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The Long Beach State men’s volleyball team walks to shake hands with UCLA after being reverse swept at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Feb. 6. The Beach will face the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion on Feb. 20.
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California Faculty Association, CSU settle faculty privacy lawsuit
BY JAYDEN SANDSTROM News Assistant
The CSU system reached an agreement with faculty union members on Jan. 21 to notify employees before releasing personal information in response to federal subpoenas.
The California Faculty Association filed a lawsuit on Oct. 10, 2025, seeking a court order to prohibit the CSU from disclosing employee information, according to a CFA press release.
After the settlement, the CSU Chancellor’s Office issued a press release, stating: “We are pleased to have worked closely with the CFA to resolve litigation without further court involvement. Both parties have a mutual interest in safeguarding employees’ personal information and providing timely information to those most impacted.”
The CSU Chancellor’s Office declined to comment further.
According to CFA President Margarita Berta-Ávila, the lawsuit stemmed from an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission subpoena sent to Cal State Los Angeles seeking employees’ personal phone numbers and email addresses.
In a previous press release, the commission, which has stated it intends to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses, said it would use this information to review antisemitism allegations and contact faculty to investigate these claims, ac-
land acknowlEdgmEnt
cording to an email sent to faculty from CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia on Sept. 26.
After campus administration announced the subpoena, the Cal State Los Angeles CFA chapter alerted the faculty union. CFA requested a copy of the subpoena and asked the university not to comply until the union could review it.
The union later learned administrators had already shared employees’ personal contact information, prompting CFA to pursue legal action.
Click here for full story.
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 Acjachemen/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:
Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and 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.
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Graphic by DANTE ESTRADA/ Long Beach Current The CSU and CFA settle on union lawsuit, CFA president shares insight.
ASI Senate elect new representatives and address student concerns
Senate
elections, USU construction updates and student rights were all on the table for last week’s meeting.
BY JOSEPHINE ROBINSON News Assistant
Associated Students, Inc. elected two Senate representatives and a board trustee member for the University Student Union and Student Recreation and Wellness Center on Feb. 4.
The Senate also appointed a review committee for the Student Bill of Rights and addressed campus concerns at its first meeting of the semester.
University Student Union and the Student Recreation and Wellness Center
Samara Douder, a second-year political science student, was elected to the board of trustees to oversee the USU and SRWC programs, fees and policies.
“I really believe in creating a campus environment that fosters a sense of belonging,” Douder said. “I want to help advance what the future of our facilities look like … I’m interested in learning more about the sustainability efforts, including the Grow Beach Garden and the Sustain U team.”
Student Bill of Rights
The Senate then voted on the creation of a Bill of Rights Review Committee, which Chief Justice Chair Asleiram Hernandez-Rodriguez proposed.
Hernandez-Rodriguez raised several concerns about the current Student Bill of Rights, including that it has not been revised since 2016 and therefore no longer accurately reflects student concerns.
“Students today are living through a moment where free speech and due process rights are being tested nationwide, creating doubts whether institutions are
truly upholding the responsibilities observing the communities they claim to protect,” Hernandez-Rodriguez said.
He also described the document as being vague and largely inaccessible to students.
“Many students don’t know where to turn when they are facing issues, not because they are apathetic, but because the information meant to protect them is unclear and hard to find,” Hernandez-Rodriguez said.
The Senate voted unanimously to appoint a committee of ASI representatives, led by Hernandez-Rodriguez, to revise the Student Bill of Rights to make it more accessible and use clearer language.
Campus Dining
Student concerns and updates regarding campus dining were also addressed.
Sylvana Cicero, the assistant vice president and chief operating officer for Student Auxiliary Enterprises, said they are reviewing food establishments to fill the remaining two spots for on-campus dining options, while also reminding Senate members that they are accepting suggestions for local restaurants to apply for a spot.
Construction
Cicero also provided a brief update on the Future U project. Cicero said they’ve reached the demolition phase of the project.
“We’re working with a campus and with builders to ensure that safety is always paramount,” Cicero said.
Other elected representatives
The ASI Senate elected Prince Plotena, a third-year political science student,
REHANSA KULATILLEKE/Long Beach Current
Prince Rehsim Plotena was elected to be ASI Senator, At-Large during the ASI Senate Meeting held at the Anna W. Ngai Alumni Center on Feb 4.
for ASI Senator, At-Large, who will be responsible for “writing legislation, approving the actions of subsidiary boards and authorizing the appropriation of funds,” as stated on the ASI Senate website.
“I want to reduce financial equity on students while improving career skills [by] expanding paid internship access and hands-on service learning courses,” Plotena said. “Additionally, I want to establish dedicated extended hours, study spaces and support program opportunities for commuters.”
Additionally, credential student Jesus Cordero, who was elected as an ASI Sen-
ator for the College of Education, will represent and oversee legislation concerning their constituents in the College of Education.
“With the federal budget cuts, it’s been a lot harder for my peers and my colleagues to find a job … I want to be a better advocate and support them to see how they can find a career in the long run,” Cordero said.
ASI senators were advised to encourage their constituents to be mindful of passing equipment while walking through construction traffic areas on campus during this time.
