Banner | Vol. 68 Issue 1

Volume 68 | Issue 1 | September 11, 2020

@lancermediagroup cbubanner.com

CBU Welcome Weekend —

Chadwick Boseman —

Tik Tok —

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Returning and new students move on to campus.

“Black Panther” actor dies at 43 from colon cancer.

Companies including Microsoft and Google battle to purchase the famous app.

Chapel introduces online platform CBU releases steps

in pandemic action plan for campus

BY EMILY MCGINN NEWS EDITOR

A student sits alone in the lecture hall to watch the third online Chapel video of the semester.

CBU moves all in-person events online for fall semester

BY JANE ROBERTUS EDITOR IN CHIEF

The start of the Fall 2020 Chapel looked a little different than past years. Instead of

students filing into the Events Center to attend their required Chapel service, pre-recorded services were uploaded to Blackboard.

With California Baptist University’s classes moving online because of statewide COVID-19 restrictions, CBU’s weekly Chapel has also had to restructure the program to be accessible online.

While Chapel will continue to occur almost every Tuesday and Thursday, students now

Photo Illustration by Alex Iannone | Banner

have the option to complete online Chapel anytime within a seven-day period, allowing for more flexibility and accommodations with the format of online classes. However, just like the previous in-person Chapel experience, 18 services will be available, with students required to complete 15 to receive credit.

Brett Vowell, director of Chapel, said this transition to an online format has taken adjustment and preparation.

“It has been a challenging but exciting transition,” Vowell said. “While there is less energy spent in building a stage and setting up chairs each week, the interactive videos require a large amount of time, energy and planning in order to produce the final product that is made available to students through Blackboard.”

Vowell described how the software that the online Chap-

SEE ONLINE CHAPEL | PAGE 11

California Baptist University has prepared a plan for the Fall 2020 semester to manage the novel coronavirus through precautions and requirements. This includes a quarantine process for students who are exhibiting symptoms, who have tested positive for the illness or who have been in direct contact with an individual who tests positive for COVID-19.

To manage COVID-19, Anthony Lammons, dean of students, said the school has remained informed about the situation by referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state government and the Riverside County Health Department.

“We are doing our best to remain in good communication locally and beyond,” Lammons said. “We take your safety and ability to study, and the safety of all of the employees here very seriously, and we are doing everything that we can. It can be a time of frustration, and we understand that.

I implore our community to look beyond ourselves and look out for everybody. We hope to return to some semblance of normalcy, but there is no guarantee when that will take place. Meanwhile, we will continue to move forward.”

Lammons said that if a

student tests positive, CBU will take steps to isolate the individual, which could occur at the student’s home or in on-campus housing set aside for quarantine. While a student is in isolation, the school will monitor the student’s health and deliver food. Students who test positive must remain in isolation for 14 days.

In addition, CBU will attempt to prevent the spread of the virus by contact tracing through the Office of Student Care. When a student tests positive, the Office of Student Care speaks with the student to discover who might have been exposed to the virus on campus. Any individuals who were in the presence of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 for longer than 15 minutes would be notified and must quarantine for 10 days.

Students might also be required to enter isolation if they display symptoms of COVID-19, such as failing to pass the daily temperature check required for residential students. If a student is exhibiting symptoms, the school will discuss the situation with the student and health professionals to make an informed decision about the next steps to take, including quarantine and testing.

Caleb Russell, senior mechanical engineering major,

SEE COVID-19 PLAN | PAGE 2

Freshmen enter college during pandemic

BY ASHLEY MOORE

ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

As the new academic year begins, students are adjusting to the changes this season continues to bring. While students of all years are being affected by classes moving online, this year’s incoming freshman class will miss out on many first-year experiences.

While California Baptist University will not host its regular in-person events, such as Welcome Weekend and others, connections can still be made and optimism can still be found.

Being intentional about forming relationships with fellow Lancers is what will keep the students connected, even if not together in person.

Katelyn Worrell, freshman criminal justice major, said she has been able to enjoy her first year of college with a positive outlook, despite these changes.

Worrell said she has loved living on campus and spending time with her roommate.

“Being on the cheer team has definitely been something that’s connected me to enjoy my first year,” Worrell said. “It’s also been really amazing to not only meet new people every day but to become good friends with the

people I simply wave to when I pass by.”

Despite the differences 2020 has brought, Worrell finds her positivity through her cheer team and the new friends she has made. In this way, she continues to grow with her fellow students and form friendships which will last a lifetime.

Guadalupe Acevedo, freshman architecture major, agrees her first year of college has been different than she thought it would be. But through this, Acevedo has also been able to focus on the good which has come with her first college experience.

“A positive outcome is that I have met wholesome people as my experience continues and it’s a very beautiful and different environment that I love,” Acevedo said.

While different than expected, friendships and bonds can still be made this semester. Even though the majority of classes continue online, meeting new friends and forming new connections is not impossible.

Finding people to connect with is not always easy, though, and can especially be harder now that classes are not in person. First-Year Experience

leaders are upperclassmen who help freshmen become plugged into campus any way they can, and help them create relationships with fellow students.

FYE leaders are still here for their students, just as much as they ever were. It is no less a priority to them to help freshmen find those they can have strong relationships, even while not always together.

Melia Lawrence, junior psychology major, has been an FYE leader for two years ad currently oversees around 150 freshmen.

With classes all now being virtual, Lawrence says being an FYE leader this year is more difficult compared to the past due to minor technical difficulties.

While Lawrence feels the challenges of online, and the sadness of her students not being able to attend events, she still encourages her freshmen with positivity.

“A word of encouragement would be to make the most of this semester despite the circumstances,” Lawrence said.

“Many people don’t have an opportunity to attend school so give it your all. Try to branch out and meet new people and be intentional with those around

Luc Stringer | Banner

Katelyn Elizabeth, freshman criminal justice major, and Melia Lawrence, junior psychology major and First Year Experience leader, get to know each other.

you, even your professors because they care so deeply and want the best for you. Be intentional about growing your faith and finding people to walk alongside and support you through the journey.”

Creating these intentional relationships, though even through a screen, is important

during these times. Staying in communication with fellow Lancers keeps the school unified when we are not together.

Students can still encourage one another and be there for each other during this time. It is important to reach out to one another and still do outdoor activities that are still allowed.

Be intentional about reaching out to classmates and getting to know one another.

While college experiences have changed and this year looks different, memories can still be made. Chins up, Lancers. While on-campus activities may look different this year, connections are not lost to us.

NEWS

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September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

THE BANNER

staff PRINT

Editor-in-Chief Jane Robertus

Asst. Lifestyle Editor Ashley Moore

Managing Editor Sofia Eneqvist

Sports Editor Kelly McKittrick

Photo Editor Camille Grochowski

Asst. Sports Editors Adityastha Wratsangka Aiden Hobson

Asst. Photo Editor Luc Stringer

Public Relations Director Victoria Buszinski

Design Editor Sofia Eneqvist

Social Media Manager Kaylee Elrod

News Editor Emily McGinn

Advertising Manager Alex Iannone

Asst. News Editors Kaylee Elrod Giselle Gonzalez Vargas

Distribution Manager Joshua Lomelí

Business & Tech Editor Jasmine Severi

ONLINE

Asst. B&T Editor Luc Stringer

Managing Editor Casey Maldonado

Arts & Entertainment Editor Jackson Waldrop

National Editor Misty Severi

Asst. A&E Editor Cole Stillwagon

Photo Editor Luc Stringer

Lifestyle Editor Teddy Peña Asst. Director of Student Publications Sonya Singh Director of Student Publications & Adviser Dr. Mary Ann Pearson

We want your help!

Write, take photos or design with us.

Email us at BannerEditor@calbaptist.edu for more information.

About

CBU welcomes students via online format

BY EMILY MCGINN NEWS EDITOR

California Baptist University welcomed new and transfer students this year on Aug. 2021. However, to adhere to guidelines regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the university was required to adapt in-person welcome activities.

To welcome new students, CBU hosts Welcome Weekend, an event that features speakers and activities designed to help students connect and interact with the campus and other students over the course of three or four days. Since the COVID-19 restrictions prohibit large gatherings, CBU could not hold the event as it did in past years.

“We had to see what was important for our students to know to be successful in academics,” said Daniel Garcia, assistant director of New Student Programs. “The motivation was to connect them to our campus,

@CBULancerMedia Keep up with CBU news and events.

cessful in making new students feel welcomed and prepared to begin at CBU this semester.

“All I saw was positive energy from everyone at the school and it made me feel less nervous,” said Jennalee Taylor, freshman pre-nursing major. “My RA did an amazing job of meeting me and getting to know me. There were so many people I could have gone to for help if I had any questions, and that was really reassuring especially since this is a new environment. In my opinion, it was very effective and CBU did the best they could under the circumstances.”

Garcia said he believes the website helps students remember information and provides them with a resource to access information. He said CBU plans to continue to use some of the resources they created to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions in future years in addition to normal Welcome Weekend activities.

BY GISELLE VARGAS ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new reopening plan for California on Aug. 28 after COVID-19 cases continued to rise during the first reopening attempt in June.

The new plan introduced a four-tier, color-coded framework for counties to follow based upon the case rate and the number of positive COVID-19 tests.

The tiers indicate each county’s COVID-19 status.

Purple indicates widespread infection, red indicates substantial infection, orange indicates moderate infection and yellow indicates minimal infection in the area.

While the majority of California remains within the purple tier, with counties having more than seven daily new cases per 100,000 people and more than 8% positive tests, some counties have entered the red tier, which allows some indoor, nonessential businesses to open.

To move from one tier to the next, both the number of cases and the positivity rate in a county must decrease to fit the next tier’s guidelines.

The county also has to display COVID-19 case rates that do not increase for 21 days.

However, if cases rise for 14 consecutive days, the county will have to move back a tier. The plan has received

Continued from Page 1

experienced the on-campus quarantine process when his father tested positive for COVID-19 after helping him move into his on-campus housing. After learning of his father’s test result, Russell was contacted by Student Services and sent to quarantine in the Cottages while awaiting his test results.

Before entering isolation, he

Shabnam Shaikh | Banner

Paige, a haridresser at Supercuts, asks Priscilla Pedrosa what hairstyle she would like. mixed reactions, with some expressing that it reopens the state too quickly while others believe it is too slow.

Dr. Marshare Penny, professor of public health, said that if states like California reopen prematurely, there could be consequences.

“When your rates are high and you try to move back to business as usual, you run the risk of your rates going even higher,” Penny said. “You ask people to start engaging in behaviors that they are used to engaging in, so now they are exposing more people.”

Carmen Gonzalez, senior

liberal studies major, lost her job due to closures and said that the new plan does not work for people in the same situation.

“People lost their jobs and continue to be unemployed,” Gonzalez said. “We need a plan that helps businesses and counties open up so we can go back to work.”

To prevent another wave that would cause closures again, Penny said that even with the absence of a vaccination, the state and its residents can help.

“There are nonpharmaceutical interventions that work,” Penny said. “Those interventions include social

distancing, mask-wearing and handwashing.”

Vanessa Avila, sophomore criminal justice major, said students should follow guidelines to stay safe.

“I urge students to wear their masks, bring their hand sanitizer and continually wash their hands,” Avila said.

Riverside County resides in the purple tier, meaning many non-essential businesses remain closed. However, there are some places that are open during the pandemic, including drive-in theaters, restaurants with outdoor dining and some shopping areas.

was instructed to bring supplies for two weeks of quarantine and he scheduled food deliveries to his doorstep through InsideCBU. After three days of isolation, he received his negative COVID test result, so he was able to leave.

