The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Diego since 1968
THE USD VISTA
College parties raise safety concerns
Recent events at UCLA shed light on party safety at USD
ASST. NEWS EDITOR
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is investigating two instances of students allegedly being drugged with unknown substances. The incidents took place at off-campus parties near the campus’s fraternity row. The UCLA Police Department
See Feature, page 8
Opinion, page 9
from attending. However, when on-campus, USD’s Alcohol and Drug Policy states that all employees, students and volunteers are expected to adhere to the University’s standards. This policy can be found in the Student Code of
noise and disrespectful students. Besides disrupting neighbors, going out often comes with other safety concerns such as binge drinking, drug use and possible assaults. Sofia Lammot, a first-year at USD, commented on the pressures students
students – ages 18 to 24 – die from accidental alcohol-related incidents per year. Similarly, the NIAAA reports that, yearly, 696,000 students are assaulted by another student who has been drinking. Amelia Clarke, a junior at USD,
treated as such. Ella Kocourek, a sophomore at USD, says that she does go to parties, but that she does not let it define her social life.
“I go out once or twice a week, but that’s nothing compared to my friends at SEC or Big 10 schools who go out four to five
Sports, page 12
Students reevaluate party culture
USD offers resources in case of substance related emergencies
From Parties, Page 1
with my friends in my apartment,” Serkes stated. “Parties are too cramped and sweaty, and it’s not a fun environment. So I don’t see the point in wasting energy going out to somewhere I won’t enjoy myself.”
While some students avoid large parties altogether, there are still some who enjoy going out. For students that choose to attend parties and find themselves in uncomfortable or unsafe situations, the University has multiple resources available.
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) ensures students’ safety both on-campus and offcampus in the surrounding areas. There are two phone numbers that DPS can be reached at for assistance, a non-emergency number, (619) 260-7777, and an emergency number, (619) 260-2222. These telephone numbers are best suitable for situations occurring in oncampus or affiliated off-campus buildings. In an off-campus emergency situation, students
‘Tis
are encouraged to call 911. On top of offering on-call support, USD also offers the Responsible Torero Harm Reduction Practice. This practice allows students to seek help from DPS or on-duty Residential Life staff in the case of a drug or alcohol related emergency without fear of punishment. If a student seeks help in good faith, both they and the student at risk may avoid facing university sanctions. The policy encourages students to always “make the call” when it comes to alcohol and drug-related emergencies. In most circumstances, students will not face repercussions for calling DPS in an emergency.
Despite the safety concerns with parties at UCLA, USD students continue to make going out a part of their college experience. As they do so, Toreros should keep in mind the resources provided by the University. By remaining vigilant when going out and always having safety protocols in place, students can maintain personal safety.
the season: sicknesses in San Diego Variety of illnesses increase across the state this flu season
EMMA PIRHALA NEWS EDITOR
As USD’s campus transitions into fall, classes begin to fill with the noise of coughing and sneezing students. October marks the official start of flu season in San Diego with a slew of reported respiratory illnesses of patients of all ages. Sick students are a common sight on campus, and some students find issues with the presence of symptomatic students in lectures.
USD junior Elena Williams shared how sickness in class impacts her learning experience.
“Usually people being sick in class doesn’t bother me, but when people are coughing nonstop and aren’t wearing a mask it disrupts my learning,” Williams explained. “And it concerns me because I have family members who are immunocompromised and even though I don’t see them often, I don’t want to risk anything happening to them.”
Influenza, also known as
the flu, is known for causing respiratory distress such as shortness of breath and coughing. Additional symptoms include fever, sore throat, fatigue and body/headaches. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu is spread by close person-to-person contact, making students living in college dormitories highly susceptible to contracting the virus. To prevent falling ill, the CDC recommends that everyone above the age of six should get the flu vaccination yearly.
The vaccine is available at most pharmacies and doctor’s offices, but this semester the USD Student Health Center (SHC) brought the in demand shots to campus, for free.
On Oct. 8, SHC partnered with Champions for Health, a local nonprofit, to provide flu vaccines to students and employees at nocost on the Colachis Plaza. The initiative aims to ensure all USD community members have access to vaccinations. SHC is offering
Jackie Marquez - Editor-in-Chief
Lauren Ceballos - Associate Editor
Lily Anderson - Managing Editor
Lara Dominique Solante - Copy Editor
Khushi Patel - Art Director
Emma Pirhala - News Editor
Zoe Rogers - Opinion Editor
Hailey Howell - Feature Editor
Ellie Skjersaa - Arts & Culture Editor
Priya Cooper - Sports Editor
Samantha Pearson - Distribution Manager
Megan Simpson - Social Media Manager
Anna Hallock - Director of Finance
Shannen Swars - Photo Editor
Quinn Hallinan - Advertising Manager
Gina Lew - Student Media Advisor
Marie Minnick - Operations Advisor
Students often attend parties on Goshen Street.
