Daily Forty-Niner; February 12, 2024

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Vol. XCV, Issue 18

1949

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Monday, February 12, 2024

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ON THE COVER SAMUEL CHACKO / Daily Forty-Niner Freshman middle blocker Lazar Bouchkov spiked the ball past two UCLA defenders as he played a pivotal role for The Beach on Friday night. Bouchkov would score three kills and four assisted blocks. The Beach beat UCLA 3-1 at the Pyramid, but then lost Saturday, 3-1, at Pauley Pavilion.

NEWS

Community Engagement Editor Director of Business Operations community@daily49er.com business@gobeach.media

Editors News Editor Juan Calvillo news@daily49er.com Arts & Life Editor Natasha Castanedo arts@daily49er.com Opinions Editor Georgie Smith opinions@daily49er.com Sports Editor Davis Ramage sports@daily49er.com Design Editor Mary Catipay design@daily49er.com Copy Editor Jazmin Arellano Gallardo copy@daily49er.com Photo Editor Naoki Gima photo@daily49er.com Social Media Editor Maureen Linzaga socials@daily49er.com Video Editor Alina Ti video@daily49er.com Podcast Editor Aidan Swanepoel podcast@daily49er.com

ELIZABETH BASILE / Daily Forty-Niner California State University Employees Union members and supporters gathered outside of Brotman Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 11, to rally after negotiations where a tentative agreement was reached. Part of this tentative agreement was allowing student assistants to unionize.

Student assistant unionization up for vote

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Letters Policy: All letters and emails must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words.

The Daily Forty-Niner reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.

Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists.

The opinons of the Daily Forty-Niner are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Daily Forty-Niner.

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BY ELIZABETH BASILE News Assistant

T

he student assistant unionization movement has come to a vote among both California State University Employee Union members and student assistants, according to the union website.

The ongoing election, which started on Jan. 25, will decide whether students working on campus will be allowed to form their own union within the California State University Employee Union (CSUEU) organization.

“We’re very excited that they’re coming into the CSUEU union family,” union spokesperson Khanh Weinberg said.

Student assistants from different campuses in the California State University system have been working with the CSUEU for approval to unionize.

Colin Culver, a student assistant working as a security monitor at residence halls for San Diego State University, said pay and treatment are some of the issues that would be the focus of student union efforts on his campus if they are allowed to organize.

“We’re paid $16 an hour at my job which is the state minimum wage, the San Diego minimum wage is $16.85 an hour which is, we’re getting paid less than that,” Culver said. “We live in San Diego, we pay San Diego bills, why are we getting paid less than that?”

Weinberg said voting on the right to unionize closes on Feb. 22, with the result being announced on Feb. 23.

Weinberg also stated student assistants unionizing would not affect the hiring process on campus

for students. However, when asked about how the issue of union dues would be addressed, including how they would be paid for, Weinberg said the details surrounding union dues had not been addressed.

“The next big step for this [in the event that the vote approved student assistants unionizing] would be to select their bargaining team, a contract negotiations team to negotiate with the CSU for their first contract,” Weinberg said. “Union dues would only start to take effect once there is a contract in place for the student assistants.”

Questions have been raised on campus about the deeper details surrounding the yes or no vote of student worker unionization.

Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Senator Emily Sierra said in an interview with the Daily Forty-Niner at an ASI meeting she was concerned about information transparency on what she would be voting for. She said she had gotten several messages via email and a visit to her work to vote yes, without her questions being answered.

“I do think there should be some more transparency, more things going on because I’ve also gotten different emails from different people telling me to vote,” Sierra said. “And to an extent I almost feel pressured because when I ask more questions, it’s like I have to vote yes or else, I’m kind of like a bad person.”

Culver said he is confident the student assistant unionization movement will succeed with this election.

“I think the important thing, like when it comes to this, is that we’re organizing and we’re standing up for what’s for like, for our power, for what we deserve,” Culver said. “And I don’t think that there’s even a chance that we don’t have a union at the end of this.”

Land Acknowledgment Here at the 49er we acknowledge that the school we report on is located on the sacred site of Puvungna, “the gathering place”. We are on the land of the Tongva/Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations who have lived and continue to live here.

We also acknowledge the Gabrieleño/Tongva (pronounced: GABRIEL-EN-YO/TONG – VAH) and Acjachamen/Juaneño (pronounced: AH-HACH-AH-MEN/JUAN-EN-YO) as the traditional custodians of the Los Angeles region along with the Chumash (pronounced: CHOO-MOSH) to the north and west, and the Tataviam (pronounced: TAH-TAH-VEE-YUM) and Cahuilla (pronounced: KAH-WEE-YAH) Nations to the east.

We respect and value the many ways the Tongva/Acjachemen cultural heritage and beliefs continue to have significance to the living people and remind us about the sacred and spiritual relationship that has always existed here at what we now call California State University Long Beach.

Monday, February 12, 2024

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NEWS

Wellness wins: Upcoming health survey provides helpful data, prizes Results from the National College Health Assessment survey allow Long Beach State officials to cater resources based on student responses.

BY KHOURY WILLIAMS Copy Editor Assistant

L

ong Beach State students can help impact future wellness-based programs on campus while earning a chance at winning prizes by submitting this year’s National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey by March 26.

The National College Health Assessment is a yearly survey that collects data on student health habits to determine common health risks that affect college campuses.

Survey results are collected anonymously and they include questions based on mental, sexual and physical health, in addition to safety, food insecurity, housing needs and substance use.

The assessment will be emailed to all currently enrolled Long Beach State students on March 3 and will take an average of 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

Students who complete the 85-question survey will be entered in a drawing pool for a chance to win one of 30 Apple Airpods and 20 CSULB Bookstore gift cards worth $25 in value.

