AI avatar generates concern on ethics
SJSU faculty and students share concerns over President Cynthia Teniente-Matson’s recent launch of an artificial intelligence-powered avatar which is aimed at furthering communication with the campus community
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Last Friday, San José State President Cynthia Teniente-Matson released a video to students of an artificial intelligence (AI) avatar of herself, leaving students, faculty and staff at SJSU wondering about the future of artificial intelligence on campus.
Since the emergence of AI, the university has expressed its willingness to embrace the technology and find ways to ethically apply it into the institution, according to the SJSU Office of the President webpage.
Michelle Smith McDonald, senior director of media relations, offered her insight on the matter, suggesting that the partnerships the school has with tech companies was a factor in the creation of the AI video.
“We have been working and partnering with companies that create AI,” Smith McDonald said.
“We have partnerships with NVIDIA, we have this CSU partnership and the president was looking for an opportunity to model AI use.” NVIDIA partnered with the City of San José and SJSU last
December to train people in using AI responsibly, according to a Dec. 12, 2024 article from Fox KTVU.
The AI chipmaker company also just recently
a lack of sincerity (and) felt like she’s talking about things that aren't really positively impacting the school.”
Belmudes also said he feels that the president
Society according to a Sept. 17, 2024 article from NBC Bay Area.
Smith McDonald also mentioned that HeyGen, an AI video-generating platform was used to make
the SJSU computer science faculty webpage.
“I’ve seen products like that generated from platforms like this and obviously it has a lot of ethical issues,” Lee said.
I think that her message in the video has a lack of sincerity (and) felt like she’s talking about things that aren’t really positively impacting the school.”
Edward Belmudes
Third-year computer network system management student
2024, it is noted that every division including the IT department was required to take a 6% budget cut for the 2024-2025 fiscal year because of the university’s budget deficit, according to a webpage from the SJSU IT blog.
Concerning the human interaction aspect of the president’s decision to use AI for communicative purposes, Lee expressed that it might not be the healthiest option for students to be receiving AI videos from a likeness of the president.
hosted its GTC conference in downtown San José where developers, the tech community and students can learn more about AI, according to NVIDIA GTC’s webpage.
Edward Belmudes, a third-year student studying computer network system management, said he has mixed feelings about President TenienteMatson’s video.
“Watching the AI video of President Cynthia was interesting,” Belmudes said. “I think that her message in the video has
was trying to emphasize relatability to the tech conglomerate that exists here in San José.
“I think she’s trying to show a message that we’re connected with Silicon Valley, empowering the advancement of AI and using AI in school for educational purposes,” Belmudes said.
The university recently launched a new college back in September of 2024 that focuses primarily on artificial intelligence known as the College of Information, Data and
the video.
HeyGen offers the ability for the user to clone themselves and type a text in which that AI avatar can recite in a video, according to the platform’s webpage.
Wendy Lee, an associate professor in the computer science department, knows of platforms similar to HeyGen and what that entails regarding its ethical usage.
Her research interests include topics such as AI-driven bioinformatics and computational genomics, according to
“It’s messing with areas that you might start questioning are these videos authentic, or is an AI generated, especially now with all the events happening across the globe.”
When it comes to the funding of this initiative, Smith McDonald said that the HeyGen payment that the school is currently using cost $862 per year and that the money to pay for it came from the SJSU IT department.
In a university budget town hall in March of
“People probably will feel a lot more excited to actually interact with the president, rather than the avatar,” Lee said. “The level of human interaction, the network (and) the emotional connection is the most valuable thing when people talk.”
revealing
new artificial intelligence (AI) avatar of SJSU’s president, Cynthia Teniente-Matson and a message with her avatar.
SJSU reacts to CSU consortium
By Elizabeth Bravo Rebolloso STAFF WRITER
On Feb. 5, the California State University (CSU) Chancellor’s Office launched a system-wide initiative on climate change, which is focused on education and research of climate change impact on the earth and its ecosystems. According to the Feb. 5 CSU press release, the consortium’s goal is to research agriculture, biotechnology, desert ecosystems, ocean life, and water, offering students hands-on opportunities to learn.