“I would encourage students to be patient in this time and know CBU and their officials do not have all the answers, but no one does,” Russell said. “I think it is a testament of faith to go through this and say no one is

in charge of this but God and he does have a bigger plan that we may be blind to at this time.”

Lammons said that currently all positive cases on campus have been isolated and no large outbreak has occurred. To avoid an outbreak, Lammons encourages students to remain informed about COVID-19, adhere to restrictions on campus and take their health and the health of others seriously.

“New things are constantly being discovered about this

virus, so the biggest thing I can say on this topic is just to practice good hygiene,” said Mikayla Mniz, senior nursing major.

“Take the right precautions.

Wash your hands, avoid touching your face excessively, wear a mask and socially distance when you can.”

If the campus experiences an outbreak of COVID-19 cases, the Riverside County Health Department or the Executive Council would make decisions about the next steps to take.

CDC DEATH COUNT CONFUSION A TWEET POSTED AUG. 29 AFTER THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) RELEASED ITS WEEKLY REPORT CLAIMED THE CDC HAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE NUMBER OF DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO COVID-19. THE CONFUSION AROUND THIS REPORT STARTED BECAUSE READERS THOUGHT ONLY 6% OF PEOPLE WHO CONTRACTED COVID-19 HAD DIED FROM IT.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, 172,884 CONFIRMED DEATHS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO COVID-19 AS OF SEPT. 4.

6% 6% OF THOSE WHO CONTRACTED IT DIED WITH COVID-19 AS THEIR ONLY CAUSE OF DEATH.

94% 94% OF THOSE WHO CONTRACTED COVID-19 DIED FROM IT WITH AN UNDERLYING CONDITION. THEY ARE STILL INCLUDED IN THE DEATH TOTALS BECAUSE COVID-19 EXPEDITED THEIR DEATHS AS COVID-19 IS KNOWN FOR IMPACTING PEOPLE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

Emily McGinn | Banner

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Even though student leaders could not help new students move into their living areas or participate in normal Welcome Weekend activities, they prepared welcome boxes, directed new students to the correct locations, sanitized areas around campus and greeted students.

“Although a lot of ways that I would normally welcome new students are restricted due to COVID-19, they are not completely limited,” said Hannah Darke, junior Christian behavioral science major and resident adviser (RA). “I try to utilize technology by sending them texts, writing them notes and inviting them to meals. Doing my best to help them feel comfortable is what I believe to be one of the best things I can do.”

Recognizing that students could not participate in the usual Welcome Weekend activities, Garcia said he believes the videos and check-in days were suc-

California introduces new system for reopening

THE BANNER COVID-19 plan

The Banner newspaper is an award-winning, bi-weekly campus publication that publishes 12 issues a year at California Baptist University.

The newsroom is located in the James Building in Room 060 and can be reached at 951-343-4787. The Banner, a student-run newspaper, serves the CBU community with accurate, timely and factual reporting on significant aspects of university life, Riverside life and subjects of interest or concern to its readers.

Students, faculty, staff, administrators and others in the university are encouraged to 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.

If you have a story idea for The Banner, please let us know. If a business would like to advertise in the The Banner, please contact Alex Iannone at AlexanderJordan.Iannone@ calbaptist.edu.

to our culture and to Christ.”

Instead of organizing large group events, CBU organized check-in days on Aug. 20-21 for new students so they could move into living areas and receive items such as their ID cards and parking permits. The school also distributed welcome boxes to new students which included a mask, a neck gaiter, a hand sanitizer, a water bottle and socks.

The university also created a website, calbaptist.edu/welcome, to provide students with informative videos from staff and students about life at CBU, the offices and resources located on campus, academics and the community around CBU. “The goal of this was the safety of our students,” Garcia said. “We are all going through (the pandemic), but this is such a big transition that I wanted our students to feel heard, welcomed and known.”

NEWS

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September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

Fires burn record-breaking levels of acreage across California

BY KAYLEE ELROD ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Roughly 7,452 fires have broken out across California in 2020.

Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Aug. 18 as a result of severe wildfires.

Following this announcement, the White House passed California’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration on Aug. 22 to help support the state’s emergency response to the fire.

“Thank you to the president for your partnership and granting this urgent Major Disaster Declaration,” Newsom said in a press release.

“California is battling two of the largest fires in our history and has seen nearly 600 new fires in the last week caused by dry lightning strikes. These are unprecedented times and conditions, but California is

strong. We will get through this.”

Dry thunderstorms roared across Northern California starting Aug. 16 and continued through Aug. 19. A dry storm occurs when there is thunder or lighting without any precipitation. This dry storm occurred due to moisture from offshore tropical storms.

In these storms, most of the precipitation evaporates before it hits the ground.

During the days of the dry thunderstorms, there were about 53,000 lightning strikes, which caused additional fires to arise.

Kaia Shrum, sophomore chemistry major, is from Northern California where the fires have been severe. Shrum could not see fires from her house but could see and smell smoke from them.

“It is scary and heartbreaking,” Shrum said.

“It shows how climate change

affected the environment and how unstable things are. The fires could destroy people’s lives which is very scary.”

Ashley Anderson, sophomore commercial performance major, is from the area as well. Anderson had moved into California Baptist University when the fires began so she did not see them from her house. However, her parents saw the fire and ash on their property. Anderson said some restaurants near her house had to close because the air quality was too unhealthy to be open for outdoor dining.

“The fires are tragic and sad,” Anderson said. “I hope all of the fires are able to be contained soon.”

Fires in California have increased since last year.

Newsom said in 2019, 4,292 fires destroyed about 56,000 acres of land. In 2020, there have been about 7,002 fires, 1.4 million acres burned and about

Luc Stringer | Banner

A fireman hoses down flames at the Santa Ana river bottom fire earlier this year.

12,000 structures destroyed.

Fires can take place any time of year, but the peak wildfire season starts in July and lasts through November.

The S.C.U lightning complex

NEWS EDITOR

This year, the Office of Student Care continues to offer resources to students to support them during their time at California Baptist University, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The biggest purpose is to care for students,” said Heather Hubbert, associate dean of students. “We have the office so that when students encounter any sort of unexpected life occurrence that they need some additional resources or help with, we do our best to step alongside them and try to give them all the resources they need to still complete their academic career.”

The Office of Student Care offers resources to students to help them navigate their academics while facing other situations such as an illness, an injury or a family tragedy.

“I want students to know we are here for them,” Hubbert said. “Often, I hear of students who say they just did not know who to call. I want students to know they should call us and we will get them the right resources and get them to the right people. I also want students to know they are not walking through life alone.

There is a whole office that wants to support them.”

In addition, this year the Office of Student Care has taken on new roles related to the management of COVID-19.

The office is involved in

tracking students who have tested positive or who have potentially been exposed, and they provide resources for these students such as helping to communicate with professors about students’ situations. They also manage the online mealdelivery system for students in isolation on campus and work with Provider food services to deliver meals to those students.

“I like having access to the Office of Student Care, especially during the COVID pandemic because they help provide meals to isolated students, and it is comforting to know that they will be there by our side if students have to face a COVID situation,” said Taylor Farr, sophomore communication sciences and disorders major.

The office also includes several programs, including the First-Year Experience program and student leadership, that provide students with additional resources to aid them during their time at CBU. “As a student living on campus, I am grateful to have this resource available,” said Kristie Wiseman, sophomore biomedical major. “It is very helpful when students are going through difficult times to have someone who is there to help.”

The Office of Student Care is located in Lancer Plaza at Suite 140. If students are instructed to enter isolation on campus this semester, they should contact the office to learn about resources available to them during the process.

As the heat continues to rise, these fires are still occurring and destroying parts of California and the extreme heatwave taking place is contributing to the fires as well.

NEWS briefs

Student Care aids in COVID management

BY EMILY MCGINN

is a group of about 20 fires east of Silicon Valley and is considered the second largest fire in California history, burning 396,000 acres. It is 95% contained as of Sept. 8.

USPS CONTROVERSY Photo Illustration by Elijah Hickman | Banner

Students should make sure to take proper safety precautions before going hiking with others.

Recreation center hosts hike

BY GISELLE VARGAS ASST. NEWS EDITOR

The California Baptist University Recreation Center is hosting a hike Sept. 12 at the Deer Springs Trailhead.

Students were able to sign up to participate on Sept. 3.

There were 10 spots available.

The event is one of the first to be hosted during the Fall 2020 school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Recreation Center is taking steps to ensure that students stay safe.

Karen Ruiz, outdoor adventure program coordinator, said students are expected to follow these rules.

“We are making masks mandatory for the duration of the trip as well as following social distancing guidelines,” Ruiz said. “We are having students drive themselves to the trailhead.”

Ruiz said the trip is a way that students can enjoy nature

safely during this time.

“It was planned to try to engage the CBU community and provide an opportunity where students can meet each other in a safe way,” Ruiz said.

Marisa Norheim, sophomore Christian behavioral science major, said she signed up to enjoy beautiful views and to meet other students.

“It seemed like a really fun trip,” Norheim said. “We get to go outside and do a cool hike, and it is a good opportunity to meet new people.”

James Ibanez, freshman undeclared major, is an active hiker who said he wanted to explore new places.

“I wanted to get outside and explore the area more,” Ibanez said. “I have been in the San Jacinto mountain range area, but I had never done any of the other hikes around there.”

Although sign-ups are now closed, the recreation center is planning to host other events.

CAMPUS COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS FOR FALL 2020

The House of Representatives met in a weekend session on Aug. 22 and voted on and approved a bill regarding the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill was approved 257-150.

This bill gave $25 billion to the USPS and banned operational changes that have contributed to the slowed mail service. Some of these changes included decreasing post office hours and cutting overtime for employees.

Some Democrats argued that these changes were created so it would be more difficult to vote via mail for the November presidential election, as slowed mail services could make it more difficult to support the influx of mailin ballots expected during the election due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS In November, California residents will vote on Proposition 22, which stems from California Assembly Bill 5 passed in 2019. Assembly Bill 5, which proposed that independent contractors should be treated as employees, is affecting companies such as Uber and Lyft.

Independent contractors make money based on jobs they complete rather than a salary or hourly pay. Also, independent contractors do not receive the benefits that come with being an employee. For example, they do not receive Social Security or 401k options like employees do. Within 24 hours of the bill being passed, a court filed an injunction claiming the law could not go into effect until further judicial review. If Proposition 22 is passed in November, app-based drivers will be able to choose independent work and it will provide the drivers with new protections and benefits.

COVID-19 UPDATE

• FACE COVERINGS MUST BE WORN ON CAMPUS GROUNDS. • ALL PERSONS SHOULD MAINTAIN A DISTANCE OF SIX FEET FROM OTHERS AND FOLLOW THE PATHS OF DIRECTION.

• CAMPUS AREAS WILL BE CLEANED AND DISINFECTED REGULARLY. • HAND SANITIZER IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT CAMPUS.

ACCORDING TO CBU HEALTH AND SAFETY: FALL 2020 SPECIFIC ACTION PLAN

• SYMPTOM CHECKS WILL BE TRACKED USING THE CAMPUS CLEAR APP. • LARGE IN-PERSON GATHERINGS ARE PROHIBITED.

• RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE DAILY TEMPERATURE SCREENINGS. • GUESTS AND VISITORS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER RESIDENTIAL AREAS. Emily McGinn | Banner

COVID-19 statistics have been changing daily. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 6,261,216 COVID-19 cases as of Sept.

7 in the United States. It was also reported that California has had 732,144 cases, with 53,987 of those cases occurring in Riverside.

