Volume 69 Issue 05

THE HIGHLANDER

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

FOR THE WEEK OF MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

VOL. 69, ISSUE 05

est. 1954

Viral video showcasing UCR professor’s behavior sparks student claims that she is hostile and degrading in class

Campus departments and organizations plan an Election Day full of events to promote civic engagement UCR ORGANIZATIONS UPDATE THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY ON THEIR ELECTION EFFORTS.

VIDEOS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA OPEN UP DISCUSSION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH DURING A PANDEMIC.

LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer

LAURA ANAYA-MORGA Senior Staff Writer

ASUCR held their fourth meeting of the quarter on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The meeting began with an ex-officio report from Ori Liwanag, fourth-year business major and campaign coordinator for CALPIRG’s New Voters Project. CALPIRG is a UC wide public interest activism group whose mission is to work to protect the environment, provide hunger relief and promote civic engagement. Liwanag gave an update on the efforts that CALPIRG has been focusing on this fall quarter, including civic engagement and voting. Liwanag stated that they recently had their largest fall kickoff ever with 94 participants launching the New Voters Project. He also gave an update regarding the Civic Engagement Coalition he is a part of, a student and faculty led coalition to promote civic engagement across UCR. On Election Day, Nov. 3, multiple departments will be hosting various election and civic engagement events over Zoom and through social media.

The Associated Students Program Board (ASPB) will be conducting an all-day virtual photo booth where students may enter a raffle to win ASPB merchandise, the Civic Engagement Coalition will be hosting their weekly Civics Hour where they will discuss how to stretch one’s involvement beyond the election from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m, campus departments will also host a Q&A session from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. where

A UCR professor recently came under fire from students past and present after a series of videos went viral on social media. The videos posted onto TikTok and Twitter on Oct. 22 have amassed over 7 million views and seemingly showcase Associate Professor of Chemistry Catharine Larsen being dismissive towards her students during her CHEM 008A Organic Chemistry (OChem) class. The videos range from Larsen refusing to answer questions from students regarding issues they are having in the class to documentation of other students and alumni expressing their support for her current students via Twitter. Multiple students also shared claims of being called “morons” by Larsen during her office hours.

The comments of each video became flooded with students demanding that UCR and the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS) Department take action to address Larsen’s behavior.

“It is absolutely unacceptable for any ‘professional’ professor to address their students in this fashion ...

UCR please do better,” tweeted UCR alumni, Jorge Huizar. In a followup tweet, Huizar stated that he has taken Larsen’s class before, and this was not the first time that students have complained about her behavior in class. Another student, Ashley Chung, wrote in a tweet, “OChem is hard enough already and it’s clear that Prof. Larsen doesn’t lead a safe learning environment.”

► SEE ASUCR PAGE 3

► SEE VIRAL PAGE 3

COURTESY OF UCR

‘The Mandalorian’ teases great things to come in its remarkable return to Disney+ MANDO AND BABY YODA ARE BACK FOR AN EPIC FIRST EPISODE. COLIN CARNEY Senior Staff Writer

Last year, Star Wars’ very first live action series, “The Mandalorian,” debuted on the nascent streaming platform, Disney+, with widespread acclaim from longtime fans and newcomers alike. It follows the story of the titular Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal)

as he breaks from the Bounty Hunters’ Guild and the Imperial remnant in order to protect a force sensitive infant alien, dubbed “Baby Yoda” by fans. The first season was an instant hit as showrunners Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni crafted a remarkable scifi western set in the Star Wars galaxy with exceptional talent both in front of and behind the camera.

Season 2 starts off on an extremely high note with the episode titled “The Marshall.” The story opens roughly where the last season left fans with Mando searching for the Jedi in order to protect the infant. However, before

he can do this, he needs to find other Mandalorians to aid him in his search.

His efforts lead him back to the fan favorite planet where the saga started, Tatooine, where he has heard rumors of a man wearing Mandalorian armor.

Fans of the Star Wars books will be pleased to see local marshal, Cobb Vanth (Timothy Olyphant), portrayed for the first time since his literary debut in Chuck Wendig’s “Aftermath” trilogy. Unfortunately for Mando, Vanth is no Mandalorian but a simple man who bought the armor from some Jawas in order to protect his small town from raiders. Determined to reclaim his

people’s armor, Mando agrees to rid the town of a monstrous threat in exchange for Vanth willingly relinquishing the armor.

What follows is a spectacular western tale of a wandering stranger assisting the local marshal to free his town. Along the way, the episode sprinkles in countless references and easter eggs to Star Wars lore that fans are sure to love. Eagle-eyed viewers are sure to recognize the armor worn by Vanth, and fans are finally given their first living example of a mighty Krayt ► SEE MANDALORIAN PAGE 8

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UPCOMING EVENTS: WEEK 5

CAITLYN CAI | NEUROSCIENCE | FIRST-YEAR COMPILED BY HIGHLANDER STAFF

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Cambodian Rock Band and Asian American Arts Activism 1:30 p.m.

