February 1, 2024

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VOLUME 147, ISSUE 14 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Students and community members strike for climate action Members of the UC Davis Environmental Club joined other community organizations in downtown Davis to promote climate action

BY RIVERS STOUT campus@theaggie.org On Jan. 26, a group of activists met on the intersection of 5th and B Street in Davis to raise attention toward climate action. The group included members of the UC Davis Environmental Club, representatives from the local Fridays for a Future and the Yolo Climate Emergency Coalition, as well as other community members.

“We’re trying to gather as much attention as possible,” Rae Bear, a thirdyear environmental policy major and president of Environmental Club, said.

“That way [people] know we’re here, we do care [and] we’re trying to help.”

Fridays for a Future is a local club run by students of the Davis Senior High School, formed following Greta Thunberg’s 2018 protest of the Swedish parliament.

“I’m here every Friday because it makes me feel as though I can make a difference in my community,” Kai Leonard, a member of Fridays for a Future, said. “Every time I show up, I see a group of like-minded individuals, and I can protest with them on the corner every week, and it feels like I can make a difference.”

Other than club members, many

Davis community members protest on 5th and B street for climate action. older community members came in support of the youth-led strike.

“We’re not suggesting how they set their agenda, we’re here to support the agenda they set,” Scott Steward, a

member of the Yolo Climate Emergency Coalition, said.

The agenda is to focus the community’s attention on climate action, in hopes of encouraging a desire

to take action.

“I’m hoping for [people] to reflect; when cars pass by us, I hope they see the posters and change small things in their lives,” Leonard said.

Students at the protest expressed their thoughts on student activism, strongly supporting the work that needs to be done for climate action.

“I think [student activism] is very important,” Bear said. “As students, we have responsibilities. We’re at that age where we’re getting a lot of knowledge and information and we have energy to really do something and get involved.

It’s really important that everyone steps up and does what needs to be done.”

The gathering of people held signs on the road, sometimes receiving acknowledgment via an occasional honk from drivers passing by.

“I’m here because we’re holding space and creating an opportunity to remind people that we’re in a climate crisis, while we try to rationalize continuing with the way we use our resources,” Steward said. “This is a community action that symbolizes and creates the narrative around Davis as being a place where climate action is a high priority, and more of our Davis fellows need to be a part of in a more effective and constructive way.”

The older community members continued to emphasize that they were not the focus, and instead that the students were, throughout the event.

CLIMATESTRIKE on 8

UC Davis to decide on renewing UC Davis Students 10-year pouring rights contract Demand Action calls on UCs to divest from with PepsiCo Both student representatives and researchers argue that renewing the contract would go against university commitments to health and sustainability

Originally introduced in 1893, Pepsi is a carbonated drink created by Caleb Bradham. Now, the company produces a variety of new flavor variations like Wild Cherry and Pepsi Vanilla. (Maia Zhu / Aggie)

BY VINCE BASADA campus@theaggie.org UC Davis’ 10-year pouring rights contract (PRC) with Pepsi Beverages Co. is set to expire in June 2024, leaving university officials with the decision to either renew their contract or search for viable alternatives.

PRCs are purchasing contracts that grant beverage corporations marketing rights and near-exclusive shelf space within campus grounds. Opponents of a contract renewal argue that PRCs promote unhealthy consumption and raise prices and that co-branding with

PepsiCo goes against UC Davis’ goals of sustainability and wellness.

UC Davis’ current PRC, which was signed in 2014, gives PepsiCo exclusive pouring rights at athletic events and dining commons and gives them 85% of the shelf space at campus stores.

Assistant Professor Jennifer Falbe, Ph.D., of the Department of Human Ecology is a nutritional epidemiologist and public health policy researcher who has studied the effects of policies and programs, including PRCs. Falbe is also part of the Beverages Pouring Rights Industry Working Group, an advisory committee focused on the

future of a PRC, set up by the UCD Preferred Partnership Program (UP3).

“My research provides evidence that PRCs incentivize and induce the university to sell, market, promote, and make available Coke or Pepsi products,” Falbe said via email, also noting that she was speaking on behalf of herself and not as a representative of the working group. “According to dining directors, [this] can increase the prices that students, staff, and faculty pay for beverages.”

Her research shows that 81% of students at UC/CSU schools both opposed PRCs and overestimated the revenue that they generated.

PRCs do generate some revenue for the school through sponsorship — approximately 600 thousand dollars a year out of UC Davis’ total annual revenue of over 6 billion dollars according to Falbe. This amounts to roughly 0.01% of total annual revenue, most of which goes to the college athletics department according to the ASUCD Environmental Policy and Planning Commission (EPPC).

Both the working group and a separate UP3 advisory committee’s advice will be passed on to the Chancellor’s Leadership Council, who will ultimately make the final decision on renewing the contract.

Neither Falbe nor any other member of the working group could comment on the current status of the PepsiCo PRC renewal due to a nondisclosure agreement.

PEPSICO on 8

Local Proud Boy accused of distributing antisemitic flyers on cars downtown

Mayor Chapman released a statement, which referenced the alleged flyers, condemning antisemitism in Davis

BY CHRIS PONCE city@theaggie.org

READ MORE UC Davis gymnastics wins two meets against Alaska Anchorage Seawolves

Aggies improve to 3-0 standings during the 2023-2024 season SEE PAGE 12

Content warning: This article contains discussions of antisemitism.

On Jan. 21, antisemitic flyers were placed on cars parked downtown, according to the Davis Phoenix Coalition (DPC). On Jan. 25, the DPC accused Jeffrey Perrine, Proud Boy member and recent Sacramento-area school board candidate, of distributing the flyers.

Anoosh Jorjorian, director of Yolo Rainbow Families (a project of the DPC), shared that she was in touch with Mayor Josh Chapman who was in contact with the Davis Police Department. Davis police shared they received one phone call regarding the flyers but not an official report, according to Jorjorian.

On Jan. 21, Chapman released a statement that referenced the flyers and condemned antisemitism in our community.

“Antisemitism, like all forms of hatred and bigotry, has no place in our city,” Chapman said in the statement.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to tolerance, understanding and mutual respect for people of all faiths and backgrounds. We stand together and will not be divided by intolerance and will continue to support all members of our community in their time of need.”

Jorjorian was made aware of these flyers after a member of the DPC messaged her photos of them downtown. “[They] sent me a message over Facebook on Sunday at about 3:15 p.m., saying that, ‘Some members of the community had seen these antisemitic flyers on cars in downtown Davis,’” Jorjorian said. “And she eventually sent me photos of the flyers and their horrible, horrible content.”

Perrine was accused of distributing the flyers after Jorjorian was directed to an “Antifa newsletter” which shared photos of Perrine distributing flyers on vehicles.

FLYERS on 8

the gun industry during divestment week

The week took place as a response to the Las Vegas SHOT Show, the largest national gun show in the United States

BY BENJAMIN CARRILLO campus@theaggie.org During the week of Jan. 22 to 26, 2024, Students Demand Justice organizations nationwide, including UC Davis’ division, participated in divestment week. The student-led organization seeks to ensure that the UCs, specifically UC Davis, uphold their promises to limit their involvement within the gun industry.

Roan Thibault, a second-year political science major and group co-lead of Students Demand Action, discussed what divestment week is and why this particular week was chosen. “[From Jan. 23 to 26], the gun industry is holding its biggest event [in] the world,” Thibault said. “It’s called SHOT Show, a trade event in Las Vegas, and it’s the biggest gun show in the United States. To respond, students made action chapters in over 50 schools to discuss America’s role, and call [on] colleges to divest from the gun industry.”

Thibault then went on to explain

what this week entails and the importance of having such an event to hold UC Davis accountable.

“Here at UC Davis specifically, we’re building on our divestment efforts from previous quarters by gathering more petition signatures, which now stand at 200, more than any other university in the nation,” Thibault said. “We’ve also been putting up flyers, tabling and talking in our classes.”

Notably, the week’s main event took place on Jan. 22, where Mary Duplat, mother of a gun violence victim, spoke on her experience with gun violence and offered perspective to students.

“She spoke about her daughter losing her life to gun violence right before starting college and spoke to our chapter about personal loss through gun violence,” Thibault said. “[She talked] about channeling that grief into a power and [defined] that a survivor is more than just someone who has been shot before.”

DIVESTMENTWEEK on 8

Impeachment of ASUCD IVP Aarushi Raghunathan withdrawn by Judicial Council

The petitioner in Monica v.

Raghunathan withdrew the case from consideration just days after the Judicial Council ruling in favor of ASUCD President Ojeda

BY VINCE BASADA campus@theaggie.org The second impeachment hearing into ASUCD Internal Vice President Aarushi Raghunahtan has been canceled, according to the Judicial Council (JC) in a statement posted on their Instagram on Jan. 25.

“Chasa Monica v. Aarushi Raghunathan (2024) has been withdrawn from consideration at the request of the Petitioner on behalf of the ASUCD Senate,” the post read. “No other hearings pertaining to this case will proceed.”

As a result, Raghunathan will retain her position and office through the end of her term.

Raghunathan was unanimously

impeached by the Senate alongside ASUCD President Francisco Ojeda in a special closed session Dec. 6.

The first impeachment hearings into both Ojeda and Raghunathan took place Jan. 12. Raghunathan’s second hearing was supposed to take place on the same day as Ojeda’s on Jan. 16, but was postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to JC Head Justice Katrine Lee at that time.

The news that Raghunathan’s case would be withdrawn came three days after the Judicial Council ruled that Ojeda will remain in office.

The announcement was signed by Lee, Deputy Justice Albena Goulisheva and Justices Madison Whittemore and Samantha Figlietti.

2 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

City of Davis begins transition to ban gas-powered leaf blowers

City of Davis hosts new YouTube series, ‘What During the Davis City Council meeting, the council approved a motion Do You Do?’ to create a progression plan that will eventually ban gas-powered leaf The series hopes to shine light on the work city staff does for the community

blowers and small off-road engines

BY HANNAH SCHRADER city@theaggie.org At the Davis City Council meeting on Jan. 16, the council unanimously approved the motion to create a transitory plan that eventually bans gasoline-powered leaf blowers and small off-road engines (SORE).

The leaf blower ban was initially brought before the city council in January of 2022 when council members decided not to move forward with a ban.

Instead, the city continued to survey the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and research battery-power alternatives.

Adrienne Heinig, the deputy director of public works for the city of Davis, discussed a path forward for the city to move toward battery-powered leaf blowers while considering the possible difficulties.

“At this time, we are not recommending a full ban on gaspowered leaf blowers or other small off-road engine equipment because we do still need to be able to use this equipment where there is not a batterypowered facsimile,” Heinig said.

Heinig introduced the background of this agenda item, sharing that this conversation is in response to AB 1346, which restricts the sale of small off-road engines in California.

“Back in 2018 there was an introduction of AB 1346, which effectively bans the sale of new small offroad engines, also called SORE-powered equipment, in the state of California after 2024,” Heinig said. “So this does mean that equipment that was made in 2024 or after can only be sold in

the state of California if it is battery powered.”

A study done by the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center found leaf blowers to be markedly harmful to our air quality, producing emissions comparable to 100,000 passenger cars annually.

Davis resident Tom Schmidt expressed concern about using gaspowered leaf blowers and believes the city needs to restrict these tools.

“I know a lot of cities in California have banned leaf blowers for many reasons,” Schmidt said. “I don’t think there’s a whole lot of research to do if we were to just get ahold of Berkeley [and] Orange California [who] outlawed leaf blowers when they first came out. They did a huge study about the particulates that they throw up in the air. The herbicides, the pesticides, the dog feces, everything that is supposed to land on the ground is now again back up in the air, and for somebody with emphysema, it is very difficult.”

Artem Lada, a researcher at UC Davis with a Ph.D. in cancer research, talked at the council meeting about the dangers of leaf blowers due to their carcinogenic emissions.

“Now we know very well from science that the exhaust of the leaf blowers contains so many carcinogens in such large quantities,” Lada said.

“This is directly inducing cancer in the population and in animals [like] in pets. So I’m a scientist, I spend quite a bit of time looking at the genomes

BY KATELIN PANG city@theaggie.org

KELLIE LU / AGGIE of cancer patients, and we now have the technology to see this course of the DNA [...] of this patient from the very same chemicals exhausted from the gaspowered leaf blowers.”

Local Davis resident Alan Hirsch talked about the City of Davis’ lack of regard for the more harmful greenhousegas-emitting city projects.

“We should spend as much time on the one or two tons maybe of greenhouse gasses that come out the leaf blowers as out of the 72,000 tons of greenhouse gasses that come out of I-80,” Hirsch said. “We talk about the noise of leaf blowers, well, I can hear constantly — 24 hours a day — the freeway noise but there was no discussion of that at the approval meeting at the Yolo transportation district about it.”