Gov. Gavin Newsom switched out his watchlist plan for a four-tier plan on Aug. 28. Cities on the top tier are required to have nearly all non-essential indoor business closed. However, they are allowed to have many businesses operate outdoors with modifications. The CDC still recommends washing your hands frequently, social distancing when possible and wearing a face covering.

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VISION

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

1. Create a Workspace Pick a spot to work every day and make that area your own, try to find a space with minimal distractions. Take time to decorate, set up and get organized. Having a designated workspace can help with structure and being able to separate daily life from work and school.

2. KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS 1. FaceTime - Video chat with friends to take a

break from texting.

2. Snail Mail - Write letters to friends and become pen pals.

3. Netflix Party - Get a group of friends together to watch a movie on the Google Chrome’s extension, Netflix Party.

4. Send Each Other Tik Tok’s and memes No better way to show someone you care then by sending them a funny video.

3. Maintain a routine Find out what works best for day-to-day routine and then try to stick to that schedule as closely as possible. Maintaining structure even when learning or working from home has been shown to increase daily productivity. Finding a routine can help those in online school get used to a new normal.

VISION

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September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

4. CHange up your morning coffee Ingredients: • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 K-Cup coffee, at room temperature • Half-and-half or milk, to taste Directions: 1. The previous night or a few hours before, brew one cup of coffee in the Keurig machine and place in the refrigerator for cooling.

2. To make the simple syrup, combine sugar and 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.

3. Let cool completely and stir in vanilla extract; set aside.

4. Serve coffee over ice with half-and-half and simple syrup, to taste.

5. BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SPACE 1. Use decorations that make your space feel like your own.

- Thrift stores are a great place to find unique items

to show off your personality.

2. Best plants for dorm rooms: - Ivy - Ferns - Pothos - Succulents 3. Hang fun wall art.

- Wall art is a great way to fill the room and support local

artists. Try hanging a gallery wall or painting your own art, for your

own personal touch.

4. Pick a color scheme.

- Use sites like coolors.co to build your perfect color scheme.

6. Make time for yourself 1. Go outside 3. Find a new hobby 5. Go for a drive 7. Watch a movie 9. Take a nap

2. Get active 4. Read a book 6. Bake cookies 8. Learn a new recipe 10. Start journaling Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

LIFESTYLE

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September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

Face masks become popular fashion pieces

BY SOFIA ENEQVIST MANAGING EDITOR

Since before the start of COVID-19, masks have been a symbol of protection and safety. However, novel coronavirus brought a shift in the mask mentality. Now an everyday item, masks have become similar to wearing pants – it would be strange to leave the house without them.

Brands like Old Navy, Tory Burch, Saks Fifth Avenue, and hundreds of online Esty stores are now designing fashionable masks for consumers. With the rise in designer masks also comes the options for people to sport their favorite patterns, colors or brands.

Dr. Carol Minton-Ryan, professor of sociology, said masks can add to our sense of individuality and self-expression.

“Initially it was something to cover the face. But now I’ve noticed people are trying to wear and organizations are providing masks that will help advertise their brand,” Minton-Ryan said.

“It is evolving. I certainly think there are going to be people for whom masks are going to be used for identity purposes.”

The marketing of these designer masks is key, as it is

causing a shift in the narrative surrounding face coverings.

In recent months, masks have become a controversial topic.

From a necessity to an accessory, the idea of wearing a mask is becoming more normal.

“Seat belts used to not be required,” Minton-Ryan said.

“People were saying, ‘This is stupid. I choose not to wear a seat belt, it’s my own right.’

Then finally dawned on people.

You are going to save your life and you are going to save the life of your children if you put them in seat belts or car seats. Now, I don’t think anyone thinks about a seat belt you just get in the car and you put your seat belt on.”

Levels of social stratification are also forming as a division grows between those who cannot afford masks and are forced to reuse them, and those who have specialized masks and can change them out throughout the week.

Dr. Julie Goodman-Bowling, associate professor of anthropology, said masks are contributing to a greater cultural cycle.

“Maybe masks will just be one way now that we throwback or a place where we see those cycles reproduce. … Masks are going to allow us to hide a little

more and represent more or they will be this sort of show,” Goodman-Bowling said. “The idea is that masks are symbolic they mean something more. I think it is going to change our idea of what is cool. Our perception is changing, we don’t really care so much if it’s cool, we just want to be safe.”

Masks as a fashion statement might be surprising to some people. However, to others it is an expression of individuality and control. During this season of extreme uncertainty, masks are quickly becoming an avenue to show creativity and self-expression for many individuals.

“Right now, in our country, it feels like we are being regulated on so many fronts,” Goodman-Bowling said. “If this thing is as terrible and horrible as they say that it is, then this is a big deal then we need to take it seriously and do what we can to stop the pandemic. Businesses are being shut down, schools are being shut down, jobs are being lost and these are all out of our control. The one thing I can control is whether or not I put that mask on when I go outside. That is actually a very important psychological freedom that people are expressing.”

Many people own multiple protective masks, some more colorful than others.

In unpredictable times, people often cling to any sort of control they can maintain.

“With how fast fashion evolves even before masks, I

think it’s very possible masks can be used in fashion beyond the use in public health,” said Nick Clift, junior behavioral science major. “It will help the per-

Luc Stringer | Banner ception of masks. It is easier to wear a mask when you are representing something you like versus making a political statement on a public health crisis.”

Students support local Black-owned businesses

Christian Posada, sophmore accounting major, Leslie Herrera, sophmore exercise science major, and Ivan Oreallana a Redlands resident, enjoy a vegetarian monster taco from Cafe Organix.

BY TEDDY PEÑA

LIFESTYLE EDITOR Summer 2020 was full of conversations surrounding social issues. One of these social issues in the spotlight is the racial injustice that is prevalent within the United States.

In order to combat racial injustice, people across the country have been protesting in the streets, signing online petitions and donating to organizations dedicated to ending racism. Another major way to combat racial inequality is by supporting Black-owned businesses.

There are different reasons why supporting Black-owned businesses has been a frequent

topic of discussion including the lack of representation for people of color in the world of business and the desire to contribute to a sense of community that is fostered when supporting these businesses.

Kubrat Salaam, owner of Kubitees, a clothing and product brand based in the Inland Empire that Salaam describes as “a place that people that people can go to if they are looking for something that has the quality and is also relatable,” discussed the importance of buying from Black-owned businesses.

“There are many layers to it,” Salaam said. “When you are supporting a Black-owned business, you aren’t just supporting

that business but you’re also contributing to the different communities that the business caters to.”

Shiloh Thibodeaux, co-owner of the vegan establishment Cafe Organix with her husband, Terrance Thibodeaux, explained what that sense of community looks like for both the consumer and the business owner and how vital it is.

“It is important for the community as a whole to support businesses that wouldn’t normally get the support,” Thibodeaux said. “It is important that we as a business lift people who don’t normally get lifted by the government and different establishments like lending insti-

tutions.”

Buying from businesses owned by people of color can also occur when shopping at larger corporations. Allison Weaver, junior english major, said it is not difficult to find businesses to support.

“If you don’t know where to start, all it takes is a simple Google search,” Weaver said. “When you are out shopping at Target and you notice that a certain brand of a product you need happens to be Black-owned, then it is good to be intentional about that and spend your money with that business since your money will have a lasting impact.”

It is equally important to

recognize that not everyone is going to have the same intention when shopping from Black-owned brands.

Cali Steffens, junior environmental science major, expressed her experience of what it means to be a true ally to these brands.

“The Black Lives Matter movement has become popularized, which is an incredible opportunity to bring awareness to racial inequality and other systematic injustices. However, this presents the issue of it simply becoming the next trend in some people’s eyes,” Steffens said. “Instead of just posting on your social media in order to appear ‘woke’ it is essential to fol-

Elijah Hickman | Banner low through past showing your support on Instagram.

It is crucial that we continue to educate ourselves as well as be a genuine ally. An example of an easy way to do this is through shopping Black-owned businesses.”

Another important concept to remember is that everyone learns at their own pace. It is okay to not know everything about racial inequality and how that relates to supporting Black-owned businesses.

However, it is important is to constantly be open to learning new things and stepping out of their comfort zone. Doing this will help further the fight to end systemic racism.

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

LIFESTYLE

7

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

Art proven to be theraputic

BY TEDDY PEÑA

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Camille Grochowski | Banner

A Fall Floral wreath is done and ready to be hung up.

Lifestyle Tries: fall wreath

BY ASHLEY MOORE

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR Fall is approaching and what better way to decorate than with a harvest Fall floral wreath! Created by Drew Scott, the full video can be found on Michael’s website: youtube. com/watch?v+15_6zD-Ca44.

Visit your local craft store to fun supplies in their fall section.

Get ready to bring Fall 2020 to your living space!

Supplies needed: 14in brass ring, fall florals, gold wire, hot glue, scissors, wire cutters, string or yarn.

Step one: Chose which florals/stems you want to go towards the outside of the ring.

For this project, we will be working from the outside in, so it is recommended to save the bigger florals for the inside.

Step two: Place your first flo-

rals and stems on the ring to find the placement you desire.

The entire ring does not have to be covered in décor if you prefer to have the look of part of the ring showing.

Step three: Use the hot glue to glue your first pieces down.

Once dry, take the gold wire and wrap it around the part you glued. This will help make sure it stays secure to the ring.

Step 4: Begin to work your way inward, placing your florals where you want. Continue to use the hot glue and gold wire once it is dry. Layer pieces as desired.

Step 5: Once finished, use the string or yarn to create a loop so it can be hung.

Your fall wreath is done!

This wreath can be hung on your door or in any other area of your space. Bring in fall with this amazing DIY piece.

Art is a discipline that is dynamic and subjective. However, scientists have been able to translate this complex subject into a quantitative form of therapy for many people.

“As a form of clinical therapy, art therapy gives individuals a way of communicating traumatic or complex issues in another form when verbalization of these issues is more challenging,” said Kristine Lippire, professor of visual arts. “The art being made in these settings is not being evaluated for its artistic or creative measures but reflected on in terms of the decisions the client is making.”

Whether a new face in the world of art or a seasoned expert, the artist can find inspiration anywhere. The practice of making art requires self-reflection because what is true for one artist may not be true for another.

Audrey Alexander, junior biomedical science and illustration double major, shared what kind of art she creates and where she finds inspiration for her work.

“The kind of art I do is mainly realism,” Alexander said. “I am very inspired by the beauty of nature and my love of science as well. I think the world around us reveals a lot of God’s creative glory.”

Inspiration can be found anywhere. It is up to the artist to act on that spark of inspiration and create artwork.

“I find a lot of my inspiration through music,” said Justice Elohim, junior graphic design major. “Whether it be

an album, a band or even a song lyric, I get inspired a lot by music. It always happens randomly. I don’t really get inspired when I try to intentionally listen to music specifically to find inspiration.”

People who love to create have their own stories as to how they were first introduced to art.

Sara George, senior art therapy and fine arts double major, reflected on what first introduced her to her passion for ceramics.

“I took my first ceramics class as a sophomore in high school,” George said. “I loved it, and almost immediately knew it was something I wanted to pursue.”

Discovering one’s artistic abilities is a personal journey that looks different from person to person. Not every artist starts early at a young age and many start later in life, as they realize a love for art then.

“Before starting at CBU, I changed my major last minute with guidance from my mom,” Elohim said. “I didn’t start out particularly good. I wasn’t this hugely artistic person, but I saw that I wanted to do something, but I tried it out and ended up loving it.”

Exploring one’s creative side can be a daunting time of self-discovery. However, it does not have to be as difficult as it might seem.

