Thursday, December 9, 2021

Thursday December 9, 2021

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

Volume 110 Issue 17

SPORTS

LIFESTYLE

OPINION

Men’s basketball will seek fifth win against Life Pacific University on Saturday

A ranked list of some of Netflix’s merriest and cheesiest 2021 holiday originals

Women-only gyms create a welcoming environment to boost confidence and self-esteem

SEE PAGE 5

SEE PAGE 8

SEE PAGE 6

Fullerton City Council Temporary program to offer appoints new mayor support for university staff

Former councilman Fred Jung becomes mayor and former mayor Bruce Whitaker is named mayor pro tem.

JON BUZDAR Asst. Editor

The Fullerton City Council voted, 3-2, to name councilman Fred Jung as the new mayor on Tuesday evening.

Jung will replace mayor Bruce Whitaker, who has served as the city’s mayor since 2013.

Jung spoke briefly before the council vote and said, “There should always be a profound reverence for this office, and I have that for my fellow council members here.”

Councilman Jesus Silva voted against the appointment of Jung but said, “only no, to keep the rotation going, but he would do a great job if he gets elected.”

Councilman Ahmad Zahra was the only other council member who opposed the appointment while Dunlap, Whitaker and Jung voted for it.

Silva nominated himself for mayor pro tem,

but lost with a 2-3 vote among the council members.

Zahra and Silva voted in favor, while Jung, Dunlap and Whitaker opposed.

Whitaker was nominated for mayor pro tem by councilmember Nick Dunlap and won by a 3-2 vote.

Once again, the voting was similar to the previous votes, with Zahra and Silva opposed and Whitaker, Dunlap and Jung in favor.

Following the appointments, Jung said, “It’s an honor for me to present the mayor’s plaque and parking sign to our outstanding mayor, Mayor Whitaker.”

Whitaker spoke briefly, congratulated Jung and said he is looking forward to the next year as the council looks to make progress toward some of the challenges they have faced.

The evening began with comments from the community regarding the voting and appointment of the new mayor.

Curtis Cambell, a Fullerton resident and an activist for those experiencing homelessness and veterans, spoke before the appointments.

SEE MEETING

2

The short-term strategy will take place in the spring and offer ASI employees a helpful work environment.

ANGELO ESPINOZA Stafff Writer

The Associated Students board of directors unanimously voted to adopt a resolution for a temporary pilot program for their staff, in response to the numerous problems created by the worldwide pandemic.

A pilot program is used whenever an organization needs help understanding how a large-scale plan can operate when fully practiced. The program includes running short-term trials prior to investing entirely in the newly-developed idea.

This recently approved strategy is set to exclusively take place during the upcoming spring semester, and it will engage and support potential students on the staff in aspects of employee health and wellness, said Keya Allen, the associate executive director of ASI. “This expanded pilot program is something that we really had been looking at for all of the

Disney expert seeks out the bright side with faith, trust and pixie dust

Andi Stein, professor and graduate program coordinator at CSUF teaches unique courses about Disneyland.

JESSICA BENDA Asst. Editor

On a chilly day in Shanghai, a woman waits among the crowd for the city’s Disneyland opening. She has bright eyes and a brighter smile, albeit slightly dimmed by the four-hour line. It’s quickly revived as she strives into a pleasantly uncrowded Fantasyland. If you asked the woman for advice, she’d likely tell you, “Have fun today.”

In whatever she does, Andi Stein is certainly having fun.

That much is clear when anyone steps into her Cal State Fullerton office, which brims with Disney figurines, collectables and handmade toys from decades past.

Stein has seen far more than her office walls suggest — with over 50 countries and all 12 Disney theme parks holding fond places in her memory.

Memory may be a bit too past-tense, as Stein has no intention of stopping her travels once the pandemic has passed. But besides roaming the world, she also travels the CSUF campus.

And so, it is at CSUF where we will begin.

The Academia When Keith Kessler came to the university for his master’s degree, Stein was the first person he met.

He was a regular in her graduate classes, juggling work at a big ad agency with his college courses. Eleven years later, he now has his own office just down the hall from Stein.

SEE TRAVEL

3

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

ASI staff post-COVID,” Allen said. “This is something that, as you all know, has been a big challenge for us coming back after COVID.” This program would offer flexible work schedules, focus on employee health and offer greater operational support.

Allen said that ASI officials are exploring many ideas for their staff’s work schedules and will look to offer its employees a variety of options when it comes to choosing shifts that meet the needs for ASI and its staff.

“We’re looking at staff who could possible adjust arrival or departure time, while still working the core hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or adjusted work hours like a 9/80, which is basically employees work nine days in a two week period with the 10th day off so they’re working extra hours on those nine days,” Allen said.

The options of telecommuting once every two weeks or a hybrid schedule that has a blend of options were also suggested, but Allen said some staff will be left out of these options due to their demanding jobs on campus, such as building engineers or children’s center teachers.

SEE WELLNESS

2

Women’s basketball to visit University of Utah NICOLE MARIONA Asst. Editor

Andi Stein, CSUF professor and graduate program coordinator visited Shanghai Disneyland Park on opening day.

(Andi Stein)

The Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball team will visit the University of Utah Utes at the John M. Huntsman Center on Dec. 10.

Fullerton last took the court on Dec. 7 when they won against University of San Francisco and earned their fifth comeback victory of the season and improved their record to 5-3.

Fullerton led with as many as 14 points against San Francisco as sophomore Ashlee Lewis had a career-high 29 points. San Francisco had a better three-point shooting performance on Tuesday led by their freshman guard Ioanna Krimili who shot 4-7 from beyond the arc.

Fullerton was primarily led on offense by two players, Lewis junior guard Fujika Nimmo combined to score 47 of Fullerton’s 62 points. Fullerton also had the least turnovers in the game against San Francisco.

Utah’s record stands at 6-2 and they play in the PAC-12 Conference with three currently nationally-ranked teams: Stanford University, Arizona State University, and Oregon State University, according to the Associated Press Top 25 poll. This matchup could be one of Fullerton’s toughest on the schedule SEE STREAK

6

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

2 News

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

Meeting: Jung became Fullerton’s first Asian American City Council member in over 20 years CONTINUED FROM

Fullerton City Council voted 3-2 to name Fred Jung Mayor of Fullerton. (City of Fullerton)

1

“Tonight, we get a new mayor; I think that we should continue to do right. Zahra had the opportunity to become pro tem, that was taken away from him,” Campbell said.

Campbell referred to a policy enacted in October 2020 that states, “selection of the mayor pro tem by the city council are based on seniority according to the number of years a member has served consequently on city council without serving as mayor.”