Virtual Event

Night in with Alumni: Sociology 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

3

APSP’s Roundtable Presents: Fighting 2 Viruses 1:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

2020 Election Night Watch Party 5:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

4

Virtual Law School Information Day Fair 2020 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

Information Session with City Year Los Angeles 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

“Graduating high school and embarking on my college journey during a pandemic is my greatest struggle. I didn’t really receive the closure that I had hoped for and now I am learning to navigate

5

Thursday

On Slash Fanfiction and Yaoi Manga: Civic Engagement Collaboration with Susan Lopez Fandom and Sexuality in the Archives 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Virtual Event Virtual Event

the waters of a remote college environment. Sometimes I feel like the world’s burdens are on my shoulders but, I’m learning how to surf the waves and manage my feelings of discouragement.”

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Feminist Friday: Election Debrief 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

Tea Time With Terry: Get Happier Hour!

4:00 p.m.

Virtual Event

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UCR Intramural E-Sports League Competition Virtual Event

Virtual Turkey Trot Virtual Event

Friday

Saturday

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

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► FROM VIRAL

The videos sparked a conversation about the ways that students’ mental health has been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and online learning. One student, Naomi Venugopal, a second-year biology major, said in a tweet, “Ochem is hard enough as is, a supportive professor would help alleviate some stress.”

Venugopal spoke to The Highlander about her experience in Larsen’s class this quarter. She stated that it was clear from the very first class that Larsen was very intelligent, and Venogupal was excited to learn as much as she could about organic chemistry. That quickly changed after the second lecture, when Larsen’s attitude did too, she stated. Venogupal recalled a situation that was captured on video and posted on TikTok, in which a student asks Larsen for advice on how to keep up with the notes presented in class along with what she says during the lecture. In the video, Larsen replies saying, “Some students can’t, some students can, right?

Every student has their skill, right?” Another student then asks, “So there’s no accommodation?”

Larsen replies with, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I’m providing the lecture notes,” and adds, “You guys are in college. You can write it or not.

The videos are posted.” At the time of writing, that video has been viewed over 271,000 times.

Venogupal stated that this behavior from Larsen has discouraged her from asking questions in class. “I feel like I ask questions repeatedly which already makes me feel like... an annoyance and a little insecure,” she stated. “Her other sarcastic remarks are just really degrading ... she talks about how we waste her time with our questions.” She added that situations like this may further prevent students who already have a hard time asking questions in class due to social anxiety from speaking up about issues they are having because

COURTESY OF UCR TODAY

Professor Catharine Larsen lectures her class in 2012.

they do not want to be humiliated by their professor. Venogupal stated that the added stresses of the pandemic and online school have only elevated her anxiety and that of her peers and lowered her confidence in the class as well.

Another student, fourth-year political science major Vincent Rasso, added that situations like this can be particularly draining for students who are adjusting to their new learning environments.

“There are students who don’t have the advantage to either not have to work, not have to care for their family members and not have to have their WiFi shut down because they can’t afford a better service,” stated Rasso. He added that these situations add an unnecessary pressure for students to teach themselves and it can be incredibly taxing on their mental health. “It makes students feel like they can’t ask questions and causes even more academic barriers,” he stated.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused great challenges for students across the country. In a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the NCHS partnered with the Census Bureau on an experimental data system, known as the Household

Pulse Survey, to rapidly determine and monitor the changes in the mental health of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic.

The survey reported that 44.76% of adults aged 18-29 have experienced symptoms of anxiety disorder from Sept. 30 to Oct. 12 and 39.3% have experienced symptoms of depressive disorder.

This is a stark contrast from the data collected from the NCHS National Health Interview Survey released on Sept. 23, which reported that in 2019, 19.5% of adults aged 18-29 experienced symptoms of anxiety and 21% experienced symptoms of depression.

Michelle Ho, third year biology major, who posted the video onto her Twitter account, also spoke to The Highlander and discussed how this situation may negatively affect the reputation of UCR and discourage prospective students from applying this November.

She shared the sentiments of both Rasso and Venugopal stating, “With this pandemic our mental health has been going downhill... for [professors] to be more patient would help us out a lot.”

In an interview with The Highlander, Director of News and Information for University Communications John Warren provided a comment on behalf of both CNAS Dean Kathryn

Uhrich and the Office of the Chancellor. “UCR takes all student, faculty, and staff matters seriously, particularly when it comes to the well-being of our community members,” stated Warren. He went on to state that, “All members of the university community must work to maintain an atmosphere in which neither students nor faculty feel harassed or threatened.” He acknowledged the challenges that the campus community may face in the midst of the pandemic and with the upcoming presidential election and stated that these challenges bring about a level of uncertainty that makes campus support services like UCR’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Office of the Ombuds more critical than ever. In regards to the TikTok video, Warren stated that it is being reviewed to determine an appropriate response from the university.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, CNAS Dean Kathryn Uhrich and Chemistry Department Chair Len Mueller met with about 180 students who are currently in Larsen’s class about the situation at hand and offered their assistance.

According to Vanugopal, who was in attendance, the meeting was extremely informative and helpful. Dean Uhrich and Mueller

announced that they had seen the TikTok and Twitter videos as well as received multiple emails from students concerning their experience in the class. The meeting served as an open forum where some students voiced their issues with the class while others stated that the videos were taken out of context and Professor Larsen’s reactions were justified. “Thankfully, they have taken action and were open to listening to our concerns,” stated Vanogupal.

