Issue 2

IN THIS ISSUE

Funk band rocks GMC Tower of Power performed at the Green Music Center.

PAGE 5.

Mark your calendars

Associated Students at SSU is planning events through September.

PAGE 7.

Check the score

SSU Men’s soccer team battled against Seattle Pacific last week.

PAGE 6.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2021

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

STAR // Jacqueline Garcia The body of Rohner Park local, Saul Morales-Ramirez, was discovered in the campus Butterfly Garden last February.

COURTESY // Instagram Hugo Ramirez, nicknamed “Hugs,” is remembered by students and teammates for his genuine smile.

Butterfly Garden death ruled a suicide ISAAC LOPEZ

STAFF WRITER

Scholarship fund started in honor A of student killed crossing street JEFFREY AVINA STAFF WRITER

F

riends, family, and the SSU community continue to mourn the loss of SSU student Hugo Ramirez, 21, who was struck and killed by a moving vehicle on July 5 while crossing the street adjacent to Sonoma State University campus over the summer. His tragic passing has since inspired a scholarship fund in his name to preserve his legacy as a member of the Seawolf community.

Hugo “Hugs” Ramirez was a member of the Men’s soccer team here at SSU in 2019 and was also on the Dean’s List last semester, Spring 2021. He was also a fourth year senior in the business program and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business financial management.

Hugo was crossing the street on the southern side of East Cotati Ave. when he was hit near the center median. The car was driven by Ronald Gaither, 19, who, after striking Ramirez, drove further down the road before pulling into a neighborhood and contacting local police.

While unsure of the details and specifics of the event, the police did forensic downloads of both Ramirez’s and Gaither’s devices to try and find anything that might point to why the crash happened in the first place. No new information has been released.

The Hugo Ramirez Scholarship Fund began as a way to help fund the funeral, but has since grown into something greater. Kathleen Mazolewki started a GoFundMe on behalf of Rosemarie Ramirez and the Ramirez family. GoFundMe.com is a crowdsourcing platform that allows anyone to accept donations ranging from fundraisers, memorials, nonprofits, and education. As of Monday, the page has $47,100 in donations and is growing every single day. The page pivoted from a funeral fund to a scholarship fund on August 1.

“We want Hugo to continue making an impact. So, we have decided to continue collecting donations to create a scholarship fund in his name.” This, along with a statement from the organizer, was posted to the page to change the direction of the Scholarship Fund.

fter nearly half a year of continuous investigation, autopsy results, toxicology screenings, and witness and peer interviews, the Sonoma State Police Department made a statement about the cause of death of Saul Morales-Ramirez, concluding that the 23-year-old was a victim of suicide.

Early morning on February 26th, 2021 several community members were walking around Sonoma State University’s Butterfly Garden where they unexpectedly ran into the deceased man. The community members who found him made a 911 phone call just before 8 a.m. and directed emergency personnel to Morales-Ramirez. They have no known affiliation with him.

After much investigation conducted by the Sonoma State University Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department Coroner’s Division, the two departments finally came to a conclusion about the cause of death. When requested by the STAR, a toxicology report and further details regarding the incident were denied.

“Unfortunately, this was a case of suicide. I wish that we would have known about him so that we could have gotten him the mental health assistance he needed,” said campus police chief Nader Oweis. “This was a tragic incident, and my condolences go out and my thoughts are with his family that are still dealing with his loss to this day.”

Following Oweis’ explanation of the cause of Morales-Ramirez’s death, he went on to explain that this traumatic incident means a lot more than just a tragic death; it was a loss for the entire community and everyone who knew the young man.

Although Morales-Ramirez was not affiliated with Sonoma State University, he was still a valued member of our small community here in Sonoma County. Morales-Ramirez was a 2016 graduate of Petaluma High School and lived in Rohnert Park. see CAUSE OF DEATH on pg. 4

see HUGO RAMIREZ on pg. 4

COURTESY // Creative Commons A decline in enrollment has left Sonoma State University emptier with each passing semester.

California schools suffering from Recalls and revenge on the nationwide decline in enrollment

STAR // Isabelle Barkey A man collecting signatures for the campaign to recall Gavin Newsom last February sits at his information booth.

ballot this September

JESSICA STERNFELD STAFF WRITER

S

onoma County has a very small but significant ballot coming up on September 14. There are two items on the ballot: the recall contests of Governor Gavin Newsom and District Attorney Jill Ravitch.

This is the second time there has been a gubernatorial recall on the ballot in California. The other time was the successful recall of Governor Grey Davis in 2003. see POLITICAL TENSIONS on pg. 4

MARY HELEN ROWELL STAFF WRITER

A

cross California, colleges are still struggling with a decrease in enrollment numbers as most have yet to recover from last spring where the entire nation experienced one of the largest enrollment declines.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, who published a report in June of 2021 about spring enrollment across the country, “Overall spring enrollment fell to 16.9 million from 17.5 million, marking a one-year decline of 3.5 percent or 603,000 students, seven times worse than the decline a year earlier.”

The report then goes on to state, “Among all age groups, traditional college-age students decline the most (-5% age 18-24), largely attributable to their steep losses at community colleges (-13.2%). Adult students (25 or older) on the other hand, show a 2 to 3% gain at public four-year and private four-year colleges.” see SONOMA STATE on pg. 4

2 Editorial THE STAR

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Remote learning: Why do some Seawolves miss taking classes from home?

Editorial Board

Kylie Rose Lawrence, Editor-in-Chief Callie Adams, News Editor Moragh Graf, Opinion Editor Cheyenne Carroll, Arts & Entertainment Editor Myles Grabau, Student Life Editor Emily Cripe, Sports & Health Editor Isabelle Barkey, Photo Editor Corinne Asturias, Faculty Adviser Staff Writers Jayline Alvarado, Alexis Gonzalez, Jhery Mae Monteza, Adrienne Moon, Jake Morrissey, Pedro Ortega Perez, Nicholas Roth, Mary Helen Rowell, Dana Scacco, Joshua Silva, Addison Smith, Jessica Sternfeld, Clea Upcher

Photographers Ileana Aleman, Jacqueline Garcia, Diana Ortiz

Nichols Hall 323, 1801 East Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Telephone: 707-664-2776 Business & General Inquiries: sonomastatestar@gmail.com Corrections and News Tips: star@sonoma.edu

Editor’s Pick This week’s can’t miss article:

“Tournaments replace intermurals on campus” Read the article on page 9.