On Jan. 9, the city of Davis’s Facebook page posted a teaser for their new series released at the end of January called, “What Do You Do?” These videos should be posted biweekly, each being about five to six minutes long. These posts would be telling a day in the life of different city of Davis employees. This would entail an interview with the guest employee and a step-by-step process of their day and what their jobs require of them.

The city of Davis production will have a host and interviewer, Jenny Tan. Tan works for the city and as the director of Community Engagement, she said her job allows her to work behind and in front of the scenes,

gathering perspective on the inner workings of city departments.

Tan explained her goals for the channel are to address people’s confusion about local government and to allow the public to get to know their city employees.

“I want to give a face to government work and for the people of Davis to learn about some of the jobs that are available here,” Tan said. “But also the different things that we do when there is a lot of confusion between what the city of Davis does and what UC Davis does.”

She also emphasized that these interviews will be with everyday people such as people who fill potholes in the streets, engineers, front desk workers, people who work for the parks and unhoused people and positions people don’t necessarily think about.

CITYSERIES on 7

The city of Davis is launching a new web series called “What Do You Do?” (Courtesy / Jenny Tan)

Measure N campaign underway in Davis ahead of upcoming election

The election, scheduled for March 5, will have Davis voters deciding on whether to support continued funding for local public schools

BY ANTHONY W. ZAMMIKIEL city@theaggie.org On March 5, Davis voters will be heading to the polls to not only participate in the presidential primary election but to vote on local and state propositions featured on the ballot for the general election. Members of the Davis community will vote on Measure N, submitted by the Davis Joint Unified School District, which will determine whether to continue a parcel tax to provide funding to local public schools.

If adopted, Measure N will continue funding Davis public class programs, support students’ mental health and safety, continue athletics programs, limit classroom sizes, retain and bring in new high-quality teachers and more. These services will be funded via a parcel tax.

“Shall Davis Joint Unified School District’s measure be adopted, [Davis will renew] the expiring education parcel tax at the current rate of $768/ year, raising approximately $11,700,000 annually until ended by voters, with adjustments for inflation; senior/ disability exemptions; and independent oversight,” the measure description on the Yolo County Elections Office website read.

Based on its summary findings, the

Yes on Measure N campaigners table at the Davis Farmers Market, answering questions and promoting their campaign.

(Jenna Lee / Aggie) Yolo County Elections Office stated that re-introducing a parcel tax of $64 monthly or $768 annually will continue providing important funding to Davis Joint Unified schools, which serve approximately 8,500 students in preschool through 12th-grade programs.

The elections office also stated that

Measure N will replace the existing Measure H, which was first approved

by Davis voters during the 2016 election and was set to expire after July 1, 2023.

Evan Jacobs, a community activist involved in the Yes4Students campaign to support Measure N, said that Davis schools are able to provide their students with outstanding academic

and extracurricular programs with the help of measures like the one proposed.

“Davis is a community built on knowledge and education, from [the] world-class UC Davis to our kindergarten classrooms, education is at our core,” Jacobs said. “Passage of Measure N will keep excellence in Davis public schools by renewing the

parcel tax that has been supporting our classrooms for 40 years. It maintains 100 classroom teaching and support staff.”

Jacobs said Measure H, and Measure N if passed, funds core academic programs.

These include vocational programs, performing and visual arts programs, career and technical education programs, athletic programs, counseling services, nursing services and librarian services.

Jacobs shared concerns about what could happen assuming Davis voters do not pass Measure N within the upcoming election.

“In the state school funding formula (LCFF), Davis is a below-average funded district without the parcel tax,” Jacobs said. “If Measure N does not pass, local public schools will lose $12 million in annual funding, 10% of the budget.”

Jacobs is optimistic about the Davis community coming together and passing the measure, noting that Davis voters came together after campaigning in the 2016 election to introduce the original parcel tax, which has since supported Davis public education.

MEASUREN on 7

Davis Department of Parks and City of Davis opens several new parks for Community Services seeks feedback to improve parks, amenities the community The city opens Campanilla Mini Park, Donato Mini Playground and Sandy Motley Park

BY ALMA CULVERWELL city@theaggie.org The city of Davis recently renovated several local parks for a range of ages, including the Campanilla Mini Park, the Donato Mini Playground and the Sandy Motley Park. Both the Sandy Motley Park and Donato Mini Playground are intended for children aged two to five while the Campanilla Mini Park is intended for teens and above.

Campanilla Mini Park is located in Mace Ranch, east of Campanilla Court and north of Arroyo Avenue; the Donato Mini Playground is located in Mace Ranch, west of Costa Verde Street between Donato Lane and Eligio

Lane; the Sandy Motley Park is located in Wildhorse at 1919 Moore Blvd.

Dave Knighton, parks manager for the City of Davis, explained the decision behind the renovations.

“With Campanilla and Donato, the play structures that were out there previously had reached their life cycles, […] they didn’t have a lot to offer in terms of play value,” Knighton said.

“Nowadays we design playgrounds with the intent of facilitating certain aspects of development, whether that’s physical, cognitive, problem solving [...] and so as we phase out these old playgrounds when we design the new ones, there’s intentionality behind it.”

PLAYGROUNDS on 7

Playgrounds were developed as far back as the 19th century and allow for children to exercise and streghten their array of motor skills.

(Courtesy / Barbara Archer)

The department has released a survey which will be open until Feb. 20

BY EMMA CONDIT city@theaggie.org The city of Davis’s Parks and Community Services Department has released a survey to receive input about the city’s parks and recreational programming. The survey is open to the public and will remain live until Feb. 20.

The short survey asks questions about how to improve park amenities, how to increase outreach and what services are most valuable to park users.

The survey’s responses will determine how the Department of Parks and Community Services will allocate its resources in the coming year.

Deanne Machado, the director of Davis Parks and Community Services, explained that the survey is not geared toward any particular group. Rather, her department hopes to receive feedback from all groups around Davis to better cater their services, facilities and amenities.

“We want to reach all the groups,” Machado said. “Every single demographic uses our green spaces or our amenities.”

This survey is part of a larger effort to assess the needs of Davis. As the Parks and Community Services website states, the most recent Parks Master Plan was completed in 2011, nearly 13 years ago. The plan has been modified over the years but is in need of community feedback to receive a proper update.

Covell Park provides the perfect environment for a brisk jog, with swings and monkey bars for children to play on. (Maia Zhu / Aggie) Machado explained that master plans are intended to last 10 years. They are forward-looking and are not a report card of the work the department has done.

“One way to do a master plan is to not just look at the way your outdoor space is designed, but to look at what program’s you’re offering,” Machado said. “We offer programming to many different demographics. Everything from active adults to our teenytiny preschoolers. [...] We want to understand how we can make our programming more effective, reach a broader community, be more accessible.”

In the last 10 years, the enrollment of UC Davis has increased by 22% and the population of the city has increased

alongside it. Davis parks have changed along with its growing population.

Machado cited a major recent success of the Parks department called “Inclusive Parks, Inclusive Hearts: United Communities Through Recreation,” which responded to a gap in recreational enrollment programming.

“This project was to gather up a larger cross section of our underserved or under-resourced youth in the community and get them to participate in our recreational programs,” Machado said. “We brought programming to one of our low-income family housing locations in town and conducted the recreational programs on site so that we could remove the barriers around cost and transportation.”

PARKSSURVEY on 7

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024 | 3

Inclusive economics society fosters camaraderie, professional development The Undergraduate Womxn in Economics Society hosts speaker panels, socials and other career events for those of all genders

BY LYNN CHEN features@theaggie.org Economics has historically been a male-dominated field at many colleges in the United States. In fact, only 37% of declared economics majors at UC Davis identify as women.

However, a particular organization was created on campus to help change this narrative.

The Undergraduate Womxn in Economics Society was created at UC Davis to encourage more diversity in the study of economics. The society was founded in 2018 by Anya Gibson and Leanna Friedrich of the Economics Advising Department.

Despite the name of the organization, all that is required for applicants is to be a declared economics major and to have a commitment to equal representation within the field.

The organization facilitates professor and alumni speaker events, social gatherings and other academic and professional development opportunities

for students. These events are held to provide a network of support for all undergraduates in the field, especially since economics is such a broad and widely applicable subject.

“Economics is one of those disciplines that opens a lot of doors — it’s a toolbox to solve problems in the world,” Janine Wilson, associate professor in the economics department and faculty advisor for the Undergraduate Womxn in Economics Society, said.

As a result of being such an interdisciplinary major, students benefit greatly from the guidance this club provides in terms of navigating coursework and their career paths.

Megha Nagaram, a third-year economics major and student leader of the society, agreed that the club has helped her learn more about the major, its professors and its classes.

“I would even say, professionally, [the organization] opened my eyes to so many different careers in economics that I was not aware existed or that I didn’t really know what they looked

like in practice,” Nagaram said. “The diversity of the guest speakers we’ve had really helped clarify that for me.”

Celine Narciso, a fourth-year economics major and general member of the club, contributed insight into choosing economics classes. “[The club] helped with the kinds of classes I might want to take because guest speakers did talk about which classes were important for which jobs,” Narciso said.

Once students graduate, they face a plethora of options to pursue, whether that’s a job in the private sector, the public sector or in fields like the medical sciences or policy-making.

“Sometimes people don’t know where to start in terms of transitioning from college to career,” Wilson said.

“Our hope is that the young people in the group can really see the opportunities and the variety of paths that are possible with a degree in economics.”

Nagaram shared a similar view regarding the intersection between economics and other career options. “[The Undergraduate Womxn in Economics Society] really showed me that I could have a career in law and economics,” Nagaram said. “That’s exactly what I wanted.”

An important goal for the society is also to bridge the gap between students and professors.

Why the ‘girl math’ trend can be a harmful mindset for young women to follow

UC Davis students share their views on the recent TikTok trend

NOVA MAI / AGGIE

BY ZOEY MORTAZAVI features@theaggie.org If you’re familiar with the constantly changing realm of TikTok trends, you’ve probably heard of one referred to as

“girl math.” Essentially, girls have been posting videos justifying excessive spending, with captions saying that it’s “girl math,” or that it “doesn’t count.”

Predominantly, the trend displays women buying items that are worth, for example, 100 dollars, and using the

How do college expectations differ for first-generation students?

First-year students share their experience in college so far

horrible and was going to be the worst experience of my life,” Ren Romero, a first-generation first-year undeclared major, said. “I kept on seeing videos of people saying, ‘If you’re doing okay in high school, then you’re going to do terrible in college,’ and I was terrified.”

Without the presence of a college graduate close to them who could explain the college application process and help set realistic expectations, it can be easy to feel intimidated.

Romero described the exaggerated

BY JULIANA MARQUEZ ARAUJO features@theaggie.org Although all students undergo a level of apprehension for their first contact with a college campus, it may be an especially daunting event for a first-generation student — a person who is the first in their family to attend college — since their perspectives may be influenced by unreliable sources.

“Media definitely influenced me to think that college was going to be

logic that it technically costs 10 dollars a wear for 10 wears — therefore the purchase wasn’t actually 100 dollars.

Other videos introduce ideas like “cash doesn’t count,” even saying that some of their purchases “pay themselves off” after a few uses.

UC Davis students discuss that funny trends can simply be just that, but sometimes, we need to ask ourselves the question: how far is too far? Jokes like these, even if they’re funny on a surface level, have the potential to harm those watching them, even if they don’t realize it.

“We’re sort of on the back-end of the whole ‘girlboss’ era where every female character in media was like a perfect badass who could do no wrong,” Natalie Canchola, third-year computer science major, said. “We’ve sort of left that behind and are now pushing that women don’t have to be perfect to be respected.”

HEIDI TEJEDA / AGGIE For instance, every week the club hosts study halls for members in the economics department building. Faculty will often pop into these study sessions to tell students about new courses or opportunities in the major, according to Wilson. “[This] gives students a place to be in the day-to-day of the department in a way that we haven’t had [occurring],” Wilson said.

What’s more, the society is a chance for students to form long-lasting bonds with their peers and to interact with colleagues they never would have otherwise met.

“[It’s] really cool and eye-opening [to] expose yourself to people who come from a different perspective,” Nagaram said. “I think [I was able to] meet some of my best friends in college through [the society]. I would [see] them at a meeting, and I would see them again in class later. It was just seeing that familiar face that I was able to open a door to friendship.”

Currently, the Undergraduate Womxn in Economics Society is heading in a new direction in terms of its goals for students.

WOMXNECONOMICS on 12

Students bond over love for actor Jack Black

The Jack Black Pack provides a welcoming space for UC Davis students to unwind and connect through movies

BY LAILA AZHAR features@theaggie.org

GIRLMATHTREND on 12

The Jack Black Pack may never have assumed a false identity in a desperate attempt to make money as a substitute teacher or faced off with an evil snow leopard, as the characters played by Jack Black did in “School of Rock” and “Kung Fu Panda,” but they’ve faced a dilemma of their own.

