PROGRESS: The fitness center construction is set for completion in mid-March.

ever, only have certain times in which they can have access into the facility.

“It makes it harder trying to contain a team of 40 guys while also allowing the open gym for students, but so far we have been able to work around it okay,” said Josh Ludman, senior pitcher for Eagles baseball. “It’s a lot easier to be flexible with what’s going on knowing that, in the long run, the gym, weight room and training room are going to be a lot better.”

Athletic facilities are not the only areas receiving a new look.

The university plans to renovate the student-utilized fitness center af-

ter

the weight room is finished.

“We’re going to be putting up signs in the fitness center for the regular student population to take surveys on how they use the fitness center,”Shepard said.

“So as we move everything out we’re going to re-imagine that space. The needs of our student body are a lot different now than they were 30 years ago.”

According to Shepard, students should expect access to a survey in the next couple of weeks, available at the front desk in the fitness center. Both athletes and students can hope to have a fresh and fully functioning workout facility in 90 days.

Doctor of Physical Therapy apu.edu/dpt

Call (626) 815-4570 or email gpc@apu.edu.

12

SPORTS

JANUARY 23, 2020

Swim Shatters Stats

Biola swim and dive look to continue their high-ranking performance against Concordia University Irvine on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m.

Read full coverage of all Eagles games at chimesnewspaper.com/sports.

Haven Luper-Jasso|THE CHIMES

NEWS

A&E

OPINIONS

SPORTS

WEB

Puerto Rico Shakes SMU finds a missional opportunity in midst of the Puerto Rican destruction. // 3

Three departments join forces to take on “The Music Man” The American classic marks the first production of the semester. // 7

Chimes writers debate Australian government’s response to bushfires How should Prime Minister Scott Morrison protect Australia from fire? // 8, 9

Biola dance captain doubles as 49ers head coach’s nanny The Mock Rock choreographer has built personal relationships with Kyle Shanahan’s family of five. // 10

Women’s March returns for a fourth year March draws in smaller crowd due to questions about inclusivity.

Read more at chimesnewspaper. com/news.

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