The dangers of AI: 5 professors share environmental, social concerns
BY ETHAN BROWN News Assistant
Some Long Beach State professors are concerned about the rise of artificial intelligence, with implications including environmental risks, misinformation, heat generation and the loss of critical thinking skills.
Hosted in the University Library and moderated by Alexis Pavenick, director of Digital Literacy and Ethics and associate librarian for Literatures and Languages, the five panelists discussed AI’s environmental risks, mitigations and future implications.
“There is misinformation being spread that AI is just about cloud computing,” said Shadnaz Asgari, professor and faculty chair of the Computer Engineering and Computer Science Department. “Behind any AI tool you use there are data centers that have physical existence.”
Asgari referenced a 2023 study at UC Riverside, that determined for every 100-word query typed into ChatGPT 4, the traditional cooling center needed to undertake such a task was equivalent to pouring out half a liter from a water bottle.
Concerning trends linked with AI Pavenick, who has six degrees, posed a question to the quintet of finance, marketing, computer engineering and science professors about negative developments in the field of AI.
Reo Song, marketing professor and director of master’s of science in marketing analytics, was troubled with the rise of misinformation and deepfakes.
“It is hard to distinguish between fact and fabrication,” Song said. “If we do not regulate this trend, the internet space will forever be contaminated.”
The sheer amount of heat generation necessary to energize large-scale, advanced computer systems is worrying as our globe continues to warm. Computer engineering lecturer Alireza Mehrnia hopes for renewable solutions to the growing negative footprint resulting from AI generation.
“Heat dissipation gives us a glimmer
CHARLOTTE LOCICERO/Long Beach Current
of hope,” Mehrnia said. “We may not even need to use water – we could use a special liquid that is not a conductor, and use heat as an asset.”
Finance professor Laura Gonzalez used the analogy of ingredients and food labels in hopes of holding big corporations accountable to display the AI model they employ.
“At the store, foods have ingredient labels so you know just what is inside your food,” Gonzalez said. “We need regulations to force companies to reveal what kind of AI they use.”
Some forms of AI are much more costly to the environment than others, depending on how accurate the model is.
To Asgari, sometimes the 2% additional accuracy is worth it. Tumor research, for example. Generating memes, however, does not fall into the same category.
To this end, finance lecturer Ali Tale-
bi talked about the importance of prioritizing AI and how we use it.
“Universities need to spread the word and demand awareness of AI’s efficient uses,” Talebi said.
Remembering the marvel of the human brain
The ever-evolving AI landscape is a vast frontier littered with unknowns. However, it is important to maintain a relationship with our own brains, said Asgari, the 2023 recipient of CSULB President’s Outstanding Professor Award.
Song argues we are “reducing investment in scientific research and distancing foreign talent.” If this persists, we risk losing our current AI industry preeminence.
“Humans have always created solutions rooted in technology and science,” Song said. “We would be remiss to underestimate humanity’s ingenuity and creativity.”
A consensus that all the professors came to was that the present reality of AI’s domination has led many to seek answers from large language models before consulting with their own brains, damaging intrinsic critical thinking skills.
“This era’s challenge is knowing enough about a concept to think you are right, yet not enough about a concept to know you are wrong,” Asgari said. “We need to go to the right sources.”
Midway through the panel, Gonzalez became lighthearted. When reflecting on how politely people treat chatbots, she gave a word of advice given AI’s harmful effects on the environment.
“Stop staying please and thank you to AI,” Gonzalez said. “It’s consuming too much energy.”
From left: Alexis Pavenick, director of Digital Literacy and Ethics, Shadnaz Asgari, professor and chair of Computer Engineering and Computer Science, Reo Song, marketing professor, Alireza Mehrina, computer engineering lecturer, Alreza Talebi, finance educator and researcher, and Laura Gonzalez, associate finance professor. The group talked about the cost and impact of AI at the University Library on Feb. 3.
Elizabeth Alarcon, a fourth-year liberal studies major, and Jerico Sarmiento, a second-year graduate student in math education, have been together for three years.
CHARLOTTE LOCICERO/ Long Beach Current
The inflated cost of love
BY JOSHUA FLORES News Assistant
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches, but for many college students, bank accounts are in the red.
Couples at The Beach are budgeting this Valentine’s Day and getting creative with gifts for their significant other, all while remaining meaningful.
According to a 2025 Bank of America financial education study, 51% of surveyed Gen Z describe the rising cost of living as a barrier to financial success.
In a poll of over 900 people between the ages of 18 and 28, 50% spend “no money” on dating. Among those who spend, 25% of men and 30% of women say they spend less than $100 a month on dating.
The Current asked students how they plan to stay on a Valentine’s budget
this year, with suggestions ranging from homemade gifts to stationery.
“I love giving cards… it’s cheap, it’s free, you know, not to go and spend money,” second-year student, master’s in math education, Jerico Sarmiento said. “You can draw something, if you’re an artist, or even then…you don’t have to be an artist.”
Sarmiento and his girlfriend of three years, fourth-year liberal studies major Elizabeth Alarcon, both brought up different inexpensive gift ideas and where to get them.
