trends will emerge or statements that will be made throughout.
I’m talking bold colors, crazy accessories, or even homage to your favorite artist. Whether you are going to Coachella, StageCoach, or even Nocturnal Wonderland here are some fashion trends to make your festival season even better.
Starting off right with the biggest trend-setting festival of the season, Coachella always brings the heat with different artists all around with different music styles. Ranging from artists like Judeline, Lady Gaga, Shaboozey and so on, never expect supporters who come to not get inspiration from these artists. Not only does it connect them to the music but creates a community within the festival.
Aside from that trends to
The color tones jump from earthy to bold colors depending on what the vibe is that day.
If you want to go a different direction, metallics is a must, this reflective style will make you standout and really make your weekend a one to remember. Think body chains, chunky jewelry, and sequins, it creates texture and an eye catching moment.
Moving on to StageCoach, this country festival is all about being free spirited with a bit of an extra flare to it. With iconic artists like Jelly Roll, Goo Goo Dolls, and CSUSB alumni Abi Carter, expect to see more than just cowboy boots and fringe. Trends that will rise are bold prints, crazy patchwork, and more bedazzled pieces all while keeping it western. Denim on
other level then the rest. Not only is it out of this world but this edm festival is located in the San Bernardino area. A place where reality fades and fantasy takes over, Nocturnal Wonderland is a full sensory experience.
Any rave goer will tell you that this community is all about breaking boundaries when it comes to fashion. This is the place where fantasy and insane neon pieces collide. Look out for glow-in-the-dark fits or even creature core inspired styles, there is never something boring happening here.
The culture around this festival is always welcoming and big on personalized fits, especially if you are going with a big group. Making DIY sets is what brings it all together, whether it is kandi bracelets to
bodysuits, alien inspired suits, or even majestic fairies as you go down the rabbit hole.
Whether you go all out or make your outfits the night before, it’s all about taking in every moment. Festival fashion shouldn’t be overwhelming with how to make yourself look better than others. These music festivals are all about community and truly getting a chance to experience your favorite music live. Wear what makes you feel like you.
As this music season begins, what festival looks are you excited to see?
A collage of this year’s most iconic music festivals, photos provided by Coachella, StageCoach, and Nocturnal Wonderland.
Contributors
Editor in Chief
Copy Editors
Social Media
Graphic Designers
Faculty Advisor
Evette Gallardo
David Lara Catalan
Jacqueline Flores
Mathew Pacheco
Amari Cotton
Samuel Rodriguez
Ashley Mejia
Matthew Vinson
John Gray
Gregory Gondwe
Gregory.Gondwe@csusb.edu
Department of Communication and Media
commstudies@csusb.edu
Staff Writers
Richard Arellano, Brandon Arias-Hernandez, Emilie Betancourt, Elizabeth Cortez, Mariana Duran, Wyatt Hall, Alanah Harvard, Olivia Hoar, Itzel Iniguez, Ryan Martinez, Julian Mcdonald, Johnny Mikoyan, Marco Rimicci, Destiny Roybal, Adam Ruiz, Benjamin Smith, Haylee Yates
Staff Writers are comprised of students enrolled in COMM2391 Practicum: Print & Online Journalism taught by Dr. Gregory Gondwe.
California State University, San Bernardino University Hall Room UH-037 5500 University Parkway San Bernardino, CA 92407
The Coyote Chronicle is published during the academic session by the Communication department. The opinions expressed in the Chronicle are those of the student writers and editors and do not reflect the views of the university, its faculty, or any other person or institution unless expressly noted. The appearance of any advertisement in the Chronicle does not represent an endorsement of the products or services advertised. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit or reject all materials submitted to the paper.
$3.5 Million Granted to Fontana for Home Safety
By Emilie Betancourt Staff Writer
For many residents, finding time and finances in order to keep their homes safe can sometimes be an overwhelming task. For the average working family it can be common to ignore the signs of hazards within their own home. This is also common for residents who are unaware of particular signs that can lead to larger issues down the road. The City of Fontana has decided to help out its residents by granting lower income families with their Healthy Homes Production grant award. This grant was awarded to the city with the goal of giving residents the funds to refurbish and repair the parts of their homes that are affected by environmental hazards such as lead hazards.
The Mayor of Fontana has stated, “We are grateful to be one of two communities in California to receive a Healthy Homes Production grant. This vital program helps children and other vulnerable residents reach their full potential by preventing injuries and diseases, lowering healthcare costs, and improving their overall quality of life.”
Lead Hazard Control seems to be affecting many homes seeing as the U.S. Department of Housing and Development (HUD) has awarded $1.5 million of that Healthy Homes Production grant to the city which will then be used for 65 homes. The city has stated that it was done through partnerships with community organizations and social service
providers who all work locally. The Healthy Homes Production grant will also work hand in hand with the cities previous Housing Rehabilitation Program and Lead Hazard Reduction Program with the same goal of reducing the risk of exposure to environmental hazards that may be creeping around in their homes.
Vulnerable families from the city will now have access to those funds which will drastically change the trajectories of their lives. Lead poisoning can lead to serious health effects such as brain damage, kidney damage, reproductive issues, and damage to one’s nervous system as stated by the World Health Organization. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also stated that lead poisoning in children can cause slowed growth and development as well as learning and behavior problems along with countless other health effects. For many families the damages of lead poisoning are a serious irreversible reality. Preventing these irreversible health effects can change many lives within the community and it is a great chance for families to
make sure their homes are both safe and healthy environments.
