Volume 69 Issue 29

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Monday, May 31, 2021

VOL. 69, ISSUE 29

est. 1954

FEATURES ‘Who the hell is Bucky?’: Marvel’s Winter Soldier speaks about who he is underneath the character

SEBASTIAN STAN HAS A CONVERSATION WITH UCR STUDENTS ABOUT HIS CAREER AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. ASHLEY CHEN Contributing Writer

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NEWS

‘I saw the light with the undergrad scholars,’ UCR students advocate for administrative support of the Underground Scholars Initiative LAURA ANAYA-MORGA News Editor

When Jazmin Garcia first got accepted to UCR as a transfer student from Mount San Antonio College, she was unable to attend due to housing insecurity and transportation issues. She reapplied a year later, and that is where her journey with UCR’s Underground Scholars Initiative began. She was surprised to find out that the terms “formerly incarcerated students” and “system impacted students’’ were even part of people’s vocabulary. “I saw the light with the Underground Scholars,” she said.

As a student-parent, transfer student and Underground Scholar, she found her support system within the Underground Scholars Initiative at UCR. Garcia stated in an interview with The Highlander that USI has provided transformative experiences for her and the other 92 members of the organization.

Since its founding in 2018, USI at UCR has created a pathway for formerly incarcerated and system impacted

THE UNDERGROUND SCHOLARS INITIATIVE STRUGGLES TO INSTITUTIONALLY HOUSE $118,500 GRANT FROM UC BERKELEY. individuals into higher education and supports them in their academic journey.

The goal of USI is to bridge the popular academic theoretical discourse of mass incarceration with one that is grounded in the real lived experiences of UCR students and the surrounding community.

UCR’s Underground Scholars Initiative recently received over $140,000 to expand the group’s programming. The money was gifted to UCR by the UC Berkeley Underground Scholars program via grants from the Andrew Mellon Foundation and the Crankstart Foundation to support the expansion of the Underground Scholars

Initiative UC-wide.

The UCR chapter of the Underground Scholars represents the campus with the highest number of formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students across the UC, according to Garcia. However, the exact number of formerly incarcerated college students in California is unknown, primarily because colleges and universities do not systematically collect this information.

The Mellon Foundation grant to Berkeley’s Underground Scholars is $1 million over two years, and UCR’s USI will receive a subgrant from the Mellon Foundation for $90,000 per year. The funds should be used to hire a full-time director as a contract employee for one year to develop and expand Underground Scholars at UCR. The Crankstart Foundation grant is $250,000 over three years. The funds will be allocated between the nine UC

Best known for his role as Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Bucky Barnes and the Winter Soldier, Sebastian Stan was the featured guest at the Associated Student Program Board’s lecture “Saturday Stay in With Sebastian Stan,” on Saturday, May 29. Stan has also gained wide recognition for his role as Carter Baizen from “Gossip Girl” and Prince Jack Benjamin from “Once Upon A Time.” The event gave UCR students a chance to hear more about Stan and to have a one-on-one conversation with him.

To get the lecture started, ASPB’s moderator, Adam Ryan Daniels, asked how he got his start with acting and how his journey began. He explained that his mom was always supportive from a young age and encouraged him to keep going down this path. Stan also found an acting camp when he was 15 where he would eventually meet his manager and begin his acting journey. “I always said to myself that I would go and try it out. I applied to college to see if I could study acting, and I got into Rutgers University,” he explained.

From there, he decided to move to New York to start his career.

When asked to give advice for those who are interested in pursuing acting, he expressed that rejection was the hardest thing. “There is always gonna be someone who’s gonna tell you ‘no,’ ‘this is a terrible ► SEE SEBASTIAN STAN PAGE 10

► SEE USI PAGE 3

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NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

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ASUCR

ASUCR’s ninth meeting prepares to finish off the year by updating the student body on progress CALPIRG, SENATORS AND OTHER CABINET MEMBERS PROVIDE UPDATES AND IMPLEMENT FINAL CHANGES AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE. LAURA ANAYA-MORGA News Editor

On Wednesday, May 26, ASUCR held their ninth meeting of the quarter.

The California Public Interest Group kicked off the meeting by providing their year in review presentation. This year, the student-run and student-funded advocacy group has worked to create positive social change through campaigns and activism.

CALPIRG has chapters across the UC system, and this year, CALPIRG at UCR managed to recruit 470 volunteers, 180 interns and educated over 7,600 students on their efforts through class presentations, events and social media. This year, CALPIRG also worked on their Plastic Free Seas campaign and did advocacy work at the California Climate Action Summit. Next year, they plan to continue advocating for a 100% ► FROM USI

campuses. UCR will receive a subgrant of $28,500 for the first year. The money will be used to hire student workers, develop programs, host events, purchase materials and to supply other needs related to recruitment and retention of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students.