Alarcon and Sarmiento suggested stores like Five Below, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross and Target as good, accessible options for finding both inexpensive Valentine’s gifts and candies.
Stationary items were also recommended by Sarmiento because they are practical for students. He suggested the store Books Kinokuniya, a Japanese-based retailer known for its statio-
nery items. The closest store is at Del Amo Mall in Torrance, inside the Mitsuwa store.
The cost of Valentine’s Day is greater this year, with the average cost of gifts this year being $200, an increase of $11 compared to last year. The increase can be attributed to rising costs overall, according to a report from the National Retail Federation.
“I like to give personal items like something they can use on the daily,” first-year criminal justice major Ruby Ontivieros said. “I just like a gift with personal meaning, like something that’s handmade or something that’s meaningful to me.”
Ontivieros and her boyfriend, second-year kinesiology fitness major Andres Trujillo, both emphasized that what matters is the meaning behind a gift, not so much its cost or where it comes from.
“I feel like it’s Valentine’s Day, so it shouldn’t [be] too much [spending] and
then shouldn’t do too much,” Trujillo said.
Ontivieros suggested Target and Amazon as places to get gifts, but also suggested making homemade gifts that hold greater personal meaning for the recipient.
Another popular, potentially inexpensive gift option is a Valentine’s basket—a TikTok trend that resurfaces every year—featuring personalized baskets tailored to a significant other’s interests.
Valentine’s Day gifts can be as simple as a heartfelt homemade card or a wellthought-out Valentine’s basket. According to these CSULB couples, what really matters on Cupid’s day is not the cost behind the gift, but the thought.
“You don’t have to have money, you can make some good thoughtful letters, because, you know, we’re college students,” Sarmiento said.“Funds are a little tight.”
ARTS & LIFE
BY ANGELA OSORIO Copy Editor
The plant-based pop-up Bliss Coffee has attracted long lines on upper campus since its debut last semester.
With limited coffee options at Long Beach State, many have flocked to Bliss for lattes, matcha and cold brews, as well as seasonal drink offerings including a tiramisu and salted caramel latte.
The Long Beach-based pop-up previously had a location on Fourth Street, which closed in late 2024. Their syrups are made in-house, and all drinks are made with oat milk at no additional cost. Prices are generally affordable, with
drinks ranging from $5.50 to $6.
Baristas are friendly and service is quick, making it convenient for an in-between-class caffeine fix.
I tried Bliss Coffee last October, and wasn’t too thrilled. So I decided to give them a second chance and tried three additional drinks this round.
Here’s an honest review of the popup’s drink and pastry offerings, and what’s worth ordering or skipping.
Coffee
Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
$5.50, 12oz 2/5
Espresso is the star of the show in Bliss’s take on the classic Starbucks best-
seller. Only, their espresso is exceedingly burnt, bitter and strong.
If you’re a strong coffee person, this may work for you—just beware of a lingering charcoal taste, and perhaps an upset stomach.
Tiramisu Latte with vanilla sweet cream
$6.50, 12oz 3/5
This seasonal latte features chocolate syrup and espresso with a dollop of vanilla sweet cream and cocoa powder.
I had higher hopes for this one, but the espresso was still just as bitter, only slightly masked by the syrup and sweet cream. The latte isn’t nearly as sweet as the name might suggest, leaving my sweet tooth craving more.
Matcha
Caramelized Banana Matcha
$5.50, 12oz 3/5
I had my fair share of disappointment when trying the banana matcha last semester. The matcha was a pale, dismal
green, diluted and watered down, and the banana flavor was hardly present. Four months later, I was sad to find it much the same, resembling more of a banana milk and failing to balance that earthy, grassy goodness with sweet banana notes.
Chocolate chip cookies
$3 4/5
If your sweet tooth remains unsatisfied after their drinks, consider Bliss’s chunky, scone-sized chocolate chip cookies.
The vegan cookies are sprinkled with thick grains of salt that add a pinch of flavor to the well-balanced, not-too-sweet baked goods.
Bliss Coffee Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Upper Campus, near Liberal Arts walkway
Note: The Current pays for all of its meals to ensure fair and honest reviews. Have a suggestion on what we should try next? Contact us at arts@lbcurrent.com.
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ARTS & LIFE
‘Terrified and angry’: CSULB responds to ICE in Minneapolis
BY DELFINO CAMACHO AND JASON GREEN Arts & Life Editor and Arts & Life Assistant
Anxiety, fear and indignation toward Immigration Customs Enforcement are spilling from Minnesota to Long Beach.
After a year of nationwide raids, violent abductions and “cruel” tactics toward undocumented people under the Trump administration, ICE activity escalated in late 2025 and early 2026 – most sharply in Minneapolis.
The deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, both killed in direct encounters with ICE targeting Somali communities, intensified resistance, sparking protests nationwide – including an on-campus walkout organized in part by the coalition CSULB Divest.
The Current contacted campus political organizations and university representatives to learn how they’re responding to the rise in violent rhetoric from ICE and other federal agencies.