Any resident who applies for these grants will be taken through an application process in which the city, in collaboration with those local organizations, will choose based on eligibility. The Office of Lead Hazard Control as well as Healthy Homes Director Mathew Ammon have stated, “By providing these grants, HUD makes it clear that making homes healthy and safe is a priority for communities.”
The city has also been granted over $2 million in order to address repairs in homes of those who are low income seniors. The program is called “Older Adult Modification” and the goal surrounding it is to help seniors stay in their homes by adding safety features that will prevent any risks of falling, increase accessibility, and improve overall safety to ensure seniors are still able to live confidently in their own homes. Ammon continues with HUD’s commitment “to protecting families from the effects of unhealthy housing and to improving the health and economic stability of communities.” by allocating the funds to properties that need it the most and advocating for safer housing.
Aerial view of the city of Fontana Ean Miller Photos.com.adobe.stock
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Analytics Are Ruining Major League Baseball
By Wyatt Hall Staff Writer
Analytics were supposed to make baseball better, but instead, they’ve made it dull. The rise of advanced stats, sabermetrics, and the obsession with efficiency have turned Major League Baseball into a game dominated by the “three true outcomes”— strikeouts, walks, and home runs. Pitchers throw harder than ever, and hitters swing for the fences with every at-bat, leading to fewer balls in play and less action on the field. As a result, baseball has lost much of its excitement. I remember watching the sport in 2010 when strategy, small ball, and dynamic gameplay still thrived. But since 2017, the game has shifted, and each season, I find myself less excited than the year before. I’m not alone—former MLB greats and lifelong fans are also questioning whether the game’s data-driven evolution has come at the cost of the style of game we used to love.
In 2018, the league-wide batting average was .248, the lowest in a single season since 1972, the year before the American League added the designated hitter. The leaguewide average has fluctuated, but the 2024 league average was only .243. By August 2018 (nearly 80% of the season), strikeouts, walks, and home runs accounted for 31.6% of plate appearances. At the time, there had been only six seasons when these outcomes made up at least 30% of plate appearances, all since 2012. That doesn’t even include the seasons between 2019 and 2024, where the three true outcomes reached as high as 36% in 2020. In 2024, the strikeout rate was about 22.6%, the walk rate was 8.1%, and the home run rate was 3.3%, once
again accounting for over 30% of plate appearances. The lack of singles, doubles, triples, and balls in play that are turned into outs has made the game harder to watch, especially on TV. I still enjoy the games in person, but not quite as much as I used to.
Strategic plays like the hit-and-run and defensive plays like pitching out to catch a base-stealer have become almost non-existent. Even with the new rules to encourage more base stealing, the pitchout is rarely used. These were the types of plays I loved growing up, and now I’m lucky if I see one or two of them in a season.
The starting pitcher position has also lost much of its meaning, as starters now throw fewer innings than ever before. They have been averaging under six innings per start for years, unlike the old-school style when pitchers often threw complete games or at least worked into the seventh, eighth, or ninth innings. The 2024 season had a record low of 26 complete games. In 2021, there were 50 complete games, and in 2010, 116. While these numbers are still lower than pre-2000 totals, they weren’t as rare as they are today. This shift is due to a few factors: statistics suggest a pitcher shouldn’t face a batting order for a third time, as it increases batting average; pitchers focus on velocity, which tires them faster; and high-velocity bullpen arms are used earlier in games because teams believe they offer a better chance to win.
On the hitting side, teams now prefer players who can hit 30+ home runs a year, even if they strike out 150 times and bat below .250. They value the occasional home run over consistent contact hitting, which used to be prized.
LB has implemented new rules in recent years to increase
the game’s entertainment value. I don’t agree with all of them, but I can’t deny their success. For example, increasing the base size and limiting pitchers to two pick-off attempts per batter have encouraged stolen bases. While this has worked, it’s also made stealing too easy. The restriction on defensive shifts, which forces teams to produce more singles, has had mixed results. Though I like the idea to some extent, I believe hitters should adjust to the shift and not have the league mandate changes for them. The worst rule, in my opinion, is the runner who starts every extra inning (10th inning on) at second base. This is absurd, as it fundamentally changes the game to cater to casual fans. The rule doesn’t even apply in the playoffs, so why should it exist in the regular season? Now, when I watch a game that goes into extra innings, I turn it off because it feels so untrue to the sport. I used to hope for extra innings, but after witnessing my first game with the added runner, I hope never to see it again.
In conclusion, the game has been trending in the wrong direction due to advanced stats and attempts to appeal to casual fans. They haven’t completely ruined it for me yet, but I worry that day might come. There’s a reason MLB greats like Goose Gossage and Don Sutton are discouraged by the game’s changes. MLB has implemented new rules in recent years to increase the game’s entertainment value. I don’t agree with all of them, but I can’t deny their success. For example, increasing the base size and limiting pitchers to two pick-off attempts per batter have encouraged stolen bases. While this has worked, it’s also made stealing too easy. The restriction on defensive shifts, which forces teams to produce more singles,
Spending quality team time together helping out CSUSB’s Coyote Care Day
has had mixed results. Though I like the idea to some extent, I believe hitters should adjust to the shift and not have the league mandate changes for them. The worst rule, in my opinion, is the runner who starts every extra inning (10th inning on) at second base. This is absurd, as it fundamentally changes the game to cater to casual fans. The rule doesn’t even apply in the playoffs, so why should it exist in the regular season? Now, when I watch a game that goes into extra innings, I turn it off
because it feels so untrue to the sport. I used to hope for extra innings, but after witnessing my first game with the added runner, I hope never to see it again. In conclusion, the game has been trending in the wrong direction due to advanced stats and attempts to appeal to casual fans. They haven’t completely ruined it for me yet, but I worry that day might come. There’s a reason MLB greats like Goose Gossage and Don Sutton are discouraged by the game’s changes.