Dean Urich offered her support for the students, stating that she taught organic chemistry for 20 years and understood the pressure they must be facing trying to learn such difficult material.

Mueller added that as a parent of students who are also in the UC system, he also understands the frustrations that they are feeling and stated that their stories were hard for him to hear. Uhrich and Mueller explained that there is a formal and informal process to addressing the situation: informal being talking to students on a personal level and listening to their concerns and formal being administrative action.

Like the Office of the Chancellor, Urich and Meuller referred students to more campus support services where they could H voice their concerns in the future.■

a meeting with her to discuss the recent controversy surrounding Associate professor of Chemistry Catharine H. Larsen, after a recent TikTok video went viral of her seemingly being rude to her students.

The senate also welcomed CHASS Senator Sebastian Quinteros, a third year political science major, after the resignation of previous CHASS Senator, Rosemary Le. Quinteros introduced himself and stated that his campus involvement began with CALPIRG during his first year, getting students registered to vote and gathering signatures about environmental efforts. The following year, he joined the ASUCR Lobby Corps committee, where he was able to

advocate for UCR and all college students. More recently he became a mentee for the ASUCR senate , and he was encouraged to run for the open senator position.

As a CHASS senator, Quinteros’ goals are to secure the ability of his peers to learn and succeed at UCR, to prioritize accountability and transparency within ASUCR and to assist in UCR’s effort of increasing civic engagement on campus.

At the end of the meeting, Executive Vice President Natalie Hernandez announced the resignation of a BCOE Senator and stated that the position had already been filled. This marks the third resignation of the year.

The meeting was adjourned at H 7:32 p.m. ■

ASUCR ► FROM ASUCR

students will have the opportunity to ask any last minute questions they have surrounding the election. The California Students Vote Project, which consists of students from CALPIRG, the UC Student Association (UCSA), the Cal State Student Association (CSSA) and the Secretary of State will be hosting an Election Day Vote-A-Thon live stream from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m featuring student speakers, phonebanking, text banking and more. Finally, the UCR School of Public Policy and its dean ambassadors will be hosting an Election Day watch party from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. via Zoom.

During the meeting, the

senate unanimously approved the finance meeting minutes for the week in which the Finance Committee allocated funds to various campus organizations.

President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo presented SB-F20-006 Stipends, which was authored

by ASUCR President Luis Huerta and CHASS Senator Nelson Aguiar. The bill aimed to reallocate money from the ASUCR Historian position, which no longer exists, to the Executive Secretary position.

The stipend consists of $990 over a 9 month period. SB-F20006 passed with a vote of 16-0-0.

During senator reports, CHASS Senator Alyssa Marchan stated that she and the Diversity Council have been working

on legislation surrounding nontraditional student issues with a focus on student parents at UCR. She has also been attending phone banking sessions in support of Proposition 16, and has been emailing the CHASS deans about making Election Day a school holiday.

CNAS Senator Abigail Nguyen announced that she has been working on a piece of legislation regarding the addition of inclusivity training in UCR student employees and faculty’s regular work training to support the idea of diversity and inclusion within UCR, she stated. Nguyen also stated that she and other CNAS senators have emailed CNAS Dean Kathryn Uhrich about scheduling

4 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

NEWS

Newly elected ASUCR transfer and nontraditional student director finds her place KAITYLYN HALL DISCUSSES HER GOALS FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.

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DAVINA GARCIA Senior Staff Writer

During a special elections meeting, the ASUCR senate elected Kaitylyn Hall to fill the recently vacated transfer and nontraditional student director position on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Hall is a fourth-year education and history major.

In an interview with The Highlander, Hall stated that she had heard about the open opportunity through Umoja, a nationwide organization that is dedicated to supporting and uplifting Black college transfer students.

She went on to explain that a large part of the reason she applied for this position was due to her desire to promote awareness for student involvement opportunities and to push for diversity as a Black student. “I feel like there’s a huge lack of visibility and representation of this position and in ASUCR in general,” Hall stated.

Moreover, Hall stated that due to her status as a transfer student herself, she is more capable of understanding some of the unique experiences that many face when applying to and attending UCR. She recalled her own time as a transfer student to be somewhat deceiving, stating that UCR was not as helpful and welcoming after she was admitted to the school as they had been when attempting to secure her commitment. Hall added that transfers and nontraditional students are often given last priority to enroll for classes and are the last to be considered for things like housing. “If you’re transitioning into a UC, you already have so many fears,” she stated, “You get this feeling that you aren’t wanted and that you’re not considered.”

As the transfer and nontraditional student director, Hall is taking the initiative to change that. She is now the head of the corresponding committee and plays a large role in coordinating efforts to aid and support these specific student populations. “I think a big part of the job is making the transition into UCR smoother and to make people

more aware of the things that transfers and nontraditional students go through and to really represent the community,” she stated.

In order to do that, Hall explained that the committee is often in communication with other organizations on campus who also work with these student groups, like the Underground Scholars Initiative and Puente Connection. They can work in conjunction at times to create helpful events for these students and to push for better resources at the administration level.