Less than a week after it was left on campus, the group’s A-frame sign promoting their club was stolen from the East Quad. The newly official club offered a sticker in exchange for information leading to the sign’s discovery, but in spite of their attempts, the sign was never found.

Despite this theft, the club, which meets up to watch Jack Black movies every other week, is still going strong.

The president of the club, fourthyear communications major Max

beliefs that follow the overestimation of college.

“It was all new to me; it was a new environment and I was like, ‘I’m going to fall behind, I’m not going to do well, my teachers are going to hate me for some reason,’” Romero said. “But it turned out fine and the professors were nice and the workload wasn’t entirely crazy.”

However, they claimed that the pressure to constantly do better is overwhelming.

“With the amount of studying [my friends] put into [school] or the amount of work they put into it, I feel like [in comparison] I am putting no effort into my academics, even though I know that I am,” Romero said.

Going into the quarter system in college can also be difficult to adapt to if a student is used to a slower-paced learning environment. Numerous students ask themselves what a quarter system entails and wonder if they are prepared for it.

“I was absolutely terrified starting [college] because I was coming in from a school that had year-long grades and no midterms or finals,” Romero said. “But [after] coming into it and experiencing

the first quarter, I was able to adjust at a pace that was a little more comfortable for me.”

While it is normal to feel frustrated with the workload of a quarter system, what differs for students in college is the accessibility of the countless resources available to them. However, the responsibility to take advantage of these opportunities lies with the students.

Romero listed their goals for future quarters and academic years: “Attending office hours, trying to attend more study groups, being more open to opportunities as well, not just in an academic standpoint but volunteering as well. [I am] just trying to make a better life for myself here.”

Ethan Hernandez, a first-generation first-year pharmaceutical chemistry major, shared his first quarter experience as well.

“I always put being at UC Davis first, but I definitely enjoyed the freedom to have fun that came with moving to Davis for the first time.”

He claimed that he felt a little more prepared for college than most first-generation students because he had the guidance of his cousins, who

The Jack Black Pack of UC Davis’ club logo (Courtesy / Claire Inman) Inman, said the inspiration for the group came from his sister. When she attended UC Davis, she and a group of friends, all of whom were fans of the actor, called themselves the Jack Black Pack.

JACKBLACKCLUB on 8

UC Davis’ FirstGen Initiative Logo (Courtesy / UC Davis FirstGen Initiative) encouraged him to see the opportunities that arise with a college setting.

“I’ve always had friends who were older than me and mentors throughout my high school that definitely helped me with the idea of what I wanted to do in college. But I was more worried about how I was going to do it once I got here. [It was] just all brand new, coming to a whole different campus eight hours away from home.”

FIRSTGEN on 8

UC Davis alum who was raised eating bagels has now redefined the bagel business in the Bay Area

Unable to find a good bagel in the bay, she took inspiration from the bagels in her childhood to open several successful shops since 2019

BY RODRIGO VILLEGAS campus@theaggie.org

Boichik Bagels now has five locations and a bagel factory in the Bay Area.

(Courtesy / Emily Winston) In Nov. 2019, Emily Winston — opened the first Boichik Bagels location UC Davis Graduate School alum and in Berkeley, replacing Noah’s New York founder and CEO of Boichik Bagels — Bagels.

Winston said that the construction process of the business’s original location wound up taking much longer than expected.

“I originally asked the architect how long he thought this would take, and he said four months,” Winston said.

“It wound up taking a year and [a] half before we were able to open… I was paying over $6,000 a month [in] rent with no idea when we’d ever finish.”

After experiencing the hardest year and a half building the first store, she was surprised when the shop finally opened and the community found her bagels to be an incredible success on day one.

“When we finally did get it open, [it] was a big hit right away,” Winston said. “There had been a lot of hype built up, and people came out and they loved the bagels.”

Winston turned a childhood favorite into a flourishing business, but she said that she never originally planned to launch a bagel business.

Winston grew up in New Jersey

eating “great bagels,” but she couldn’t say the same about the ones in the Bay Area when she moved here in 2010.

Later, she would hear the unfortunate news that helped start her journey: her favorite bagel shop, H&H Bagels, had shut down due to tax fraud.

“I was so distraught that I would never have my favorite bagel again,” Winston said.

After giving other bagel shops a chance to be her new favorite, she knew that nothing was quite on the level of H&H Bagels. However, this gave her an idea: why not make the bagel she wanted to eat?

Winston began conducting research and testing different recipes. She baked batches of bagels for her friends to try, and they discussed whether each batch tasted better or worse than the previous version.

Five years and several iterations later, she concocted what she believed to be an “awesome bagel.”

This was when Winston decided to evolve her devoted hobby of replicating

her favorite childhood breakfast into a business. The encouragement from her friends and the frustrations she had encountered in previous business endeavors at the time pushed her to make this hobby into a living.

“So I started taking food entrepreneurship classes and networking at events, and [I] got invited to be at the Eat Real Festival in 2017,” Winston said. “I got a Cottage Food [license] so that I could legally sell the bagels I made at my house.”

She then began to sell her bagels directly out of her home on various occasions, which was very successful.

“People lined up from my kitchen in my house out to the street and down the block [to buy the bagels],” Winston said.

During this time, she met Noah Alper, founder of Noah’s New York Bagels, who informed Winston of the closing of one of his shops. Winston knew that this would be an opportunity to build her own shop in that location.

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THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

4 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Is dating doomed?

The concerning business of college consulting

Nobody loves you anymore

BY ANDIE TARABZOONI rmtarabzooni@ucdavis.edu The idea of meeting someone organically tends to send people into a frenzy, whether it be social anxiety or a fear of rejection — it’s impossible to orchestrate but horrible to wait for. But meeting through dating apps is looked down upon. So what’s the solution here? Is dating worse than ever? Are we doomed as a planet since you can’t find “the one” on Hinge? Should we get into a bunker to be saved from Armageddon?

The answer isn’t that simple, although we’d like it to be. To preface, I’m Saudi Arabian, so I don’t date. But most people I’ve met in college do. So, I’m purely basing this on what I think (which is usually correct).

The online dating scene in the United States is really interesting since it’s very multifaceted and multicultural.

The interaction of all of these cultures tends to create some tiring displays of code-switching in relationships. I’ve seen that a lot of my international friends — who tend to date people they’ve met off Hinge and Bumble — have had a hard time keeping up with the constant work of code-switching. This usually leads to them dating people whom they feel more comfortable around, whether that means another international student, someone who can resonate with their culture or someone from back home.

Often, these connections made through silly prompts tend to fade. It’s not all that personal, you just want to be able to express yourself with someone you like. But maybe there are the right people out there, and maybe you can’t expect people to adjust within the first few days. Your “perfect partner” needs you to give them time. Patience is the biggest virtue when it comes to dating; don’t be afraid to give it or look for it.

If not Hinge, how do you meet someone? I met someone during my first year through an orientation group who I thought was really cool. Thankfully, they moved continents without telling me or their roommate. So maybe it’s not how you meet them — maybe people are just crazy. Is there really that big of a difference between dating apps and meeting people “organically”? What does organically even mean?

I’m not sure if being in the same

Is it ever really fair to pay someone to help you get into college?

BY CLAIRE SCHAD cfschad@ucdavis.edu HEIDI TEJEDA / AGGIE Living-Learning Community or orientation group is all that organic. Or maybe it is, maybe it really is fate. But maybe you could also meet the love of your life on Tinder. Who am I to judge?

I have no firsthand experience other than ad-libbing as my friends doom scroll through Tinder. I think at the end of the day, it is important to put yourself out there, and do as much as you can if you really want to find someone to reciprocate your love.

I mean, personally, I think it’s superficial to date people purely based on looks and a prompt that tells you they like to pet dogs and watch “Cake Boss” in their free time. But that’s just me. I feel like I’d really need to feel the chemistry (if there is any) and figure out if they have an annoying voice. But maybe that doesn’t matter, maybe you’ve been telling the universe every night, “The one for me loves Cake Boss.” And if that’s how you find the one, who am I to tell you differently? The universe has its ways, so telling people you met on Hinge might be funny. But if you love them, you love them!

There is definitely a problem with dating apps and how we treat people as little whimsical sims, but that’s the era we’re in. So maybe we should adapt and become a little more superficial? It’s better than giving the person you don’t like and aren’t attracted to “a chance” because you met in person.

Back to a more serious topic: alignment is really important when it comes to finding “the one.” I’m sure a good majority of us had our parents tell us their disagreeing opinions at some point or another. But as we’re allowed to become more vocal and express more opinions, it’s only fair we try to align ourselves with people who we agree with. I’m sure that for some people that doesn’t matter, considering the influx

of people with partners with terrible opinions.

But why should we settle? Why should we choose someone who we have to warn our friends about? It doesn’t have to be political, it can simply be not wanting to stay in the same area or having different life goals. I’m writing this about 20-somethings, so why feel the need to drop it all for someone you met at such a young age? Life will go on for, hopefully, another 50 or so years.

You‘ll be okay (no promises though).

At the end of the day, dating isn’t necessarily worse than ever. It’s definitely harder, and a lot more is going on now. We’re aware of multicultural relationships, we’re aware of our own identities and we’re aware of what our needs are. That’s a lot of awareness.

Maybe people in the past had a different mindset of “just having to marry someone.” Maybe our mindsets have changed. But people are finding people for them. It’s less of a dating problem and more so being aware of all of your needs and options that it feels more like online shopping rather than something intimate.

There’s hope for you — don’t date the guy who uses therapy-speak on every Hinge date. There is so much more for you! Life has so much to offer, it isn’t over because you got ghosted at the ripe age of 20. And I’ve never watched “Love, Actually,” but this quote saves me from trying to be heartfelt to the select few California Aggie fans: “If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.”

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

Construction services provided

BY SANDHYA PFILE sbpfile@ucdavis.edu

In the spring of my third year of high school, as I was about to embark on the journey that is college applications and admissions, the news about the “Operation Varsity Blues” scandal broke. I learned that wealthy elites had been paying to ensure their children gained admission to top universities in the form of bribes, falsified test scores and made-up athletic careers. As a soonto-be first-generation college student, learning what I could be up against was daunting.

“But at least they got caught,” I thought. This must be a step in the right direction. And while yes, there was some justice served for those who had been cheating, the college admissions system remains immensely flawed and unequal, continuing to heavily favor the wealthy and privileged.

In recent years, the acceptance rates at top colleges and universities have been decreasing, meaning qualified applicants are receiving more rejection letters than ever before. This steady increase in the difficulty of admissions has paved the way for a new industry, available to those willing to front the money: college admissions consultants.

These so-called college admissions experts are hired by families to help their children through the college admissions process. Their scale of work can vary greatly from client to client, but in some of the most involved cases, the consultant is hired while the child is still in middle school. The counselors work closely together with the family to develop the child’s interests and then guide them to opportunities that showcase their interests in a way that will impress top colleges.

I was in my first year of high school when a close friend’s parent suggested that my family hire the college consultant their family was using. It was presented simply: fork up a couple thousand dollars, and the consultant will help develop your child into the best possible applicant they can be.

This specific college consultant helped my friend throughout high school, offering test prep support for the SAT and suggesting specific activities and volunteer experiences that were sure to wow college admissions representatives. When it came time to start the college application process, my friend’s resume was filled to the brim with activities suggested by the admissions consultant, and she had a relatively high SAT score.

In contrast, I had gone through high school personally seeking out activities that I enjoyed. I volunteered at my local animal shelter, joined clubs to spend more time with friends, played the sports I loved and worked with community groups that I felt strongly connected to. As a result, I had a resume that had a little bit of everything on it. It

wasn’t fine-tuned to show my dedication and connection to my intended major, which is what some say colleges look for. Despite this, it was representative of me as a person, which is something I am proud of, even if I didn’t realize it at the time.

When it came time to write my college admission essays, I felt wildly unprepared. I read countless articles about which topics make a good college essay and which ruin it. After all of this preparation, I decided to sit down and start writing. And honestly, most of my essays were not great — I didn’t fully understand how to present my ideas in a way that would be interesting to college admissions officers, likely because I was never really taught how to do so.

My friend who used the admissions consultant, on the other hand, had someone by her side as she wrote her essays. They would review them after each draft and provide detailed suggestions on how to improve. If I had used this service, would my essays have been better? There is no way to know for sure, but targeted guidance and suggestions would have likely made a difference in the process. After all, my friends who used these services yielded positive results and gained acceptance to practically all of their desired universities.

Throughout the entire college admissions process, I was aware that multiple of my friends were using college consultant services. However, I was adamant that I wanted to complete all of my applications on my own.

Maybe I thought these services were unfair, or maybe my stubborn teenage self just wanted to prove that I could do something on my own. Either way, looking back on it, I am happy to say that I have gotten to where I am today without the help of a paid consultant.

Now that I have matured and am on the cusp of graduation, I can confidently say that college admissions consultants are just another means to providing wealthy students with an advantage in the college admissions process.