For Political Science Student Association President Sonrisa Dhar, denouncing ICE includes protesting, such as participating in the No Kings Day protest.
“I would say my opinion on the [political] current events is that it’s unethical, first and foremost,” Dhar said. “Second of all, I also believe that it is unlawful, especially what is happening with ICE currently, especially with the two killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”
ICE has killed at least eight people as of January and has deported thousands more.
Dhar said these actions are unlawful, as the government pursues illegal searches and seizure, including unlawful force.
Dhar, a third- year political science major, said she wasn’t shocked. Before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, she took a class that asked whether the democratic system in the country protects people.
Her answer? No.
The Political Science Student Association addresses urgent and trending political topics, though there hasn’t yet
DELFINO CAMACHO/Long Beach Current
Students and other members of the campus gather in the CSULB central quad around noon on Jan. 26, for a student walkout protest rally against recent ICE activities. The rally was organized by student organizations like CSULB Divest, Long Beach Party of Socialism and Liberation and La F.U.E.R.Z.A and grew bigger with over 150 attending the roughly hour long rally.
been an official discussion about ICE this semester.
Dhar recalled that during their first general meeting last semester, it was announced that Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, had been shot. Members then discussed the situation.
“I would say the people that have been going to our meetings have been very respectful with their opinions,” Dhar said.
The Current attempted numerous times to reach the conservative student political group Turning Point USA at CSULB to hear opposing viewpoints. They did not respond to interview requests.
As a previous Associated Students, Inc. Lobby Corps Representative at-Large, Dhar pushed for ICE alerts to be incorporated into Beach Alerts on campus, but she said the alert can appear to be an obstruction of justice, so the documents were not completed.
Dhar said recent ICE actions are not a novel situation or a beginning, but rather a snowball effect from previous administrations, policies and Supreme Court decisions.
What is new, she said, is the Supreme Court ruling that ICE can constitution-
ally racially profile individuals, dubbed “Kavanaugh stops.”
Policies like these were part of the discussion during the Jan. 26 on-campus walkout. The protest drew over 150 students and featured several speakers denouncing ICE and related issues.
CSULB coalition member and business administration major Sarah Garcia said that beyond opposing ICE, the walkout was also a rejection of the violence in Gaza; she described the issues—and other forms of prejudicial violence—as “interconnected.”
Garcia said that as a “brown person,” ICE has always been a “certain kind of thought” in the back of her mind, referencing past administrations’ use of the agency to deport thousands of immigrants.
But she also said recent videos and images constantly bombarding her phone, including “kidnappings,” violent attacks (“even a pregnant woman,” Garcia said) and the killings of Good and Pretti, mark an escalation.
“I’m, like, completely terrified and devastated, it really hurts and then in the last two killings, I’m just angry,” Garcia said. “Angry because of the killings and angry because then I turn on the news
and I see Kristi Noem talking, and it’s blatant lies. It’s just lying, like completely lying, and that just put me really over the edge with the current situation.”
But while Garcia concedes we are living through an escalation of state-mandated violence, she resists describing these times as “unprecedented,” noting that other communities – Black and Indigenous people – have been historical victims of government-sanctioned discrimination for hundreds of years.
She posits that the current escalation is the normalization of state and police violence against “white people” in a way long familiar to Black communities.
Incoming CSULB president Loren J. Blanchard, set to start in May, responded to a question about how he plans to serve a high-Latino campus experiencing local ICE fears.
Coming from the University of Houston, Blanchard said there are similarities in concerns and how he’ll address them.
“We are there to provide as much support to our students as we possibly can,” Blanchard said. “Obviously, within the extent of what the laws allow us [to], we really want to make sure that students and their families know that we can be a resource for them, either [internally] or point them to external resources that could help them as well.”
In response to maintaining hope, Dhar from the Political Science Student Association said it can be difficult.
“I will be honest, it does seem bleak and I am worried about what’s unfolding [in the] future,” Dhar said. “But I would say it’s always important to be hopeful.”
Garcia from Divest offered an equally blunt, if not optimistic, view of what gives her hope.
“My friends,” she said. “I have no hope, personally, I know you’re not supposed to say that, but when I go to an organization meeting or a protest, or you feed your neighbors, or you go learn about a new topic together that has to do with politics – you cry together, you laugh together and you fight together and that’s what gives me hope.”
Annette Quijada contributed to this story.
ARTS & LIFE
Kendrick Lamar mentor shares tips with aspiring educators
BY FOX FIGUEROA Contributor
“You don’t know who you have sitting in your class, therefore you can’t look at them aesthetically,” said renowned, Los Angeles-based educator Regis Inge. “You got to look at them and let them know that you can do it.”
He should know what he’s talking about—the three-time Teacher of the Year awardee is regularly described as “the teacher who inspired Kendrick Lamar.”
Inge was one of several guests who spoke to Long Beach State’s aspiring educators at MacArthur Elementary School’s auditorium on Feb. 5, where students gained insights from experienced teachers on how to build strong foundations in and outside the classroom.
Hosted by the CSULB College of Education, the speaking event was open to students currently in the UTEACH or The Urban Teaching Academy program, as well as alumni and other aspiring educators.