Emma Pirhala/The USD Vista
The USD Student Health Center partnered with Champions for Health to provide free flu shots on Oct. 8.
Respiratory viruses circulate on campus Sick
students become a common occurrence in classrooms
From Sickness, Page 2
another free flu vaccine clinic scheduled for Oct. 22 at Plaza de San Diego open to all USD students. Daily appointments at SHC are also available for Toreros who cannot make it to the clinics.
USD junior Caley Tamondong decided to get vaccinated against the flu at the clinic.
“I chose to get my flu shot this year because I get one every year to ensure that I do not get the flu,” Tamondong explained. “I didn’t even know about USD’s free clinic, but my friend asked me to go with her, so I thought why not get my own flu shot too. It was perfect because I
had been meaning to get my shot but have been insanely busy, so the convenience of it was awesome. Also the fact that it was free was a huge factor in me getting it too. I didn’t even have to wait in a line, I just did the basic paperwork and got my shot in the span of like 5 minutes.”
As students attempt to protect themselves from the flu, other viruses are spreading amongst campus. COVID-19 is making a comeback at USD and throughout the County of San Diego. In August, San Diego’s COVID-19 positivity rate hit 20.5%, the second highest rate since the pandemic began. In a statement to USDTV, the
SHC reported that student cases have also been on the rise. As of Oct. 5, positivity rates are continuing to decrease– returning to 6.9%.
However, COVID-19 and the flu aren’t the only viruses circulating; the bird flu is also flying around. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported six confirmed human cases of the avian, or bird, flu in the state, as of Oct. 11. All six individuals were employed on a farm with infected dairy cattle.
According to the CDC, prior to 2024 only two human cases of the bird flu have been reported in the United States. The bird flu differs
from the common strain as it is contracted via close contact with poultry and other birds. Although the symptoms are relatively similar, the bird flu is far more fatal. The Cleveland Clinic explained that the avian strain has a mortality rate of 50%. Nevertheless, the CDC stated that the risk to the general public is low, as no human to human transmission has been reported.
In September, WastewaterSCAN, a private testing service hosted by Stanford University, discovered bird flu in San Diego’s wastewater in Point Loma. The County of San Diego reported that follow-
GAMES
Crossword of the week:
University of San Diego trivia
JACKIE MARQUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
up testing did not indicate any presence of the virus in samples. Although there have not been any human cases of the bird flu in San Diego, incidents in cattle and poultry have been reported. With increases in several viruses throughout the state of California, students stay vigilant with measures such as getting vaccines and wearing masks. Those experiencing symptoms of the flu are encouraged to schedule an appointment with SHC to test for the common illnesses. If positive, students should not return to class or normal activities until 24 hours after fevers or symptoms subside.
Down
1. USD’s mascot’s full name
3. This residence hall is home to a study room nicknamed the “The Jesus Room”
4. What students do when someone breaks a plate in the SLP
7. The first word of USD’s Latin motto
8. This on-campus dining location serves a smoothie called the “Green Gorilla”
10. Students can catch a baseball game at this on-campus park
Across
2. Business professors’ office hours are held in this hall
5. 3D printers are available for use here
6. This tram route loops between Law Circle and the Alcala Vista Apartments
9. Despite their name, these exams don’t always happen in the middle of the semester
11. USD’s founding year
12. The oldest building on USD’s campus
The USD Vista wants your feedback. Email vistaeditor@sandiego.edu with any questions, comments or concerns. Crossword answers in the next issue.
ARTS & CULTURE
Looking
back
on Hispanic Heritage Month
Students share the month’s meaning, importance and highlights
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated by families and institutions across the nation. During this month, Hispanic communities are recognized for their hard work and contributions to society. Heritage months are important because they allow people to be educated and to remember the struggles and the stories of these communities.
USD celebrates this month with different events including pop-ups that feature traditional food and informative events. “Sweet Talks: Hispanic Heritage Month” took place on Oct. 8 and “DiversiTea: ¿Latino, Latinx, Latine?” took place on Oct. 3, allowing Toreros to talk about their experiences as Latine students.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it celebrates Hispanic people not just in Mexico but anywhere in the world,” USD first-year Daira Lima said. “Hispanic heritage means to me that I can celebrate my heritage and meet other people I didn’t know who are also celebrating. [It’s] a way to unite as Hispanics all around the world and also display our heritage and culture to others.”
San Diego has a large Hispanic population with over 30% of its residents being Latino. The influence hispanic culture has on San Diego can be seen in places such as Chicano Park, which lies in the city of Barrio Logan. It hosts events where culture is celebrated, and it gives attendees an outlet to be themselves and to share
their identity with others. Just like in Chicano Park, there are several celebrations around San Diego like “Nuestra Cultura Heritage Month” at San Diego Public Library and “Annual Hispanic Heritage Award” to recognize Hispanic businesses at the California Center of Arts.
