The Daily Aztec 3/6/2024

California Faculty Association votes to ratify tentative agreement

The tentative agreement between CFA and the CSU, which includes a 10% total raise, passed with a 76% “yes” vote

By HannaH Ly and EugEniE Budnik NEWS EDITORS

After months of discussion and a one-day strike, the California Faculty Association (CFA) announced that the union’s tentative agreement with California State University had passed with a 76% “yes” vote on Feb. 19.

Voting for the tentative agreement between CFA and the CSU began on Feb. 12 and concluded on Feb. 18 at 5 p.m.

The agreement will provide two general salary raises that total to more than 10% for all faculty members in the next six months.

Additionally, it will raise the salary baseline for lower-paid faculty, increase parental leave, recognize the need to improve student-to-counselor ratios and offer workload relief. Other items within this agreement include addressing racial, social and gender inequalities.

“Ultimately, the agreement as it stands is definitely beneficial. I don’t think that any of the lectures are like, ‘No, this doesn’t benefit us in any way.’ But it’s not what we asked for, right?” Tawny Whaley, a San Diego State lecturer, said. Whaley, who voted “no,” is currently teaching across five campuses to make ends meet.

The second 5% salary increase — which is set for all faculty on July 1 — entirely depends on the state not cutting CSU’s base funding. According to faculty, some are worried the second raise will not

happen because of a past denied raise in 2008.

“We’ve taken that deal in the past and been burned on it,” said Jocelyn Killmer, an SDSU lecturer for anthropology and Asian studies. “So we’ve been promised raises in the past that we haven’t gotten and so I think that faculty are feeling really disillusioned about that.”

Savanna Schuermann, a CFA representative and San Diego lecturer, shared gratitude for the passed agreement, emphasizing its potential to uplift lowerpaid, exploited workers and, overall, faculty members.

While Schuermann voted in favor of the agreement, she expressed concern over the second salary raise.

“As someone that has been working tirelessly on faculty’s behalf to bargain for this (agreement) for nine months now — including over the summer and winter — it was immediately clear to me that this contingency language was distinct from the past contingency language,” Schuermann said.

Some CFA members, like SDSU professor Jonathan Graubart, expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the tentative agreement referendum process, sparking distrust toward union leadership.

“It was very deflating because a number of us were out picketing during that huge storm,” Graubart said. “We had done that because we were with the leadership, and we thought this time they would be serious about not backing down. And so when they decided on day

one that they had enough, that added insult to injury.”

Graubart is a leader of the Rank-andFile Committee of Academic Workers, a

committee formed amidst the tentative agreement referendum. Graubart said that the committee aims to hold union leaders accountable and encourage unity among rank-and-file union members.

“The CFA had to choose between sending a really strong, clear message… and you have appointed us as your leader, versus people who want the whole thing to be more democratic,” Killmer said. “But I suspect with a lot of pressure from people like Jonathan Graubart, the union might change. I don’t know how much it could actually change, but I hope that these two parties can come together.”

In a press release, Sharon Elise of CSU San Marcos — CFA associate vice president of Racial & Social Justice, South — acknowledged faculty doubts regarding leadership.

“We know that some members had strong concerns about the process and questions about the result,” Elise said. “We will only be successful if we’re working together to continue building a CSU that empowers students and provides work environments that support faculty and staff.”

CFA leadership and the CSU Board of Trustees will meet in March to ratify the agreement.

“The California State University is pleased with the results of the California Faculty Association’s ratification vote,” the CSU said in a statement. “We look forward to the CSU Board of Trustees Committee on Collective Bargaining ratification of the agreement in March and to continue working in partnership with the CFA and its members to carry out our mission in service to our students and the university.”

This story is ongoing.

Members of the California Faculty Association (CFA) gathered at a bus stop on the San Diego State University campus, holding signs in support of a CFA strike advocating for improved paid and working conditions on Jan. 22, 2024. Photo by Gabriel Schneider

iLLustration By BELLa HodgEs

Charles Wei-Hsun Fu Foundation gifts $1 million to Center for Asian and Pacific Studies

With the department getting smaller, the center is expected to receive donations to help bolster their activities and raise awareness for Asian studies

By JacoB Houseman STAFF WRITER

The Charles Wei-Hsun Fu Foundation has committed to gifting $1 million to the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies. The donation is expected to fund scholarships, trips to Asia and presentations on campus related to Asian studies.

The money is anticipated to be funneled into the center over the next two years as it comes from the sale of a house owned by Sandra Wawrytko, a professor in the department of philosophy and president of the foundation.

