Volume 68 | Issue 4 | November 6, 2020
@cbulancermedia cbubanner.com
Finishing the semester strong — How students can stay motivated as the semester ends.
L i f e s t y l e , Pg . 7
Voting from home —
CBU Recreation Center —
Mail-in voting sparked controversy this election season.
Students wait for the campus gym to reopen.
B & T , Pg . 9
S p o r t s , Pg . 1 2
A NATION UNDECIDED
CBU announces virtual classes for the Spring 2021 semester BY LAUREN BROOKS ASST. NEWS EDITOR
California Baptist University issued a post on its official Instagram account on Oct. 23 announcing that remote learning will continue into the spring 2021 semester. Classes previously held on the in-person list will continue to occur live. However, no new classes have been added to this list. Lisa Hernandez, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, explained the decision to continue with a majority online format.
“Knowing that students need to make big decisions related to spring 2021, we wanted to make this announcement about spring 2021 continuing in the live synchronous format now to allow students as much planning time as possible instead of waiting to see if we would possibly get out of the purple or red tiers in December after the semester has ended,” Hernandez said. She said live synchronous instruction seems the best way to comply with state and local
SEE SPRING PLAN | PAGE 3
CAVAD adds new art education major BY WILL ANTON
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR
BY EMILY MCGINN NEWS EDITOR
The 2020 U.S. presidential race remains undecided as of Nov. 5 as races in swing states including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada and Georgia remain too close to call. Trevor Mannion, adjunct professor of political science, said this election was different from others. For example, Mannion said third party vote percentages
decreased compared to the 2016 election, indicating increasing polarization of the two major parties. In addition, because of the large number of mail-in ballots cast this year, results were not finalized on Election Day as usual. Mannion said initial results on Election Day displayed different results than those in following days because Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden en-
In late October, California Baptist University announced the addition of a new bachelor’s degree in art education. This new major is specifically designed for students who wish to pursue a career in teaching art within a K-12 setting. Prof. Duncan Simcoe, program lead for the College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design, said this new degree is a natural extension of CBU culture. “We have offered a course titled: Aesthetics in the Classroom for many years, largely to service education majors who wanted (or) needed to add some sophistication to their palette
couraged mail-in voting while President Donald J. Trump promoted in-person voting. “Anyone who was watching the results (on Election Day) saw Trump had the East Coast, including Michigan and Wisconsin, and even North Carolina and Georgia by a long shot,” Mannion said. “Once they started
SEE ELECTION | PAGE 2
SEE ART EDUCATION | PAGE 6
| Banner
11,317 BY KAYLEE ELROD ASST. NEWS EDITOR
This semester, California Baptist University has seen its largest enrollment numbers ever. According to Taylor Neece, dean of Admissions, the current student enrollment is 11,317 students. This is slightly larger than last fall’s enrollment of 11,045 students. Although enrollment grew this year, it was affected to some extent by COVID-19. The pandemic impacted enrollment due to factors such as economic hardship that some students may be facing and the school’s inability to offer fully
in-person instruction due to state public health guidelines. “We believe CBU enrollment can keep growing,” said Neece. “Expanded academic program offerings for all three levels, (including) undergraduate, graduate and Online and Professional Studies, will attract more students to CBU. Also, the Inland Empire continues to experience rapid population growth, which will lead to an opportunity to expose more students to CBU.” Neece said there are many reasons the university is seeing an increase in enrollment. “I think CBU is continuing to grow because we
of classroom abilities,” Simcoe said. “In addition, some of the FA (Fine Art) majors who came to our program were driven by the idea of ‘giving back’ through the medium of art education specifically. “So, the desire for this kind of integrated field of study has been a part of CBU culture for some time. It was simply a matter of recognizing this audience and jumping through the organizational hoops necessary to construct a program that could meet the professional standards for this field.” An art education degree has been in the works for many years at CBU. Not only is it an attractive addition to the College of Architecture, Visual Arts & Design, but it is also a stra-
Student enrollment number reaches historic high
have good academics and good athletics, which I believe are two important things that students look for when looking for colleges,” said Olivia Cortes, junior public health major. With the rapid growth that CBU is experiencing, there is a possibility that issues will arise. Some of these potential issues consist of not enough classrooms, housing or dining options. However, CBU is doing everything it can to manage these potential issues. “The growth is great, but it also means we must expand our infrastructure,” Neece said. “Luckily, we have been able to add significant
infrastructures including housing, food services, athletic facilities and classroom space over the years. Our goal is to stay small as we grow big. CBU is in a unique position in that we offer the facilities, amenities and programs of a large thriving Division I institution with the personal care, attention and community of a tight-knit Christian university.” Tyler Carlisle, senior mechanical engineering major, has seen CBU grow over his past four years
SEE ENROLLMENT | PAGE 3
NEWS
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
THE BANNER
staff PRINT
Editor-in-Chief Jane Robertus
Lifestyle Editor Teddy Peña
Managing Editor
Asst. Lifestyle Editors Ashley Moore Will Anton
Photo Editor Camille Grochowski
Sports Editor Kelly McKittrick
Asst. Photo Editor Luc Stringer
Asst. Sports Editors Adityastha Wratsangka Aiden Hobson
Design Editor
Public Relations Director Victoria Buszinski
Asst. Design Editor Emily McGinn
Social Media Manager Kaylee Elrod
News Editor Emily McGinn Asst. News Editors Kaylee Elrod Lauren Brooks Business & Tech Editor Asst. B&T Editor Luc Stringer Arts & Entertainment Editor Jackson Waldrop Asst. A&E Editors Cole Stillwagon
The fountain that once sat around the clock tower has been filled with concrete to provide a new seating area for students.
Tower Hall installs patio area BY LAUREN BROOKS
Distribution Manager Joshua Lomelí
ONLINE Managing Editor Casey Maldonado National Editor
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We want your help! Write, take photos or design with us. Email us at BannerEditor@calbaptist.edu for more information.
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THE BANNER
The Banner newspaper is an award-winning, bi-weekly campus publication that publishes 12 issues a year at California Baptist The newsroom is located in the James Building in Room 060 and can be reached at 951-343-4787. The Banner, a student-run accurate, timely and factual reporting on life and subjects of interest or concern to its readers. Students, faculty, staff, administrators and react to published material or to comment on matters of concern. The Banner retains the right to edit your letter upon publication based on grammar and word count. Send letters to Jane Robertus, editor-in-chief of The Banner at BannerEditor@calbaptist.edu.
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ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The freshman living area Tower Hall was once known for its glistening fountain and large clock tower. While the clock tower remains, the fountain was removed before this semester and has since been replaced with a patio area. Construction began on Sept. 7 and ended on Sept. 28. Natalie Specht, Tower Hall resident director, said the decision to replace the fountain with a patio aimed to provide freshmen with a place where they can meet other residents more easily. Also, she said
2020 Election Continued from Page 1 counting the mail-in votes, a blue tidal wave came over, and it was closer than we thought.” More than 100 million people voted early this year, according to the U.S. Elections Project website. This number is over two-thirds of the total votes cast during the 2016 presidential election, according to Pew Research Center. “I think young voters and a higher voter turnout are affecting the results, but for the better because so many want change,” said Michelle Mejia, freshman pre-radiologic sciences student and voter in the 2020 election.
they can avoid the frequent maintenance issues of the fountain by replacing it. “This was in response to students’ request for more communal space to utilize,” Specht said. “Adding a patio allows for new opportunities for students to spend time connecting with the community in Tower Hall.” Although the major construction ended on Sept. 28, Specht said California Baptist University will continue to add to the new patio area. “This is still an ongoing project as our Facilities and Planning Services Department works to continue putting
finishing touches on the paved area like adding some landscaping,” Specht said. She said that there were no major setbacks during the construction process, which made it a manageable project to continue even with residents living in housing on campus. “The construction project went according to plan,” Specht said. “Thanks to the Facilities and Planning Services Department and their diligence in making plans, (the school) can continue the construction project while being mindful of the impact it has on students.” Mikayla Morehead, sophomore art therapy major
and Tower Hall resident adviser, is excited that this project is almost complete. She said she loves the addition of a new place for residents to potentially meet new friends in a COVID-compliant way. “I enjoy watching people safely socializing outside,” Morehead said. “The patio area fosters more community than the fountain ever did.” K.J. Holloway, freshman psychology student and Tower Hall resident, is grateful for the new place to study. “It is a peaceful, chill area to go out and study and a good way to get away from the dorm,” Holloway said.
Mannion said higher voter turnout usually favors the Democrats statistically. “If you are looking at the voter eligible population (VEP), this is the highest voter turnout I think we have seen since 1900,” Mannion said. “You are seeing somewhere around 65-67%. That is a huge increase from 2016, where you saw a VEP of about 59%.” Jordan Hill, senior political science major, believes larger voter turnout resulted because of the rise of political issues including COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. “No matter what side we are on, it is great to see that a lot of people invested time to mail in a ballot or actually go to the ballot office,” Hill said.
“It is great to see this type of civic engagement in this time in history, and I hope in future years we can keep this up.” Mannion also said that the different campaign approaches each candidate took most likely influenced votes. While Trump favored reopening and rallies with looser restrictions, Biden focused on small and fewer rallies with strict restrictions. Since this election contained many unusual elements, Mannion said future elections might look different. “When people think back to this election, we are going to look at mail-in votes, how they changed it, how we perceive the voting process and how we project votes,” Mannion said. However, controversy has
arisen about the possibility of voter fraud when counting ballots after Election Day. Given the closeness of the race, Mannion said the results will likely be challenged in the Supreme Court. “There are questions about the validity of the election,” Mannion said. “The one thing we really need to worry about is whether the institutions of America can bear the weight of an election of this magnitude.” Regarding the future of American politics, Mannion said voters will need to consider parties’ stances as they change. “We need to reevaluate ourselves in terms of this election about who we are trying to be and who we want to be,” Mannion said.