“I think that Hispanic Heritage Month is a lovely and inclusive way to recognize Hispanic culture in our community, especially because Hispanics make up so much of our community,” USD sophomore Lupita Bañuelos said. “It’s nice to celebrate what makes us special and unique and share it with others.”
The significance of Hispanic Heritage Month is different for everyone. Bañuelos explained what this month means to her.
“To me Hispanic Heritage Month means being recognized and appreciated for the rich culture that we are,” Bañuelos said. “It means shining a spotlight on the hard work Hispanics contribute to our nation and society and coming together to celebrate that.”
Just as USD has several events to celebrate Hispanic culture, there are also other events to learn about and celebrate different cultures throughout the year such as the “Filipino-American History Month Pop-Up.” This allows all students to feel represented and also encourages diverse communities to mix and to form meaningful connections.
“With Hispanic Heritage Month, I am able to not forget about where I come from,” USD sophomore Eunic Rivera said. “Not only that, but I am also able to learn more
about different people’s cultures and history. It means a lot to me because I can feel a sense of belonging and I am able to meet more people that have the same [or] similar backgrounds as me. I am proud to be Hispanic. We are resilient and hard working people — even though we might come from small underrepresented communities — we are able to show our persistence and our ability to achieve great things.”
In light of Hispanic Heritage Month, it is important to highlight the contributions of Hispanic citizens to our society everyday. Whether it’s recognizing workers, professionals, students or celebrities, all of these individuals work hard and use their talents to bring us Hispanic art, inspiration and representation in the media and workforce, which deserves acknowledgment.
“I recommend Banda and Luis Miguel,” Lima said. “A Hispanic actress I would like to highlight is Danna Paola.”
Banda is a subgenre of Mexican music which features mostly wind and percussion instruments. In addition, famous Mexican artists and actors, 54-year-old Luis Miguel and 29-year old Danna Paola, were highlighted by Lima for their talent and their vast recognition across country lines.
Just like Miguel and Paola, Eugenio Derbez is widely known for his work in both Mexican and American television.
“One Hispanic actor that I would like to highlight is Eugenio Derbez,” Rivera said. “I grew up watching several TV shows and movies from him including, ‘Familia Peluche’ and ‘No se Aceptan Devoluciónes.’
He is one of the most influential comedy television actors and producers. He also represents the diversity of Mexican culture and is an inspiration for Latinos around the world.” Similarly, Bañuelos shared her favorite film that represents Hispanic communities.
“A movie I would also recommend to anyone is Coco. I think this movie fully captures the essence of our vibrant and loving culture as Hispanics,” Bañuelos said.
Similar to these actors, actresses and singers, there are many significant Hispanic leaders who are carving the path and deserve recognition for their contributions, not only this month, but also everyday of the year. This month is a wonderful time to celebrate the people around you who either share or have different cultural backgrounds. As this month comes to an end, that does not mean that Hipanic heritage, traditions and cultural practices will not continue to be a part of our everyday lives, especially
here in San Diego.
Danna Paola’s new album ‘Childstar’ on the New York Times Square billboard. Photo courtesy of @danna/Instagram
Miguel from the Disney Pixar film, ‘Coco.’ Photo courtesy of @pixarcoco/Instagram
The Hispanic Heritage Month display at Copley Library highlights Hispanic literature.
Shannen Swars/The USD Vista
ALEXANDRA ALCALA ASST. A&C EDITOR
From murderers to Netflix sensations
The Menendez brothers return to the spotlight after 34 years
ALEXANDRA ALCALA ASST. A&C EDITOR
Erik and Lyle Menendez are recognized by the public for a very particular reason: murdering their parents. The Menendez brothers shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. Prosecutors believed the reason was to inherit their father’s fortune, but the defendants argue that this is not the whole story.
A few weeks ago, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon stated that there was an ethical and moral duty to review, once again, the evidence from the original case. This was taken into consideration because new evidence was discovered last year.
In their first trial, the Menendez brothers declared that they had suffered abuse over the span of several years at the hands of their father. Because the jury was split on whether to charge them with manslaughter or first-degree murder, this first trial was deadlocked and a retrial was set to happen. Their second trial excluded evidence about sexual assault, which led the jury to declare the brothers guilty of first-degree murder and handed them a lifetime sentence with no chance of parole.
prominent due to the fact that Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was recently released from prison after being convicted of seconddegree murder for assisting in the killing of her mother, Clauddine “Dee Dee” Blanchard.
In 2015, Gypsy-Rose Blanchard and her then boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, were arrested after police found Dee Dee Blanchard stabbed to death in her house.
Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was believed to have been a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a psychological disorder in which a caretaker makes someone ill or creates the illusion of them being ill in order to receive attention. Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was originally sentenced to 10 years but was set free after being detained for only seven.