Have an opinion?

We’d like to hear from you!

The STAR welcomes letters to the editor

Publication The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Sonoma Media Group. The weekly publication of the STAR is made possible by Instructionally Related Activities Funding.

Opinions

Opinions expressed in the STAR are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the STAR or SSU. The editorial reflects the views of the STAR Editorial Board on issues it considers to be of particular relevance to the campus community.

Letters to the Editor

Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts.

The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication.

COURTESY // Instagram

PEDRO ORTEGA PEREZ STAFF WRITER

T

hrough this past year, remote learning has been the most common - if not the only - option for schools across the country to continue teaching through a global pandemic.

Students have complained about this method of learning for reasons such as not being able to make social connections, troubles with ability to retain information, professors not replying in time to questions, or simply the eye strains that come with sitting in front of a computer all day.

There are different ways in which online learning schedules can work.

There is bisynchronous, in which the class meets on alternating days of the week; synchronous, where the students meet regularly without skipping any meetings; and asynchronous, where the students do not meet at all and the course is taught via a series of pre-recorded lectures and materials provided on canvas.

Larissa Hernandez, a biology major here at SSU, is a fan of the asynchronous method of learning. It allows her to work at her own pace and to fit her school schedule around her work schedule. With her job being more than 80 miles away, the ability to see content in advance allows her to balance her job and education.

“Some classes don’t have a time set to meet up, and I am able to choose what time works for me to see the lectures that the professors posted. If it is a long class the videos are broken up into different parts, which make it easier as it allows for breaks in between videos and not having to sit there the whole lecture time,” said Hernandez.

Similarly, Stephanie Bautista, a criminal justice major, uses asynchronous classes to her advantage, as it allows for homework to be turned in or completed on her own schedule. Not having to commute to classes frees up more of her time.

“It allows me to be able to complete my homework assignments whenever I have the chance during the week, specifically with asynchronous classes. It allows you to learn at your own pace,” said Bautista.

In person classes are more appealing to some because it allows them to

speak to their classmates and make new friends. It even helps with stepping out of one’s comfort zone and can help develop confidence in regards to talking to others.

However, to the students who can be a bit shy, remote learning can be a great way to step out of their comfort zone, without having to step outside their house. Alyssa Hummel, another criminal justice major, has used remote learning to her benefit in that regard.

“Distance learning has helped me feel more comfortable with reaching out to people outside of class. When we were in person I rarely talked to anyone outside of class, but with things being virtual, I now feel comfortable privately messaging people and asking for their number or email. I’m not sure if that’s because I have less social anxiety because I’m on a computer or what - but, being virtual has allowed me to make more connections with my peers,” said Hummel.

Remote learning has financial benefits, as well. It allows some students to stay home and not worry about the cost of housing and other expenses that come with moving to campus.

“I believe there are financial benefits because being remote allows you to stay off-campus and avoid commuting, which saves you money,” stated Bautista.

However, even though some expenses can be kept at bay with remote learning, some are inevitable and students still have to pay full price for them.

“I was pretty upset with how Sonoma State was still having us pay for on campus amenities like the Health Center and Recreation Center, even though these things were basically inaccessible for those of us who were living at home.

They also increased the price of tuition, as well as housing rates, which does not make much sense to me,” said Hummel.

Online learning comes with positive and negative attributes. Some argue that it is taxing on one’s mental health, while others find it beneficial. Whether the positive outweighs the negative is up for individual interpretation, but after a gloomy year, it is important to reflect on the positives of remote learning, as some often get lost in the negatives.

Editorial Policy: The commentary expressed in the unsigned editorial represents a majority opinion of the STAR Editorial Board on a topic facing the campus community in keeping with journalistic precedents of other major newspapers, and may not be shared by all staff writers. The board encourages readers to write letters to the editor about all topics, including the editorial.

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Opinion 3

Rising textbook prices cause inaccessibility

ADRIENNE MOON STAFF WRITER

As a college student, the thought of textbooks being expensive has probably popped into your mind at one time or another. Along with this thought, many wonder why something that is so vital to education is also so costly. Many students also believe that textbooks are inaccessible due to their high prices.

In general, it seems that when asked, “Do you believe that textbooks are expensive?” students will say yes. Gabriel Amen, a recent graduate from Sonoma State, said that textbooks can “range from $50-$300, depending on the book.”

However, the matter is not always black and white because, as Jessie Hobbs, a senior at Sonoma State, pointed out, “There are some teachers who acknowledge this and get us free PDF versions, find us cheaper options, or upload pages from the book so students don’t need to spend extra money on top of tuition.”

This can reassure some students, as they do not need to buy a copy of their own textbook for each class. As most students only use their textbook for one semester, this solution can be a great help with expenses.

The California Public Interest Research Group states, “Over the past 4 decades, the price of books has increased three times faster than inflation.” They also said that around 65% of stu-

dents continue to skip purchasing textbooks because the price is too high.

In contrast to the question of textbooks being expensive, when students are asked if they believe that textbooks are easily accessible, the responses tend to vary.

The best example of this was Hobbs’ response, “You can get them both at the bookstore and online, but the bookstore runs out really fast and if you order online you have to wait for it to get delivered and hope it gets to you before you need it to do assignments.”

Amen’s responses seemed to be more on the positive side, by stating, “I do believe that textbooks are easily accessible because depending on the school, you can get them from the school themselves or you have options such as Amazon and also if not there you can view them online if there is a PDF of the book you need.”

Drew Gross, another SSU student, believes, “They are easy to find through mySSU when looking at the bookstore link at the bottom. They are printed on the syllabus and I can find them by going to mySSU, and being directed to the bookstore page makes it even easier.”

However, a response that ties to the question of textbooks being expensive is Amanda Burke’s, a senior at Sonoma State. She states, “I do not believe textbooks are easily accessible due to financial constraints of many students.”

It seems as though the accessibility of textbooks work hand-in-hand with how expensive they can be. This can lead students to justify not buying textbooks, especially if a student has financial constraints. This shows that there is a major flaw within the academic system that places lower income students at a disadvantage.

The questions of textbooks being expensive or accessible depends greatly on the school, professor, etc. However, it seems that in the end, the best thing for the future of education is for the academic system to be reformed, so everyone can get a quality education regardless of their financial status.

Across the country, students are upset by the rising costs of school materials.