COVID-19 vaccines enter testing BY EMILY MCGINN NEWS EDITOR
In the United States, four COVID-19 vaccines are currently in the final phase of testing before approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Scientists develop vaccines to help prevent the spread of certain viruses,” said Lucy Esber, junior biomedical science major. “They have even been able to eradicate smallpox, an infectious disease, through vaccination. Ultimately getting a vaccine does you more good than harm, because it introduces your body to the virus, allowing your body to start forming antibodies. Getting vaccinated can also protect those around you from the risk of that virus.” A vaccine must undergo a three-stage testing process during clinical development, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the first phase, the experimental vaccine is given to small test groups. In the second phase, it is distributed to groups with specific traits such as certain age groups or states of physical health. “Vaccine trials not only
have to show a tolerable safety profile but also must show those study participants in the vaccine group have fewer cases of the target disease than the control or placebo group,” said Dr. Emily Hollinghurst, adjunct professor of pharmacology. “The outcomes assessed in Phases I and II trials are selecting a dose of the vaccine that not only elicits an immune response that would be adequate to prevent infection but also tolerable short-term side effects and no serious adverse reactions.” In the third and final phase, thousands of people receive the vaccine to ensure that the vaccine is safe and effective for the general population. If the vaccine is successful in the three phases of testing, the FDA can approve it for manufacturing and distribution. The FDA will continue to monitor the production and distribution of the vaccine to ensure it is effective and safe. Hollinghurst said vaccines normally take multiple years to go through Phase III to ensure participants have time to become exposed to the infection that the vaccine aims to protect people against. However, because of the
seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA has prepared an emergency use authorization process with a shorter testing period of two months that includes at least 3,000 test participants. “The FDA’s duty is to protect the public and ensure short- and long-term safety and efficacy,” Hollinghurst said. “Even after approval, drug companies are required to continuously monitor safety.” Two of the vaccines in Phase III of testing are viralvector vaccines produced by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. The other two vaccines, produced by Moderna and Pfizer, are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. COVID-19 viral-vector vaccines use other viruses to carry DNA from SARS-CoV-2 to cells, which leads to an immune response. In contrast, mRNA vaccines carry mRNA strands that direct the body to produce SARS-CoV-2 proteins, which cause an immune response. Hollinghurst said mRNA vaccines can be manufactured more rapidly and for a lower cost than viral-vector vaccines. As of now, both AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have paused their trials because
of illnesses in participants that must be investigated. Hollinghurst said a pause in the trial happens often during the testing process. Safety review boards will look into the causes of the illnesses and, if the FDA approves the vaccine for continued testing, the process will resume. “A vaccine aims to provide resistance against forms of illness which could be lifethreatening,” said Madison Hsieh, senior nursing major. “As a result, doctors will often recommend their patients to receive vaccines for their own wellbeing. Once given a vaccine, the body is enabled to produce antibodies that fight against various illnesses. If scientists were able to design a vaccine specifically for COVID-19, the health of many individuals could be saved.” Hollinghurst said she believes that a vaccine may be approved for manufacturing by the FDA near the end of December and that distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine may begin in early 2021. “A vaccine could help to slow down transmission and reduce morbidity and mortality caused by this ruthless virus,” Hollinghurst said.
NEWS
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
CBU plans virtual commencement BY EMILY MCGINN NEWS EDITOR
California Baptist University announced on Oct. 23 that the 2020 commencement ceremony will be adapted to an online format. This ceremony will celebrate graduates from the fall 2020 semester, as well as those from the spring and summer semesters after CBU postponed its ceremonies earlier this year. The virtual ceremony is scheduled to occur on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Joe Adcock, assistant dean of students for administration, and Juli Mory, director of university commencements, are involved in planning the commencement ceremony. “We were asked to look at as many options as we could, but we have to take into consideration the volume of the graduates and we have to stay within the state and local regulations with COVID-19,” Adcock said. “It just seemed like the virtual ceremony would be the best option.” Adcock said there are more than 3,000 graduates from throughout the year, making it impossible to plan an in-person ceremony option, especially with Riverside County’s return to the most restrictive tier in the state’s COVID-19 system. The virtual ceremony will allow students to participate in the ceremony from any location, which will also allow people to celebrate with the graduates without capacity limits. “Our goal for any ceremony is to celebrate the graduates and to allow them to celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends,” Adcock said. “The virtual ceremony is the only way we can do that with the boundaries due to the unfortunate pandemic.”
Spring Plan Continued from Page 1 regulations, as it allows realtime interaction in a simulated classroom environment. Colin Tersey, freshman mechanical engineering major, said he was disappointed and expressed empathy for those impacted by the continuation of online classes. “I wish the school would offer more classes in person,” Tersey said. “I feel bad for students and professors who are unable to host classes in person but would like to.” Mayanie Kakish, freshman business major, commended CBU for making the school COVID-compliant. “CBU has done an excellent job in asking students to practice proper social
NEWS Briefs COVID-19 UPDATE
Kelsie Stevens | Banner In the past, commencement has been held in the Events Center, but this year it will be held virtually due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Mory said the virtual ceremony will include elements that normally occur during the commencement ceremony such as the ringing of the bell, the turning of the tassels, CBU president Ronald L. Ellis’s message and the conferring of the degrees. Although a procession cannot occur virtually, graduates will still wear their regalia. Also, Mory said the virtual ceremony will have new components that do not occur at the normal commencement ceremony. “We think it will be worth it,” Mory said. “We wanted to make it a celebration (during which) they would feel proud to be a Lancer, even from 2,000 miles away watching this virtually.” Throughout the planning process, Mory said they have aimed to adapt all the normal elements of a ceremony to a virtual format in a way that will make the graduates feel as though they are in a normal ceremony as much as possible. “This has been a joint effort from many departments,” Mory said. “(We are going) to do some unique procedures that
distancing,” Kakish said. “They have provided many outdoor seating areas that allow students to socialize in a COVID-friendly way.” Hernandez encouraged students who are considering moving on campus to think about doing so. “I would say that all of our staff remains committed to serving our students and implementing safe and healthy practices,” Hernandez said. “Our wonderful Residence Life staff and residence advisers are passionate about investing in the lives of our students.” The COVID Interruption Scholarship will also continue into the spring 2021 semester. Traditional undergraduate students will receive a discount of 10% on net tuition. However, financial aid given by CBU cannot exceed 50% of tuition.
would not be part of a regular ceremony because it is virtual and there are filming aspects that, in a way, create an added aspect. What we can assure all our graduates is that this is an event they will not want to miss. It is going to be an exciting one, and we feel it will bring a culmination to all of their hard work and accomplishments and let them close out 2020 feeling celebrated.” Connor Pacharis, spring 2020 business administration graduate, said he is not sure if he will attend the ceremony in the online format. “I did not get the end of senior year but I always held onto hope we would all be together again for graduation, so for it to happen like this is really disappointing,” Pacharis said. “I expect the administration will do their best to make it great, but for me, it is not really worth the time seven months later to go to another CBU Zoom class. I hope (the graduates) gain a sense of closure and are reminded that we have three and a half good years of
Enrollment Continued from Page 1 “I have been able to see CBU adapt to the growing enrollment over my time here,” Carlisle said. “CBU has made new housing, created more food options on campus, made a large parking structure and made a new engineering building, all to make more students fit on campus.” CBU’s growth has lead to many additions on campus. CBU has been able to add more programs, facilities and other amenities. Neece said he believes it is important for CBU to continue to grow in the future. “As a university committed to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20), enrollment growth represents
memories to remember.” Originally, the university had hoped to eventually hold an in-person ceremony for the 2020 graduates. However, due to continued state restrictions to combat COVID-19, CBU decided to hold a virtual ceremony for the graduates. Although it is virtual, Mory said she hopes the graduates will still enjoy the celebration of their achievements. “We want our graduates to know that we are proud of them for their resilience and that we celebrate this accomplishment with them,” Mory said. “Just like everything else in the world, we wish things were normal and that we could provide in-person ceremonies, but we believe that we have the next best option and that our graduates will be glad they participated in the ceremony.” To participate in the ceremony, 2020 graduates can visit www.calbaptist.edu/2020. Students and graduates can visit https://calbaptist. edu/commencement/ for additional information about the commencement ceremony.
“
We believe CBU enrollment can keep growing. Expanded academic program offerings for all three levels, (including) undergraduate, graduate and online and professional studies, will attract more students to CBU. ” Taylor Neece, dean of admissions a greater opportunity for God to use CBU to impact the lives of more and more students,” Neece said. “The more students that attend CBU, the greater the opportunity.”
The United States recorded more than 100,000 new COVID-19 cases in one day on Nov. 4. Eleven states reported record numbers of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. The steady increase of cases that began to surge in mid-September is not slowing down. This increase in daily cases came about a week after the U.S. passed nine million confirmed cases. The last one million COVID-19 cases worldwide have been reported in less than 36 hours, which is a rate of 7.8 cases every second, according to a USA Today analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University. Due to COVID-19 surges, European countries including England, France and Germany have decided to reenter national shutdowns. In California, cases have risen since mid-October, with 5,241 cases reported on Nov. 4. Counties including Riverside County and neighboring Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties remain in the purple tier in the state’s COVID-19 tier system.
RETURN TO PURPLE TIER The California Department of Public Health moved Riverside County back into the purple tier on Oct. 20. This transition took place about a month after the state moved into the red tier on Sept. 22, which allowed the county to open more businesses and some schools. The county has a 5.2% positivity rate, which is within the red tier range. However, the case rate in Riverside County is 9.1 daily new cases per 100,000 people, which caused the county to move back into the purple tier. Businesses that had to close down again had 72 hours after the announcement to do so.
SUPREME COURT UPDATE The majority of the Senate voted in support of President Donald J. Trump’s Supreme Court nomination, Amy Coney Barrett, on Oct. 26. Barrett, 48, is a federal appeals judge who filled the seat left vacant by late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This appointment of a new Supreme Court justice is Trump’s third nomination during his time in office. The Senate voted 52-48 for Barrett to be in the Supreme Court. Barrett took part in a swearing-in ceremony at the White House on the night of Oct. 26, during which she was led in an official constitutional oath. On Oct. 27, she was led in the judicial oath which officially made her a Supreme Court justice.