The project includes participation from 23 campuses across the state and aims to enhance community engagement and foster partnerships with high schools, community colleges and University of California campuses, according to a Feb. 5 San Diego State news article.
To obtain further information on the CSU consortium, the Spartan Daily made multiple attempts to reach out to Melissa Watkins, the CSU assistant vice chancellor for systemwide advancement. Watkins did not respond to our request for comment in time for publication.
Some of the impacts of climate change in California are rising sea levels, coastal floodings, coastal erosion, higher risk of fires, damage to agriculture, public health damage, habitat destruction and loss of ecosystems, according to a State of
California Department of Justice Attorney General webpage.
San José State is one of the institutions creating a difference by implementing its own sustainability projects, such as single stream trash collection.
However, not many are aware of the CSU Consortium on Climate Adaptation.
Aaron Klemm is the senior director of energy, utilities and sustainability at SJSU. Klemm has been with SJSU for nearly two years, according to his LinkedIn page, and is responsible for managing electricity, water, sewer, wastewater/ stormwater and fire alarms on campus.
Klemm gave a brief overview of how the CSU Climate Consortium started but said there is not much information available about how the consortium is supposed to be implemented.
“ The (CSU) Chancellor’s Office announced a new multi-university consortium for climate adaptation, that press release had San Diego State as a major founding member,” Klemm said. “It started more on the faculty side and the research side than it did on the staff side.”
According to Klemm, SJSU’s single-stream trash collection system is contributing to climate change with this project.
Landfills are open systems where trash goes in all at once. This allows greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane to be released directly into the atmosphere, one of
the biggest contributors to climate change, according to an earthday.org webpage.
Students also shared how they are not fully knowledgeable about the CSU consortium, its purpose and whether SJSU is actively taking part in this statewide project.
Malvika Malhotra, a fourth-year environmental studies student and director of the SJSU Environmental Resource Center, said that she wishes it was discussed further in classes as it plays a vital role not only in her career but in students’ education as well.
“My knowledge on the climate consortium only goes to a certain degree,” Malhotra said. “ I have heard about it through news articles rather than my education system.
That’s pretty disappointing because I am an environmentalist and I feel like it should be discussed in at least a few of my classes in regards to what’s going on on campus and how students can participate or be involved or educated.”
Updates on the next steps of the CSU climate change adaptation have been limited. However, according to the CSU website, the climate change adaptation consortium will “support students’ success” and preparation for emerging career opportunities while minimizing the impact of existing climate change.
“Widespread information sharing would be helpful; the environmental studies department should share with students and people who don’t know within
the realm of its target audience,” Malhotra said.
“Additionally, SJSU should promote information in a specific way as it is a huge efficiency plan that goes beyond just San José State.”
For Kaili Mallari, a thirdyear environmental studies student, the same issue presents with not having information on the CSU consortium.
“I had no knowledge about the CSU climate consortium until I looked it up,” Mallari said. “ I think this is a cool thing that the CSUs are doing, especially considering the political climate surrounding climate change and environmental studies.”
Gaining insight into how students perceive and process climate change information can
help campuses address the widespread anxiety among those who fear that meaningful action is limited, according to a 2024 Association of College and Reseach Libraries article.
“Making it more accessible to students is to have schools email their students about what the CSU system is doing while heavily promoting it to the (Environmental Studies) departments of each school. Mallari said. “Additionally, making informational posts for social media will help reach even more audiences since many students follow their school’s Instagram account.”
ELIZABETH BRAVO REBOLLOSO | SPARTAN DAILY
Collins’ dystopia feels prescient
By Nicole DeVries STAFF WRITER
Suzanne Collins’ latest prequel, “The Sunrise on the Reaping,” was released on March 18 and it reminds us how propaganda shapes public perception, a theme that resonates in today’s political climate.