COURTESY // Flickr.com

SSU students partying with return to campus, despite COVID-19 concerns

JAYLINE ALVARADO

A

STAFF WRITER

s students return to campus and in-person instruction, one thing that has followed is the return of parties. Parties are a hotspot for the transmission of COVID-19 and many students believe it is unfair to those attending in-person classes who don’t want their learning to be compromised.

Any other time, students should have the opportunity to have fun and enjoy parties. It’s a good environment to make friends and enjoy the college experience.

However, this isn’t like any other year. Students coming back from a year under lockdown and are now dealing with the threat of the Delta variant. Students are either coming back to campus or finally getting to have a college experience. This return is being threatened by poor decisions from students.

Stephanie Bautista, a fourth year student at Sonoma State, states, “If they really want to have a party it should take place outside where

people can be 6 feet apart and even wear masks. People can party safely but I think everyone is tired of not being able to do most things ‘normally’ because of COVID.” When asked about SSU’s plan to combat COVID on campus, she stated, “The thing that concerns me is that people don’t really need to have a cleared badge to come on campus because no one checks it.”

It’s understandable that students would want a semblance of normalcy.

It’s been a difficult year of online classes and being at home with no chance to meet other people in person.

Another fourth year student who wanted to remain anonymous said, “I believe there have been parties, but I couldn’t say if there have been precautions. It’s pretty selfish sometimes, especially if people aren’t taking precautions.”

Sonoma State isn’t the only campus dealing with COVID and parties. In a news report by NBC 7 San Diego, San Diego State University “reached a critical point last fall when the gatherings contributed to a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. SDSU quarantined its residential students and had to temporarily shut down all in-person classes.”

According to the Press Democrat, there have been nine new deaths over the month of August due to the Coronavirus. Dr. Sundari Mase, the county’s health officer said that, “many of the deaths among unvaccinated residents are among a much younger population than at previous periods in the pandemic.”

A safer way for students to have fun during this time would be to have these events in an open space where social distancing can be enforced. Doing so would allow for the safety not only of students but of the whole Rohnert Park community.

Students being more mindful about their activities will prevent classes from being suspended and lower the transmission rate among campus. After all the efforts made to get students back on campus, it would be sad to see it all go to waste for the sake of a few parties.

If you miss your friends and want to spend time with them, there are safe ways of doing so - like wearing a mask and hanging out outside. Is it really worth someone’s life to go to a party?

4 News

SEPT 7 - SEPT 13, 2021 SONOMASTATESTAR.COM

Political tensions peak this month continued from pg. 1

STAR // Diana Ortiz Mourners have fashioned a memorial on the street where Ramirez died, which is just outside the entrance to campus.

Hugo Ramirez is missed by the campus community continued from pg. 1

Comments on the page range from prayers of peace and love to affirmations of his smile and to the light that he brought with him wherever he went.

Coach Marcus Zeiler of the men’s soccer team said, “He was a great kid, a hard worker, and loved playing soccer. Everyone really liked him. I was really sad about what happened to him and it is still kind of hard to believe.”

A public comment on the GoFundMe page from a donator named Naia Smith read, “Hugo, you chose to be the very best version of yourself and everyone loves and admires you for that. You were a happy young man with the spirit of Aloha and that’s how I’ll always remember you.”

Upon further inspection of Ramirez’s Instagram, it is clear through his feed that there were three things that Ramirez cared for: his family, his sport, and remembering to smile. There were many more comments like Smith’s that cherished his always-smiling attitude and demeanor.

While Ramirez will surely be missed by many, those who knew him can find comfort in seeing how his memory lives on and continues to serve others through the scholarship fund. Those wishing to donate to the fund can do so at GoFundMe.com by searching “Hugo Ramirez Scholarship Fund.”

The main reason for the recall of Newsom, as declared in the official recall statement, is that he “has implemented laws detrimental to the citizens of this state and our way of life.”

Newsom’s response has been to put blame on the Republican Party. His official response to the recall was that “a handful of partisan activists supporting President Trump and his dangerous agenda to divide America are trying to overturn the definitive will of California voters and bring Washington’s broken government to California.”

According to FiveThirtyEight.com the current polls have those wanting to recall Newsom at 43.6% versus those not wanting to recall him at 52.1%. They also place Republican talk radio host Larry Elder as the leading candidate with 22.6%.

FiveThirtyEight has Kevin Paffrath, a financial analyst and Youtuber, as the leading Democratic candidate with 10.2 % of votes.

There are 46 candidates running in the recall election. Of those, 24 are running for the Republican Party and nine for the Democratic Party.

The charges against Ravitch are varied. The official recall statement cites them as “pressing issues of inequality, injustice and fire safety failures.”

This differs slightly from the Recall Ravitch website, which on the “Why Recall” page states nothing about “fire safety failures.” The website instead doubles down on supposed injustices, particularly that “Jill Ravitch has a history of cronyism and hypocracy [sic].”

The biggest contributor to the Recall Ravitch campaign is William Gallaher, a Sonoma county developer.

According to the latest filed committee campaign statement, Gallaher has contributed around $1.5 million dollars through 2020. He donated $632,000 in the month of August alone.

The Voters Opposed to Recalling Ravitch head Terry Price has called this a “revenge recall,” reports the Press Democrat.

A poll done by the Press Democrat in early August had 47 percent of respondents voting to not recall Ravitch but only 26 percent voting for the recall.

Unlike with Newsom, no replacement candidates were able to make it onto the local ballot.

Ravitch has served as district attorney since 2011 and had planned to retire following this term.

Voters seeking to find out more information should visit the website for the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters. They can also find more information from Ballotpedia, a nonpartisan nonprofit, that according to their website, seeks to “inform people about politics by providing accurate and objective information.”

Anyone who wants to register to vote should visit registertovote.ca.gov.

Unfortunately, the deadline to register for the September 14 election has passed, but you can still register for future elections. Anyone 16 or 17 can also pre-register at the same website.

Sonoma State among California schools with declining enrollment continued from pg. 1

California colleges seem to be getting hit the hardest in terms of drops in undergraduate enrollments.

“California is doing worse than the national averages by 1 or

2 percentage points in terms of the declines this spring compared with last,” said Doug Shapiro, executive director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, in a quote for the Los Angeles Times.

There is no doubt that these enrollment declines are a result

STAR // Jacqueline Garcia The body of Saul Morales-Ramirez was located among the winding paths of the Butterfly Garden, a popular outdoor destination for Rohnert Park locals.

Butterfly Garden death determined as suicide

of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether due to financial struggles, online classes, or any other number of issues that have only worsened since the start of the pandemic, more and more students are finding themselves opting out of college all together.