Last year, Dunlap was nominated by Jung despite Zahra being the most senior council member with two years as a council member.

The appointment of Dunlap was not prohibited but broke the policy that was enacted.

Diane Bena, a Fullerton resident, thanked the council for their work and said she looks forward to a

fresh start.

Bena showed support for Zahra and said, “Councilmember Jung, you stated that when you nominated the newly elected council member Dunlap to be mayor pro tem, you were extending an olive branch. I would ask you again tonight to extend an olive branch and nominate councilman Zahra and vote for him to be mayor. You are both good men; this would add a lot of coming together on the council and would be a respectful thing to do and a new start for the new council.”

Much of the discussion preceding the vote was centered around Zahra.

“I do this with love because I love our community, and I know that for some, I may be a controversial candidate,” Zahra said before the vote.

Zahra said that the community needs unity, and if that means he is

not mayor, he accepts that, stating that he would support the appointment of Dunlap as mayor.

He would accept the position of mayor pro tem.

Jung became the first Asian American Fullerton City Council member in over 20 years when he was elected in 2020.

Before joining, Jung served on the Parks and Recreation Commission and Traffic and Circulation Commission.

According to his City of Fullerton biography, Jung was born in Seoul Korea and moved to th e United States when he was five years old.

He has been a Fullerton resident since 1987 and attended Sunny Hills High School, where he volunteered as a High School football coach for many years.

The next Fullerton City Council meeting will take place on Dec. 21.

Wellness: Program will focus on employee health CONTINUED FROM

1

“We had to make sure that we had some sort of options for the different sorts of departments that work within ASI,” Allen said.

Allen stated that one of the possible ideas that may be implemented in the future regarding this topic features online and in-office wellness and fitness classes for the ASI staff.

Allen also proposed developing an ASI staff-only wellness program inside the Student Recreation Center as

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

well as an ASI-friendly walking program that would involve staff members taking a brief break from their job in order to relax and walk around campus.

Allen said that the program plans to aid a healthy and secure staff working environment by assessing the lighting, temperatures and any other ergonomic related issues in the buildings that contain ASI workers.

“We’ll be looking at as we hire new employees, which we have a great deal of new employees across the board,

that they are making sure that they take care of their mental health and make sure that this position, whatever their positions may be, is not too daunting,” Allen said.

Students will also see more staff encouragement and activities going into the next semester with appointed recharge rooms to be used for breaks.

Allen encouraged employees to start taking their lunch breaks away from their desks since many employees do not leave their desks during a shift, including Allen, she said.

Employees will be invited to attend staff development meetings that would feature leaders, teaching leaders and provide peer-driven advice.

“Our staff has really just kicked into full gear and came back 100%,” Allen said. “And we’re seeing some wear and tear from that, so that’s one of the things we’re looking at for this and this pilot program to really bolster folks and get them back in the right frame of mind mentally and physically and just helping them in that way.”

Mary Chammas, the ASI board

chair, was the only member to make a point of discussion and spoke positively about the proposed pilot program moving forward.

“I think this is super important to have not only for the staff, but just for their well-being as well because we are humans at the end of the day,” Chammas said. “I know for me staying in my office for too long, I start freaking out. I need to get out of my office.

So I could only imagine staff, who are overworked and understaffed, doing their jobs as well.”

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

News 3

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

Travel: Stein has visited over 50 countries 1

The Magic As the yellow lights blink on for the night, soft jazz trickles down the wellloved asphalt of Disneyland’s Main Street, U.S.A. It’s a road that Stein has strolled many times before.

As a veteran of the Disney Parks, Stein is more experienced than most when it comes to the Mouse, and not just because of her book.

While other parks like Tokyo Disney Sea are impressive, the original Disneyland will always be her favorite.

She got her first annual pass when she graduated from her doctoral program, where three of her friends chipped in and bought her one. She was 16 when she first went to a Disney park, so most of her nostalgia was from Disney films.

“Disney makes people feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and it helps them forget their troubles. When you walk into VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

Andi Stein visited the banks of Moldova in Romania, the place where her grandfather’s town once was. (Andi Stein)

Whether it be Italy, Hong Kong, or London, her passport is filled.

One of her most prominent trips was on the banks of Moldova, where she visited the place that her grandfather’s town once was.

Stein said her grandfather left to escape persecution during World War 2, and that the town was destroyed by the Nazis.

She recalled her grandfather telling her stories about growing up there, and how it led to her wanting to see her roots.

“That was just amazing to be sitting on the banks of this river thinking, my

EDITORIAL

Disneyland, your main thought is how long will it take me to get on my favourite ride?” Stein said. “You’re not thinking about the stresses that you have going on in your life, you’re just thinking about being able to escape for a few hours and live in this world of fantasy.”

While Stein is familiar with visiting magic, she’s spent her fair share of time making it.

Before she was a teacher, she was a toymaker. Birdseed, bright fabric, and plastic eyes brought “Toads To-Go” to life before Stein left for graduate school.

Back in the Bay Area, she sold at craft fairs and gift shops in San Francisco. She has fond memories of the fair, where children would flock to her table.

“I could see little kids’ faces light up and go, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s ‘Toads To-Go,’’” Stein recalled.

Three of the small stuffed toads sit on her office shelf, poking out between collectables. If things go as Stein hopes, new ones will soon join them.

The World On a two-week trip to Australia, Phyllis Enochs met seven women that she kept in contact with over the coming years. One of them was Stein.

Traveling with a group of primarily solo travellers, Stein and Enochs became fast friends and maintained it, despite the latter living in Georgia.

If anything bonds people, it’s snorkeling through the Great Barrier Reef.

After the trip, they visited each other in their hometowns, and met for Zoom calls when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

“I admire her for her travels and how she just booked some back to back. It’s just amazing how busy she can be. And she’ll do it by herself, and that’s something too that I haven’t ventured off on. There’s many trips that she’s gone off and she’ll make friends easily and she’s fine,” Enochs said. “I’m happy I met her, that’s for sure.”

Enochs said Stein was an easygoing traveler, not only taking great pictures but also detailing a blog of the day’s adventures.

Sandra Rhoten, a CSUF coworker turned travel buddy, has been on cruises with Stein and echoed Enochs’ sentiments.

“She’s really good at meeting lots of people. She’s very social when she’s out,” Rhoten said. “She likes adventure. She likes trying new things.”

Rhoten said Stein gets home from one trip, washes her clothes, and then leaves again. Stein herself has a wealth of experiences to choose from.

ADVERTISING

“As a person, I think she’s very fun.