Heidi Girling, student health educator and Office of Wellness and Health Promotion coordinator, presented information to the Academic Senate during their Feb. 8 meeting. Girling said the NCHA survey will help CSULB officials understand student needs.

“We’re asking [faculty] to be our champions so that we can understand our students’ needs and how best to serve them so that they can obtain their academic success and also maybe their own personal wellness by providing the services that we do on campus.”

Girling said LBSU created programs to help students based on previous survey responses.

“During the pandemic…we saw in our survey that almost a quarter of our respondents had lost somebody to COVID. When I shared that information out, [our] director said let’s start a grief group,” Girling said.

When sharing key survey results from 2023, Girling said over 55% of Long Beach State students reported low or very low food security compared to 39% in 2021. A total of 81% of all survey respondents reported experiencing moderate or high stress at LBSU, 5% lower than respondents in 2021.

The health assessment results collected in 2023 also show that stress remains as one of the biggest negative impacts on student success. Stress was only behind procrastination with 54% of student respondents voting it as the most negative impact to their academic performance.

English professor Norbert Schürer said hiring more counselors, as requested by the California Faculty Association, could help improve the well-being of stu-

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KHOURY WILLIAMS / Daily Forty-Niner Student health educator and Office of Wellness and Health Promotion Coordinator Heidi Girling floats around the Academic Senate room in excitement for her presentation before making her way to the podium during a meeting on Feb. 8. dents at Long Beach State.

“One of our demands in negotiation was more counselors, which after seeing these sheets, it seems to be sort of a no-brainer,” Schürer said. “As you’re asking us to be your champions, I think we would ask you to be our champion in terms of joining us and demand for more counselors.”

When speaking to the audience about how and why the incentives were chosen, Girling said every college has different rules and regulations on monetary rewards for students.

“We specifically kept the incentives lower than the amount that would affect any financial aid or taxes. We all decide as a team what’s going to be appropriate,” Girling said. “I know that some campuses like San Francisco State give free tuition and parking passes. I don’t know how they do tuition, but [LBSU] can’t do that, it does not work.”

Schürer said giving out reward incentives to his students has previously caused problems when the monetary value of rewards reaches over a certain threshold amount. However, Schürer still plans on helping to make better incentives for students in the future.

“We have been told again and again these are Chancellor’s Office things and there’s nothing we can do on our campus, so that’s the part I’m going to focus on and make sure that really gets up and running,” Schürer said.

”

During the pandemic… we saw in our survey that almost a quarter of our respondents had lost somebody to COVID.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Heidi Girling Office of Wellness and Health Promotion Coordinator

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ARTS & LIFE

Photos by SAMUEL CHACKO / Daily Forty-Niner The fifth floor of the reading room in the library held the experiences of Zora Neale Hurston event with Zora's relative, Lucy Anne Hurston, speaking to the public about how innovative she was during the time Zora lived.

Zora Neale Hurston’s legacy lives on through niece Lucy Anne Hurston

BY SAMUEL CHACKO Managing Editor

L

ucy Anne Hurston, anthropologist and niece of the famous Zora Neale Hurston, talked passionately about her aunt’s life on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Long Beach State library.

“From a young age, Lucy Hurston was interested in books and when she found a signed copy of her aunt’s book, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” her curiosity about the literary world deepened.

“I said who is this woman with my last name [...] and I went to my father and I asked him ‘what’s up with this,’” Lucy Hurston said.

“Then began a 30-year conversation with my father on who this woman is.”

“Everett Hurston, father of Lucy and brother to Zora, recounted to his daughter that Zora Hurston was a free spirit.”

From what she learned from her father and Zora’s brother Everett Hurston, Lucy Ann Hurston [Zora’s mother] had two daughters and two sons. Her daughter Sarah was considered a perfect daughter while Zora did what she wanted and was free from restrictions.

“She wasn’t cooking, she wasn’t ironing, we weren’t making beds, she was hiding somewhere with a book,” Lucy

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The audience members in attendance had their full attention on the speaker Lucy Anne Hurston with insightful questions and laughing at the jokes she would make.

Hurston said about when her aunts attended boarding school.

Her overarching point of the speech is that education is an important tool and the importance of putting yourself in another culture’s shoes.

“I feel proud of California State University Long Beach [because of] the fact that they brought a Black American writer in honor of a month that America has set aside to emphasize us remembering the Black American historical experi-

ence,” Markeeda Monet said, master of the art of religion and researching Zora Neale Hurston.

Hurston brings up that even when we are multicultural, we have similarities like eating food for example.

“We all have culture, in particular, what we do in our culture is what gives us that unique glimpse but it doesn’t make you inferior or superior, it just makes us different,” Lucy Hurston said in her speech.

Monday, February 12, 2024

“Who wants to eat vanilla ice cream every day?”

James Logan, a German major at Cal State Long Beach, said that he saw an advertisement for the Hurston lecture and that caught his eye because he has read some of her books.

“I was very excited by the fact that people were able to ask their questions and she could provide her reflections so that was a great way she made the presentation,” Logan said.

“It was so well organized, we were starving and we didn’t know there were refreshments, which was delicious and the host was so well organized.”

Lucy said that she would come back in a heartbeat to do another lecture at CSULB. “I feel grateful that I can bring a new perspective to a group that I presented to. I find it rewarding and exhilarating to take questions on the fly,” Lucy Hurston said as she reflected on her speech.

She said that once she found out she was related to Zora, she was motivated to emulate and hold herself to a higher standard.

“Practicing anthropologist and traveling in different areas, [she had] the superpower lens to see it and document it, knowing full well that at the time she was doing it, it’s not appreciated,” Lucy Hurston said about her aunt.

