Long Beach Current; October 21, 2024

CURRENT LONG BEACH

LONG BEACH STATE’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1949

Vol. XCVI, Issue 9

lbcurrent.com

THE RIDE NEVER ENDS

Monday, October 21, 2024

Long Beach Current 1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-203 Long Beach, CA, 90804

Editorial Office Phone (562) 985-8000

Acsah Lemma Editor in Chief eic@lbcurrent.com

El Nicklin Multimedia Managing Editor multimedia@lbcurrent.com

Linsey Towles Managing Editor managing@lbcurrent.com

Sam Farfán Community Engagement Editor community@lbcurrent.com

Kristina Agresta Director of Business Operations business@gobeach.media

Editors News Editor Juan Calvillo news@lbcurrent.com Arts & Life Editor Julia Goldman arts@lbcurrent.com Opinions Editor Joannah Clemente opinions@lbcurrent.com Sports Editor Davis Ramage sports@lbcurrent.com Solutions Editor Jaylyn Preslicka solutions@lbcurrent.com Design Editor Mary Catipay design@lbcurrent.com Copy Editor Khoury Williams copy@lbcurrent.com Photo Editor Samuel Chacko photo@lbcurrent.com Social Media Editor Jazmyn De Jesus socials@lbcurrent.com Video Editor Dante Estrada video@lbcurrent.com Podcast Editor Aidan Swanepoel podcast@lbcurrent.com Assistants News Assistants

Arts & Life Assistants Opinions Assistants Sports Assistants

Design Assistants Copy Assistants Photo Assistants

Social Media Assistants Video Assistants Podcast Assistants

Ethan Cohen Annette Quijada Mayra Salazar Delfino Camacho Grace Lawson Diego Renteria Lizbeth Cortes-Gutierrez Romi Mathews Christine Nader Matthew Coleman Alyssa De La Cruz Matthew Gomez Jack Haslett Soleil Cardenas Luis Castilla Timothy Hessen Bella Garcia Madison Yang Lauren Benson Justin Enriquez Devin Malast Mark Siquig Matthew Gregory Andrew Miller Eduardo Contreras Jr. Kimberly Perez Gianna Echeverria Alexandra Gryciuk

Business Advertising Manager Andrea Contreras advertising@gobeach.media Creative Director Jennix Bien creative@gobeach.media Web & Technology Director Leila Nuñez web@gobeach.media PR & Marketing Manager Nicollette Combre beach.pr@gobeach.media Distribution Manager Joseph Vargas distribution@gobeach.media

Advisers Design Adviser Gary Metzker Content Adviser Barbara Kingsley-Wilson Advertising & Business Adviser Jennifer Newton

ON THE COVER

DELFINO CAMACHO / Long Beach Current A family holds hands as they walk past the Ferris wheel inside the Westminster Pumpkin Factory on Oct. 16. While entry is free Monday through Thursday visitors still have to pay for ride tickets.

NEWS 2023 Clery Report reveals increases in campus hate crimes and motor vehicle theft

BY MICHAEL HEITER Contributor

T

he 2023 Jeanne Clery Report, which monitors crime on college and university campuses, revealed that incidents of rape, fondling, burglary, motor vehicle theft and stalking were the only categories to see an increase in 2023 at the Long Beach State.

The Clery Report provides on-campus crime statistics to interested parties, including safety and prevention information to the community.

The report showed a total of 20 incidents at CSULB, including 14 crimes and six arrests and referrals for the 2023 report year.

On the enforcement side, arrests for drug law violations and stalking increased, while weapons and liquor law arrests decreased.

University Police Department Chief John Brockie said the increase to 16 car thefts for an entire year is “pretty good” for a campus with 12,000 parked cars most days.

Hate Crimes at CSULB saw an increase by one as part of a trend where hate crimes occurred more often on several CSU campuses, including Fresno, Fullerton, Sacramento and San Jose State Universities.

A hate crime is defined as one in which a victim is targeted due to their race, gender, gender identity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or national origin.

There were two incidents classified as hate crimes; one was vandalism, and the other was intimidation. Both victims of these crimes were targeted due to their sexual orientation.

Under the Timely Warning Policy, a warning

should be issued immediately if a crime included in the Clery Report occurs on campus and is classified as a realistic threat. The warning will contain the crime committed, the date, time, location and the date the warning was created.

The UPD participates in the National Crime Information Center, a computer system that assists in recovering stolen cars and other property with registered serial numbers, including guns and stocks.

Stolen theft incidents on campus are reported to the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office, the Los Angeles County District Attorney and the CSULB Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The UPD does not have jurisdiction over the off-campus fraternity and sorority houses and their events. However, an exception is made when the events are for the purpose of recruiting.

Statistics from the Clery Report are assembled from incidents on campus, surrounding public property and all facilities owned or controlled by the university, including fraternity or sorority houses.

The UPD and Clery Director Larisa Hamada compare submissions with school data to create the annual report issued by Oct. 1.

“Clery program compliance, including the annual security report, is a campus-wide effort, and I appreciate all of my colleagues.” Hamada said.

The Clery Report is named after Jeanne Clery, who was raped and murdered in a residence hall room at Lehigh University in 1986.

To report criminal actions or other emergencies on campus, call (562) 985-4101 or dial 911 on campus phones or cell phones. A WeTip line is available at (562) 986-5131 or on the CSULB website with a webfillable form.

Land Acknowledgment Here at the Long Beach Current 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.

Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and

Letter Policy: All letters and emails

Monday, October 21, 2024

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

cartoons in the issue are those of the writers or artists. The opinons of the Long Beach Current 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 Long Beach Current.

must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Long Beach Current reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.

NEWS Cinematic Arts Chair steps down amidst turbulence in the department

BY ANNETTE QUIJADA News Assistant

F

ollowing students expressing frustration regarding course work intensity, Department of Cinematic Arts Chair Adam Moore announced he is stepping down and will leave Long Beach State on Oct. 18.

Taking over as interim chair is professor of cinematography, David Waldman, who is also the associate chair of the department and head of the cinematography track.

Before Moore’s departure from the university, he held a town hall meeting inviting students to bring forth their concerns to him and Waldman.

On Sept. 19, Cinematic Arts students created a change.org petition demanding change to the new CINE 305 course curriculum that was instituted earlier this semester.

The petition highlights issues with the courses alleged unmanageable workload requiring a substantial amount of outside class time. It currently has 328 ANNETTE QUIJADA / Long Beach Current signatures.

Students have expressed mixed reactions toward the Cinematic Arts Department town hall on whether or not they expect changes “This is detrimental to CINE students to be made. because it allows no space for students working part-time, students with familT Lopez, a third-year film major, said matic art students had met with Moore ial responsibilities, or students with on- problem was every year there were people standing on the outside with their that she has been frustrated with how prior to his announcement to speak going health issues,” the petition reads. hands pressed against the glass, heartmessy this semester has turned out to be about their concerns. He found it strange The CINE 305: Production Workbroken that you did not get into that cofor her as a result of the new curriculum. that Moore announced that he was leavshop 1 course focuses on narrative filmhort.”

“It just feels like there’s one problem ing CSULB days later. making and involves small group work Third-year film major, Ella Kaplan is after another,” Lopez said. “…it’s not fair with hands-on experience with key pro“I don't think that the head of the currently enrolled in CINE 305 and she at all, that people like me coming in with department leaving in the middle of a duction roles. The course is worth three said the new curriculum has caused a lot no experience at all, are expected to fill very turbulent semester is going to make units.

In addition, students shared frustra- of chaos with prerequisite requirements. in the blanks. I don’t appreciate being things better,” Thomas said.