The novel follows Haymitch Abernathy, a beloved character from the original “Hunger Games” trilogy, through his experience in the 50th Quarter Quell and his fight to control his story.
Each Quarter Quell marks a significant event in the state of Panem, serving as a powerful reminder of the Capitol’s dominance over the districts.
These events occur every 25 years to signify the importance of the Capitol’s win over the rebels, including higher budgets and increasingly horrible stakes.
Through controlling the narrative of the Hunger Games, the Capitol ensures its power like modern governments and media entities shape public discourse.
These games are designed as punishment and psychological warfare for the different districts’ rebellions.
While the districts are forced to participate in the Games and take lives, they are not inherently evil but survive.
The novel begins with four quotes from influential thinkers, including David Hume and George Orwell, setting the tone for the themes of inevitability, power and the manipulation of the truth.
Abernathy’s story reveals how selective storytelling can be weaponized and highlights the dangers of governmentcontrolled media and historical revisionism.
David Hume’s quote warns in the opening, “That the sun will not rise tomorrow is no less intelligible a proposition, and implies no more contradiction, than the affirmation that it will rise.”
From the start, Collins prepares us for the message ahead as Hunger Games fans eagerly anticipate more games but finish the book in tears over Abernathy’s real story.
Abernathy’s arc is both heartbreaking and compelling; I was so engrossed that I finished the book in a night.
His pain is not just personal but symbolic of the collective trauma experienced by victors after their time in the Games.
Abernathy’s suffering is broadcasted as entertainment,
while the systemic oppression of District 12 remains hidden, mirroring how governments suppress unfavorable narratives.
Constant propaganda, such as signs reading “NO PEACEKEEPERS, NO PEACE” or “President Snow: #1 PEACEKEEPER”, reinforces the districts’ lack of strength and crushes any lingering hope of rebellion.
Peacekeepers embody the Capitol’s control over the districts, enforcing the government’s rule through propaganda and violence.
that history is often rewritten by those in power to control the outcome that best suits their needs.
The author does an excellent job of acknowledging the intense themes of control from the government through the story without hitting you over the head with it.
The Capitol even controls what people remember about past Hunger Games, reading moments of defiance and amplifying those that support their authority.
Seam reflect real-world issues of wealth inequality and government control.
The Seam is also the home of both Katniss Everdeen and Haymitch Abernathy, who each take on the role of primary provider for their families.
The contrast between the Capitol’s extreme excess and District 12’s poverty is even more pronounced here, illustrating how the elite like President Snow thrive by keeping others in desperation.
Even subtle changes, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, serve as examples of how the current administration in the U.S. is using the media and press to manipulate public perception. Through expanding the lore of Panem and furthering the audience’s understanding of its characters, the “Hunger Games” series remains a powerful commentary on the nature of power and resistance.
“The Sunrise on the Reaping”
book review
Artist: Suzanne Collins Release Date: March 18, 2025
After defying a Peacekeeper to protect his girlfriend, Lenore Dove Baird, Abernathy is forced into the Hunger Games, though none of this is ever shown to the Capitol audience.
Through Abernathy’s eyes, Collins expands the history of District 12, deepening our understanding of the Capitol’s relentless grip up until Katniss’s time.
Overall, Collins delivers a timely warning about the power of propaganda and the manipulation of the truth at the expense of the people.
As I read the prequel, its reflection on how history is shaped and controlled makes its message feel more relevant than ever.
Genre: Dystopian fiction
During Abernathy’s reaping ceremony, what the rest of Panem sees is far from the reality of what truly happens.
Collins reinforces the idea
As a longtime fan, the new information about District 12 throughout the story felt to be both accurate and effective, staying true to the original series without making unnecessary changes.
The economic disparity and daily struggles of the
The Capitol’s ability to distort reality, reframe history and use fear as a tool of control mirrors real-world authoritarian tactics.
By weaving these timeless themes into her narrative, Collins challenges us to question the truths we are fed and remain vigilant against those who seek to control our perceptions.