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ARTS & LIFE

Clockwise from above: Nina Ngim, Director of Staff at Snow Cafe holding Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookie and mini Valentine macarons. Performer Dion Lovelle sings and plays guitar for Belmont Shore Chocolate Fest attendees to enjoy.

Brittany and Sisi, employees at George's Greek Cafe, holding chocolate chip Baklava and chocolate dipped Koulouraki.

Photos by LEILA ALARCON Daily Forty-Niner

Belmont Shore's sweet and sip-licious Chocolate and Wine Festival

BY LEILA ALARCON Arts & Life Assistant

R

ed heart-shaped balloons lined the sidewalks of 2nd Street to Quincy Avenue as families, friends and couples of all ages gathered to indulge in sweets. The Belmont Shore Chocolate and Wine Tasting Festival was in full swing at 12 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 10 and drew a crowd until the event ended at 4 p.m.

The sidewalks bustled with people moving from booth to booth to try whatever delicacy businesses were offering. Tickets were available for those that were interested in tasting the chocolate desserts that participating businesses offered.

For $15 attendees could purchase a

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set of 12 tickets and for the 21 and over crowd a $5 wine tasting wrist band was also available. The festival stretched for half a mile with three separate locations where tickets could be purchased including in front of Chase Bank, Show Business Center and in front of Nu Du Salon.

The cost of the desserts ranged from one to eight tickets and largely depended on what the businesses offered. The cost of the wine ranged from zero to five dollars as the wrist band gave attendees access to discounted drinks and free wine samples.

Those who purchased the wine wrist band received special Valentines themed swag, the option of heart shaped sunglasses or a heart headband.

There were only 18 wine tasting booths compared to the 33 chocolate sample stations, but this was also the fist year the wine tasting was an option.

Viaje was a popular spot amongst the wine tasters. They were offering a sauvignon blanc and a red blend from Mexico.

Snow Monster, Sweet Jill's and Cinnaholic were popular locations amongst the chocolate cacaonqueror. Snow Monster gave the option of either a Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookie for four tickets or a Valentine mini macaron for three tickets.

"We have been here for about six, seven years now," Nina Ngim, Director of Staff at Snow Monster said. "I think I've been doing (Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival) for about five years."

Sweet Jill's had one of the longer lines for their personal heart cakes attendees could get for three tickets. Cinnaholic had brownies and cookies for one ticket each, as well as a two ticket cookie dough cup option.

The chocolate options were diverse

Monday, February 12, 2024

in origin with restaurants like Georges Greek Cafe offering a chocolaty twist on traditional Greek desserts.

"Its my third time working (the festival) and I love it it's so fun," Brittany said, employee at George's Greek Cafe.

Alongside the delicious desserts and drinks, were several music entertainers and a face painting booth for attendees to enjoy. There was five tables set up on Corona Avenue where Long Beach music duo the Daring and the Darling performed while festival goers enjoyed the chocolate treats they had gathered.

As the festival came to an end so did the performances, the crowds of people and sadly the chocolate samples. However, the aroma of chocolate will fill the air once again next year.

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ARTS & LIFE

Singing across the globe with Jonathan Talberg Embarking on his 24th year at Cal State University Long Beach, Jonathan Talberg shares his pathway to becoming the CSULB Director of Choral Activities.

BY JD PRESLICKA Copy Editor Assistant

J

onathan Talberg's career started at a very young age, with his initial introduction to the musical arts singing alongside his mother.

After high school, Talberg attended Pepperdine University as a Theatre Arts major. After a discussion with choir director and future mentor, Roger Wagner, he was convinced to pursue choir instead.

Well into his second semester at Pepperdine University, Wagner had announced his retirement and urged Talberg to transfer to Chapman University to continue to work with renowned directors. After settling an agreement with Chapman regarding scholarships, Talberg moved back home to Orange County and continued his education.

There are currently seven ensembles at CSULB, three of which Talberg conducts and tours with across the globe.

"It's a really big part of being a professional musician, being on the road is one of the hardest things that you have to learn how to do," Talberg said.

Travel is a big aspect of Talberg's life, with his goal being to leave the country once a year for personal travels. For Tal-

the public school level, that's law. You can't leave anybody behind at California K-12," Talberg said. "At the University it's different, but we don't just out of a moral obligation to make sure that everybody in the ensemble has a chance to be a part of what makes being a music major at the Bob Cole Conservatory such a joy."

Recently, the program has traveled to Italy, Poland and Hawaii.

When it comes to his teaching, Talberg has faith that his students will succeed through hard work and the ability to take criticism. While he remarks that he may have one of the highest percentages of A's awarded to students, he grades on far more than how they can sing. Attendance, evaluations, preparedness and helpfulness are just a few categories presented in the syllabus.

"This program is really good. This is MARLON VILLA / Daily Forty-Niner my first year, so coming into it was a lot, In a recent episode of Artist Banter, Jonathan Talberg talks about his life as a teach- but, Dr.Talberg, the way he teaches is straight-on, and he expects you to know er, an avid traveler and lover of the arts. your stuff, but it’s like strict in a good way," Vocal Jazz Performance major Aria berg, learning about new cultures and Long Beach area and even overseas.

Gunn said.

During the school year, CSULB allots immersing himself in new experiences is Whether Talberg is on campus or a certain amount of money for students on a plane with a destination far away, a lifelong passion.

CSULB offers a special opportunity to attend events, but for trips outside of his passion for choir follows with him. to those participating in the choral arts, the academic school year, Talberg helps To keep up with the Beach's own choirs, with travel being a staple of the pro- students fundraise their own money if follow @csulb_bccm @choirsatbccm on gram. Sharing his philosophy with his they are unable to cover the cost.

Instagram.