She’s unique and makes people smile,” Kessler said, now a faculty member in the communications department.

“She’s fully committed to the university. I mean, this is her life. This is what she does. And this is what she loves to do.”

Philadelphia-born, Stein moved to the California sunshine when she was 22, a month after she finished college.

After building a home in the San Francisco Bay Area for several years, she departed to North Carolina for her master’s and Oregon for her doctorate, but California called her back.

“I had originally hoped that I would get a job in the Bay Area to be able to go back to where I had lived for so many years, and where all my friends were. But, I was offered this great opportunity here at Fullerton and I thought, ‘Well, let me try Southern California for a few years,’” Stein said.

A few years quickly turned into 22.

Though first hired to teach public relations, she moved into journalism, then into graduate courses, then finally caught and kept a role as the coordinator of the graduate program.

Evidently, it was well suited, as it’s been her work for the last 12 years.

She recently retired from full time teaching at the university and is now in the faculty early retirement program.

Stepping back from the graduate program, Stein teaches one semester per academic year.

Taking one of her classes will likely involve building a community in the classroom.

In smaller groups, Stein will seat students in a circle rather than facing forward so that people can see each other during conversations.

“I love watching the students grow and develop. Sometimes they come in, they don’t know why they’re taking a class, or they don’t know what they’re going to do with the degree when they finish,” Stein said. “And I like being able to get to know them and find out what are their interests and help steer them in the direction of classes they can take that will help them.”

One of her most notable classes is Deconstructing Disney, which examines the influence that Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Company have on communication and entertainment.

Paired with Stein’s 2011 book “Why We Love Disney,” the course follows Walt Disney’s journey to California and how his company has become an empire. When she published it, Stein saw the power of Disney’s southern California fanbase.

“I really didn’t know how many Disney fanatics there were,” Stein said. “It opened up a whole new avenue for me in terms of meeting people and getting opportunities to speak to groups. And I never expected that at all, so that was great fun.”

CONTACT

CONTINUED FROM

grandfather and his brothers probably swam in this river when they were little boys. There was nothing left of the town,” Stein said. “All that was left was a graveyard.”

The Future If Andi Stein doesn’t answer her phone, you will likely hear her voicemail state that familiar piece of advice: Have fun today.

Stein is surely living her motto.

While she may be retired from CSUF, albeit still teaching classes, Stein still has busy years ahead.

Travelling, reopening her toy

business and potentially writing another book are all on her bucket list.

Surrounded by Disney figurines, her handmade toads, and travel memorabilia, Stein offers words that have driven her own life.

“Don’t be afraid to try things that sound interesting and be willing to take risks,” Stein said. “Listen to the voices that are in your head as opposed to the voices that are coming out of other people’s mouths, telling you what you should do, because you will have lots of opportunities in your life to make mistakes and start over again.”

And, of course, have fun today.

Editor-in-Chief Taylor Arrey Managing Editor Michelle Ibañez News Editor Lily Lopez News Deputy Emily Godinez News Assistants Jessica Benda Bryan Corrales Elena Hanna Spencer Otte Emily Melgar Jasmine Raine Rivera Opinion Editor Vanessa Siguenza Opinion Assistants Nollyanne Delacruz Kryrstin Huxtable Hugo Rios

Sports Editor Anthony Bautista Deputy Sports Editor Marisa Palmerin-Flores Sports Assistants Jeseny Escobar David Goodkind Navtej Hundal Lifestyle Editor Nicole Trinidad Deputy Lifestyle Editor Jessica Choi Lifestyle Assistants Ferry Baylon Darius Johari Eder Ramirez Layout Editor Amber Juarez Layout Assistant Therese Lim

Deputy Layout Frank Portillo Copy Editor Stepheny Gehrig Deputy Copy Editor Jessica Bernal Copy Assistants Dimitra Doiphode Stephanie Jasso Guadalupe Rodriguez Photo Editor Eliza Green Photo Assistants Jon Buzdar Danica Huynh Daniela Navarro Multimedia Editor Kassandra Vasquez Multimedia Assistant Julian Serrano

Director of Sales Isabel Cambiaso Marketing Manager Dakota MacDonald Marketing Coordinators Connor Hedges Annie Kuo Norma Vazquez

Account Executives Tyler Costa Chloe Lau Uri Sandoval Isabela Veloro Manuel Zambrano Accountant Doris Henriquez

Distribution Manager Kim Pham Graphic Designers Allison Nishi Josephine Tang Faculty Adviser Michelle Kurland

Editor-in-Chief News Line Sports Line Advertising

Social Media Editor Maria Pareja Social Media Assistants Nicole Mariona Rochelle Martinez Animator Carly Uyematsu Head Illustrator Gabriela Mendoza-Legorreta Illustrator Assistants Ari Haban Vivan Han Griselda Ruiz Monica Sivayavirojna Gabriela Vega Faculty Adviser Walter Baranger

(657) 278-5815 editorinchief@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4415 news@dailytitan.com (657) 278-3149 sports@dailytitan.com (657) 278-4411 ads@dailytitan.com

FOR THE RECORD A previous version of the article titled “CSUF tried to leave commuter reputation behind with its Master Plan,” included a photo caption that stated “Nicholas Aguilar (left) speaks to Bryan Corrales-Reyes (right).”

The correct photo caption for this photo is: Nicholas Aguilar (left) speaks to Daily Titan reporter Bryan Corrales-Reyes.

© COPYRIGHT DAILY TITAN 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Monday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, Inc. College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free.

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

4 Lifestyle

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

Things to do when you’re not a fan of the holidays This anti-holiday activity list will be sure to keep your inner Grinch happy.

NOLLYANNE DE LA CRUZ Asst. Editor

The holiday season is seen as a joyful time. Stockings line crackling fireplaces. The dinner table is covered with more food than tablecloth. People exchange gifts at the closing of the year. While some of those characters may be featured at some people’s holiday parties, it is not relevant to everyone.

For other people, going back home for the holidays can stir up traumatic memories of turbulent households, grief over family members who passed during the year, resentment against toxic relatives and stressful perfectionist party-planning. If those situations ring a bell, here are some places to go and things to do when you hate the holiday season.

Go to an Asian restaurant There is a stereotype that Jewish people celebrate Christmas by getting Chinese food. However, maybe more people with a disdain for the holidays can take it up, too. Asian restaurants typically do not close during Christmas and are usually open into the late hours of the night, making it an ideal place for holiday pessimists to flock when they cannot handle being at home.

Taking the trip to Little Saigon in Garden Grove and Westminster can be a way to pass time away from your family.