So, if in the future you are ever thinking about spending thousands of dollars on a college consulting service for yourself or someone you love, I encourage you to think deeply about the way these services are contributing to the inequity of higher education.

Think about how being molded into the “perfect applicant” may limit selfexploration and personal development.

Even though the college consulting industry will try to convince you about the necessity of their services, I challenge you to push back and try to figure it out yourself. After all, rejection isn’t really failure, it’s just redirection.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

HUMOR

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End of the week

BY LANHUI ZHEN lazhen@ucdavis.edu

BY LANHUI ZHEN lazhen@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional.

The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

5 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

OPINION EDITORIAL

Undocumented students deserve the right to work

The UC Board of Regents needs to be more transparent about its decision on allowing undocumented students on-campus jobs

BY THE EDITORIAL BOARD On Jan. 25, the UC Board of Regents deferred their decision on whether to allow students who are undocumented immigrants to hold on-campus jobs. The decision comes as a follow-up to a meeting last May, when regents unanimously agreed to create a pathway to hire undocumented students.

This inaction from the regents not only robs students of the right to work but contradicts the board’s previous statement. The Editorial Board stands with the 4,000+ undocumented students across all UC campuses who are affected by this inaction. All students should be able to gain experience with on-campus jobs and have a safe college experience.

The regents’ decision was reportedly made because the board

SEE ONLINE Scan to read our ed in solidarity with student newspapers nationwide about school shootings

found that allowing undocumented students to work on campus could cause “significant risk” to them and the university as a whole. In the regents’ statement on the meeting, UC President Michael Drake explained that these students could be at increased risk of deportation and federal prosecution.

While these concerns may be legitimate, the UC needs to be transparent about this process while they continue working to find alternative and safe solutions for undocumented students to have the same opportunities other students do.

College is expensive — having the ability to work an on-campus job can make a major difference in a student’s experience. At a research university, being able to work in a lab or contribute to an on-campus research project can drastically improve a person’s career prospects. Undocumented students should have the same access to these resources that other students have.

The original goal of the regents was a response to a legal theory that stated institutions like the UC would not be prohibited from any federal law regarding the work status of undocumented residents. Ahilan Arulanantham, UCLA co-director of the Center for Immigration Law and Policy, was one of the people who presented this theory to the board in May. Recently, Arulanantham told the LA Times that outside legal experts have assessed the situation and said the risk would be “minor.”

With Arulanantham arguing that the legal theory proposed by their department has shown that the university system has the right to

employ undocumented students, the UC needs to be transparent about where exactly their legal interpretations are at odds.

The need for clearer details is especially important considering the dissent from some members of the board. According to an LA Times interview, Regent John Pérez said he’s never been “more disappointed” with the board. The regents only voted to shelve the issue with a 10 to 6 majority, with one regent voting to abstain.

Before a 2021 court ruling, undocumented students once had the ability under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to more easily obtain work permits. Now, as less and less students have DACA benefits, institutions have a responsibility to come up with new ways to protect undocumented students’ right to work.

While the regents have stated that they are committed to exploring more options, it’s important to consider how timely this issue is. Students typically only attend their university for two to four years, so by the time the regents come to another decision, it will be too late for many students to be employed and gain the financial support and resume experience they need.

The UC system sets precedence not only for education in the state of California but leads the way nationally.

As the regents represent the university and academics, it’s important that we not only abide by set standards but explore new creative ways to protect the civil rights of students.

The beauty in the Reigniting my love for reading mundane Are you having a hard time reading for pleasure? Here are “Romanticize the life-ife-ife”

some recommendations

BY CLAIRE SCHAD cfschad@ucdavis.edu

The first step to rekindling my love for reading was picking out books that I felt excited about.

As a college student, developing an unhealthy relationship with reading is easy. Whether it is detailed research articles or seemingly never-ending textbooks, reading frequently becomes For me, this ranged a task on my to-do list that needs to be from heartbreaking checked off rather than a way to relax.

The significant amount of reading that is assigned weekly for my classes often makes it difficult to find the time and motivation to read for pleasure. Even though most of the texts I’m assigned are interesting KELLY GUAN / AGGIE and informative, the language used often requires a lot of effort to dissect. memoirs to light, happy romance novels Working to understand the information and everything in between. However, while simultaneously trying to think I knew I wanted to read things that about how it could be asked in a test were far removed from the topics I was question or essay prompt is far from studying in school. I felt that selecting these types of books would help me relaxing.

Even though I feel better about separate my academic reading and my myself when I take time to read for free time reading, creating some sense of pleasure, I sometimes have a hard a work/life reading balance. So without time doing it. When it comes time to further ado, here are a few books that relax before bed, I often find myself helped me rekindle my love for reading. reaching for my phone or turning on “Tell Me Everything” by Minka the TV. This was not the case when I was Kelly This fast-paced and inspiring younger: I was obsessed with reading.

I’d go through phases where I’d finish an memoir grabbed me from the first entire book in a single day. As a college chapter. Telling her story of her rise student, I find myself longing for my to fame as a successful actress, Minka Kelly, who starred in NBC’s Friday reading-obsessed middle-school self.

Last year, I worked to reignite my Night Lights, details the many struggles love of reading. It had been years since and triumphs that have sculpted her life I actually read and finished a book and career. As I made my way through that wasn’t assigned to me for a class. this book I found myself enthralled People also kept telling me that I must by Kelly’s perseverance and positive read more than I write if I ever want to mindset as she faced unthinkable become a better writer. So, given both obstacles while remaining determined the personal and professional benefits, I to reach her goals. Kelly’s writing was determined to incorporate reading style makes you feel all her emotions through the page and by the end, I felt for pleasure into my routine.

like I knew her as a close friend. After finishing this book in less than a week, I found myself searching for “books similar to ‘Tell Me Everything,’” but I have yet to find a memoir that is as captivating and inspiring.

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins What better way to channel your reading-obsessed middle-school self than to read the prequel to arguably the best dystopian series of all time?

I’m not usually a fan of fantasy novels, but when I was younger, I couldn’t get enough of the dystopian genre. I read all The Hunger Games novels and definitely had a Hunger Games phase in middle school, so when The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes came out in 2020, I picked it up right away. In full honesty, it did end up sitting on my bookshelf for three years before I actually finished it. However, once I finally started it last fall, I couldn’t get enough. Some books just make you feel a certain way and this book instantly transformed me into my middle school self, feeling the same excitement for reading as when I read The Hunger Games for the first time.

“Happy Place” by Emily Henry A summer romance taking place in a coastal Maine cottage, what’s not to love? After reading the back cover of this book, I knew that it would be something I would enjoy.

I am a sucker for a cute romance novel and with the backdrop of coastal New England, I couldn’t wait to dive in.

However, this was more than a surface-level romance, Henry was able to develop the characters in a way that made me completely and totally invested in their lives and relationships.

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MAYA KORNYEYEVA / AGGIE

BY MOLLY THOMPSON mmtthompson@ucdavis.edu When I go grab a chai latte on a Sunday morning, it’s not just a chai latte — it’s a whole event. It’s a cute outfit complete with my favorite lip gloss. It’s a bike ride downtown on my blue cruiser, early enough that it’s tranquil and quiet (unheard of on a college campus). It’s the little, local coffee shop with immaculate vibes and chatty Gen-Z baristas. It’s the matching cup and saucer my drink comes in, the leaves I can see falling outside the window, the good book I pull out of my bag, the shot I line up to post on my Instagram story and the way my hands fit around the mug as I take the first warm, comforting sip — It’s serenity.

But it could be just a chai latte.

Romantic, by definition, means “characterized by or suggestive of an idealized view of reality.” In the 17th century, “romances” were stories written in romance languages (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.), which often consisted of passion, adventure and fancy. Over time, the word “romance” has come to convey grandeur, whimsy and idyllic concepts. To romanticize something, then, would be to make it the most beautiful version of itself.

The notion of romanticizing ordinary aspects of everyday life gained traction in the early months of the pandemic in 2020. When there was so little to look forward to, the idea of embracing small joys within normal goings-on was welcome. In essence, the intention is to maximize the pleasure that you can get from seemingly mundane activities. You’re going to get up and make yourself breakfast no matter what, so you might as well open the curtains to let the sunshine into the kitchen, put it in your favorite bowl, add an extra drizzle of honey on top and put on a good podcast while you eat it. Suddenly, you have something to look forward to.

There’s a special kind of beauty in little luxuries — maybe you buy yourself flowers to put on your dining room table because they make you smile and only cost $3.99 at Trader Joe’s. Maybe you put on a little extra cologne or perfume on a Tuesday because why

shouldn’t Tuesday be a special occasion?

Maybe you pour your can of Diet Coke into a glass with ice and drink it with a straw because it feels more classy that way. Now, all of a sudden, what used to be nothing more than a moment in your day that you never thought twice about is a special ritual that you can get excited for.

It’s scientifically proven that aesthetically pleasing things make us feel safe. Back in the hunter-gatherer days when our fight-or-flight responses were more frequently warranted, we could only appreciate the physical beauty in something if we weren’t in any immediate danger. In other words, recognizing pretty things meant that we were out of harm’s way. In a state of panic, the brain simply can’t process the value in aesthetics. So if we surround ourselves with pretty things, and every time we look at those things we appreciate their beauty; we can continuously give ourselves little subconscious reminders that everything’s okay. If we can see beauty around us, we must not be in any real danger. Long story short, romanticizing your space can even help to alleviate anxiety.

Gen-Z has popularized a myriad of different trends, lexical additions, styles, etc. Our obsession with different aesthetics in particular has been central in our society for multiple years now.

I’m not on board with everything that comes through the trend cycle, but I am a supporter of the “romanticize your life” phenomenon. Why would you not want to try to get as much joy out of your day as you possibly can? Especially if the things about your life that you can change to optimize your happiness are simple and inconsequential, I see no reason why you shouldn’t. Any “cringe” factor associated with this idea is moot, if you ask me, because anything that brings you serotonin or dopamine (without hurting other people) is a stupid thing to be embarrassed about.

If you’re going to go study in the library and you stop for a coffee on the way — that’s not just a coffee, it’s an accessory. (And honestly, it should be included in your tuition because it’s necessary.)

ROMANTICIZINGLIFE on 8

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

8 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

ARTS & CULTURE

Rhythms of unity: AfroVibes unleashes the soul of Afro-Caribbean culture

Learn how one of the largest multicultural dancing groups on campus came together

BY FAITH DEMEULENAERE features@theaggie.org

BY NATALIE SALTER ncsalter@theaggie.org Album: “Bewitched” by Laufey (2023) Chinese-Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey Lin has already captivated the world with her enchanting voice and romantic lyricism. She shines brighter than ever before on “Bewitched,” her newest studio album. The album’s orchestral instrumentals paired with Laufey’s stunning harmonies creates a cinematic and moving listening experience that takes the listener to another world, one filled with rabbit holes to fall into, Cupid’s arrows struck through hearts and letters to one’s younger self. Laufey balances romance, melancholia and nostalgia together against a beautiful musical backdrop in this emotionally pervasive and atmospheric work, one that is sure to mark a defining moment in her rising career.

Book: “Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries” by Heather Fawcett If you have any interest in faeries, folklore and their intersection with academia, look no further than this enchanting novel. Emily Wilde, a professor of dryadology at Cambridge, embarks on a field study in the isolated winter village of Ljosland. As she unveils the mysteries of the village’s local fae, she is followed by fellow professor Wendell Bambleby, who may be much closer to the faerie folk than he presents himself to be. Some faeries are friends, but others hide a dangerous bloodlust, and it falls onto the unlikely pair to discover that the wintry court has been snatching away innocent villagers to their deaths. Filled with immersive worldbuilding, lush writing, amusing banter and characters bursting with personality, you’re bound to fall in love with “Emily Wilde,” and once you enter the novel’s universe, you won’t want to put it down for a second.

Show: Succession (2018-2023) If you’ve kept up with this year’s awards season, you’ve almost certainly heard of one of television’s newest prize-winning juggernauts. The show centers around the affluent Roy family: Logan Roy, the family’s patriarch and massively successful CEO of the media giant Waystar Royco, and his children, each vying for their place in this company upon their father’s imminent retirement. Beyond the drama’s intricate web of ambition-driven maneuvers and manipulations, however, lies an impactful and complex family dynamic creating the series’ emotional core. “Succession” boasts masterful acting on the part of its award-winning cast, who play their characters with a nuance that is unmatched in modern television. Likewise, the show’s subtle-yet-brilliant writing choices elevate it to one of the most interesting and moving on-screen stories yet. Give it a watch, and you’ll be singing its praises as reverently as Hollywood’s most prestigious award shows have for all of its four-season run.

AfroVibes, a student-run multicultural dance group, emerged as a rhythmic force, passionately championing the artistic traditions of Africa and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. With a compelling fusion of music and dance, this organization is more than just a performance group; it stands as a living testament to the celebration of shared heritage and individuality.