“We have in the past made smaller donations for specific programs having to do with Asian studies, but nothing of this magnitude,” Wawrytko said.

Although this is expected to be done over the course of a few years, an investment of several hundred thousand dollars to develop Asian studies is also in the works, according to Wawrytko.

“I think it’s a very important aspect of not just San Diego State but California,”

Wawrytko said. “We’re right on the Pacific rim. Asia has magnificent culture and civilizations that go back literally thousands of years. I think there’s a lot of wisdom and a lot of practical advice that we can learn from studying Asian cultures over time.”

The foundation is named after Wawrytko’s husband, Charles WeiHsun Fu, who passed away in 1997. According to Wawrytko, the center is committed to developing skills related to his interests such as Asian philosophy and environmentalism.

“We are basically committed to the mission of developing things like Asian philosophy but also topics having to do with environmentalism, these are things my husband was interested in,” Wawrytko said.

Wawrytko hopes that the donation will bring much needed attention to the center and what falls under it.

“Being in the area of Asian philosophy, I am very frustrated that there is not as much attention being paid,” Wawrytko said. “People usually don’t understand that 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia. And today, Asia, of course, has a very prominent role both politically, geographically (and) economically. So it is something that I believe every student should have some exposure to.”

Although the number of students with Asian studies minors has been steadily increasing for some time, the volume of students in the department is still low, according to Wawrytko. There’s also been some difficulty setting up any kind of graduation ceremony due to these low numbers of students.

“The department is getting smaller,” Lola Fregoso, a third-year Asian studies major and student assistant for the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies, said. “Like my specific major with my emphasis, I was

told that there’s only actually two people in this major.”

According to Fregoso, the center is currently working to incorporate some Asian American studies in an attempt to provide for more students and expand their reach.

“I think that offering money for potential scholarships are just more incentives that show the Asian studies department is still relevant,” Fregoso said.

Fregoso hopes that the donation will raise awareness of the center and will support both students and faculty in the department, allowing them to pursue a higher education.

“This is something that we’re doing as a family foundation and it’s important for us to see this as a legacy that I think my husband would be very proud of,” Wawrytko said.

A room in San Diego State University’s Arts and Letters building is designated for the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies on Dec. 15, 2024. Photo by Christie Yeung

Beyond Words: Assessing San Diego State University’s commitment to Indigenous lands

Indigenous community at SDSU shares mixed feelings about the Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement

By Petrina tran STAFF WRITER

Convocation. New student orientation. Syllabus days. Graduation. These are events that almost every San Diego State University student experiences.

They also share one thing in common that may often be overlooked: The Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgment.

The Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement has become an integral part of SDSU’s image. Present at all official events, the statement serves to honor and recognize Indigenous people upon whose land the school rests. In 2019, the official land acknowledgment statement was written by Mike Connolly Miskwish, a former professor, historian and researcher of American Indian Studies at SDSU.

It was created in collaboration with Kumeyaay elders and leadership, according to an article by the SDSU NewsCenter.

According to the school’s website, the land that the school rests on was illegally taken from the Kumeyaay people and most Indigenous communities consider themselves to still be under colonialism. Land acknowledgment, however, serves to raise awareness of this and provoke reflection.

Though widely celebrated, the statement faced criticisms in its installment. Some professors argued that its mandatory inclusion limited their right to free speech or likened it to religious imposition, while others

felt that it was a moral obligation to honor the land the school resides on.

After much debate, the school senate voted to make the statement optional for professors to include in their syllabi in March 2022.

Now, it is included as a statement in many course syllabi at the professors’ discretion as well as part of all official events and ceremonies. Many, though, are questioning if that is enough.

“It has gone from something that’s been intentionally implemented to something of a checkbox. ‘Did we tell people where the restrooms are, what time we’re doing lunch at, did we do the land acknowledgment type of thing,”’ said Chris Medellin, director of the Native Resource Center (NRC). “There’s folks out there that definitely agree that it’s been made a performative ritual and that there should be something else done.”

Many course syllabi place the Kumeyaay Land Acknowledgement statement somewhere amongst the grading scale, assignments and deadlines. Students voiced their appreciation of the statement but also urged the school to do more.

Derrick Herrera, a senior American Indian Studies major, is the former president and current acting vice president of the Native American Student Alliance. He also serves on the Associated Students Board of Directors and works at the NRC.

“SDSU serves as a model for the students and communities they’re in. People feel like sometimes it could be a nuisance

Acknowledgement isn’t just a formality.

“It’s powerful to me. It’s like when the girl sings the national anthem and you get chills,” he said.