"We don't leave anybody behind. students, Talberg makes sure they get to experience choral events outside of the That's part of the ethos of course. At

Views for everyone to enjoy this Valentine’s Day

BY NATALIA HERNANDEZ Staff Writer

V

alentine’s Day can be a dreadful holiday whether or not you are single. For those that are taken, the stress of planning a date. For those who are single, the stress of finding a date.

Regardless of the position you find yourself in this Valentine’s Day, it can be enjoyable if you choose to check out one of these views in Long Beach.

The first and most known romantic view is Hilltop Park in Signal Hill. During the day the park is the perfect place for a picnic, use one of the tables there or bring a picnic blanket. The view at sunset is breathtaking. Dress warm, get close on a bench and enjoy the city line with that special someone.

The second view on the list is Bluff Park that happens to be attached to Junipero Beach. Bluff Park is known for Yoga in the Park, but is also a nice location to

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NATALIA HERNANDEZ / Daily Forty-Niner This romantic view of Long Beach from Junipero Beach that is connected to Bluff Park can serve as a pleasing backdrop to spend Valentine's Day with a loved one. have a romantic picnic with your partner. It can also be a quaint place to spend some alone time.

Another view that is great with a partner or friends is the Shoreline Aquatic Park. The park is home to the Lions Lighthouse. You can enjoy a nice stroll along the water and you are also

able to see the Queen Mary right across the way. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from and if you want to enjoy some nightlife the Pike is not too far.

The final view is one not far and might be the least expected. You can find this view at the top of Palo Verde North Parking Structure on campus

Monday, February 12, 2024

here at CSULB. This spot is one that can be underappreciated. The view of the Pyramid first thing in the morning or at sunset is stunning. You can buy your favorite takeout, listen to music and enjoy the view in your own company from the comfort of your car. Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone.

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Monday, January 29, 2024

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OPINION

Super Bowl fever: What is there to care about?

With competitive gameplay, a dazzling halftime show and high-production commercials, is this year’s Super Bowl worth tuning in?

BY ALYSSA DE LA CRUZ Sports Assistant

O

n Sunday at Feb. 11 at 3:30 p.m., the 58th annual Super Bowl took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. With repetitive teams set to compete, many fans are questioning if the game is still worth watching.

Within the past four years, the Kansas City Chiefs have played in the Super Bowl. They have won two out of three times, only losing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-9. Furthermore, all of their recent Super Bowl appearances have been with their star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

In my opinion, Mahomes is the most competitive quarterback that we have seen in a while, possibly since the prime time of Tom Brady. Many believe that if Mahomes and the Chiefs win, they may have just created a dynasty that could win another four championships.

So, when will the Chiefs reign come to an end?

They are an excellent team with an amazing coach, but as a sports enthusiast, I am tired of seeing them play in the Super Bowl. This is because we can already guess the outcome.

Could quarterback Brock Purdy and his team, the San Francisco 49ers, end the expected Chiefs dynasty before it even begins? I believe that they can, but with a young quarterback in his second year, it does raise many questions. One being how he can lead the team to vic-

ALYSSA DE LA CRUZ / Daily Forty-Niner A Super Bowl LVIII sign sits in front of the Southwest Airline exit of Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. tory with such little experience in the league.

We also see a new variety of Super Bowl commercials every year, usually causing mixed emotions. The most memorable commercial that I’ve seen was a Budweiser commercial called “Puppy Love,” which was released in 2014. You can never go wrong with an animal commercial, especially with puppies.

According to The Hill, the average cost of a 30-second Super Bowl commercial is around $7 million. This number is crazy to think about, especially con-

sidering the fact that around 50 to 80 commercials run throughout the games breaks. This means that in the threehour long NFL game, at least 40 minutes of just commercials will play out.

The last time that there was a halftime show worth watching was in 2022, when Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar and Mary J. Blige performed.

It was worth watching because it was the first time that all of these Rap and R&B legends came together. I don’t think that this act can ever be topped.

For this years halftime performance, Usher took the stage. Although the singer is known for his lively performances, only time will tell if his energy was suited for the Super Bowl.

Since I enjoy watching sports, I believe that the Super Bowl is worth watching.

If football, halftime shows or commercials aren’t appealing to you though, then you might as well skip the Super Bowl. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.

Is asking someone to be your Valentine overrated?

BY CHEYENNE ELIZARRARAS Opinions Assistant

W

ith the pressure to pop the question, “Will you be my valentine?,” comes the pressure of being asked as well. Though this may seem like an unnecessary gesture, being asked to be someone’s Valentine can be a heartwarming experience.

Modern-day romance often lacks genuineness as it feels like the passion for holidays such as Valentine’s Day is diminishing.

Some people feel like there is no need to have a whole day dedicated to love and romance because they can show their love every day. In my opinion though, I think that that’s what makes days like Valentine’s Day so special; it’s not like any other day.

Love is the one thing that connects

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all humans. Valentine’s Day is a holiday that has been celebrated in many countries around the world since the 14th century.

On and leading up to Valentine’s Day, people celebrate and get themselves into the season of love by asking their loved ones to be their “valentine,” inspired by Saint Valentine.

Asking someone to be your valentine is beneficial to both parties and I think it’s a sweet, simple and innocent way to show adoration. Who wouldn’t appreciate a heart-shaped box of candy with a note asking “Will you be my valentine?”

The nihilistic and depressed version of me in high school thought that Valentine’s Day was obnoxious, and just another day for corporations to profit off of those who are dumb and in love.

Candy-grams felt like another way to call out just how single we felt, and in the weeks leading up to the day, I couldn’t

CHEYENNE ELIZARRARAS / Daily Forty-Niner Barnes & Noble in Huntington Beach features a separate section dedicated to Valentine’s Day cards, filled with creative ways of asking someone to be your valentine. seem to understand the whispers and flirtatious looks throughout the school hallways.