“Because we started our freshmen used as an academic guinea pig,” Lopez tions regarding the immense workload Thomas doesn’t feel like the town and the beginning of our sophomore said. in the one unit course, CINE 272: Edithall meeting helped and expected a bigLopez said that she is happy that ger turnout from students. ing 1 Lab. This course has students learn year in the old curriculum and are now getting on our feet with this new curricMoore and Waldman were willing to lispost-production workflow and Adobe Moore said that any issues that stuulum, a lot of people are finding stress in ten to students’ frustrations regarding dents share will aid in evolving the coursPremiere Pro software. the courses.

At the town hall meeting, Waldman the course load,” Kaplan said. es in the future.

Students were frustrated by their Waldman said that CINE 272, specifisaid that one of the main reasons that “You got screwed over because we the faculty voted for the new CINE 305 professors' responses to concerns about cally, was meant to be a “bare bones” in- changed the curriculum and you had to tro hands-on lab. curriculum was due to the inequitable the workload. catch up to it,” Moore said. “I’m sorry it Students said that CINE professors Gabe Thomas, a second-year film happened, however the reason we put components of the prior curriculum.

“Scriptive narrative production was have made statements including, “If you major, said a lot of the 272 students are you into the new curriculum is because limited to 40 students a year, every single can’t do it, drop the class,” and “If you also in the 305 course. To him, it appears we think it’s better and you’re going to one of you feels like you would’ve been guys miss an assignment, might as well that nobody is happy. be better filmmakers than students who Thomas said that he and other cine- graduated before you.” one of those 40,” Waldom said. “…the drop the class.”

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

Monday, October 21, 2024

3

NEWS Aquarium releases loggerhead turtle, announces rehabilitation enclosure

BY SAM FARFAN Community Engagement Manager

A

quarium of the Pacific animal care specialists released an endangered loggerhead sea turtle off the Southern California coast on Oct. 16 after months of rehabilitation.

Aquarium officials later announced the construction of a new on-site sea turtle rescue enclosure opening next year.

Several aquarium staff members organized a release event for the loggerhead to celebrate the turtle’s full recovery. Volunteers and aquarium stakeholders watched the event from aboard a Harbor Breeze Cruises boat.

The last loggerhead sea turtle to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild by the aquarium was in November of 2015, almost a decade ago.

Known among the aquarium staff as “Lucy the loggerhead,” the turtle spent roughly three months in rehabilitation after being treated for dehydration, invasive barnacles on her shell and flippers, mild pneumonia and ulcers in her eyes. Lucy was found weak, thin and with cloudy eyes due to her emaciated and dehydrated condition.

The turtle’s treatment included subcutaneous fluids in the eyes, quality seafood meals to help her gain weight and antibiotics to treat mild pneumonia as well as the ectoparasites on her flippers.

Lucy was able to gain 10 pounds, which is about 20% of the turtle’s current body weight, during her recovery at the aquarium, helping the turtle get back into a healthy condition.

However, over the three months of rehabilitation, the process wasn’t always smooth sailing for the aquarium staff while Lucy was in their care, according to veterinarian Dr. Lance Adams.

“This animal took several weeks before she started eating any food, and in the meantime, we had to keep supplementing with fluid administration to keep the animal’s hydration back up,” Adams said. “She adjusted her comfortability with being around people and being in a managed care situation pretty

4

well [after that].”

Although the ocean has an abundance of water, Adams compared the ocean to a desert as it doesn’t have much drinking water for turtles to hydrate themselves with, explaining that turtles get most of their hydration from the food they consume.

Shortly after Lucy’s release back into the wild, Aquarium of the Pacific’s Vice President of Development Ryan Ashton announced the construction of a 4,000-gallon enclosure to serve as an onsite sea turtle rehabilitation space at the aquarium.

“This is a huge part of the work that we do at the aquarium, is helping to protect species and reintroduce them to their natural environment,” Ashton said.

“So with that said, we are looking to expand the work we are doing with sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation. We are going to be building out a new area outside over by the Molina Animal Care Center.”

The aquarium received a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, as well as matched funds from the KM Shimano Family Foundation to help build the enclosure, but the space will still require additional funds for specialty equipment and medical supplies.

According to Ashton, more details regarding the enclosure’s fundraising campaign will come in the following weeks.

The loggerhead turtle was rescued near Avila Beach, located on the central California coast, on June 17. Shortly after, NOAA authorized Lucy’s transfer to the Aquarium of the Pacific from The Marine Mammal Center’s field office in Morro Bay. Loggerhead sea turtles cannot regulate their internal body temperature.

Aquarium of the Pacific veterinarian Dr. Brittany Stevens said the water temperature where the turtle was found was too cold for a turtle of that species.

“Loggerhead sea turtles are found in more tropical waters. Usually, they are not found quite up far this north. They do nest down in Baja California,” Stevens said.

MARK SIQUIG / Long Beach Current Lucy the loggerhead turtle swam around as she tried to find the direction she wanted to go. Lucy was reported to gain 10 pounds after undergoing rehabilitation with the rescue team.

Lucy is estimated to be between 10 and 15 years old. However, aquarium officials could not definitively determine the turtle’s sex because loggerhead sea turtles don’t reach sexual maturity until they’re much older and physically longer.

“This is a subadult, meaning it’s not sexually mature. But our staff decided that it was going to be ‘Lucy the loggerhead,’ so we’ve just been referring to her as a her,” Stevens said.

Monday, October 21, 2024

In the northern Pacific Ocean, all loggerhead sea turtles are endangered and are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The construction of the new sea turtle rescue enclosure will ensure the facility’s capacity and resource expansion to provide better care for injured wildlife as soon as next year.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

NEWS

ASI raises LGBTQ+ flag for OUTober, a first for campus history

BY JULIA GOLDMAN Arts & Life Editor

F

ollowing last year’s cancellation, Associated Students Inc. raised a pride flag outside of the University Student Union on Oct. 16 in celebration and in commitment to value Long Beach State’s LGBTQ+ population on campus.

The intersex-inclusive pride progressive flag, which includes additional colors and patterns to represent transgender and LGBTQ+ people of color, was raised during a ceremony from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

An audience of staff, faculty, students and ASI members watched the ceremony, which began with a speech from third-year political science major, and ASI student body president, Nikki Majidi.

The journey to get the flagged raised on the Long Beach State campus was a quiet, but worthwhile battle, according to ASI’s LGBTQ+ commissioner, Bruce Veal.

In 2023, ASI announced they were going to raise the flag in celebration of OUTober, but plans were canceled on Sept. 18.

The cancellation, Majidi said, was due to legal conflicts with the then Time, Place and Manner policy that bound all 23 CSU institutions to content neutrality.

“Last year, we thought because the pride flag falls into our school’s mission and values, of course we can put it up,” Majidi said. “Then, we fell into actual legal troubles, so that’s why we had to cancel the event.”

Following the cancellation, ASI’s previous LGBTQ+ commissioner, Avery Morgan, advocated for the flag to be raised and contacted the Long Beach Current, formerly known as the Daily Forty-Niner, to write a story.

Majidi, an ASI senator at the time, drafted a resolution for the flag to be put up.

From there, ASI’s executive director consulted legal counsel and their associate director, Sylvana Cicero met with Fresno State, San Jose State and San

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

JULIA GOLDMAN / Long Beach Current Third-year political science major and ASI’s LGBTQIA+ commissioner, Bruce Veal raised the flag alongside the USU’s building manager, Israel Jara outside of the USU on Oct. 16.

Diego State for advice on legal policy as those three CSU’s made alterations to allow pride flags on their campus.

After that, Majidi said, it was a waiting game.

The changes to this year’s new CSUwide TPM policy, released on Aug. 24, allowed ASI and Majidi to “poke holes in the policy” and raise the flag this year.

“Because the policy changed where things are private and public, they were able to make our flag poles private prop-

erty, so we are now able to put up our flags,” Majidi said.

Despite this change, Majidi said the current policy makes it only possible to fly the American and Pride flags.

To Veal, the raising of the Pride flag symbolizes a more accurate reflection of the student body.