Go to the beach The typical interpretation of the

winter holiday season is cold and snowy, with lots of warm drinks. In Southern California, that vision of Christmas is almost moot. Hopefully, mild California winters provide a little comfort for people whose holiday situations are not ideal by providing an uncharacteristically sunny backdrop in December.

To celebrate the novel winter wonderland, holiday season haters can replace the idea of a white Christmas with a sandy Christmas by going to the beach. As cliché as it is, a walk on the shoreline or a picnic with friends on the beach can help people detach their holiday expectations from a reality created by new memories.

Go to therapy or start an anti-holiday support group If the holiday season is associated with trauma, stress or addiction, scheduling an appointment with a psychologist or a therapist could be essential to getting through the holiday season.

Despite being marketed as “the most wonderful time of the year,” there are plenty of people who may feel the “holiday blues.”

Although you may not get an appointment on Christmas day, scheduling an appointment for the weeks before could help people start unpacking their traumatic holiday memories or learn coping mechanisms to get through the holiday season safely and healthily.

Alternatively, for people who cannot afford to go to therapy or would not like to, starting an anti-holiday season support group may allow people to vent their frustrations with the holiday season in a safe place with people they

Thai Famous Cuisine on Euclid St. in Garden Grove is open on Christmas day from 11 a.m. to 1a.m..

(Nollyanne De La Cruz/ Daily Titan)

trust.

Celebrate another holiday There are many wintertime holidays that are not Christmas, like the winter solstice, Kwanzaa and Omisoka. If any of your friends celebrate these holidays, ask to join them. Here is a quick rundown of those holidays: Winter solstice: The shortest day of the year is on Dec. 21. People can celebrate by giving back to nature, exchanging nature-based gifts or burning a yule log.

Kwanzaa: This African holiday is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. It celebrates the first harvest being brought into the home and is a response to the commercialization of Christmas.

Ōmisoka: Japanese New Year’s Eve is celebrated on Dec. 31 with soba noodles for longevity and cleaning the house, replacing the dust with luck.

Donate to nonprofit organizations and charities There is a chance that if you hate the holidays for one reason, someone else has a similar reason. Aiding those whose stories resonate with you may help you feel less alone or cynical during the holiday season.

If you have ever felt excluded by your family due to your identity, donate to LGBTQ organizations, like the Trevor Project. If you are grieving a loved one this season, donate to charities that specialize in child and family assistance, such as the Hispanic

Federation in New York City. If you are despairing at the rampant consumption during the holiday season, donate to nonprofit organizations that do environmental work, like the Sierra Club in Oakland, California.

This list is not exhaustive, but merely meant to inspire you to give back to those who may feel the same as you.

For all the people who enjoy the holiday season, care for and understand the people in your lives who hate the holiday season.

Recognize that the colder months represent difficult times for some people.

Through empathy, maybe even the most hardlined holiday haters can have a happier holiday.

Christmas cartoon episodes to bring back a sense of nostalgia From “Rugrats” to “The Proud Family,” here are six of the sweetest holiday animations.

AMBER JUAREZ Editor

With the holidays fast approaching, you probably feel like you have seen every Christmas movie out there. Another way to enjoy the holidays is with a cup of hot cocoa and cookies next to the fireplace while enjoying some nostalgic cartoon holiday-themed episodes.

“Seven Days of Kwanzaa” “The Proud Family” This episode is all about spending time with your loved ones during the holidays and not just focusing on presents. As the Proud family is shopping for Christmas presents, they see a homeless family and invite them over for a Christmas dinner.

The next day, the family comes over to celebrate Kwanzaa with them because they don’t celebrate Christmas.

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

The family shows the Proud family how to celebrate Kwanzaa and get in touch with their past, present and future selves. This episode shifts the focus from receiving presents to spending time with your family and getting to know your culture.

“The Proud Family” is available to stream on Disney+.

“Have Yourself a Thornberry Little Christmas” - “The Wild Thornberrys” In this episode, Eliza tries to help animals during Christmas time and she prioritizes them over her family. Placing the animals above her own family jeopardizes everyone’s Christmas cheer.

This episode shows viewers that putting others before your family can impact them in a negative way, especially during the holidays.

“The Wild Thornberrys’’ is available to stream on Paramount+.

“Chanukah” - “Rugrats” This is the first-ever Hanukkah episode in a children’s TV show. In this

episode, the babies learn about Hanukkah through a story from Tommy’s grandma in the beginning. As they hear the story, the babies imagine themselves as the main characters. As the babies are learning about Hanukkah, Tommy’s Grandpa Borris, and Uncle Shlomo argue over who should play the lead role in the Hanukkah play. This episode is a great way for children to learn about Hanukkah.

The “Rugrats” can be watched on Hulu.

“Arnold’s Christmas” - “Hey Arnold!”

In this Christmas special, Arnold is a part of the annual Secret Santa draw in the boarding house. Arnold picks out Mr. Hyunh’s name from the draw.

When Arnold talks to Mr. Hyunh, he shares his story about his daughter.

After hearing the story Arnold decides to make Mr. Hyunh’s Christmas special by trying to reunite him with his daughter who he has not seen in a very long time. This heartfelt episode is a true Christmas classic and worth

watching.

The “Hey Arnold!” series can be viewed on Hulu.

“A Very Possible Christmas” “Kim Possible” Kim Possible gifts her best friend and sidekick, Ron Stoppable, the best Hanukkah gift during Christmas so he decides to make his Christmas present to her a break from saving the world so she can enjoy her Christmas with her family.

As Ron is saving the world he gets stuck at the North Pole with Dr. Drakken as he is trying to take over the world. With Ron being nowhere to be found Kim goes on a mission determined to find Ron with the help of her family.

“Kim Possible” is streaming on Disney+.

“Christmas Every Day!” - “The Fairly OddParents” This episode starts off with everyone in town getting ready to celebrate Christmas and Timmy’s parents decorating the whole house. On Christmas

morning, Timmy wakes up to a sea of toys all for him. As the holiday comes to an end, Cosmo and Wanda grant Timmy’s wish that every day can be Christmas.

For the next two weeks, every day is Christmas and Timmy receives a lot of toys again and again, but by the 15th day, there are fewer toys. And the people in the town start to not be as enthusiastic about the holiday anymore.

People in the town begin to get mad because everything is still closed for Christmas. Timmy then realizes that his wish wasn’t as good as he anticipated.

Timmy wishes for it to not be Christmas anymore but the wish can not be fulfilled. Timmy must then save Christmas himself.

This episode is a great example of showing us that Christmas isn’t fun every day because it defeats the purpose of the true meaning of Christmas.