Formed in 2016, AfroVibes’ mission was to bring African dancing to UC Davis. AfroVibes does events and performances for multiple festivals and events within the Black community, usually not competing with other dance teams. AfroVibes also hosts workshops for UC Davis students to learn African dancing semi-frequently.

“When I joined in 2020, things were still very much under COVID requirements and we were in isolation,” said co-president Dionna Eaglin, a fourth-year communications major. “Even though it was virtual at the time, finding community in these Black and African women was really powerful for me because I felt alone, especially in COVID, but also at a PWI [predominantly white institution].”

Treasurer Naomi Myrye, a fourthyear food science major, stated, “It was a good sense of community. I was lucky that I joined when I did because I’m Jamaican, and a senior was also Jamaican. She was kind of a guiding person to me. It really gave me a sense of belonging and sisterhood.”

“I was interested in dance before coming to Davis, and when I saw Afrovibes on UCD’s list of Black organizations to join, it was a perfect opportunity since Davis’ population is pretty small for Black students,” said Social Media Manager Teri Beasley,

a third-year communications and Cinema and Digital Media double major.

“Going to practice two times a week is kind of like coming home, where I can have that sense of community, since there’s not that many students who look like me, generally, in Davis. Being able to have that group of people who look like me and act like me where I can be myself, it really helped me get acclimated to Davis as well, being connected to the team in that way,” said Beasley When describing her dancing, Beasley said: “Smooth, with a hip-hop flair. Something that’s my own style.”

Eaglin described her dancing as: “Developing. It’s still a work in progress as I learn more styles. Maybe assertive too. But for the whole team, it’s beautiful. Everyone dancing together is beautiful.”

For anyone looking to join the community of AfroVibes, Eaglin advised, “A lot of us on the team would agree that it really is a work in progress, you continuously adapt.

Even now, after being on this team for years, I’m still learning. Even though we are a team and the goals are to unify and look good on stage, it’s also a learning experience about yourself.

We are very welcoming to newcomers.

Everyone’s still growing, we encourage each other and anyone who wants to learn to try.”

“We get invites to competitions, but we highlight that we are not really a competition based team. Our name is AfroVibes, because it’s for a sense of coming together and feeling the music, then bringing that to the community,” said Myrye. “It’s all dependent on the community aspect mainly.”

If you want to support AfroVibes, their annual showcase is coming up soon. You can find this information and more on their Instagram page, including information about their shows and dates for try-outs.

Film: “The Sound Of Music” (1965) dir. by Robert Wise One of the most influential classics of the musical film genre, “The Sound Of Music” follows beloved actress Julie Andrews’ energetic Maria, a free-spirited young woman with a love of singing who is sent away from her path as a nun to serve as governess to the seven Von Trapp children. Their father is a retired military captain unable to connect with his family after his wife’s passing a few years earlier. Maria’s unconventional approach to rearing the children endears her to them, and her bright outlook on life provides an opportunity for reconciliation between the family. Filled with heartwarming characters, vibrant moments of song and dance and an endearing message of love and hope against all odds, “The Sound Of Music” is a warm hug of a film that you surely won’t want to miss.

Members of UC Davis’ AfroVibes dance group pose in their dance attire (Courtesy / Khyana Yearwood)

‘It ignited my creative self ’: Third Space Art Collective aims to make creation accessible Board members discuss the evolution and purpose of the organization

BY SAVANNAH ANNO arts@theaggie.org Before its founding in 2012, Third Space was a fantasy. A group of Davis artists dreamed up a place where community members could collaborate, create and engage with one another.

There was a need for a space that could belong to a variety of creatives — musicians, photographers, painters, sculptors — and provide them with a community they could rely on.

“A big component of this being a collective is sort of showing up and pouring yourself into the space,” Board Member Sedona Patterson said. “There’s a lot of different ways to do that.”

Through the work of board members, volunteers and local artists, Third Space has maintained a warm, connection-driven environment for its visitors.

“I yearned for a way to be involved in spaces where I could be around other creative people,” Third Space President and Executive Director Jord Nelsen said.

“When I stepped into Third Space it really reignited my creative self and turned my life around in a positive way.”

The collective under went reconstruction in 2017 following the move to its current location off Arboretum Drive. Third Space now resides in a two-level warehouse with the ability to support resident artists, gallery shows, open studio hours and a music room. The collective has also

Third Space Art Collective Fosters Creativity with Accessible Space, Knowledge, and Tools for Artistic Expression.

(Jersain Medina / Aggie) shifted into being recognized as its own non-profit organization and received a grant from the City of Davis’ Art & Cultural Affairs Program.

Third Space hosts a wide array of gallery shows, sometimes put together

by Board Member Jamie Angello and other times put together by outside community members. The gallery space can be rented out, or creatives are free to visit the space and bring their ideas for shows to the board. The most recent show debuted on Jan. 12, focusing on local artists’ works centered around the theme of Conflict and Adversity.

The best part: anyone can submit their work to Third Space’s open calls for artists. Once a theme is announced,

the collective welcomes artists of all mediums and styles to interpret it in whatever way feels best to them.

“There are many, many creative people in our communities that want to have a chance to show their artwork, get feedback and be involved in a creative world, so part of our work is to provide an easier access to that process,” Nelsen said. “That’s kind of the main motivation: to be in a creative space that nurtures growth, involvement and a sense of place.”

The collective also recently scheduled open hours every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in hopes of providing visitors with the chance to work in the presence of one another. The

studio space is open to general members free of charge and non-members with a 5 dollar entrance fee.

“Something a lot of artists talk about and want is to be in community with other artists,” Patterson said. “It’s really nice that you can come here and work on your art around other people who are doing the same thing, it’s a good way to motivate yourself to keep creating.”

Open hours at the collective also mean that their free art supply pantry is available, providing camera film, paints, fabric, drawing tools, carving supplies, canvases and more to artists in need.

Inspired by an art supply mutual aid

training, Patterson pitched the pantry idea to Third Space just last year.

“I studied Art History and Fine Art at UC Davis — I graduated in 2022 — but I worked a part-time job all four years and was financially independent from my parents, so I know first-hand how expensive it can be to pay for all of your own art supplies,” Patterson said. “It’s expensive, but that doesn’t change the fact that art is an integral part of living.”

The pantry accepts both new and used donations, operating on the idea of artists helping other artists. Open every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., as well as during each Davis ArtAbout, anyone is welcome to visit and take what they need at no cost.

The collective is accepting volunteers, new general members and is open to anyone who wants to come and check out the space. By creating room for local artists to shine and providing materials and workspaces, the collective hopes more and more creatives will begin to visit. Third Space also looks forward to planning more interactive events for artists and community members in the future.

“I love the way the energy changes in the space,” Nelson said. “I’m here a lot alone, but when other people are here working, it’s interesting how it changes. There’s talking but also a lot of intense focus, and I just love that. That camaraderie is what feeds the creative class, and we can provide that to the community.”

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 1, 2024 | 7

Commentary: Are these four TikTok makeup products worth the hype?

TikTok Shop has revived the makeup community by simplifying how to shop for makeup products

BY ELIZABETH WOODHALL arts@theaggie.org When you think of TikTok, you might think of viral trends or vlogstyle clips grasping your attention for just a few seconds before moving on to the next video. Anything you’d like to find or learn about — it’s on the app.

It’s a platform that serves you any type of media on a silver platter, and it’s an endless feed that can have you on your phone for five hours (or more) a day.

TikTok has recently introduced TikTok Shop, a new feature that allows anyone to showcase their products and facilitates shopping for shopping addicts like myself. If endless products being gushed about by influencers wasn’t enough, TikTok, in an effort to get more people on the shop, has provided users with unbeatable deals.

The makeup industry has been at the forefront of the success of the new feature. This sensationalization of makeup on TikTok has led to a feed filled with products that claim

to be bigger, better and cheaper than the last. What better way to confirm this claim than to try a few of these makeup products on my own to see if the hype is real? Most of the products that have gone viral are available at any drugstore or makeup retailer, so these products are not exclusively on TikTok, but their promotions might be worth looking at.

Elf ’s Hydrogrip Primer Described as a “gel-based, hydrating face primer that smooths skin while gripping your makeup,” this primer’s claims are not baseless.

While searching for makeup products that could withstand the test of sweat and a face mask, this primer was the stellar product that beat every other primer I tried. It has a gel consistency that, once applied, dries down quickly.

This primer is not meant to set on your face while you figure out what song to add to your new “Getting Ready” playlist. It does not leave a white cast, which makes it perfect for all skin

tones. For people who have dry, oily or combination skin, the product is perfect for year-round wear.

KimChi Chic Beauty’s Puff Puff Pass Set and Bake Powder Kim Chi made it to the finals on season eight of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2016, and she soon after became the CEO of the viral makeup brand KimChi Chic Beauty. This brand grew popular because of TikTok Shop and the cheap deals it had on the product.

I got mine for 10 dollars while it’s currently retailing for 50 dollars on the website. The product has generated a lot of popularity because it doesn’t make your makeup cake and build up; instead, it smooths out any rough edges and creates a seamless look. If you can catch a similar deal, check out this setting powder.

One/Size Beauty’s Setting Spray This setting spray is from the brand of makeup guru Patrick Starr.

On his TikTok account, he tests out

his setting spray by spraying his full face of makeup and jumping into the pool. Once they get out, they dry their face with a wet towel, proving the spray creates a transfer-proof and waterproof base. This TikTok gained 23.8 million views. Soon after, I purchased this setting spray, and I was shocked to see that it did not meet my expectations. Retailing at 32 dollars, this setting spray isn’t something that is an easy pick-me-up. The fragrance was incredibly strong to the point where I’d have to plug my nose in an attempt to not cough. I broke out from this product, and it stung my face. With the effects being so intense, I chose to return the setting spray after many attempts to make it work.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush Selena Gomez, the founder of Rare Beauty Makeup, shook the world with these blushes. The applicator is meant to be accessible for people with disabilities without having to constantly open and close the product.

In general, the blushes are incredibly pigmented and long-lasting. There are shades for all skin tones and types, and it’s available in both a matte and dewy finish. The blush retails at 23 dollars, has 7.5 ml of product and is available on TikTok Shop and Sephora. Even though it feels like a liquid at first, it blends similarly to a powder, which doesn’t disrupt the base of the makeup.

This product is versatile and can be used as a blush, eyeshadow or lipstick.

Intricate skincare routines have been on the rise with publications like Vogue featuring Nial Horan and Ariana Grande’s multistep skincare routines. (Courtesy of Kalos Skincare / fair use) I personally use it for all three, so the price is well worth it.

TikTok has shifted from being a social media platform to a place where people can purchase items within a few clicks. Not only has this generated a new way to promote products, it has also embedded ads that lure the viewer into not swiping away. This rise in popularity of makeup products feels like jumping back into 2014, where obsessively purchasing new lipstick is a force of habit — because it definitely isn’t the same shade we already had.

Upcoming drag events near you

Drag brunches, dinners, cabarets and more in the Yolo-Solano-Sacramento area

BY SAVANNAH BURGER arts@theaggie.org At a time in the world where almost everything seems hectic and negative, it’s important to be able to enjoy a respite from the stresses of daily life.

Different forms of entertainment are one way we seek to decompress. Lucky for you, some of the most enthralling and hilarious forms of performance are just a short drive away.

For those who don’t know, drag shows feature professional performers called drag queens and kings, who crossdress to create a unique and dazzling caricature of gender. They often have extravagant outfits, amazing talents and unique, exaggerated makeup.

Drag events, which typically range from being open to all ages to adult-only admission, always have something to make you laugh until you fall over — be it through dance numbers, lip-syncing, stand-up comedy or endless other forms of oneof-a-kind performances. Drag shows are the home of queer freedom of expression that strive to put a smile on people’s faces.

On Saturday, Feb. 4, Solomon’s Vinyl Diner, located at 730 K St. in Sacramento, is hosting a drag brunch for patrons of all ages. The entry tickets are ten dollars, and the event

MEASUREN FROM PAGE 2 “It’s critically important for us to vote to protect what we care about and fix what isn’t working in our country,” Jacobs said. “While national races get the most attention, local races and referendums are critical to make sure our democracy functions well, and it’s often where the most impactful votes occur. First and foremost, everyone who is eligible should register to vote and cast their ballots. With online registration and vote-by-mail ballots, it’s easy to do in California.”

More voter information about Measure N as well as other local and state propositions can be accessed at the Yolo County Elections Office, which has ballot information for what will be featured on the March 5, 2024 and November 5, 2024 elections.

CITYSERIES FROM PAGE 2 Tan carries a lot of responsibilities herself such as running the city’s social media, press, interviews, surveys, graphics for communities, branding, public relations and even working with organizations like Hate-Free Together and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

“In the last year from 2022 to 2023, I increased our social media reach by almost 400%, with engagement being around 200%, and that really revolves around what our community wants to see and hear,” Tan said.