In a letter addressed to the administration at UCR and Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox, USI urged the university to find an institutional home for the funds before the May 30 deadline and match their accomplishments by doubling the amount of the grant money and increasing their support of USI through supplemental resources, including an official space on campus for the program. If the funds were not housed within one of UCR’s departments, they may lose out on the grant money.

Garcia told The Highlander that it has been difficult finding an institutional home for the funds and that they have received some pushback from administration.

According to Garcia, the Office of Student Affairs told members of USI that they would not be able to house the funds due to staffing concerns as well as space issues and uncertainty in the sustainability of the program.

Currently, the Office of Student Affairs has four staffers to support nine student programs, and adding on a tenth would not be plausible, explained Garcia.

“It was devastating,” stated

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renewable energy campaign and will implement a new Hunger and Homelessness campaign to advocate for food insecurity and housing issues on campus.

CALPIRG’s lead campaign this year was the 100% renewable energy campaign. CALPIRG managed to pass SB100 this year, a bill that commits California to 100% renewable electricity by 2045.

CHASS Senator Alyssa Marchan then presented a statement by the senate in support of UCR’s Underground Scholars Initiative. Currently, USI is facing an issue with the allocation of an

Andrew Mellon grant by the UC Berkeley Underground Scholars chapter of $118,500 to hire a program director and fund further resources. USI is currently facing the issue of not knowing where to house the funds as the Office of Student Affairs denied their request due to the lack of space, staffing and sustainability for the program long term, according to Jazmin Garcia, an executive member of USI. In their letter, ASUCR urged the Office of Student Affairs to support and house the funding awarded to USI stating, “As a campus that is ranked No. 1 in

Garcia. If the group did not find an institutional home for the funds by May 30, UC Berkeley would have to withhold the grant.

In a meeting with the CHASS Dean’s Office on May 26, they discussed the possibility of housing the funds if it was done in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs in order to split the workload. The results are still being discussed, but USI’s new deadline to solidify the collaboration is June 11.

On May 26, ASUCR wrote a letter in support of the Underground Scholars, urging the Office of Student Affairs to support and house the funding awarded to USI stating, “As a campus that is ranked No. 1 in social mobility and prides itself on diversity, it’s critical that we support and enrich our campus community members.”

Since its creation, USI has been run and led by its own students, and they have made it a priority to be as visible on campus as they could be, participating in tabling events every single week before the campus closure. “We have a tent in the car, we have a wagon in the car, we have chairs in our car, a table, brochures, all these things just in our trunks...” stated Garcia, emphasizing the need for an actual space on campus.

Garcia stated that the Underground Scholars at UCR need the extra support from the university to provide student advising, counseling, transfer analysis, major preparation, technical support and other

academic assistance that is currently being done by the 92 students and members of USI. For formerly incarcerated students, something like R’web and navigating iLearn, Zoom and Google Docs may be difficult to understand and familiarize themselves with. Garcia has been the point of contact for prospective Underground Scholars at UCR, and while she is happy and willing to take on the work, it has taken a significant toll on her GPA that almost prevented her from attending grad school.

“That’s why we’re so excited for the program director, because now we have a point of contact here at UCR that can connect our students to all these different departments.”

One prospective student did not have a computer but was eager to become involved with USI before enrolling at UCR. As a result, members of USI gathered their personal funds to provide them with a computer to be able to connect with them virtually.

“This funding is a huge opportunity for formerly incarcerated students because it’s tough, it’s a lot of work,” stated Garcia.

As her time as a UCR Undergraduate comes to a close, Garcia looks forward to pursuing a Ph.D. in education from UCR and continues to advocate for the administrative support of the Underground Scholars on H campus. ■

social mobility and prides itself on diversity, it’s critical that we support and enrich our campus community members.”

During New Business, President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo presented SR-S21012 Support Student Workers Resolution. The resolution aims to support student employees on campus, support a campus-wide minimum wage that is tied to inflation and support the efforts of the over 17,000 UC student researchers in their effort to unionize through social media and other forms of communication.

The resolution passed with a vote of 17-0-0.

The senate also voted to implement the position of the International Student Director.

The position will allow for greater representation and advocacy for the international students population at UCR at a legislative level. The new director will also engage in matters that affect international students and create a greater sense of community, as well as developing plans to voice the concerns of international students and to celebrate the

diversity on campus. The new bylaw outlines the responsibilities of the International Student Director and states that the bylaw shall take effect during fall quarter.