Rincon said that despite being disappointed by the statement not being mandatory, the professors who still do choose to include the statement give him hope. This is because it is a sign of respect and recognition that the Native American people are here and that this is still their land. It is a choice which makes it all the more meaningful.

This is especially poignant in light of the longstanding Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and their call for the Californian universities to return sacred native artifacts, and their limited compliance.

Artifacts are often used for research and teaching purposes, but in recent years, the California State University system has been audited for thor possession and failure to repatriate the artifacts.

“At least 21 of CSU’s 23 campuses possess nearly 700,000 sacred artifacts,” according to the California Faculty Association website. SDSU was one of the four schools within the CSU system that were audited on-site.

The San Diego UnionTribune reported that 19% of SDSU’s 90,000-object collection has been returned. Lack of policy, funding and trained personnel contribute to the slow process of repatriation of native artifacts; many of which are sacred, fragile or remains.

Medellin offered suggestions as to what more the school faculty and students could do in response to the Land Acknowledgement statement.

in the sense that they just kind of have to do it for etiquette purposes,” Herrera said. “I think it comes from the fact that as a school, we don’t provide much history, let alone like training or learning opportunities about the intentionality of this specific land acknowledgment and the role that it plays for the community.”

Herrera — a member of the Kumeyaay tribe — expressed frustration with how, despite many institutions of higher education having started using land acknowledgments, it often felt like a burden to the people of the land to create a statement for the school’s public approval.

He emphasized the importance of having intentionality, history and reasoning behind these statements rather than “just plastering it somewhere without any context, or any means to understanding what role it has.”

Its optional nature has students questioning the value and importance the school places on the land acknowledgment.

“Why are so many things mandatory at SDSU, but then something they say is so important, isn’t?” said Michael Rincon, a fourth-year business major and member of the Chickasaw nation.

“For them to not even make it mandatory says a lot because it shows what’s important and what’s not. “I’ve never had anyone acknowledge us, it’s always the Pledge of Allegiance. Never been like, ‘Hey let’s thank the Native Americans because we took their land.’”

For Rincon, the Land

“There are a lot of different ways in which folks can be more intentional,” he said. “Some of those things can include acknowledging one’s intention on why they are doing the statement. Is it because the university says you should, other people do it or do you want to bring some intention beyond that? It’s really recognizing and taking time to reflect on one’s position of power of privilege.”

Rincon challenged the institution’s leadership to stand up for the Indigenous student population and community as a whole.

“For the school to put their foot down … I think that says more. Who’s really in charge? They should defend us. Those in power are the spearhead of the school,” Rincon said.

He shared appreciation for the school’s support of the NRC, the land acknowledgment and allowing them to host powwows.

Rincon, however, urged the school to not remain complacent.

“I don’t think it is (enough), but it’s a step forward. …The trajectory is moving forward, as long as (the university) doesn’t stop,” Rincon said.

A symbol on the door of the Native Resource Center welcomes students in on Jan. 29, 2024. Photo by Petrina Tran

By isaBella Dallas SENIOR STAFF WRITER

“Meet cute: noun, an amusing or charming first encounter between characters that leads to their romantic development.”

Meet Cute Bookshop — a reader’s oasis where book pages dangle from the ceiling so delicately that they appear to be floating.

Shelves upon shelves of romance novels line the white walls of the store, ready to transport you into a world where happily ever afters have no boundaries.

In the heart of North Park, San Diego, nestled between coffee shops and indie boutiques, lies a queer-owned, feminist bookshop focused on anything and everything romance. Since its opening in the fall of 2022, Meet Cute Bookshop has become the spot for readers looking to explore the romance genre in a diverse and inclusive space.

“It’s a bookstore focusing on romance and highlighting often marginalized voices in the romance community,” Becca Title, the founder of Meet Cute, said.

Title’s passion for romance has led her from the legal world to the warm embrace of the lilac purple bookstore.

“I have always been a romance reader. I read pretty broadly, but I have consistently read the romance genre my

whole life,” Title said.

After five intense years as an immigration defense lawyer (and briefly working as a speed dating host), she decided it was time for a change.

“I wanted to come back a little closer to home and maybe try something a little bit less emotionally intense,” she said. “So that’s how I ended up opening a bookstore.”

Meet Cute boasts an extensive and impressive collection, including subgenres ranging from contemporary, historical, paranormal and fantasy romance to science fiction, young adult and mystery love stories.

Enemies to lovers? They have it. Grumpy and sunshine? Plenty to be found. Second-chance romance? Definitely in stock. There’s even a display dedicated solely to hockey romances.

Meet Cute is a romance reader’s dream.