These posts will help keep positive interactions with the public and Tan also shared the importance of the Davis atmosphere.

“We have a really unique community that speaks up and speaks up often and so there are a lot of great interactions that I have with residents,” Tan said.

Tan said that she hopes to make two videos a month, and with there being six departments the majority of the videos will be city staff. But there will be a few special edition interviews with people from the community and organizations or even potentially UC Davis staff.

Rohit Mantramurti, a second-year history major at UC Davis, talked about

Roscoe’s Saturday night drag dinner show “The Velvet Revue” a timeless cabaret with dazzling queens. (Jersain Medina / Aggie) is held sometime every month. Keep in mind that there are two shows on Feb. 4: one at 11 a.m. and another at 1 p.m. While you eat brunch, drag queens will weave in between tables, dancing, lip-syncing and singing.

It’s extremely exciting and affordable entertainment to enjoy while having brunch with your friends or family.

If you go to Roscoe’s Bar and Burgers at 07 K St. in Sacramento, you can catch “The Velvet Revue: A Drag Cabaret Dinner Show” every Saturday at 7 p.m. This drag show, which has

an entry cost of ten dollars, features a rotating cast of performers and is currently being hosted by drag queens Rose Rowzay, Khamiyah Punani, Elayna Roberts and Manni Peddi.

The show is open to all ages and is the perfect entertainment to pair with dinner. Roscoe’s Bar and Burgers also has many other queer events, such as movie nights, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” viewing parties, karaoke and more.

Right in the heart of Old Sacramento, you can see the extravagant Illusions The Drag

how important it is to highlight unseen staff in the city.

“As a club organizer for Davis Revolutionary Student Union, I understand that a lot of the behindthe-scenes workers go unappreciated, but in reality, the club we work hard to build wouldn’t exist without them,” Mantramurti said.

Tan hopes this is educational for people in Davis but also a chance for people to see potential positions of interest and to encourage people to seek jobs within the city of Davis, or Yolo county government.

Saralynn Staub, a second-year biological science major, is also looking for internships and opportunities at Davis.

“I am super interested in city work and working for local organizations,” Staub said. So I think the channel will be a good way for students and community members to get a good look at possibilities for career options.”

Tan also shared a little about the first episode which drops on Jan. 29.

She will include an introduction to the series explaining her idea and the first interview will be with someone high up in leadership.

“I think this will encourage more city staff to take an interest in the video, which will make staff more enthused to take part in the series,” Tan said.

The video will be streamed on the city YouTube channel, @cityofdaviscalif, along with a series playlist. Other ways to see what’s happening in the city of Davis are on Facebook, X and Instagram (@cityofdavis).

community member and UC Davis alumnus, described how the parks have served his family throughout the years.

“I absolutely love our neighborhood’s Slide Hill Park,” Cooper said. “My son learned to ride a bike, play baseball and swim there. I worked with a neighborhood committee when play structures were redesigned. I have a daughter in a power wheelchair, so my two cents went towards making sure changes would be as accessible as possible. I could probably write a love song about Slide Hill Park and its many uses. We are super blessed with the number and quality of the parks in our city. Sometimes I will complain if something is broken, but in general they are safe and well maintained.”

In addition to these recently completed projects, the Mace Ranch Park play structure is awaiting inspection and opening soon, and the La Playa Park play structure’s construction is planned to start soon, according to Barbara Archer, public information officer for the City of Davis.

Knighton described his future hopes for developing more inclusive playgrounds in Davis and hopes to work with playground designers who have inclusivity specialists.

“We want to put something in that can be enjoyed by everybody whether you have a full range of motion with your body or you have aspects that are limited and prevent you from being able to use a traditional playground, but something that still incorporates play value that really allows everybody to use it,” Knighton said.

PLAYGROUNDS

PARKSURVEY

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Knighton also explained the design aspects of the parks, specifically the installation of an adult fitness system at Campanilla Mini Park, as well as the communities’ desire to cater the park to a different demographic after dealing with unwanted activity in the past.

“We felt that would activate the park in a different way,” Knighton said.

“It would encourage adults to come out and use that area, and maybe if the park was activated in a way that it hadn’t previously been, that some of that nefarious activity would inherently go away.”

The parks have served as an outlet to many and aim to provide further space for children to enjoy. John Cooper,

Parks play a major role in Davis, and the city is heralded for its abundance and attention towards green spaces.

Davis’s public information officer Barbara Machado explained the large responsibilities held by the city’s parks department.

“The parks and green belts are integral to Davis,” Archer said. “The department manages and maintains 42 community parks and nine dog parks.

They also manage 25 athletic fields.”

Queen Show” every Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. The event is 21 years and older and is located at 910 2nd St. in Sacramento. The show is a combination of comedy performances in a classic burlesque style along with a specialization in celebrityimpersonating drag queens. These queens impersonate some of the most iconic pop-culture figures in the queer community, among them being Cher, Beyoncé, Joan Rivers and Brittany Spears.

Looking for another brunch-time show? Drag brunch at The Hidea-Way is a drag performance and brunch that spotlights local drag stars.

It is happening on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. at The Hide-a-Way Lounge & Grill, located at 1080 Orange Drive in Vacaville. The event is 21 years and older, and general admission is $17, with beverages and food being bought separately. It’s okay if you can’t make Feb. 4; The Hide-a-Way Lounge & Grill holds a drag brunch every month, along with having a myriad other drag shows that are regularly announced on their Instagram page.

There are also other opportunities to engage in open discussion with the performers if you want an insider’s perspective on drag culture. On Friday, Feb. 2, at 10 p.m., LoLGBT+, a queer, comedy performing arts group, is holding an all-ages drag

queen discussion panel called “Say YAS! - A Drag Discussion Salon & Kiki!” This panel, which is hosted by drag queen Suzette Veneti, is going to be held at the STAB! Comedy Theater at 1710 Broadway in Sacramento.

Tickets to the event are ten dollars and the discussion panel will return every month if you happen to miss one.

Come for an entertaining night full of drag culture you may or may not have known about.

Last on this list, on Friday, Apr. 19, the Crest Theatre on 1013 K St. in Sacramento will be hosting legendary drag queen and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season six, Bianca Del Rio. The famous drag queen is stopping in Sacramento on her new world company tour of her stand-up comedy special “Dead Inside.” The comedy show is appropriate for all ages and is Del Rio’s sixth-ever worldwide tour.

Her set will cover political correctness, pop culture and current events with a sassy and witty edge. Tickets start at $49.50.

If you find yourself looking for something new and exciting to engage with on your time off, drag shows are a fulfilling experience where positive queer freedom and experimentation are celebrated. Take the opportunity to celebrate them and keep this sect of queer culture alive.

Davis MoMA: Hear No Evil

BY NIMRA FARHAN nfarhan@ucdavis.edu

Disclaimer: (This cartoon is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

8 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

SCIENCE AND TECH

Three baby mountain lions have been rescued and nursed back to health by UC Davis Wildlife Health Center

The cubs’ rescue is part of a conservation effort to protect the species as they face a rapid population decline

BY KATIE HELLMAN science@theaggie.org Mountain lions — also called cougars, panthers or pumas — are a keystone species, as other species in the ecosystem largely depend on them. They can be found anywhere from Canada to the tip of South America and live in a wide variety of environments, such as mountains, deserts and coastal areas.

They are solitary animals and can be identified by their long hind legs, sleek body and curved claws.

Recently, three mountain lion cubs were rescued by the UC Davis Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center along with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Over the period of a week, each sixweek-old cub was found in their own location but still within 250 feet of the other cubs. The rescuers used the GPS collar of the cubs’ mother to establish the parameters of their search. The first two cubs were found on the same day — one was hiding in a hole and the other was between two rocks — and the third cub was found three days later.

Throughout the remainder of the week, trail cameras searched for signs of more cubs, but didn’t find any.

Winston Vickers, director of the Mountain Lion Project at the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, commented on the process leading up to the cubs’ rescue.

“Their mother was collared in San Diego County and we had been following her,” Vickers said. “We had noted that when we collared her, she had a kitten and that kitten had appeared to mature and disperse, and then we noticed that her data indicated she was probably denning again. For about six weeks she had been denning and then we learned that she had been killed.”

Once the cubs were safely located, they were assessed and treated for dehydration and then transported to

CLIMATESTRIKE FROM FRONT COVER “The youth are the next generation taking power in this world,” Leonard said. “We need people that understand the situation we’re in. I think the youth is a great way to start that.”

Stewart shared his closing thoughts on what the community of Davis must do to move forward and effectively aid in helping against the climate crisis.

“I think Davis stopped being as forward-thinking as it needs to be,” Steward said. “The [types] of building projects that they’re planning, the [types] of transportation preferences that they are incenting, the types of engagement with the school system in terms of environmental and social justice thinking needs to be elevated more.”

PEPSICO FROM FRONT COVER Currently, the only area on campus not included in the PRC is the CoHo, as ASUCD chose not to opt into the contract at the time of signing. It has cited wanting to maintain choice for customers and a lack of transparency in regard to funding available to the CoHo by the contract.

Allyson Francisco, ASUCD Controller and member of the Beverages Pouring Rights Industry Working Group, affirmed that the CoHo will not participate in any PRC, as stated within Senate Resolutions (SR) #2 and #6 of fall quarter 2023.

“ASUCD believes in sustainability and equality and all of these really important pillars,” Francisco said.

“ASUCD and Senate and different aspects of the organization truthfully believe that being in a beverage pouring agreement with Pepsi negates all those things and doesn’t allow us to fulfill those standards that we set for ourselves.”

Francisco also noted that marketing alongside PepsiCo would contradict UCD’s identity as a whole, given that the company is the second largest plastic polluter in the world.

Even if a PRC deal is not signed, according to Falbe, UC Davis would still be able to sell PepsiCo products without exclusivity. As a result, she believes that the campus would have the opportunity to stock smaller, local brands, as well as more healthy alternatives.

Daphne Crother is the Vice Chair of EPPC, an environmental advisory board whose official stance is against the renewal of the PRC. According to Crother, EPPC has been attempting to spread awareness of the PRC among the student body through social media campaigns, creating an informational page on their official website and tabling.

EPPC also organized a rally last June

Mountain lion cubs are born with spots so they can more easily blend in with their environment (Credit to Ken Bohn, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) the veterinarian. If they had not been found, they may not have survived even a week on their own. The mountain lions will live at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and receive lifelong care; since they were separated from their mother at a young age, they will no longer be able to gain the survival skills they need to live in the wild.

Mountain lions used to live throughout the country, but human activities have been causing their rapid population decline, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation.

“Mountain lions used to be found throughout the United States, but due to bounty hunts in the early 1900s and threats such as persecution, trophy hunting, poaching, retaliation in response to livestock depredation, kitten

orphaning, poisoning and habitat loss and fragmentation, mountain lions are now only found in 15 western states,” their website reads.

Vickers mentioned that in young mountain lion populations specifically, predators are one of the main causes of death. “[The cubs] can get taken by predators like coyotes and bobcats,” Vickers said. “The mothers have to be away from them for fairly long periods of time — sometimes over a day — hunting, and so they’re susceptible even though the mothers hide them really well.”

Many conservation efforts have been put into effect to try and increase their populations, such as the aforementioned

rescue mission. Organizations dedicated to increasing ecological biodiversity have been making an impact as well.

For example, the Center for Biological Diversity has been working to secure state-level protection for mountain lions in California, and one of the ways they have done this is by petitioning to list certain mountain lion populations as “evolutionarily significant” under the California Endangered Species Act. “That would prevent state and local authorities from approving highway or development projects that jeopardize the persistence of these populations by not accounting for adequate connectivity,” the article reads. “And state agencies would have a clear legal mandate to protect mountain lions and improve

connectivity, such as by proactively building wildlife crossings at existing barriers and upgrading culverts.”

It’s crucial for humans to continue to increase their conservation efforts before mountain lions become threatened to the point of extinction. “[Mountain lions] are iconic and they’re charismatic megafauna, but most people don’t really think about them, and most people in California assume that they’re doing fine because they’re not hunted here,” Vickers said.

“That’s been the shocking thing about our findings and something we want to continually put out there — they’re not fine.”

on the issue and helped advise SR #2 and #6.

Crother believes that UC Davis’ choice will show its commitment to its core ideals.

“If UC Davis takes the stance [against the PRC] and the Chancellor’s Advisory Council votes against this, it would be a large step showing that UC Davis cares about sustainability more than it cares about the co-branding, the funding and the [recognition] that we’d get with Pepsi,” Crother said.

UC Berkeley renewed its contract with PepsiCo in Aug. 2023, and according to Falbe, it is possible that the Beverage Pouring Rights Industry Working Group will sign on a similar contract if it chooses to renew. Details of the contract, provided by the Center for Science in the Public Interest via a public records request, include a maximum of a 4% annual price increase on products, 85% exclusivity on market shelves and the ban of the sale of all Coca-Cola products.