During the State of the Association meeting, the Executive Cabinet presented their final reports for the 2020-2021 school year. Vice President of External Affairs Vincent Rasso thanked the senate and his team for their contributions throughout the year.

Vice President of Sustainability Vanessa Gomez Alvarado presented an update on the ECO2-GO reusable food container project for the UCR dining halls.

She stated that the program has not been the most successful in the past few months as students have not been handling the containers correctly but is hopeful that next year students will understand the project better.

ASUCR will hold their final meeting of the year next H Wednesday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. ■

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NEWS IN BRIEF: Vaccination update for fall quarter COVID-19 VACCINE INTENDED TO BE MANDATORY FOR INCOMING AND CONTINUING STUDENTS IN ORDER TO HAVE FULL ACCESS TO ON CAMPUS COURSES, PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES. DAVINA GARCIA Assistant News Editor

Spring quarter is rapidly drawing to a close, prompting UCR to inform incoming and continuing students about vaccination requirements for the fall. In an email sent en masse to the student population, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Brian Haynes affirmed that the university is highly encouraging all students to get vaccinated before coming back to the campus for the fall quarter.

According to the most recently proposed University of California COVID-19 vaccination policy, the vaccine will be mandatory unless there are extenuating circumstances surrounding students’ either religious or medical backgrounds. This proposed policy, however, has yet to be officially adopted. In such cases, the student will be required to apply for an official exemption, and upon approval, would result in limits regarding course registration, in-person classes and events, as well as access to campus facilities like housing.

For those looking to get their vaccination, they can be obtained through local pharmacies, county clinics, your primary healthcare provider and UC SHIP. Through UC SHIP, there are no fees or appointments necessary; simply

call the Student Health Services line to receive a vaccine referral. According to UCR Campus Return, Student Health Services is now offering COVID-19 vaccination clinics for all UCR students each Friday from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at the Student Health Clinic beside Lot 15.

Additional information can be found on https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/vaccines or via the UCR COVID-19 Wellness Hotline at 1-844-827-6827.

For those who have already received their COVID-19 vaccination, the university is strongly recommending that students upload proof of vaccine completion by Aug. 1, as the school’s main objective is to maintain a comprehensive list of all vaccinated students in the interest of campus safety.

According to the email, if at least 75% of the student population uploads their valid vaccination record by the deadline, all students may receive a reward of $5 added to their R’Card or may choose to donate that money to the R’Pantry.

In addition, Haynes addressed all upcoming spring graduates who are participating in the in-person commencement ceremony. All students and their guests must show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination at check-in with a completed COVID-19 vaccination record card given by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Unvaccinated individuals are required to arrive with a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test from no more than 48 hours prior to coming on campus. More information can be found here https://commencement.ucr.

H edu/. ■

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OPINIONS

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The CDC’s lift of mask restrictions does not take into account the nuances of the pandemic THOUGH THE END OF MASK MANDATES FOR THE VACCINATED SHOULD HAVE SPELLED RELIEF FOR MOST AMERICANS, THERE ARE MANY REMAINING PROBLEMS THAT THIS LIFT WILL WORSEN.

W

hen the Centers for D i s e a s e Control and Prevention announced that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer had to wear masks or physically distance themselves by government mandate, many immediately felt that this was unwise.

The announcement was released without addressing how people might be able to tell who is vaccinated and who is not in a public setting, among a myriad of other problems that this will pose in the grand scheme of things. It offered no guidance on how to help those who are unvaccinated other than telling them to go “find a vaccine”.

The mandate also disregards the safety of immunocompromised people who cannot receive the vaccine and allows anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers to potentially spread the virus as summer activities start up. In other words, the lifting of the mask mandate will ultimately cause more problems than it is worth.

One of the most obvious reasons that the lift will be difficult is that it will allow antimask and anti-vaccine groups to go out in public freely and potentially risk spreading the virus. There is no way of verifying who is and who is not vaccinated yet, and this honor system is incredibly risky. Someone carrying the virus could easily lie about their condition and find themselves in a crowd of people, spreading COVID all over again.

More importantly, there is still a small chance that vaccinated people can get infected with COVID-19, yet people are inaccurately assuming that being vaccinated means being completely safe from the virus, a conflation that could have dangerous consequences.

And as there are stronger variants of COVID

cropping up around the world, if more people catch and spread these variants, then the vaccine will ultimately be rendered useless.

We’ll be right back at square one.