“There are many that identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community,” Veal said.

“That flag gives those students hope and makes them feel peace and at ease at our

Monday, October 21, 2024

school, so I think that means a lot.”

From now on, the flag is going up every year, Majidi said.

The pride flag will fly above the USU entrance until the end of OUTober on Oct. 31.

“Because we’ve changed the policy for this exact reason, October happens every year, June happens every year,” Majidi said, “[We’re] just making sure that students feel seen, heard and valued. This is one way to show that.”

5

NEWS Long Beach City Council District Four candidates share platforms and policies during forum

BY LILLIAN NGUYEN Contributor

L

LILLIAN NGUYEN / Long Beach Current President of the Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees Herlinda Chico (left) and incumbent District 4 city councilman Daryl Supernaw (right) introduced themselves to the CSULB community on Oct. 10. The discussion to address campaign polices was held at the University Student Union Auditorium.

”

It’s been a tradition that, every year, the [ASI] Lobby Corps Board and Student Government wants to do, which is to bring this opportunity directly to the students— for them to hear directly from the Long Beach City Council.

Odalys Zamora ASI assistant director of government affairs and initiatives

6

ong Beach City Council District Four candidates Daryl Supernaw and Herlinda Chico discussed how each of their platform’s policies can make the city safer for all Long Beach residents at the University Student Union Auditorium on Oct. 10.

Long Beach State Associated Students Inc. President Nikki Majidi was the moderator for a question-and-answer style forum, allowing both candidates to address their campaign promises and policies leading up to the Nov. 5 election.

“We are tackling a number of issues: homelessness...food insecurity, mental health...and being independent from swaying sides,” Majidi said.

An anonymous attendee’s question was read and focused on how the city can be safer for walking and cycling.

Chico said the city should bring back the ranger program for public areas such as parks and other recreational areas.

“I also think that in order for us to have an active recreational space, we need to make it accessible to everybody: that means our growing, aging population... it means people with different abilities,” Chico said. “These could be critical positions that we could be implementing.”

Supernaw said new bike lanes and traffic circles have been installed during his two terms as District Four councilman and cited an upcoming District Four project to streamline traffic from CSULB. “We are about to embark on the Studebaker Road [project], and that will include...bike lanes, new bus lanes.

And that will be a $60 million project,” Supernaw said. “That is the largest infrastructure project in the history of Long Beach.”

The candidates spoke about their different stances on Proposition 36, a potential state legislation created to address the rise of fentanyl. Supernaw said he supports Prop 36, while Chico said she has no position on the legislation.

The candidates also focused on affordable housing and budget changes to current city programs.

Both Supernaw and Chico also encouraged young people to become more

Monday, October 21, 2024

involved in local politics and their communities.

According to the city’s District Four website, Supernaw has served as the district’s councilman since 2015, aiming to be re-elected for his third and final term in office. Prior to being elected, Supernaw worked as a business and marketing consultant for 30 years.

Supernaw was born and raised in Long Beach and lives in the city’s fourth district. The district, which has over 51,000 residents, encompasses the eastern area of Long Beach and includes: CSULB, El Dorado East and West Regional Parks and the East Side Police Station. District 4 has seen a 60% population increase since the last general election.

Chico is Supernaw’s only opposing candidate this term. According to her campaign website, she has been an elected Trustee of Long Beach Community College’s Board of Trustees since 2020 and has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. Over the last 25 years, Chico has worked in various public service committees such as the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission and Mental Health Advisory Group.

Odalys Zamora, ASI assistant director of government affairs and initiatives, said the forum was a great opportunity for the CSULB students to learn more about the candidates’ ideals for the District Four area.

“It’s been a tradition that, every year, the [ASI] Lobby Corps Board and Student Government wants to do, which is to bring this opportunity directly to the students— for them to hear directly from the Long Beach City Council,” Zamora said.

According to Zamora, the forum was made possible through ASI’s collaboration with the League of Women Voters of California. ASI and LWVC also collaborated on the previous District Four candidate forum that occurred during the spring semester.

“There are a couple of folks from the League of Women Voters that come and join and they’re just great collaborators,” Zamora said. “They really help us get the word out...so, we’re very happy to be doing this event with them again.”

Long Beach residents can vote in the general election on Nov. 5 for the city’s District Four council member to serve four years in office.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

NEWS ASI Senate meeting spotlights student advocacy and upcoming projects

BY MARANATHA KEBEDE Contributor

V

oting registration, financial literacy workshops and childcare were notable topics at the Associated Students Inc. Senate meeting hosted at the University Student Union on Oct. 16.

In reports, ASI President Nikki Majidi expressed pride in the campus community for taking action and raising the LGTBQ+ Pride flag on Long Beach State’s campus for the first time.

“The biggest takeaway is knowing the importance of your work as student government leaders and how much influence that you hold,” Majidi said. “It was truly the tireless advocacy and passion that came from student leaders that we were able to have that call for action.”

Majidi discussed various projects she is currently involved in, including the menstrual project initiative.

The purpose of the project is to ensure students have access to feminine products on campus. Majidi will be creating a women-like committee for the project.

She said she has also spoke with Elizabeth Dill, dean of the University Library, about increasing products in the library as part of the project. Dill has worked on a similar project in the past at a school in Connecticut.

“Seeing what has been done in other schools and what we can draw from that can really help the future of this project,” Majidi said.

Majidi also said her upcoming focus on campus in the next week will be on voting registration.

ASI’s Vice President of Finance, Andre Achacon, spoke about the status of the funds of the university and what is available to the student organizations.

The university funding available to student organizations is distributed to many things including travel funding, student research, textbooks and more.

“Our allocated funds still have quite a bit of remaining money available for student organizations,” Achacon said during his meeting report. “Our student travel fund has been pretty popular, we’ve had 38 applications which is really

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

NASAI RIVAS/Long Beach Current Associated Students Inc. President Nikki Majidi discussed reports, accomplishments and upcoming events of the week. Majidi said she was proud of CSULB when the campus made history with raising the first pride flag on campus. great because students know about our grants and now we are issuing our funding.”

There will also be an upcoming ASI financial empowerment conference that will serve as a financial literacy resource for students.

“This is the first time that we are doing a conference lifestyle that we are doing for financial literacy skills,”Achacon said. “Students on our campus really want to know how to improve their financial literacy.”

Another report brought to the table by the Future U committee discussed a vertical transportation project.

The project’s purpose is to construct more effective ways for students to get to their classes by eliminating difficult walks on high hills with more elevators

and escalators.

Before the meeting came to a close, Alec Colchico and Lisa Harris, the director and assistant director of the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center, spoke at the ASI meeting.

The two highlighted the program’s aim to support students with children by caring for their families while continuing their education.

“Considering we are a play-based learning environment, we understand the importance of plays that impact kids who are in development,” Harris said.

“So, we plan activities and experiences where kids get to explore and investigate the environment around them, and just take all the things we offer.”

The program’s goal is to aid the children in learning how to build relation-

Monday, October 21, 2024

ships while taking part in cause-and-effect activities.

However, there is a waitlist due to how quickly the spots in the program fill up, but students who apply will always receive priority.

One of the senators posed a question to the directors regarding their approach to a child exhibiting signs of being on the spectrum.

“This is an area that we are not experts in, however, we partnered up with an agency that will be coming out in two weeks to do a presentation to learn more,” Colchico said. “We invited all of our family and friends. We do realize that there is a rise of this and that we only know more about child development.”

7

ARTS & LIFE

Photos by BRYAN CHAVEZ/Long Beach Current Pictured through a recording phone screen, third-year criminal justice major Ceaser Medrano performs during Night of Narratives at the University Student Union's Sunset Lounge on Oct. 15.