Other speakers included assistant principal Mona Walker and teacher
CHARLOTTE LOCICERO/Long Beach Current
Regis Inge, an educational speaker, English teacher and social science teacher, asks the audience when they think teaching standards start. Inge was one of the speakers at an event for aspiring educators at MacArthur Elementary School on Feb. 5.
Patrice Countz from Compton Early College High School.
The event aimed to encourage the next generation of educators by providing insight from current, successful educators navigating today’s classrooms.
Event organizer and UTEACH coordinator Rita Suh said encouragement and representation are important for future educators.
“We want these future educators to not only stay motivated, but know that they can be the difference,” Suh said.
That message of motivation and impact was echoed through the presence of Inge, who was touted as the event’s top speaker.
“He is very passionate about bringing positivity to this profession, especially when there’s a lot of criticism,” Suh said.
Inge brings an impressive list of accomplishments to his work, having earned teaching honors at the school, state and national levels.
After the crowd thinned, Inge provided additional insight during a 20-minute
interview, expressing the broader impact of teaching beyond the classroom.
Inge, who has been cited by Compton-based, Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar as one of his early mentors, discussed how teaching principles extend into everyday life.
Key traits such as respect, responsibility and integrity play an important role in his teaching style.
“I’m going to show you the steps,” Inge said. “I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do to ensure you’re prepared not only after you leave my classroom, but forever.”
Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized the importance of setting expectations not only for students but for themselves.
“It’s not all about vibes; we got to produce,” Walker said, highlighting the responsibility educators carry in preparing students for success.
The event fostered active participation through several small-group discussions, allowing attendees to reflect on
teaching challenges, classroom expectations and a growth mindset. One activity included reviewing a sample incident report, prompting attendees to evaluate a real-life scenario.
Attendees also asked questions about managing personal struggles as educators and addressing sensitive social issues in the classroom.
Each speaker offered practical, empathetic responses rooted in their experience.
“It doesn’t matter what I have going on; what matters is what is in front of me,” Walker said.
Following the Q&A, attendees had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with each speaker.
As the event came to a close, one message stood out: teaching is more than a profession; it is a calling in which responsibility extends far beyond the classroom.
“The standard is a standard,” Inge said. “It made me who I am, it made me a soldier of a teacher, it’s life.”
The conversation equation: What should and shouldn’t be discussed on a date
BY CHRISTIAN ROBLEDO Opinions Assistant
With the right conversation, just about anyone can ignite a spark between themselves and their date.
Getting a date is already hard enough, but once you do get one, what are you even supposed to say?
To answer this question, The Long Beach Current’s staff surveyed 50 students to determine what should and shouldn’t be discussed on a date, giving those willing to make a move the chance to score a second date.
An overwhelming 36% of surveyed students said they would find a date who talks about their ex an automatic turnoff. Liberal studies major Ruby Molina is one such student.
“The past is in the past,” Molina said, expressing that she would much rather
talk about her date’s goals in life over their exes.
Another no-go would be talking about money. Whether it’s about who’s going to pay or how much each of you makes, 16% of surveyed students agreed that talking about finances has no place on a date.
Communications major Manuela Cervantes shared that she’s over discussing payment on the first date and has developed a solution.
“Something you should never talk about on a first date is who should pay,” Cervantes said, “The man should pay, and women should offer the tip.”
One answer that stood out to me came from mechanical engineering major Michael Persh, who claims that talking about bowel movements on a date is a crappy thing to do.
Psychology major Sam Ramos is equally passionate about the idea that marriage would not make for great con-
versation when getting to know someone.
At this point, some of you may be asking, “If I can’t talk about any of these topics, then what can I talk about?”
Our panel of 50 also shared what should be talked about on a date to help avoid any tongue-tied terror.
35% of surveyed students would all be interested in listening to a date talk about their hobbies and interests on a first date—as long as you ask them about theirs too, of course.
Kinesiology major Takumi Saito shared that he would much rather talk about hobbies and exchange compliments than talk about sexual pasts.
Speaking of sexy topics, politics is definitely not one of them; however, 16% of respondents would enjoy discussing politics on a date to assess political compatibility.
Nursing major Denise Catbagan shared that she valued honesty and
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would like to get to know the bad and the good early on. Along with politics, Catbagan said she would enjoy knowing her date’s aspirations, red flags and hobbies rather than being asked, “What do you like in a guy?”
Hobbies and politics being the most popular answers, there were many unique responses as well.
Biology major Coralie Dal Gobbo shared that she would like to exchange fun facts with her date and discuss travel.
Nutrition major Marissa Sanchez said she would like to know whether her date will waste her time, allowing her to move on if she knows this is not a relationship worth pursuing.
While I am no romance fairy, I hope these student tips can alleviate some stress for those worried about what to say on a first date. After all, with the proper guide rails and good conversation, perhaps love is achievable.
Your Galentine’s Day just got spooky
BY RILEY MURRAY Contributor
Friday the 13th is a date long associated with superstition, bad luck and all things spooky, largely due to its reputation in pop culture and horror films. Galentine’s Day, celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day on Feb. 13, is the opposite—a celebration of friendship and empowerment.