“The Fairly OddParents” episode can be watched on Paramount+.

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

Lifestyle 5

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

Netflix’s best holiday specials of 2021 Ranking seven Christmas films that are guaranteed to put you in the jolly spirit.

JESSICA BENDA Asst. Editor

For the third year, Netflix is still releasing holiday films and I’m still in the student newsroom. Therefore, I’ll be delivering the present that no one asked for — this year’s ranking of Netflix Christmas originals.

The 2019 list was a sparkling kickstarter while 2020’s was needed in the dark days of COVID-19, and this year’s slew of movies kept the momentum going. Netflix has solidified their place as streaming services’ resident holiday behemoth with new films that continue to fill viewers’ hearts — and Netflix’s pockets.

Meanwhile, this third annual article means I’ve secured my place as the Daily Titan’s resident holiday ranker.

Read on for the slightly unstable product of twelve hours of holiday films.

7) “David and the Elves” Like the 2003 classic “Elf,” this film follows an elf who runs away to the real world, but he’s far less likable than Buddy. This Polish holiday movie is an oddly paced fanfare about said elf, Albert, seeking Christmas magic, but it’s never found. To attempt to summarize the plot further would be an ambitious task best avoided — for the sake of readers and my word count.

While the film’s festive visuals made for a strong start, the dialogue feels manufactured — likely a byproduct of the English dub. There is little chemistry between the actors and Albert’s constant giggling, which becomes more than aggravating by the thirty-minute mark. Granted, if I was ten years younger, I’d likely adore this film. But as an adult, the Christmas spirit in “David and the Elves” gets lost in translation.

6) “The Princess Switch 3” In the second film, (one of) Vanessa Hudgens’ characters is kidnapped.

It may be a plot point that mimics her situation with this franchise.

Hudgens juggles the three main roles of the third installment of “The Princess Switch,” which started with

(Netflix)

a 2018 holiday take on the novel “The Prince and the Pauper” and ends with a heist and unresolved childhood trauma. This film wanders off the path, but given the first two, I’m not sure this franchise had any map to start.

Lady Fiona (Hudgens) gets her redemption arc after playing the primary villain in the second film. She’s serving her sentence by mopping floors in four inch heels after trying to take over a kingdom — though her true crime might be saying things like “savage” and “royal six-pack.” Now, she joins her lookalikes Margaret (Hudgens) and Stacy (Also Hudgens) to recover a stolen relic.

In the sequel no one asked for, to the sequel no one asked for, the third installment offers nothing that its predecessors didn’t.

However, Hudgens gets three dreamy love interests, and this film fits nicely in the “so bad, it’s good” territory. Now, please free her.

5) “A Castle for Christmas” While Christmas, castles and Brooke Shields should be the ideal recipe for a holiday film, this one didn’t rise. Shields and her co-star, none other than Cary Elwes, from “The Princess Bride,” helmed the film as a famous author and a duke in debt, respectively.

As its critics point out, it’s a pleasant turn to see the lead roles go to actors besides bright-eyed 20-somethings.

Highlights include Elwes’ baffling one-liners, a “sad scene” montage that seemed to spoof its own genre and Scottish accents so difficult to understand that captions are required. Most surprising was the implied sex scene backed by the carol “Gloria,” a song placement that felt odd at best and sacreligious at worst.

However, it does rank above most Hallmark movies, and it’s an enjoyable time-consumer for those seeking confusion or background noise. Ultimately, “A Castle for Christmas” is a

pretty package with nothing inside, but it makes one wonder if they’re fine with a box for Christmas.

4) “The Claus Family” With snow globe magic à la “The Santa Clause 3” and a deceased father à la “The Christmas Chronicles,” there is nothing particularly unique about this film, but it’s enjoyable all the same.

Young Jules (Mo Bakker) hates Christmas — unsurprisingly, à la “The Grinch” — but for an understandable reason. His father died last Christmas Eve, and the film digs into Jules’ grief and its firm grip on the holidays. Jules’ feelings are thrown further when he finds out his grandfather is Santa, and as the eldest son, has to settle into his black boots.

Bsides the oddities of Jules’ mother’s “cookie revolution” and pixie-sized elves, this movie manages a fairly entertaining 90 minutes. It’s not brilliant, but it’s not bad.

3) “Single All the Way” A holiday love triangle paired with a titular Christmas pun? There’s a reason that this film broke into Netflix’s top 10. When Peter (Michael Urie) brings his roommate/best friend/future lover who doesn’t know it yet, Nick (Philemon Chambers) home for Christmas, audiences already know the ending.

Sure, Peter has chemistry with blind date James (Luke Macfarlane), a fulltime ski instructor and part-time love interest, but his aggressively-holiday family cheers hard for a Peter/Nick endgame. In a not-so-spoiler, they get their wish as Peter and Nick follow a formulaic yet endearing path to love, which many Christmas couples have walked before.

Still, the road is pleasant, and the film earns points for not demonizing the secondary love interest. To further entice you… Likable leads! Holiday cheer! Jennifer Coolidge!

2) “Love Hard” In 2019, I wrote about how unfair it was that the star of “A Christmas Prince” is a journalist who falls in love with a prince, and I was a journalist with a dog and student debt. In 2021, I write about how unfair it is that the star of “Love Hard” is a journalist who falls in love on the east coast, and I am

still a journalist with a dog and student debt.

That said, “Love Hard” scores higher than “A Christmas Prince” (2019’s No. 2 spot for sheer stupidity) and sells a more genuine love story that isn’t quite so far-fetched. Nina Dobrev’s Natalie finds out she has been catfished by Josh (Jimmy O. Yang) when she travels to the East Coast to surprise him for Christmas, despite never meeting him in real life. Points to the movie for immediately addressing how bonkers Natalie is.

Somehow, this film makes us fall for a catfish. Match-making, karaoke and fake dating ensue in this likable holiday film, which I ranked at the top of this year’s rom-coms.

If not for Natalie and Josh’s Christmas chemistry, then for the quirky side characters and painfully relatable bits of humor. Keep in mind, while “Love Hard” is excellent, catfishing is not.

1) “A Boy Called Christmas” Narrated by national treasure Maggie Smith, this Santa origin story is the tree-topper on this ranking. Young Nikolas (Henry Lawfull) treks to the whimsical city of Elfhelm to search for his father, accompanied by a talking mouse and reindeer Blitzen.

A strong heart beats beneath this film, backed by natural, humorous dialogue, creative characters and celebrated actors like Jim Broadbent and Kristin Wiig. In one scene, shadows provide the visuals for a short story in a charismatic method. Characters feel otherworldly but never outlandish, even with occasionally skeptical CGI. Smith is a wry, witty storyteller with an endearing plot twist up her sleeve.