Doors open and walls fall down at Night of Narratives

BY BRYAN CHAVEZ Contributor

T

he typical sight of students studying within the University Student Union Sunset Lounge transformed into a performance space as a number of student poets, songwriters, storytellers and singers expressed their creativity at Night of Narratives on Oct. 15.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., artists from varying skill-levels were encouraged to express their creativity in a safe space without the fear of being judged by the hosting organization, Associated Students Inc.’s Beach Pride Events.

Vivian Moon, or Cosmosis, led the event. A Southern California based artist, musician and author, Moon said that open mics are a blessing for students.

“Imagine a whole bunch of beginners coming to one spot to just really support and embrace the pursuit,” Moon said.

As students took the stage at the event, each one saw the entirety of their performance to its full; between any slight pauses or stutters, none of them ever apologized, and continued on with-

8

in the moment.

Among them was Riley Birch, a psychology major at CSULB. Though he almost did not attend, Birch said that he loved the event.

"I have kind of a long school day, so I thought I’d just go home immediately after," Birch said. "But I thought, 'You know what? Just bear with it a little longer.'"

Birch performed on stage twice at Night of Narratives, and said it felt good to go up on stage and that his nerves made the performance feel like a blur.

Those who came just for the love of literature, including Rory Ferrara, also ended up going on stage.

Ferrara, an undeclared first-year student, said that she initially attended the event to hear about what creative things other students created.

Ferrara said that she loves art and wanted to hear the words that students use to express themselves.

Later in the night, Ferrara went on stage to perform a poem that explained the love she has toward her mother, told through cheese puns.

A returning attendee from last se-

Riley Birch performs an original song on his electric guitar to the audience at Nights of Narratives on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Birch performed his art along with several others during the event. mester's Poet Lounge, Cesar Medrano, came to the Night of Narratives event to perform again.

“I love going on stage because I feel that it's a time when I can be my truest, authentic self,” Medrano said.

To those who still feel nervous when performing, Medrano said to practice repetition.

Monday, October 21, 2024

“Eventually, what happens is that nervous energy is going to become excitement, and then you're gonna get to a point where you can't wait to go on,” Medrano said.

The Night of Narratives event is held once every semester; students who want to perform and attend the event will have the chance to in the spring.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

ARTS & LIFE

The revival of Long Beach State's studentrun journal, Genre

BY JAMIE AUSTRIA Contributor

S

ince 2020, the student-run Long Beach State journal, Genre, has been on hiatus.

Now, a group of student creatives and Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature Viola Lasmana, return to its 60-year history to revitalize, redefine and uphold its core intentions.

Having launched in 1967, Genre previously produced 39 issues featuring the works of writers and artists to the public.

“I think it’s hard a lot of the time for students to get their work published through the traditional avenues,” Genre student editor Christina Schwartz said.

“Something like a student publication gives people a great opportunity to put their work out there where it might’ve been difficult without it.”

Four years ago, the journal had been placed on hiatus due to a vacancy in its permanent faculty advisor position.

Without a permanent faculty advisor, the publication lacked consistent production. This year, that has been resolved and the journal has been brought back with the hiring of Lasmana.

Lasmana began working at CSULB this fall semester and has been tasked with overseeing the journal’s publication as well as facilitating its new student editorial staff.

Coming into the position, Lasmana is looking to provide the consistency previ-

ous volumes lacked— but this new era of the journal also comes with changes.

In previous years, submissions were taken from professors, graduates, students and others within the academic community both in and out of CSULB. “This year going forward, my vision for this journal is for it to be more student focused," Lasmana said. "For the students, by the students, from the students, so that we can focus, as Genre at the Beach, to showcase student work across campus from multidisciplinary perspectives."

The current goal is for the journal to be available digitally, starting with its upcoming 40th issue and onward.

Lasmana said that she envisions the publication as an open access journal with on-demand print options for future issues.

Genre will also begin digitalizing its previous issues, which also includes the past issues that were only available in paperback copies.

The new Genre team consists of six students who share the responsibility of reviewing submissions, editing and designing for each issue.

Since the journal experienced a fouryear hiatus, the current team said that they are working to inform students from all departments across campus about the journal for outreach and to obtain contributing submissions.

Third-year comparative world literature and sociology major Alyssa Agudelo is among the six student editors. Agudelo said that Genre provides them with

JAMIE AUSTRIA / Long Beach Current Members of Genre's student editorial staff spoke to visitors about the publication and gave away copies of previous years' issues at CLA Day on Oct. 16. hands-on experience, and has helped them to adjust their editing processes to different writing styles.

“The best thing about this job is seeing the potential in a piece of writing and being able to elevate it to its highest potential,” Agudelo said. “A lot of what we do is very refined, detail oriented digging into the text.”

Submissions to the journal range from scholarly essays, poems, scripts, stories to many other creative writings.

Due to the limited artwork seen in previous editions, editors of Genre encourage students to submit visual works as well.

“That’s one aspect where we want to do more outreach to other communities on campus that are more in the art sector,” Schwartz said. “Illustrations, animations, photography, basically anything, I think that is something we really want to focus on with our newer additions.”

Genre is a thematic journal that will publish one issue every fall semester, featuring a variety of both written pieces and visual artworks.

The designated theme for the year is selected at the annual Comparative World Literature department’s spring conference. Following this past spring conference's theme of Writers of Extreme Circumstances, the Genre student editors have titled its 40th issue, "Resistance/Resilience".

The second round of submissions for this issue are currently open. This round is focused on visual art submissions fitting to the issue’s theme and are due by Nov. 3rd.

Visual art submissions for Genre's 40th issue can be sent to their email, genrecsulb@gmail.com and updates within their publishing can be found on their Instagram, @csulbgenre.

”

Something like a student publication gives people a great opportunity to put their work out there where it might’ve been difficult without it.

Christina Schwartz Genre student editor lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

Monday, October 21, 2024

9

ARTS & LIFE

Spooky selfies and family fun: Peek inside 3 petrifying pumpkin patches

BY DELFINO CAMACHO Arts & Life Assistant

Whether it's a jack-o’-lantern, candy buckets or a cute dog costume, nothing quite screams Halloween like a pumpkin.

F

10

1. Pa’s Pumpkin Patch 500 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood, CA 90712 Distance from CSULB campus – 6.6 miles or a 13-minute drive Cost: Adults - $5 Kids 4-12 - $2.50 Kids 3 & under - Free Hours: Monday – Friday: 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

or 50 years, Pa’s Pumpkin Patch was a local institution.

Dave and Gail Thacker first began Pa’s in 1973. In five decades, they moved three times but always stayed within the Long Beach city limits.

Until this year.

Current owner, Dave and Gail's daughter-inlaw, Claudia Thacker said it was due to construction that they had to leave their previous home of 18 years.

“It was pretty sad for us to move, we asked the

Monday, October 21, 2024

city but there was nowhere for th Thacker said. “We wanted to con They had trouble securing a a neighboring city official sough For their 51st Halloween, Pa has sprouted in Lakewood.

Located in Lakewood Center Pumpkin Patch offers visitors a food, snacks, a fun house, carou the titular pumpkins.

The new space is almost dou old, with new features includi patch featuring a mini dog park a start-up bands play on the weeke drops for photos.

Due to the substantial amou couples coming to take photos th kin Patch unveiled a new featu backdrops that require tickets, w disco and rainbow pumpkin room “So, it's a different city, but it are the same,” Thacker said. “We Patch and we haven't changed, w Pumpkin prices vary at Pa old-fashioned farmers chart to pumpkin prices by size.

2. Fallstivities Pumpk 3545 The City Wa Orange, CA 928

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

ARTS & LIFE Photos by DELFINO CAMACHO Long Beach Current Clockwise from far left: A couple take a moment to embrace each other while taking a break from rides and photos at the Westminster Pumpkin Factory on Oct. 17.