Official ballot boxes aim to preserve voting security BY KAYLEE ELROD ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Since the 2020 election took place during the pandemic, voting occurred differently. This election was many California Baptist University students’ first time voting in a presidential election. Spencer Quinto, senior aviation management major, is a second-time voter but said he is still excited to vote. “I find it important to vote because it is my civic duty,” Quinto said. California is one of nine states that automatically mailed ballots to all registered voters. Other states include Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington. “I think it is a useful strategy for enabling people to vote without having to go to the polls, given fears of the pandemic,”
said Dr. Chase Porter, assistant professor of political science. “Given that voter registration is an intentional choice, I see no issue with sending ballots to those who are actively registered. Of course, this does raise issues of people receiving ballots incorrectly because of a change of address, but that is why there are procedures in place to validate signatures upon ballot returns.” Ballots do not have to be received by mail until Nov. 20 in California. However, they do have to be postmarked by Election Day. This can lead to a potential delay in election results. “I believe a delay in results is inevitable when the ballotby-mail option becomes more popular,” said Robbie Mohn, senior mechanical engineer major. “Just like the increase in mailing around Christmas time causes shipping delays, the
current mail-in ballot system is causing delays.” Some people tend to prefer mailing in their ballots and others prefer to vote in-person, so states provide both options. However, because more people voted by mail this year, states have made the process safer by allowing people to use official ballot boxes to drop off their ballots. Drop boxes can be available around the clock which allowed voters to go at their convenience or to avoid crowds during election season. The Elections Assistance Commission gave recommendations to states about how to ensure that drop boxes are safe and effective. It recommended for states to have a strict chain of procedures that ensures that only authorized election officials handle the ballots. They also recommend for the boxes to have 24/7 video monitoring. The boxes also
Camille Grochowski | Banner Ballot drop-off boxes have been placed around the county to allow those voting from a home an alternative to mailing a ballot from a home mailbox. have to be secured and locked, whereas home mailboxes do not have to be. If people have a concern about ballot security, these precautions can help alleviate that concern.
“Voting is a way of exercising the right we have to participate in the governance of our country,” Porter said. “While my one vote is not determinative of the election
outcome from a mathematical perspective, voting is a right that many people do not have worldwide. Thus, it is incumbent on me to be a good steward of that right by voting.”
VISION
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
HAPPY H O L I DAYS ! BUCKET LIST Make a gingerbread house
Bake cookies
Put up Christmas lights
Make a holiday playlist
Make hot chocolate
Drive around and look
Build a snowman
at Christmas lights
Open presents with friends
Wear ugly Christmas
Watch Christmas movies
sweaters
Decorate a Christmas tree
Donate a toy
Wrap presents
Go ice skating
Make Christmas cards
Build a fire
HOLIDAY MOVIES Netflix: - ‘Holidate’ (Oct. 28) - ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’ (Nov. 13) - ‘The Princess Switch: Switched Again’ (Nov. 19) - ‘Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square’ (Nov. 22) - ‘The Christmas Chronicle 2’ (Nov. 25) - ‘Dash & Lily’ (Nov. 10) - ‘Operation Christmas Drop’ (Nov. 5) Hulu: - ‘Happiest Season’ (Nov. 25) Disney+: - ‘Soul’ (Dec. 25) - ‘LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special’ (Nov. 17) Apple TV+: - ‘Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special’ (Release TBD) - ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ (Release TBD) Design by Sofia Eneqvist, Design Editor | Banner
Movie List by Cole Stillwagon, Asst. A&E Editor | Banner
VISION
November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
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HOLIDAY Q&A The holidays can bring many changes to a student’s life. During the festive season, students often re-connect with family members and old friends they do not see as often. Dr. Viola Lindsey, professor of social work, participated in a Q&A about how to deal with family over the holidays.
Q:
Do you have any tips for people who struggle with family connections over the holidays?
A: Don’t just text. Take time to call. Texting has the ability to mask feel-
ings. If you have a good relationship with your family members, tone of voice, words used and phraseology all send a message that a text is not able to do. During this time of COVID, the human voice is as close as we can get to the human touch. Whether it be over a phone call or on Zoom, I encourage making a communication tree so everyone can chime in and you can fill that void.
Q: Do you think the holidays are stressful times for people? If so, why? A: The holidays are a very stressful time for many people. In social work,
we learn that many people are sad around this time which is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This is a time of year when people come together to reminisce, not just come together and eat food (which is also very important). You are sharing stories from the past during this time, which is another way for people to connect. And if you don’t have that, especially during COVID, there can be a feeling of disconnect.
Q:
What are the ways people can improve these relationships, whether short-term or long-term?
A: I think we sometimes tend to blame each other. We are very concerned
about hurting people’s feelings. If you have an issue with someone, ask if it’s ok to have a conversation that may be difficult to have. When doing this, it is important to start with the ‘I messages.’ For example, when we say ‘You make me upset,’ that has a blaming effect to it. Instead, use the ‘I message’ and say ‘When I hear you say those things I feel upset.’ Also, it is good practice to take a step back and realize that all people are different. Even though you grew up in the same environment, your different experiences give you different perspectives about things.
Q: Is there anything else you think readers should know about the topic? A: We need to take the time to recognize that we are all in this together. It
goes back to the idea of choosing collectivism over individualism. Think of others and not just yourself. Be sensitive to others and their emotions and feelings. Understand that we will all have different opinions, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t still get along. It is important to appreciate and respect our differences. Oftentimes, when there are differences we can learn from the other person. Q&A by Teddy Peña, Lifestyle Editor | Banner
LIFESTYLE
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
Communicating emotions helps students connect BY TEDDY PEÑA
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Photo Illustration by Elijah Hickman | Banner Leslie Herrera, sophomore exercise science major, illustrates the struggle of showing emotions in person.
When communicating with others, many signals are being transmitted and interpreted. One of the many things that must be decoded while communicating is emotions. Emotion is a human’s natural state of mind flowing from a variety of different channels including mood, situation and relationships. All humans experience a degree of emotion and endure a number of them daily. Emotional intelligence is the ability of someone to identify, interpret and communicate their own emotions. Having high emotional intelligence also allows for the individual to be able to read the emotions of others and adapt communication style to the current situation. Dr. Cynthia Boes, professor of communication studies, explained how a person can raise emotional intelligence to heighten awareness while communicating emotions. “Firstly, it is important to pay attention to where your emotions are coming from,” Boes said. “Be aware of when you are emotional and try to identify what you are feeling. Also, try to notice patterns in the way you respond to differ-
ent things. Notice the signs and signals that other people are giving off when communicating in a way that is not self-obsessed.” All people have their own unique way of communicating. Humans process emotions and communicate them differently. Rylie Horn, junior kinesiology major, described how she processes and communicates her emotions. “When something is bothering me, I like to talk to my friends about it first,” Horn said. “I then feel prepared to communicate whatever is bothering me with the person it pertains to.” Communicating one’s own emotions effectively is a skill. It is something that can be practiced and can become familiar to someone. Kirsten Sommer, junior nursing major, talked about her ability to communicate her own emotions and how natural it feels to convey these emotions to other people. “Communicating your own emotions is something you are always working on,” Sommer said. “Communicating how you feel definitely becomes easier with time and practice. Communicating negative emotions are definitely more difficult than communicating positive ones. It is super easy for me to
compliment someone or express that I like something. Experiencing and identifying emotions and the various feelings that humans endure daily is not comfortable for many people. Pinpointing and communicating these various emotions can feel like uncharted territory. “When we are feeling strong emotions, they have the ability to take over our reasoning,” Boes said. “If we leave that unchecked, then we can respond to the emotions rather than more rational thought. There are also obstacles to communicating emotions. Our external environment can deter us from accurately expressing emotions which includes our mood and the noise around us and in our mind.” Communication is a skill that can be improved. Horn provided her advice on communicating emotions effectively. “It’s important to understand that you shouldn’t blame other people for your own emotions,” Horn said. “Try to focus on what hurts you and why you are feeling a certain way. Don’t be afraid of communicating your own feelings. I like journaling how I feel or communicating with others to help me articulate and process what is going on in my mind.”
Students engage in healthy media consumption, share experiences BY WILL ANTON
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR The media is all around us. It encompasses almost every part of our lives. When we wake up in the morning, we are bombarded with news on our phones. When we scroll through Instagram or Twitter, we are flooded with information about the world and current events. When we drive down the freeway, walk through the grocery store or relax at the coffee shop, we are always in the presence of the media, and are constantly consuming it. 2020 has been a pivotal year, not only for American history but also world history. From the pandemic and racial injustice to the U.S. presidential election, it is fair to say that this year has had its share of news. While quick access to news has been a necessity during times such as these, the rate at which we consume media can be detrimental. Overexposure to and overuse of media can cause not only an unhealthy mindset but an unhealthy lifestyle as well. Therefore, the amount of media that we consume needs to be self- regulated in order to maintain both mental and physical health. Sydney Munck, senior biology major, said the influences of the media on an individual can be good and bad.
Art education
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field.” An art education degree has been in the works for many years at CBU. Not only is it an attractive addition to the College of Architecture, Visual Arts + Design, but it is also a strategic and much-needed outlet for students wishing to apply their art skills in a tangible way. Simcoe said many students in the past chose not to pursue art due to its seemingly “unprofessional” nature. “Art is often looked at as some kind of hobby activity,” Simcoe said. “Art education makes it sound somehow legitimate as a profession, and I get that. I have spoken with many
“The main thing that you need to remember is that whatever you feed into your brain, you feed into your life,” Munck said. Overexposure to and overuse of media, quite literally, has the potential to negatively affect an individual’s life, oftentimes to the point of total assimilation to whatever is being consumed. This assimilation to media is not merely bound to the individual level but is also capable of infiltrating on a societal level.