Editor’s Note: A longer version of this article is available at
Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicoledevriies
ILLUSTRATION BY NICOLE DEVRIES | SPARTAN DAILY
GRAPHIC BY NICOLE DEVRIES, PHOTOS FROM FLICKR
Student need for an Eid reprieve
Sama Elbaramawi ILLUSTRATOR
I've got 99 problems and worrying about school during my religious holidays is one.
In Islam, there are two holidays that followers observe: Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam and Eid al-Adha, which is observed after Hajj, the yearly Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, according to a Muslim Aid webpage.
After committing to fasting every day from pre-dawn to sunset and staying up every night worshipping during Ramadan, Eid comes as a pat on the back, a breath of fresh air, celebrating our efforts and allowing us to smoothly transition back into our everyday routines.
My Eid al-Fitr traditions include spending quality time with friends and family, worshipping God and watching my wallet get fatter, but being burdened by endless assignments has slithered its way into the list.
In 2021, as a dualenrollment high school student, one of the first college classes I took was public speaking. The professor assigned the class four speeches to present throughout the semester, highlighting the importance of a particular speech, the persuasive speech, due on May 13. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t think much of the date.
However, as the presentation inched closer, and after putting
my blood, sweat and tears into that assignment, my heart dropped as my brain connected the dots.
May 13: The same day as Eid al-Fitr.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most memorable and special days of the year for me. This year, it is coming up from the evening of March 29 until sunset on March 30, according to The Columbus Dispatch webpage.
It is forbidden in Islam to fast on Eid al-Fitr, as this is a day designated for rest and rejuvenation, according to the same webpage.
But how can I truly rest when I have to worry about school?
Just like our Christian peers get to spend their Christmas holidays on break, Muslims deserve to have stress-free holidays too.
Growing up in Egypt, a Muslim-majority country, Eid breaks were nonnegotiable.
My typical holiday involved my family spending the morning at the mosque, praying a special Eid prayer, then gathering around while the adults would distribute gifts, usually money, among the children and youth.
Then we would share a huge meal while joyfully chatting and catching up.
Eid gifts are called “Eidis” or “Eidiyahs,”
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combining the Arabic terms “Eid,” meaning “festival” in English, and “Hadiyah,” meaning “gift,” according to a Bonyan Organization webpage.
are expected to fall on the same day, according to a March 21, 2023, Esquire Middle East article.
I and many of my Muslim friends are excited about this
heard against recognizing Eid is, “What about the other religions? If we recognize Muslim holidays, then the rest will want us to recognize theirs too.”
And to them, I say, let’s go for it.
There is nothing wrong with embracing the diversity we have in our communities and making every single person part of every religious belief feel seen.
The local Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose expresses the importance of teaching children about other cultures and festivals to create a sense of unity and understanding, according to its webpage.
“Some of our celebrated holidays include Hanukkah, Diwali, and Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead,” they wrote.
The museum’s tradition shows how easy it is to recognize other cultures’ celebrations and special occasions and how much it pays off in fostering a sense of belonging and joy.
Every person deserves to feel seen and at peace during their religious holidays, including Muslims, and it is very doable to achieve.
Not once did the idea that I would be skipping school during the holiday and dealing with the consequences cross my mind. Yet, here we are.
In the United States, despite Eid al-Fitr holding such a large significance for me and my Muslim peers and in the schools I attended, it is nothing but an unexcused absence.
With this being my first year at San José State, I can’t describe how lucky I feel having Eid al-Fitr fall during our spring break.
Eid al-Fitr should be recognized as a national holiday among federal institutions and Muslim students shouldn't have to risk their academics to fufill their religious obligations. Follow Sama on
Just like our Christian peers get to spend their Christmas holidays on break, Muslims deserve to have stress-free holidays too.
coincidence, but why the eight-year wait?
The 4.5 million Muslim Americans, according to a Justice for All webpage, shouldn’t have to wait for once-in-a-blue-moon coincidences for them to have a restful holiday.
Schools and universities should collectively make Eid an official holiday from now on, granting Muslim students the chance to observe their holiday with no extra stress, and some of them have already done so.