Though this was a relatively late appointment, as well as Hall’s first official positionship within ASUCR, she is undeterred. She explained that she is still in the process of learning about the scope of her role as a newly oriented director. However, Hall assured that she has been settling in well overall and is looking to the future.

Her current goals involve increasing visibility for transfer and nontraditional students and developing an even more nuanced understanding of their needs and desires, as well as advocating for better resources and help for those who are a part of these communities, whether that be through the implementation of support groups or mental health programs. She emphasized her strong commitment to championing mental health and inclusivity for all students, but especially for transfers and nontraditional students.

She went on to say that it is also important for these students to reach out and to make use of the resources that they do have.

“Speaking from my experiences ‒ just email people, and let them know what you want to do,” Hall advised. ”Or send concerns, questions, recommendations…” According to Hall, this will help in the process of getting involved and comfortable with the university in the meantime.

For interested parties, the transfer and nontraditional committee at ASUCR is H looking for committee members. ■

UCR’s Department of Physics and Astronomy accepted into the American Physical Society Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance ACCEPTANCE INTO THE ORGANIZATION INDICATES A MOVE TOWARD A MORE INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT. DAVINA GARCIA Senior Staff Writer

UCR’s Department of Physics and Astronomy has been accepted into the American Physical Society’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alliance (APSIDEA). The American Physical Society is a nonprofit organization that strives to advance the knowledge of physics and related disciplines. The APS-IDEA is an initiative dedicated to encouraging and empowering physics departments, laboratories and other related organizations to actively instate solutions and strategies for improving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

This was made possible by key faculty members but largely through the efforts of the Physics Organization for Womxn and the Underrepresented (POWUR), an on-campus organization that was spearheaded by the Department of Physics and Astronomy graduate students with the collective goal of providing better support for minority students.

Bryan Scott, a Ph.D. candidate in astronomy and officer of POWUR, shared his enthusiasm for this newest department development. As a group that champions equity, diversity and inclusion, Scott admitted that their work is not often

COURTESY OF ELENA ZHUKOVA VIA UCR

recognized in such a big way. However, that has not hindered their initiative before, as they’ve previously led their own DEI campaigns on campus, from including more gender neutral restrooms in the department building to hosting department-wide inclusion seminars.

According to Scott, POWUR has been even more motivated by the recent AIPS-IDEA acceptance, now looking to the future and how to maintain positive changes in the long term. “We hope to contribute our unique experiences to other APS-IDEA members. At the same time, we are learning collaboratively from them and implementing the best research based practices on the UCR campus and in our communities,” he stated.

Particle physicist and assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Flip Tanedo, also played

an important role in applying to this alliance and spoke to The Highlander about the importance of such recognition.

“It is fantastic because it recognizes a lot of the hard work that our students, especially those students in the POWUR group, have done to make our department a more inclusive environment,” he stated.

Though Tanedo affirmed that this is certainly a momentous occasion, he also indicated that there is still ongoing work to be done for true inclusivity. “There is a naive statement that I often hear that physics doesn’t care about your race or gender or identity ‒ it only cares about your mathematical and scientific abilities,” he stated, adding that though this is an ideal that ought to be reality, if such was the case, then inclusion and equity work would not have the effect that it does on the department. Tanedo explained that numerous science, technology,

engineering and mathematics disciplines are not appropriately reflective of the diverse backgrounds that can be seen in the broader population, one reason being, he said, that minority communities can often face more obstacles when pursuing schooling.

According to Tanedo, the department and university are continuously looking for ways to better serve the UCR community. The efforts that have gone towards the IDEA network serve as an experiment to determine how shared leadership can function between students, faculty and administration in order to create a more safe and welcoming environment. For now, he agreed that this is a step in the right direction, but the POWUR group and the APS-IDEA initiative “recognize that there is still work to be done to make our discipline H equitable to all.” ■

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MONDAY, NOVEMEBER 2, 2020

5

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Low enrollment is the silent killer for institutions during the pandemic

UCR must find a better way to market themselves in order to combat low enrollment.

A

s a new wave of students are set to apply to college, UCR must consider how they are going to appeal the most to prospective students now that there are more challenges than benefits when it comes to surviving university online.

In order for institutions such as UCR to stay afloat during a time of such financial turbulence, they need to find new ways to intrigue first years interested in attending.

It does not make sense for students to make a fouryear commitment to a place that they cannot physically visit. Online events are not an effective replacement for students who would like to see campus life in person. While online events, workshops or tours were always an option, even before the coronavirus pandemic, most current students opt for everything to be in person because nothing

COURTESY OF UCR TODAY

beats the physical touring of a campus. Many students feel a sense of belonging after a physical visit to a campus.

With this lack of belonging in mind, it is understandable that a first year student would rather take a gap year and wait out the virus before they start their college journeys.

It is of the utmost importance now, more than ever, that UCR and other institutions change the way they market themselves. When a prospective student chooses a college to attend, visiting the campus is usually a huge factor in decision making, as a student gets to experience a college’s campus spirit, view clubs that might interest them and connect with current students. With this option gone, students might not be willing to pick a college while knowing next to nothing about the campus culture. Even if campus is closed, UCR should use footage of when campus was bustling in order to give

prospective students a preview into what campus life really was.