All forms of media can be used as a tool for all people. However, it can have many negative effects that come with it. Robert Trent, freshman business administration major, said the media can be very helpful and approaches the topic from a more societal standpoint. “The media is very helpful, and is a useful tool,” Trent said. “However, something that people often overlook is that people cannot rely exclusively
on the media. Let’s take for instance the upcoming election. The voting populace needs to be informed, just as the founding fathers intended, but they cannot logically expect to glean adequate information about each candidate based exclusively off of a specific media platform.” Dr. Paul Stumpf, adjunct professor of communication studies, said media can be safely, responsibly and ethically consumed in today’s world. “In some aspects, you have to be wise in how you consume media,” Stumpf said. “If you strictly consume media over platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., you have to realize that the information you’re getting is tailored fit to your interests. Know where your information is coming from. Watch both sides of the aisle, and listen to both opinions intelligently.” Media consumption is a nearly imperative part of living in today’s world. After all, without a constant stream of information available at our fingertips, many would find it difficult to function in the lightning-paced societies that dominate the modern world. However, even though it is a truly wonderful tool, media is also a double-edged sword that can easily sway a mindset and assimilate it completely to one specific narrative.
students over the years who would have been art majors, but their parents simply would not let them. Although it is true that art, like music, can function in this way, it is also an essential form of non-verbal communication and a decidedly incarnational activity that finds its way into unexpected areas of endeavor. ” Through this new program, CBU art students now have the potential to pursue an art degree that would otherwise seem intangible. The addition of this program is revolutionary for the College of Architecture, Visual Arts + Design, as it could usher in a new generation of art students through its increased workplace practicality. Mikayla Morehead, sophomore arts therapy major, said
that the addition of an art edu- their emotions and experiences cation degree is a good idea. by means of art-making. More“I would assume that, like head described what an art eduCBU’s art therapy program, art cation major would look like at education students will learn CBU and why it will be benefia little bit of every medium,” cial to a student’s future career. Morehead said. “I “A major that think that becomspecifically eduing well versed in cates students on many different how to teach art styles of art-makwill be helpful,” ing is extremely Morehead said. beneficial for any Duncan Simcoe, “This is because aspiring artist, it will help them Program director of learn the necboth in helping fine arts essary skills to them become better and more well foster a healthy rounded, and helping them to art-making environment.” learn how to teach other.” Todd Liddell, junior graphArt is a subject that can be ic design major, said that art applied to many different disci- education is a strategic and plines. Art therapy is a field that much-needed program for art exists to serve the community students. by allowing people to process “I would have been set up
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Whatever you feed into your brain, you feed into your life.
Sydney Munck, Senior biology major
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(Art) is an essential form of non-verbal communication.
| Banner for greater success had I been taught the importance of art at a young age,” Liddell said. “I know this major will give future generations a better grasp on how art is integrated with our faith and this world.” Liddell also explained how the new major will provide opportunities for CBU graduates that have never been available until now. “I think this new major will open doors for people who are passionate about art and teaching,” said Liddell. “I also believe people will gain a greater understanding of the purpose of art, and give a greater appreciation for the arts.” Through an art education major, future generations of students will have access to a professionally minded ap-
proach to art. This will benefit their careers and their creativity, and equip them with the skills to educate the K-12 platform on the importance of art. Adding a new program to the CAVAD curriculum means new obstacles to face. However, the program will also draw new students into the university. Simcoe described his ambitions and hopes for the new program. “The program will give students the opportunity to pursue this professional field,” said Simcoe. “We expect it to be a substantial ‘draw’ for new students who are also looking for the same. I think that it also simply enlarges the ‘in-reach’ of visual art on campus as there are more and more students taking our rich offerings of studio and lecture courses.”
LIFESTYLE
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
Vegan food chain offers plant-based options to community BY TEDDY PEÑA
LIFESTYLE EDITOR There is a multitude of reasons as to why someone would want to live a more plant-based lifestyle. For some, it is a more ethical and moral decision to cut out their consumption of animal products. For others, a plant-based diet is best for their overall health. No matter what someone’s reasoning for eating plantbased is, vegan options are available for everyone. With seven locations across the region, Plant Power Fast Food is a Southern California-based brand that focuses on serving quality plant-based food to the public. Lizette Pedraza, a manager at the Plant Power location in Riverside, described the quick-service food chain for someone who had never been there before. “I would describe Plant Power as somewhere to get plant-based foods in a super convenient way,” Pedraza said. “Especially if someone is vegan or just trying to eat a little bit more plant-based, Plant Power is a quicker and healthier option that offers drive-through for people on the go. (People love) that convenient aspect of having a fast-food vegan spot.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity amongst adults in America was 42.4% in 2017-2018. The ever-growing prominence of fast food has not helped this percentage decrease. However, Plant Power brands itself as “the future of fast food” in an effort to normalize plant-based diets, even if it is just for one day out of the week. Elizabeth Pryor, senior psychology major, explained her experience with Plant Power and what she admires about the vegan fast-food chain. “I love eating at Plant Power,” Pryor said. “I have only had good experiences there. At first, I was not sure what to expect, considering it is fast-food. But, I was not disappointed at all. I was excited to see that they offer many different kinds of ‘fastfood’ items such as burgers, fries and ‘chicken’ sandwiches.” Having more vegan options available in the community helps individuals who live with certain food allergies. Taylor Duncan, senior photography major, described what it is like for someone with a food allergy to have accessibility to various food items that would otherwise be inaccessible at other chains. “My initial thought was
the food was surprisingly delicious,” Duncan said. “As someone who is gluten intolerant I was so grateful that they had gluten-free bread options. I love their gluten-free cheeseburgers. I think it’s good to have more vegan food options or allergy-friendly food options since more and more people have food allergies.” Accessibility plays a large part in why Plant Power has been able to grow throughout Southern California. The vegan brand is committed to breaking the barrier between veganism and the everyday consumer. “It’s good to have more accessible options,” Pedraza said. “Plant Power is good because it makes vegan food a little bit more affordable, quick and convenient, especially for college students. Even if someone is not 100% vegan, it’s always good to have a plant-based option.” The plant-based fast food chain has grown in popularity over the years, especially among the college-aged group. “I would definitely recommend Plant Power to my friends,” Pryor said. “It’s fastfood without the guilt. I can eat Plant Power and not instantly regret it as I do with other fastfood restaurants. It is healthier, better for the environment and tastes just as good.”
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Emily Pettett, freshmen public relations major, and Anna Chiu, freshmen class of 2024, actuarial science major, discuss their first impressions of Plant Power, a vegan fast food restaurant.
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How to finish the semester strong BY ASHLEY MOORE
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR As the students of California Baptist University reach the end of the semester, it could be an understatement to say motivation has been lost. The fall semester of 2020 has brought with it many challenges as students have had to adjust the entirety of how they learn. Key elements, such as social interaction in classrooms and communication with professors, have been lost and can contribute to students feeling defeated when it comes to staying on top of assignments. Yet
even through all of these difficulties, it is still important to remain strong and to finish the semester even stronger. Gabrielle VanSant senior creative writing major, said she feels she has lost motivation because she is easily distracted. “It helps to set timer and reward myself with rest to keep pushing myself,” VanSant said. “I’d recommend giving yourself 30 minutes to just work. Put your phones away. It’s amazing how much you’ll get done.” Distractions can creep in without students realizing it. VanSant has been able to identify what easily distracts her
and limits her time with it to in- a dry-erase checklist to keep crease her productivity. track of assignments just for the Samantha Anweek.” tinucci, junior libThis is an imeral studies major, portant habit to said she agrees create, and it is it is difficult to not too late to do keep her focus on Dr. Erika Travis, so. For the rest schoolwork at this of the semesAssociate professor ter, students can point in the seof English and take Antinucci’s mester. “I have an enbehavioral sciences advice to practire calendar on tice and create my phone dedicalendars and cated to my assignments,” An- boards that will keep them on tinucci said. “During syllabus track. Adding reminders in week, I put in every assignment an app is another way to keep for the entire semester so I can track of what is due when, and keep track of them all. I also use for what class. Having weekly
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Try to have an accountability or study partner.
lists of what is due, or what is upcoming, will be less stressful for those who might feel overwhelmed by seeing too much at once. Dr. Erika Travis, associate professor of English and Behavioral Sciences, said she understands the stress and pressure students face during this semester. She pointed out that originally CBU would have had Thanksgiving week to look forward to. This would be a time for not only students but also professors to take a break and catch up on any late work or to gain a head start on any upcoming assignments.
Yet with the changes COVID-19 has brought with it, breaks this semester were omitted which resulted in nearly the same amount of work being crammed into a less amount of time. “Be in contact with your professors if you have questions,” Travis said. “Try to have an accountability or study partner in each class that you can exchange notes with or even call or text. Print assignments out so you can turn off the screen. You’re not going to want to look at the screen and read, and it’s actually not good for your body.”
PERSPECTIVES
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
Candidates for Riverside mayor host election night campaign events
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! 1. Patricia Lock Dawson hugs her daughter during her campaign party for her race in Riverside’s mayoral election. 2. Mayoral candidate Patricia Lock Dawson celebrates her run in the mayoral election with Riverside Unified School District Vice President Tom Hunt. Lock Dawson is also an RUSD school board trustee. 3. Patricia Lock Dawson gives a speech at election night campaign party, thanking her friends and family in attendance for their support.
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4. Mayoral candidate Andy Melendrez speaks at his election night campaign party, thanking supporters for coming and rallying around him. 5. Mayoral candidate Andy Melendrez speaks to a staff writer about his thoughts on the preliminary results and what he is doing next. 6. Aurelio Melendrez, 40, stands by his father, Andy Melendrez, as he talks with his supporters at his election night campaign party.