She utters arguably the most hard-hitting words of the movie, telling the listening children that “grief is the price we pay for love.” This is paired with a sobering death that doesn’t end in a resurrection as children’s films tend to; a smooth maneuver around a dangerous trope.

“A Boy Called Christmas” carries the heart of a classic, and was well worth the trudge through this year’s semi-burned batch of Netflix holiday films.

Column:Tuffy’s Table gives the gift of homemade snacks Marinated cheese and bacon jam jars are the perfect DIY presents.

FERRY BAYLON Asst. Editor

Give your loved ones a gift from the heart this season. Homemade presents always feel so much more special due to their personal touch. They can be tailored to fit your budget, and are a great activity that can involve everyone.

These particular snack recipes are tasteful and gourmet without breaking the bank.

First up is an easy and fun way to make a homemade gift that a lot of people already love in the first place, I mean, who doesn’t love bacon? Bacon jam is a yummy addition to many home-cooked meals and barbecues.

Without further ado, here is a bacon jam recipe that you can make at home, complete with suggestions for packaging to give as a gift during the holidays.

Ingredients:

2 pounds bacon slices, coarsely chopped 2 large white onions, chopped ¼ cup brown sugar, packed ½ cup honey 1 cup brewed coffee ½ cup rum 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Directions: 1. In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over medium heat until oil is rendered and the bacon starts to crisp and VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

turn golden. Drain and set it aside.

2. Leave about three tablespoons of bacon oil in the pan and add onions.

3. Cover and cook the onions over low heat for five minutes until onions become soft and translucent.

4. Uncover the pan and stir in ¼ cup of sugar. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally to caramelize the onions for about 15 minutes.

5. Pour in honey, coffee, rum and vinegar. Return bacon to the pan and increase the heat to medium and let it simmer, stirring regularly until the mixture thickens.

6. Once the ingredients thicken and finally look like a jam, spoon it all into sterilized jars and cool completely before sealing.

The bacon jam can be kept in an airtight container for about two weeks at room temperature, or up to four weeks when refrigerated, so there would be plenty of time to consume it throughout the whole holiday season.

Pro Tip: Bacon jam can be smooth or chunky, depending on one’s preference. Make it chunky by slicing bacon into bigger pieces before cooking.

If you want a thick, sauce-like consistency, simply give the bacon jam a spin in the food processor once all the ingredients have been cooked together.

To prepare it as a gift for the holidays, simply bottle in pretty jam jars or Mason jars. A handwritten label adds a cute personal charm to the present. Tie on a gift card and a pretty ribbon in gold, silver or metallic red to

enhance the holiday spirit and voila, you’re ready to give out your DIY bacon jam gift!

The next recipe is one of my ultimate, drool-worthy snacks. This recipe is the star of any charcuterie board. It’s so easy to make that all you have to do is gather the ingredients and put it all together in a jar.

You buy the cheese. You slice the cheese. You eat the cheese. And then you do it all over again. That’s how the cheese-lover’s life goes, right?

Not so fast. Fresh cheeses, such as baby mozzarella balls and cubed feta, aren’t living their best life unless you give them some time to marinate in a jar. Just like roasted red peppers or a skirt steak that’s destined for the grill, fresh cheese only becomes more flavorful when it’s left to sit in olive oil and a few choice seasonings.

One of the easiest DIY recipes perfect as a gift for this holiday season is a simple marinated cheese in a jar.

Furthermore, since the cheese is fresh and mild, it doesn’t compete with the flavors you add to it. It becomes even more delicious — just the perfect ingredient to pile on crisp, garlic-rubbed toast or pretty much any salad.

Since the olive oil protects cheese from exposure to air, your cheese will stay fresh for up to 14 days.

Ingredients: 1 cup feta cheese cubes or fresh mozzarella balls 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 stems fresh dill

Bacon jam, a mason jar and some ribbon make for a sentimental and delicious gift.

(Ferry Baylon / Daily Titan)

2 stalks fresh sage 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns 1 whole lemon peel, sliced ½ cup sundried tomatoes in olive oil, cut into strips ½ cup extra virgin olive oil Directions: 1. Place cheese cubes in sterilized jars.

2. In a bowl, combine lemon juice, salt, dill, sage, peppercorns, lemon peel, tomatoes and olive oil. Stir all the ingredients together.

3. Pour ingredients over the cheese in the jars. Cover and keep in the

refrigerator.

Pro tip: I used fresh dill, sage and peppercorns in this recipe, but you can create your own flavors by choosing to only use a single herb or different herb combinations, like marjoram and oregano, or basil and thyme. You can even add roasted garlic to get a wonderfully smoky flavor.To package, tie a pretty ribbon to the mason jar and place the bottle in a small gift bag. Make sure to tell the recipient to put this gift in the refrigerator so it won’t spoil and also for a longer shelf life.

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

6 Sports

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

Streak: CSUF looks to snag fourth straight win CONTINUED FROM

1

Utah also defeated Fullerton’s fellow Big West conference member Hawaii, 73-57, on Nov. 27.

Last season, Fullerton lost their two conference match-ups to Hawaii.

Although the team has had many roster changes between this season and last, this could give an indication as to how much of a challenge the Utes can give the Titans.

Utah has been led by their offense,

and average over 87 points per game as a team compared to Fullerton which averages just under 63 points, meaning the Titans will have to keep pace offensively in order to have a chance of victory.

Utah was defeated, 85-80, by the No. 16 ranked team in the nation Brigham Young University on Dec. 4, according to the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

Utah’s freshman guard Gianna Keepkins led the team with a career-high 29 points in the matchup.

Lily Wahinekapu leads Fullerton in scoring as she averages 14.5 points per game.

Wahinekapu will look to bounce back from her dismal 2-8 shooting performance as she finished with four points on Tuesday against San Francisco — her lowest scoring output this season.

Lewis is second in scoring with just under 12 points and Nimmo is second in scoring with an average of 11 points per game.

Bryanna Maxwell leads the Utes with an average of over 13 points per game.

Following Maxwell, freshman forward Jenna Johnson scores just over 12 points per game and freshman guard Giana Kneepken scores above 10 points per game.

Lewis leads Fullerton in rebounds with over six per game and graduate forward Carolyn Gill is not too far behind with five.

Wahinekapu averages over four

rebounds and leads Fullerton in assists with over four per game.

The last time Fullerton faced Utah was in 1985 and where the Titans were defeated, 66-63, in Salt Lake City.