“To anyone just beginning to explore their creative side, give yourself permission to experiment and fail,” Alexander said.

“What matters is that you keep trying until you make something you love.”

Art has been proven to help individuals who are struggling

Courtesy of Ruthy Alraei|

Ruthy Alraei, senior fine arts and art therapy double major, works on a cermaic mug.

with a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.

“Art-making can be so valuable in therapy and life because it’s such a freeing form of self-expression,” George said.

“It takes a lot of the pressure off in therapy settings because it doesn’t rely on ‘talk therapy’.”

People also love making art

because it acts as a means of communicating, not just with others, but also oneself.

Art is welcome for all people of all skill levels to enjoy. It is never ‘too late’ for someone to start their artistic journey.

For those even remotely intrigued by diving into their creative side, they can start anytime.

Photo Illustration by Elijah Hickman | Banner

Many students are still getting used to moving completely online during the pandemic, some struggling more than others.

Dealing with online learning, ways to combat its challenges

BY ASHLEY MOORE

ASST. LIFESTYLE EDITOR

While having classes online is the safest approach to schooling right now, not all students learn best from it. Because of this, it can become easy for students to feel discouraged and as though learning is being lost.

Even through this, the students of California Baptist University can still find ways to make online easier while at home.

Katie Dvorak, senior business administration major, agrees that learner in person is a more effective way for her to retain information. “In person has the competitive peer environment which I think most of us prefer,” Dvorak said. “It always makes me work harder to learn the material in specific skill courses.” For Dvorak, it is easier for her to be able to have those one on one conversations with her fellow classmates, and her professors. While this

can be done over various live streams, talking in person can be preferred by many students when it comes to needing clear and constant communication.

Shekiah Warner, senior intercultural studies major, finds online can actually be more distracting than in person. For many fellow Lancers, this is something which they can connect with Warner on.

Being at home does not mean the distractions of home life become less. “It’s been a difficult switch going from summer into school without any of the definitive back-to-school thing, such as moving into my dorm or attending classes in person,” Warner said. “I also find myself more constantly distracted than I thought I would be at home.” But even through these difficulties, Warner still focuses on the positives which come with online, such as spending time with her family and friends who live in her home town.

While it can be easy to focus on the negatives of not having classes in person, the positives must also be looked at as well.

Both Dvorak and Warner have been able to find their own from this situation.

“God’s definitely provided a lot of opportunities for me to do things my heart’s desired for a long time,” Dvorak said.

“Things that I would not have been able to do if I was living on campus. Such as being able to live with my best friend and spend way more time with my fiancé than ever would have been possible.” Even though time has been taken, it has also been given. Though not everyone is with who they thought they would be right now, the time spent with those who are have become more precious.

Warner has even come up with her own ways as she does it from home. “One big tip I have been working to implement is to get ready for the day,” Warner said.

“It’s easy to only appear ready for the day when you’re being seen through a small screen in a class of thirty other people. But I find it helps me feel more prepared and attentive when I am fully dressed and sitting at a desk at home, as opposed to being in my pajamas and lounging in bed.”

Start your day off with a positive attitude. Make your bed, get ready for the day, sit at a desk with coffee and a notebook nearby. A clean environment is also important to healthy learning. Even making the outdoors your classroom is a great way to mental health up, while continuing to reach your degree.

Keeping school at home as close as you can to school in person will help make this year a success. Starting each day with positivity and a healthy study space can make online easier for those who prefer in person.

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

PERSPECTIVES

8

September 11, 2020 ¡ Volume 68 ¡ Issue 1

Flames scorch more than 3 million Californian acres in 2020

1

2

3 3

4 5 1. An abandoned van sits facing a smoldering pile of ashes that can be seen underneath an overpass.

2. A biker with special permission rides along the Santa Ana Bike Path to get home.

3. The front of a white sedan is left in ashes from the fast-moving fires.

4. Blackened vehicles remain amid the smoke and ash in a parking lot beside a major freeway.

5. A firefighter takes a chainsaw to a smoldering stump.

Note: over 3.1 million acres have been burned this year as of Sept. 10, according to Cal Fire .

Photos by Alex Iannone and Luc Stringer

SPORTS

9

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

NBA season starts without spectators

BY AIDEN HOBSON ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Amid the different safety measures in place across the country because of COVID-19, the National Basketball Association has decided to restart its season with new safety measures and no spectators.

The season was forced to stop in early March 2020 because of safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. The players, coaches and NBA administration met in the following months to discuss ways to safely restart the season for competition by July 13.

Recently, the NBA is struggling to keep the season going while protecting its athletes and staff. Precautions are set in place, such as isolating and testing the athletes and staff involved in practice and competition and creating a “bubble” within which the players can safely train and compete.

Despite the lack of spectators and different protective protocols, some fans are excited about new “virtual participation.”

“Despite the lack of fans, I have been engaged, actually,” said Miles Ward, junior marketing major. “I was concerned it would be a little weird watching without fans, but the level of play and intensity have shown little to no signs of diminishment among the players.”

In an effort to reward loyal fans, the NBA has been selecting fans to be featured on TV coverage of the games.

Many have criticized the return of sporting events, citing the dangers of spreading coronavirus, but other fans are happy for any sort of sporting competition.

“The NBA’s restart was a great occurrence as it gave people a distraction in a time where stress and anxiety are at an alltime high,” said David McKenna, sophomore nursing major.

The restart of professional sports may help pave the way for college sports to do the same.

Jarrod Olson, California Baptist University women’s basketball head coach, said he was “pretty impressed” by the NBA’s creation of the “bubble”.

“The NBA has a reputation for being forward-thinking,” Olson said.

The CBU women’s basketball team, like all other college sports teams, has been trying to find ways to safely train and compete despite coronavirus safety concerns. Some college teams have been trying to mimic the strategy of professional sports leagues by trying to create “bubbles” in which their athletes train and compete, but sometimes that is not feasible for college teams.

CBU has been taking extensive steps to protect its athletes.

“We refer to our team as a ‘bubble’ but it’s not really a bubble because we all can go home,” Olson said. “Resources come into play, but [the NBA season restart] shows that if you want to find ways to play you can find ways to play.”

Regardless of differences between professional and college sports, the NBA season restart helps provide a framework for college teams to start practicing and playing again.

Olympics to add surf and skate

BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR

Courtesy of Athletics

Nicole Avila-Ambrosi, freshman health science major, participates in an outdoor workout to be competition-ready when it is declared safe to resume competitive athletics at colleges and universities.

Lancer athletes continue practicing with precautions

BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR California Baptist University’s fall athletic seasons are postponed to best protect student athletics from the rapid spread of COVID-19. However, the athletic programs have adjusted practice routines to keep the athletes ready for when their seasons resume.

Teams at CBU are trying their best to practice with the mindset that regular season will happen until the National Collegiate Athletic Association states otherwise.

Rick Rowland, head swim and dive coach, said he is thankful that his team could practice while working with COVID-19 protocols.

“We have our health and so much to be thankful for,” Rowland said. “Nationally programs are being dropped, Iowa, Boise State, East Carolina. We are blessed to have a University that funds and supports our swim and dive program. Our university and athletic training team are doing a great job with

COVID protocol. Testing every few weeks. Training outside only. Making the best of no APC (Athletic Performance Center), but receiving great workouts outdoors from our strength coach. The protocols in place definitely have put everyone at ease. If you test positive or have symptoms, the school will certainly quarantine you. We will be fine.”

Rowland added that his team will be split up to compete against each other. Similarly, the goal of the CBU golf team is to keep that competitive energy for when the season starts.

“Despite there being no tournaments, our goal is to remain competitive and conditioned for the next one,” said Belle Balkan, CBU women’s golfer and sophomore health care administration major.

“Our schedule looks very similar to past seasons. We still have qualifiers and tournament preparation days, as well as weekly workouts. By continuing to put the hard work in and staying focused on improving our games, we can look forward

Courtesy of Athletics | Courtesy Photo

Kiree Lowe, junior biology major, practices her skills to be ready when athletic competition resumes. to the spring with confidence, knowing that we set ourselves up for success.”

Sports teams are closer than ever as the athletes restrict themselves from contact outside of their team. Zach Lowery, CBU water polo player and kinesiology major, said he is staying optimistic about the impact pandemic precautions have had on his team. He said the situation has allowed the team to get to know one another on more of a personal level because of how

much time they spend together.

“COVID-19 has changed the way we are able to train but it really hasn’t changed our goals for the season. It has given us more time to train to achieve them,” Lowery said. “We have adjusted practices, whether that be weights or pool practice to multiple groups at the same time in order to limit contact.”

CBU’s athletic Lancers are determined to practice and stay healthy in order to be prepared when their seasons begin.

Although the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed, many fans look forward to the addition of surfboarding and skateboarding.

In 2016, the International Olympic Committee released a press statement adding five sports to the Olympic program: the return of softball and baseball, surfboarding, skateboarding, karate and sports climbing.

In the press release, Thomas Bach, IOC president, said, “The five sports are an innovative combination of established and emerging, youth-focused events that are popular in Japan and will add to the legacy of the Tokyo Games.”

California Baptist University is home to students engulfed in skate and surf culture. Many students spend their free time surfing at the beach or skateboarding around campus; however, skate and surf at the Olympic level are completely different.

Surfing and skateboarding on the professional level are judged by a point system, and depending on the type of competition they are both scored on the average after multiple rounds of competition.

Michael Duggan, senior film major, and John Cottrell, junior mechanical engineering major, said they are both passionate about skateboarding and surfing. Duggan grew up surfing in Hawaii, whereas Cottrell grew up surfing in Huntington Beach­­, California. After coming to CBU, they both started skateboarding and finding a community.

“I’m really excited that skating and surfing are at the Olympics,” Duggan said. “I think they are both very hard to master and also a blast to be a part of. So, getting to see that on a global scale will be awesome. I would say skating should have been added to the Olympics a bit ago.”

Duggan also mentioned that this is not necessarily the case with surfing.

“Surfing, however, is a different story, because the Olympics move locations every four years, so you can’t guarantee that they will take place with an ocean near by.”

Living in Huntington Beach, Cottrell spectates the US Open every year. He believes that it is unlike surfers to wait for an Olympic platform since surfing is an individual sport. Unlike the US Open, surfers will be competing in a team for their country on the Olympic stage with two men and two women per team.

“I think America will be a force to be reckoned with when the Olympics come around,” Cottrell said. “The USA team consists of Caroline Marks, Kolohe Andino, Carissa Moore, and John John Florence. Two of them are world title winners: Kolohe is the winningest surfing in the USA, and Caroline marks are the youngest surfer on tour, and she is amazing.”

Duggan and Cottrell agree that the United States will face some tough competition in both surfing and skateboarding specifically with Brazil. The excitement surrounding the newest additions will have to wait, as COVID-19 caused the Tokyo Olympics to be postponed until summer 2021.

BUSINESS & TECH

10

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 Issue 1

Small businesses adapt to pandemic

BY MISTY SEVERI NATIONAL EDITOR

Six months ago California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order that temporarily closed many locally-owned businesses. As a result of the ongoing pandemic, many stores have had to reshape how they conduct business.

Linda Sherman-Murick, the owner of local bookstore Cellar Door Books said her company had to shift their focus to their online store.

“The vast majority of our business is now online, which has been a big change going from people walking into our store to all online,” Sherman-Murick said. “It makes us change the way we make people aware of books. The way we used to do it was people walked into the store and we had shelves, but now that’s completely changed and we’re just doing the best we can.”

Although business has been down recently, Sherman-Murick said it was interesting how her customer base has changed and how the pandemic caused customers to rally behind local businesses.