If UCR and other institutions fail to adapt to the times and market themselves better, they will lose out on numerous potential applicants. The drop in admission rate would most definitely have a negative impact on a lot of different aspects of the university.

Low enrollment not only means a lack of revenue for UCR, but it also poses a threat to employees on campus.

This will undoubtedly lead to many layoffs, especially for residential life workers.

The UC will have more of a reason to lay off even more employees than they have already done. Already, the university has come under fire for the massive layoffs they’ve undertaken for their most vulnerable employees.

Not only will employees face the risk of losing their jobs, but it is also not outside the realm of possibilities that

the UC will try to justify the drop in freshman enrollment in order to raise tuition. This will do nothing but hurt so many current students who are already struggling to pay a full tuition for a less than quality online education.

With so many things at risk, all because of a drop in admissions, this gives more a reason for UCR to have a more streamlined marketing strategy. Struggling institutions such as UCR need to represent themselves in a way that best fits a prospective student’s desires. By giving students a glimpse into what life could be like on the UCR campus, it will reassure prospective applicants that they are making the right decision for their future college experiences. UCR could also do interviews with current students, especially those who lived on campus, and ask them what persuaded them into choosing UCR in the first place. All of these

methods would offer a bit of hope for prospective students and give them something to look forward to, as well as helping UCR admissions numbers stay consistent.

When battling low enrollment, the way an institution represents itself to prospective students matters.

The only way UCR and other universities will make it out alive in a post-COVID world depends on how they choose to market themselves. Offering a glimpse into what campus life could be like for students and reassuring a better learning experience will go a long way with persuading first-year undergraduates to apply for H admission.■

The Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board.

They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.

6 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

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Japan cannot release Fukushima’s contaminated nuclear water into the ocean JAPAN MUST KEEP FUKUSHIMA’S CONTAMINATED WATER CONTAINED IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER. REBECCA SALINAS Contributing Writer

In 2011, Japan experienced a 9.0 earthquake off its coast, which triggered a tsunami. The tsunami caused extensive damage, including one major accident that occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Consequently, a cooling failure occurred when the plant’s reactors were supposed to shut down as the tsunami hit, causing a Level 7 nuclear meltdown and the release of radioactive materials. The water that entered the plant became contaminated, leading Japanese officials to store the water and treat it because it was not safe for people to be around. In early October of this year, however, Japan announced the decision to release the treated water, which is still partially radioactive, into the ocean. Japan cannot allow the water to be released.

Japanese ministers have wanted the stored water to be released for some time now, attempting to have the water

dumped under former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but their efforts ultimately failed. Leaders of Japan have thus taken the opportunity to dump the water under the governance of the new prime minister of Japan.

The ministers of Japan are pushing for the release of the water because the space to store it is running out. There are around 1.23 million tons of waste water stored in tanks at the Fukushima facility. That amount increases by about 170 tons per day as water seeps into the site. As a result, the Japanese Ministry of Environment has announced that tanks will be full by 2022.

Environmentalists have opposed the decision to release the water. They say the water is too radioactive to be in the ocean and should continue to be stored. Multiple organizations, including Safecast and Greenpeace, have urged Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the operator of the Fukushima plant, to build more storage tanks. Greenpeace has even gone on to warn that the water released could change human DNA, which was based off of a study they led with German nuclear specialists.

Japanese fishermen and farmers around the plant site have also opposed

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the release of the water. Fishermen fear the effects it will have on the Japanese fishing industry, as the dumping of the water can potentially make seafood unsafe to eat. China has warned that, should the water be released, they might ban Japanese seafood imports, which would be a blow to the fishing industry as China is one of its major seafood buyers. Farmers around the plant do not want the water to be released because it reinforces the reputation of produce from the area as not being safe to consume due to the release of radioactive materials during the tsunami.

The ministers of Japan, however, see releasing the water in liquid or vapor form as their only option.

Despite having years since the water was contaminated to think about other alternatives, the ministers have failed to do so. Since the beginning, releasing

Children learn better when their learning styles are being properly supported

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ROBERT GOLD Contributing Writer

CHILDREN SHOULD BE PLACED INTO CLASSROOMS THAT BEST FIT THEIR LEARNING STYLES IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

Every child learns and absorbs information differently.

Every student knows their own learning-style intrinsically.

When studying for an upcoming exam, a student knows whether: taking, watching lectures, or listening to recorded lessons will be the best way for them to retain the information. The basic knowledge and understanding of differences in learning style should be reflected in the K-12 public education system.

Children in kindergarten should be tested before entering the first grade. Once tested, they should be placed in a classroom that best fits their learning style needs along with other students who share the same learning ability. Each classroom should require a teacher specifically trained to teach within that learning style. Each student will then, for the next 12 years, continue to be taught in

classrooms that teach in their specific learning method.

The three main learning styles, which most students would fall into, would be: auditory, visual or kinesthetic classrooms. In an auditory classroom, teachers would explain everything out loud and all assigned readings could be accompanied by an audiobook. In a visual classroom, teachers would draw illustrations to accompany their lesson plans in order to keep their students visually engaged and would include PowerPoints that display visual imagery of the concepts being taught. In a kinesthetic classroom, students’ sense of touch, movement and motion would be engaged through lesson plans that were taught using performance art, where the teachers would act out the concepts being taught and have the students participate.