In June of 2020, the Press Democrat reported that Sonoma

State University was expected to see a “20% decline in enrollment

continued from pg. 1

among incoming freshman and up to an 8% drop campus-wide, as faculty and staff brace for an academic year clouded by budget cuts

and unbalanced by students still working out where school fits in the

increase in issues with mental health and stability all around the world affecting everyone

midst of a global pandemic and nationwide recession.”

in different ways. Locals believe that Morales-Ramirez’s tragic case should serve as a

wake-up call to different communities to take mental health a lot more seriously so that

Last March, the Sonoma State Star reported that the university

Since the start of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic

was dealing with a financial deficit of $9.2 million because of a decline

events like this do not ever happen again.

in enrollment starting in 2015, has only continued to worsen with the

pandemic.

or not, needs help, we hope that they can ask for themselves; or if they know somebody

that needs help, they should reach out without delay so that they can receive the proper

Unfortunately, there does not seem to be much public

“If anybody in the community here, regardless of whether or not they go to SSU

information available on Fall 2021 semester enrollment statistics.

care that they need,” says Oweis. “If we can prevent another tragic loss like this one, we

However, the U.S. News & World Report website reports that

want to do whatever we can to help.”

enrollment at SSU for 2021 was 8,649.

While this is not

Oweis then goes on to say the number of resources out there that can help people

too far of a decrease from the last three to five years, this number does

who are going through mental health issues.

not account for lack of students physically on campus.

With a much smaller campus population, the university faces a serious

the County Office of Behavioral Health, the crisis stabilization, there is a safe program, the

lack of funds that would normally have come from housing, meal

mobile support team, there are officers, peers, religious groups, nonprofit organizations,

plans, and other on-campus resources.

and even a 1-800 suicide counseling line. There are a lot of resources for people to be able

to tap into even if they just want to talk to somebody.”

Despite all the struggles, the university is thrilled to welcome

“It doesn’t matter if you have insurance or not,”explains Oweis. “There is CAPS,

students back to campus and as University President Judy Sakaki

wrote in an update from the president on August 26, “There is comfort

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) so that they may access all the resources

and joy in returning to shared day-to-day experiences, even as we

available to them. CAPS has crisis counselors available 24/7 and can be reached at (707)

continue to adapt to the ever-changing challenges of the pandemic.”

664-2153. Visit the CAPS website for more information.

Anyone struggling with mental health issues here on campus should reach out to

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Arts & Entertainment 5

Green Music Center hosts iconic funk and soul band Tower of Power

CLÉA UPCHER

STAFF WRITER

T

he Green Music Center hosted the Bay Area’s Tower of Power on Saturday, Sept. 4 as part of its Summer at the Green series. Established in Oakland in 1968, Tower of Power, or TOP, has been at the forefront of the funk and soul music genres for over 50 years.

“Tower of Power are Bay Area funk and soul icons… They continue to deliver new and exciting music, while also performing their classic hits with the same signature sound they had when they formed in 1968,” wrote Andy Shepherd, Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications for the GMC. With around 2,000 guests in attendance, it was clear that TOP’s influence stretches well beyond the Bay. “Tower of Power is one of the most influential funk/soul bands of all time. You can hear their impact in a lot of new music. They have a history of over 50 years and still bring high energy to the stage and sound as good as ever,” wrote Jacob Yarrow, Executive Director at the GMC, in an email.

With some concert-goers inside the GMC’s main hall, and the rest sprawled across the expansive yard right behind the building, sitting on blankets, lawn chairs, and numerous picnic tables, there is something for everyone at the GMC events. The lawn and interior hall are connected when the GMC opens up the large back wall, creating the perfect indoor/ outdoor situation, and making it safer for those inside with added ventilation.

There were plenty of food and drink vendors on-site, allowing those outdoors to savor local offerings while enjoying the performance.

“We’ve seen lower ticket sales than we did pre-pandemic, but we’re still very happy with the expected turnout for the show,” wrote Shepherd.

The team at the GMC selects artists to perform based on the tastes of students and the community. The energy at the GMC was electric; it was clear that everyone in attendance was excited to be there. There was dancing and clapping in seats, and the lead singer encouraged the audience to get up and move on multiple occasions.

“Our mission is to present the most compelling artists of our time and provide access to diverse artistic experiences that educate, connect and inspire… Numerous artists are selected based on their ability to connect with students and our communities outside of the concert hall...” stated Shepard in an email.

The GMC’s attention to detail does not go unnoticed by those in attendance as Stacey Cook, Davis resident and huge TOP fan, said, “This is an amazing venue. I’ve been a fan [of TOP] since the 70s. They are all

musicians, and they are very skilled. They know the music, they know the timing, they’re connected to the community and to Oakland. They’ve been around for 50 years and they’re still making new music!”

This event was successful in bringing together an audience composed of fans from Sonoma County and beyond.

“I grew up in San Francisco, and have been a fan since Lenny Williams was with the group. This [show] really took me back! It’s food for the soul,” stated Kathy, a Santa Rosa resident.

Summer at the Green will continue for another two weeks, with a performance by the legendary Beach Boys coming up Friday, Sept. 17. “[Students] can expect to have a good time [at the GMC], and perhaps discover something new and revealing. They can also expect to pay $10 for most any show, which is one of the ways we provide access to the performances,” stated Yarrow.

Check out the GMC’s website to learn more about upcoming shows and events.

STAR // Cléa Upcher Popular funk and soul band Tower of Power performed at the GMC on Sept. 4, 2021.

Kugelplex kicks off the Jewish Music Series DANA SCACCO

STAFF WRITER

J

ewish band Kugelplex performed for Sonoma State University’s Jewish Music Series on Thursday, Sept. 2 outside Schroeder Hall. For the seventh year in a row, the Jewish Studies Department and the Department of Music presented this free and public series to highlight Jewish musical excellence.

Kugelplex was formed in 2001, and the group plays soulful dance music at concerts, festivals and Jewish cultural events throughout the United States. According to Kugelplex’s website, the band describes themselves as “the West Coast’s most rockin’-est purveyor of Klezmer and old-world party music.”

During the opening of their performance, Kugelplex’s manager and clarinet player Jason Ditzian, expressed how significant the

concert at Sonoma State was to the band.

“This is a special concert because we haven’t played together since the pandemic. There was a time where we didn’t know when we would be playing again and what our music community would look like, so this is really amazing and special for us,” said Ditzian.