Location manager Lizbeth Trevilla said many visitors are couples who come to take photos for social media; A little girl wearing a jack-o’-lantern shirt poses among the jumbo pumpkins while her parents take photos of her at Pa’s Pumpkin Patch on Oct. 17. Location owner Claudia Thacker said although they offer rides, games and food, the most popular activities among her guests seem to be taking themed photos; Anthony Day, who manages Fallstivities Pumpkin Patch holds a large regular pumpkin on Oct. 16. Day, who manages the pumpkin patch with his mother, said that they offer a wider variety of pumpkins compared to other locations; A couple embrace and a kiss while shopping for pumpkins at the Westminster Pumpkin Factory on Oct. 17. Beyond the pumpkins the location operates like a mini fair with rides for adults and kids.

hem to relocate us,” ntinue the legacy.” new location until ht them out. a’s Pumpkin Patch

r’s parking lot, Pa’s a variety of games, usel and, of course,

uble the size of the ing a pet-friendly area, a stage where ends and new back-

unt of parents and his year, Pa’s Pumpure– special photo which include both ms. doesn't matter, we e are Pa’s Pumpkin we just got better.” a’s as they use an o range individual

kin Patch ay E, 868

Distance from CSULB campus – 14 miles or a 16-minute drive Cost: Free - Visitors must fill out a QR code waiver before entering Hours: Monday – Friday: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

For the past two years, owner Lianne Sesanto and her son Anthony Day have operated their pumpkin patch out of the Los Cerritos Center.

This year, conflicting events left Sesanto without a location, marking Fallstivities as the second local family-run pumpkin patch displaced from its regular location this Halloween.

“We were blessed to find this spot, even though it's a little bit smaller, but we do anticipate returning to Cerritos next season,” Sesanto said. “We’ll probably still have this location, for the local community."

What separates Fallstivities from other local pumpkin capitol is their expansive, curated variety of pumpkins for sale.

Beyond large carving pumpkins, Day says some of their best-sellers are more decorative pumpkins such as the white crystal star pumpkins and the mini blaze pumpkins which resemble green goblin bombs.

The site also includes a playpen area for chil-

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

dren that is guarded by a worker who sanitizes the zone every 45 minutes.

Fallstivities offers other rides including inflatable jumpers and slides but, Sesanto said, what visitors really crave are the photo backdrops. They provide plenty, with cartoony themes.

“A lot of people that come visit us, their compliment is, ‘Oh my goodness, you have so many photo ops,’ and I take pride in that," Sesanto said.

For next year, Sesanto said that she anticipates the business will remain at the Orange location but plans to return to Cerritos.

Pumpkin prices vary but range between $10 and $30.

3. The Pumpkin Factory at Westminster Mall 1025 Westminster Mall, Westminster, CA 92683 Distance from CSULB campus – 7.3 miles or an 8-minute drive Cost: Monday – Thursday: Free Friday – Sunday: Adults - $5 Kids 2 & under - Free Hours: Monday – Thursday: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Monday, October 21, 2024

With its Ferris wheel lights visible from the 405 freeway, it is almost disingenuous to call the Westminster Pumpkin Factory a patch.

Located in the Westminster Mall parking lot, the Pumpkin Factory retains the qualities of a fair.

Pumpkins are for sale to the left as visitors enter, but the Factory offers much more.

The site's manager Lizbeth Trevilla, 26, has been with the company since she was 15.

“I believe I [became] a manager when I was 17 years old,” Trevilla said. “Ever since then, I've been here. Every year.”

Trevilla said this year includes new additions.

“This year we actually got [food] vendors, like the chicken place, we got the cookie stand,” Trevilla said. “We got the Ferris wheel new and we got the free corn maze.”

The site offers other large and small rides, games, jumpers, paintball and face painting. They also boast a petting zoo and live pony rides.

In what has become a theme, Trevilla said they have begun adding more photo opportunity backdrops.

“I think our most popular thing here is our photo ops. Like, we have [a] big rocking chair that a lot of people come straight to it and our pumpkin house as well,” Trevilla said. “A lot of couples, they come and they take pictures and that's it.”

Pumpkin prices range from $1 and max out at $25.

11

ARTS & LIFE An inside look into bats, a misunderstood, but vital creature

BY JULIA GOLDMAN Arts & Life Editor

83

-year-old Merlin Tuttle has spent his lifetime studying and educating the world on a mammal that he said everyone hated.

An ecologist, preservationist, photographer and educator, Tuttle’s 65-year vocation has sought to protect and redefine the perception of the long misunderstood bat.

Tuttle is one of many authors, conservationists and academics that share their research and mission to the Long Beach community through the Aquarium of the Pacific’s “First Wednesdays” series, which focuses on animal and nature conservation efforts.

“Everyone would much rather kill bats than save bats. How the hell was I going to succeed?” Tuttle said. “I learned early on that arguing with people that they shouldn’t kill bats didn’t work. If you win enough friends, you don’t need a battle. That has been my bottom line thesis over the years.”

Tuttle said that his fascination with bats originates from the fact that little is known about them.

As Tuttle retold the snippets of his accolades of saving millions of bat populations globally, the near full audience within the Aquarium of the Pacific erupted in applause.

Softly spoken yet punctual, Tuttle did not pause within his lecture and continued forward - with audience members quickly muting their applause to catch each word.

Within these retellings, Tuttle emphasized how crucial bats are toward the balance of ecology, through their contributions as the world’s best pollinators, their nature within pest control and their impact on fertilization and reforestation.

Additionally, Tuttle said that bats are incredibly intelligent and sophisticated.

They can be trained to fly and recall, and recent studies within their social structure confirm Tuttle’s previous hypothe-

12

JULIA GOLDMAN/Long Beach Current Merlin Tuttle, discusses the pivotal importance bats hold towards pollination in front of his own photograph during his lecture at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s First “Wednesdays” series on Oct. 16.

”

Everyone would much rather kill bats than save bats. How the hell was I going to succeed?

Merlin Tuttle Ecologist ses that bats have friendships with each other.

“It’s now well documented that they assist each other, hang out and put themselves at risk to help friends,” Tuttle said.

“They’re pretty incredible.”

In a period of history where emerging headlines like “Rabid bat bites woman,” “Swarm critters driving state workers batty” and “State urges caution around bats” almost caused the extinction of gray bats, Tuttle sought to combat uninformed stigma through friendship.

Tuttle recounts an experience with the Old Millie Hill mine in Northern Michigan, when the Cleveland Mining Company sought to abandon and bury the mine, with a large population

of bats inside.

Uncooperative in answering his phone calls, Tuttle took a separate approach.

“I ended up going to the school where their children went and did a program for the children, and the children loved my bats,” Tuttle said. “I promised them that if they could get their parents to take them to a talk I was going to give at the county library two nights later, that I would show them all kinds of really cool bats.”

To Tuttle’s surprise, 200 parents and children showed up to his talk. Instead of lecturing the parents for not returning his calls, Tuttle said that he simply told them the truth about the value of bats.

From there, Tuttle said that so many

Monday, October 21, 2024

people volunteered their expertise, labor and materials that the mining company saved 90% of their anticipated closure costs because people wanted to save the bats.

“We didn’t embarrass them in the newspaper, we didn’t take them to court,” Tuttle said. “We could’ve easily speculated that there were probably some endangered Indiana bats in the cave and gone into litigation... but instead, we gave them a chance to volunteer and gave them full credit.”

Continuing to carry on his desire of informing the world upon the significance of bats, Tuttle encouraged attendees to join him in saving the long misconstrued but vital organisms through his organization, Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation.

Tuttle’s next goal is to combine education with fun for the millions of people who love bats through a bat entertainment center.

“We now have millions instead of extinction because we have friends in bat conservation,” Tuttle said.