Any student who has ever been privy to the American public education system has felt

the water has been the only solution considered.

In reality, this issue could have been avoided. TEPCO was warned in a study done in 2008 that the plant site was at risk of a major accident if a tsunami was to occur. TEPCO decided to ignore the report and continued operations at the site leading to the 2011 accident.

Now, TEPCO wants to rid itself of its error, which in doing so, will harm the environment, humans and Japan’s economy.

Japan and TEPCO must begin to consider other options to solve this problem. Leaders must stop being stubborn and realize that releasing the water is much more than simply freeing storage space. The effects of the release would unravel over time and become disastrous. The ocean connects all of us; as such, adding nuclear toxins will put H the world in danger. ■

dumb or bored at some point.

This has to do with the fact that children are being made to study in a way that is not ideal for their particular learning styles.

Public schools should record audio of all required readings for their courses so that students with auditory learning styles can have a fighting chance as well.

The same goes for the kinesthetic learners, who would benefit from watching a documentary or seeing a teacher act out the lesson plan. Admittedly, this concept may seem ridiculous if it meant one teacher would try to accommodate seven different types of students. However, if that instructor was armed with a library of audiobooks and other supplements, they could easily accommodate a classroom for every type of student.

The public education system is already doing this to some level by having degree programs with performing arts, science and even journalism. Yet, instead of just accommodating student interests, student learning styles should be considered as well. This, to any reasonably minded politician with a knack for public education reform, should resonate as good policy making.

As new scientific research

is produced on the topics of psychology and human brain development, the public education system should continue to keep up with these new scientific findings. In a rapidly changing world of technology and science, America doesn’t have to be afraid of the new technocracy it finds itself in, but rather, this nation should embrace it wholeheartedly and find itself jumping into the future not with reckless abandon, but with precision and heart for our children’s education.

There may be resentment from older generations who feel updating our public school institutions with new technologies and modern facilities would be, in some way, an infringement upon them, as they did not get to receive such a “pampered” education.

However, just because the country has not given them the proper tools they needed to succeed does not mean that we should deny better resources to the next generation. Every elementary, middle and high school should be divided into seven different types of classrooms, so that every child can have their needs met. No one child should ever been made to feel dumb or stupid or slow just because their brain works H differently.■

“ Features

FEATURES

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F F EATURES

ICTION

FEATURES FICTION IS A COLUMN SHOWCASING CREATIVE WORK FROM STUDENTS, RANGING FROM POETRY TO SHORT STORIES.

SPRING

By Katie Polanco, Contributing Writer Piles of mush, once icy white Now discolored and soft Resting on the field.

Where is the cold fortress?

Dreadful moments in the snow, Numb fingers and a red face.

I was longing for warmth.

That was when the sun came.

Looking at the mush I wonder Why was it hard to say goodbye?

The snow strengthen me Taught me how to survive.

The meadows are green, Music of birds filling the air Water seeps into the soil, Flowers blossom again.

■H

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

CLOSED DOORS

By Alexandria Esteban, Senior Staff Writer There was a knock on my window On that long chilly night Then a creak from the floorboards Outside my door There was a crash And a bump My entire body jumped as the shadows Turned as restless as the morgue A grip reaches out and curls real tight Around my neck around my ankles and my arms And I’m dragged beneath the covers of my bed The only scream that I could make was in my head What things lurk in the shadows What creatures called the night What skeletons hide behind closed doors When the monsters come and catch me What will happen next Will the catch be enough to satisfy Or wait is there more What horrors in store Will I still breathe to claim I’ve seen the dawn So if you’re out there Beware It pays to be aware That there are shadows that are lurking in the night ■H

7

8 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

Radar

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Seafood Sam is at his

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e i v a w s t in his new EP ‘Elroy’

By James Jones, Contributing Writer Up-and-coming artist and Long Beach native Seafood Sam has returned in short supply yet good fashion with his new project “Elroy” EP. This five-track piece is truly a groove, and I enjoyed where he went with this one.

Seafood Sam doesn’t seem to have an issue with wearing his influences on his sleeve, whether it’s with the groovy West Coast beats or his slick lyricism to display his influences. I was surprised to hear back so soon from Seafood Sam seeing as how he had dropped earlier this year the funky yet new school tape “Backwards Skate Only,” a tape that I felt evoked exactly what the title disclaimed: a summer skate sesh with some friends having a good time. This time around, while it is quick and to the point, he really hit the ground running; there’s wavy production and smooth lyrics riddled all over this thing.

I really enjoyed the intro track “Hood Vogue,” which Seafood Sam had previously posted a snippet of on his Instagram, and the nostalgic 90s rhythm & blues (R&B) production sold me instantly.