The band played Klezmer music, which is a musical genre used by the Ashkenazi Jews of Central and Eastern Europe. The music consists of dance tunes and ritual melodies, and is widely played at weddings and traditional social gatherings.

The Jewish Studies Program Director, Brian Wilson, gave his perspective on the event. “This was the first live concert the music department has put on in a year and half.

Kugelplex is a high energy Klezmer band and they delivered an electrifying perfor-

STAR // Diana Ortiz On Sept. 2, 2021 local Sonoma County community member enjoying the Jewish Music Series part of SSU’s music department.

mance.

I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our seventh season of The Jewish Music Series,” said Wilson.

The concert was attended by about 50 people and several students enrolled in the Jewish Music Survey course at SSU watched the concert.

Haley Otis, an undeclared third year student in the Jewish Music Survey class, shared her thoughts and favorite moments from the performance. “My favorite part of the concert was watching the clarinet performance because of all the musician’s techniques. All the solos were really cool, and I really enjoyed the whole thing. I was tapping my feet and jamming out,” she said.

Otis appreciated that the band’s performance took place outside. “I liked the outside atmosphere with the wind and sun surrounding us. I noticed that during one song where the tune was picking up, the wind started to pick up as well. I thought that was really awesome,” said Otis.

Kugelplex performed a variety of tunes for about 90 minutes and played songs used for traditional gatherings and weddings. One of the band members incorporated Arabic tunes, and the vocalists featured popular Romain dance songs.

Otis explained why she thought the concert and taking Jewish studies courses are important. “The concert helped spread multiple cultures and lifestyles by even including Arabic and Romanian tunes. A lot of people in the Jewish studies class are not Jewish at all, and the course allows people to become more aware of the Jewish community. I dig the music and now I find myself listening to it in my free time. I think it’s fascinating,” she said.

Abby Reitman, a fourth year English major, gave her perspective on Sonoma State’s Jewish Music Series as a Jewish student herself.

“I appreciate that these events take place on our campus.

I think having Jewish music performances[are] super important, especially during the rise of antisemitism that has occurred on college campuses in the last 5 years. A lot of people don’t say they are Jewish because they are scared of backlash, so I think these events that showcase the Jewish culture are very cool. These concerts give Jewish people a place to go and a place to relate to others. It really is a bonding experience,” said Reitman.

For more information on the Jewish Music Series and a full list of the performers for this season check out the music department webpage at music.sonoma.edu.

6 Student Life

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

COURTESY // Instagram Advocacy At SSU talks to students at the Academic Success Fair about the confidential advocacy services they provide and how they help provide students with a safe place to share their troubles.

Academic Success Fair helps students network in Sonoma ADDISON SMITH STAFF WRITER

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his past week, the Academic Success Fair allowed for students to come together and connect with their peers in a way that wasn’t quite possible last year. The fair held a brand new meaning this year, because it brought students together to discuss goals and interests for after college, and presented some new ideas for those who might need a little more direction. The Sonoma School of Education and other on-campus programs made an appearance to bring a better sense of what our school can do for students.

On-campus organizations, such as Associated Students, set up tables to offer up the latest activities, as well as giving our students the opportunity to ask for or request events they would be interested in for the 2021-2022 academic year. Another table for the Learning and Academic Resource Center at Sonoma (LARC) offered up ways on how students can succeed academically through their resources located on the first floor of the library. The tabling and discussions with various school-wide activities was enlightening, and also led to many students considering their futures and what resources they can access on campus.

Mo Phillips, coordinator of the Academic Success Fair, shared a bit about what she

thinks this event means for the school as a whole.

“We want students to learn more about the community they have become a part of.

How it brings students together is kind of two fold … one is physically here in the plaza, as they make connections and plant the seeds to taking a step towards the opportunities that we are providing, and secondly, I think it’s when they do make the connections outside of the plaza...stopping in the offices, going to the club meetings, having shared experiences with other students - that’s what builds communities.”

This event proves that Sonoma State is in for a ‘normal’ school year. While many students went into the event with curiosity and interest, they left with new ideas and opportunities to succeed here at Sonoma State. At our university, we have many opportunities and resources that are offered up to us that many students might not know about.

A strong example of this would be with Campus Confidentiality, and we spoke to Susan Poledo who is their advocate on-campus.

She is here to offer a helping hand to students struggling with sexual assault, partner violence, and domestic abuse among other things. Poledo states that “[students] asked great questions and learned a lot about Cam-

pus Confidential Advocacy as well as ways to prevent sexual violence which definitely contributes to academic success.” Susan welcomes students to book an appointment for a Zoom meeting with her at https://calendly.com/pulidosu.

Many of the opportunities and resources available to students were ones that would set them up for a successful future here at Sonoma State.This fair opens the door to students in a number of different ways, and this door might lead to a hand in student government, a position in Student Involvement or Associated Students. The future is bright for many students here at SSU and this fair might be a tool that many students latch on to and look back on when they’re seniors or even beyond.

The four hour event offered up many new and exciting ideas for the future of Sonoma State students and how they can further interact with the school, whether it be through the LARC, the campus police for safety, or the library for studying and other resources.

This event further proves that Sonoma State is ready for a ‘normal’ year and shows just how diverse and inclusive our campus community is. The resources seen at the fair and others like it can be found throughout our SSU and library websites.

The HUB welcomes students with open arms JHERY MAE MONTEZA STAFF WRITER

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reating a community that welcomes students from different cultures, The HUB helps to create connections with students of different backgrounds in the SSU community, sparking conversations around the ideas of equity and inclusivity. The HUB’s mission statement is “honoring the past, uniting the present, and building the future”.

The HUB is a place where students are welcomed to explore the true meaning of an authentic community. With this fact in mind, students are encouraged to share who they truly are. In essence, students may share their identities, perspectives, opinions, emotions, questions and concerns with trusted members of the HUB. This is one of the HUB’s main goals in order to bring together, unite students, and provide a safe space with a sense of community.

The HUB envisions a world where all people, in all of the different races and cultures, are given the same amount of equitable access to common resources. With this vision in mind, the HUB’s awareness of the inequality, discrimination, and degradation in the world inspired them to start with SSU students in their community to build a more compassionate, and loving community.

They advocate cultural expression and creativity among students as they believe that it is necessary to well-being, social movements, and innovation. The HUB’s belief in thoughtful social change as a necessity, and achieving their vision and these social changes is how they imagine social justice will be in a global context.