This is not to say that it is not understandable why the CDC felt comfortable releasing this announcement. Infection rates are going down, and the science is solid that the vaccine seems to be working for the most part. To hide this kind of information would likely cause a huge uproar if it were to be leaked, as people would probably assume that they were trying to hide this information for some ulterior motive. Therefore, stating that fully vaccinated people are safer than the unvaccinated population was a good move in this perspective. There was no problem with the CDC wanting to release this information.

The real issue was with how the release was handled. Saying outright that masks are essentially no longer required gives people who have been against them from the start an excuse to be without them. The smarter move would have been for the CDC to slowly develop a way for people to confirm their safety so that there won’t be another wave of COVID due to some people being careless.

The lift is dangerous as well because it alienates those who want to get vaccinated but have not received the chance to. The unvaccinated should not be conflated with those who are anti-vaccine. And those who are skeptical about the vaccine should not be lumped in with anti-vaxxers either. Many minority communities have received decades of mistreatment by the medical community, and as such, they have every right to feel wary of the vaccine. Furthermore, many rural communities have not been able to get the vaccine either; most of the people who have been able to get the vaccine are overwhelmingly white. To suddenly announce that these people get the all-clear

while these less fortunate communities have to sit and wait for longer than they should screams privilege.

Furthermore, this lift does not take into account the people who cannot be vaccinated due to medical issues. People on chemotherapy and other medical treatments may not be able to receive the vaccine. This makes it all the more necessary that more people get vaccinated in order to help protect those who can’t be. However, the lifting of the mask mandate has made the interest in taking the vaccine decrease, and only about 40% of the country has been vaccinated.

This means that those who cannot have the vaccine are still at a higher risk simply because people are starting not to care if they get the vaccine or not. These groups will remain at a higher risk if the rest of the country does not do their part.

Though the time seemed to be right to announce this good news for fully vaccinated people, the blanket statement that the CDC released does not address the nuances that exist. Even worse, the release of this statement will be hard to backtrack on, which could mean that some of the worst consequences are yet to come. Though many people are still fine with wearing masks, those who don’t may risk spreading these new variants. The best solution to all of this is to err on the side of caution and continue H to wear masks. ■

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.

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The price is not all right: universities need to be more transparent about how tuition money is being spent THUY-TIEN BUI Contributing Writer

It is no surprise that the skyrocketing cost of college has created a $1.7 trillion dollar student debt crisis, leaving many prospective students to question the worth of a college degree. Inflationadjusted tuition has more than tripled since the 1970s, which many universities defend by pointing toward the increasing demand for college degrees, higher costs of student housing and facilities and the overall lack of federal funding. However, even with substantial endowments and the rise in tuition, public universities like UC Riverside continue to be underfunded.

The way UCR’s financial reports are buried under a series of unnavigable links and broken up into several categories and periods for each fiscal year makes it difficult to isolate the true cause of tuition increases. As we conclude a remote academic year without tuition cuts, we must re-evaluate the cost of higher education and call for more financial transparency from universities.

Public research institutions like UCR spend public money, but information about their budgets is either vague or difficult to understand. For outsiders with no prior knowledge of finance, jargon-filled financial reports are hard to find and challenging to decipher. On the other extreme, easier-to-obtain budget overviews only contain a series of vague charts. Without financial transparency, it is difficult to elucidate what portion of instruction costs are actually some other activity, such as research. In 2011, the American Enterprise Institute conducted a study on college cost efficiency and found that “40 percent of reported instruction

costs at both public and private research universities are really research costs.” If universities like UCR are lumping together instructional and research spending, it is unfair for students to foot the bill for activities that do not directly benefit their education. There needs to be more financial transparency in higher education - students deserve to know how their tuition dollars are spent.

More financial transparency will also help identify the true cause of tuition hikes. A popular scapegoat for the rise in tuition is “administrative bloat” — a term coined after universities started increasing the number of administrative positions at double the rate of professors. According to a New York Times financial columnist, Ron Lieber, the majority of the money allocated for educating undergraduates is used for staff and faculty salaries and benefits. Although universities correlate the rise in administrators with the rise in student needs and programs, the blame on administrative bloat is not placed without good reason.

Especially at large public schools like UCR, administrative titles are confusingly vague: assistant to associate dean, assistant director and administrative specialist are some examples. It is unclear what these positions do, what their salary is and what portion of students’ expenses fund their salaries and benefits. If universities are going to continue to defend their overgrown administrative bureaucracy, they need to be more transparent about what administrators actually do, why they are necessary and how much they are paid relative to faculty members.