The chords, rhythmic bass alongside beautiful background vocals make for

a memorable track. While Seafood Sam may be more of a local star, it’s clear that those who do listen to him know how consistent he is as an artist. From his earliest tapes to even his breakout record “Dior Velour,” Seafood Sam showed a lot of his versatility lyrically as well as his influences without wearing them on his sleeve, as if he is trying to emulate them. His most recent full length prior to this EP “Backwards Skate Only” may have been a tad longer, but his latest release has a lot of the same elements and still stands toe to toe with it despite being only five tracks. After each release, I feel he gets more exposure every time he drops, with more people gravitating towards his sound. I for one truly appreciate an artist that cannot only challenge himself musically but can also stay consistent while still staying true to themselves. Whether it’s through how they pick their beats or how they decide to attack a song, Seafood Sam doesn’t have a problem with doing either when it comes to releasing new music. Another moment in the project I really liked

was the production; each song has a saxophone in the background that really helps tie the EP together and shows its cohesiveness.

For such a short body of work, Seafood Sam wasted no time with his bars by dropping gems for the younger generations while also reminiscing on his past, as well as acknowledging his ascending career. From the wavy West Coast beats to his Long Beach swagger infused lyrics, Seafood Sam’s soul and creativity separates him from his local contemporaries. He may not have the largest following, but to the ones that do listen to his music, they know that he always comes through with the smoothest sounds.

Since I first stumbled on his music with his breakout project “Dior Velour” in 2019, I have witnessed the growth of his sound over the past year with his latest releases. There are some albums that are best played in headphones, a car or on a Bluetooth speaker. I for one think it’s one of those records you get in the car and ride to with the windows down or one to listen to on a Sunday evening while washing your H car before the sun goes down. ■

SEAFOOD SAM IS SWIMMING HIS WAY OUT OF OBSCURITY.

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Verdict: This EP is a quick reminder why a watchful eye needs to be kept on Seafood Sam. With his smooth grooves and astute yet unctuous poetics, it won’t be long before we see Seafood Sam reach new heights in his career.

While this project is short, it is also sweet and to the point with a cohesive and soulful production that compliments Sam’s lyricism.

► FROM MANDALORIAN

Dragon as Mando and Vanth seek to kill it. The easter eggs do not stop there, but I wouldn’t dare spoil anything for those hoping to spot them on their own.

As is to be expected, the show’s talent in front of and behind the camera continues to impress. Pascal’s performance as the no nonsense Mandalorian continues to captivate despite remaining behind a helmet, and Timothy Olyphant shines as Vanth.

He perfectly captures the charming lawman from cinema history that the character of Vanth is based on. In addition to that, the scenery and set design displayed on screen is to die for. This episode takes viewers across the desert wasteland of Tatooine and makes the wasteland look gorgeous. Furthermore, Jon Favreau’s directing is wonderful as the episode never plods along and keeps viewers glued to their screens for the duration of the episode as they take in the stunning desert vistas and witness the stunning action between Mando and those in his way.

Unsurprisingly, “The Mandalorian” starts off with a bang that should excite fans for things to come. Though the episode is largely self-contained much like most of the previous season, it ends on a shocking revelation. I would be committing a mortal sin if I spoiled anything, but rest assured, the final moment will thrill fans and have them clamoring for H what’s to come.■

Verdict: The premiere episode of season two of “The Mandalorian” is perfect in nearly every way. Jon Favreau crafts an epic and complete narrative filled with great characters and moments while also teasing great things to come.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

9

The remake of the classic ‘Rebecca’ exceeds expectations in every aspect

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NETFLIX CRAFTS A COMPELLING REMAKE OF A HITCHCOCK CLASSIC.

By Jashanpreet Malhi, Contributing Writer

Netflix’s recent film, “Rebbeca,” a remake of Alfred Hitchock’s renowned 1940s version, captures notions of captivating terror, plot twists and multi-layered characters that transcend audience expectations with its polished storyline.

“Rebecca” is a brilliant adaptation that depicts the struggles a nameless protagonist undergoes upon transitioning to another realm that aims to banish her.

“Rebecca” follows the nameless protagonist, later referred to as Mrs. de Winter (Lily James), as she travels the world and serves as an assistant to her insolent, affluent employer, Mrs. Van Hopper (Ann Dowd). Upon meeting the suave widower Maxim de Winter (Armie Hammer) in France, the two spend numerous days together and decide to get married when Mrs. Hopper becomes aware of their relationship. The newlywed couple arrives at Maxim’s family estate, known as Manderley, where the protagonist is labamasted by the staff for her inferior social standing. Growing distant from Maxim and falling prey to the housekeeper’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) foul play, the young woman uncovers the truth about what actually happened to Maxim’s ex-wife, Rebecca.

The film displays superb cinematography that deems it visually stunning. It places the audience in beautiful locations as it opens up to the colorful, basking setting of France and transitions to the countryside where Manderley is located. The Manderley manor appears as a magnificent castle with its lustrous interior and opulent possessions, in addition to a cottage near the glistening sea — reminiscent of something out of a fantasy realm.

Moreover, the color scheme is excellent as it

transitions from light hues in Europe to a darker tone and saturated, red lighting to engulf Manderley, which unearths the perils of the manor and instills suspense in the viewer. In one particular scene, the protagonist is encircled by people during a ball who chant a mysterious name as red light floods their ghastly faces, creating an unsettling aura.

The camera angles are outstanding in providing an insight into the protagonist’s mind as they alter between her time with Maxim and thoughts she has about his past.

In terms of acting, the main characters executed their performances exceptionally well.