The “First Wednesdays” series is available each month, for $5 pre-sale and $10 at the door. Next month’s lecture on Nov. 6 features a discussion on the value of recycled water within the state of California.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

OPINION You’re on your own now first-gen, this is how to stay organized in college

BY LIZBETH CORTES-GUTIERREZ juggling a heavy workload. Giving yourself extra time to work on assignments Opinions Assistant

A

fter graduating high school in 2021 with high honors I believed myself resilient, an enthusiastic teenager ready to pursue higher education despite having no guidance from my parents.

My parents brought me up to be independent and passed on to me a strong work ethic. I always believed that this was all I needed to succeed. So when the cap and gown came off and the recognitions became a memory I would have to continue living up to, I came to the cruel realization that for my first year of college, I would constantly be uninformed and behind.

It took me a year to decipher a system that would help me navigate my courses for an easygoing semester. My system cannot guarantee straight A’s or endless peace, but it promotes organization.

College schedules can go from seemingly easy-going to chaotic in a day. I recommend always staying a week ahead in assigned readings and even assignments if you can. This might only work if your professors post the syllabus before the semester starts, but even if they do not post it until the first day of class this could still work if you ever find extra time or the will to get two weeks worth of work done in one week.

Staying a week ahead can give you a safety cushion if you ever find yourself

also reduces stress and possibly rushing to turn in something that is not your best material.

I am surprised every time I learn someone does not own a planner because mine is an essential. Invest time into your planner if you want it to work for you. You will also need a pack of highlighters and three pens; black, red and blue.

Assign each of your classes a different highlighter.

Once you have access to your syllabus, transcribe every assignment, test etc. to your planner.

Highlight the course names and list the assigned work below them.

Use black for all work relating to your courses.

Use red to mark you have completed an assignment.

Use blue for any school events, job and internship reminders or anything important that you want to stand out.

Marvin Estevez is a fourth-year electrical engineering major at Long Beach State, who as a first-gen student, had to decipher the higher education system on his own. Having no guidance from his parents when it came to pursuing a college degree, he described his transition from high school into college as “a path where you’re stepping into the unknown.”

He remembers feeling lost his first year on campus in part because he had no knowledge of certain terminology

LIZBETH CORTES-GUTIERREZ/Long Beach Current Although I had a planner my first year of college I did not invest enough time into it.

I often scribbled in pencil or a black pen, but starting my second year I created a colorful structure that would keep me efficiently organized and help me raise my grades. like general education requirements, credits and units.

“There’s so much, it’s just a new world. It’s like, it has its own language too. You just have to be able to learn that language,” Estevez said.

I think most first-gen students, especially those who are receiving financial aid, can agree that graduating within 4 years is one of our goals.

Some advice from Estevez is to find a good support system, which can sometimes be a difficult task. He goes to his advisors for questions about his schedule and graduation; but for other topics he finds that professors are usually willing to help or guide you to someone else who can.

“They really help you stay on track, when I think the goal of the university is, like, keep you here as long as they can,”

”

Estevez said. “I don’t want to say all the advisors, but generally a lot of the advisors, they steer you away from the four year plan they usually have for you.”

Estevez has found planners to be an effective organizational tool as well.

In his first year, he used only one large planner, but by the following year, he learned that having an additional one on his phone was better because he checks it more often.

Now he has two planners: a small one to write and check off his goals and reminders each week and an app called Structured, where he keeps track of his schedule and receives reminders of upcoming deadlines through notifications.

As a first-gen college student, you are solely in charge of your success, so learning organization and time management skills is imperative.

There’s so much, it’s just a new world. It’s like, it has its own language too.

You just have to be able to learn that language.

Marvin Estevez Fourth-year electrical engineering major lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

Monday, October 21, 2024

13

OPINION

From presidential hype to local impact — vote down ballot

It’s hard to change the world but voters can improve their corner of it. Vote down ballot and have a say in what happens in the local community.

BY QUINTIN BENTLEY Contributor

R

ecords from the 2020 presidential election indicate a historic turnout, with roughly 76% of eligible Los Angeles County voters submitting ballots.

However, the LA County Registrar-Recorder reveals that in the same election, only 60% of eligible voters completed the ballot for superior court judges serving a six-year term.

Even in an election marked by high voter interest, there was a 16% decrease in votes for a down-ballot position, which has a longer term than the presidency.

Down ballot voting refers to voting for candidates or issues that appear on the later end of a ballot, past the more high-profile questions like president and vice-president. These include local offices or propositions.

This decrease in interest is understandable. It feels gratifying to vote for a presidential candidate, as these individuals dominate the media for months or even years. Voters often feel compelled

14

to support their candidate or ensure that their opposition doesn’t stand a chance.

Voting for president is exciting and fulfills a fundamental right, serving as a fantastic introduction to political engagement.

California has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since the 1988 election. According to 270toWin, it has been twenty years since a Republican candidate received more than 37% of California’s presidential votes.

While voting for the highest office is important, the outcomes in California are essentially predetermined.

For this reason, it is essential to encourage Long Beach State students to transfer the same enthusiasm for the presidential election to local elections, as these have a more noticeable impact on their everyday lives.

Local leaders are vital for keeping cities operational. Local government is responsible for ensuring that communities remain safe, clean and economically sound.

Voting down the ballot can influence whether Americans face additional taxes, schools and police departments

receive adequate funding, unhoused individuals get addiction treatments and judges reflect community values—factors that affect daily life.

Important down-ballot issues encompass propositions, measures, initiatives, amendments, district boards, county supervisors, defense attorneys, superior court judges and city council.

Upcoming Propositions on the November ballot include: Proposition 2, Public Education Facilities Bond Measure It proposes the issuance of $10 billion in bonds to fund the construction and modernization of public education facilities.

Proposition 6, Remove Involuntary Servitude as Punishment for Crime Amendment It considers eliminating a provision in the state’s constitution that allows involuntary servitude of incarcerated people.

Proposition 36, Drug and Theft Crime Penalties and Treatment-Mandated Felonies Initiative It permits felony charges and increased sentencing for specific drug and

Monday, October 21, 2024

Graphic by EL NICKLIN

theft crimes, designating certain drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies. Additionally, it requires courts to inform individuals convicted of selling illegal drugs of potential liability if they continue distributing dangerous substances like heroin or fentanyl, which may result in murder charges if someone dies from using their product.

Down-ballot elections serve as the backbone of communities. If residents are dissatisfied with an issue in their city, they should exercise their right to vote.

If they feel that no candidates represent their values or believe they can perform better, they have the opportunity to run for office.

All of those circumstances exemplify the democratic principles of the country.

Individuals are encouraged to research three down-ballot issues that pique their interest, as this knowledge can enhance their understanding of local political dynamics.

Finally, knowing the name of the city council member who represents their district is important.

Active participation in the electoral process is crucial—so go vote.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

OPINION

Guide dog discrimination by Uber and Lyft impacts ride accessibility

BY LIZBETH CORTES-GUTIERREZ Opinions Assistant

T

he Americans with Disabilities Act protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination including within transportation. However, Uber and Lyft are failing to protect their blind customers with guide dogs.

The National Federation of the Blind held a Rideshare Rally in San Francisco on Oct. 15, demanding the two ride-share services end their discriminatory ride denials and cancellations against guide dog handlers. They previously filed a lawsuit against Uber, which was settled and sent a demand letter to Lyft. Both companies agreed to implement changes to address discrimination against guide dog handlers.

“We're very frustrated because both of the companies reached agreements with us and committed to making this stop, and that was eight years ago and it still hasn't happened,” said Chris Danielsen, director of Public Relations at the National Federation of the Blind.

Lindsay Kerr is an accessibility consultant at the Bob Murphy Access Center, and a guide dog handler with low-vision.

After almost being hit by a car at Stearns and Palos Verdes, Kerr decided to get a guide dog, despite her previous hesitations due to concerns shared by students, interns and friends from Long Beach State about Uber and Lyft's discriminatory practices towards riders with guide dogs.