For employee Natalie Jadwin, who graduated from San Diego State University back in 2019, Meet Cute is a love story beyond the books. Jadwin had been shopping at the bookstore since it opened, but just recently joined the team, and she couldn’t be more excited.

“I love it here,” Jadwin said, smiling. “We have really good customers. Romance, specifically for people who identify as women, is so empowering to see themselves in a way that they maybe can’t imagine. Or just to come in with their friends and not

A passion for more than just fashion:

The Look Magazine gives students a chance to show their creative side

By Dominique Rocha STAFF WRITER

The Look Magazine is a publication that celebrates culture and creativity by creating content geared toward unique interests such as art and fashion.

As the publication’s website describes, The Look Magazine is “San Diego State’s first student-run art, fashion and design publication.”

“We aim to create a space for creativity in the publication sphere,” said sophomore Katie Blais, who serves as one of the vice presidents of the magazine’s writing and copy department.

For the last two years, the magazine has been run by its founders. This year, the editorial board is made up of entirely new faces, with Madison Geering as the president and editor-in-chief.

Geering, a journalism major, joined the publication during her sophomore year. “I wanted to find a creative outlet for writing,” Geering said. “A magazine that celebrates creativity and art is a place where I found that my voice can be heard.”

Presley Horton, vice president of public relations, expressed similar feelings, saying that joining the magazine allowed her to find her place on campus.

“Joining The Look made my college experience and (it) helped me find my safe space on campus,” Horton said.

Geering and Horton work with the publication’s editorial board, which is made up of 13 members.

The team is looking to make big improvements to the magazine this year. As the publication is newer, The Look

Finding love between pages: Inside San Diego’s charming Meet Cute Bookshop

Escape to Meet Cute Bookshop, an all-romance bookstore where diverse voices thrive and inclusive stories unfold

be ashamed about it in any other way.”

The bookstore shines a spotlight on its expansive range of authors and stories, offering a platform for voices that may not have been on the radar of many.

Emphasizing the significance of diverse representation, the store is committed to showcasing authors who bring unique perspectives. In contrast to larger retailers like Barnes and Noble, this bookstore has the ability to bridge gaps, making a wide array of authors and stories accessible to anyone eager to explore the world of romance books.

Kyra Purgason, an SDSU graduate, has worked with Meet Cute since the shop’s debut.

“It’s so much fun. I love that people can come in and ask unhinged questions and get book recommendations,” Purgason said.

Meet Cute thrives on creating a safe and welcoming space for customers, whether they’re veteran romance readers or taking their first steps into the genre.

While customers can live a thousand different lives and fall in love a thousand different ways within these novels, Meet Cute isn’t just a place to purchase books — it’s a hub for clubs, events and celebrations. It’s a space to connect with a community that shares the same emotions and adventures living in just 300 pages.

Meet Cute hosts author events in the store (yes, with signed books) and has three different book clubs, with each meeting once a month in the shop.

They also have a podcast where virtual events are broadcasted, or where Title talks to authors involved in romance publishing. Between chatting with renowned romance authors to throwing book release parties,

their calendar is filled with ways to join the club of romance enthusiasts.

In the midst of the bookshop is a cozy sitting area, and it happens to be the undisputed gem of the entire store.

Customers can fully surround themselves with the literary wonders of the store, finding solace in the reading, shopping the romance-themed pins and mugs or simply absorbed in the vibrant atmosphere of “Romance-Landia.”

There’s even a gumball dispensary filled with little plastic balls that hold quirky 25-cent conversation starters in support of the National Network of Abortion Funds, a partnership with “No Wrong Answers.”

It’s the perfect place for readers to have their very own “meet cute” moment.

Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, cry, feel butterflies or all those at the same time, Meet Cute Bookshop has you taken care of. Maybe you’re ready to journey into the world of fantasy and sci-fi. Or maybe you just need a good book to escape into.

Reading romance doesn’t have to feel taboo. Find your happy place at Meet Cute.

“Meet Cute is a second home to me,” said Brianna Zantman, an SDSU graduate and customer. “There’s a lot of discourse that America doesn’t have places that are that second home, and it’s really rare to find that. This is for sure my second home. I’ve become friends with all the booksellers and the book club community is so fun here. I’ve created so many new friendships just from our connection to the bookstore. It’s such an empowering and inclusive place to be.”

To delve deeper into the world of Meet Cute and ensure you’re among the first to know about their upcoming events, follow their Instagram and TikTok.

Magazine wants to build its community and staff.

Heading into the 2023-2024 year, the editorial board adopted another category to The Look’s catalog: culture.