There is also concern that a contract renewal would go against the UC-wide initiative to eliminate single-use plastics from all campuses by 2024. “[UC Berkeley’s] Pepsi contract is incompatible with UC’s policy and commitment to eliminate single-use plastics by 2024 because Pepsi will not provide a couple of large product lines in non-single-use plastic containers until 2030,” Falbe said.

Falbe also noted that UC Berkeley’s final Pepsi PRC was obtained through a public records request separate from her role in the Beverage Pouring Rights Industry Working Group.

There is also some concern that PRCs overprice beverage products at the wholesale level, which would likely be passed to the consumer and student levels. As Falbe noted, “the PRC wholesale price for sparkling water is more expensive ($14.30 for 24 cans) than retail prices at Walmart ($11.16 for 24 cans of LaCroix) and even Whole Foods ($9.98 for 24 cans of [the brand], 365).”

Ultimately, Crother says that if UC Davis does decide to renew the PRC, it could damage the university’s reputation.

“I think that if UC Davis does go forth with this contract, despite student, administrative and faculty disapproval, it would not be good for UC Davis’s standing with sustainability and just disregard on student support,” Crother said. “We would be following the path of UC Berkeley, unfortunately, which is not a precedent that we want to set, especially as we’re known for being a sustainable, environmentally forward school.”

meant to her.

“What makes me proud to be an Aggie [are] our movements,” Garci-Pubdani said. “With all these movements and changes to the campus, how great would it be for UC Davis to take this next progressive step and take action in the gun industry? UC Davis, and every UC for [that] matter, needs to be [held] accountable for our safety, and the gun industry is a direct contradiction for that.”

Garcia-Pubdani went on to discuss the goal of Students Demand Action going forward.

“While this week is indeed the SHOT show and also National Gun Violence Survivors week, what’s important is not backing down,” GarciPubdani said. “We have an advocacy day in March that will be [focusing on] talking to legislators about gun regulation and talking about what we can do with other chapters [in] California to talk about gun control.

We will continue to hold events and not back down until the UCs stop [their contribution] and listen to the students’ voices.”

[the flyers] was saying ‘The Talmud was satanic.’ So very old antisemitic tropes that sadly are very familiar. [...]

It never feels good for a marginalized community to be confronted with such blatant naked hate, and so my heart really went out to the Jewish community.”

In Chapman’s statement, he shared that the Davis Police Department is aware of incidents like these, and that encouraged anyone who has experienced or witnessed antisemitic behavior to report it to the authorities.

“The Davis Police Department is aware of recent incidents, including social media posts and flyers, that have caused serious concern for several community members,” Chapman’s statement read. “The Davis Police Department will continue to monitor the situation and is in close communication with the UC Davis Police Department and federal partners.”

thought that I was going to have so much freedom,” Bernabe said. “I was really having my ‘me time,’ trying to make sure that I had a good memory of my first quarter.”

The ability to balance academics with a social life and create a memorable experience in college is important too, especially for mental health reasons. Plus, loved ones are excited for them to experience college fully, not just through academics.

“I knew that I was going to go to college just because that was always an expectation for me from my parents. I had to make sure that their sacrifices were worth something because that’s important to them, and it’s important to me,” Bernabe said.

Parents of first-generation students may not have had the choice to attend college but did what they could to ensure that their kids would be presented with opportunities to explore their passions.

“Reflection, reflection, reflection, that’s all that college has been. Davis has nurtured me in a way that has allowed me to grow because I feel like I can just think and express myself a lot more creatively than before,” Bernabe said.

In order to take control of their futures, these students are finding the support and motivation to pave their paths through the confusing and sometimes intimidating experience of higher education.

DIVESTMENTWEEK FROM FRONT COVER Kayla Garcia-Pubdani, a fourthyear political science major and group co-lead on Students Demand Action, also spoke on what divestment week

FLYERS FROM FRONT COVER It is unclear whether the photos were taken in Davis, but local “antifascist members” in the community reported seeing the incident, according to Jorjorian.

“Anti-fascist members in Davis had spotted [Perrine] who has been active throughout the Sacramento area.

Running for office, his face has been put on media so he’s very recognizable at this point,” Jorjorian said. “So they spotted him putting flyers on cars in downtown Davis.”

Jorjorian said that they followed Perrine at a distance and destroyed a majority of the flyers, according to the account of the local anti-fascist members. Jorjorian credits this as the reason why there were only a few reports of the flyers downtown.

Last March, Perrine disrupted a Roseville Joint Union High School District meeting. After the meeting, Perrine showed up at the home of Casey Tinning, a pastor of a church that aims to provide a youth group that is also a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people.

Perrine once held office as a Central Committee member for The Republican Party of Sacramento County, until he was removed by the party for his ties to the Proud Boys.

Perrine did not respond to multiple email requests for an interview at the time of publication.

Jorjorian said that their reaction to the flyers was unfortunately “unsurpised” as they contained common antisemitic stereotypes that have been said before.

“I was unsurprised at the content of the flyers, they are very familiar typical white supremacist antisemitic talking points,” Jorjorian said. “You know, conspiracy theories about ‘Jews controlling everything.’ One of them

FIRSTGEN FROM PAGE 3 Hernandez highlighted the importance of finding your community when stepping into college, as he joined a fraternity in his first quarter.

“I found my group of people fairly easily. Receiving advice from people that I found very similar to me but also already had an experience that was at a higher level allowed me to seek different opportunities. I’ve always found something to learn from certain groups of people,” Hernandez said.

First-generation student America Bernabe, a first-year political science major, named an obstacle that arises in a first-generation student’s process and explained how it differs for students with parents who are able to guide them.

“They know what to ask; they know who to ask. It can be really hard sometimes because no one wants to find something out on their own. It’s more intimidating,” Bernabe said. “You don’t want to feel so lonely in such a lifechanging process.”

The resources provided by a high school can also have an impact on a student’s college perception and preparedness. “[My high school] had a really bad system. It was supposed to be a college preparatory school, but it’s more like they just sent you to college. They didn’t actually prepare you for it,” Romero said.

Unlike Romero, Bernabe was able to grasp an understanding of college due to her earlier education.

“I feel like my high school did a really good job of ensuring that the seniors had at least a general idea of what college is and what college can mean to you,” Bernabe said.

She also said that a college environment can come with difficulties besides academics, such as learning time management and prioritizing mental health.

“Academic-wise, it was a little bit harder to discipline myself since I

ROMANTICIZINGLIFE FROM PAGE 5 It’s a tiny, simple article that takes your study session from I ’m - a - t i re d - b u r n t - o u t - c o l l e g e student-running-on-fumes-andpancakes-and-an-empty-planner to I’m-a-mature-and-sexy-academic-withinsurance-and-a-really-cool-jacket-andmy-life-together. Not only will you be more productive during the latter, you’ll enjoy it a hell of a lot more too. A rainy day goes from glum and gloom to cute and cozy if you’ve got a book and a blanket. Put a bow in your hair for a regular work day because it’ll make you feel so cute and special (you’ll look it too). There’s joy in the mundane if you want there to be — find the brightness in the tedium and the romance in the quotidian.

So that’s how I ride back home from the coffee shop — calm and warmed from the inside out. The sun is peeking through the clouds and people are starting to pepper the streets of downtown on their way to Sunday brunch. Taylor Swift is playing in my headphones — “Taking your time in the tangerine neon light, this is luxury.”

I still have the whole day ahead of me.

It’s serendipitous and intentional and peaceful and content. It’s romantic because I made it that way.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024 |9

Sudoku

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row, column and 3x3 square must contain each digit. Each Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing.

Answer to previous puzzle 01/25/24

Crossword

HUMOR

Broke man spotted at the Silo How to write an Market essay in one hour Aggies stand on business

BY ALLISON KELEHER adkeleher@ucdavis.edu I was perusing the Silo market the other day during my gap between classes, starving and needing to eat lunch before my next lecture. Usually, I hit up the pre-made sandwich and salad section to get my pathetic turkey and cheddar on a wheat sandwich. Sadly, they were out. Nothing else looked appetizing or affordable.

This was when something caught my eye — a couple wearing matching plaid pajamas in the line for Boar’s Head sandwiches. I decided against my better judgment and got in line behind them since my struggle meal had fallen through the cracks. It was

MAYA KORNYEYEVA / AGGIE

quite nauseating to witness their public displays of affection. The amount of times I had to hear “Babe, stoppppp” made me pull out my noise-canceling headphones.

When it was their turn to order, there was a lot of giggling and playful slaps to the arm. I’m not sure what’s so funny about a sandwich. Then there was another playful slap elsewhere, and I was officially over getting a sandwich. I looked over at the Boar’s Head employee and they had a very unamused look on their face.

“Babe, why don’t you want yours toasteddd,” the girl whined. As her sandwich was being toasted, they entered into a long embrace. It took everything in me to continue to keep my straight face. I looked over at the

AAAAAAAAAH

Boar’s Head employee and he looked like he wanted to get his head toasted.

I was counting the seconds it took for their sandwiches to get wrapped up and taken to the register. She was standing in front of him in line, so she made it to the register first. He moved out from behind her, and just as I thought he was about to take over at the register, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her from behind. Oh no. I’ve never seen this in person. The Broke Man Hug. I looked at the employee running the register and she had the same unamused look on her face that I did.

“Babe, don’t worry I got the next one. You have way more Aggie Cash than I do,” the broke man said — obviously lying.

She whipped out her Aggie card and swiped it at the register. They got their sandwiches and left the Silo Market holding hands, off to haunt the rest of campus with their disgusting young love. I was so busy paying attention to them leaving that I didn’t notice that my sandwich was also completed.

“Aggie Cash or card?” the employee asked. I let out a loud laugh and the employee didn’t seem amused.

“Card.”

Disclaimer: (This article is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and the names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

BY AUDREY ZHANG aurzhang@ucdavis.edu We’ve all been there. You’re spending your time trying to enjoy college and get those Best Years of Your Life™ and then you remember that you’re drowning in debt for a reason — to get a degree.

The deadline is tonight and you’ve got a blank page and no hope. Fear not, for I have seen this time and time again and can save your failing grade. I call it the Death Metal Technique because at the end of it, your paper will be spitting bars and you will feel like you want to die.

Preparation is the most important step. I know this sounds obvious, but if you’re reading this, then you have clearly missed that memo. Step one is to panic. Get all those nerves and feelings that maybe your parents were right about you out of your system.

You’re running out of time, so make your nervous breakdown quick. You have work to do.

Brainstorm. It’d be helpful if you did any actual research or read the material beforehand, but I’m not holding out too much hope at this point. It’s time to hit up the internet. SparkNotes is your problematic ex that you keep going back to. Treasure it. Love it. And when it asks for money you don’t have, watch it take your future hopes and dreams away from you.

The next step is to tell everyone you know how hard you’ve been working and how you can’t hang out; you really need to get this essay done. Call again and talk about your grindset mindset.

There, now you’ve made everyone else feel bad about writing at the last minute too. Ride on that throne of lies and let it carry you to victory.

NOVA MAI / AGGIE

Do the format first. I guarantee you will forget at the end and you’ll feel like you’ve actually accomplished something once that document looks all nice and pretty. Reach the page count by saying the same thing in a slightly different way each time. The TA skimming it won’t notice and you’ll get points for organization. Pay special attention to the first and last sentences of your essay.

It’s probably all they’ll read.

Take your only break and pull out ChatGPT. It’s alright, I know everyone’s at least thought about it. Just don’t blame me when it says that Romeo kissed Tybalt instead of Juliet. Get back to work.

Soon, you’ll have a completed draft in front of you. Don’t bother proofreading. Just Ctrl-F that baby and look up any swear words that you might’ve said aloud and then typed into your beautiful essay. No, I am not speaking from personal experience.

No need to thank me, but Lamborghinis don’t come cheap. Feel free to tip my Ko-fi, and good luck!

Time is ticking.

Disclaimer: (This article is humor and/or satire, and its content is purely fictional. The story and the names of “sources” are fictionalized.)

10 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

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Leasing and Tours Starts February 1st

Graduate Student Community, Lease by the Bedroom, Study Lounge & Private Meeting Rooms, One Block from UCD Campus, One Block from Shopping Center, Washer and Dryer in Unit, Free Parking

Online Leasing Starts in Mid February

Select Renovated Units with Updated Kitchen and Flooring Available, Located near West Davis Pond, Free Coffee and Doughnuts Daily, 1.5 Mile Bike Path to Campus, Near Unitrans Lines D, K, P, & Q, Pool & Spa, Clubhouse with Fitness Center, Free Parking

Leasing and Tours Starts February 1st

Spacious Floor Plans, Free Coffee and Doughnuts Daily, Clubhouse with Fitness Center, Tennis Court, Pool & Spa, Washer & Dryer in Unit, Free Parking

Leasing and Tours Starts February 1st

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

THURSDAY, JANUARY, 25, 2024 | 11

12 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

THE CALIFORNIA AGGIE

SPORTS GYMNASTICS

UC Davis gymnastics wins two meets against Alaska Anchorage Seawolves Aggies improve to 3-0 standings during the 2023-2024 season

BY LUCIENNE BROOKER sports@theaggie.org The UC Davis gymnastics team continued their strong start to the season with two victories over Alaska Anchorage Seawolves on Jan. 19 and 21. A long but rewarding weekend for the Aggies, the team dominated against the Seawolves while boosting their season stats. The two wins extend their winning streak to three following a season opening win over rivals Sacramento State.