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Photos by Alex Iannone, Kia Harlan and Luc Stringer
BUSINESS & TECH
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
Mail-in voting sparks controversy BY LUC STRINGER
ASST. BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR On Election Day, Nov. 3, the American people voted to decide the identity of the most powerful political figure in the America. But in a global pandemic, many did not want to to vote in person because of the risk of exposure to COVID-19, so they used the mail-in voting system put in place instead. President Donald J. Trump shared his opinion on the new form of mail-in voting in tweets for months, saying mail-in voting was rife with fraud. Trump tweeted on July 30 saying that the November election would be the most “inaccurate and fraudulent election in history.” Later, in a Sept. 23 news conference, Trump called ballot-casting in 2020 a “disaster.” The same day, he spoke in the Oval Office, claiming the election is so unbalanced that the Supreme Court would have to decide the outcome. “I think this is a scam that the Democrats are pulling — it’s a scam — this scam will be before the United States Supreme Court,” Trump said. On Sept. 29, Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden spoke on the issue during their first presidential debate. Biden dismissed Trump’s accusations. He maintained that there is no
I believe that’s the best way to show my American pride — as a woman, too — is to get out there and vote in-person. Audrey Currie Sophomore prenursing student objective evidence for fraud that may influence the outcome of the election. “(Trump’s position) is all about trying to dissuade people from voting,” Biden said. “He’s trying to scare people into thinking that (the election) is not going to be legitimate.” Dr. Chase Porter, assistant professor of political science, said he believes that the spread of the population and small chance of fraud most likely will render this election safe, despite voting from home. Porter said he would rather have an accurate election than a timely one. “With so many people involved, and so many voters involved, inevitably there’s going to be issues of voter fraud,” Porter said. “Be careful if we see isolated reports of voter fraud stories, that doesn’t mean that we have some kind of nationwide issue that is actually impacting the outcome of the
| Banner Mikayla Morehead, sophomore art therapy major, turns in her ballot at the CBU post, voting early in the 2020 presidential election. election.” Audrey Currie, sophomore pre-nursing student, said she was adamant about physically showing up to the polls, and said she believes both candidates have political gain or loss based on how people vote.
“For me personally, I want to exercise my right to vote so I’m going to do so in person,” Currie said. “I believe that’s the best way to show my American pride — as a woman, too — is to get out there and vote in person.”
Nick Desanto, sophomore engineering major, said he does not believe Trump will challenge the results if he loses the election. “You see this in politics all the time,” Desanto said. “People try to come up with
excuses for why things may or may not go their way, and I think he sees that he is not doing as well as Biden is in the polls and is trying to come up with half-reasonable solutions as to why he may lose the election.”
DOJ files suit against Google for allegedly violating antitrust laws BY JASMINE SEVERI
BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR The United States Department of Justice and eleven state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Google on Oct. 20 for allegedly violating antitrust laws and illegally protecting their monopoly in search and advertising markets. “Today, millions of Americans rely on the internet and online platforms for their daily lives,” said Attorney General William Barr in a press release by the Department of Justice on Oct. 20. “Competition in this industry is vitally important, which is why today’s challenge against Google — the gatekeeper of the Internet — for violating antitrust laws is a monumental case both for the Department of Justice and for the American people.” Joy Bennett, junior theater major, said she
does not like the monopoly, but she is doubtful they will be able to stop it. “I think that if they really are (illegally protecting their monopoly), that it’s probably just to file a lawsuit against them,” Bennett said. “And if that’s true, then (they) better stop it.” Bennett said she thinks that this lawsuit might not make a difference, but if more lawsuits come in, it might start to build up. “I think that ‘Big Corp.’ tends to get away with stuff like that,” Bennett said. “I think the more pressure they put on it, the better. I think it’s always right to break up monopolies, just so it’s an even playing field and no one is being treated unfairly.” Clara Prins, junior nursing major, said she thinks it might make a difference for a while, but that Google’s search engine is so ubiquitous and
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“The challenge against Google for violating antitrust laws is a monumental case for both the Department of Justice and the American people. William Barr United States Attorney General
more efficient than its competitors that it might not make a lasting impact. “I think (it might make a difference) for a while but Google is so well-known that it would be hard to take away its monopoly, because we literally use Google for everything,” Prins said. “We have
phones now, it’s everyone’s main search engine, they have lots of different apps with lots of different features and it would be hard to diminish its monopoly, even if there’s a lawsuit. I think it might make some change, but (not a lot).” “At this point I don’t see the harm in (theirmonopoly), because Bing and some of the other search engines are not as efficient,” Prins said. “Everyone uses Google anyway, so to break it up, in theory, it would be good, but Google’s ease of use is just really convenient.” This is a big case involving attorney general offices from Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina and Texas that might stretch on for years and encourage similar lawsuits. Whether this will have an impact on the stronghold Google has over the internet is yet to be determined.
Adobe leads over competitors in content creation software BY LUC STRINGER
ASST. BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR
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In December 1982, the creative world changed John Warnock and Charles Gesche launched their business: Adobe Systems. Neither knew that their simple organization would one day rule the world of creative processes. Today, Adobe sports the Creative Cloud, a collection of apps that work together under the Adobe ecosystem to streamline content creation. Some of the most notable is Premiere Pro, Adobe’s flagship video editing software; Photoshop, the most popular photo manipulation tool on the planet; and Lightroom, a photographer’s all-in-one workspace. For a professional content creator, paying a monthly fee of just over $50 a month for any app they could need is a dream come true. It is no surprise, then, that Adobe has become the industry standard in many fields. Photoshop has never been rivaled in its editing ability, and many content creators use Adobe’s ecosystem for most of their work. Adobe certifications are much sought-after, with job sites such as LinkedIn providing essential training in the software. Yet Adobe does not hold
a monopoly on creativity. Recently, programs such as Procreate and Da Vinci Resolve seek to be an affordable, powerful alternative to Adobe. Procreate is a graphic design and illustration
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I don’t see Procreate replacing Adobe at its current state. It still lacks a few things. Stephanie Ibarra Junior architecture major
program similar to Adobe’s Illustrator. Stephanie Ibarra, junior architecture major, enjoys Procreate’s ease of usability but is tentative about its ability to rival Adobe. “I don’t see Procreate replacing Adobe at its current state,” Ibarra said. “It still lacks a few things like keeping the resolution when scaling something back up, but it has been updating like crazy recently and I wouldn’t be surprised if it continues at the rate it does. If Apple were to buy it off, it would take over Adobe Suite after a couple of years
or so.” Lauren Jannicelli, sophomore graphic design major, said she was drawn to Procreate for the same reason. She said it was incredibly accessible to her. “I prefer to use Procreate because when I started doing art-related things, it was all graphite and paper,” Jannicelli said. “When I started taking graphic design classes, it was a lot harder for me to do stuff with the mouse — it didn’t feel right. When I (used Procreate) on my iPad, it felt a lot more natural.” Michael Eaton, professor of film studies and film production, said Adobe has not been the industry standard in a film for most of its lifetime. He said that, for the most part, other programs in 2020 are fairly professional and provide similar results. “Pretty much all of the software now does the same thing — it’s all very similar,” Eaton said. “You can use these programs for any purpose. A lot of this talk that goes on in the industry about (which programs are better) is almost beside the point.” For most creatives, Adobe is still the best option. However, as software continues to develop, Adobe may one day lose its crown.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
2021 releases grow due to COVID-19 BY COLE STILWAGON ASST. A&E EDITOR
Movie theater chains around the world have been struggling to stay in business due to the massive economic hit of the COVID-19 pandemic. For six months, theaters were shut down in compliance with nationwide lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus. As COVID-19 cases have decreased and the world has begun to pick up the pieces, theater chains are still left in the dark. While in some states, theaters can reopen with strict guidelines. Others have no choice but await news from local government on when they can reopen. Cineworld announced to the public on Oct. 5 that it would be temporarily shutting down the majority of its locations globally. Included in the closure will be 536 Regal Cinemas in the U.S.. and 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse venues in Britain. The news came after MGM Studios announced it would be, once again, delaying “James Bond: No Time To Die” from its November theatrical time slot. Similarly, Disney announced just mere days before that its new original animated movie “Soul” would be taken off the theater schedule and moved to Disney+ for a Christmas Day release. With theater chains relying on these movies to stay afloat, some were left with no option. In a press release, Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld, said they have worked hard to meet and exceed health and safety guidelines. “This is not a decision we made lightly, and we did everything in our power to support safe and sustainable reopenings
in all of our markets—including meeting, and often exceeding, local health and safety guidelines in our theaters and working constructively with regulators and industry bodies to restore public confidence in our industry,” Greidinger said. Cineworld is the second-largest movie theater chain in the world behind AMC Theater. The giant theater corporation operates more than 787 locations with 9,500 screens spanning 10 countries. For those that can reopen, they are struggling to compete with streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. Film Studios are extremely hesitant to release their films in theaters because of the lack of box office revenue due to COVID-19. Warner Brothers tested the waters, releasing “Tenet” on Labor Day weekend. After two months at the box office, the film has made a little over its initial budget. These numbers prove that audiences are not ready to go back, making studios push releases back more. The Walt Disney Company did its testing, as well. The company removed “Mulan” from the release schedule and offered the film on its streaming site for $29.99. In a data analysis from 7Park Data, nearly 29% of active U.S. Disney+ users purchased “Mulan” in data collected between Sept. 1-12. With the number of films delayed in 2020, 2021 is looking to be a year of blockbuster films. In hopes of a safe and successful return, both blockbusters from the 2020 schedule and originally 2021 will all be released, leaving audiences with new content welcoming them to theaters. Some of the films that will
MTV announces ‘Cribs’ relaunch BY COLE STILWAGON ASST. A&E EDITOR
Kengkue Her | Banner
Due to the coronavirus, many theaters have been shut down to slow the spread of the virus. be making their way to the big screen in 2021 after being delayed are “Ghostbusters: After Life,” “Raya and The Last Dragon”, “No Time To Die,” “Black Widow,” “Fast and Furious 9,” “Dune,” “West Side Story” and many others. Joining these films are the originally intended for 2021 films such as “Shang Chi and The Ten Rings,” “Cruella,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and more. With an exciting lineup of films to be released, some audience members cannot wait for theaters to reopen. Phillip Cuneo, sophomore health science major, said he enjoyed returning to theaters. “I went to a movie theater
back home it was great to be back to normal,” Cuneo said. “Especially because no one was there.” Kristin Thoroddsen, junior studio production major, said she is excited to see the new movies. “I am excited for theaters to reopen,” Thoroddsen said. “I have been waiting to see ‘Black Widow’ for so long now.” Although there are still a lot of unknowns for the film and theater industry, there is hope in the fact that movies are returning to filming and theaters are starting to reopen for audiences. This next year will determine how valuable the theater experience really is.