“We want the magazine to represent all different kinds of people and cultures creatively,” Horton said. “We want to be a resource for people to learn about campus culture at San Diego State.”

The publication’s website posts multiple blog posts weekly that are centered around fashion, art, design and culture.

In addition to online posts, the magazine is determined to release one print issue per semester.

The fall 2023 issue, “In a Daze,” was the magazine’s fifth issue. The theme aimed

to speak on the journey of finding yourself.

This spring, The Look Magazine aims to be active on and off-campus by incorporating more socials and tabling events.

The magazine also hopes to showcase its House Show, which was postponed last semester. The House Show is the magazine’s main fundraising event where different artists perform. The proceeds from the event are used to support the magazine.

“I hope to get our name out there more and people get to see the product that we produce,” Blais said.

To stay updated on what’s next for The Look Magazine, visit their Instagram or website.

The

A customer makes a purchase at Meet Cute Romance Bookshop. Photo courtesy of Meet Cute Romance Bookshop

SDSU Aztecs’ basketball ignites a vibrant fan culture

SDSU basketball success sparks a cultural shift, turning the Aztecs into a symbol of pride, unity, and institutional excellence

By IsaBella Dallas SENIOR STAFF WRITER

In the aftermath of an extraordinary run last year to the national championship game, the San Diego State University’s Aztecs have transcended the confines of a conventional sports narrative.

Beyond the courtside celebrations and hard-fought victories, their journey has seamlessly led to a multitude of changes for SDSU. The Aztecs basketball team has evolved into a nuanced and expansive storyline, where their performance on the court paired with rising expectations everywhere else has transformed them into a cultural phenomenon.

In the thick of the current season, the demand for tickets has intensified and the air feels different at SDSU. There’s a new excitement when the Aztecs take to the court: a renewed sense of pride and anticipation for what lies ahead.

The unprecedented success of SDSU’s basketball team has catalyzed a transformative cultural and academic shift, redefining the university’s image, and reshaping the essence of what it means to be an Aztec.

“The championship appearance has electrified the campus,” J. Luke Wood, SDSU’s former vice president of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, said in an April 2023 newsletter to the SDSU NewsCenter. “As an institution of higher learning, being on this national stage has allowed people to see and understand that whether it is academics, research or athletics, SDSU is among the greatest educational institutions that they can attend. That is a win-win.”

The Aztecs now bask among the best

of the best, emerging as fresh heroes, with a spotlight shining like never before.

The SDSU basketball team started to appear on multiple prominent platforms, and not just sports networks like ESPN — they infiltrated talk shows and pop culture forums nationwide. Last season, media outlets like “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’’ had puppies predicting an Aztec NCAA win and Forbes even ranked SDSU as No. 16 in their Top 25 Public Colleges this year. The university has completely redefined its image.

And it all happened during a basketball season. However, the team’s success isn’t just about sports. It has become a symbol of institutional resilience and achievement across the nation.

Julia Walker, a junior at SDSU originally from Louisville, Kentucky, witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of the Aztecs’ basketball success.

“During that insane season, I had people from Kentucky, people I barely knew, texting me about the games,” Walker said. “Suddenly, SDSU was on their radar, and it was all because of basketball.”

But the impact didn’t stop there. The team’s rise to the national spotlight didn’t just momentarily capture the attention of those in Walker’s hometown — it transformed SDSU into a university that people are longing to be a part of.

“My sister’s now a freshman here, and her friends back home are bombarding us with questions about applying to SDSU,” Walker said. “It’s as if the basketball team’s success has made SDSU the ultimate dream school. It’s comparable to those well-known sports schools on the southern and east coasts.”

SDSU has a newfound allure and desirability among students nationwide, and the numbers appear to back it up, too. According to the SDSU NewsCenter, undergraduate applications soared from 60,000 in 2011 to nearly 100,000 in 2023, coinciding with the basketball team’s Sweet 16 appearances.

The basketball team’s success has acted as a binding agent, creating connections between the university and the broader communities of San Diego. Local residents, regardless of their affiliation with the school, find common ground in cheering for the Aztecs.

In a way, SDSU has become a source of civic pride, bridging gaps and creating a shared experience that breaks boundaries. Community events, outreach programs and collaborations between the university and local organizations capitalized on the team’s success to foster positive community development initiatives.

It’s a testament to the city’s spirit and support.

Amidst the anticipation for longterm impacts from the basketball success, alumni like Carolyn Kennerary, underscores the enduring sense of community fostered during her time at SDSU, hinting at a legacy that encompasses the university’s everlasting connections and pride.