Huge win vs #22 San Francisco State on our Dig Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Night
Bunting, a rarity today
Photo Credit: Steven Hendricks - Adobe Stock
A Bloomington Backyard Jam Why Women’s Sports is Important for the Future
By Mathew Pacheco Copy Editor
On Friday, March 21st, a group of bands - Ocean Joy, Desperate Measures, Disciples, and Dancing Tommy had a backyard performance in Bloomington. The night was filled with excitement. Ocean Joy was playing their first original song, and Disciples had their first performance as a Tame Impala cover band. Originally, the bands were supposed to perform at the UCR garden on February 23rd. However, due to some complications with the school, UCR had claimed that the event was postponed, which resulted in it being canceled. They had talked about and planned this event with UCR since January. Three days before the event was supposed to happen on February 20th, an email was sent out saying they would have to postpone the show. The bands were forced to cancel and race to find a new place to host. As they rushed to find another venue, they realized that several problems arose, including distance, the fans, and time. Most importantly, after having the show canceled, the morale of the groups had dropped quite a bit. The bassist
of Ocean Joy, Jose, was able to find several restaurant and venue opportunities. However, they wanted them to pay to play. They declined those offers. Eventually, over a month later, they settled on one of their member’s backyards.
Andrew Zataray, a member of Ocean Joy and Disciples, hosted the long-awaited event. It took place in his backyard, this wasn’t the first time the bands came together for a backyard performance. They previously held a concert there in September of last year. The background where the bands played was covered in lights on a white fence. Chairs surrounded the corner where they played, and people gathered around. Most people were dancing, and others were conversing with each other. Each band had friends and families gathered, waiting excitedly for their performance. The performance was scheduled to start at 6 pm. They ran through sound check, making sure everything was perfect and set. At 7 pm, the first band played. Many people started to come in now. The event was a BYOB (Bring your own beer), so many people brought in their beverages and sat around. The event lasted for several hours. Everyone was glued to the stage and enjoying themselves, some people taking it upon themselves
to get up and dance. Everyone was having a fun time, engaging with each other, and talking to new people.
The show ended around 10:30 pm. The bands were excited to have played and glad that everyone had a great time, especially since they had a long way to travel to perform. The Disciples were also excited to see that there were some OG fans of Tame Impala. Andrew said he played a song from an older album, and people were excited to hear them play.
When asked what he thought was the best song they played, Andrew replied, “I would say I’m torn between two of them. I would honestly say ‘The Moment.’ I was also thinking of ‘Why won’t you make up your mind’. I’m proud of ‘The Moment’ as it shows the work we put into it. It sounds very simple, but Caesar, our drummer, had to mix a drum machine with his actual playing. I had to switch guitars halfway and change my vocal lines. We all have to be on cue with each other, or we’d fall apart.”
Despite the countless setbacks they faced, they were able to gather and create a night to remember. Friends and families from the bands and many more were able to sit down, relax, and kick off their weekends with some good tunes.
By Haylee Yates Staff Writer
Women’s sports in both college and professional leagues do not see the same numbers as the men’s sports. However, growth has been seen over the last few years with viewer count, attendance, and overall revenue. The growth we have been seeing has resulted in elevating the game and league, which could lead to more women representation in sports.
With that representation, it could inspire young girls anywhere and show them girls can do anything boys can do. Growing fanbase, league, and overall love of the game is what is going to help make these women professional leagues thrive.
An increase in support for women’s sports elevates the leagues and game experience. With growing fanbases, number of teams, number of women professionals, leagues such as the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) can thrive in their own way. While men’s leagues typically have around 30 teams, women’s leagues have less than half of that. In the past few years, women’s sports has been on a rise with new record breaking attendance, revenue, viewership numbers.
With this, the WNBA has been able to expand, allowing more space for additional professional women athletes. The PWHL just had its first season in 2024 starting with only six teams. Before that there were various other leagues who did not last more than a decade.
The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) served two different times with minimal pay for the players and very few teams from 1999-2007 and 20152023. All professional women’s hockey leagues have not even made it to double digits of teams, where the National Hockey League (NHL) hit double digits back in 1967 with 12 active
teams participating in the league. With growing leagues, this opens the floor for more people like Caitlin Clark (WNBA), Alex Morgan (NWSL), Sarah Nurse (PWHL) for girls to strive to model after and see the potential they could have in sports. These role models shape young girl’s play style and motivation to engage with sports in even bigger capacities.
Growing number of women professional athletes result in a drop of phrases such as, “like a girl”, used in negative ways, because they prove that “playing sports like a girl” is not a bad thing due to them being able to perform and work just as hard as the male players.
Not only does watching women’s sports boost ratings resulting in the expansion of the league, it could boost women professional athletes salaries and image overall. In 2024, the WNBA players’ salaries only accounted for about 9.3% of the overall revenue the league saw. Whereas the NBA players’ salaries shared 50% of the overall revenue.