“Hey MTV, Welcome back to my crib!” The popular network MTV recently announced a reboot of one of its most popular TV shows from the early 2000s. MTV International will be launching “MTV Cribs” across the globe bringing viewers into the homes of some of their favorite celebrities. “MTV Cribs” became a classic staple for teenage television when it launched in the 2000s on the network. More than 15 seasons, a number of the world’s favorite celebrities welcomed people into their homes for an intimate tour. These tours consisted of giant compounds with basketball courts, Olympic-sized pools, luxury movie theater rooms and much more. Some of the celebrity homeowners consisted of Mariah Carey, Tony Hawk and Lil Wayne. The international launch comes after a successful trial run in the United Kingdom, “MTV Cribs: Footballers Stay Home.” This spin-off took audiences into some of your favorite football players’ homes in the UK. The reboot came on the heels of the global pandemic this year. The football stars were able to capture their homes while quarantining at home. With a world now filled with Zooming and staying home, the fascination with famous people’s homes has become more popular. In a statement, the vice president of Original Content
and Development for Youth and Entertainment at ViacomCBS Networks International Craig Orr said the release of MTV has to do with the culture of 2020. “As we spend more time at home this year, our fascination with where and how others live is growing..” Orr said. “MTV Cribs’ continues to connect our worldwide audiences with their favorite stars as they welcome us into their homes for an exclusive tour.” The new show will feature an all-new set of celebrity homeowners this time around. Some of the stars involved include children’s pop star Jojo Siwa, reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner and former “Glee” star Kevin McHale. Along with the network’s excitement, comes excitement from fans across the globe and on campus. Carli Domino, junior nursing student, said she is looking forward to the reboot. “I enjoy reboots of old TV shows and movies,” Domino said. “I loved watching the old show, so I will be tuning in to the new one” Tyler Doench, junior marketing major, also said he is looking forward to the return of the famous MTV show. “I loved the original and I am so excited for it to come back,” Doench said. With excitement from both fans and the entertainment industry, the reboot is sure to be a hit like its predecessor. “MTV Cribs” will premiere internationally this month, while the U.S. version will be hitting coming to audiences in 2021.
Kings Kaleidoscope releases live EP BY JACKSON WALDROP A&E EDITOR
Well-known and loved Christian rhythmic alternative collective Kings Kaleidoscope released its long-awaited EP “POWER PERFECT” on a onetake live stream on their Instagram on Oct. 20. Kings Kaleidoscope is led by Chad Garner, lead singer and songwriter for the collective of friends. Their combination of string, woodwind and brass instruments and electronic sounds creates feelings and sounds that cannot be heard anywhere else. John Michael Coleman IV, Christian studies graduate of California Baptist University, explained his feelings about the band and the character of the members. “Kings Kaleidoscope has been one of my favorite bands since high school,” Coleman said. “The way the guys are so humble and personable in smaller settings is so encour-
aging, and their ability to create and glorify God with their music leads their listeners to a place of awe and worship.” Kings Kaleidoscope released its latest three-song EP on an Instagram Live stream in a live studio performance format they called “Kamp Kaleidoscope.” The video went live on their Instagram at 12 p.m. on Oct. 20 and was made available to watch for a limited time. The band has released three LPs and their very successful mixtape “THE BEAUTY BETWEEN.” This EP is their first release since April 2019. The three-song EP also features Christian rapper Propaganda on one of the tracks. The EP was officially released on Oct. 30. Tanner Dubyak, studio production major and local artist who works with the band, explained the concept of Kamp Kaleidoscope and the effectiveness of the format. “Kamp Kaleidoscope was a get together of the band and whoever else received an in-
vitation,” Dubyak said. “They were reviewing their last wants and needs for the EP. I love the video. Really brings you into the atmosphere like you’re at one of their shows. They were able to fully recreate an environment through whatever screens anyone was watching on.” Raymond Alva, junior photography major, explained his connection to the band and his feelings about the livestream release. “I think what Kings K is doing right now is killer,” Alva said. “The way they released the music for this first time was something I hadn’t seen before. They shared everything in the form of a livestream and it was all shot in one take by Matthew Warren. “I’m pumped for the new EP because it’s the first project we’ve gotten from them in over a year. I took some photos at one of their shows last summer and I had a blast. Their sets are so full of energy and zeal, it’s crazy.”
Editor’s Review Brandon is an R&B soul artist from Riverside. With acoustic layers, beautiful melodies, moving lyrics and enchanting vocals, Brandon brings the listener to another level of emotion, releasing his first EP, “Coming Clean” on Oct. 23. Brandon’s seven-song EP was written during a time of pain, anxiety and depression he explained in a post on Instagram. Through the process of writing and recording these songs, it finally brought him to a place of peace and new life. This level of peace and find-
ing yourself is communicated to the listener clearly without needing an explanation. The pain and process can be heard through Brandon’s lyrics and sound, even without knowing the context. The feeling of pain and getting to the other side is evident in these songs. Brandon plays every instrument present in this EP. This brings a personal and organic layer to his music, and makes the listener feel as though Brandon is singing right to them or about their own situations. This feeling of intimacy keeps the listener
Kings Kaleidoscope released its EP in the style of a live video with as much energy and passion as a live performance along with very effective camera work. This gave viewers the realistic feeling of being up close at a concert. This has not been done before and is an innovative way of giving fans the feeling of a live show while concerts are all canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of planning and effort put into this project is clear through its quality and effectiveness, which shows the dedication and appreciation the collective has for its fans. Kings Kaleidoscope’s new EP “POWER PERFECT” is out now and can be found on all platforms. The livestream performance from “Kamp Kaleidoscope” has also become available to watch on Instagram awaiting the release of the EP.
EP: COMING CLEAN BY: BRANDON
EDITOR’S RATING:
intrigued through the whole project. Through his music, Brandon communicates pain and vulnerability. This makes it easy for the listener to relate and feel the music on a much deeper level. Brandon also released a music video for his final track on the EP, ”Her,” along with
the release of the EP. The music video is as personal and vulnerable as Brandon’s music is. Communicating pain and sadness, this video brings Brandon’s painful song to life. This track, “Her,” has helped Brandon’s popularity skyrocket. This song made it to “New Music Friday,” one of the most followed playlists on Spotify, with over 3 million followers. It also made the “Genreless. Quality first always” playlist, ”POLLEN,” which has 1.3 million Spotify followers. This is a huge step for Brandon as
Courtesy of Kings Kaleidoscope
The cover of Kings Kaleidoscope’s new EP, “POWER PERFECT.”
BY JACKSON WALDROP A&E EDITOR an artist. The EP is what has bridged the gap between being a well-known local artist and national success. His “Coming Clean” also made it onto the front page of Apple Music under the New Music category. Brandon has also received a lot of online press. This EP can be enjoyed through all kinds of different situations and emotions, which he also expressed to his listeners in an Instagram post. “I hope you can laugh to it, cry to it, sing along with someone you love, blast it on a long drive, or just play it in alone in
your bedroom,” Brandon said. “Wherever you choose, or however you decide to listen, just know that these songs are a piece of me, and I’m so glad I can finally share them with you.” Brandon’s beautifully intimate and vulnerable EP, “Coming Clean,” is available on all streaming platforms. Be sure to give this EP a listen and be on the lookout for more from Brandon, not only to support local artists but to follow this journey with him as an artist. This seems like it is just the beginning of Brandon.
SPORTS
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
Water polo team continues to train for competition BY AIDEN HOBSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR California Baptist University’s Athletics Department sponsors several sports that are showcased at international competitions and are more specialized within athletic communities. Teams like those at CBU often bring some of the most elite athletes from across the nation and the world to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics and to prepare athletes for international competition. Both the women’s and men’s water polo teams work tirelessly throughout the year to play at one of the highest levels of competition for their sport. “I was 6 when I first learned what the sport was, I didn’t understand that the players were actually swimming,” said Kenna Morrison, junior mechanical engineering major. “When I finally understood that the players were actually swimming, then I started associating it with inverse soccer, in water instead of on land, shooting with hands instead of feet.” Water polo, while different than competitive swimming, involves lots of swimming back and forth across the course. It also involves lots of physical contact with other players. “People tend to forget that
water polo is a full-contact sport, which makes it mentally and physically challenging, but a lot of fun also,” said Kinga Wisniewska, sophomore sports analytics major and red shirt member of the women’s water polo team. Competitions for water polo consist of games or tournaments, which are often intense and high-energy spectacles. “Once you come out and watch it really can be an accessible sport,” said head coach Jonathan Miller of the women’s water polo team. “For most people, once they come for a game or two, they see it’s really an exciting and fast-paced game. The biggest question for someone who watches water polo for the first time is, ‘What’s with all the whistles?’ There always seems to be a lot going on, and in a contact sport it’s sometimes hard to keep up with all the little things involved in the game.” While water polo can be one of the hardest sports in which to compete, competitions are enjoyable for spectators and players alike. The ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic have impacted all the athletics teams at CBU. Despite this, the water polo teams along with all other CBU athletes, coaches and departmental staff are still practicing.
Freshman athletes share perspective BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR Reagan Lee | Banner Zach Schrader, senior marketing major, lifts weights during an outdoor workout to stay in competition shape for the upcoming season.