The Titans have already shown their resilience this season as they have earned three comeback victories.

Friday’s match-up could propel Fullerton’s season to new heights during their visit to the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah at 6 p.m.

Titans set to play Life Pacific University for the first time Men’s basketball hopes to earn winning record against the Warriors on Dec. 11.

PAUL MAGDALENO Staff Writer

The Cal State Fullerton men’s basketball team will look to defend Titan Gym, on Dec. 11, against Life Pacific University.

As of Dec. 8, the Titans will enter Saturday’s matchup with a 4-4 record, which ranks the team at sixth place in the Big West conference.

This is coming off a road game where the Titans were big 12.5-point underdogs against the San Diego State Aztecs on Wednesday.

The Titans recently defeated the University of Pacific, 66-57, on Nov. 4.

Senior guard Tray Maddox Jr. led the way for Fullerton with 21 points on nearly 54% shooting, including five three-pointers.

The efficiency was a good sign for Tray Maddox Jr., who was struggling from the field prior to the game against

Pacific. Tray Maddox Jr. is now shooting 39% from the field and close to 29% from three on over 10 points per game.

Tray Maddox Jr. also leads the team with over two assists per game.

Senior forward E.J. Anosike is having a fantastic season.

He is leading the Titans in scoring and rebounding with nearly 18 points and eight boards per game.

He is shooting above 54% from the field and over 76% at the free throw line.

His scoring and field goal percentage are both good for second in the Big West.

Anosike also currently leads the Big West in rebounding.

Sophomore guard Dante Maddox Jr. is the third player on the team, averaging 10 points per game.

Senior guard Damari Milstead is setting the tone defensively with nearly two steals per game, which currently ranks him third in the conference for number of steals.

Although he has only appeared in

half of CSUF’s games, senior forward Ibrahim Famouke Doumbia is the team’s best rim protector with one block per game.

The team’s biggest weakness thus far has been scoring from the threepoint line, where they are only shooting 29%.

Senior guard Jalen Harris is the only player on the team shooting over 35% from the three-point line, hitting 50% of his attempts.

In the conference, CSUF ranks eighth in scoring and points allowed with 69 points scored while allowing teams to score close to 68 points.

They also ranked eighth in margin of victory with a two-point margin.

The Life Pacific Warriors enter Saturday’s game with a record of 3-7.

The team snapped their six-game losing streak on Tuesday with a narrow one-point win over the University of Saint Katherine.

The Titans will look to get back on track against the lower-ranked Warriors on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. inside Titan Gym.

Damari Milstead directs a play on offense against George Washington University during CSUF’s 74-59victory on Nov. 16 in Titan Gym. (Eliza Green / Daily Titan)

student health

SHAC advisory committee

Want to advocate for the health needs of CSUF students?

J O I N U S AT O U R N E X T M E E T I N G : December 8 10 - 11 AM SHAC provides a space for open communication between the student body and Student Wellness leadership. Attend an upcoming SHAC meeting to learn more about how we are helping with the campus COVID-19 response, our services, or to provide your input!

Contact SHACCSUF1@gmail.com for the Zoom link!

@csufshac VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

fullerton.edu/studentwellness/shac FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

Leisure 7

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

WRITTEN by Stepheny Gehrig

03/2104/19

04/2005/20

05/2106/20

06/2107/22

07/2308/22

08/2309/22

ARIES Recently, you’ve been booking yourself up with socializing, work and other obligations. However, this week might push you to the limit as some of your activities overlap with each other. Take some time to rearrange your schedule and minimize the activities you’re taking part in.

09/2310/22

TAURUS This week may be turbulent for you. You may feel cheated or blindsided by your friends’ actions. Acknowledging those feelings of frustration and disappointment may aid you in either moving on, or confronting your friends. Make sure to keep an open mind with your conversation; there’s always two sides to a story.

10/2311/21

GEMINI Although this week might leave you questioning your decisions, trust your gut.

Remember that you know what’s best for yourself. Seeking advice from others may help in feeling more stable, but understanding what benefits you will ultimately be the best way for you to feel secure.

CANCER As your mood shifts this week into a more positive one, you will be graced with new opportunities and new decisions to make. Use the advice from your trusted friends and family to guide you on the right path.

LEO Your desire for self-care will be at its peak. Try to find ways to push yourself and motivate yourself. Take advantage of this energy to stomp out bad habits and pick up new ones like using schedules to set up a routine and changing up your daily routine will help you and give you a change of pace.

VIRGO You might be feeling unstable in your friendships this week. However, keep in mind that friendships require communication. Even if the stars are ruling your sign, make sure to let those who are close to you know what’s bothering you. Also make sure to voice your appreciation for them too -- everyone needs to hear that every once in a while.

11/2212/21

12/2201/19

01/2002/18

02/1903/20

LIBRA The path you’re on might be one that you have been planning to take but it’s not turning out in your favor. Take some time to reevaluate your actions.

Do you know where Tuffy is?

Follow @thedailytitan and submit your answer on Instagram for a chance to win.

SCORPIO Influences may be at their peak this week. You might feel that other people are influencing your decisions and that your voice isn’t being heard. Stand your ground on your choices because your opinion matters too.

SAGITTARIUS Going with the flow is the vibe for you this week, Sagittarius. This week might throw various unexpected obstacles.

This offers a great opportunity for you to learn how to adapt to a variety of situations. Take this as a learning experience!

CAPRICORN You might feel as if you’re not being fulfilled by the universe this week, Capricorn.

Keep in mind that the universe will provide for you what you need at that moment. If you feel like something isn’t being provided for you, then it’s not the right time for it. Have faith in the universe.

AQUARIUS Aquarius, keep in mind that you should not feel as if you’re spread too thin. This week you may take on too much and it might leave you feeling as if you can’t finish your projects. Try to remind yourself that it’s OK to ask for help and that the people around you can be your best resources.

PISCES This week is full of love for you. Let your true feelings shine, this week, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Enjoy this week, Pisces.

Follow us @thedailytitan Sponsored by

titan titan titan trivia trivia trivia rivia • What holiday does NOT occur in December?

A) Boxing Day B) Kwanzaa C) Candlemas D) St. Nicholas Day • What country has the most vending machines per capita?

A) China B) Japan C) USA D) Mexico •What is watermelon snow?

A) Type of snowflake B) Frozen watermelons C) Snow with red algae D) A dessert

*Answers on bottom of the page

Titan Trivia Answers: C,B,C VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN

8 Opinion

WEEK OF THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9

Women-only gyms helps alleviate uwanted attention Safe work out spaces encourage gym enthusiasts to build confidence in their womanhood.