All too often, universities approach the issues students face by hiring more administrators. If students advocate for

more mental health resources on campus, they’ll hire several executive assistants to the mental health coordinator. Or if the school is pressured to increase student diversity, the university will launch programs to promote diversity, with an excessive number of administrators running it. Even with the supposed boost in administrative support, academics and student welfare are not getting any better.

This year serves as a notable outlier, but even prior to the pandemic, many students have questioned the worth of four-year universities — especially in comparison to more affordable options for higher education, such as transferring from a community college.

The truth is, the quality of education at a large public university parallels that of a neighboring community college. Many attest that community college courses have the same degree of academic rigor as their university counterparts. Additionally, community college professors are hired

AS PATRONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, STUDENTS DESERVE FULL TRANSPARENCY OF ADMINISTRATIVE SPENDING AND ITS EFFECT ON TUITION.

to focus on teaching, rather than juggling research and teaching like many professors do at UCR. While there are a number of reasons why attending a four-year university is beneficial, if the quality of education is the same as a community college, there shouldn’t be such a drastic price difference. This shows that students aren’t paying for quality: they are funding the agenda of their university administration.

There is no doubt that higher education has financially failed students and their families. As students, we invest our time, money and trust in these esteemed institutions to continue our education. The least universities owe to us is honesty and transparency in where our money is going.

Although the debate about the cost of college is much more nuanced than a single reason, one thing is for sure: universities are prioritizing profit over students, and we are quite literally paying the price.■ H

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Low-income Americans can barely afford to survive as the cost of living surges

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DAVID MORENO Staff Writer

MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE BEING PUSHED PAST THEIR ABILITY TO SURVIVE IN THIS CURRENT ECONOMIC STATE.

The cost of living in the United States has left many with a sense of hopelessness; the pandemic, unemployment and housing shortage has middle to lower-class households struggling to stay afloat. Especially in heavily populated areas, the housing market seems impossible to enter for first time home buyers.

And with no guaranteed job security and lack of affordable housing, many younger generations are also choosing to push back starting families. The United States’ individualistic economic mindset has left many Americans unable to catch up financially.

Across the United States, there is currently a surge in the housing market with housing prices increasing by 17%. As millennials enter the workforce, many want to start to settle down and buy houses, but due to a housing shortage, many first time home buyers are being priced out. Not being able to afford a home makes

it extremely difficult to find stability, especially amongst younger generations who move into the workforce after college and aren’t able to find housing in major cities. Older generations who have lost their jobs due the pandemic are struggling to pay their mortgages. When medical, loan and living expenses start to pile up, it can lead to extreme stress. At its peak, the unemployment rate in the United States due to COVID-19 was 14.4%. This high unemployment has affected both older and younger generations, who are starting to lose job security in the workforce. When this is compared to the time before the pandemic when the rate was just below 4%, the impact is obvious.

Low-income households are constantly struggling to stay afloat. Lower and middle-class families are spending 80% of their budget on housing, food, healthcare and clothing.

For low-income households, over 40% of their budget alone goes toward housing.

Many of these households are surviving on a monthly basis.

Families and individuals who survive paycheck to paycheck are affected the most by rising unemployment. Many Americans are having to take up multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. With such high levels of poverty, it’s no surprise that the United States has seen a decline in birth rates.

Younger people are making the financial decision to not have kids until they can afford them.

And for many, that’s not going to be for a very long time.

The truth is, the American dream is something that only belongs to those who are born into it. For many Americans, this glamorized capitalistic dream of buying a home with a white picket fence, having two kids and owning a family dog is never going to be a reality. This dream is passed down between generations, from old money to new money. White Americans possess the luxury of having college-educated parents and

trust funds.

The government desperately needs to pay more attention to the needs of the American people. In order to survive, people need higher wages, affordable housing and better healthcare. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this situation all the more dire.The government needs to prioritize the lower class and make it more affordable to live in this country. As we continue to navigate this deadly pandemic, the American people shouldn’t back down from demanding more. Nobody should be forced to work multiple jobs just to afford groceries for their family.

People entering the workforce shouldn’t be left to sleep in their cars because they can’t afford housing. Trips to the hospital shouldn’t be putting people thousands of dollars in debt.

Millions of people are breaking their backs trying to survive — their voices shouldn’t go H unheard. ■

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MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

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Features A tour of independent coffee Riverside for the caffeine de MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

FEATURES

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If you’re trying to branch out from Starbucks but still need to fuel late-night study sessions, Riverside has a surprisingly large selection of independent coffee shops.

Whether your taste is a bit more on the sweeter side or whether you just need a different place to study now that everything is opening up, there are plenty of options around UCR that will keep all caffeine addicts satiated.