Since Gypsy-Rose Blanchard was released from prison, she has built a considerable platform on social media. She has 710,000 followers on Instagram and over 10 million followers on TikTok. Some in the media question whether or not it’s right to give such a big platform to someone that was sentenced for second-degree murder. This has made many question if it’s fair that GypsyRose Blanchard is now free when
the Menendez brothers still are in prison, even though they both suffered abuse at the hands of their parents. Some students suggested that her rise to fame was warranted considering her situation.
“I am aware of both the Menendez brothers and GypsyRose,” USD sophomore Mariah Wagner said. “I believe they both went through trauma inflicted from a parent and murdered them because of it. I was aware of Gypsy’s rise to fame. Personally, I don’t mind her having a platform because I do believe she did what she needed to do for her chance at survival. I also believe whether she wanted fame or not, she was bound to be known just by the impact of her situation.”
Both of the cases gained a lot of exposure due to the heavy presence of the media at the time they happened. Today, they continue to jump back to the headlines whenever they are updated.
“I am more familiar with the Menendez brothers’ case than Gypsy-Rose’s case, but I’ve seen and read about both court hearings,” USD sophomore Kayla Operana said. “I think Gypsy’s rise to fame must be hard for her because she had just gotten out of prison. I do think that it’s almost odd that people have put
Munchausen by proxy is important. I’m not sure how I feel about putting her on a pedestal particularly, but due to the publicity of her case it makes sense.”
Similar to “Monsters,” there was a series that followed GypsyRose Blanchard’s case and life called “The Act” that starred actresses Joey King as GypsyRose and Patricia Arquette as Dee Dee Blanchard. Both series caught the public’s attention as they gave insight on their respective cases, and for some people, led them to change their opinions regarding the sentencing. However, some USD students have said that they have not had the opportunity to watch the series, but they are interested in doing so as they have heard about both cases.
“I have not watched either yet, but ‘Monsters’ is on my watchlist for sure,” USD sophomore Ashley Perri said. “I am not an expert on either case, but I feel like the media plays a huge role in how these cases have been looked at. Gypsy-Rose became viral again because there was a series created about her a few years ago. Now, she is free. The Menendez brothers are just now getting a show created about their lives, so maybe that will have an impact on their sentences in the future.”
possible impact the exposure to the media had on the cases and their outcomes, the fact that they occurred at very different times may have been a contributing factor. Back then, the severity, or even possibility, of men being victims of sexual abuse was not taken seriously.
“I think one of the biggest differences between the cases are the times at which these were presented,” Wagner said. “The Menendez brothers murdered their parents in 1989 while Gypsy murdered hers in 2015. These were very different times and [there were] different struggles that the U.S. was going through, this definitely made a difference in each of their cases. I also believe that gender has a role to play in this also. Men are known to be more violent than women, so seeing two young men killing their parents might not be considered as self defense.”
As Wagner mentioned, there were stereotypical social norms that were present during 1989 that could have affected the Menendez brothers sentence. While GypsyRose spent seven years in prison, the Menendez brothers have been incarcerated for 34 years, causing many to advocate for their release, including A-list celebrity Kim Kardashian.
“I think the biggest difference in their cases is the time period. Gypsy-Rose was closer to modern day than the Menendez brothers, so jurors must have been more open to broader perspectives. The Menendez brothers faced their punishment in the early 90’s where people weren’t as open to discussing sexual assault, more so men who have been sexually assaulted,” The exposure of a series makes the Menendez brothers’ relevant in society once again, especially since it has been decades since their case was last touched upon. Time and new evidence may impact the brothers’ sentence this upcoming
Ryan Murphy’s new biographical crime series ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,’ depicts the brothers’ lives and trial.
ARTS & FEATURE
Getting to know Jim Bonner What it’s like working in USD student admissions
HAILEY HOWELL FEATURE EDITOR
Jim Bonner is the current associate director of admissions at USD, but he has worked in a few different positions to get where he is today. After attending high school in the San Francisco Bay Area and applying to three universities, Jim Bonner decided he wanted to move to San Diego and attend USD.
“It was when I took a tour of USD … Along with receiving a merit scholarship, [that] enticed me to enroll and take a chance,” Bonner said. “I think it was the best decision that I’ve made.”
Bonner pursued his Bachelor of Arts degree in both business administration and Spanish. Additionally, during his time as an undergraduate student, he started working in the admissions office as a workstudy based student. However, he had no intention of working on a college campus after graduation. Bonner continued his education at USD and earned his master’s in leadership studies in higher education, ultimately pursuing a career in the business field after college.
“I went into mortgage lending upon graduating USD and quickly learned within two years that just wasn’t my jam,” Bonner said. “At the time between 2003 and 2005 when I did that, it was a very big and booming market. However, that market led to the Great Recession of 2008, and I saw all the behind the scenes of how it led to that. There was a lot of unethical practices and fraud that was happening in the industry, and my values did not align with that coming from a USD education.”