“Why was everybody freaking out?,” I’d think to myself. “It’s just another day.”

Today though, I find Feb. 14th so human. Why not devote a day to writing cheesy love notes and spoiling your loved ones? I think it’s sweet to keep small gestures like these alive.

Monday, February 12, 2024

Yes, you can get your significant other flowers or make dinner reservations any night, but I think there’s something extra special about having that one designated night a year where you and another person can commit to some nice, wholesome romance.

Of course, nobody needs to have a valentine to have a nice Valentine’s Day, but it sure can be sweet when you do!

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OPINION

MARIANA RAMOS / Daily Forty-Niner Since Stanley Quenchers became the newest trend on social media, obtaining them at most local stores has been increasingly difficult.

The Stanley Quencher: Our favorite reusable water bottle

BY MARIANA RAMOS Staff Writer

T

he Stanley Quencher cup has been all the rage on social media, but it might be another trend fueling our overconsumption.

Stanley cups are taking the internet by storm. Videos of people showing off their newest Quencher have flooded the internet, but it’s undeniable that this reusable water bottle is just another trend contributing to mass overconsumption.

In 2022, Stanley made $402 million and as of 2023, that number jumped to $750 million, showing the company’s sales revenue nearly doubled.

The “built for life” water bottle is nothing short of amazing due to its innovative shape that fits perfectly in cup holders and its array of limited-edition colors.

As a Stanley owner myself, it’s great and I couldn’t agree on its practicality more. However, how much longer do we have until this “perfect” water bottle is replaced by a new water vessel and faces the inevitable doom of joining the others in the back of the kitchen cupboard?

For years, people have fallen into a cycle of greed where items that are meant to last years are being replaced at a rapid pace. Before the Stanley, it was

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How much longer do we have until this “perfect” water bottle is replaced by a new water vessel and faces the inevitable doom of joining the others in the back of the kitchen cupboard? the Hydro Flask and before that, everyone was in search of a Yeti.

Water bottles are not the only items being unnecessarily cycled through. We pick up and put down new fashion trends every month and anxiously await the seasonal Baggu drop to add to the collection.

As consumerism is constantly on the rise, I believe that it is crucial that we cut down on overconsumption for the sake of the environment and our sanity.

What happens to the not-so-old items that we are consistently replacing with the coolest new version? It ends up in the landfill. Maybe we will hold onto it for a while until it takes up too much

space, but whether it’s now or years from now, those items will all turn into waste.

According to a study done by the Climate & Clean Air Coalition, 20% of global methane emissions are caused by waste produced by humans. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is a heavy contributor to climate change.

By replacing items at an accelerated rate, we are contributing to a climate crisis that is affecting the environment, food supply and our health. But what sparked this insatiable desire to always have the newest items?

We live in a social media-driven society where we are always looking to put our best foot forward. We study our fa-

Monday, February 12, 2024

vorite influencers to mimic their trendy lifestyle and keep our shopping carts up-to-date. With the innovation of platforms such as TikTok Shop and targeted ads, online shopping has never been simpler.

According to Frontiers in Psychology, “buying motivation is raised as a result of interactions between people with strong links and increased exposure to product recommendations through electronic word-of-mouth.”

We’ve begun to look towards social media to learn what’s “in” and have allowed it to fuel our materialistic desires.

While purchasing items is fun, this constant pursuit to find happiness in goods is not ideal in the long run.

The American Psychological Association said research has shown that people with increased levels of consumerism tend to have higher chances of being unhappy in the long run. The saying “you can’t buy happiness” has been around for a long time and it’s time we take it seriously.

Overconsumption is impacting our way of life far more than we can imagine.

If we want to start prioritizing the environment and our health, we must stop falling into the trap of constant consumerism. Before we reach for the newest reusable water bottle in the market, we should stop and consider how much life our new Stanley still has.

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OPINION

SAMUEL CHACKO / Daily Forty-Niner Millie Belveal, a film and electronic arts major, showed support during the strike on Jan. 22 with a cowbell to make some noise. Although the intended week-long strike came to an end after one day, many faculty are not satisfied with the terms of the agreement.

CSU student-to-faculty pipeline: Tentative agreement does not work

”

BY LEYENDA JACOBSON-HARRIS Guest Writer

I

am just a girl trying to make an honorable living using the California State University degrees I am still paying off.

As a lecturer, I am enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, requiring me to complete 10 years of full-time work in public service to pay off the $35,000 in student loans I took out for a master’s degree in sociological practice from San Marcos State University.

Attaining 10 years of full-time work in a profession that only offers part-time gig work is no 10-year feat. Until my debt is cleared, I earn the wage imposed upon me by the CSU board and my union leadership. It is an admittedly deflated wage padded with “the magic” I make in the classroom.

Because I only have CSU degrees, I serve as a stress test for the value of a CSU Master’s degree. When I see the numbers in the “lecturer” salary table, I see the value the CSU system applies to its educators.

Many jobs will pay what the CSU system offers, (about $65,000 per year) that do not require 6+ years of higher education, a master’s degree and the debt that comes along with it.

I am left thinking, working in sub-standard conditions for a deflated wage while repaying a loan tied to my employer … isn’t this the definition of indentured servitude?

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I refuse to let the fate of our public university become a for-profit corporation churning out degrees they devalue.

My first memory of social activism was a teacher strike. My mom was also a public educator and engaged in an earlier iteration of the fight for a fair, public education system.

That early memory connects to my decision to pursue Critical Sociology in college, where I learned how to use my body, mind and spirit to push movements for positive social change. During our current labor struggles, I have made use of my college degrees by applying all I learned from my beloved CSUSM faculty and mentors.