Arcade Coffee Roasters 3672 Chicago Ave A, Riverside, CA 92507

COURTESY OF @ARCADEROASTERS VIA INSTAGRAM

Closest to campus is Arcade Coffee Roasters, a white minimalistic shop on Chicago Avenue. Housed in a former video store, Arcade is located on a pretty busy intersection, and parking is all but nonexistent. There is a small parking lot with space for a maximum of four or five cars alongside the coffee shop, but otherwise, it is all street parking. It might be a better idea to walk from campus, but don’t fret — it is only 15 minutes away. There are a few hefty wooden tables outside and limited seating inside.

Small touches of decor, like green plants scattered around and big sacks of coffee bags, give it a curated feel. However, it might be a bit too loud to study well unless you’re immune to constant chatter and lots of movement; headphones are definitely a must.

The coffee itself is delicious. Although they only have two sizes, a 12 ounce and a 16 ounce cup, they hit the spot with their nutty, sweet and perfectly balanced coffee taste. One thing is for sure: this is not

Starbucks coffee, where you can supersize a coffee that may be bitter or too sweet on any given day. Arcade Coffee Roasters roasts their own coffee every week, and you can taste the difference in their coffee. I tried the iced vanilla latte with oat milk and the butterscotch latte.

I could still taste the coffee, but I could also taste the sweetness of the oatmilk and the syrup; although it was simple, it was delicious. The butterscotch latte, on the other hand, was a bit too dull. It was so similar to the vanilla latte that it was hard to tell a difference between the two.

The only downside of Arcade Coffee right now is that due to COVID, their hours are extremely limited. They are only open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., but their normal hours of operation are generally also limited. The prices are comparable to other independent coffee shops; a 12 ounce vanilla latte with oat milk came out to $5.75, and their seasonal butterscotch came out to the same price.

Lift Coffee Roasters

2060 Chicago Ave A-10, Riverside, CA 92507

COURTESY OF @LIFTCOFFEEROASTERS VIA INSTAGRAM

The next great coffee shop is only a few blocks away from Arcade Coffee.

Lift Coffee Roasters is also on Chicago Avenue, but while Arcade is right on the street, Lift is a bit more concealed in an industrial-looking complex. This makes parking plentiful, although it is a bit further from campus and marks 34 minutes of walking time. Because of its location, Lift is dark, and most of the light it gets is from its huge open entrance. Its decor is plain but cute, as there is a mural near the entrance with a pair of coffee lovers and another displaying the name of the shop. There is more than enough seating, with tables and chairs populating the floor of the shop and a couple smaller tables outside in the parking lot. This could be a perfect studying location were it not for its lack of light. And because they also roast their coffee beans, the noise could also be a disturbance.

Their coffee beans are directly partnered and sourced from unique places, something that can’t be said for corporate coffee places like Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Fourth-year media and cultural studies major Adriana Mandujano Angel ordered an iced green tea and said, “To be honest I was not expecting much out of this drink but was pleasantly surprised once I had my drink on hand … Some teas are often too sweet or not sweet enough but this was a perfect balance between the two. It was refreshing and light with hints of orange.” Lift comes out with new beverages all the time if you’d like to give other drinks a try; I tried the lavender lemonade, which was super refreshing during this hot California spring.

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

FEATURES

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YOU ARE SURE TO FIND A FIT TO SUIT ALL YOUR COFFEE NEEDS WITH THE HIDDEN GEMS RIVERSIDE’S UNIVERSITY AND DOWNTOWN AREA HAVE TO OFFER.

e shops in eficient Mi Cafecito

3672 Chicago Ave A, Riverside, CA 92507

COURTESY OF @MIACAFECITOCOFFE VIA INSTAGRAM

Mi Cafecito, situated inside the Riverside Food Lab, has a new cultural take on coffee. Mi Cafecito is Latinx family owned, and according to the Food Lab website, their drinks are inspired by their culture, and they use in-house sauces and syrups. It has flavors on their menu like mocha mexicano, tres leches, horchata, cappuccino mexicano, mazapan and cajeta. In addition to the usual drink choices, their cold brew coffee features cafe de olla, while their tea has strawberry kiwi jamaica tea.

Mi Cafecito is definitely not a good place to study, as it is right in the middle of the Food Lab. There is no seating inside, and the outdoor seating was taken by families and other individuals eating and chatting. Either way, Mi Cafecito made their small space their own with an iconic coffee cup as their insignia and a white

workplace with some cute wooden pieces throughout.