One of Kerr’s worst rideshare experiences occurred before she got her guide dog, Eve. While lobbying on Capitol Hill in D.C., a driver abandoned her, her cohort and her teammates on a sidewalk in 20-degree weather.

According to Kerr, the issue with Uber and Lyft has been ongoing for as long as they have been on the scene.

“I have heard everything from 'I am allergic to dogs,' to 'I don’t take dogs,' to 'I don't have room for a dog,'” Kerr said, reflecting on her experiences with her guide dog Eve. Lyft’s service animal policy states, “You’re required by the law and Lyft’s policy to always accommodate service

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

LIZBETH CORTES-GUTIERREZ / Long Beach Current Lindsay Kerr and her guide-dog Eve were paired and trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a partner for the Rideshare Rally, in July 2023. Kerr chose Guiding Eyes for the Blind because they have a specialized program for people with additional disabilities like herself.

”

I have heard everything from 'I am allergic to dogs,' to 'I don’t take dogs,' to 'I don't have room for a dog, Lindsay Kerr BMAC Accessibility Consultant

Monday, October 21, 2024

animals, even if you have an allergy, religious or cultural objections, or a fear of them.” Uber’s policy is similarly worded.

However, merely informing drivers of the federal law in their policy has proven insufficient.

According to Danielsen, despite Uber and Lyft saying they are educating their drivers and the drivers agreeing to the rideshare companies’ terms and conditions when signing up, they repeatedly hear drivers say they are unaware of this obligation.

Kerr noted when she and others contacted these companies, they offered free rides as a remedy, which does not stop discrimination. Promises to re-educate their drivers have also proven ineffective.

“Both of the companies had committed that drivers who do this would be removed from the platform, but we don't believe that's happening,” Danielsen said. “One of our demands, if you want to call them that, is that they absolutely implement a zero tolerance policy, and that when a driver deliberately does this, they are removed from the platform permanently.”

In addition to inconsistent consequences from Uber and Lyft, many people are struggling to file complaints.

“The blind person may not be aware that they've driven up yet, because we are blind, we can't necessarily see their cars or their license plates,” Danielsen said. “They'll drive up, they'll see the dog, they'll cancel the trip and drive off.

And when they do that, the apps don't count that as a ride, so we can't pull up the ride in our ride history and report that we had a problem.”

Both Uber and Lyft offer a pet version of their service, but that is not a viable solution since it is not free.

“In a way, it's a Disability Tax,” Kerr said.

Danielsen added that he doubts Uber will waive the pet fee without solid proof that the dog is a service animal, placing an additional burden on guide dog handlers.

Danielsen said they have not heard from the Department of Justice, but recommends that people file complaints with the DOJ to urge action on the matter.

15

OPINION

Graphic by ROMI MATTHEWS A controversial past, a renewed way forward toward an earned opportunity over an inherited legacy. As California is the latest ban legacy admissions.

Breaking bad traditions: The end of California legacy admissions

BY ROMI MATTHEWS Contributor

C

alifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom ended a long-standing tradition of legacy admissions at some of the state’s most prestigious universities on Sept. 30.

The tradition gave children or relatives of alumni and staff employed at certain California universities a higher chance of being accepted into colleges over other applicants, including children and relatives of wealthy donors.

This change comes not long after the national ban on affirmative action in universities across the United States, marking a new era of different admission process-

16

es into California’s most esteemed private colleges and the beginning of breaking unethical traditions.

In a statement released by the governor’s office, Newsom said, “In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill and hard work. The California dream shouldn’t be accessible to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone, fairly.”

The University of Southern California and Silicon Valley-based Santa Clara University had the highest rate of legacy admissions in California, with Stanford University close behind.

According to a status report from USC, 14% of students admitted during the 202223 academic year were legacy admissions, and 30% of transfer students admitted

during the fall 2024 cycle were Trojan Transfer Plan students.

TTP is a popular option for students not admitted directly as legacies. A specialized program similar to the Transfer Admission Guarantee program at UC’s, TTP allows participants almost guaranteed entrance through transferable credits.

In an article by Annenberg Media, USC’s student-run news organization, the article states that the TTP program is invite-only. Although this program is not restricted to legacies only, most of the people invited to join the TTP program are legacy students, with a minimal amount of non-legacies being offered program admission.

In the same article by Annenberg Media, the USC Office of Admissions reported that 20-30% of TTP participants made up

Monday, October 21, 2024

each year’s transfer class.

This upper hand disadvantages non-legacy applicants by allowing wealth and status to take priority in a system that should be run by fairness, hard work, creativity and merit.

USC has often framed its legacy admissions as a means to support families employed by the university, but this practice has increasingly favored wealth and connections over equitable opportunities.

Despite its original intentions, this system has evolved into one of bias that can be bought into and where privilege outweighs parity.

As universities are expected to change their admission process by the fall of 2025, we hope to see a selection process not defined by bank accounts and familial connections but by ambition and potential.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

SPORTS LBSU drops 5-set thriller in Black & Blue rivalry. . .

BY JAZMYN DE JESUS Social Media Editor

T

he Black and Blue Rivalry lived up to its name as Long Beach State women’s volleyball and the UC Irvine Anteaters battled for over three hours, with the Anteaters emerging victorious with a 3-2 win at the Walter Pyramid on Oct. 18.

The Beach were coming off backto-back wins, but the Anteaters spoiled their chances of a conference winning streak on ASI night with 2,200 people in the building.

“That first set was, I believe, 45 minutes, and I don’t know how many challenges went back and forth,” LBSU head coach Natalie Reagan said. “It’s always tricky playing a game like that where it’s stop-and-go; it’s really hard to feel flow or feel like you’re getting in rhythm.”

LBSU powered through the first set with firm receiving, overcoming UCI's servers, who consistently applied pressure on LBSU's defense.

Senior setter Zayna Meyer was instrumental in spreading the ball around to her hitters and kickstarting the offense, finishing with nine kills, nine digs and 46 assists.

UCI slowed the game down with numerous challenges and two timeouts in the first set. Each time the players returned from the breaks, the energy from redshirt freshman outside hitter Jaida Harris’ kills ignited The Beach.

The fifty-minute-long first set featured seven ties and two lead changes, ultimately swinging in favor of The Beach, who clinched a 28-26 victory in overtime. UCI did not go down without a fight, battling through three set points, with LBSU coming out on top.

“Momentum is just a feeling. That’s when we put our heads down and grind,” Harris said. “So that’s what’s cool about challenges is that both teams get to reset.”

Although the consistent pauses and resets took a toll on Harris, she still totaled a career-high 14 kills by the end of the long game.

Redshirt senior Abby Karich and senior outside hitter Natalie Glenn joined her with double-digit kills themselves — Karich led The Beach with 15 kills, and Glenn added 13.

The second set saw six ties and three lead changes. UCI pulled away after the set was tied at 21, scoring three straight points and eventually closing out the set 25-23.

MARK SIQUIG / Long Beach Current LBSU women's volleyball struggled to close out the fifth and final set as they lost to UC Irvine 3-2 at the Walter Pyramid.

The Beach's energy began to wane after the second set, but they rallied to close the gap on the Anteaters, who led 16-11 in the third until a Karich-led run pushed The Beach to a third-set victory of 25-16.

The Beach struggled early in the fourth set, falling into a deficit as large as 12 points.

The deficit was ultimately too much to overcome, with the fourth set going to Irvine 25-17.

The gritty theme of the night carried into the fifth and final set, with LBSU surging to a 9-6 lead and extending it to 13-9, just two points from securing a victory over its rival. However, UCI was not ready to back down.

A 5-0 Anteater run gave them the lead as they held on to take the set 17-15, and the Black and Blue Rivalry match 3-2.

