CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
VOL. LXVIII, ISSUE 47 | DECEMBER 1, 2016
D49er
CAMPUS LIFE
Nothing but paws-itivity CSULB communication studies students host event to help students to deal with stress before upcoming final exams. By Xochitl Abarca Staff Writer
Easy access to sexual assault resources Free app aims to provide easy access to resources for sexual assault victims on college campuses. By Nubia Valdez Staff Writer
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college; over 90 percent of those vic-
tims don’t report their assault. Capptivation’s Reach Out - College Edition, a free smartphone app, aims to help sexual assault victims in college easily access resources and information available to them in their college or community. This includes easier access to medical, administrative and law enforcement personnel. “We saw that a lot of college campuses have resources that [sexual assault victims] could go to. It’s just impossible to look at it separately and decide what to do first,” Sarah Zandi, one of the apps
founders, said. “[The app] is to consolidate [the information] so they don’t have to go look for it. Something happened to [the student] that they didn’t ask for, obviously, and now they have the additional burden of how to deal with the aftermath. We want to remove that burden for them,” After graduating from different colleges in 2014, five friends decided to combat sexual assault by giving their peers resources and information, rather than victims having to seek it out
see RESOURCES, page 3
Illustration by Miranda Andrade-Ceja and Lindsey Maeda
Cal State Long Beach students, along with Friends of Long Beach Animals, brought furry friends to campus Wednesday to help ease students’ stress going into finals. The “Back on my Paws, Bark at Finals” event took place at the Graduation Lawn from 1 - 4 p.m. and was planned as a special project by a group of students in the Event Planning Communication 337 class. Different groups of students from this class usually organize events like this, bringing therapy animals to campus at the end of almost every semester. “‘Back on my Paws, Bark at Finals’ [was] for students who are experiencing anxiety, depression and stress,” senior communication major Annie Carrazco said. “We are trying to help the students get ready for finals.” According to the article “Cardiovascular Effects of Human-pet Dog Interactions,” published in The Journal of Behavioral Medicine, petting a dog can help lower blood pressure, ease depression and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The event starred an 11-year-old, 60-pound border collie mix named Buddy and a five-year-old, three-legged Chihuahua named Kanga. Not only did students have a chance to play with the dogs, but for a small donation of at least a dollar, students got to take a Polaroid with one of the two therapy dogs and were given raffle ticket. Raffle prizes included donated tech accessories and gift cards from spon-
see THERAPY, page 2
LGBT
Queer crafts fair showcases student art Beach Pride Events and Safe Space CSU collaborated to promote LGBT awareness. By Michael Garcia Staff Writer
Balloons and rainbow banners tied along the rails of the University Student Union signaled the Queer Arts and Crafts Fair, where student-vendors sold homemade jewelry, candy and art pieces. “The Queer Arts and Crafts Fair
is inclusive to all of our students and allows them to sell their creations whether they’re arts, paintings or body items,” Beach Pride Events Lead Program Assistant Kaila-Marie Hardaway said. Beach Pride Events hosted the festival Wednesday afternoon at the USU Front Lawn. “It’s really good exposure for our students who like to make their own creations and it brings awareness to the LGBT community here on campus, even if some of our vendors don’t identify themselves as part of the community,” Hardaway said. Women’s, Gender and Sexuality and sociology professor Shae Miller had natural vegan cosmetics for sale
at her table, while graduate student Jada Esters and Associated Students, Inc. Secretary for Cultural Diversity Victoria Villa sold jewelry and art pieces. Anthropology and women’s studies major Sarah Kenne, who is part of the group Safe Space CSU, was selling homemade candy and sugar scrubs at her table. “The group Safe Space CSU actually came up with the idea [for the fair],” Kennel said. “We have a really big art community here and we thought it would be cool to hold it right now since it’s right before Christmas and everyone can buy
see ART, page 2
Gonzalo Saucedo | Daily 49er
Graduate student Jada Esters sells jewelry and paintings at the Queer Arts and Crafts Fair on Wednesday.