This year, Feb. 13 falls on a Friday, creating a peculiar but exciting opportunity to blend an eerie tradition with a holiday associated with connection and love.
As a result, this Galentine’s Day takes on a new twist and opens the door to more creative ways to celebrate friendship—superstition and bad luck aside.
Girl’s night out
For friend groups who prefer a night out, Friday the 13th is an excuse to turn Galentine’s Day into a nightlong event. Bar hopping around Long Beach is a popular option, with Second Street in Belmont Shore offering a stretch of walkable bars.
Local favorites for a spooky night on the town include Murphy’s Pub, Panama Joe’s, DOGZ Bar and Grill, and Shannon’s on Pine. I recommend coordinating outfits with your friends by wearing black, red, or darker tones to lean into the Friday the 13th vibe.
Another way to celebrate on the 13th could include catching a beach sunset at nearby locations like the Seal Beach Pier or Huntington Beach, a simple yet classic option and one of my preferred ways to spend time with friends.
Be sure to bring a speaker to play your favorite music, snacks to enjoy on the sand and a big, cozy blanket to keep you warm.
Friday the 13th flash sales
Those who are willing to spend a bit more and really want to go all out can opt for matching tattoos. Flash tattoo sales, often offered by tattoo shops on Friday the 13th, provide an opportunity to commemorate friendship.
Although not for everyone, this can make the celebration a long-lasting memory, surrounded by those who love you most.
Spooky movie night
For the girls out there who would
A spooky twist adds something different to this year’s Galentine’s Day plans, which lands on Friday the 13th. However you spend it, the night is best enjoyed with good company!
rather have a night in, my favorite go-to activity is a movie night with lit candles and lots of blankets.
There are movies out there for everyone, but tuning in to watch either romantic comedies or Valentine’s Daythemed horror films this Galentine’s Day truly fits the unusual mash-up of holidays.
My personal favorite movie recommendation for this double holiday is director Josh Ruben’s “Heart Eyes,” which follows two coworkers who become the target of the Heart Eyes Killer on one particular Valentine’s Day night.
What better way to accompany your spooky movie night than with various treats to enjoy while watching? You can bake cookies, pop popcorn, mix up some
spooky-themed drinks, or even order takeout from your favorite restaurants.
There is nothing wrong with keeping things low-key and celebrating Galentine’s Day from the comfort of your own home.
The spookiest activity of the night may be sharing your own personal dating “horror stories” with one another.
Many people have had their fair share of memorable and occasionally questionable encounters that are worth laughing about. Card games like For the Girls can help ease you and your friends into those conversations.
Finally, to wind down at the end of the night, why not do some self-care with your girls? Apply a nice face mask and do your skincare while playing spooky mu-
sic in the background. The combination of the two truly sets the mood for the ending of your Friday the 13th Galentine’s night.
Regardless of what you choose to do for your Galentine’s this Friday the 13th, keep in mind there is something out there for everyone.
Whether that means watching movies at home in your pajamas, catching a sunset on the beach, or hopping between local bars, this informal holiday is less about how it is celebrated and more about who you are surrounded by.
DANTE ESTRADA/Long Beach Current
Top-ranked clash ends in heartbreak as No. 1
UCLA reverse sweeps No. 2 LBSU
ETHAN COHEN/Long Beach Current
UCLA sophomore outside hitter Sean Kelly and redshirt junior libero Chris Connelly attempt to dig a Long Beach serve during a match at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Feb. 6. UCLA toppled The Beach 3-2 in a five-set thriller.
BY BRIANNA APODACA Sports Assistant
In a must-see matchup between the top two ranked teams in the nation, No. 2 Long Beach State men’s volleyball fell to No. 1 UCLA in a reverse sweep five-set thriller at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Feb. 6.
The atmosphere in the Pyramid felt like a playoff match, as the sell-out crowd made its impact known from the first set to last, although The Beach’s home-court advantage was not enough to swing the result in their favor.
“It’s an absolute joy of an environment being here in the Pyramid on our home-court, having a sell out crowd, cheering our guys, bringing the energy and support for our guys,” LBSU head coach Nick MacRae said.
UCLA struck first during the first
set but LBSU wasted no time answering back as The Beach held the lead for the rest of the set.
After hitting .250 in the set en route to building a 24-16 lead, The Beach took a 1-0 lead to start the match after a Bruin service error for set point.
Eager to add to their 1-0 advantage, The Beach brought their defense in the second set.
LBSU took its first lead of the set at 16-15 after falling behind early, but took the back-and-forth set with a kill from sophomore outside hitter Alex Kandev to seal it 25-22.
Looking to avoid a sweep, the Bruins battled hard at the net in the third set.
Tied at 22 with a chance to end the match, The Beach gave up two kills to Bruin sophomore outside hitter Sean Kelly over the crucial stretch as UCLA staved off the sweep with a 25-22 set win.
Building off their momentum from the third set, The Bruins gained confidence in the fourth, holding a sizable lead over The Beach.