The protagonist undergoes immense character development as she transitions from a confused, disrespected lady to establishing a fearless caliber and undertaking the rightful power she possesses in Manderley. In doing so, she emerges from Rebecca’s shadow to establish a name for herself and refuses to allow social class and judgments to dictate her value. James perfectly captured the two sides to her character with outstanding facial expressions and her change in speech. Hammer brilliantly encompasses an enigmatic character, distraught with suppressed emotions left behind by his ex-wife, as he gradually unveils an intimidating demeanor along with a grief that takes a toll on his life. Thomas embodies a manipulating villain with her menacing manner and creates tension during scenes with James.

Moreover, the costume design effectively captured the distinct character traits: the protagonist transforms from wearing simple clothing that reflect her recent social class to sophisticated attire at Manderley, Maxime escapes and returns to his

past by wearing sun-kissed clothing in Europe to darker tones at Manderley, and Mrs. Danvers’ dark clothing paired with a serious expression creates a sense of uneasiness.

Although “Rebecca” is predominantly a mystery film, it also illustrates a psychological thriller as the omnipresence of the late Rebecca looms over the protagonist and entangles her in a web of her own insecurities. Throughout the film, Mrs. Danvers compares Mrs. de Winter to the beauty, caliber and skills of Rebecca, and even the staff is seen laughing at her. Already dealing with the stereotypes of social class that confine her place in Manderley, the protagonist believes herself unworthy of Maxim and becomes doubtful of her nature. Thus, “Rebbeca” alludes to the human condition as it highlights the self-consciousness and disbelief individuals may possess when undertaking certain challenges. In showcasing the character development of Mrs. de Winter, the film also utilizes a feminist perspective by portraying a revival of oneself as she takes initiative to become a leader rather than remaining in the shadow of Maxime and his late ex-wife.

Ultimately, the film effectively integrates the themes of psychology, feminism, social class and suspense in the storyline. There are several plot twists, and though the audience may think they understand everything about Rebecca’s demise, there are multiple layers enfolded in the characters to discover what actually occurred. The powerful acting by the cast and effective costume design keeps the audience immersed in the film. Moreover, the cinematography creates a suspenseful aura and H makes the film visually pleasing.■

is a captivating, picturesque film that explores complexities of various VERDICT: “Rebecca” characters which are executed excellently by the cast members. The film embodies a

plethora of themes while maintaining a healthy dose of suspense that keeps the audience enthralled in the story with its plot twists.

Sports 10

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2020

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Los Angeles Dodgers win World Series for the first time in 32 years KEVIN CONTRERAS Senior Staff Writer

IN A 4-2 WIN, THE LA DODGERS BRING WORLD SERIES TROPHY HOME.

It was the top of the ninth, and Julio Urias was on the mound. Los Angeles was up 3-1 with 2 outs. One more out and the Dodgers would end a 32-year long drought and become World Series champions once again. Willy Adames stood firmly between Los Angeles and their victory. Strike 1. Strike 2. One more pitch and Urias would bring a spectacular series to its end. He wound up and lunged forward to launch a 97 miles per hour fastball.

Strike 3! The Los Angeles Dodgers had won the series 4-2. Urias’ teammates rushed towards him in celebration of their triumph.

The series, which took place in Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, had been a wild rollercoaster of emotion.

Both teams left baseball fans everywhere impressed throughout all of it. The Dodgers won Game 1, while the Rays were quick to tie the series in the following game.

Similarly, with the next two games, Los Angeles took control of Game 3 while Tampa Bay came back in

Game 4. Through exceptional feats of athleticism, the Dodgers crew was able to clinch the next two games and bring the title home to the City of Angels. In a postgame interview with The Athletic, Julio Urias spoke about how he felt during the final minutes of the game.

“It’s the most important out of my life. It’s a dream come true for everyone, not just for me. It was a pitch that the whole team and all the fans were waiting on. This is for the fans of Los Angeles.

We weren’t going to rest until we achieved the victory, and thank God we did,” said Urias.

This title is a result of the major efforts of all coaches, staff and, of course, players. Many players stood out in this series and throughout the entire season: Julio Urias, Victor Gonzales, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw and Cory Seager, to name a few. Each and every member of the Dodgers team left it all on the field in order to bring this title home. During the post-game trophy ceremony, team manager Dave Roberts expressed his excitement about the victory

“

This title is a result of the major efforts of all coaches, staff and, of course, players. Each and every member of the Dodgers team left it all on the field in order to bring this title home.

”

and his appreciation towards his team.

“This is our year. Everyone in this ballpark wearing Dodger blue, everyone all over the world wearing Dodger blue, never waivered. This is our year! And these players right here showed what toughness is all about,” Roberts said. He went on to state, “I’ve never been around a group that’s closer, that’s tougher, and that I love more.”

It had been a long year for the Dodgers. Though the regular Major League Baseball (MLB) season begins late March, the start date was pushed back many times. The season began on July 23, 2020. Many teams suffered horrible COVID-19 outbreaks.

Many players chose to opt-out of the season as a whole, as well as some staff including some umpires. Taking all necessary precautions, the efforts of the entire Los Angeles team have paid off.

Los Angeles holds two titles, both the NBA and MLB titles. After a vastly unpredictable year, it seems that the tides of 2020 have begun H to change. ■