The Aggies traveled all the way to Anchorage to face the Seawolves on their home turf. The Aggies had to brave harsh weather conditions as temperatures were in the negatives for their entire trip, with light snow on the side. Despite the intense weather, the Aggies touched down in Anchorage and immediately started to dominate in their first meet against the Seawolves.

Finishing with a total score of 195.125 points, the Aggies triumphed over the Seawolves’ mere score of 186.250 points. The Seawolves put up a good fight against the Davis team as this was their first meet of the season, however, the Aggies came prepared for the meet with numerous training hours and one prior meet that ultimately gave them the upper hand.

Starting out the competition on the bars, several Davis gymnasts set or tied their personal best scores. As one of the best performances of the

Competing at their second meet of the season, UC Davis gymnastics finishes with a score of 195.300 against Alaska with a score of 191.050. Senior Emma Otsu scored a 9.800 during her vault event. (Courtesy / Alaska Anchorage) meet, second-year landscape architect major, Amelia Moneymaker scored a team high 9.850. Additionally, on the vault, junior neurobiology, physiology and behavior major Keanna Abraham set the standard with a stellar score of 9.850.

As the meet moved on to floor routines, Abraham again scored a 9.850, continuing to lead against the

other team. The Aggies closed out the meet on the beam, and Abraham once again finished first, scoring 9.875. A truly dynamic athlete, Abraham sprang into action this meet and became one of the highest scoring competitors of the meet. Similarly, Moneymaker also claimed a strong performance as she had the highest all-around score of the meet with a total of 39.025 points.

Heading into their rest day, UC Davis was feeling confident after their win.

The Aggies and Seawolves faced off again two days later on Jan. 21 after a much needed two day rest.

This time the SeaWolves were looking for revenge for their loss on Friday and came out fierce from the get go. Nevertheless, it again was not enough to take the win away from

the Aggies who came out on top.

Both teams improved their overall scores, with Davis scoring 195.300 and Alaska Anchorage finishing with 191.050. Opening on the bars, firstyear undecided major Ayumi Oshiro recorded a 9.825 for the team’s high score.

The vaulting event saw a tie between fourth-year design major Emma Otsu and third-year psychology major Megan Ray, who both scored a 9.800. Furthering her point show, Ray recorded another tie on floor as she and Moneymaker both scored a 9.850.

As the final event from the meet, the beam proved to be the best event of the day. Continuing with the Davis tying streak, Abraham and Oshiro tied for first with a score of 9.875.

Excellent performances from the Aggie team lead to their decisive victory, adding to their season consecutive winning streak. With a 38.700, Emma Otsu recorded the team-high for allaround score and the Aggies flew back to Davis in high spirits and ready for their next meet.

Next up, the Aggies will face off against Gustavus Adolphus College at the University Credit Union Center.

The Gusties have lost their only meet of the season, so they’ll be looking to turn their luck around against the Aggies and prove to be tough competition. Nonetheless, the Aggies are still favored to win the meet on their home turf.

A closer look at some of the many different club sports offered at UC Davis

KELLY GUAN / AGGIE

From taekwondo to tic tac toe

BY MI’ZAUNI REESE sports@theaggie.org As a college with exceptional academics and numerous Division 1 sports, it is not hard to find athleticism everywhere on campus. Although UC Davis has a total of 25 Division 1 sports teams, these don’t even account for half of the sports offered at Davis.

With a total of forty registered club sport teams on campus, club sports at UC Davis surpass the Division sports teams in membership, community and perhaps even individuality.

From the more known basketball and volleyball to the unconventional taekwondo and alpine skiing, there are sports teams for everyone at UC Davis.

One of the more competitive, undiscovered club sports on campus is table tennis. While offering a space of leisure, community and friendly competition, the table tennis team has also become one of the best in the league. Headed by President Vi Pham, the team has competed in the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) league for the past few years, going head to head against powerful schools such as Stanford, Sacramento State and UC Berkeley.

The UC Davis table tennis team also hosts bimonthly competitions for

WOMXNECONOMICS FROM PAGE 3 “Community building has been so critical these last few years, and it seems to be good for our students,” Wilson said. “It seems to be a positive direction of the club: to focus more on being casual, social and [having] communitybuilding events.”

Wilson also emphasized the important role that camaraderie plays in the club.

“The real value is the community of people that, you know, support you and whatever path you choose and want to be in study groups with you,” Wilson said. “This is the greatest value.”

GIRLMATHTREND FROM PAGE 3 Canchola continued on to describe the circular trajectory of women’s identity and self-worth.

“The ‘girl math’ trend, and other trends like that, arose from this kind of mindset, but are starting to go too far in the opposite direction and are reverting back to ‘all women are dumb’ kind of thinking, rather than ‘women are imperfect and that’s okay,’” Canchola said. “It’s fun to poke fun at ourselves but [...] it can be subtly harmful, so it’s important to be mindful about what we say.”

There is definitely something satisfying about going to brunch with your friends and paying with cash; not

players to enjoy and test their skills. “[Table tennis] tends to be competitive, but only if you are looking for competition. As a way of destressing for most members, the games tend to range from friendly matches to intense practicing in preparation for upcoming competitions,” Pham said.

“The sport is more physical than you’d think: it is a great source of exercise as well as collaboration, with the team being open to all levels.”

As one of the more demanding sports teams on campus, the triathlon team has also grown a following on campus, with a dedicated coaching staff and even more committed team.

Led by their president Bradley Manzo, the triathlon team is one of the longest-standing sports on campus, with over 20 years of establishment.

As a method for self-improvement and challenging oneself for most members, Manzo and his team take pride in their sport with a wide range of member experience.

Additionally, the triathlon team has a skillful coach. With 20 years of experience at UC Davis, Head Coach John Hansen was a very distinguished athlete in his field and can be seen sharing his knowledge with his Aggie athletes.

The team also gets many opportunities to travel across the state and country for events. With such long travels, the team has formed strong bonds and holds each other

accountable not only physically but academically. So, if any UC Davis student has a desire to step outside their comfort zone and try swimming, biking and running, why not give the triathlon team a try?

Another club sports team Aggies should give a try to is none other than the very welcoming fencing team.

President Audreen Bandegen and his team do what they can to make a sport with a relatively elitist reputation accessible and open to people with all levels of experience. They ensure this inclusion and accessibility for all by making the dues very affordable and work hard to open up the sport to others in the community. The team spends a significant amount of time donating swords, fencing bags, blades and covers to many local Davis organizations.

With a large range of skill levels amongst team members, from never having tried fencing before to dominating the sport, the team is uplifting and supportive of all their members. And although the sport can feel very challenging at points, there is always more to learn and someone who will aid in teaching you. Thus, as Bandegan says, “the sport is fun — that’s what’s attractive — and who doesn’t wanna sword fight?”

On the other hand, for those who want to compete in a less physical capacity, there are many more mentally challenging club sports

seeing the dollar amount go down in your bank account is something that many appreciate. However, rather than considering cash as something that “isn’t real” or “doesn’t count,” consider reframing the narrative. Instead, think, “I made a responsible decision by using cash instead of my card today.”

The issue with this trend does not seem to lie within the jokes themselves but in the tendency to associate irresponsible financial decisions with girls. Why is it that, under the frame of this trend, a girl handling her finances suggests carelessness? Perhaps this trend shouldn’t have been named “girl math,” but instead reflected the sentiment that all people are capable of making irresponsible decisions with their money. “‘Girl math’ is something that is fun to joke about to a certain extent, but I feel like there is a point where it goes past just a gag about some girl’s spending habits,” Olivia Patsch, firstyear animal science major, said.

Patsch also said “girl math” perpetuates negative stereotypes about women.

“The patriarchal roots underlying the trend can be seen in the fact that bad spending is immediately associated with being a girl, [...] perpetuating the myth that women are bad with money, alongside deeper themes about the incompetence women have within many fields,” Patsch said. “The idea that women aren’t able to handle money and are insufficient spenders isn’t something that women should have to prove wrong.”

TikTok trends centered around “girl habits” have dwindled in popularity over the last several months. It began

with a trend called “girl dinner,” where people would post videos of various assortments of snacks, drinks and even objects — rather than a full meal — joking that the items in front of them were a substitute for their dinner.

This trend was followed by many variations of the same sentiment, displaying girls making less-than-ideal choices and justifying them by saying that they’re “just girls.” Soon, “girl math,” was born from the mentality that initially sparked these trends.

Despite the issues that seem to stem from these kinds of videos, particularly the association of irresponsibility with girls, the videos were not created to belittle girls or women and their decision-making skills.

There is definitely a way that these videos can be appreciated as well as critiqued, according to many young women at UC Davis.

“These ‘girl’ phrases demonstrate a freedom from what is proper and what is expected while also encouraging a sense of girlhood as sisterhood, which is rare to come by,” Thalia Miracle, a thirdyear biological systems engineering major, said. “Of course, these ideas can be misconstrued. What started as a lighthearted explanation as to how many rationalize minor choices or spending can be tied back to [the] generations-old discrediting of women from serious academic, financial and critical comprehension.”

These trends, which seemed to begin as a harmless stream of jokes about the tendencies of young women everywhere, may have taken a step too far. It seems important to remember the difference between common human error and blaming the occasional lapse

such as esports. Although E-Sports can just be fun video games to some, there are also competitive gaming events all over the country and even the world. With both local and outof-state tournaments, esports offers an opportunity to feel a sense of community and support from being on a team.

President Jonathan Wang described the community as “a very close-knit community, as it is many of our members first time being on a team, so we take kinship very seriously.”

In addition to supporting firsttime players, the esports team competes constantly, with two teams from the club going to the University of California Esports Initiative’s (UCEI) gaming tournament in LA earlier this year. Both teams, Overwatch and Valorant, did very well in their competition, placing in the top ten and bringing back recognition for the UC Davis esports team.

Besides playing your favorite games with like-minded gamers, the club offers opportunities to develop skills such as graphic design and PR marketing, making it one of the more lucrative club sports teams on campus.

With these just being four of 40 teams, it’s easy to see that club sports have something to offer for just about everyone regardless of interest or experience. It is no surprise that the community of club sports has grown to such an immense size, as they serve as welcoming communities as well as sources of healthy competition and self-improvement. If you find yourself interested in these clubs and want to find out more, the club sports website is a great resource to use and has basic information about each club. Remember, these opportunities are ours to take to get involved, stay happy and healthy, with a little fun on the side.

in judgment on the fact that you’re a girl. It should go without saying that women are fully capable of being financially literate and responsible.

These trends, while funny in moderation, should not become normalized at the expense of women’s intelligence.

bagel.’”

As the business continues to grow, Winston plans to build more shops this year, with the intention of expanding to Los Angeles and other major cities further in the future.

“We’re planning on more growth because people love a good bagel, and the world needs more good bagels,” Winston said. “That’s what we’re gonna do.”

BAGELALUM FROM PAGE 3 As she began developing her business, she knew she wanted a name that reflected her Jewish heritage.

“Boichik” — a Yiddish word for the endearment of a young boy — became a cornerstone of her business after she remembered an incident that happened several years ago.

“When I first cut my hair really short and went home to visit my grandmother for the first time, she took one look at me and she said, ‘Oh! Such a boichik! Are you having your bar mitzvah soon?’” Winston said. “It was really sweet, and it was a great memory.”

Today, Boichik Bagels has five shops and a bagel factory in the Bay Area. The business has also entered the wholesale market and plans to build three to five more shops in the future.

She attributed her business’ success to being able to reinvent the bagels from her childhood.

“I hit it as close as I possibly could,” Winston said. “I have a lot of ex-New Yorkers come through and say, ‘Oh my god, I lived on the Upper West Side and I ate those bagels all the time, and it totally takes me back to that particular

READFORPLEASURE FROM PAGE 5 Once I finished this book, I quickly acquired a few of Henry’s other bestselling books and enjoyed them as well. With an interesting plot and minimal effort needed to read, these books helped me jump back into reading and readopt reading as a way to relax.

If you are also working to rekindle your long-lost love for reading, I encourage you to try some of these books. If none of these excite you think back on what excited you when you were younger, then look for similar, but maybe more mature books in the same genre. After all, that love for reading is still somewhere inside you, but you might have to work a bit to uncover it.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by individual columnists belong to the columnists alone and do not necessarily indicate the views and opinions held by The California Aggie.