“Our sales are far less than they were before COVID, but we have a lot of different customers, and we have a lot of new customers that we

gathered from online sales,” Sherman-Murick said. “I think during the crisis people began to understand that if they don’t give their business to local businesses we will not live. We will not make it. They realized their downtown without us would look a lot different.”

Students at California Baptist University have echoed the need to support small businesses.

Morgan Carlton, freshman kinesiology major, said local businesses are important because they offer a more personal alternative.

“They are much smaller and they usually have a more homey and personal atmosphere to them. They offer a lot of unique things that department stores don’t have because local businesses have a more personal base,” Carlton said.

Mia Martinez, junior pre-nursing student, said local businesses need the public’s help more than ever.

“There’s not a lot of money flowing in our economy right now,” Martinez said. “They rely on us to help pay their bills and keep their doors open. These are people who need to live their lives, too, and we need to help them do that by giving them our business.”

Although local businesses have had to adjust their business to adapt to the pandemic, they are not the only ones

The Cellar Door Bookstore is emptier than usual due to only one customer or group being allowed in at a time. who have felt the change. Big corporations such as Amazon have also had to adapt and are rapidly hiring new employees to help fill orders.

Sherman-Murick said although she understands why people support Amazon, she

cannot hope to compete with a corporation of its size.

“Some customers want their orders fast and I understand that,” Sherman-Murick said.

“A lot of people say ‘I can get this from Amazon in two days.’

Yeah, you can. We take more

time. But we need your support or else we’re going to go away and I think those people need to realize what the world is going to look like if there aren’t small businesses in it.”

Cellar Door Books is currently filling pickup and online

Camille Grochowski| Banner orders and filling 20-minute in-person appointments with only the customer and people from their household allowed.

Students interested in visiting can make a reservation either via phone or through the Cellar Door website.

Microsoft in talks to buy social media app TikTok despite security concerns

BY JASMINE SEVERI

BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR Many companies have expressed their desire to buy or buy a portion of the popular Chinese-made short video-sharing social media platform TikTok. President Donald J. Trump considered banning the platform in the United States altogether after security issues were brought into question, but he has since given his blessing to Microsoft to buy out the company, and Microsoft is well ahead of its competitors to buy the app.

Since TikTok was released in 2016, it has become extremely popular with teenagers and young adults. Students

at CBU use the site to make funny short videos, watch ones others make and share them with their friends.

Kayla Schneider, junior liberal studies major, said she used TikTok a couple times a day for nine months, to watch funny videos and share it with her friends, until security concerns about privacy caused her to stop using it as much.

“It’s a really good source of entertainment,” Schneider said. “But I actually stopped using it a lot because of the security concerns. It gave me a lot of stress, so I stopped.”

Schneider said that she thinks another company buying TikTok would be good, but that

it might not eliminate all the security concerns.

“I think it is good that people are trying to buy (TikTok) because of the security concerns with the current owner, but I’m not sure how much it will go away, because most apps still collect basic information.

So that’s pretty much a universal thing.”

Sophie Hepp, junior kinesiology major, had also been using TikTok for nine months.

“I use it once or twice a day,” Hepp said. “I use it mainly for watching—I don’t really create stuff on it.”

Although Hepp still uses TikTok, she also expressed concerns about privacy.

“I think it is a good idea (for another company to buy TikTok), but I definitely think it might not eliminate (all the) concerns for security, because social media puts a lot out there. But I do think it’s a step in the right direction for it to be sold,” Hepp said.

Hepp said that despite the concerns, TikTok is “a fun app and a good way to waste your time.”

Marc Weniger, professor of business, said that TikTok probably does not collect any more information than other social media apps, and that it is a concern when an administration targets a particular company.

“

I think it’s a step in the right direction for (TikTok) to be sold.

Sophie Hepp junior kinesiology major

“If you say ‘this is the limit of personal information you can collect,’ and it goes to everybody — fine. That’s no problem,” Weniger said. “I have a problem with it when it’s like ‘that company can have it, but that company can’t have it,’ because if TikTok shouldn’t have it, then Facebook probably shouldn’t have it, either.”

“In general, it’s either infomration that they should have or shouldn’t have — it doesn’t matter who has it.”

Weniger said he thinks a more blanket statement that applies to all similar apps is “by far a better policy.”

Privacy on social media apps has been a concern for a long time now with how much data these sites collect.

TikTok is no different, and yet students are still willing to use the app despite these concerns, although some are more wary than others.

Microsoft is in the lead to buy the company, and they are still in talks about it.

COVID pandemic inspires entrepreneurship in students

BY LUC STRINGER

ASST. BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR

Photo Illustation by Camille Grochowski | Banner

Etsy allows artists from around the world to sell their handiwork online.

In March, the creative world ground to a halt. Photographers, designers, creators and more saw their work slow or even cease altogether. Yet for some, the increase in free time offered an opportunity for entrepreneurship.

One such person is a California Baptist University student who now runs a modest online store selling her creations.

Natalie Codding, senior graphic design major, started her Etsy account this year because suddenly, like so many, she had the time.

Currently, Codding sells stickers and homemade jewelry through the marketplace.

Codding holds a five-star rating and has nearly 20 sales.

It is the first step, she says, in marketing herself online.

“I love sending mail to people,” Codding said. “That’s the main reason I started making jewelry. … I (wanted) to mail people stuff. Honestly, I’m not even making a profit off of jewelry—it’s basically for fun.”

However, Codding believes her Etsy journey may lead to a brighter future. After all, it helps her gain experience in marketing herself online.

“To me, (Etsy) is the gateway between the person over

Instagram who says: ‘Does anyone want me to paint for them?’ versus a professional,” Codding said.

Professor Dirk Dallas, graphic design professor and program lead, has advice for those like Codding who have begun to sell their products online, especially in a pandemic.

Dallas himself recently published a drone photography book titled “Eyes over the World.” He also runs an Instagram account with more than 280 thousand followers. His top advice is to be authentic.

“I feel like there are quite a few people out there that are not being authentic with the things they are promoting,” Dallas said. “I’ve turned down quite a bit of opportunity, quite a bit of product (and) quite a bit of money to promote something. It’s because I can’t. I feel the integrity of having to be honest about it.”

Dallas encouraged students to cut through the noise and define what makes their product important.

In 2020, marketing is more difficult than ever, so making your product stand out is paramount.

“You as the artist — why is that special? Why your store and not the next person?” Dallas said.

“

When I buy something on Etsy, I don’t really focus on who made it, but rather the product quality.

Psy Covert junior graphic design major

While this creative endeavor may not be for everyone, many students at CBU are considering the leap into online sales.

Psy Covert, junior graphic design major, said that she would consider creating an Etsy, as she already uses it to purchase items.

“Usually when I buy something off of Etsy, I don’t really focus on who made it, but rather the product and product quality,” Covert said. “If a CBU student made a good quality item that I wanted — absolutely I’d buy it.”

For those who have been holding off on selling products online — wait no more.

Students like Codding have shown us that even during an international pandemic, self-marketing is possible.

BUSINESS & TECH

11

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

Online Chapel

Continued from Page 1

pel is able to track student’s interaction with services to give them credit. He also emphasized the many ways that students can get the most out of these videos.

“We have gathered some of our favorite Chapel speakers from over the years to address our CBU family in this unique season,” Vowell said.

“The speakers have purposely divided their teaching times into three eight-minute segments in order to make what they are sharing even more retainable.”

Another change has to do with the layout of CBU’s worship team. At the start of the semester, they announced a new CBU leadership team called Purpose Worship.

The worship segments of online Chapel will be pre-recorded by the team made up of 21 individuals.

Aaron Carrillo, sophomore electrical and computer engineering major, plays the drums for the CBU worship team and described how this transition to online has specifically impacted worship structure.

“Purpose Worship is the new formal identity of the Chapel worship team at CBU,” Carrillo said. “The name exemplifies our values and goals as a team, one of which is to engage the CBU community in biblical, Christ-centered worship throughout the year. Worshipping God is always essential, but even more so during the challenges of this season.”

Carrillo also said that one of the other major changes has involved the set up for recording Chapel services.

“Worship sessions are pre-recorded,” Carrillo said. “So far, we have had to record multiple chapels per session, and the plan is to keep up that pace since a lot of time is needed to ensure the best quality sound and visuals are prevalent during the post-production phase.”

Elizabeth Pryor, senior psychology student,

Photo Illustration by Luc Stringer | Banner

Online Chapel videos are an exciting new way for students to grow in their faith while hearing sermons from pastors around the country. said the new format for Chapel has worked well.

“I like how I have a week to complete the Chapel requirement because this has allowed a lot of flexibility with my schedule this year,” Pryor said. “With classes being online this year it’s nice that CBU has also made Chapel available on Blackboard with my

other courses.”

Carrillo agreed that this is one of the most important elements of online services.

“The benefits of an online Chapel for everybody is the flexibility to conveniently submerse oneself in Scripture and participate in worship without distractions at the most fitting time in a day,” Carrillo said.

Vowell said this new form of Chapel has allowed for a new type of student engagement with services.

“Adjoining each interactive video our staff is working to provide additional resources and opportunities to ‘go deeper’ into what is being presented and shared in the video by the Chapel speaker or Spiritual Life staff,” Vowell said. “This will

range from recommended books, articles, websites and podcasts to other online resources that will help you apply what you are learning in each online Chapel.”

CBU’S online Chapel is available to students on Blackboard for credit but these videos will also be posted on CBU’s website for staff, faculty and others interested to watch.

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

Apple’s app store raises controversy Technology helps students connect

BY LUC STRINGER

ASST. BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR The makers of the popular video game “Fortnite” accused Apple of monopolistic actions Aug. 13 after the game broke terms of service to bypass Apple’s 30% cut of all in-app profits.

Epic Games, “Fortnite’s” publisher, said 30% is unreasonable. While previously players could buy “v-bucks,” “Fortnite’s” in-game currency, through the App Store, Epic added a new button that allowed players to buy the same number of v-bucks for a cheaper price. The catch was that Apple would see none of the funds.

Apple removed “Fortnite” instantly from the App Store and issued a statement condemning Epic.

Benjamin Buckman, senior marketing major, said he feels Apple takes too much money from developers.

“They’re demanding money that they don’t need, even from games that are smaller and don’t make much revenue,” Buckman said.

Aaron Kooistra, sophomore engineering major, said he is concerned about independent app development.

“Apple basically has a mo-

“

“They’re demanding money that they don’t need even from games that are smaller and don’t make much revenue.

Benjamin Buckman senior marketing major nopoly on all iPhone devices, so you can’t make any cool apps without signing away a lot of your profit to Apple,” Kooistra said.

Epic Games filed a lawsuit Aug. 17 accusing Apple of “(exceeding any) technology monopolist in history.” It calls Apple “anti-competitive” and “extortionate.”

The lawsuit was followed up with a massive social media campaign, titled #freefortnite, where Epic mobilized its “Fortnite” fans against the App Store guidelines.

“Apple intentionally sabotages consumer iOS devices to prevent users from installing software directly from developers, as consumers are free to do on PC and Mac,” reads the game’s website.

Although Apple has the right to charge a commission for App Store access, Dr. Marc Weniger, professor of business, said 30% might be too much. “Apple has a unique

product in that they (make sure) that the apps that are on (the App Store) don’t have any malware,” said Weniger. “It keeps the Apple users safe, but on the other hand (the App Store) is a marketplace — so the big question is what percentage is too much when it comes to taking a commission to offer access to a market.”