I must confess that my choice to vote no on our tentative agreement is not an altruistic act completely, it represents a fight for my livelihood and dignity.

My husband and I met 20 years ago as college students. He took every class alongside me and we have the same degrees. My husband also served the community as a sociology lecturer.

During the pandemic, we made the

difficult decision for him to join the military; we could not survive on lecturer wages. The Air Force did not value his degrees, so he enlisted as an E-3, celebrated his 40th birthday in boot camp and is currently stationed 1,200 miles away. We speak daily and visit when we can afford to, which is rare.

My daughter is a CSU student. She is watching my life unfold and paying keen attention to my working conditions. It is challenging to support her in many ways. I cannot support her financially and now, I am having trouble supporting her decision to attend college.

My love for the CSU system is intergenerational. I refuse to let the fate of our public university become a for-profit corporation churning out degrees they devalue.

By demanding a wage appropriate for my professional class, adequate working conditions for my colleagues, our students and the health and safety of my

Monday, February 12, 2024

CSU community members, I am serving as a steward of the CSU system and the integrity of the degrees it awards.

The role of the CSU executive branch is to engage in fundraising and philanthropic work on behalf of the CSU, not the faculty.

Public administrators should not be awarding themselves staggering pay increases while also claiming insufficient funds to adequately pay their staff or care for their students, even after approving a 34% tuition hike.

Public service executives who cannot perform their primary job functions should be held accountable, not wield their power to punish the people they serve.

This is a public university. This is our university. Now is the time for us to stand united for our CSU. Leyenda Jacobson-Harris is a former student and current sociology lecturer at CSULB.

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SPORTS

Photos by SAMUEL CHACKO / Daily Forty-Niner The Long Beach State men's volleyball team would keep the same energy as the crowd, dancing and screaming after every point scored. The Beach would win a close 3-1 battle against No. 4 UCLA.

Long Beach State takes down the defending champs...

BY SAMUEL CHACKO Managing Editor

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Senior opposite hitter Clarke Godbold lobs the ball to the UCLA defenders during their highly-contested match at The Walter Pyramid. Godbold would be the third teammate to score double-digit kills with 12, three serve assists and two blocks.

”

These are the nights these guys will remember for the rest of their lives.

These packed arenas, the energy in the building—this is what athletes dream of.

Alan Knipe LBSU Men's volleyball head coach

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he Walter Pyramid was rocking Friday night with 4,304 fans in attendance, the third-largest crowd in Long Beach State men's volleyball history.

Long Beach State came into the game ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll but a tough No. 4 UCLA team came to play early. The game was a constant battle to take the lead with 37 total ties and 18 total lead changes.

UCLA's six-foot-seven outside hitter Ido David scored a kill that began a 5-2 run for the Bruins and ended the game with a team-leading 15 kills.

The Beach and UCLA would give up costly service errors to one another but kills from redshirt senior Merrick McHenry and senior Ethan Champlin give the Bruins a 1-0 lead, winning the set 25-22.

"You have to be good and handle the fact that they're going to make good plays and almost all the games end up being duece. You have to have a short memory," head coach Alan Knipe said.

"The guys did a really good job when things got a little dicey at times, which will happen in the match, of having the 'so what' side out mentality."

Long Beach State did just that as a 6-2 run boosted The Beach when sophomore outside hitter Skyler Varga started the run, giving them a 12-8 lead.

During the third set, however, it was announced that Natalie Reagan would be the Long Beach State women's volleyball interim head coach next season after former head coach Tyler Hildebrand left The Beach.

The Beach would go on another 6-2 run in the middle of the set but UCLA would score five points of their own off three errors and two service aces, bringing the lead to 19-18 Long Beach State.

Monday, February 12, 2024

UCLA's head coach Billy Martin didn't realize he used all of his substitutions and because of that, UCLA had no setter for the final three points.

This blunder gave The Beach a huge advantage and after multiple errors by UCLA, Long Beach State would steal the set and take momentum from the Bruins, evening the score 1-1.

"Nathan Harlan did a great job [...] he recognized [it] without us saying anything [about] their situation and he made sure he put four serves in a row to give us that opportunity," Knipe said about the substitution error.

That set gave The Beach the energy to continue going back and forth against UCLA with senior opposite Clarke Godbold as he scored six key kills for his team.

UCLA's Champlin gets a kill through the Long Beach State defense and gives UCLA set point 24-22, but two errors give The Beach a 24-24 game.

Champlin would get another kill, extending the lead to one. But kills from Godbold and a service ace from Alex Knight give The Beach the lead with a 2-1 set advantage.

Long Beach State refused to give up the lead during the last set with key contributions from Varga with his six kills in the set, helping The Beach with a 4-2 and 8-6 run to beat the Bruins 3-1.

Junior outside hitter Sotiris Siapanis helped with the scoring output as he had 18 kills and five digs throughout the night.

"We know this game was going to be tough serving from both ends so I was prepared to take some big swings," Siapanis said. "I wasn't serving throughout the game [but] I knew coach always had my back."

"These are the nights these guys will remember for the rest of their lives," Knipe said. "These packed arenas, the energy in the building—this is what athletes dream of."

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SPORTS

… but lose the next night at UCLA Long Beach State men’s volleyball falls to 10-1 following their loss against the UCLA Bruins at the Pauley Pavilion.

BY NAOKI GIMA Photo Editor

F

ollowing a 3-1 victory over the defending NCAA champions, UCLA, the previous night at The Walter Pyramid, The Beach would be handed a 3-1 loss of their own as the Bruins used their home-court advantage to hand The Beach their first loss of the season.