Due to men’s players’ likeness and image, the league does not have to cover things that women’s sports might need to. Increasing the women’s salaries brings to light the importance they have in their leagues, even if the player’s are not there for the money, higher salaries showcase the women’s abilities in a monetary way.
Women’s sports in both college and professional leagues do not see the same numbers as the men’s sports. However, growth has been seen over the last few years with viewer count, attendance, and overall revenue. The growth we have been seeing has resulted in elevating the game and league, which could lead to more women representation in sports.
With that representation, it could inspire young girls anywhere and show them girls can do anything boys can do. Growing fanbase, league, and overall love of the game is what is going to help make these women professional leagues thrive.
Picture taken after Concert of Ocean Joy and Dancing Tommy.
Photo Credit: @OceanJoy on Instagram.
Entertainment Revenge of the 20th Anniversary
By Samuel Rodriguez Editor
Darth Vader is arguably the most iconic villain ever devised for the silver screen. Regardless of whether or not a person has actually viewed any film in the Star Wars franchise, you would be hard pressed to find someone who cannot identify the character’s signature dark helmet and armor, glowing red lightsaber, and otherworldly breathing sound. Simply put, Darth Vader is a figure that has transcended the bounds of cinema and remains a staple of pop culture to this day despite originally debuting in the 1970s. It is for this reason that Lucasfilm has decided that select cinemas shall screen Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith on April 25th as fans celebrate the movie’s 20th anniversary.
Originally released on May 19, 2005, Revenge of the Sith is the culmination of a film trilogy dedicated to depicting the history of the man who would become Darth Vader. The first installment of this trilogy surprised many fans when it introduced them to a little boy named Anakin Skywalker. It was difficult to imagine that the fearsome and ruthless Star Wars villain was once a compassionate
and selfless child filled with boundless optimism. Throughout the first film we learn that Anakin is a slave living on a harsh desert planet who dreams of freedom and joining the Jedi Order, a sect of warrior monks dedicated to the preservation of peace. By the end of the film
Anakin has been emancipated and set on the path to fulfill his dream. The following movie opens ten years later as the galaxy is on the precipice of civil war and Anakin faces his own conflict between completing his training as a Jedi Knight and a budding romance upon reuniting with a friend from childhood.
Anakin ultimately chooses to engage in a forbidden romance with Padme Amidala and marries her in secret since the Jedi are supposed to swear an oath of celibacy. In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin has been married to Padme for three years and experiences visions of losing his wife. These premonitions serve as the catalyst for his dark journey into becoming Darth Vader.
Ultimately, Revenge of the Sith is being celebrated for its 20th anniversary because it is a multifaceted story built on accumulated investment. For decades, fans wanted to know how Darth Vader came to be and the finale of Anakin Skywalker’s
Photograpghy Showcase
story promised to answer that question while also delivering a work of cinematic art filled with action, romance, high stakes, political intrigue, and tragedy. All of these factors combined create an experience of epic proportion beyond words. Above all else, the character of Anakin Skywalker adds so much depth and nuance to Darth Vader. The most cliche motivation for any written villain is the pursuit of power prompted by limitless greed, but Darth Vader arose from a need to save someone that he loved. The once perceived cold and unfeeling machine of an antagonist is revealed to be the result of a man who actually cared too much and forewent his standards of morality for the person most important to him. It is an empathetic motive because how many of us would go to the furthest of lengths to preserve those who mean the most in our lives? That being said, Revenge of the Sith is a movie that is more than deserving of being viewed on the big screen. See it on April 25th and I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
A new poster created specifically for Lucasfilm’s official cinematic re-release of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Why Hitting a Baseball is the Hardest Skill in Sports
Shedlock is demonstrating the most difficult skill to master in sports during a game between California State University San Bernardino and Regis University.
By Brandon Arias-Hernandez Staff Writer
In Major League Baseball (MLB), failing 70% of the time makes you elite – something unheard of in other sports. Therefore, what is the skill in baseball – and in all of sports –that is the most difficult to do?
The answer is hitting a baseball.
When you take a look at the top batting averages in Major League Baseball and listen to professional athletes that played multiple sports one will notice the difficulty of mastering this skill. Also, in order to hit a baseball one needs to have short reaction time, exceptional hand-eye coordination, and great mental focus. For these reasons alone, I strongly believe that the most difficult thing to do in
sports is hitting a baseball and I honestly think it is not even close.
The primary reason for my opinion is demonstrated on the ESPN website, which shows the top batting averages in the MLB. Currently, the player with the best batting average in the MLB has a .332, meaning that they hit the ball a little above 30% of the time. We can even take a look at the history of the sport with the best batting average being .366 by Ty Cobb. In other words, there has not been a player in the history of the MLB to have a batting average of over .400, which shows that it is difficult to consistently hit a baseball.
In any other sport, such as basketball, football, soccer, etc, a 30% in any statistical category is considered horrible and a player will be out of a job or an aspiring young athlete will never become
a professional. Additionally, in an interview, Deion Sanders, who played both baseball and football professionally, was asked about the most difficult thing he did in his career. He answered that hitting a baseball was the hardest thing to do. Similarly, in an interview, Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who grew up playing baseball, stated that:
“Hitting a baseball has got to be one of the toughest things to do in the world.”
The second reason that hitting a baseball is the most difficult thing to do in sports focuses on reaction time and hand-eye coordination. Wyatt Hall, who is a college baseball player at California State University, San Bernardino, stated:
“I would say hand-eye coordination is probably the
most important thing when it comes to hitting a baseball. Reaction time is also useful because there is not very much time from when the pitch is thrown to when you need to swing.”