Bonner knew that he wanted a change of pace from working in the subprime mortgage industry. He had great memories of being a student employee, so when the opportunity to work
as an admissions counselor at USD presented itself, he decided to pursue a professional career in that direction. Bonner explained that the job had different requirements depending on the season, so it wasn’t always the same focus all the time – which is one reason why he loves the position.
“In the fall … We are on the road visiting high schools and making presentations multiple times a day – about four high schools a day followed by a college fair at night,” Bonner said. “That’s pretty much our flow until November, which is when we start to transition to reading applications. From March and April, we transition to what we call ‘event yield season’ so for all the admitted students, we have a lot of programs that we put on to have them come to campus and see if USD’s the right place for them.”
After working as an admissions counselor at USD for five years, Bonner decided that he wanted to experience a different side of admissions besides recruitment. A position for the associate director of operations at USD opened up, whose job is to focus on the data and operations behind admissions. He explained that the position required different responsibilities and focuses from his previous admissions experience.
“It’s making sure the data systems are all synced up so when students apply, that data information can flow into our database and we can provide our evaluation system for all of our counselors to be able to read and evaluate applications effectively,” Bonner said. “It’s all about the reporting, not only within our office, but to the USD campus as well about new students who are coming in to keep all of the departments informed … that component really intrigued me because I had never had that experience before, and that
has helped kind of grow my career in enrollment as well.”
Eventually, in 2014, Bonner was recruited to work for the College Board, a non-profit organization with the goal of expanding access to higher education, even though he wasn’t originally planning to leave USD.
“A position became available on their higher education services team, and the sole responsibility of that work was to work with other colleges and universities in the Western region,” Bonner said. “That allowed me to travel more and visit college offices and enrollment offices from Montana to Arizona to Alaska to Hawaii … It allowed me to understand and grow my understanding of enrollment as a larger national landscape and combat unique issues that each college faces.”
After working for the College Board and as an independent contractor, Bonner returned to USD in the summer of 2021 to take on the responsibility of the associate director of admissions.
“It was taking what I learned in the last seven years with the College Board and learning from other colleges and universities, and how could I take those new ideas to help grow what I already know USD has the potential for, so that’s really been my goal the last three years,” Bonner said. “I
still have, obviously, counseling responsibilities, and I still recruit and read applications for my territory [Hawaii], but I also now manage all of the admission counselors on the team … I also manage all of our student tour guides, so I oversee that process as the front of the house and our graduate assistants who work in the office as well.”
He explained that the admissions faculty faces challenges, but he loves working in this field and helping shape USD’s future classes.
“It was a challenging year in admissions with the FAFSA simplification – it hurt a lot of students on the national level,” Bonner said. “That was a challenge that we had to work through, as well as the Supreme Court ruling where race and ethnicity is no longer allowed to be used in admissions. We are facing multiple challenges this year, but I think we navigated them pretty well. We should be welcoming one of the more diverse classes that we’ve had at USD this fall which is incredible … I’m very grateful for the work I do and the position I’m in.”
Bonner has decided to stick around in San Diego, as he feels it is relatively close to everything and has great weather. When he isn’t in the office, he spends his time working in his garden and
doing freelance photography.
“Typically my time is spent collecting eggs from our nine chickens and taking care of the veggie garden and 20-plus fruit trees in the yard,” Bonner shared. “I am also a freelance photographer specializing in real estate and family photography, which keeps me busy on the weekends.”
Bonner says to anyone who’s interested in a career in this field to start in the admissions office as a student worker through working as a tour guide, student intern or student ambassador.
“Through these roles, student workers are able to meet a wide range of prospective students and families and grow in their communication skills, confidence and ability to build on those soft skills that are so essential in the workforce,” Bonner said.
“Admissions counselors get to travel, connect with families all over the country, and the work, while incredibly challenging, is equally incredibly rewarding.”
Jim Bonner has worked in many different admissions positions and has a wellrounded experience in leadership positions. He enjoys working with students and getting to know what the USD student body loves so that he can share with prospective students.
Bonner at the National Association of College Admissions Counselors with fellow session panelists.
Photo courtesy of Jim Bonner
Bonner at the peak of Iron Mountain in San Diego.
Photo courtesy of Jim Bonner
Bonner hiking in Hawaii on Koko Head Crater.
Photo courtesy of Jim Bonner
Why
ZOE ROGERS OPINION EDITOR
As students, we are given loads of unnecessary work that is irrelevant to us and different from what we want to pursue. I can remember countless occurrences where core curriculum classes have inconvenienced my time when I could be focusing on classes required for my major instead. General educational classes are a waste of time. Instead of forcing us to take such classes, USD should allow us to focus only on major-related subjects or courses that are more relevant
Rotten to the core
USD should turn away from the core curriculum
approved credits upon enrolling into USD. So, it takes about half of our college career to be able to take the courses required for our major without worrying about these additional classes.