Indoor sports struggle to practice regularly BY AIDEN HOBSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR State and local governments closed gyms and weight rooms due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and these closures affected the training routines of certain sports at California Baptist University that practice almost exclusively indoors. College sports such as wrestling, which rely heavily on indoor facilities to train, have had their normal training routines completely upended. “Closures due to coronavirus concerns changed everything,” said Zach Schrader, marketing major and red shirt member of the wrestling team. “Almost all of what I normally do would be wrestling and indoor weightlifting, and neither of those is even a possibility.” Widespread business closures in many states since March caused most gyms and weight rooms to closed with some brief reopening periods. These closures caused wrestlers and other college athletes across the country to adapt and change their training to accommodate coronavirus concerns. “We have had zero mat time since returning to campus and have had to get creative in other ways of training,” said AJ Raya,
junior business administration major and red shirt member of the wrestling team. “We have been running two miles twothree times a week. Along with that, our coaches have been putting us through weight circuits outdoors three times a week, paired with lifting twice a week.” The closure of athletics facilities, while supported and considered by many to be necessary for the health and safety of the community, created frustration for many athletes. “Wrestling is a contact sport that you cannot truly emulate without training and practicing with a partner,” Raya said. “With indoor facilities being closed we have not been able to properly prepare for the upcoming season and competitions.” Despite the frustrations and setbacks due to these closures, athletes and coaches alike are doing their best to stay positive and enjoy different training styles. “Some things have been good since there is a benefit to changing it up and doing different things than we are used to now and then, but not being able to wrestle at all has definitely been detrimental,” Schrader said.
Reagan Lee | Banner
AJ Raya, junior business administration major, lifts weights during a COVID-19 compliant workout to stay in competition shape for the upcoming season. Some college sports programs at other schools have been training indoors, while others, such as the CBU wrestling team, are using more creative methods to train. “We’re actually hoping to start training (on the mats) outside, and we’re hoping to bit-
by-bit work back into training in the (wrestling) room,” said Lennie Zalesky, head coach of the CBU wrestling team. Despite the closure of indoor athletics facilities, sports teams at CBU are working hard to train and prepare for the upcoming season.
California Baptist University’s class of 2024 arrived at college amid a worldwide pandemic changing their freshman experience and first collegiate athletic season as Lancers. A normal freshman year at CBU would include Welcome Weekend, TWIRP week, in-person classes and more. For freshman student-athletes, their first year would include all of these activities as well as the excitement of playing games on a new team. COVID-19 drastically altered the expectations of incoming freshmen imagining what college would be like. “My idea of college was definitely different than I expected it to be, in the sense of being able to go to classes, meeting more people, going to school events,” said Katelyn Worrell, freshman behavioral science major. “Covid changed a lot of my expectations. Joining the cheer team has actually been the best thing about this pandemic. I’ve met amazing teammates who I see as my new family. I get to do what I love, which has taken away my stress from everything else going on.” Due to COVID-19 regulations, social distancing protocols changed the way student-athletes practice and postponed all fall athletic events, making freshmen joining new teams transitioning into collegiate sports difficult. Lydia Bartlett, freshmen kinesiology major and swimmer, said it is difficult playing college sports right now because of the uncertainty of whether or not their season will happen, as well as adjusting to a new team. “I was a little nervous coming into CBU knowing that it would be harder to hang out with people and get to know others because everyone is trying to be careful of Covid,” Bartlett said. “I was also concerned about doing school online because I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fully learn all the information and be able to make connections with my professors and peers. But, both of those haven’t been as much of a challenge for me as I expected, and despite the changes, it has definitely been worth being on campus this semester.” Gary Adcock, head baseball coach, said that the disadvantage of coming into a college sport during a pandemic is life outside of sports. “We do a couple of different things each year but one we like is called ‘two-minute speeches,’” Adcock said. “This is where a freshman is partnered up with a returner and asked to talk about each other in front of the team for two minutes each. They initially get together over lunch or something and get to know each other on a more personal level and share what they learned with the team. It breaks down barriers.” He added that the upperclassmen have been checking up on the freshmen by texting them and reassuring them about what they are going through. Although freshmen are new to college, all students are all new to a pandemic, which is why Lancers should all check up on one another during this time.
SPORTS Rec Center closed for now 12
November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR
California Baptist University’s Athletic Performance Center reopened, leading students to wonder about the Recreation Center’s plan for reopening and find other ways to stay active on campus. Chris Hofschroer, Community Life’s assistant dean of students, said they want to reopen the Recreation Center while maintaining the university’s top priority of the health and safety of students. Since the reopening plan is at the mercy of the county and state guidelines, he said it is important to note that although the Athletic Performance Center is open, it is not at full capacity. “The Athletic Performance Center is open for team activities, but it is strictly limited to 10 students at a time with additional safety precautions and cleaning procedures in place,” Hofschroer said. “In regards to the university’s plan to reopen the Recreation Center, which is based on county and state guidelines it is simply not cost-effective to open and operate the facility at this time due to the extremely limited number of people that would be able to use the facility. CBU desires to reopen the Recreation Center as soon as possible, but it is
SPORTS briefs
DODGERS WIN WORLD SERIES
The Los Angeles Dodgers won after a six-game series, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays four games to two. The Dodgers came back winning three games in a row in the National League championship after trailing to the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers sealed the deal against the Rays Oct. 28 after winning the sixth game with a score of 3-1. This is the second title that the city of Los Angeles won in one month after the Lakers beat the Miami Heat earlier this month.
FALL SPORT GAME OPENERS Reagan Lee | Banner
The CBU Athletic Performance Center, a gym specialized to the needs of athletes, first opened on Sept. 20, 2019. simply not a viable option this semester.” In the meantime, students have been finding ways to stay fit while living on campus playing soccer and basketball. Miranda Martinez, junior biomedical science major, said that she used to use the Recreation Center’s roof to play soccer with more than 220 different people, but since the introduction of COVID-19 protocols, the group limited itself and began playing on the Front Lawn. “Playing soccer has always
been a hobby of mine,” Martinez said. “It has been the best form of exercise for me, too. So, coming to CBU I was hoping to find people to play soccer with. On average, before Covid, we would have 10v10 games, up to five different teams, on the Rec Center roof. Especially when people consistently come to the roof, well as of right now the Front Lawn because of Covid, and we create bonds both while playing soccer and hanging outside of soccer.” Similarly, students have been playing basketball at
the Colony apartments. Drew Leatherwood, sophomore kinesiology and intercultural studies double major, said he found a community playing with new and old friends. “Basketball is a great way to interact with others, release stress and enjoy a taste of campus life in this season of uncertainty,” Leatherwood said. Lancers have been innovative since COVID-19 created a lack of resources for community and fitness. The university wants to fully reopen campus as quickly and safely as possible.
The Western Athletic Conference has announced schedules for fall sports. COVID-19 postponed the start of the season, but practicing continued. The basketball season will start on Jan. 8. The women’s team will play at home while the men’s team travels to Utah. Volleyball will play Utah Valley Jan. 25 at Van Dyne Gymnasium. Men’s soccer will begin Feb. 6 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While the women’s soccer team plays Dixie State at home, Feb. 18.
LANCERS RANKED TOP 20 CBU has been holding a .645 winning average over the last five years. This percentage is based on the win-loss records of CBU men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, water polo, swim and dive, volleyball, baseball and softball and wrestling teams. This percentage puts CBU among national collegiate powerhouses like Ohio State and the University of Kentucky.
Winter sports student-athletes allowed another season of competition as a result of pandemic With athletics still paused, students prep for extra year of competition BY AIDEN HOBSON
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR The coronavirus pandemic has had major effects on competitions and practices of college athletics teams across the country. As different schools and conferences have attempted to find safe ways for their athletes to train and compete, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the national governing body for many college sports, has had to find ways to
address the changes to the intercollegiate competition for upcoming semesters. According to the NCAA’s official website, “Winter sport student-athletes who compete during 2020-2021 in Division I will receive both an additional season of competition and an additional year in which to complete it.” College athletes who compete in sports sponsored by the NCAA are normally granted a five-year period within which they can compete for four seasons. This recent decision by the NCAA, however, grants all winter-season sports athletes the ability to compete in another season of competition, extending the time period within which the athletes must exhaust their seasons of competition. This decision by the NCAA provides schools and confer-
ences the flexibility to decide whether they want to compete this year. “There is incongruity amongst institutions across the nation and within conferences regarding competition, partially due to each state’s legislative process regarding COVID-19,” said Michael Scarano, associate athletic director for Compliance at California Baptist University. “As of this writing, some conferences are currently competing in some fall sports. That said, the eligibility extension allows the student-athlete the opportunity to compete in a unique new competitive arena. This arena may or may not be a complete season, it may or may not be in front of spectators, and it may or may not be with a complete team.” Many student-athletes have welcomed this decision by the NCAA, partly because it helps
remove the uncertainty surrounding this year of athletic competition. “It’s awesome that the NCAA decided to grant another year of eligibility to winter sports athletes,” said Trevor Van Law, sophomore mechanical engineering major and member of the men’s swim and dive team. “I’ve spoken to several teammates about it and they’ve been very happy about the decision.” Other athletes have also noted that this decision by the NCAA affects their training focus as well as their mindset about competition. “I feel as though there is a little less stress for winter-season sports regarding training,” said Jenna Washburn, senior film major and member of the women’s swim and dive team. “There is no longer a race for who can get in shape the quickest. Every NCAA team is in the same boat
and we can take it a little bit easier knowing that we have an extra season.” This decision, while allaying the fears and concerns of winter-season sports athletes across the country, also represents a definitive response by the NCAA about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on student-athletes. “The NCAA is comprised of its membership (NCAA institutions) and it is the membership that develops legislation,” Scarano said. “Some think that the NCAA is a group of people sitting around a table making decisions without input from others; this is inaccurate. Member representatives serve on committees and ultimately decide which rules to adopt such as the self-application of season-of-competition waivers for student-athletes. The NCAA always had the well-be-
ing of the student-athlete in mind; it started as a rule making group for the safety of the student-athlete—that was the main reason the NCAA was established in 1906.” Winter-season sports athletes and coaches at CBU, along with their counterparts at schools across the country, can now focus on safely preparing for the upcoming season without worrying about their eligibility status thanks to this important decision made by the NCAA. “[The NCAA’s decision] is in the best interest of the student-athlete,” Scarano said. “It allows the opportunity to provide the student-athlete the overall competitive experience.” Athletes and coaches at CBU continue to train and prepare for upcoming competition this winter season.