Dr. Bob Namvar, professor of economics, said he believes Apple’s actions could constitute monopolization of the smartphone sector. Namvar recalled the 2001 United States vs. Microsoft Corp. lawsuit, which could provide legal precedent for Epic Games.

It seems the judge presiding over Epic’s lawsuit feels differently.

Judge Yvonne Rogers ruled Aug. 25 that “Fortnite” will remain estranged from the App Store until further hearings scheduled for late September.

BY JASMINE SEVERI

BUSINESS AND TECH EDITOR The landscape of home, work and school life drastically changed for students across the state when California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some families started seeing a lot more of each other while quarantined in their homes, while others were kept apart.

But technology has helped people to stay in touch and feel connected to each other even while separated by distance.

Many people have used websites such as WebEx and Zoom for business, educational and personal reasons, as well as other video chat and video sharing apps such as FaceTime.

Jennifer Tronti, assistant professor of English and program director for the undergraduate English department at California Baptist University, said she has been using FaceTime to stay in contact with her mother, even for simple, casual connection.

“We’ve washed dishes together in our separate households,” Tronti said.

“I texted my mom an awful lot more than I ever have in the past.”

Tronti also commented on

how technology has helped in stay in touch with students, using both WebEx and Zoom, and how Zoom’s chat feature can help students connect with each other in ways that would be more difficult even in the classroom. “(Zoom’s chat feature) works well in a way that if we were in the classroom, and everyone was having those conversations, it would be distracting or too loud. … but I can tell people (online) are paying attention,” Tronti said. “I don’t like to restrict the chat.”

Students have found that Social interaction primarily through technology can be difficult. Elli Long, freshman behavioral sciences major, said that the distance can make it harder to connect with classmates.

“Making connections with other students in the class is a lot harder since you don’t really have them there in person to talk to,” Long said. “It’s a lot harder to get peer help in classes.”

Logan Manley, freshman health science major, said she uses FaceTime to keep in touch

with friends.

“During the summer I’ve been FaceTiming with people a lot and keeping upwith people on social media,” Manley said. “(With) being away from home for the first time, FaceTime has really helped.”

Manley said she has a solution for keeping herself focused during her classes.

Logan Manley “It is hard freshman health to stay enscience major gaged in classes, especially

“

“(With) being away from home for the first time, FaceTime has really helped.”

doing them in your dorm room,” Manley said.

“I like to force myself to stay at a desk, do my homework and my classes, and keep myself in a solid, structured routine each day, just to make it feel normal.”

Although doing a lot of social interaction through technology certainly has its challenges, it has also been vital to students for keeping up with work, school and social life during the pandemic.

Students still struggling with time-management can find apps such as Chegg Prep through their local app store.

12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

CBU sophomore releases independent music under the name The Roommate

BY JACKSON WALDROP A&E EDITOR

Ashley Anderson, sophomore commercial performance major, balances school and writing and recording her own independent music released her debut single in the spring of her freshman year, earning thousands of streams under the name The Roommate.

Anderson was inspired with name The Roommate by her roommate Belle Fuller.

“Every time I would be introduced to someone she knows, which is just about every day, they would call me Belle’s roommate,” Anderson said.

“Then it translated to something deeper—we all are unknown by someone and we all are searching for our own identities in different things.”

Anderson’s roommate Belle Fuller, sophomore liberal studies major, said Anderson is one of the most talented people who she knows.

“Her love for creativity is so inspiring and encourages me every day,” Fuller said. “It was such a privilege watching her make her song. Her passion for music and her emotion that she puts in her music is so genuine.”

Anderson however, was not raised in a musical household or with many musical friends.

She said she always had a love for singing but because she was shy when she was younger, she did not truly start singing until she was 14, and when she joined a church where she started to learn to sing and play guitar on the worship band.

“I did not realize I wanted to go the route of releasing my own music until I came to Cal

Baptist,” Anderson said. “It was a sort of awakening for me. I realized I wanted to be totally immersed in the music industry.”

Anderson took a music entrepreneurship class with adjunct professor Katrina Frye, founder and CEO of Mischief Managed, a business development company for artists and creatives. She pushed her students to release a song before the end of the semester. She helped the students with marketing and getting started on their own brand, but the music and recording was completely the students’ responsibility.

“I have some really great friends in the music program, and I called upon them to help me out with the mixing and mastering and more production side of the song because I am still new to that side of music as well as some instrumentation on the song,” Anderson said.

Anderson released her debut single “Colorful Clothes” in April last spring and within a few months it gained thousands of streams. Anderson originally wrote the single on piano and her two friends Greyson Berzansky and Noah Fickel helped her make the song what it is now, bringing other instruments as well as mixing and mastering the track.

Anderson said this process was scary and required her to be vulnerable. In the process, she said she realized that making and recording music is her main career choice for her future and came to the humbling realization that she could not do everything herself and it is OK to ask for help, especially from people who care about you.

Ashley Anderson, sophmore commercial performance major, released her debut single, “Colorful Clothes,” in April.

Noah Fickel, sophomore commercial performance major, and producer of “Colorful Clothes,” said he has loved working with Anderson.

“Ashley is a great person as well as a songwriter, and it was super cool to make a song with her. She’s got a fresh, new and catchy style to her music and I hope to do more work with her in the future,” Fickel said.

Anderson’s style of music is alternative with influences of folk, with listeners comparing her to names such as Kacey Musgraves and Maggie Rogers.

She plans to go toward a more folky direction in the future.

“My goal for my brand is to capture what life and feeling things are actually like and to be honest and vulnerable with my emotions, but also how great and beautiful that can be and how complex each of us are as individuals,” Anderson said.

“Ultimately, I want to be true and honest with my natural self and express myself and encourage others to do the same.”

Anderson’s focus is currently on learning more about the production, recording and

audio engineering side of music in hopes to be able to write, record, produce and engineer all of her music herself in the future. She is also working on a four-song EP to release by the end of this upcoming spring.

“Ashley has natural-born talent, with a sublime undertone of humility,” Frye said.

“Her band The Roommate is a marriage between Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile and The Lumineers. Her first single “Colorful Clothes” was an introduction to what is just beginning to be unlocked. Her melod-

Courtesy of Ashley Anderson ic voice and thoughtful hooks make you feel at home even if you are a thousand miles away.

I can’t wait to hear what’s next.”

Anderson said she deeply appreciates all the love and support she has been shown by people who have been listening and encouraging her, especially her friends and professors who helped her get to where she is today.

You can listen to her song “Colorful Clothes” on all streaming platforms and be on the lookout for new music and updates from The Roommate.

AMC theaters begin to reopen in select locations

BY COLE STILLWAGON ASST. A&E EDITOR

AMC Theatres began its staggered reopening on Aug. 20 in multiple different states across the country by offering 15-cent movies on opening day.

The national movie theater chain announced in August that it would begin opening some of the locations following state and local guidelines.

Theatres nationwide closed up all business in order to comply with the stay at home order instated by the United States government.

During the last six months, many theaters have been at risk of permanently shutting down due to COVID-19 conditions and restricitons on indoor businesses operations.

With the absence of movie theatres films have been releasing through streaming

platforms like Universal Studios “Trolls World Tour” This successful move jeopardized the theatre industry immensely. Theater chains now have the chance to win back customers.

Included in the announcement, was the 100th Anniversary Celebration “Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices.” which offered enticing 15-cent movie tickets to customers on opening day, reflecting the price of a ticket in 1920.

Adam Aron, CEO and president of AMC Theatres emphasized this opporutnity in a press release.

“We are thrilled to once again open our doors to American moviegoers who are looking for an opportunity to get out of their houses and apartments and escape into the magic of the movies. As our guests return on our first day of resumed opera-

tions on Aug. 20, we invite them marketing. “I also think it may to join us in celebrating a return diminish the value of the brand to the movies, and in celebrat- in the customers’ minds. So ing 100 years of AMC making even if it works as a short-term incentive, it may smiles happen have long-term with movies at negative effects.”

1920 prices of With young only 15 cents adults and teeneach,” Aron agers more than said. ready to have With the a sense of norserious risk mality after a and potendisappointing tial impact of summer, it begs C O V I D - 1 9, the question of some may arthey gue that the Kevin Zelaya, Engineering whether will visit theaters price point is Major because the low not enough of prices alone. a motivation “Depending on their soto potentially jeopardize one’s cial distancing requirements, health.

“I don’t think this price possibly yes,” said Kristin point will be a sufficient incen- Thoroddsen, junior studio protive for most customers,” said duction major. “I would be a Natalie Winter, professor of little worried about the influx of

“

“I am more than ready to enjoy the movie theatre experience again.

Especially now that I can afford popcorn with the dicount.”

Editor’s Review If students are looking to find more peace in life, feeling overwhelmed or looking to work on their spiritual connectedness, this is the ideal podcast.

In “Fight Hustle, End Hurry,” author and pastor John Mark Comer and author Jefferson Bethke discuss the concept of hustle and hurry and how society pushes the idea that we always need to be rushing, busy or “always grinding” to be productive. They discuss and explain that this is actually affecting our lives mentally, physically and especially spiritually.

John Mark Comer’s book, “The Ruthless Elimination of

Hurry,” has a five-star rating and is an Evangelical Christian Publishers Association bestseller.

Jefferson Bethke’s book, “To Hell With The Hustle,” also has a five-star rating. With the clear similarities in titles, these books talk about extremely similar and overlapping concepts.

This shows that both authors clearly have extensive knowledge about these concepts and the idea of fighting hustle and ending hurry. This also speaks to their credability on the subjects and the advice they give.

In each episode of the podcast, Comer and Bethke discuss concepts or disciplines that will

people taking advantage of this 15 cent deal.”

Kevin Zelaya, junior engineering major, said he is looking forward to seeing movies on the big screen again.

“I am more than ready to enjoy the movie theatre experience again. Especially now that I can afford popcorn with the discount,” Zelaya said.

With the announcement of reopening came the launch of “AMC Safe & Clean,” a campaign that featured new policies and, procedures in making guests health and safety the theatre chain’s top priority.

Some of the procedures enforced are social distancing signs and reminders, mandatory masks for all guests and crews and a 40% capacity rule for each theater. The efforts taken by AMC do not just stop with new rules for guests.

FIGHT HUSTLE, END HURRY

BY JOHN MARK COMER & JEFFERSON BETHKE

help fight this cultural push.

These disciplines are all examples of how Jesus lived and if practiced can help listeners feel more connected, peaceful, healthy and spiritually fulfilled.

There are 10 episodes in the season and range from 25 to 35 minutes in length. The authors’ discussions and conversations are very engaging and each episode is rich in knowledge.

Episodes focus specifically on subjects such as rules of life,

silence, sabbath, simplicity and empathy. These episodes are available on all streaming and podcast platforms.

This podcast can be extremely helpful and inspiring to those who listen. Comer and Bethke are people who have written books about these concepts and implemented them in their daily lives and routines.

It is fascinating to hear how they implement these ideals into their lives when navigating

EDITOR’S RATING:

Employees will now be following an entirely new system of cleaning the theaters between each new showing.

Both Electrostatic Disinfectant Sprayers and HEPA filter vacuums will be used regularly throughout the day to kill any airborne germs or particles.

On top of that, their theaters have been updated with new MERV Air Filters in an effort to provide superior air quality for guests.

As movie theaters start to reopen around the country, people are showing up and purchasing tickets. AMC Theatres announced Sept. 1 that they plan for 70% of its theaters to be open by Labor Day in the United States.

The hope can only be that this reopening plan sends America in a positive direction and not a negative one.

BY JACKSON WALDROP A&E EDITOR

things like family, work, solitude, spirituality, prayer and meditation and in what ways it has helped them, whether that be mentally or relationally but mainly spiritually.