Continuing with Hall’s point, in the Major Leagues, the batter only has about 150 milliseconds to decide whether the pitch is a strike and then swing. The pitcher’s mound is only 60.5 feet away from the batter and the average velocity of a Major League pitch is over 90 miles per hour.
I understand that these particular skills are needed in other sports, but not to the degree of baseball players. For instance, returning a tennis serve is very difficult, because it requires players to have excellent reaction time and hand-eye coordination to return the small and fast moving ball. However, hitting a baseball remains the harder skill because there are more unpredictable movements, higher difficulty to consistently make contact, and tennis players are able to position themselves and anticipate the position of the ball based on the body movements of the server.
Baseball players are required at all levels to have excellent hand-eye coordination and short reaction time in order to even have a chance to strike the small and fast-moving ball. The ability to strike a baseball is connected to a player’s eye alignment and depth perception, meaning that if a player’s eyes do not correctly judge the distance of the ball, they will either swing early or late.
The final reason that striking a baseball is the hardest skill to master comes down to the level of focus baseball players must have mentally. I understand that mental focus is a huge aspect in
Art Showcase
“Breakfast for the Misunderstood” 16x20 oil on canvas.
all sports. For instance, soccer players need a lot of mental focus when shooting a penalty kick or basketball players when shooting a freethrow.
Furthermore, Jaime Carrillo, who played college soccer at San Bernardino Valley College, stated,
“I believe mental focus is very important in soccer, especially in my position as a central midfielder. I need to know exactly where all of my teammates are positioned and be two steps ahead from my opponents.”
However, I would say that the size of the baseball and the spot of the bat where players must aim to connect in order to get a clean and proper hit depict the mental focus that baseball players must have. In other words, baseball players are dealing with small objects and strike zones in fast-paced environments, so they need to maintain better focus than athletes in other sports.
All in all, it is undeniable that hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports. The level of mental focus, reaction time, and hand-eye coordination that is required, as well as the current batting averages in the MLB and statements made from professional athletes that played multiple sports demonstrate the level of difficulty of this skill and will make any average person look like a fool when attempting to do this.
So, I have a question for those that object to my position. Think hitting a baseball is not the hardest skill? I challenge you to step into a batting cage and see if you can even make contact.
I am certain that you will struggle and have a change of heart.
Artists Bio: Bree is a Nicaraguan-American artist, she illustrates her challenges and uses her art to host uncomfortable but necessary conversations in the studio regarding harm reduction and promoting mental health awareness in her community. She took Art as an elective and quickly fell in love with the discipline and the emotional release she felt with every piece. Breakfast for the Misunderstood was her first attempt at oil painting and her motivation was simple “I needed help and didn’t know how to ask for it, I wanted to create something raw for my still life”. Although she started her journey at CSUSB in 2019 as a Psychology major, after facing years of adversity and overcoming her long battle with substance abuse, she returned to CSUSB as a studio art major in Fall 2023. Her art is inspired by her life experiences, internal struggle, and passion for telling stories.
Jason
The Coyotes lost 12-10.
Photo Credit: California State University San Bernardino Athletics Website.
CSUSB Parking Fees: Overpriced and Overrated
By Destiny Roybal Staff Writer
As students of CSUSB, the cost of attending is high, and there are already various other expenses that we must worry about aside from the ones regarding our education. Unfortunately, there are many students who attend that do not receive any sort of financial aid aside from loan offers and are left with handling it on their own.
An expense that seems to be the icing on the cake for students to pay because we have no choice if we attend in person classes is parking. We pay so much already that it seems redundant to charge students to attend the university and then charge them an additional fee just to park here, too. If parking must be charged, it should be hourly as opposed to a daily rate, or at least give the option to choose between the two on how to pay.
When a new semester begins, students must either pay for a parking permit per semester, which is offered twice a year, or pay a daily fee in order to park on campus. On top of that, you have tuition, books and supplies, room and board costs, and if you do not live on or near campus then you have to worry about transportation costs. Not all of us come to class every day of the week so the semester pass would be overpaying for parking.
I also want to point out that students are not on campus for a full 24-hour day, which is what we are paying for when we purchase a daily pass. Some
students have classes that last for as little as two hours, and they have to pay for the remaining time of the day in which they may not even be on campus as there are situations such as where students have to leave school right away to go work or take care of their family. In my opinion, it is an expense that does not have to be charged in the way it currently is.
Of course, the amount of the expenses added up is going to vary from student to student but on July 1, 2024, the pricing for parking increased by three dollars for the daily and semester pass. However, every academic year until Spring 2030, the parking will increase annually by an average of six dollars, meaning that from the time between 2024 and 2030, the price of parking will go from $193.50 to $223.50 for students to pay per semester.
With no financial assistance, to attend CSUSB as a full-time residential student, tuition per semester costs $4,038.04 (If a full-time student, then you pay this twice a year), room and board costs $8,626, which totals out to $12,664.04 per semester. If you live off campus, the cost of living in San Bernardino, Calif., averages out to $2,447 a month, according to livingcost. org, totalling out to $37,440.08 annually, not including putting money away for savings or potential emergencies.
If you pay for a daily pass because paying for the semester would be overpriced, paying hourly based on however long you choose to stay on campus can save you more money.
Allowing students to choose how they pay for parking can relieve financial stress in many ways; students living paycheck to paycheck can put the money they save towards other expenses, such as families, health concerns, groceries, etc. The amount of money students can potentially save up can relieve loads of worrying about budgeting expenses.