The HUB’s main goal is to build a community that will nurture connections between students from different cultures. They seek to understand each other’s different life circumstances that help shape a person’s identity and views. When learning and understanding these different circumstances, they hope to teach the students in this community to heal, grow, and create a culture of connection and community; which can help deepen the understanding of the different dynamics between gender, race, sexuality, nationality, etc.

The HUB offers many services, and even if they don’t have the particular help students are seeking, they have the resources to reach out to someone who does.

The HUB has a microwave, toaster oven, and refrigerator which is located behind their living room. They encourage students to use them because they realize that for most students, campus is a home away from home.

The HUB library has a wide range of books and it is open to anyone at SSU. Students can check out a book with a student assistant or professional staff member. After all, the HUB is all about sharing stories and knowledge in a comfortable space.

The HUB Cultural Center is open for anyone at SSU to use for meetings and events free of charge, but HUB programs and events are prioritized. The form to request the use of their meeting space can be found on their website under “book our space”. Furthermore, the HUB is a platform that can help promote events. Students and faculty can email them at: thehub@sonoma.edu, to advertise for events in their social media outlets and weekly newsletters. If there are any people, programs, or events that you would like to see at SSU the HUB can collaborate with students to bring it to campus. The HUB has ongoing programs for students to explore and expand their values, identities, and more. They want to be able to create an environment where students feel comfortable and safe enough to discuss heavy issues. Spoke! is a monthly series showcasing popular poets and musicians, and is also a space where students can share their talent.

Real Talk series is an event where students are able to share the ups and downs of identifying as Latinx/Chicanx. Black & Series is a conversation for people who identify as Black and allies. Each month includes a topic or event that aims to help students of different cultural backgrounds feel included and to “find their crowd.” The Trans and Gender Questioning group is led by HUB students interns and is a space for trans and gender questioning students to find support and information about trans-specific resources and sharing experiences. These are a few examples of the ongoing programs the HUB has, and more can be found on the HUB website under “programs and events”. Students can also sign up for their weekly newsletter to find out more about the HUB, and what they will be offering in the future.

Ultimately, the HUB is a place where all students from different racial and cultural backgrounds can create connections with each other despite their differences.

The HUB is a safe haven for students who classify as a person of color, where they’ll be able to voice their own opinions or views without the fear of being judged or misunderstood. Every student who enters the HUB is welcomed with open arms and should feel safe and comfortable with expressing who they truly are.

COURTESY // Sonoma.edu The HUB is a place where students are welcomed to explore the true meaning of an authentic campus community.

STAR // Ashley Cobb Georgia Anselmo (middle) and Polly Smith (right), a third year Film major, talk about the definition of masculinity at “It’s a Guy Thing”, hosted by the HUB.

Student Life 7

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

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Associated Students plans to host a number of events throughout September SIERRA HARVEY STAFF WRITER

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fter the success of ASP’s Lil Big Nite, many students may be wondering - what’s next? In the era of online classes and social distancing, it’s hard to find a way to get involved on campus without adding to school stress. There are hundreds of ways to get involved on campus but it can be hard to meet new people or even know where to start. Our Associated Students on campus make it their express mission that students feel welcome, safe and included in campus life.

Most importantly, they are working hard this semester to bring us fun and lively events to get people out of the house and socializing with their peers again.

The goal of these events and the mission statement of AS is to provide “educational, community building and entertaining events’’ for the student body, says Maia Madrigal, one of six ASP Event Directors serving campus this year. Madrigal, a third year student at SSU, is most excited for Bowling Night, which happens on the first Thurs. of every month and has been SSU tradition for 8 years running. On that first Thurs., Double Decker Lanes is packed with students talking, laughing, and rolling some devastating gutter balls. From the moment you walk in you’re met with cheering, laughing and the unmissable Lobo the Seawolf dancing up and down past all the packed lanes. It is a great tradition that every student should experience at least once during their time at SSU. While the first bowling night has already passed just a week ago, there are many more lined up to attend before the end of the semester.

Another event causing buzz in the AS department is the Fall Fest, which is happening on Oct. 22, starting at 5 p.m. It’s geared towards students living on campus who might not have access to a car or a way to make it to pumpkin patches and other Fall activities that pop up all around Sonoma County this time of year. The event will be all things autumn and cozy, and as Madrigal says, “it’s all about making campus feel welcoming and helping students feel really at home here.” So bring an apple-cider, bundle up, and bring your friends to a wonderfully cozy Fall experience.

The other events for this month include: A virtual open mic night the 16thwhere students are encouraged to come and share original music, poetry and even comedy skits! On Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. AS is also hosting Disney drawing night where an artist will tune in via zoom and teach SSU students step by step how to draw iconic disney characters. The final September event is cupcake and comedy night with comedian Cristela Alonzo, the first Latina woman to create her own sitcom in 2014 and voice of “Cruz Ramirez” in Cars 3, which will be held on the 28 of this month at 7 p.m. Students will also get to ask Alonzo questions and have a lively meet and

COURTESY // @ssu_asp on Instagram SSU ASP is kicking the Fall 2021 semester off with a bang, and is hosting multiple events throughout September for all students to enjoy.

greet. Focusing on fun events, there is truly something for everyone.

This semester will also include celebrations of Latinx Heritage Month, which ranges from Sept. 15 to Oct 15, where we honor the people, culture and civil rights movements in the Latinx community. ASP will be sponsoring related events for our Latinx students and anyone else who wants to attend and learn more about Latinx culture. The events include: a Lotería game night where students can enter and win cash prizes totalling 500 dollars, as well as a Zoom webinar welcoming the fearless labor activist and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. Huerta, an American labor activist, co-founded the National Farmworkers Association, with Cesar Chavez, to bring better wages and working conditions to farm workers across the country.

ASP is also looking for volunteers this semester. The ASP PALS (Planning and Logistic support) is designed to get students involved with a low commitment and students will get a free gift for volunteering! If students are interested in assisting AS in setting up these events, they are welcome to go up to the second floor of the student center and ask about the program today.

If you feel lost in the shuffle and need a way to relax or get involved on campus, there is sure to be an event for you this semester. Make sure to follow AS on Instagram (@as_sonoma) to hear more about what’s coming up for the Fall semester!

Seawolves SPEAK!

ISABEL EPSTEIN

“How have you dealt with transitioning back to in-person classes?”