The first set was as close as it could be, as the Bruins took the first set with a score of 29-27. Both teams traded points toward the end of the set but it would be the Bruins that came out on top.

The Beach evened the odds by taking the set with the same scoreline, winning the set 29-27. At this point in the game, it seemed as if both teams had figured out one another and neither team could gain an advantage.

It would be in the third set where things started clicking for the Bruins.

The Beach would give up multiple runs against the Bruins and UCLA would capitalize on that as they won the third set 19-25 and the final set 20-25.

Long Beach State men's volleyball head coach Alan Knipe highlighted the main factors that led to the loss and ac-

Photos by NAOKI GIMA / Daily Forty-Niner Long Beach State men's volleyball freshman middleblocker Lazar Bouchkov (black #27) blocks a kill attempt against UCLA at the Pauley Pavilion. Bouchkov would end the game with three block assists and six kills as the Beach fell to the Bruins 3-1. knowledged the things that UCLA did well.

"We got aced five more times and you know, when the margins are as close as they are, that's a big difference," Knipe said. "We can't get aced and you know we'll be better at that and they served well tonight."

Senior opposite hitter Clark God-

Men's volleyball head coach Alan Knipe watches from the bench as his team takes on the defending NCAA champions, the UCLA Bruins, at the Pauley Pavilion. The Beach would fall to the Bruins 3-1 as they would suffer their first loss of the season.

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bold led The Beach in scoring despite their loss with 17 points and 15 kills. Junior outside hitter Sotiris Siapanis was second on the team in scoring with 14 points and 13 kills.

Clark Godbold despite the loss took a lot away from the two-day series and is already looking forward to the next game.

"It's definitely a good two days for us to see their serves and to play against a high-level match," Godbold said. "We're just gonna get grinding back on Monday."

The Beach will take on Central State at the LBSU Tournament on Friday, Feb. 16 at The Walter Pyramid.

Senior opposite hitter Clark Godbold watches as the final play of the is reviewed to challenge a point against UCLA at the Pauley Pavilion. The Beach would lose to the Bruins 3-1 as they split the weekend series.

Monday, February 12, 2024

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SPORTS

Tyler Hildebrand departs from The Beach for USC

BY MATTHEW COLEMAN Sports Assistant

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ong Beach State women’s volleyball second-year head coach Tyler Hildebrand is on his way out. A video was posted from the official USC volleyball account on Monday showing what looks to be Hildebrand walking through the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

The LBSU alum and former Olympian was hired to a five-year deal in December of 2021 under former athletic director Andy Fee. Hildebrand, one of the most decorated players in school history, was a three-time first-team All-American before competing at the professional level overseas.

Before reuniting with his alma mater, Hildebrand was an assistant coach at

Nebraska, one of the nation’s volleyball powerhouses. During his five-year tenure with the Cornhuskers, they won the 2017 National Championship.

A move to USC ahead of the 2024-25 season would mean Hildebrand returning to the Big Ten conference with the Trojans’ time in the Pac-12 concluding following the end of this school year.

The Big Ten is considered the premier conference in the country for women’s volleyball.

What does this mean for The Beach?

They would be losing one of the most well-respected alumni who has had significant success during his collegiate coaching career. In his two seasons at the helm, LBSU posted a 40-19 record, with a trip to the inaugural Big West Championship game in a run that included knocking off No. 1 seeded UC Santa Barbara.

NAOKI GIMA / Daily Forty-Niner A social media post from the USC women's volleyball Instagram hinted that Long Beach State women's volleyball coach and former player, Tyler Hildebrand, will be joining its staff—prior to an official announcement Thursday morning.

The current speculation on social media is that USC will keep their current head coach, Brad Keller, and Hildebrand will be an assistant under Keller who is 44-34 in his three seasons under the helm. But the question in social media comment sections is that this would be a very loud post for an assistant coach.

On Thursday morning, Long Beach State Athletics put out a press release confirming Hildebrand’s exit.

“Tyler has done a great job of elevating the women’s volleyball program in his two years at The Beach, and we’re certainly disappointed to see him move on,” LBSU Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran said.

Natalie Regan, the top assistant on Hildebrand’s coaching staff last season has since been appointed by Smitheran as the interim head coach.

Jadon Jones reaches 1,000 career points in win over Cal Poly

BY CARLOS YAKIMOWICH Contributor

L

ong Beach State’s history books gained a new addition to their 1,000-point-scorers club. Long Beach native junior guard Jadon Jones became the 25th player in school history to earn the historic mark in The Beach’s 77-68 win over Cal Poly on Saturday.

“I know to Jadon [Jones] he wants to leave his legacy. He wants to put his mark on Long Beach State’s basketball program, and this is a huge step for him,” Stephanie Jones, Jones’ mother, said.

“We’re so proud of him.”

Coming in on a 12-game losing streak, the Mustangs played with a desperate spirit to snap their skid, keeping their efforts high to put them within one with under three minutes left in the game.

The Beach executed the final three minutes on offense, killing the clock and knocking down needed free throws to secure the win, but the last minutes were filled with drama and anticipation from the crowd as Jones inched closer to the 1,000-point mark.

With 19 seconds left, Jones was headed to the foul line, two points away from the school feat. He missed his first attempt and made his second to get within one point, looking like his opportunity would have to come in the next game with seconds left.

After a Cal Poly missed final attempt, junior forward Lassina Traore secured the rebound and gave the ball right away to Jones. Jones slowly dribbled as the final seconds ticked, then decided to go for the feat, surpassing the achievement on a breakaway dunk.

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SAMUEL CHACKO / Daily Forty-Niner Jadon Jones went in for a reverse layup in the paint during the second half of the Long Beach State men's basketball game. Jones would make his mark on the game as he scored a team-high 26 points and three steals.