ALONDRA TORRES Staff Writer

Working out at the gym while blasting motivational music is an addictively rewarding process that builds one’s confidence. Once gym goers see physiological changes or muscle growth, it encourages them to return.

However, when women are in their ‘zone’ while working out in the gym, some are gawked at or harassed, ultimately creating a tense atmosphere.

Women-only gyms should become commonplace because every woman deserves a place where they can work out comfortably without the fear of a stranger staring them down.

A space free of judgment, intimidation and anxiety is greatly needed.

If more women-only gyms become constructed and integrated, there would be little to no male intrusion. Female empowerment would be boosted as gym goers have the fresh opportunity to establish a tight-knit community.

Women-only gyms allow women to dress as comfortably as they wish, while engaging in circuit workouts or hardcore training.

It is imperative to offer women-only spaces where women can exercise at ease without men interrupting and attempting to initiate unnerving conversations, flirt or flash weird stares.

The gym should be an equitable playing ground for both men and women.

Women-centered gyms are not a new innovation. They first appeared in the ‘30s and were re-popularized in the ‘70s. Some of the already existing women-only gyms near the Orange County area are IMpowered Women’s Fitness, Curves and Red Effect Infrared Fitness.

Women-only gyms also allow women to connect, network and build a gym support group.

Some women that may be new to the gym culture could be inspired by certified trainers or other experienced gym goers that can teach and push them to be the best active and healthy version of themselves.

According to an article for Women’s Health, Leanne Shear, co-founder of Uplift Studios, a New York City-based gym for women, hosts popular “workout and wine” events and happy hours after classes, giving members an opportunity to bond on a professional or personal level.

Women-only gyms are more likely to have the classes and workouts that women search for in a gym The possible widespread construction of women-only gyms would solely uplift women’s versatility and resilience, not tear down their bodily image and capabilities.

These gyms would be an open forum for women to inspire and grow.

Women-only gyms should become embedded and widely acceptable in society because a gym that is tailored for women allows them to create long-lasting female friendships.

In addition, constructing women-only gyms would motivate women to work out at the gym and persevere,

MONICA SIVAYAVIROJNA / DAILY TITAN

versus if women feel uneasy, they could stop exercising at gyms overall.

Public gyms should not be

anxiety-provoking for women.

The construction of women-only gyms would create trust between all

lovers of exercise and gym enthusiasts, so they can unleash their physical strength.

Looking down on state schools is classist JESSICA BENDA Asst. Editor

In 2016, the college counselor’s jaw dropped as my mother told her I’d likely go to a community college.

A state school would follow, but that was hardly a consolation. After all, what a tarnish a state school would be on my high school’s alumni statistics. And why wouldn’t I go to a school with a supreme reputation? I was a good student — an above 4.0 weighted GPA, a long list of extracurriculars, and a personality that would do well in college interviews.

Maybe I just have an aversion to student debt, but the quality of a state school seemed just as good as those with a $50,000 yearly tuition.

Still, society’s tendencies to praise pricy universities over affordable colleges is frequent. This mindset neglects the fact that many of these high-rated universities come with impossible price tags for many students.

While the economic inaccessibility of some schools poses its own problem, equally concerning is how society looks down on those who don’t attend them. The mindset that those who attend state schools are unmotivated or lesser-than is a classist one.

All CSU undergraduate students pay the same systemwide tuition of $5,742.

Added fees vary based on location, but a year at CSUF costs about $7,000 in tuition and campus fees with other CSUs at similar rates. For perspective, the CSU tuition costs less than half of the tuition price of a college in the University of California system, which includes well-ranked schools like UCLA and UCSD. The price tag worsens with highly-rated private schools. The University of Southern California’s baseline tuition runs at about $60,000. In comparison, eight and a half years at CSUF would buy a single year at USC — enough to graduate from CSUF VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM

The promenade at Cal State Fullerton. (Eliza Green / Daily Titan)

twice before even finishing freshman year at USC. Granted, many of these schools have financial aid or scholarship programs, but sometimes that isn’t enough to cover the cost — and most people don’t receive a full-ride. Even for many middle-class families, students graduate with debt as some don’t meet the criteria for financial aid.

It’s no shock why so many students gravitate toward state schools, which are far cheaper and are generally easier to get into. However, because state schools are less exclusive, graduating from one can be seen as less of an achievement.

Selectively praising schools that primarily only the wealthy can compete for ignores an entire demographic of people. While graduates of these schools should be justifiably celebrated, it shouldn’t come at the cost of believing them to be superior to other students. Graduating from a university, whether it be a state school or an Ivy League, is an immense achievement in itself.

To look down on state schools is to look down on the thousands of low-income students they hold, including those who are first-generation, older graduates or come from a multitude of backgrounds. In 2020, 40.8% of CSUF

students were low-income, according to the 2020 social mobility index.

The index ranked CSUF in the top 1% of four-year universities in the nation helping low-income students reach financial success, out of nearly 1,500 schools.

While upper-class universities certainly have low-income students, uplifting those schools at the cost of looking down on colleges like CSUs carries classist undertones. A student’s desire to save money, need to support family or unconventional circumstances does not negate their potential. Likewise, a student attending a high-ranked university does not

mean they’re superior, it just means they chose a different path. A school is not a sign of someone’s intelligence or motivation.

While some prefer state schools, it’s true that others simply couldn’t gain entry into private or Ivy League schools. It’s no secret that the slim acceptance rates for many of these universities tend to favor the academically high-achieving. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at UCSD had an average of 3.82 on the 4.0 scale, while Stanford University had an average of 4.18, according to College Simply.

However, applicants rarely run on a level playing field. It’s going to be much easier for the high school student with a stable home life to get good grades than it is for the student working two jobs to support their family.

High school students with low grades and a blank list of extracurriculars have far lower odds of getting accepted, even if it was due to circumstances out of their control. It is not only classist but ignorant to judge those who lose a game rigged against them.

Classism aside, the belief that students from state schools are more unmotivated is a false one. State schools churn out thousands of successful graduates each year, many who go on to be our innovators, writers and celebrities. Nearly half of California graduates are from a CSU, which is the most ethnically and economically diverse student body nationwide.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that state schools are inferior to others in quality. State schools like CSUs often have polished, sprawling campuses, accomplished professors, and a myriad of networking opportunities — especially since so many state graduates are from a CSU. The success of state schools and their graduates prove that good education doesn’t require a terrifying cost.

It’s classist to judge a university by its price tag — and even more so to judge a student by the school they attend.

FOLLOW US: @THEDAILYTITAN