STAFF WRITER

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lmost a year and a half ago, students and faculty across the nation were forced to make the difficult transition to virtual learning, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many, this adjustment was stressful and left them feeling unprepared. For those who already had experiences with online classes, the virtual world of learning was seemingly easier to navigate. By the end of the Spring ‘21 semester, some students had even come to prefer attending classes online. Online learning allows for more flexibility in one’s schedule and to fidget in class without having to worry about disrupting those around them. The challenges that presented themselves in the early stages of online learning were lack of motivation, a decline in mental health, bad internet connection, low attendance rates, and more. These barriers eventually fizzled out and became easier to deal with as this mode of learning became part of our “new normal”. With vaccination rates on the rise and the assumption that the COVID-19 pandemic was nearing the end, many

students were left wondering what the next school year would look like.

On March 1, the university sent out an email that said, “We look forward to welcoming you back to a re-energized campus that is safe, healthy, and follows local public health guidelines”. This news stirred up a mix of emotions and also shed some light on a rather somber college experience several Seawolves had experienced thus far. Many students were given the option to choose which mode of learning was the best fit for them. However, a portion of our student body were left with no choice but to commute from near and far due to required classes that are going through with in-person instruction. This year, roughly 43% of classes are being held in-person, The Kitchens and Sip are open for business, on top of the Recreation Center and library being open for students to use. After 17 long months of staring at computer screens, it is nice to finally be able to wave and smile at friends on the way to class.

“The transition to in-person classes is exciting but difficult. It feels like I’m a freshman all over again because it’s set up differently than last year.”

“It’s different because I can’t just roll out of bed and go to class. I think inperson is better in general because I feel like I’m learning more instead of getting distracted by my phone.”

-Cora Fernandez-Hamilton, Sophomore, Philosophy/Dance Major

-Sean Pauly, Sophomore, Business Major

“Although it is refreshing to be back on campus, the only issue I’m having is time management just because I have a short window in-between my online classes to get to my in-person classes.”

“Since I only have one in-person class this semester, it is not too overwhelming for me. I learn better in person so it’s nice to have a small transition rather than having all classes in-person.”

-Andrew Vo, Junior, Communications Major

-Cheyenne Dredge, Sophomore, Undeclared

“It’s nice because we get to actually see people walking around. It’s more motivating because you see other people being productive and it’s easier to learn in-person.”

-Davina Bisha, Senior, Biology Major

“The biggest transition has been having to focus more on what’s actually happening in class because you can’t look back at it later like you could with a recorded zoom class.”

-Dylan Leonard, Sophomore, Business Major

8

Health

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

PCR testing is officially declared the ‘gold standard’

Sonoma County began distributing vaccines at Sonoma County’s wellknown fairground in the Jockey Club by appointment earlier this year.

STAR // Andrew Savedra

ALEX GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER

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s the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, new ways of improving and streamlining the testing process are always emerging. The new preferred method of testing in most places is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, and counties all over the country are deeming this the most effective way to screen for the virus.

PCR testing involves a nasal swab with the intention of collecting a mucus sample, which is then used to detect the presence of COVID-19. Given that it takes a day or two to get the results back, it’s seen as the most timely and accurate COVID-19 test.

When asked about the preferred method of COVID testing for Sonoma State University students and staff, Tracy Eaton, interim director of the Student Health Center states that the PCR test is, “ The gold standard for COVID testing. Definitely our preferred testing method.” The other test that is offered on campus is the antigen COVID test. It is a rapid test, meaning that results can be expected within 15 to 30 minutes of the nasal swab.

In a comparison to the antigen test, Eaton said, “The PCR is a more accurate test.”

At times, the campus may use the antigen tests, but their ideal method is PCR due to its accuracy.

An article published on the Sonoma County Health website states, “As part of this transition to private testing, the Department of Health Services will no longer be providing rapid antigen tests… Going forward, only PCR tests will be provided.”

By only using PCR tests, health officials are preventing false positive and false negative results that may come with the antigen rapid tests. Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase explains that the use of antigen tests proves to be more useful to those experiencing symptoms and for routine tests of high-risk groups.

COURTESY // Instagram COVID-19 disproportionately affects impoverished communities.

On campus, nasopharyngeal and nasal swab samples are collected in order to perform PCR tests. Eaton also points out that other companies may use saliva samples, but the two that are collected on campus are the nasal samples.

When getting tested for COVID-19, the main concern is usually how long the results will take to come back. Eaton explains, “The results of the PCR tests that we use are taking anywhere from 24 occasionally up to 72 hours, but I would say generally from 24 to 48 hours is when we’re seeing the results. We’re not running them…we’re dependent on the labs we’re using.”

Sonoma State is currently providing testing for students located at the Rec Center. These tests are provided by Avellino Labs. “The main purpose of that… is not for people who are feeling sick, but for those who want to get tested to make sure… and for people who are unvaccinated,” Eaton adds.

Testing is also available in the Student Health Center. However, Eaton brings up that this is, “Focused on students who may be having symptoms. We currently utilize tests for the public health laboratory.

So we get supplies from them and send it to their lab and they run it.”

While PCR testing remains much more efficient and reliable, Eaton also addresses a potential con. According to patients, some have said there is a mild discomfort from the nasopharyngeal swab test. PCR testing is, “A very safe test, easy to access, and the turnaround times are relatively quick,” Eaton states, “They’re easy to do.”

Now that students and faculty have returned to campus, it is imperative that the SSU community work together to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. With the help of health officials, the support of PCR testing proves its ability to provide accurate and timely results, further supporting that this method is most effective in comparison to the rest.

COURTESY // Instagram Stay safe from COVID-19 by keeping your distance, sanitizing, and wearing a mask.

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Sports 9

Seattle Pacific beats Sonoma State in season opener

NICHOLAS ROTH STAFF WRITER

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onoma State’s lone goal wasn’t enough to take down the strong visiting Seattle Pacific University Falcons Thursday afternoon at Seawolf field. Senior Forward Alex Mejia led the way for the Falcons scoring the only two goals of the game. The lone Seawolf goal came on a penalty kick from Sophomore midfielder Sean Rohane. Sebastian Bernal-Santos had all four of his shots on goal but the Falcons Senior goalkeeper Lars Hellernan shut down the attempts.

Sonoma State recently began its first soccer season in almost two years after their 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regarding the upcoming season, Head Men’s Soccer Coach Marcus Zeimer said, “This should be an interesting year because since Covid hit, no teams in the conference played for almost 22 months. We were able to train for 6-7 weeks last spring, which was great but we haven’t had a game for a real long time.” This will be Zeimer’s 30th season coaching for SSU according to SSU Athletics.