An extended 11-7 UCLA run capped off the set at 25-19, setting up a pivotal tie-breaking fifth set.
While the Bruins opened up on a 3-0 run to begin the final set, The Beach stormed back to tie it at 5-5 after two key consecutive aces from senior opposite Skyler Varga, before a missed serve returned the lead to UCLA.
“Just felt good in the first set and let it rip and two aces in a row, felt good, unfortunate I missed that third I felt like that could’ve been a big momentum change, but it was a good battle,” Varga said.
Tied at 8-8, UCLA clinched the reverse sweep on the road with a 7-2 run, sealed by an ace from Bruin senior setter
Andrew Rowan.
UCLA senior outside hitter Zach Rama led the match with a game-high 21 kills, while Kelly chipped with 14 of his own. Varga led The Beach with 12 kills in the loss.
This is not the last time The Beach and the Bruins will battle this year, as in a few short weeks they will head to Pauley Pavilion for another rematch of last season’s NCAA Championship game.
“We’re going to reflect and say, ‘OK great,’ we see this opponent in two weeks from now, and we’re going to try and utilize it like a chess match, this is what they see with us and this is what we saw in them,” MacRae said.
Before that rematch, The Beach will have a Valentine’s Day matchup with Vanguard University at home on Feb. 14.
SPORTS
No. 3 USC uses second-half surge to sink No. 7 LBSU in home opener
BY BRIANNA APODACA Sports Assistant
No. 7 Long Beach State women’s water polo fought hard early, but fell 16-8 to No. 3 USC in the season’s home opener at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center on Friday after a dominant second-half Trojan performance.
After trailing 7-2 late in the second quarter, LBSU (7-5) answered back with its most productive stretch of the match, ending the half on a 3-0 run to cut the deficit to two.
A power-play finish from freshman defender Ronny Gazit and a pair of goals from senior utility Lucy Miszewski got The Beach back in it.
“In the second quarter, we were working more for each other and identifying who was open, having better spacing and communication,” Miszewski said. “When we’re at our best, our highs are really high, we just need to keep it at that
level for the full game.”
The Trojans (9-1) were able to regain control in the third period, opening with consecutive goals and outscoring The Beach 4-1 in the frame.
The lone Beach goal of the quarter was shot by Miszewski to make it a hat trick for the San Jose State transfer, but it was not enough as the Trojans carried an 11-6 advantage into the fourth.
The Beach continued to surrender goals in the fourth, falling into a 13-6 deficit before LBSU junior utility Chiara Amoroso found the back of the net on a powerplay for her second score of the game.
With a closing goal from Miszewski in the closing seconds. The Beach finished 4-for-13 on the power play compared to the Trojans 1-for-9 mark.
LBSU head coach Shana Welch emphasized defensive awareness and intensity as key focus areas following the match.
“Just intensity and putting more pres-
sure on their shooters, improving our awareness and hustle and winning the 50-50 balls, plus being more aggressive,” Welch said. “They’ve got Olympians on their squad. They’ve got great players ... we just have to play as perfect of a game as we can, and we just came up short today.”
Miszewski led The Beach offensively with an impressive five-goal day, while USC junior attacker Ava Stryker led the Trojans with four goals and one assist.
“I try to keep a positive mindset - kind of a goldfish mindset,” Miszewski said. “If something bad happens, you forget about it and move on to the next posses-
sion. Water polo is very physical, and if you don’t match that intensity you’ll get walked over.”
LBSU will play in the Barbara Kalbus Invitational next weekend, starting on Feb. 13 in Irvine, Calif., a multi-team showcase where top NCAA programs play several games over one tournament. They will then have a breather and time to gear up for huge Big West opponents starting with UC Davis on Feb. 27 at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.
The Beach will then have a week off to get a breather before the beginning of their Big West schedule against the UC Davis Aggies at home on Feb. 27.
Catching the Wave: Previewing the ‘15-Mile Rivalry’
BY TIMOTHY HESSEN Sports Editor
The “15-Mile Rivalry” comes at a critical time for Long Beach State men’s and women’s basketball, as both of the programs for The Beach and Cal State Fullerton Titans face off on Thursday.
After a 6-2 stretch that seemed to flip the fortunes of the LBSU men’s basketball season, the team has suffered a five-game losing skid.
The Beach’s losing streak began with a 71-61 road loss to the Titans on Jan. 22, but they will get the chance to host CSUF on Thursday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
Currently sitting at ninth in the Big West standings with a 4-8 conference record, LBSU is one seed
away from the final spot to reach the Big West Men’s Basketball Championship, starting on March 11.
With eight teams making the tournament, No. 7 and No. 8 seeds CSUF and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have LBSU trailing in the rear-view mirror.
A head-to-head loss to the Titans on Thursday would widen the gap between The Beach and a playoff berth.
The Titans’ fast-paced style of play has led them to rank as the highest-scoring offense in points per game in the conference, with CSUF senior guard Joshua Ward ninth in the Big West at 14.6 points per game.
LBSU women’s basketball’s road matchup with CSUF on Thursday projects to be a much more lopsided affair.
The best program out of the four between both schools is Titans’ women’s basketball, which ranks fourth in the Big West with a 9-3 conference record.
