Issue 4 Fall 2020 Sonoma State STAR

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IN THIS ISSUE

Authors at SSU New poetry books released by Sonoma State’s talented faculty. PAGE 6.

Ruben Salazar

Local first-responder

Remembering the civil rights activist on the 50th anniversary of his death. PAGE 8.

SSU athlete uses her skills to save the community from wildfires. PAGE 10.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 85 // ISSUE 4 SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 - SEPTEMBER 21, 2020

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

STAR // Jacob Loher Sonoma State Dancers twirl ribbons during “Forgive Me” dance on Fri. Nov. 8, 2019

SSU programs are in danger of losing IRA funds

TAYLOR CLARK

STAFF WRITER

COURTESY // Flickr.com The wildfires on the West coast have caused bad air quality and otherworldy red skies.

Bad air quality reaches record highs SAMUEL SAYER STAFF WRITER

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midst spikes in temperatures and high winds, the fires across California continue to burn and, as reported by the Press Democrat, have produced enough smoke to cause record-breaking bad air quality across the Bay Area. While the SCU and LNU lightning complex fires are close to being completely contained, the heat and wind have led to difficulties in controlling other fires in California, including the North Complex fire, the Creek fire, and a handful of other fires. While this alone would cause a spike in harmful air pollutants, California is also receiving the drifting smoke from Oregon and Washington, as both are currently grappling with massive wildfires of their own. This has most notably resulted in an increased AQI score, as well as otherworldly red skies that block the sun’s light. Even in areas that are untouched by the fires themselves, the rippling effects of these fires can and have been felt far and wide. California’s wildfire season has caused increased pollutants that raise the Air Quality Index in past years, such as the Kincaide fire of 2019, which caused AQI levels of 150 or more. However, the combination of fires this year, both in state and out of state, have sparked unprecedented highs. Many areas are averaging an AQI of 200, and several areas, such as Sacramento, are reaching numbers of 400 or higher. According to Airnow, a government partner of the EPA dedicated to monitoring Air Quality, 200+ AQI is classified as “Very Unhealthy” and they warn that the chance for adverse health effects from exposure is higher for everyone. Areas that have reached the level of 300+ AQI are labelled as dangerous health conditions, which have far more pronounced effects on the health of all people in that area. Aside from the AQI score, the smoke has been affecting how the sky looks as well. According to NASA, the smoke particles drifting through the air have grown condensed enough to block certain colors of light from shining through. This has resulted in the orange-red skies seen above large portions of California. see BAD AIR QUALITY on pg. 4

COURTESY // Flickr.com There are over 500 confirmed COVID-19 cases at San Diego State, and students are forced to quarantine in dorm rooms.

San Diego State COVID-19 case

EMILY CRIPE

numbers continue to rise

STAFF WRITER

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n September 2, San Diego State University announced that they would halt all in-person instruction for the foreseeable future due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases on their campus. Their first recorded positive case was reported on August 21, just two days after move-in day at the dorms. Despite the fact that classes are no longer in person, students remain in the dorms, where the majority of the infected individuals currently reside. Students who test positive for COVID are moved to isolation dorms, rather than being sent home or relocated off campus. see SAN DIEGO on pg. 4

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ith the onset of COVID-19 and the already apparent dropping enrollment at Sonoma State University, proper funding of valuable programs is a top priority for current and prospective students. Programs at SSU, otherwise known as Instructionally Related Activities, are in danger of receiving massive cuts. IRAs make up a vast majority of a student’s time and experience at Sonoma State University. IRAs are described on the SSU website as “activities and laboratory experiences that are partially sponsored by an academic discipline or department and which are, in the judgment of the President, integrally related to the function of instructional offerings.” IRAs are the programs that students look forward to participating in, because they offer hands-on experience for students. IRA funds go towards programs like the STAR, KSUN, athletics, music, dance, and drama recitals. The IRA budget is overseen by the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC), which is composed of both students and faculty. Senior Director for University Budget and Planning, Laura Lupei, stated, “The SFAC recommended IRA allocations to the President for approval for 2020-2021. The President has approved the SFAC recommendations, but allocations were reduced to 50% of the requests.” She continued to explain that this 50% reduction was based on the President’s review due to restrictions from the pandemic on the Fall 2020 semester. Lupei stated that “SFAC will review the recommendations and determine additional allocations above the 50% allocated as appropriate.” To put this into perspective, the STAR is still publishing hard copy editions of the newspaper every week for those on campus to pick up-granted, at a much lower rate--but it still requires funds that the IRA provides. Cutting funds by 50% makes an impact on production levels, and the kind of technology that will be available for purchase, such as new computers and cameras.. see SSU PROGRAMS LOSING FUNDS on pg. 4

STAR // Lily Frazier The SSU campus is almost completely empty due to online instruction.

Online instruction to continue through spring

KYLIE LAWRENCE NEWS EDITOR

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n September 10, 2020, all faculty, staff, and students of the California State University system received an unexpected email from the Office of the Chancellor. According to the email, all CSU schools will continue with primarily virtual instruction through the January 2021 academic term. Additionally, only reduced populations will be able to live in campus housing. The decision-making process and announcement may seem a bit early or proactive to some, but The Office of the Chancellor assures students, faculty, and staff that making this decision early allows faculty and staff more time to prepare for the virtual learning environment, and will allow students and their families to plan for the future more appropriately. Although the fall term has just begun on most CSU campuses, academic plans for the January 2021 term must soon be finalized. In a few weeks, campuses publish course offerings for the next term, so that students can make their course selections and campuses can appropriately adjust their course inventories. see ONLINE INSTRUCTION CONTINUES on pg. 4


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