There are other options as opposed to charging hourly and daily. If the cost of parking was included in our tuition and fees, charging students a small payment of five dollars each can gain a large amount to help cover the costs of parking services. CSUSB has approximately 17,900 students as of the fall 2024 semester census. If we
charge each student five dollars, collectively we can earn $89,500. Even a ten dollar fee for parking for the semester would be more appealing to students than what is already being charged for parking.
As a CSUSB student myself, I love our campus and all it has to offer, but paying to park on campus just seems to be redundant as to what I am paying a semester already. There are different ways to go
about making parking fees more sustainable for students and their ability to pay for it. We all live different lives and have different expenses to worry about, and having to pay for a full day’s worth of parking when we are not even on campus for the entirety is not fair to us, especially when some have to cut from other expenses to afford to come to school and park.
Students and faculty park their cars in Lot N during their time spent on campus.
Parking meter where students can get their daily pass, showcasing the daily rate.
Photo Credit: Destiny Roybal
Photo Credit: Destiny Roybal
High Desert Needs Better Entertainment Options
By Elizabeth Cortez Staff Writer
The High Desert is failing its young people. With few entertainment options available, teens are left with limited choices for safe social activities. As a result, many turn to risky behaviors—experimenting with drugs, gathering in unsafe areas, or withdrawing into isolation. A lack of recreational spaces doesn’t just mean boredom; it means lost opportunities for healthy socialization and community engagement. If Hesperia wants to invest in its future, it must provide better entertainment and recreational options that give young people a reason to stay engaged, safe, and connected.
The Mall of Victor Valley is often suggested as a spot to hang out and have fun; however, this has unfortunately led to violence. For instance, according to the Shooting Archives of Victor Valley News Group, there have been at least 50 reported shootings in the last 5 years in Victorville alone, and four of these shootings were at the Mall of Victor Valley. In an article from ABC 7 Eyewitness News, author Leticia Juarez shares details about a horrific event
unsafe and has acts of violence that should never be condoned. Young people and families should not fear for their lives each time they want to go to the mall. Most people who want to shop prefer to drive 45 minutes away to the mall of Victoria Gardens because the anxiety one feels in Victorville is not even a thought in this area. It is unfair for residents of the High Desert to have to drive long distances just to have a fun and safe time. The lack of alternatives in Victorville and Hesperia is affecting many young people, leading them to start using and abusing drugs because there is nothing better to occupy their time. According to the San Bernardino County website, deaths related to fentanyl overdoses rose to 316 by 2021. These deaths are rising each year and must be stopped. A former student of Oak Hills High School, Amari Cotton, shared that just after graduation, three of their friends died due to fentanyl overdoses. These deaths are of someone’s child, friend, significant other, etc. Many times, young people turn to these drugs because they feel like they have no way to decompress from the struggles of everyday life. Life is not easy, so there need to be opportunities to safely relieve
to other dangers. There could be violence due to a drug deal gone wrong or attacks due to rumors or actions. This is all a spiral of effects that occur because of drug use in the High Desert. To make the city safer,
Many times, young people turn to these drugs because they feel like they have no way to decompress from the struggles of everyday life. “ “
where a 20-year-old shop owner mistakenly shot a 9-year-old girl while aiming at shoplifters. These statistics clearly show that this specific mall is very
stress and give people a reason not to lean towards drugs. Not only are young people using these drugs, but they are also selling them, which leads
there needs to be a place to distract the youth. Drug abuse is everywhere, but providing safe recreational spaces could lower these numbers in the area and set
people on a different path. Without safe places for young people to spend their time, isolation can occur. This isolation is a factor in young people developing mental health issues. This is a significant issue in the High Desert because there are no safe places for people to hang out with their friends and socialize. As a result, some younger people opt to stay home. There is nothing wrong with being a homebody, but to a certain extent, it can lead to feelings of loneliness. This can be the root of mental health issues. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools shares that homicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and those aged 10 to 24 are the group most affected. This is a large number of people, especially in a place as concealed as
the High Desert. Younger people need a place to prevent these issues from happening; socializing and being around people similar to you makes times a little less tough. It is more than just having a fun spot to go to in the High Desert; it is about having an escape for those who need it.
People in the High Desert should take time to understand the effects this lonely city has on young people and take action to transform the area into a safe place that would give hope and security to the community, especially when it can be hard to come by. For those from the High Desert area: What kind of space would you like to be implemented for our youth to have a fun and safe time? Undoubtedly, change needs to be made to protect and empower the youth positively.
The Mall of Victor Valley, located in Victorville, California, has been home to much violence in the High Desert.
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Horse Girls Meal Time
By Riley Hart
A simple act—relieving them the burden of their saddles—increases their chances of survival. The farmers understand
this, paint their surnames on the furry giants’ sides and kiss their noses for good luck. I can only think of equine blood,
how it will flood into their anxious legs if they run and do not stop. The sky is turning green. Before the rain, I smell exhaust;
I see numbers ticking up and up and think of mama. Imagine her foot on the pedal and my own two feet in too-tight shoes,
toes curled in. A foal across the pasture whinnies. In this lighting, my skin is a color I only see in dreams. The rain is jaundiced, too. Here and twenty years ago, a rusted lock is hammered from the gates, and mama doesn’t hear the engine grinding.
She is somewhere else with darkened skies, making the terrible and necessary choice to let her child meet the storm alone.