After starting 0-11 to begin their season, The Beach women’s basketball team has made strides to be more competitive, but still ranks 10th in the conference with a 2-10 conference record.
However, LBSU has won two of its last six, and played conference leader UC San Diego close through three quarters on Thursday, Feb. 5, before the Tritons pulled away late.
Despite their abysmal start to the season, a playoff berth is not out of the question for The Beach, who trail No. 8 seed Cal State Northridge by just one game in the conference standings.
Their road matchup will be a battle between the highest scoring offense in the Big West, CSUF, and the worst-ranked defense in the conference, with LBSU, so an upset would be a major turning point for The Beach.
Photo courtesy of KAT ACOSTA/LBSU Athletics
The Beach fall 16-8 in their home opener against the No. 3 ranked Trojans on Feb. 7 at the Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center.
Super Bowl Sunday brings sports betting pressure for students
BY JUNIOR CONTRERAS Sports Assistant
The Super Bowl arrives once a year, leaving college students eagerly waiting to get in on the largest single-day betting event of the year in American sports.
The Seattle Seahawks are set to take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8. Viewers are expected to legally bet a record $1.76 billion on the Super Bowl with U.S. sportsbooks, a 27% increase from last year.
Fourth-year economics major George Guzman said he will be participating in the record-breaking day.
“It’s the biggest sporting event of the year, so it’s the biggest opportunity to make some money,” Guzman said.
NCAA conducted a Sports Betting Activity survey in 2023 and found that 60% of its respondents who were pursuing degrees participated in sports gambling, and 67% of students who were living on campus gambled at a higher rate.
Third-year communications major Gavin O’Neal will be wagering around $50 on the Super Bowl.
“The reason I bet on it is not to necessarily make money; it’s to add stakes to the game, like it gives me more of a reason to watch,” O’Neal said.
$1 to $50 wagers are the most common amounts of money placed on sports bets for 18 to 22-year-olds, according to the NCAA survey.
“It’s a special event, meaning a special bet,” Guzman said. “Usually I bet $20 on the UFC every week, but I’ll be betting $100 this weekend.”
Guzman is raising his stakes for the special day, despite not being the biggest football fan.
“I sports bet in hopes to make money, but it also gets you more invested into whatever sport you bet on or watch; it adds emotion,” Guzman said.
O’Neal, a USC fan, will be supporting Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who played for the Trojans before arriving in the NFL.
“If I want to add stakes to the game, I’ll put in a player prop, so during the game I’ll specifically be watching that player, which makes the game more exciting for me,” O’Neal said.
Mobile sports betting apps and college students are sad to see the 2025 NFL season come to a close, as the NFL was the most-bet-on sport at 56.6% among 18 to 22-year-olds in the NCAA survey.
O’Neal bets on the NFL all season and sprinkles in little bets on basketball.
“For football, yeah, I’m very sad,” O’Neal said. “But … this is how I see it, since the football season is only like four to six months of the year, once that comes back it feels super special … I’m sad to see it go, but I know once it comes back, it’ll feel rejuvenating.”
A 2013 study done by professors at the University at Buffalo and the University of Iowa showed that among 13,000
REHANSA KULATILLEKE/Long Beach Current
Students prepare to wager on Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, part of a record-breaking betting day driven largely by young adults.
college students surveyed, 10.23% were probable pathological gamblers.
As gambling rates continue to rise, professors including Sung Jun Joe, who teaches a course on gambling at CSULB entitled, “What Happens in Vegas..!”, have noticed the change in awareness of sports gambling and gambling among students.
“I haven’t directly observed students actively gambling during class, but many students indicate that they are aware of sports gambling apps and the ease of access they provide,” Joe said. “Compared to the past, awareness and exposure are certainly higher.”
Joe worries about students who are abusing gambling.
“Given the widespread use of sports betting apps, I remain concerned that some may be struggling quietly,” Joe said. “A major hurdle is that many people don’t admit when they are in trouble … stigma, privacy concerns, or not recognizing the severity of their behavior can prevent students from seeking help.”
Joe understands the effects that abusing gambling may have on students academically.
“Sports gambling can affect academics, especially when it becomes compulsive,” Joe said. “Previous studies show that the time, stress and financial pres-
sure can interfere with studying and class attendance.”
O’Neal and Guzman also understand the possible dangers of sports gambling, but both deny taking it to the point of addiction.
“I was a little bit nervous, but now that I’m older and it kind of matured, I realized I’m not that type of person,” O’Neal said, reflecting on his sports gambling development. “I know I don’t have to worry about that, but when I first started, definitely, yes.”
The continuous rise in sports gambling is not just among college students, according to the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association.
According to their 2023 survey, 23% of Americans aged 18+ participate in sports betting, which is a 19% increase since 2019.
“Sports betting doesn’t really affect my mental health because again I don’t bet that much; obviously, in the moment you’re a little bummed if you do lose,” Guzman said.
It’s a gamble on Sunday as the Seahawks are 4.5-point favorites against the Patriots, leaving Guzman and O’Neal to flip their coin on Seattle.