“I loved my time at SDSU and I love talking about SDSU,” Kennerary said. “I remember stepping on campus that first time and getting such a strong sense of community.”

Kennerary recounted her time at tailgates and getting a victory slice of pizza after a game whenever the Aztecs

came out on top. It was those experiences and being a part of this SDSU community that shaped her connection with the university. While the connection and love never fully fades, it was recently given a second life.

“A lot of us alumni already have a great deal of support for Aztec sports teams and this major accomplishment just solidifies our belief that SDSU is the best,” Kennerary said. “I even wore my SDSU shirt around work after they won and totally bragged about it.”

This basketball success isn’t just a fleeting event but something that becomes a part of the university’s identity. It’s a long-lasting cultural shift that has touched generations of Aztecs.

During that championship game for the men’s basketball team, something shifted. Whether you were at the Viejas arena for the SDSU watch party, shoulderto-shoulder at a college sports bar, or in standing in-person at NRG Stadium in Houston, everyone shared the same feeling: an overwhelmingly unifying sense of pride.

And that doesn’t just disappear.

It can be felt through the campus halls, student clubs and in the air during lectures. The Aztecs’ triumph became an emblem, inspiring pursuits of past sports.

The demand for tickets has intensified, but what’s truly intensified is the sense of belonging and shared achievement.

Students are proud to go to school here. It’s not merely about witnessing a game; it’s about being a part of a story of resilience.

Fans pack Viejas Arena with their fingers up in hopes of a made free throw earlier in the Mens

Basketball season vs. Point Loma on Monday, Nov. 23, 2023. Photo by Isabella Biunno

March 6 - April 30

From the Aztec Aquaplex to the Land of the White Cloud:

Tiaare Ahovelo’s journey on the U20 National Team

The second-year goalkeeper was a member of the New Zealand National Team that placed eighth in the 2023 World Aquatics U20 World Championships

By Roman aguilaR SPORTS EDITOR

The Aztec Aquaplex, home to the San Diego State women’s water polo team, held its home opener doubleheader for its 2024 campaign on Feb. 10.

For sophomore goalkeeper Tiaare Ahovelo, she was just picking up where she had left off.

Ahovelo, a New Zealand native, was selected as a member of the country’s National Team in the World Aquatics U20 Water Polo Championships. There, she participated in goal competing for Aotearoa in Coimbra, Portugal, from Sept. 8-15, 2023.

“I played in high school, and then going through high school, I made it into a club called Sea Wolf Water Polo,” Ahovelo said. “From there through our national tournaments, was scouted into the New Zealand squad, and from the squads we had trials, where we played against each other and then ended up being on the team.”

She also added on the aspects that came with a new playing environment and

brought back a unique style of play to the Mesa.

“It was my first international tournament, so it was a massive change. Although I did come here first and play in America, it was just a whole different arena with all different countries in one area,” Ahovelo said. “It was definitely a change in the style of play that we play here. However, I do think that I have a lot of strengths coming from New Zealand, bringing that here as well as learning more here… it just helps build my game style, in general, having all these multiple learning areas.”

As a freshman during the 2023 season, Ahovelo ranked third in goals against average, fourth in save percentage, seventh in saves per game and eighth in saves within the Golden Coast Conference. She appeared in 23 games with 10 starts, posting a 5-4 record.

“My personal goal of the season is to be a top five right goalie in my conference, and lead all categories in four categories,” Ahovelo said. “Then my style of play has definitely been a bit more aggressive, more going at it trying to go for those steals – a

bit of a risky game, but we have some wins and losses and that’s okay.”

Head coach Dana Ochsner spoke on Ahovelo and the leadership qualities she brings both in the water and out with the team.

“Tiaare is one of those players who, you feel her presence, you know when she’s not there and you know when she is because she brings so many positive qualities to the team… it’s always just always a positive experience to have her and she does so much for the team in terms of spirit and morale,” Oschner said.

“(Ahovelo) also really challenges a lot of people by being such a talented, multifaceted goalie. It’s not easy for our shooters to predict. She’s always pushing them to be better… she’s kind of that great part of a teammate where they’ll give you the tough stuff when need be, but they’ll also be that shoulder for you when you need them and that extra support.”

Oschner, interim head coach during the 2023 season, was named the full-time leader of the program during the offseason last year.

Under Oschner, the Aztecs posted a

4-3 record in Golden Coast Conference play, finished in fourth place in the conference tournament, and were 12-19 on the season overall.

Oschner spoke on settling into her new full-time role as head coach, and her goals for the team throughout the season going into conference play.