But because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, the days shift, according to a Yaqeen Institute webpage, meaning that Eid Al-Fitr will eventually end up coming during midterms season which is a nightmare.
The next unofficial Eid holiday will be in 2033, when Eid and Christmas
Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, the City University of New York chancellor, announced that CUNY officially recognizes Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Lunar New Year and Diwali as school holidays and will not be holding classes on those days, according to a City University of New York webpage.
An argument I have
Minaret Foundation lists in their petition on their webpage some approaches schools and universities could take.
Schools can avoid assigning graded assignments due on and around Eid, not hold important events on those days, and allow students to take the day off with no repercussions.
It’s amazing how the Minaret Foundation organized a petition for their community members to sign.
Here at San José State and in local school districts, we can also speak up and create lasting, meaningful change.
ILLUSTRATION BY SAMA ELBARAMAWI | SPARTAN DAILY
Sweet 16 set to tip-off tonight
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
With the first two rounds of March Madness wrapping up, the Sweet 16 is scheduled to begin this evening.
After starting with 68 teams the tournament now has 16 teams in contention for the NCAA title, here are the 16 teams that survived the first two rounds.
Auburn, the No. 1 seed in the South Region is still standing, which isn’t a surprise to most people. The Tiger’s tournament ceiling is projected to be the National Title, according to a March 16 ESPN article.
The Tigers are scheduled to play the fifth seed University of Michigan, which beat UC San Diego 68-65 in the first round, and then upset the No. 4 seed Texas A&M, 91-79.
The same ESPN article has the Wolverines projected to make it to the Final Four. That can only be done if they pull off
an upset against Auburn, a matchup which will be played on Friday evening.
Duke, the East Region’s top seed, is also scheduled to compete in the Sweet 16. The Blue Devils had two blowout wins, beating Mount St. Mary’s by 44, followed by a 23-point victory against Baylor.
The team is set to play the No. 4 University of Arizona tonight; a team that defeated the University of Akron in Round One and the University of Oregon in Round Two.
Like Auburn and Duke, the other two first seeds University of Florida and University of Houston
are in the Sweet 16.
The Gators won their first game against Norfolk State, 95-69 and narrowly escaped an upset as they defeated the University of Connecticut in the next round by only two points. The team now looks to defeat Maryland tonight for a spot in the Elite Eight.
As for Houston, they dominated Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, winning by 38-points in the Round of 64 and also just avoided an upset beating No. 5 Gonzaga, 81-76.
The Cougars are lined up to play Purdue, the March Madness runner-up
last season on Friday.
Also in this part of the tournament is the South Region sixth seed, Ole Miss, who upset the No. 3 Iowa State 91-78, but not before taking out Lipscomb 82-55 in the First Round.
The Rebels plan to take on Michigan State, who beat University of New Mexico 71-63. The matchup is scheduled for Friday.
Houston isn’t the only Cougars in the Sweet 16, BYU is still in the tournament after upsetting No. 3 Wisconsin last Saturday in a close 91-89 victory. With that win, the BYU
Cougars are scheduled to match up against the No. 2 seed Alabama tonight, hoping to pull off another upset.
Speaking of upsets, the No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks still have a shot at the title after defeating the No. 2 St. John’s University, 75-66 and they will now go up against the No. 3 Texas Tech University, who took care of the eleventh seed Drake University last Saturday winning, 77-64.
The final two spots in the Sweet 16 portion of March Madness belong to No. 3 Kentucky and No.2 Tennessee.
Tennessee has a tournament ceiling of the National Title and Kentucky has a ceiling of the Elite Eight according to the same source. The two are scheduled to play each other Friday, allowing the Wildcats to prove ESPN wrong and eliminate the Volunteers. The winners of the Sweet 16 will be scheduled to compete in the Elite Eight which is set to between March 29-30 as seen on the live bracket from the NCAA.
GRAPHIC BY HUNTER YATES | SPARTAN DAILY
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