It created a roaring cheer from the crowd, excited to experience the accomplishment with the hometown guard.

“It's a blessing to be able to be from here and be here and have so many family, friends and supporters coming on this journey with me," Jones said. "To be able to do it in my city. It's a great accomplishment. So I'm just very proud and I'm very blessed to be here."

The dunk ensued an unwritten rule reaction from Cal Poly, who were upset Jones went for the points instead of running the clock out.

After the contest reached its final horn, senior guard Kobe Sanders and

a few Cal Poly coaches, including head coach John Smith, exchanged handshakes with Long Beach State as the rest of their team went straight to the visitor locker room.

“I apologized to Cal Poly. We were totally in the wrong. The game was over,” head coach Dan Monson said. “Yet I don't want to tarnish what he did because it's a great accomplishment.”

Jones finished with a game-high 26 points on 5-for-8 (62%) shooting from three and 9-for-14 overall from the field.

“It means a lot to not only Jadon but our whole family. He's a great kid. He does it the right way. He's an ultimate

Monday, February 12, 2024

team player,” Jones’ father, Derek Jones said. “ He’s put a lot of time and effort in [...] it means a lot to our family.”

Senior guard Marcus Tsohonis scored 18 points and junior forward Aboubacar Traore scored 12 points, which are the only other players to score in double figures for The Beach.

The nine-point win improved The Beach’s record to 15-9 and 7-5 in the Big West.

Long Beach State will look to carry its momentum into its next matchup on the road against UC Davis on Thursday, Feb. 15, at 6 p.m. at the University Credit Union Center.

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SPORTS

Photos by NAOKI GIMA / Daily Forty-Niner The 2024 Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony has made a comeback after years of absence. Some of the inductees include soccer player Shawna Gordon-Palmer and women's volleyball player Brittany Hochevar.

Long Beach State inducts 13 new members into Hall of Fame For the first time since 2018, The Beach honors a new class of athletes and coaches with a special ceremony.

BY MATTHEW COLEMAN Sports Assistant

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hursday evening was symbolic for Beach athletics. For the first time in six years, the event honored some of its best athletes and coaches to dawn the black and gold. The Long Beach Marriot was home to over 300 guests in attendance. Attendees included active and former coaches, donors and faculty.

“It’ll definitely be an annual event because it does such a great job of recognizing the history and the excellence of our athletics programs," Bobby Smitheran, the executive director of athletics said.

"It is also a way to engage the community and bring those two things together."

The list of inductees was star-studded and among the biggest classes to ever be enshrined. With the ceremony being six years in the making.

“It’s wonderful to get together and celebrate and it gives us the opportunity to say again, thanks for coming to Cal State Long Beach. The students always represent the university very well,” Mike Walter said.

Former women’s volleyball coach Brian Gimmillaro headlined the list of inductees and was met with a standing ovation upon his arrival on stage by ceremony hosts JJ Fiddler and Mike Guardabascio, both raddling off his endless accomplishments at LBSU. “The highlight was simply the opportunity to work at this university, with the people I worked with and with the community I was surrounded by. It was an inclusive structure,” Gimmillaro said. “I

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The 2024 Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame Class includes several big names in the university's athletic history, former coaches and athletes alike. From left to right, top to bottom: Brittney Hochevar, T.J. Robinson, Erin Jones-Wesley, Shawna Gordon-Palmer, Brian Gimmillaro, Brent Gray, Andrea Lynch and Cindy Masner. have been in a lot of cities in Southern California, but there’s only one community I know, and that’s Long Beach.”

In over 30 years as head coach, Gimmillaro led The Beach to three national championships in 1989, 1993 and 1998.

The 1998 squad was the first-ever women’s volleyball team in NCAA history to go undefeated at 36-0.

Another notable name amongst the class of 2024 was Major League Baseball all-star and former Dirtbag Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets.

McNeil was one of the few members who could not attend but sent a video

message thanking Long Beach State for the honor. His shoutout to his wife whom he met at the Parkside dorms his freshman year was one of the instances the entire room filled with laughter.

Though most of the inductees find themselves in retirement from their respective sports, the competitive spirit is not far gone. In particular, former softball pitcher Erin Jones-Wesley.

One of the most dominant pitchers in school history, she currently sits atop career wins and strikeouts. Jones-Wesley was asked how many innings she could throw right now, to which she respond-

Monday, February 12, 2024

ed, “I don’t know. Can we go play?”

“I have a ball, glove and cleats in my car still and have not played a softball game in a little close to a decade,” Jones-Wesley said.

For LBSU big man T.J. Robinson the school’s all-time leader in rebounds and double-doubles, it was a long-awaited reunion and a time to catch up with his past teammates and mentors.

“I’m privileged, it’s been a long time coming. It’s been 14 years, so to have this honor to know my hard work is going into something," Robinson said. "It is an honor to be back in Long Beach, as soon as I touched down I felt at home."

The finale was certainly grand, with the second of two standing ovations going to former athletic director, Cindy Masner. She would leave one of the most everlasting impacts still felt at The Beach today during her time as both a student-athlete and her two separate tenures as an athletic director.

“Watching student-athletes grow over time is amazing. It’s like having 350 children every year but don’t have to worry about some things," Masner said.

"I don’t have to pay their bills or any of that stuff. So that was the fun part."

The rest of the class was highlighted by the 1964 baseball team, the 1986-87 women’s basketball team, Taylor Crabb, Shawna Gordon, Brent Gray, Brittany Hochevar, Andrea Lynch and Gary Patterson.

The night will forever be remembered and synonymous with the athletes, coaches and faculty who have created unforgettable legacies that will inspire future generations that represent Long Beach State.

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