“I think the biggest thing that I want to see is just taking this team and really meeting the potential that we have with the amount of talent that is here,” Oschner said.

“I just want to keep seeing us getting better every week. And so by the time we’re in those conference games, we’re playing to the best of our abilities and really achieving what our goal is, which is to beat our conference opponents and make a really good run in the conference tournament and then hopefully postseason NCAA’s.”

San Diego State goalkeeper Tiaare Ahovelo launches a ball back into the water earlier this season against Long Beach State on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Photo by Natali Gonzalez

El Choque Cultural es evidente entre estudiantes Latinas en SDSU

Estudiantes Latinas comparten su experiencias en una escuela Blanco predominante

Por AbigAil SegoviAno ESCRITORA

Segun a Data USA en 2021, la poblacion de Hispanos o Latinos en la Universidad Estatal de San Diego es 33.2%.

Para muchos estudiantes, ser de origen Hispano o Latino tiene un significado muy importante, especialmente en una cultura diferente como en SDSU.

“El primer (choque cultural) que tuve fue en COVID-19. Aunque estaba en mi casa (en línea), cuando comencé a tomar clases, un profesor de historia estaba hablando sobre de mí pais — la Republica Dominicana. Estaba hablando sobre los Taínos y el dijo ‘(Los) Tainos existen hoy en dia...’ y yo ‘No, no, no, I am sorry perdon, pero they got extinct por Columbus y todo eso, hace mucho (que) nosotros no tenemos mucho rastro (de los) Taínos,” dijo Emily McIntyre, una estudiante de cuarto año estudiando educacion de primaria. “Y cuando vino a eso ‘We basically got extinct’, el professor me comenzo a pelear sobre eso’”.

SDSU, es una escuela Blanco predominante, pero tambíen una institución de servicio Hispano.

Jazmin Aguilar, estudiante de tercer año en SDSU, siente ese orgullo Mexicano viniendo a SDSU cuando toda su vida era rodeada de gente Mexicana en el Valle Imperial.

“Fui nacida y criada en Imperial Valley y todos son Mexicanos, todos son Hispanos,” dijo Aguilar. “Cuando era niña, era todo (lo) que yo conocia. Cuando me movi para San Diego no todos (eran) Mexicanos y me dio ‘cultural shock’. Tambien me dio orgullo por mi cultural Mexicana y es algo que es importante para mi y no puedo separarlo de mi misma, de mi familia tambien, de mi cultural, y como me criaron”.

Aguilar habla más sobre su experiencia hacia el choque cultural y cómo conoció gente nueva de diferentes razas.

“En Imperial como 90% son Mexicanos porque estamos cerca de la frontera de Mexicali y porque la cultura es muy specifica al Valle. Hay muchas mas personas que son Blancas y me dio ‘cultural shock’. Hay mas personas que no son Mexicanos, tambien hay personas que son Asiaticas o (Black), y (mas) culturas,” dijo Aguilar.

“(Pero) eso era muy chido para mi porque me gusta hablar con personas que no son Mexicanas o Hispanos. Al principio era muy raro porque no habia muchos Mexicanos. En unas de mis clases yo era la unica mujer o la unica mujer que era Mexicana. Habia dos o tres mujeres pero eran (Asiaticas) o Blancas”.

Kattya Ayala, estudiante de tercer año, estudiá estudios liberales para convertirse en maestra. Ayala, menciona como el tratamiento entre las personas Mexicanas y Americanas es diferente culturalmente.

“Definitivamente la manera que todos aquí se enfocan en ellos mismos. Como habia mencionado (en) la cultura Mexicana apoyamos a todos, y yo siento que muchas veces (las) personas blancas (no mas miran hacía) ellos mismos,” dijo Ayala. “Por ejemplo si hay alguien que anda cargando diez bolsas de mandado y ocupan ayuda subir los escalones, siento que una persona Mexicana como yo, o cualquier Hispano hablante ayudaría. Nosotros ayudamos en lo que podemos con buenas intenciones”.

McIntyre tambien compartío su experiencia sobre el tratamiento de ser Dominicana en un pais Americano.

“El Dominicano es (sobre la) comunidad y de la familia pero el Americano es muy individual”, dijo McIntyre.

Apezar que los estudiantes de la comunidad Latina en SDSU tienen diferentes experiencias, todos estan conectados por la experiencias de choque cultural y la diferencia de tratamiento en una escuela blanco predominante.

From left to right: Emily McIntyre, Jazmin Aguilar and Kattya Ayala. Photo courtesy of Mcintyre, Aguilar and Ayala

by emily AuguStine

Keep looking for her story: Why women’s studies matter

This women’s history month, look to SDSU classes as a way to honor the women before you

By HannaH RamiRez STAFF WRITER

San Diego State University holds a place in history for establishing the first women’s studies department in the nation.