In my opinion, there is no point in prolonging our enrollment in major-specific classes. If students could start taking courses on the topics that they want to pursue, they would all be out of college much quicker. This idea would benefit the students, as it would decrease the amount of tuition they have to pay. For example, tuition is $76,375 a year, and so removing the core requirements could potentially
the subject. Additionally, students are less likely to excel academically if they are uninterested in the course material, especially if the class is irrelevant to the student’s intended career. The National Library of Medicine explains the relationship between student interest and academic excellence.
“Interest is a powerful motivational process that energizes learning, guides academic and career trajectories, and is essential to academic success.”
Consequently, if a student performs poorly in their core classes, their overall GPA will ultimately be damaged. That being said, core classes can
academic careers taking core classes; our education was intended to be well-rounded in elementary, middle and high school. When I graduated high school, I thought I had finally managed to escape the annoying extra classes that I needed to take. However, when I arrived at college, I realized that I still needed to deal with the core curriculum style of education. USD’s required me to take language courses, even though I had already taken language courses throughout elementary and high school.
I had taken Spanish through elementary and middle school and Mandarin in high
probably won’t practice it after fulfilling their requirement, and they inevitably lose their familiarity with the language.
Enrolling us in general education courses allows us to have a well-rounded education. I thoroughly enjoyed some of my core curriculum classes, for example, my Philosophical Inquiry class. We have the opportunity to learn as much as we can on all different topics, and it’s important to take advantage of the education that we have in front of us. We are lucky to be given an education that allows us to explore
OPINION
Uneasy ‘A’
Why your mental health is more important than your GPA
JULIE FROMM ASST. OPINION EDITOR
Throughout my college experience, I have spent countless hours agonizing over final essay feedback and midterm exam grades. Every time I receive a Canvas notification that a grade has been submitted, my stomach rolls and I have to resist the urge to chuck my phone across the room rather than check the app.
Academic anxiety is nothing new to me. These worries have followed me throughout my education ever since I entered middle school. I also know from conversations with my friends and peers about papers and projects piling up — sleep and exercise sacrificially tossed aside — that I’m not the only one.
What your professors — and possibly the nagging voice in your head — aren’t telling you is that your mental health is more important than the grades you receive at the end of the year. It is far more beneficial to view college as a time to learn by making mistakes rather than doing whatever it takes, even cheating, to retain a high GPA.
Starting as early as elementary school, students are taught that in order to succeed, they have to get good grades. For many, this creates immense amounts of pressure and can be entirely counterproductive. Students can end up feeling ashamed of themselves and
lose motivation if they don’t meet the rigorous standards that letter grading sets. And with the rise of artificial intelligence, many students are looking to new technology to complete assignments for them in an attempt to secure the coveted “A.”
A study conducted in the 1980s and ‘90s by educational psychologists, reported by lecturer Alfie Kohn, found that grades tend to diminish students’ interests in what they’re learning. Students tend to take on the easiest possible tasks when working for a grade, and grades often reduce the quality of their thinking. The system that we have been led to believe brings forth the most valuable information about students’ competence actually leads them to make decisions that lessen the value of their education.
On top of the lack of acknowledgement for the purpose of a college education, the letter grading system also creates an environment where creativity can be hindered rather than celebrated.
Instead of encouraging students to write essays that integrate their personalities and what they learn, professors often present their classes with specific rubrics about what their students should write about and how to get an “A” on the paper. This immediately cuts out the creative process, arguably the most exciting
part of school work and essay writing, and tells students that if they do these specific things, they will be rewarded. If they don’t, their GPA will suffer, and in turn their self worth and mental well being will as well. It would be unfair to say that grades have no redeeming qualities. During childhood, grades are a simple way to communicate to parents and guardians how their child is
doing in school. In some cases, grades can be a performance motivator, driving a student to create their best work and allowing them to thoroughly enjoy the “A” that they receive. I’ll admit, there’s nothing like the rush of excitement and validation that washes over me when I open Canvas and see an “A” next to the test I spent days studying for.
Yet, the pros don’t nearly
outweigh the cons. The purpose of the college education that you are paying so much for is to learn by making mistakes, not by doing everything to avoid them.
In truth, it’s easier to say this, than to actually live it is. Receiving an “F” on a test or a paper will always sting, at least for me. But with the traditional grading system not going anywhere anytime soon, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to find ways to manage your academic anxiety.
USD’s Student Wellness page offers several examples of ways to manage anxiety that have worked well for me, including meditation, healthy eating and getting a good night’s sleep. Taking just a few minutes of my day to focus on myself has been instrumental in my academic success.
USD’s Counseling Center also offers in-person counseling sessions for students, which can be booked online. For many students, college is their first time living alone and taking care of themselves, and familiarizing themselves with resources that are available to help is a great way to start independent life on the right foot.
At a university that steers students toward academic excellence, it is crucial to implement wellness strategies into your life that remind you that your worth is not held in the GPA listed at the top of your DegreeWorks.