UCR student and second-year political science major Madison Rheins commented that the dulce the leche latte was her personal favorite because it was “smooth and you could really taste the cinnamon.” I thought both were too subtle and not sweet enough for my taste. However, Mandujano Angel thought her iced mazapan latte’s candy pieces made the drink taste like the famous Mexican peanut candy. She added that the flavors “remind me of home.”

Their prices were on par with other coffee shops in the area, both drinks coming up to $6 with a dollar upcharge for milk alternatives.

Molino's

3660 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501 Molino’s, which is located in the heart of downtown Riverside, had pretty great coffee and an ideal studying environment.

It had nice wooden tables that were placed so everyone had enough space, and amazingly, it also had charging ports!

Interestingly, it was the only coffee shop that seemed to have them. Rheins stated, “The vanilla chai latte from Molino’s is the best chai latte I’ve ever had; it was so creamy and the vanilla added a nice after taste.” Mandujano Angel, on the other hand, would have prefered a stronger flavor.

Back to the Grind deserves an honorable mention, despite not being a dedicated coffeehouse. It has a larger menu if you’re in the mood to have lunch. It’s huge location is filled with eclectic decor and plenty of seats, so despite the lack of greatness from their coffee, they definitely deserve a visit.

Unfortunately, both Molino’s and Back to the Grind are a 10 minute car ride and a 20 minute bus ride away, making it virtually impossible to walk there for students who have no mode of transportation.

COURTESY OF @MOLINOSCOFFEE VIA INSTAGRAM

UCR has a Starbucks or The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on nearly every corner, but for the students who want to branch out and find a new study spot with spectacular coffee, the Riverside area will not disappoint. ■ H

10 MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

I am art:

FEATURES CHELLA MAN IS A TRANSGENDER, DEAF, CHINESE AND JEWISH MAN WHO ROSE TO FAME ON YOUTUBE ON A QUEST TO BE HIS OWN REPRESENTATION.

An inspiring conversation with Chella Man

ADRIANA MANDUJANO ANGEL Features Editor

Chella Man has become an inspiration to countless people — rising to fame via his YouTube channel where he’s discussed his experiences as a transgender, deaf and queer person of color, he’s managed to touch the hearts of many people, UCR students included. On May 24, Man was able to interact with UCR students in the event Deaf & Dapper, hosted by the Associated Students Program Board, the Student Disability Resource Center and the LGBT Resource Center, which aimed to create healthy discourse on important topics regarding transitioning, body dysphoria and the LGBTQ community.

The event was hosted by ASPB’s Katey O’Neil and moderated by a vlogger, Brand Elsa. Elsa began the night by asking Man a few questions regarding his YouTube channel. Man explained that growing up in Pennsylvania, he never had anyone to look up to as he was transitioning. Thus, that served as motivation for him to start his YouTube channel so he could be his own representation. His YouTube channel allowed him to document his transitioning journey and his experiences as a transgender and deaf person of color.

Man recounted his experience growing up in Pennsylvania. The best way he could describe his hometown is that “the coolest hang out spot was exploring our local Target.”

Man also described the time in which Donald Trump visited and spoke to his high school prior to his inauguration. Man stated that this event was infuriating since he was a year under the voting age and had to witness his peers openly support Trump.

Man began a conversation about his identity and sexuality, recounting how he spent one night scouring a dictionary trying to find which words best suited him. This sparked a conversation regarding the internet as a source of information for people to “find versions of ourselves,” as described

by Elsa. He recalled finding out his own sexuality and the terms for it via friends and the community around him. In contrast with Man’s experience in Pennsylvania, it makes sense as to why he took it upon himself to be his own role model.

Man’s ability to advocate for himself was never easy, and yet, it was vital for him

COURTESY OF @CHELLAMAN VIA INSTAGRAM

to do. At the age of four, he began losing his hearing and remembers his parents’ concerned expression. He then expressed his struggle with finding a voice for himself and said, “I always knew I was different …

You’re supposed to be in a hearing world as a deaf person,” explained Man. Once he realized that, he taught himself how to speak and now considers it a huge blessing. “I’m able to use what I learned in those instances across the board in all aspects of my life.”

Man also discussed his role as Jericho, from the television show “Titans” and his character’s power to possess a human after making eye contact. Man described it as “something I’ve always wanted to do. To see and experience other people’s experiences.”

After this insightful conversation with Brand Elsa, the student Q&A portion began, allowing students to talk with Man and ask him questions. Sumanth Parel asked for guidance on how to make his future classrooms accessible to people of all identities and disabilities. Man shared that gender inclusive bathrooms and sign language interpreters are all good methods of ensuring student safety. Man also suggested that having students write down their preferred pronouns would be a good way of making them feel safe and seen.