SENIOR of the issue
NAME:
Matt Amrhein
SPORT:
Baseball
MAJOR: Business administration
POSITION:
COVID-19 IMPACT:
BACK TO PRACTICE:
Graduate student Matt Amrhein is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA and will come back to compete with CBU in 2021.
“Not a lot of other teams got the opportunity to keep playing like us, so we’re all pretty grateful.”
WHAT WORRIES YOU ABOUT THIS SEASON?
WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR DURING THIS SEASON?
“I’m pretty sure the NCAA is going to be testing us every three days, but if that’s what we have to do to play then it’s what we have to do. Honestly, I’d say that I’m pretty confident that we’re going to play and really do whatever it takes to do so. ”
“This team is really special. I know for me things didn’t go as planned, but I am very grateful that I am getting the opportunity to gain my master’s degree and be a part of a special team.”
Pitcher
Reagan Lee | Banner
Matt Amrhein, graduate business administration student, warms up his pitching arm for a game against Houston Baptist University on March 1, 2020.
OPINION LANCER ON THE STREET
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Karina Lervick Freshman Architecture major
“Christmas Eve services and Christmas caroling. I love Christmas caroling.”
Jonathan Kane
Elijah Thomas
Shelby Yarbrough
Selena Parga
Junior Aviation flight major
Graduate Student Sports management major
Freshman Biomedical science major
Sophomore Health science major
“Decorating the Christmas tree, and my family and I usually decorate everything else, as well.”
“Thanksgiving and eating all the food. Also getting the family together and spending time with each other.”
“On New Year’s Eve my whole family gets together and does a white elephant gift exchange.”
“To make tamales, my family gets together and cooks the tamales. It’s pretty great.”
Celebrities become activists through media
BY SOFIA ENEQVIST MANAGING EDITOR
Being both a celebrity and an activist has become the social standard in the 21st century. The role of being a celebrity
often includes using their platform to promote social justice or speak on current events. In many cases, the public perceives not speaking out on issues as a danger to the brand of a celebrity. Whether the issue is political, social or just opinion, when celebrities are vulnerable to the public, it creates an opportunity for connection between the two groups. Many celebrities posted on Instagram on Sept. 22 in honor of National Voter Registration Day to encourage their fans. Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Michael B.
Jordan and Lebron James have all encouraged their followers through their social media accounts to vote. Actor Paul Rudd visited voters waiting at the polls in Brooklyn, delivering cookies and thanking fans for showing up to vote. Swift posted a video of herself encouraging the public to vote. “Hey guys, it’s National Voter Registration Day today,” Swift said. “The election is November 3. It’s really coming up and I’ve put together a swipe-up of resources. You can register if you’re a first-time voter, check your registration, request an absentee ballot and you can
figure out the process of voting early. We need everyone and it is more important than I can possibly say.” Regardless of a political party, it is clear that most celebrities share the same passion for advocacy. There are countless examples of celebrities using their platform for good across various social media platforms. Earlier in the year during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, celebrities such as Chrissy Teigen donated $200,000 to help the organization. Jordan Peele also donated $1 million on behalf of his production company Monkeypaw. Donations from celebrities
Riverside needs stability
BY EMILY MCGINN NEWS EDITOR
Riverside County returned to the more restrictive purple tier from the red tier in California’s color-coded COVID-19 tier system on Oct. 20. This transition has once more ended indoor operations for many businesses. While it is important to continue to fight the spread of COVID-19, it is dangerous to
toggle between opening and shutting down the county due to changing case numbers. The constantly changing restrictions on businesses have made it difficult for many business operations to continue, especially small businesses. A group of U.S. small businesses surveyed as the shutdown proceeded claimed they were experiencing significant financial shortages, according to a research article on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America website. The loss of jobs and businesses is unnecessary given that businesses can open safely for indoor activity with additional precautions in place, such as limiting the number of customers at a given time, improving sanitation and requiring face coverings and social distancing. We cannot simply ignore one
issue to solve another. While maintaining people’s health is a priority, people’s ability to remain economically stable must be considered. We must also acknowledge the severe mental health implications of remaining in an indefinite shutdown. According to the World Health Organization, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety have risen during the pandemic. Completing school and work from home, living in social isolation and experiencing financial insecurity due to the shutdown can all contribute to mental health issues. We must learn to reopen society safely to combat mental health issues. According to covid19.ca.gov, Riverside County has 8.4 new COVID-19 cases each day per 100,000 people and a test positivity rate of 5.2%. While the test positivity rate remains
within the red tier requirements for the county, the number of COVID-19 cases moved to purple-tier status. To return to the red tier, Riverside County will have to maintain a test positivity rate below 8% and lower its daily new case count to below 7 per 100,000 residents. This back-and-forth scenario can have detrimental effects on residents, especially small businesses, as they must constantly adapt to new levels of restrictions as they go about their daily lives and operations. In the prolonged state of the pandemic, these continued steps backward are doing more harm than good. We must, through careful planning, reopen safely rather than taking tentative steps forward only to take leaps backward. We simply must be prepared to take the necessary steps to successfully reopen safely.
Students’ majors should not define them
BY ASHLEY MOORE
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR My chronic migraines began when I was 15. When I say I was bedridden for a year and a half, it’s not an exaggeration. High school changed and I had to finish through independent study. When graduation time came, I was still too sick to attend, let alone walk. I started to develop the idea
that I needed to make up for the lost time. I had known since I was 13 that I wanted to attend California Baptist University, but what would I major in? I hated how people only saw me for my disability. It was hard for me to even accept it as a disability. I hated how so many accommodations needed to be made for me, so my determination to finally becoming “important” grew. I chose to major in nursing for a few reasons. One was that I knew constant physical pain and wanted to help others who struggled with this, as well. Yet the wrong reasons were the ones that prevailed. I wanted to sound important. I wanted to feel important. I wanted to be able to walk the campus of CBU knowing I was seen as a “cool” major. One of the majors that gets all the funding and praise. I wanted to be able to sit at fam-
ily gatherings and replace the times I had to leave early due to migraines with bragging about how great training was going. I wanted my family, both immediate and extended, to finally be proud of me. I wanted to be seen as important by man, but also God. So one of the worst, yet best, feelings in the world came during spring break of 2018 when I realized God was calling me to something different. I realized he was calling me to creative writing. Soon I went from the classrooms of 150 students to 20. It’s funny how my secret backup major has ended up being the degree I will receive next semester. A student’s major should not be what defines them. And their major is no less important just because it is not nursing, or engineering, or architecture or business. A student’s major is important because it is
what God has called them to, and who God has called them to be. Individuals should walk around campus feeling important knowing they are pursuing God’s plan for their life—to take the talent he has given them,and use it to glorify him. Maybe a student is majoring in something because of family pressure or because it’s the only way to keep a scholarship. Or maybe you’re an individual who wants to feel and sound valuable. I cannot know everyone’s situation, but I do know this: If students choose to spend the rest of their life dancing and singing on a stage, or writing books or creating art, they are no less valuable than the ones who build houses or own businesses or perform surgery. God calls us each to different areas of life. Never be ashamed of what he has called you to be.
helped encourage the public to donate to organizations that help those in need. Along with raising awareness for social issues, celebrities have used their platform as a way to connect with the public and recognize their privilege. Harry Styles tweeted about the Black Lives Matter movement in May, calling attention to his privilege and showing his support for the movement. “I do things every day without fear, because I am privileged, and I am privileged every day because I am white,” Styles wrote. “Being not racist is not enough, we must be anti-racist. Social change is enacted when
a society mobilizes. I stand in solidarity with all of those protesting.” Through statements such as this, celebrities can advocate for causes that are important to them both personally and socially, and set a standard for others to look up to and strive to achieve. While activism may not be the primary goal of every celebrity’s social media, it is an extremely helpful tool that should be utilized for good. While it may be easy to focus on the scandals and the bad publicity, it is important to recognize the changes celebrities are working to enact through their platforms.
Student leadership impacts community
BY WILL ANTON
ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Students of California Baptist University arrived back on campus in late August tired, weary and divided after a fivemonth summer of near total defeat. The hope of all of us was to return to our campus haven with in-person classes and all the events that we could imagine, but the pandemic was relentless in its taking. Those of us who did make the return journey, though, came back estranged to both the campus and each other, not knowing where to start rebuilding our community. One last element of our campus culture still remained: the strong right arm of the campus community itself, CBU Student Leadership. When the return to campus was being planned, Student Leadership was a large factor. The return of students—even if it was just over half the population—meant that many offices, such as Residence Life, First Year Experience and the International Center would have to be operational. Freshmen arriving on campus this semester were met with open arms by their resident advisers and FYE leaders, who welcomed them into the Lancer Nation. International students who braved the odds of living on campus during a pandemic were immediately
met with aid from the International Center. The power of CBU Student Leadership doesn’t come from their manpower or their budget, but from the unrelenting servant-love of Christ, as they push themselves aside and rush to the aid of their fellow Lancers in need. While the return of Student Leadership was an overall success, it was not without its losses. Across the globe, the pandemic forced businesses and offices to close down with the exception of those deemed essential. This action was not any different at CBU, as it forced the school to release all student leaders whose office did not have a domain related to immediate residential assistance. For example, the Community Life office, whose domain was the planning of events, had no choice but to release their student leaders. In addition to this, the CBU student government, popularly known as ASCBU (Associated Students of California Baptist University) made arguably the largest sacrifice out of all the offices, closing its doors entirely for the duration of the fall semester. A student leader lives in a mindset of putting the priorities of others before their own. Whether that comes through a resident needing assistance with homework, an international student needing help connecting with others, or a freshman having problems adjusting to college life, it is the student leader’s duty and privilege to lend an outstretched hand in the same way that it was once lent to them. Student Leaders are the glue that keeps the campus culture together. They are the captains of our teams, and by following their lead, we will find victory in the return of better days.
ETC.
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November 6, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 4
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