Whale Watching
By Riley Hart
Even in my little model town with all my little model men, my mother tells me it’s a waste of time to focus on the water.
I dust the banks with pretend frost that glitters under morning light and yellowed headlamp indiscriminately. What waste
is there in waking early to witness earth from unfamiliar angles? The sun and snow reconnect at dawn like ancient lovers
after long but gentle absences. There is something I did not create, but discovered. Be still and the land will show you
how it moves. An orca breaking through the surface looks something like my kneecap rising in the bathwater, from the perfect angle.
By Liliana Mercado
The bus shuttered as it took a sharp turn. Smelly old bodies all jolted at the sudden movement. It was dark out now, only the rusty yellow light luminated the inner walls of the bus. An older woman with ugly veiny hands smiled at me, she clung onto her work bag, she seemed lonely. Not that it mattered to me, they were all filth anyways. The only real beauty was the young schoolgirl that sat in the front row. She had beautifully young skin, so smooth and ever more pale. Her hair was darker than black, and it draped over her small frail shoulders. The short skirt she wore showed off her knobby knees. She had the tiniest frame; it made me teeter at the edge of my seat.
She reminded me of the first time I stole a woman’s maidenhead. I wondered if she would scream and cry the same way she did. I had promised to stay low, after last time it was a close call to getting caught. Not that I did any real harm to women, truly all of them lived after my encounters with them. I tried obtaining what I wanted with different methods, but no one ever gives a guy a chance anymore. How can you blame me? It’s my nature, not my fault if these delicate flowers are begging to be picked.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her, she was so vulnerable. I felt I could just walk right up to her, ask if she needed someone to accompany her while she walked and she would be innocent enough to accept. She slowly turned her head, eyeing me with her doe-eyes. Her face was slimer then her body and she had rose colored cheeks. She burrowed her brows in fear at the notice to my presence and turned back around. I clenched my hands together; this fresh starting moment was so familiar to me now. But it just feels better every time.
At the next stop, she shot up from her seat, grasping at her pink backpack as she swiftly walked off the bus. Shaking as she stepped down from the stairs. I shortly followed, taking in the surroundings. If this is where she lived, there weren’t many streetlights. She picked up the pace of her walking, keeping her hands tucked away in her jean jacket. She turned around once, at the sight of me behind her she gasped, making a run for it. My heart sped up in excitement, I loved this part. I gave in, I had to, she was just begging for it.
She booked it down the street shouting out, “HELP ME!” Squealing into the vacancy of night. Silence, not a single soul roamed during these late hours. My feet hit hard on the pavement
underneath; I reached out my arms so close to her flesh I could taste it. She dashed to the side, going down an off-road path which led to the woods. I could almost laugh; she practically gave the courtesy of privacy for us. I went after her, my mind racing with all the things I could do, what I haven’t done yet and what I would need to say afterwards. Some threating remark to keep her quiet. I felt like I could practically salivate just at the ideas. It’s been so long; I promise I’m not a bad guy, I just like to have fun.
My thoughts were interrupted when she dove into a bush. I quickly stopped, thrashing my hands throughout the leaves, trying to find my little girl. She was nowhere in sight; such a small thing would be good at hiding. The only sign of her was her rapid breathing, I followed the noise, with each step I took I could hear it grow.
She’s anticipating me, and oh baby I’m coming. I stepped forward from the bush to the other side, a bright light shined on my face. I squinted my eyes, putting my hand in front of me. As I dropped my hand to fully grasp what was going on, I realized the creature before me.
It was a disgusting thing, a bundle of tar tinted flesh that oozed with a potent smelling goo. It floated off the ground, glowing with some kind of light. I froze where I stood, taking in awe this horrifically grotesque creature. Its fleshy middle started to flex and pry open, a slimy sound left its body as a pearly white eye widened. The huge eye darted all around before stopping to stare dead right at me.
My throat clenched tight; I went to scream but my mouth wouldn’t open. My legs trembled, I wanted to back away, I wanted to call for help. But the force from the creature stopped me. Forbid me from leaving. What the fuck was this thing, what the hell was going on!
My gaze went down to the ground, right below the creature was a flesh suit, the pale skin and dark hair was all I needed to identify her. This creature- thing, it was her! If I could even call it a “her”.
A killing pain itched at my hands. My eyes ached as I forced them to look down at myself. My skin bubbled and pulled back showing the raw bright red muscle underneath. The pain was uncanny, I let out a screech, but the sound was never heard. My mouth felt as if it had been sewn shut, I pried my arms out of the frozen trance with a sore feeling. I grabbed onto my mouth, upon feeling my lips a wet substance dripped to my chin, a stinging pain in my jaw. I cranked it open, unknowing if the blood was from my hands or mouth.
I sob out as teeth felt like
candy corn and I couldn’t help but grind down, watching them fall out like leaves. I yelled out, throwing myself back, I need to leave, I need to GO.
I fell stomach first with a slam, the force of the creature pinned me down. I dug my rotten fingers into the dirt, it stung as I clawed away. Tears pooled in my eyes; my heart sunk to the bottom of my body screaming to be released.
I was getting nowhere; I stayed laid where I was. I turned my head to the creature that didn’t speak. It just watched.
“What do you want from me!?” I cried out.
No response, it didn’t speak, didn’t move.
For a moment I felt myself standing up again, making a run for it. As if it had released me. Only to feel a sudden pop in my ribs, I grabbed at my chest coughing up slush of red. Leaning forward felt like it was killing me and every inhale I took burned my insides. I pushed through it; I need to get the fuck away from this thing!