With elements of humor, friendly conversation and spiritual intentionality, “Fight Hustle, End Hurry” invites the listener to a discussion between two friends talking about how to better live in modern Western culture.

Comer and Bethke also share wise things and offer listeners advice that they have learned through their lives and careers.

These range from lessons they have learned in life, things that

wise people in their lives have told them, conclusions they have come to through life experiences or strategies that they practice that have helped them personally in their work life, marriage, and spiritual walk.

Students can learn a lot by listening to this podcast. Especially if individuals are looking for a new podcast or need something to listen to in the background, try giving “Fight Hustle, End Hurry” a listen.

Even if listeners are not very spiritual, the principles discussed are helpful for any person in any stage of life in our rushed and hurried society.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

13

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

Live-action ‘Mulan’ released to Disney+

BY JACKSON WALDROP A&E SECTION EDITOR

The world has been put on hold in many ways because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with restaurants, gyms and movie theaters closed, many organizations are finding ways to provide for their customers.

One example is Disney’s release of the new live-action remake of “Mulan.” This is a classic Disney cartoon loved by many and Disney has worked hard over the past year to create and advertise this release. As fans waited anxiously for the remake’s release and the anticipation rose higher than ever, COVID-19 hit. Disney was forced to make a decision. They decided to release “Mulan” on Disney+ with an extra charge of $29.99 on top of the subscription fee.

Considering the large budget, time and effort put in for this release, it surprised many that Disney would release such a movie on Disney+.

A movie with such a large budget and many advertising campaigns without a theatrical release.

Such a thing has never been seen before.

Dr. Melissa Croteau, professor and director of film studies said she is interested to see how the movie will play out.

“It’s a gamble, but I can see the potential…

The new subscribers might make up some of the box-office revenue that they are going to lose,” Croteau said. “We’ll see if it is satisfactory to them or not, but it is fascinating.”

The question that arises is how releases like this will affect movie theaters and the film industry. Will they go out of business? Will the need or want to go to the movies decrease after we are past the pandemic?

“The death of the movie theater has been predicted with every new technology in visual media and those predictions have fallen flat,” Croteau said. “Do I think they are going to survive this?

Yes. Do I think some theatre chains will fold?

Probably.”

“Mulan” was released on Sept. 4 with many fans willing to pay the extra $29.99 to watch the film in their homes. “Mulan” is one of the most cherished Disney cartoon movies with many fans equally excited to see the film, despite not having the option to see it in theaters.

“Out of all the Disney remakes, ‘Mulan’ is pretty much the only one I’ve actually had an interest in,” said Nathan Rierson, senior film production major. “A lot of people were mad that it’s not a musical, like the original animation, but I think it’ll be cool to see a fresh take on the story.

“Just seeing live-action versions of animated sequences doesn’t really do anything for me, usually because I prefer the animated version—that’s a big reason why I haven’t really loved any of the remakes. I’m seeing ‘Mulan’ tonight, so hopefully, it’ll change the trend.”

Kennedy Brown, senior graphic design major, said she enjoyed watching the film.

“Overall I enjoyed the movie, I did appreciate the two strong female leads and thought the set design was beautiful,” Brown said. “I do wish it was funnier like the original. Considering how much money Disney makes, it is disappointing that if you already pay monthly for Disney+ you have to pay $30. But it is sort of a movie ticket, so if you watch it with your whole family you’re still paying less than going to the theater. However, I personally wouldn’t have rented it for just myself though.”

Disney has been at the forefront of many film industry changes and this is no exception. However, it remains to be seen if more production companies follow Disney’s lead with releasing new movies on streaming platforms, or if this strategy does not work for Disney at all.

“Mulan” is available exclusively on Disney+ with premier access for $29.99 with a Disney+ subscription.

Premier acess to Disney’s live-action remake of “Mulan” is now available to watch on Disney+.

Courtesy of Disney

Sofia Eneqvist | Banner

Students remember, pay tribute to inspiring ‘Black Panther’ actor Chadwick Boseman

BY ELIJAH HICKMAN STAFF WRITER

Chadwick Boseman, an American actor known for his portrayal of Jackie Robinson in the movie “42” (2013), James Brown in “Get on Up” (2014) and Black Panther in “Black Panther” (2018), died from colon cancer Aug. 29 at age 43.

Participating in theater in high school, Boseman attended Howard University in Washington D.C. to further his training and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in directing in 2000.

Boseman performed in several stage productions before he landed his first significant role

in the movie “42,” portraying Jackie Robinson.

“42” was an iconic movie for Boseman, who helped show the struggle that Jackie Robinson went through as one the first African Americans in Major League Baseball.

His next major role was as the lead character in the film “Get on Up” about the legendary singer James Brown.

He would then go on to portray T’Challa (Black Panther) in “Avengers: Civil War” and the “Black Panther” series.

Boseman was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, the same year he appeared in Mar-

“

said. “He showed vel’s “Avenghow strong he ers: Civil was to battle canWar”. The cer while still folpublic did lowing his goals not know he and do everywas also batthing he could tling cancer. to help build the W h e n Black communithe news Kevin Holloway, ty. It shows that broke that freshman psychology major someone can be Boseman that strong and died from cancer it took fans by surprise. hide what they are doing to help Kevin Holloway, freshman psy- raise up everyone else.”

Boseman was not only a suchology major and Boseman fan perhero on screen. He was also ,said he was shocked..

“I never would have expect- a superhero to many in real life.

Former President Barack ed he was sick from the way he talked and acted,” Holloway Obama sent a tweet when he

“It shows that someone can be that strong and hide what they are doing to help raise up everyone else.”

heard the news of Boseman’s death about the time Boseman had visited the White House after starring in the movie “42”.

“Chadwick came to the White House to work with kids when he was playing Jackie Robinson. You could tell right away that he was blessed,” the former president said in his tweet. “To be young, gifted, and Black; to use that power to give them heroes to look up to; to do it all while in pain what a use of his years.”

As Hollywood mourns the death of Boseman, many fans are expecting actors to show more dedication in film.

Jacob Mandujano, freshman business administration major, said Boseman’s juggle between producing, acting and battling cancer raises the bar for the other actors.

“Boseman was battling cancer for so long and still producing and acting in great movies,” Mandujano said. “It just raises the bar for a lot of actors.”

Before Boseman died he filmed and starred in “Da 5 Bloods” (2020), which fans can watch on Netflix and also starred in Ma Rainey’s “Black Bottom” (2020), before his death which will stream on Netflix later this year.

SPORTS

14

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

Tyson Miller makes MLB debut Coronavirus The Lancer travel blocks alum pitched two innings impact many and only gave up two runs

BY KELLY MCKITTRICK SPORTS EDITOR

BY ADIT WRATSANGKA ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

California Baptist University’s baseball has a history of having players drafted, and out of the 35 players that have been drafted over the course of 38 years, Tyson Miller is the second Lancer to debut in Major League Baseball.

Miller was drafted in 2016 by the Chicago Cubs and spent his first professional season in minor league teams such as the Arizona League Cubs and Eugene Emeralds. He moved from one minor league team to another until he got promoted to the MLB. His MLB debut was with the Chicago Cubs Aug. 17 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched two innings and gave up two runs in his first game as a Cub. Miller was a communication studies major who played as a right-handed pitcher for the men’s baseball team. As a Lancer, Miller played for three years before he got drafted.

Gary Adcock, head coach of men’s baseball, said Miller was

Tyson Miller, an alumni, gets into position to pitch a ball during one of his previous games. a phenomenal player during his time at CBU. Contributing to the team as early as his freshman year, Adcock said he later developed into a team leader that everyone respected.

“Tyson showed an ability early on to grasp our concepts and what we believed in as a pitching staff,” Adcock said. “He was a sponge, soaked it all up, and had instant success. In professional ball, he has become better at understanding his own mechanics and pitch development and take a stronger role in his own development.”

Matt Amrhein, senior business administration major and right-hand pitcher, said Miller

has confidence that sets him aside from the other players.

“I saw him play before I committed to CBU. I went to a bunch of games my senior year (of high school),” Amrhein said.

“When he was on the mound you knew he meant business and that it was going to be a fun game to watch.”

Miller has lived up to one of the phrases that the baseball team holds: “Make them know.”

“Being able to hear them say Tyson’s name and say he’s from CBU really puts CBU on the map,” Amrhein said. “I met Tyson probably my freshman year and he was such a nice guy, it really made me root for him to make it to the show (MLB).”

Courtesy of Athletics

CJ Masciel, sophomore undeclared major and infield, said Miller’s accomplishments give him something to strive for and learn from.

“We as a team hear stories of guys that once played in the team and how hard they work.

That sets a model to strive for,” Masciel said.

He said from learning and watching Miller and see how much he has accomplished tells him that to get to Miller’s level of play, he has to have an advanced level of work ethic and knowledge of the game.

Miller still comes back to work out at CBU in off seasons and interact with current student athletes.

Tokyo Olympic athletes utilize postponement to further train

BY AIDEN HOBSON

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR The COVID-19 pandemic impacted sporting events across the world. The uncertainty certainty surrounding conditions in different countries and concerns over the safety of athletes, coaches and fans led the International Olympic Committee to postpone the Summer 2020 Olympic Games until 2021.

Now slated to begin in July 2021, the Tokyo games were rescheduled amid fears surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

While this postponement had numerous effects on athletes, coaches and athletic organizations, it also affected collegiate athlete’s training for these games.

Student-athletes in universities across the country had been preparing for the summer 2020 games for years; some even made changes to their academic programs to accommodate their training for the Olympics. Scott Tolman, senior mathematics major and member of the men’s swim team at CBU, has been training for the United States Olympic Trials for years now.

“I actually decided to change my major to get in more practices and take fewer units, which helped me get in the hours I need to train,” Tolman said.

Athletes such as Tolman, who made significant changes to their educational pursuits to train for the Olympics, are now facing difficult decisions with

the postponement of the games.

Lisa Siregar, assistant coach for the men’s and women’s swim teams and a coach for the Indonesian National Team, had a mixed response to the postponement of the games.

“Two things (when I first heard about the postponement of the games): first thing—oh, bummer. We had been getting ready for a year,” Siregar said.

“Second thing—some people were glad they could have another chance to try to make the team for another year.”

Athletes and coaches who invested a significant amount of time in preparation for the games have found themselves suddenly disrupted by a global pandemic and the resulting postponement of the Games.

While many are upset by the sudden and drastic changes in athletics that have occurred because of the coronavirus pandemic, some Olympic sports fans think that this postponement is necessary for the safety of the societies and fair competition.

“My initial thoughts in regard to the 2020 Olympics being postponed is it’s necessary for our community to move forward and have equality when competitions start again,” said Spencer Thompson, sophomore mathematics and Christian studies double major.

Lancer athletes and other athletes impacted by the postponement will continue to practice with the hope the Olympics will return next year.

California Baptist University’s international student-athletes are impacted

by COVID-19 differently than American student-athletes because of worries about travel restrictions, classes and practices.

Athletic seasons at CBU this upcoming 2020-2021 year are constantly changing because of the unpredictability of COVID-19. Some international students had to stay on campus for several months before returning home.

“For now, we do not have much info about when the season is going to be—it can be next spring or it can be next fall,” said Romane Salvador, senior marking major and women’s soccer player.

I got stuck on campus from March all the way until June.

I was able to go home in June for seven weeks, but the time spent on campus I felt was really frustrating and depressing.”

In July, CBU hired Courtney Watson as the new Director of International Student Services. Watson helps international students by communicating with them to check in or provide updates regarding COVID-19 and campus resources. She understands that some student-athletes decided to stay home for safety reasons, but that most international student-athletes returned to campus.