Being too hard on yourself about your academics can be harmful for your mental health.
Photo courtesy of @Wes Hicks/Unsplash
Prioritizing your mental health over your academics should be normalized more frequently.
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Animosity between Padres and Dodgers
The teams’ playoff series has not been short on drama
LUKAS BLANKENSTEIN CONTRIBUTOR
As soon as the Padres booked a ticket to face their fiercest rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball fans knew they were in for a heated affair. However, fans didn’t know how wild this series would get. Baseballs thrown at players, baseballs thrown at dugouts, robbed home runs and more were the highlights of this series.
While game one was fairly calm, the drama ramped up during game two. In the bottom of the first inning, with the Padres up 1-0, Mookie Betts hit a deep fly ball to left field that was on track to barely clear the wall for a home run. Jurickson Profar, the Padres left fielder, leaped up to try and make a catch, then pretended he didn’t catch the ball. The commentators, the fans and even Betts thought he had just tied the game at 1-1, only for Profar to pull the rug out from under the stadium, revealing he had the ball the whole time. Profar then began trash talking the fans, amusing the commentator and angering the Dodgers faithfuls.
Fireworks continued to fly after the sixth inning. With the score at 3-1 in favor of the Padres, Dodger’s starter Jack Flahrety hit Padres star, Fernando Tatis Jr. with his pitch. After the game, Flahrety defended the stray pitch.
“I wasn’t trying to lead off the inning by hitting him,” Flahrety said. “That doesn’t make any sense. I didn’t go up near his head. I was just trying to push a guy off the plate, and he didn’t get out of the way. Sometimes that happens, and they were upset about it.”
According to an interview with MLB reporter AJ
Cassavell, the Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who was two batters behind Tatis, saw the incident differently.
“He tried to hit our best player,” Machado said. “Get him out. If you can’t get him out, don’t hit him. Right? They got the best player in the game, right? Ohtani? We don’t go out there and try to hit Ohtani. We try to get him out. Don’t go out there and try to hit my guy.”
According to numerous Dodgers players, Machado began chirping Flaherty from the on deck circle. Things then escalated after Flahrety struck out Machado during the top of the sixth inning. According to the Los Angeles Times, Flaherty shouted an expletive at Machado, telling him to sit down as he headed back to the dugout.
This led to increased chirping after the inning when Machado took his typical third base spot. After the tradition of fielding warmups had ended, Machado threw a bouncing ball at the Dodgers dugout. Reports vary on whether the Dodgers were insulting him before he decided to throw the ball at the dugout, but after the fact, numerous Dodgers players were seen shouting at Machado, aggrieved by his perceived attack. According to the Los Angeles Times, the manager of the Dodgers, Dave Roberts, called the incident “unsettling”
“I don’t know his intent,” Roberts states. “I don’t want to speak for him. But I did see the video. And the ball was directed at me with something behind it.”
This was the opinion of many fans across the league, including USD first-year student and Dodgers fan Cameron Lopez.
“It’s dirty and disrespectful,” Lopez stated.
“He should be fined for that. No question, it was totally
intentional. [Dodgers players] would not do that, we know how to respect the game.”
Machado had a different account of his actions.
“I throw balls all the time into the dugouts, both dugouts,” Machado said. “They have bat boys, you throw the ball back in there.”
This opinion was shared by a large number of fans, including first-year Padres fan Eddie Garcia.
“From what I could see, it was unintentional,” Garcia said. “It rolled into the dugout. It bounced like 3 times before it got to Dave Roberts, and Roberts going on the media saying he and Machado had a history — it feels childish.”
The temperature would eventually boil over in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Dodgers began pelting the field with baseballs, water bottles and beer cans. The main target of the objects was Jurickson Profar. After he noticed the first baseball was thrown in his direction, he immediately got the umpire and a break was called, leading to more items being thrown on the field. Both Profar and the Padres were visibly shaken up, with Profar furiously yelling at the umpire. Tatis, who was also in the outfield, was seen fake crying to make fun of the Dodgers. Padres fan Eddie Garcia didn’t mince words about his thoughts on the situation.
“Honestly I just think it was childish, and it gives a bad rep to the LA area,” Garica stated. “It also makes them look like sore losers because they look like they can’t take a loss.”
However, Lopez, believed the Padres, specifically Profar, got what was coming to them.
“Profar deserved it ‘cause he’s a cocky player,” Lopez said.
The Padres got the last laugh of the game, however, as they used this momentum to score three runs in both the eighth and ninth innings, convincingly beating the Padres 10-2.
The series then returned to San Diego, where both teams played one game each, this time with much less controversy.
This set up a “winner takes all” mindset during game five in Los Angeles to see who moves on to the National League Championship Series.
While the Padres won game two’s controversial battle, it was the Dodgers who won the war, shutting down the Padres offense in a 2-0 win at home
in the fifth game. The Padres vaunted offense, who scored 21 runs in the first 20 innings of the series, failed to register a single run for the last 24 innings. A combination of strong pitching and timely homers were the key to success for the Dodgers in their victory after this controversial and heated series.