I stumbled as my legs felt heavy with sluggish movement, I could feel every single tendon stretch and ache as I moved. My breath was labored, blood mixed with saliva dribbled out my mouth. I picked up the pace trying to run, when I suddenly felt a tear in my flesh all over. I screamed out grabbing onto hanging skin from all around, my body began to split apart. Peeling away from my muscles stinging me all over. The pain screamed at me, and I screamed back. I flared my arms trying to get away before any more meat rotted.
In my next step a loud CRUNCH erupted in my ears, bone popped out my leg rising out the muscle. I screeched out, attempting to balance on one leg before it gave out too. My bones had turned into glass and every sudden bump caused me to shatter. I could feel my insides squirm around as bones punctured organs. An acidic burning teased my throat before vomit spewed out my lips, covering my open wounds. I fell backwards, hitting my spine on the rough, rocky ground no longer able to move. But I felt everything.
I kept waiting for it to be over. For me to die, to become nothing. But it never came, it just kept going and going. Peeling back every fiber, sucking out the marrow within my bones, plucking me apart, violating my body until it was nothing. I cried out, screamed, vomited all over myself and begged, but it never stopped.
Now all that remained was my pile of bones, yet I didn’t die. The creature had long left after it removed everything. Returning to its girl-like state and walking away. The rotting never subsided, it all felt fresh and anew. Like a paper cut dipped in salt. I wondered when it would be over, but it’s never over.
CSUSB Made Regionals!
By Madeline Russell Staff Writer
How would you like to sit in a room all day and fend off an army of hackers from getting into your network? For the Keyboard Cowboys, this was a memory of a lifetime.
Last week, eight members of the Cybersecurity Intelligence Security Organization (CISO) participated in the Western Regional Cyber Collegiate Defense Competition (WRCCDC). This team of cybersecurity students traveled all the way to Coastline College in Garden Grove to spend the first two days of their Spring Break competing against seven other teams.
Among the competitors were University of California, Irvine (UCI), Stanford University (SU), San Diego State University (SDSU), California State University, Northridge (CSUN), University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), University of California, Davis (UC Davis), University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), and California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).
This was the first time after
since 2019. It was created for the students, students who possess a passion for protecting the digital world.
Their Mother base, the Center for Cyber and AI (previously named the Cybersecurity Center) has branded themselves a prestigious title in the cybersecurity community by seeking out industry professionals who want to learn about the club’s studentled workshops and research projects. The club itself will always be the place where the CSUSB WRCCDC team found their niche.
Being around a group of people who not only acquired a thirst for security knowledge, but spent hours and hours and hours on end learning everything they could about a field that was changing every day, is nothing less than inspiring. The group that put CSUSB on the leaderboard did so because they wanted to.
That is to say, their journey to placing 6th was not an easy one. The WRCCDC season typically consists of four phases. In the pre-competition phase hosted during the fall months, approximately 30 teams
At random times during the competition, the Orange Team would unexpectedly enter each team’s room to deliver mysterious packages or cause commotion to distract the competitors.
frequent…and weirder.
The purpose of CCDC is for participants to assume the role of security professionals. They must respond to customer
After being scored in four different categories (Services, Injects, Orange Team, and Red Team), CSUSB earned an overall rank of 6th place.
several years that our home college has advanced this far into the competition. During the previous 2023-2024 season, the team had only made it to the qualifying round and were points away from going to Regional Final. After months of preparation, CSUSB finally claimed a spot in one of the most challenging rounds of the competition and placed 6th at Regionals this past March.
But why is Regional Final so special for this team? Follow the cookie crumbs and you’ll be led back to their club. The Cyber Intelligence Security Organization (previously named the InfoSec Club) has been an active organization at the college
engage in a virtual competition using their own devices and communication platforms. This is more of an introductory round to allow students to become affiliated with how the game works.
In the Regional Qualifier phase, it gets serious, though still virtual. The tasks are more demanding and time-consuming, and more than half the teams will be eliminated. By Regional Final, only 8 teams remain. This time, they compete at a physical location without the convenience of their personal laptops and affiliated applications such as Discord and Google Drive. The objective remains the same, but the distractions become more
service calls and management requests while simultaneously hardening a system that is being attacked by the Red Team (hackers). How chaotic is that!
The Keyboard Cowboys comprised students who were assigned to either a technical or policy position. The six individuals on the technical side were responsible for identifying vulnerabilities in the system, placing security defenses on those open areas, and interacting with fictitious customer
service calls. The two individuals on the policy side were responsible for compiling information about the team’s environment and submitting a written deliverable or inject to the WRCCDC management team.
Of course, the competition would not be considered a game without a little fun. The volunteers who pieced this event together kept the entertainment high by barging into rooms at random times, walking in with serious faces, sunglasses, and black suits, or stealing one of the team’s devices declaring that it was an anomaly.
The Keyboard Cowboys also devised their own method of keeping everyone’s energy up. During random check-ins from Orange Team (customer service), all the students would frantically hide under the tables or curiously peek over their computers to see what the
mysterious people in black suits were going to do next.
So was it a grueling 16 hours? Yes.
But was the chaos worth the experience? Oh, absolutely.
Everyone on the team was proud to be there. Although over half the group will be graduating this spring, it will be exciting to see who is recruited for next year’s season. May they bring what it takes to operate a game where nothing works and the Red Team dominates.