“Many of our students from China were severely impacted by travel restrictions into the United States, with a good portion of our Chinese students electing to study online from home for the semester,” Watson said.

Watson believes that most international students returned to CBU. “However, I would say that the vast majority of students who made that decision did so not due to travel restrictions, but because they felt safer remaining at home or wanted to be close to family. As far as I know, the majority of our international athletes returned for

the semester, but we are still working on auditing that list,” Watson said.

Buse Topcu, swimmer and junior nutrition and food science major, is staying home in Ankara, Turkey, this semester.

Before COVID-19, Topcu suffered from an injury that kept her from competing at the conference and the national championship. As she was recovering, the pandemic began and kept her out of water for five months. Currently, she is practicing twice a day.

“

I am not worrying about the travel ban restrictions right now, but I was worried before.

Buse Topcu, junior swimmer and nutrition and food major

“I am not worrying about the travel ban restrictions right now, but I was worried before,” Topcu said. “I am just thinking about getting back into shape and getting back to where I was for swimming. I know that things will get better and worrying is not going to help me at all.”

The International Center at CBU is available to help international students and wants the international students to feel like they could rely on them with any problem that may arise.

“Reach out to our office if there are any questions or concerns of any nature,” Watson said. “Our staff is more than happy to help, and it would be our privilege to bring some clarity in an uncertain season.

We care deeply for our international students and want to see everyone thrive this school year, despite how different it may look than originally planned. Whether you are here or at home: Let us know how you are doing, and how we can support you.”

With the many changes on campus, international student-athletes at CBU are pushing through time differences, travel restrictions, school and training while waiting for more information regarding their athletic seasons.

SENIOR highlight

NAME:

Brandon Schuster

YEAR:

Senior

MAJOR: Biomedical Engineering

SPORT:

NOTABLE EVENTS:

AT CBU?

• Individual medley • Middle-distance freestyle

Swim

Schuster is staying in New Zealand due to COVID-19 and will not be able to practice back at California Baptist University this season.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT NOT BEING AT CBU? “Competition aside, being around the team is what makes it completely different. We can race whenever we want, but training with the team, having meals in the dining hall, hanging out before and after workouts and everything that makes a team is not there anymore.”

Courtesy of Athletics | Courtesy Photo

Brandon Schuster, senior biomedical engineering major, competing in one of his previous races.

WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR? “I am still very lucky that I am still in CBU because I thought I was going to be done with school last year. But coach let me redshirt the last year and be in the team for an extra year.”

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT POSSIBLY NOT GETTING TO COMPETE IN THIS SEASON? “In this last year I want to enjoy the feeling of being on a college team because this is the last chance in my life. I wanted to enjoy the small moments that we do as a team like the devotionals that we do before meets, chatting around the food table, looking at teammates after the race and chatting in the warm-down pool.”

OPINION

15

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

LANCER ON THE STREET What hobby did you practice over quarantine?

Angela Ruiz Senior Art therapy major

“I did a lot of hiking and being outdoors — that’s generally what I spend my time doing.”

Max Moreno Freshman Architecture major

Bianny Morales Sophomore Pre-nursing student

“I mostly wrote songs on my computer through a computer program.”

“I started drawing and doing arts and crafts with my siblings.”

Alena Record Sophomore Liberal studies major

Anthony Navarro Junior Sociology major

“I did some water color paint- “I played music, with my guitar. And I also picked up a new ing, which was really fun.” hobby of reading.”

Wearing masks should not be political

BY JANE ROBERTUS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

In “unprecedented times” such as the ones we are living in during 2020 it is important to check both the priorities that individuals hold and the priorities of our society as a whole.

With more and more calls to wear a mask, some people have

chosen to interpret this guideline as having political motives.

However, as even more cases of COVID-19 surface, everyone must examine and reconsider their preconceived notions about recommendations on how to stop the spread of a dangerous virus.

According to the CDC website, there are many reasons to wear a mask and many ways in which this can help prevent infection.

Their website also explains face coverings in social settings and what a huge difference it can make in the grand scheme of things.

The website states: “CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing

measures are difficult to maintain.”

The page goes on to highlight how “masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others” and “masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings.”

They explain how anyone can come into contact with COVID-19 and transmit it, whether they know it or not.

This fact makes it all the more important for people to wear a mask or other face covering even if they have no symptoms.

There are exceptions to this, which the CDC also lists on the website’s page discussing masks.

Individuals who have issues breathing and chidlren under

“

It can be incredibly easy to fall victim to the mentality in today’s social climate that wearing a mask is a political statement.

the age of 2 are exceptions, as are people who may be unable to remove the mask themselves.

Their website emphasizes that everyone can play a part in slowing down how rapidly the virus may spread and that one major step to protecting communities and individuals alike from its impact is wearing a mask and keeping social distancing guidlines in mind.

This can be done in the everyday practice of setting aside any personal preference to instead prioritize the safety of others.

It can be incredibly easy to fall victim to the mentality in today’s social climate that wearing a mask is a political statement. However, this mentality potentially endangers individuals who may come into contact with the novel coronavirus The data suggest that different types of masks provide different levels of protection from COVID-19 and the germs related to it, so it is recommended that individuals research this and find out what kinds of face coverings are most effective and ideal for daily life.

As the virus’s impact continues to exist in American society one heavily based around per-

sonal freedoms people may feel their personal freedoms are being suppressed by the requirement to put on face coverings.

Although, this is not reason enough to put others and oneself at risk. Studies have shown that wearing a mask is most effective when everyone is wearing them, not just one person.

Something as simple and effortless as wearing a cloth face covering does not need to signal the violation of an individual’s personal liberties. However many have tried to make it seem that way.

During times such these it is vital to recognize that not everything is politically motivated and there are certain actions that can be taken to slow the spread of the virus and show a Christ-like consideration for others.

Voices of young-voters should Support local businesses still be amplified and used

“

With the 2020 presidental election coming up, young adults must sign up and show up on election day.

BY SOFIA ENEQVIST MANAGING EDITOR

Going into the 2020 election, it is important now more than ever that young adults understand how vital their voices really are.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2018 only 53% of the eligible voting population voted during the midterm election.

Adults from 18-25 years old make up half of the eligible voting population. However, the young adult vote still remains to be one of the lowest voter turnouts.

It can often feel like this generation’s opinions are often suppressed or looked down on by older generations. Despite the criticism, It is important to know that our votes will set the precedent for future generations. How we vote and what we vote on will determine what life looks like for those younger than us.

You can make your voice heard by staying informed on current events, striking up conversations with people about political topics and learning and ask questions. Participating in elections is a great way to exercise your rights as an American citizen. Regardless of who

you support, voting is a civic duty.

People say, “Create the world you want for your children” or “Build a better tomorrow.” However, that cannot be done without using our voices and votes to impact the world.

The same issues dicussed on social media should be considered when voting.

Social media can also be a great way to amplify the voices of those who either cannot vote or have smaller platforms.

In dealing with social media, it is also vital that we do not take everything we read as the truth or promote fake news. The best way to avoid doing this is to do research and fact check what you read before you share.

While using social media as a platform for advocacy and policy change is a great first step in reaching other young adults, it cannot be all that we do. If young adults do not vote to change the policies they are posting about, then when will the real change begin?

According to USA Today, young adult voter turnout rose 20 or more percentage points in California between the 2014 and 2018 election. Even with the impressive raise, it only put the percentage of voting young adults at 36 percent. The other 64 percent of voters is made up of ages 30-65 years or older. The

largest voting population is ages 65 years and older, despite the young adult vote making up a larger percentage of voters.

Voting in the 2020 presidential election will be a huge determining factor in how the future plays out, regardless of political party. You may not care who ends up being president in November, but you might feel differently in few years when the action is irreversible.

Educate yourself on important political topics before voting to ensure that your vote is reflective of your opinion and not the views of others.

The first step in getting ready to vote is to register to vote or check your voter status if it has been a while since you registered. Checking your voter status ensures that all your information is correct, so come election day you will be ready to go. If you are a new voter, the last day to register to vote in California is Oct. 19.

You can use www.vote.org to register to vote or check your voter status online. Once you have registered, there are a few options for how you can vote. The first is voting by mail, after receiving your ballot by mail, fill it out and mail it in to be counted. The second option is to receive your ballot by mail, fill it out and drop it off at a local polling place to be counted. Third, you can go to a local polling place and vote in person. All California registered voters will be mailed a ballot up to 29 days prior to Nov. 3, Election Day. With the 2020 presidential election coming up, young adults must sign up and show up on election day.

BY MISTY SEVERI NATIONAL EDITOR

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious damage to the United States economy.

Although the stay-at-home order was necessary from a health standpoint it caused a major strain on local businesses that now need our help.

Local businessmen and women are the heart of American communities. They bring employment opportunities and innovation to our communities. They are often personal and care about the community because their loyal customers are friends and neighbors.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which offers support and services to small businesses, employment in small businesses has seen a huge drop because of COVID-19 Small businesses are a cornerstone of local communities and the economy. Not only are they owned by people within the community who are now facing serious financial strains, but they also contribute a vast amount of wealth into the local economy when business is going well.

Small businesses also pay attention to the community that surrounds them, they see our needs and create ways to

fulfill them. This is something that should be rewarded, especially in times of economic struggle and uncertainty.

Although there is a place for major corporations such as Amazon and Walmart, they do not bring the personal atmosphere that local establishments offer because their CEOs do not care about the customer on a personal level. They are not our personal friends.

Local businesses also make every city unique. Every large city has chains such as Walmart and McDonald’s and department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy’s but what other city has Molino’s coffee? Or Back to the Grind? Or the Mission Inn? These are businesses that are unique to the Riverside area.

In a recent interview with Linda Sherman-Murick from Cellar Door Bookstore, she to the Banner how different downtown would look without local businesses. This is true, Riverside flourishes in large part because of how rare it is.

Onne of the reasons Riverside so different is because of the relationships the city and the population have with our local businesses.

We have coffee shops, theaters, hotels, bookstores, restaurants and bakeries that are not offered anywhere else.

The Mission Galleria Antique Shoppe allows locals to lease a small space and sell their crafts and antiques is a rare find outside of Riverside.

As college students, it is easy to say we need to save our money. However, giving back to the community in a time of economic uncertainty should still be a priority to young adults.

Local businesses cannot make it on their own during this pandemic. They need customers to continue buying their

products. If you cannot go out into the community because of COVID-19, there are other ways to contribute, such as shopping online. Many businesses have shifted their sales online in order to adapt to the pandemic.

Forbes magazine published an article over the summer about ways we can support our local businesses even if we do not think we currently need the product.

One of these suggestions was the purchase of gift cards, most businesses will sell these and they do not expire, which makes them valuable in the future.

They can also make good gifts with the holidays around the corner because they help the business and introduce friends to new places.

For example, some people may not know of Molino’s coffee, and giving them a gift card introduces them to the coffee shop and gives Molino’s a potential new customer. They can also be a fun addition to raffles.

Other places, such as local gyms, offer online classes that customers can take from their home.

Although they do not have the face-to-face experience, it is a way the gym can still bring in money and interact with its customers.

In addition to local businesses, more people are starting their own side businesses.

College students are getting into arts and crafts and launching Etsy shops and doing their best to earn a little extra.

If you have money to spare, purchasing items from friends is a great way to help them and help their business flourish.

Giving money to those in need is a great way to share God’s message, and it is important to help others even in scary and unprecedented times.

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ETC.

September 11, 2020 · Volume 68 · Issue 1

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