The Dodgers are playing the Mets next in the series while they look to win the World Series. The series is currently tied at 1-1, and will go into a third game on Oct. 16. Meanwhile, the Padres will retire for the season, after finishing second overall for the National League West in the playoffs.
Dodgers celebrate after defeating Padres in the playoffs.
Photo courtesy of @dodgers/Instagram
The Padres end their season with a 0-2 loss to the Dodgers. Photo courtesy of
Jurickson Profar and Luis Arraez during postseason practice. Photo courtesy
Intramural soccer season takes off How campus recreation brings students together SPORTS
PRIYA COOPER SPORTS EDITOR
Intramural sports have become very popular at USD in the past few years. Amongst their growth, intramural soccer has become one of the schools favorites. Recreational soccer at the university offers students an exciting opportunity to stay active, build friendships and enjoy the thrill of competition, all while in a fun and supportive environment. Whether students are seasoned sports players or someone just looking to try out the sport, intramural leagues are designed to be inclusive, welcoming athletes of all skill levels.
USD junior Kevin Curran plays for the campus rec-team called “Arsenal,” named after the professional club team that is based in London, England. While Curran has played with his intramural team since freshman year not all intramural athletes are as experienced.
“I’ve been playing intramurals since the second semester of my freshman year,” Curran said. “So [that would] be like four semesters. I played soccer from when I was three until I was in like eighth grade, but I didn’t play high school.”
Joining intramural soccer at USD is accessible to students of all skill levels and is
less involved than joining a club or division 1 team.
USD junior Nick Narloch, who is a teammate of Curran, explained how he got into the game and his experience with intramural soccer.
“I never played soccer before,” Narloch said. “I played other sports in high school, however. I wanted to join because a lot of my friends decided to make a team, and I thought it’d be a great way to spend my Tuesday nights.”
There are no tryouts or intense selection processes, so people can jump in as an experienced player or while just looking to have some fun. Some people take it more seriously than others but it’s mostly about having a good time with friends and getting a good workout in. Curran spoke more about how people can participate and what the teams look like at USD.
“Anyone could join,” Curran said. “We have kind of a core group, but people get injured, and people go abroad, and so we sometimes just ask random people, ‘Hey, like, did you play soccer in high school? Want to join our team?’ ... So sometimes just random people show up. It’s pretty hype.”
Not only are intramural teams more accessible than D1 soccer teams, they also offer more flexibility. Curran talked
about the positions he plays for the team and also what he wants to get out of this season.
“I kind of play all around,” Narloch said. “I feel like playing goalie sometimes, when we need it. I also play left back and in the middle and around. My goal for the season is to score a hat trick in the game. I think that’d be fun,
and also to make the playoffs.”
Narloch also reminisced on previous seasons while talking about his goals for the current season.
“The past two years we’ve won the intramural championships,” Narloch said. “I think my favorite memory is probably the freshman year, the first time, just because … That was the first time playing together, and that really cemented that we would be willing to play here, like all of us, for the next four years.”
Another important or fun aspect of intramural soccer is the pre-game hype rituals and team songs that players take on before hitting the field. Whether it’s a choreographed chant, a favorite playlist or a spirited team huddle, these moments create a strong sense of community and bring a lot of excitement to the game. Some teams even develop their own signature rituals. Curran explained how his team hypes themselves up before games.
“Normally, we listen to British rap and Brazilian music, but I mean, a lot of times we just play like a name game before, because we always have, like, new people on the team each season, so sometimes it takes a bit to learn names,” Curran said.
While intramural soccer offers a lively and engaging experience for students, there’s always room for improvement to make it even more inclusive and enjoyable.
As popular as the program is, some students feel that increased access to resources, more flexible scheduling and expanded league options could enhance participation and accommodate the diverse needs of the student body.
“I think a good way that intramural soccer could be improved is if the scheduling was able to be a little bit more streamlined,” Narloch said. “I know, at least for our [team], since we have a lot of students who are undergraduates, we kind of have a very small window that we can actually go and play soccer. [Sometimes] games move last minute to, like, 10 o’clock at night, we kind of lose a lot of people just, you know, people have very tight schedules.”
Overall intramural soccer offers students a fun and inclusive way to stay active and connect with peers. With its balance of competition and tradition, it’s a great way for students to take a break from the rigors of academics and enjoy the thrill of the game. Intramural are also a great way for students to exercise, especially for some accomadating to no longer playing a sport in college like they may have in high school. Many students who join their first year end up playing all throughout college and even those that join later enjoy the friendly competition and community it provides.
Intramural soccer game at Manchester Field.
Photo courtesy of @usdcampusrec/Instagram
Intramural soccer games happen every Tuesday night.
Photo courtesy of @usdcampusrec/Instagram