“Sometimes, the biggest lesson we’re learning right now is that less can be

. . .but bounce back to sweep Fullerton

BY JUSTIN GANZ Contributor

L

ong Beach State women's volleyball closed out its weekend homestand by sweeping the Cal State Fullerton Titans 3-0 at the Walter Pyramid on Oct. 19.

Both teams were coming off losses heading into the match with The Beach's being an exhausting three-hour 3-2 loss to UC Irvine, while Fullerton lost in four sets to UC San Diego.

The Beach started the first set strong

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

with a 6-0 run as senior defensive specialist Savana Chacon aced the Titans and forced them to take the first timeout of the match.

Chacon had a total of three aces in the match, adding to her total of 16 on the season.

Beach senior setter Zayna Meyer was pivotal in setting up her hitters as she provided 29 of The Beach's 40 assists on the night.

Meyer's seven assists and redshirt senior Abby Karich's five kills helped LBSU pull away in the first set and take the set 25-15.

Serves played a large factor in The

Beach's first set victory as they had six service aces and capitalized on three Titan service errors.

The beginning of the second set was tightly contested as both teams were trading points, but the Titans jumped out to an early 7-3 lead which forced LBSU to take a timeout.

4-0 and 3-0 Beach runs led to them jumping out to an 18-13 lead, but Fullerton was not ready to bow out yet.

Fullerton came within two points at 22-20, but The Beach held on and clinched the second set 25-21 thanks to another Titan service error.

Monday, October 21, 2024

The third set was similar to the second as both teams traded points early again.

The Beach led by a score of 15-10 heading into the first official media timeout.

The Beach cruised after the timeout and finished off the Titans in the third set by a score of 25-18, taking the match 3-0.

With this win, The Beach move to 12-6 overall and 5-2 in Big West Conference play.

LBSU's next match is against the California Poly San Luis Obispo Mustangs at the Walter Pyramid on Thursday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.

17

SPORTS

Photos by JUSTIN ENRIQUEZ/Long Beach Current The 2025 Long Beach State men's volleyball team played a scrimmage against each other at the Walter Pyramid on Oct. 11. LBSU also hosted a meet and greet with fans who got the opportunity to meet the 2025 team.

BY LARISSA SAMANO Contributor

T

he anticipation is high for the Long Beach State men’s volleyball team and its fans, as the team introduced its 2025 roster at the Walter Pyramid on Oct. 11.

Fans took advantage of the free admission to the event and filled the stands as the team split up for a "Black vs. Gold " scrimmage in a best-of-five set matchup.

Japanese exchange student Koharu Hazama is only here for the semester, so she made sure to attend the scrimmage. ”In my home country, I never got to see a men’s volleyball game so I’m really looking forward to seeing them play tonight,” Hazama said.

The Black team reverse swept the Gold team 3-1 after four sets. Every set was competitive, with each score being within seven points. The scrimmage gave returning members and new additions to the roster a chance to showcase their talents to the fans.

Within the last decade, the LBSU

18

LBSU men’s volleyball introduces its 2025 team

LBSU outside hitter Sotiris Siapanis shakes hands with the audience and embraces a young fan at the men's volleyball meet and greet in the Walter Pyramid on Oct. 11. men’s volleyball program has seen great success with deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, and has established a large

fan base not only on campus, but across the nation.

Psychology major Cameron Santi is

Monday, October 21, 2024

no stranger to cheering on The Beach.

She explained how she has been coming to the Walter Pyramid since she was just a kid to watch the team in action.

“There’s a lot of variety and a lot of popular players that a lot of people know about and I feel like that’ll bring more people to the crowd,” Santi said.

Last season, the team had four sellout games and came up just short of a national title in the NCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship, but there is plenty of reasons for optimism for fans heading into this season.

“They’re very talented as we can see… there’s a lot of new guys so I think the 2025 season will be super fun to watch,” Santi said.

This year’s roster consists of five freshmen who are going to be part of a team-wide effort to fill the shoes of the majority of last year's starters who graduated.

The Beach's fan base is ready to fill the stands once again as they count down the weeks until the team suits up for real gameplay later this winter.

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

SPORTS

MARK SIQUIG / Long Beach Current This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Walter Pyramid. The Pyramid serves not only as a university landmark, but a staple of Long Beach that has held basketball and volleyball events since its opening.

The state of the Walter Pyramid on its 30th anniversary

BY MATTHEW COLEMAN & JUSTIN GANZ Sports Assistant & Contributor

T

he Walter Pyramid has been a landmark on the Long Beach State campus and for the city of Long Beach for 30 years. One of the most unique venues in collegiate sports, the Pyramid is filled with a rich history.

On Nov. 30, 1994, the first event was held at the Pyramid, as Long Beach State's men's basketball defeated the University of Detroit in front of a sold-out crowd that was nationally televised on ESPN. Senior Associate Athletics Director Mark Edrington discussed the excitement surrounding the opening night of the facility.

“Opening night at the Pyramid was as exciting as I had ever seen it at Long Beach State,” Edrington said. “Fans and supporters had only known games and events in the Gold Mine up until that point.”

LBSU men’s volleyball head coach Alan Knipe played in the Goldmine gym as a player on the 1991 National Championship

lbcurrent.com | @lbcurrent

team before coaching his National Championship teams in the Pyramid.

He discussed what it means to coach at such a historic venue like the Pyramid.

“It's not only the right size, but it has an incredible uniqueness and home court advantage to us,” Knipe said. "The Pyramid’s size allows fans to be on top of the action for each match. It's a big arena and it also allows our crowd to be really close to the court, which creates a great atmosphere for our matches."

However, the structure itself has not withstood time gracefully. Several problems in recent years-- with a primary problem in infrastructure leaks when it rains-- make celebrating the iconic venue’s 30-year legacy difficult.

An article by Victor Lozano of the Long Beach Current (formerly the Daily 49er) in March of 2023 broke the news of a potential estimated cost of expected repairs for the Walter Pyramid.

“In 2021, we performed a feasibility study to understand the cost to replace the roof in its entirety as well as other related deferred maintenance items and the estimated cost came to over $55 million,” Joshua Cichuniec, the director of facilities management for Beach Building Services, had said.

Three years after the initial estimation, questions regarding the athletic department's cost remain relevant.

Has LBSU Athletics directed any immediate funds towards short-term renovations that have helped lower the overall cost, or have moderate renovations raised the total funding for bigger solutions?

“The University has commissioned a new feasibility study to once again take a look at the impact/cost of major repairs or renovations,” Roger Kirk, associate athletics director for communications and broadcast, said.

For the last two academic school years, basketball games have shifted locations to the school’s previous gym, the Gold Mine, located in the kinesiology building. The size of the Gold Mine is comparable to a small high school gym.

“It’s really only with heavy rain across multiple days that a move is necessary, and we continue to work to make sure that... a shift to the Gold Mine impacts the quality of the experience for teams, officials and fans as little as possible,” Kirk said.

LBSU hosted the 2024 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Pyramid last spring. External weather elements did not play any factor, leaving the athletic department satisfied with the building’s per-

Monday, October 21, 2024

formance. “[We were] very pleased," Kirk said.

"Some of the small repairs made to mitigate the leaks ending up on the main floor were very successful, and through most weather conditions, the Walter Pyramid remains a top facility."

University administration has been clear and upfront with their stance on abandoning an arena so synonymous with the school and city of Long Beach.

“The Pyramid is part of our whole brand,” CSULB President Jane Close Conoley said in an interview with the Long Beach Current's podcast "Teed Up" last semester.

“The Pyramid has always leaked, it’s not a new problem. It’s an unusual design and the HVCA system was never able to properly heat and cool. It’s a wonderful venue, we love it, but it’s always been a bit of a facilities challenge,” Scott Apel, CSULB vice president, had said.

At this time, there are no plans for any major refurbishment to the Walter Pyramid nor plans for relocation, but the school is working on a feasibility study to figure out what will become of this Long Beach landmark.

19