SPU started the scoring early with a goal by Senior forward Alex Mejia in the 3rd minute of play, who streaked up the left side of the field just in front of Seawolf defenders to knock it past Seawolf keeper Derik Engebretsen.

In the first half it was all Falcons, while the Seawolves struggled to string together passes to create momentum. Bernal- Santos tried to make the most out of his opportunities by almost heading in the game tying goal, but his efforts fell short. He had three of his four shots on goal in the first half.

“Keep the ball” was head coach Zeimer’s message to the team at halftime. “When we play calm and keep the ball and spread out then we’re dangerous.”

Mejia struck again early in the second half with a beautiful header up above a mosh pit of Seawolves and Falcons. After SSU went down two, Coach Zeimer’s messages finally resonated and they began to build mo-

mentum. After a harsh collision in the penalty box that left both players on the turf, a penalty kick was awarded to the Seawolves. Rohane wasn’t going to miss his chance, so he planted it in the back of the net for the Seawolves’ first goal of the 2021 season.

In the second half, Sophomore Evan Sadler, who had 2 of his 3 shots on goal coming in the second half, strung together some well balanced attacks on the SPU defense with Bernal-Santos by his side. In the end, Hellernan held tough until the final whistle blew and ended the game with 9 saves to the Seawolves’ 2.

“It really comes down to a game of moments, they had two moments, they stepped up and got it done, and we just couldn’t get the equalizer,” said SSU Head Coach Marcus Ziemer.

Sonoma State had a tough preseason, with games against Division 1 program St. Mary’s as well as out of conference rival Holy Names. “We played well for the first 35 minutes, but we were pretty thin in numbers because of injuries and lost our way a bit in the second half, but were still solid,” said Coach Ziemer on playing St. Marys.

Ziemer is expecting contributions this season from a solid group of returning players such as Goalkeeper Engebretson, Midfielder Luis Diaz Mendoza, Forward Bernal Santos, Brian Field, Matt Walleigh, Timmy Phillips, and Rohane. Sonoma also added Hawaii State Gatorade Player of the Year Johnnie Dodge, a midfielder, who is expected to have a big impact.

The team goal is simple this year after the preseason polls came out and had the Seawolves finishing 5th this season in CCAAs: “Our goal is to earn a spot in the CCAA tournament and win the conference and then earn a spot in the NCAA’s. This year is a little strange because nobody had a season last year, so it will be interesting to see how the season ends up. I like our group and hopefully we can come together and win some games,” said Coach Ziemer on the goals for the upcoming season.

Sonoma State throws the ball in from the sidelines and after their defense recovered from a close goal, they then pushed the ball back up the field.

STAR // Ileana Aleman

Tournaments replace intramurals on campus

JAKE MORRISSEY STAFF WRITER

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ntramural Sports have long been a great way for Sonoma State students to stay active and play the sports they love. However, this semester they’ll look a bit different. Instead, the Recreation Center will be hosting tournaments in select sports with heavy safety guidelines in place.

In the past, Sonoma State has offered four different types of intramural sports. These include basketball, indoor soccer, flag football, and volleyball. The program would also typically have a “pros” league and a “joes” league for each sport, representing one’s skill level in a given sport. The “pros” league is for students who have experience playing a sport, for example a student who played high school basketball would be in the “pros” league. The “joes” league is less competitive and for the students that just want to have a good time and get some exercise at the same time.

According to their website, the Campus Recreation Center will be hosting three different tournaments in three different sports to take the place of intramurals this semester.

Beginning on Sept. 12 there will be a singles table tennis tournament.

On Oct. 10, there will be a singles billiards tournament. The last tournament that has been announced will be a volleyball tournament that starts Nov. 6.

The volleyball tournament is the only tournament so far that has teams of people competing, as opposed to it being an individual sport.

It is clear that these tournament formats are designed to keep students socially distanced in an attempt to lessen the risk of athletes contracting COVID-19.

In addition to the Rec Center only offering one team based sport to compete in, there are also no “pros” or “joes” leagues, just one big league for each sport.

While it is great to see some kinds of organized sports starting on campus, these tournaments definitely do not fill the void left by intramurals.

Intramural sports have always presented a social aspect that a lot of students are drawn to as well. A study done at Northeastern Illinois University showed that students who play intramural sports tend to experi-

ence more social benefits and feel more at home at their school, per NEIU. edu. While these tournaments don’t fully satisfy students who were anxiously awaiting the return of intramurals, they definitely are better than nothing.

There are many SSU students who resent the replacement of intramurals with tournaments, as the social and athletic aspects are drastically different.

“I was really looking forward to playing basketball with my friends,” said third year business major Nick Harraka, “I am not that interested in ping pong or pool.”

While the tournaments do not fully measure up to the original intramurals, they still provide students with a safe way to connect through sports. Intramurals just aren’t the safest option at the moment, and the Rec Center is working hard to provide students with some form of sporting activities Tournament schedules, updates. and details can be found on the SSU Rec Center website.

STAR // Audrey Knopf SSU student Sean Zirkle plays a game of pool with friends at the Recreation Center.

10 Photo

SEPT. 7 - SEPT. 13, 2021

sonomastatestar.com

Sonoma State athletes return to the field

STAR // Ileana Aleman (Left to right) Defensive players Ian Reis and Lucas English worked well with their goal keeper, Derik Engebretsen, to put pressure on the opposing offense.

STAR // Ileana Aleman The Sonoma State men’s soccer team attempts to score during the first half of their game on Sept. 2.

STAR // Ileana Aleman The Sonoma State men’s soccer team maintained a tight defense throughout the first half of their game on September 2, despite how many offensive attempts Seattle Pacific made on their turf.

STAR // Ileana Aleman Defensive player Lucas English marking his player at last week’s homegame.

STAR // Ileana Aleman Middle fielder Johnnie Dodge moves the ball up the field during the first half of Sonoma State’s first game against Seattle Pacific University last Thursday.

Kugelplex rocks out at the Green Music Center

STAR // Diana Ortiz Kugelplex kicks off the 7th year of the Jewish Music Series at Sonoma State University, outside Schroeder Hall, last Thursday.

STAR // Diana Ortiz Sonoma County community members enjoying the musical stylings of Kugelplex, an old-world soul Klezmer band, on September 2, 2021.