During the social justice movements of the ‘70s, these courses were sought after by students. Instead of waiting for approval from the administration, female faculty members were recruited to teach as unpaid volunteers.

Initially, these courses weren’t recognized on official class schedules — they had to be promoted in the pages of The Daily Aztec behind the backs of university administrators. If that’s not as underground as it gets, I don’t know what is.

Women’s studies used to be fought for with pride, and now these courses are widely overlooked. As time has progressed, views toward women’s studies have regressed.

Students need to take advantage of these classes that can set them up in their career fields.

One of the biggest questions when considering a women’s studies class is how it can be utilized. As an interdisciplinary field, a typical class guides you through history, sociology, psychology and politics through the lens of gender, race, class, sexuality and ability.

No one is exempt from the position society has constructed for them, and it’s important to understand how this creates complex relationships with others. While this directly deals with your personal life, it also has a place in your field of study.

Having an understanding of this subject matter evolves analytical thinking and empathy in a way that is necessary for leadership roles. Imagine how impactful it would be to see more professionals in healthcare, government and environmental science consider how their focuses affect women’s issues.

An example of this urgent need is that in 2023, although 70% of the healthcare workforce around the world is made up of women, only 25% hold senior leadership roles. Another study analyzing health data for 7 million citizens found that over 21 years, women were diagnosed later than men for more than 700 diseases.

Women are in desperate need of advocates for the inequities they face.

We will only have someone at the table advocating for these issues when they take it upon themselves to be educated on these topics.

Despite the value these courses offer, people hesitate to take women’s studies classes. And it’s no secret why. It starts with the “F-word” — feminism. Feminism has been stigmatized to make it seem that being a “man hater” is its only mission.

Feminism’s literal definition should be a win-win for all: the equal treatment of all genders. But real-life and online discourse on the topic shuts down anyone who dares defend it. Since women’s studies is founded on feminist ideals, it gets targeted.

In a 2021 study to assess the attitudes and conversations during the #MeToo movement, two documentary comment sections were analyzed. Fifty-eight percent of the comments had anti-woman or misogynistic content.

This experience isn’t isolated. These same attitudes range from small, daily comments to explicit bigotry.

The only way to change these attitudes is by having people invest time into learning from these courses that give women a chance to tell their stories.

Women’s studies also provides a change of pace from higher education that has traditionally privileged those who are in power and their narratives.

In my Global Cultures and Women’s Lives class, I was surprised to learn that Iroquois women inspired early United States women activists.

Learning that iconic feminists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton knew and lived alongside Iroquois women made perfect sense but opened my eyes to how deep the erasure of their history ran.

This erasure risks moving toward our present. We need to be advocates with pride once again. And that starts with looking for her stories and embracing women’s studies.

illustRation By emily PetscH

Ask an Aztec: Students reflect on college rankings

San Diego State University has a reputation for being one of the “best” public schools, but do students care?

IntervIews by CIndy AvIlA And PhotogrAPhy by theresA sChroeder

In September 2023, San Diego State University was recognized as being one of the top schools in California and the United States.

Forbes listed SDSU at No. 16 in the Top 25 Public Colleges in the U.S. and No. 43 for America’s Top Colleges List, where SDSU was previously ranked at No. 63. U.S. News placed SDSU at No. 51 for Top Public Schools and No. 105 in National Universities — up 46 spots from 2022.

With high school seniors receiving early and regular admissions decisions, current SDSU students reflect upon rankings of the school and if it resembles qualities of a “top” school.

Lila Garcia, a firstyear business and professional sales major

Luna Porciatti, a first-year hospitality management major

“No, I do not. I don’t think rankings matter too much. It’s more about the connections you make with your professors and people in the industry. It’s been good here, I’ve made good connections in the industry.”

“I do care about the rankings of SDSU just because that’s something that employers are going to be looking at. And it’s also a validation that you’re going to be getting solid professors here, and people who will lift you up and encourage you to do well in academics.”

“I would say it matters to me. When I was looking for schools, definitely. I think that the classes challenge the students pretty well. I’ve been learning more since I’ve been here, more than I did in high school — which is the goal.”

“Not really. I think the kinesiology program here is really good, (for) when I was making my choice for (a) school that was important to me. But as a whole, it wasn’t really important to me. I actually didn’t know we were a top school.”

Adam Snyder, a fourthyear civil engineering major

Devyani Pathak, a firstyear kinesiology major