Matheo Castillo asked Man to describe some hardships deaf people undergo that might make them feel uncomfortable. Man stated that he oftentimes relies on lip reading, but with the pandemic, masks have made that difficult. He suggested people wear masks with transparent plastic to make it easier, although he mentioned that they do tend to fog up.

One student, Evelyn Gonzalez, asked Man where he got his tattoo inspirations from. Man explained the reasons behind all of the tattoos on his body and their story. The first one consisted of three dots, which he used to sign his artwork at the time he got that tattoo. Another marked the time he left central Pennsylvania, his gender journey, accepting his disability and lastly his top surgery scars.

At the end of the night, students congratulated Man and commented under the chat that they admire and appreciate him for being so open about his experiences. It was H a lively night filled with love, hope and joy. ■

► FROM SEBASTIAN STAN

mistake’ and ‘you’re not good enough.’ At the end of the day, there has to be some element of joy in something you are doing.” He advised that not a lot of people have the opportunity to pursue their interests, but if you are going to school, it should be for something you really like and are passionate about.

Marvel film was, he joked that “Spider Man” was the weakest film of all and that “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Avengers: Infinity War” were his favorite films. He also believes that Bucky Barnes won the staring contest with Falcon. Students also had the opportunity to ask a few personal questions and found that he has a fear of not living to his full potential. Stan goes on to explain that as he got older, he became aware of time and how

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THE ATMOSPHERE AND QUALITY OF THE FOOD MAKE THE NEWEST RIVERSIDE RESTAURANT A GREAT CHOICE FOR DATES OR COLD DAYS.

Mokkoji’s high price point is worth every cent

SILVIA FERRER Managing Editor

Mokkoji Shabu Shabu Bar is the latest eatery to join the Riverside scene. Shabu shabu is a Japanese hotpot dish in which you get a choice of vegetables and meat that you cook in your choice of broth.

According to their website, Mokkoji offers traditional shabu shabu with a twist influenced by Korean, Spanish and California cuisine that is in season.

The Riverside location is one of five, all situated in the Southern California region.

I had no idea what to expect coming into the restaurant; my only frame of reference after looking at their website was that this was similar to Korean barbecue.

For novice hotpot eaters like me, this is a perfect place. The staff was friendly but not overbearing; they provided instructions for the equipment and recommendations, but would only occasionally check in. Each seat has a spot for the hotpot plate, but the bar definitely is the way to go because there is more room to spread out.

Mokkoji was decorated sparingly; there were beautiful orchids by the door and on the edge of the huge window overlooking the street. Their color scheme of black and white added to the atmosphere so that it felt like we were in a place far fancier than Riverside.

I chose two different dishes in order to try both their mild and spicy options.

Although I asked the cheery server about the sizes, I ordered the regular and large in order to make sure I got enough — big mistake! The regular was more than enough to be filling, especially considering that you get a big side of vegetables and a side of rice to complement your meal.

I decided to try the appetizers as well and picked the drunken chicken wings, which the server said were “dank.” He wasn’t wrong — they were crispy, moist and the honey-sweet sauce covering them was so delicious I ended up using it for some of my other proteins. They were pretty fairly priced at only $9 for about eight wings.

On the other hand, the hotpot itself was more expensive than I was expecting. The base had an upcharge for all but one option — the original. This was in addition to the meat, which features premium black Angus beef and wagyu beef; they were also kind of pricey, with the most inexpensive option coming in at $17.98.

The seafood was even more expensive, with the cheapest option ringing in at $22.98. For those eating on a budget, the chicken or the vegetables are your best bet, as they come in at $16.98 and $15.98, respectively.

For the mild choice, I picked a miso broth and jidori chicken for the protein. For the spicy, I decided to try the spicy pork broth with the protein the server recommended, the toro “fatty belly.” Both were delicious: the miso was light and its soft flavor was only exacerbated by the vegetables and the chicken. The house-made sauces were also delectable. One of them especially was mouthwatering. It tasted like a peanut sauce, both creamy and savory. I couldn’t stop dipping my chicken and vegetables into it.

On the other hand, the spicy pork broth was more greasy, but definitely flavorful.

And if you feel like you need to heighten the spice level even more, the servers ask if you’d like a drop of ghost pepper extract before your meal starts. The “fatty belly” was anything but; it was thinly sliced and tasted lavish, not like the run-of-the-mill oily beef you might get at a ramen place.

Both meals were appetizing, and it was made all the better by the feeling afterwards. I did not feel bloated or ladden down by the meal, despite the large portion.

The notes of each ingredient really came through and united together to make an appetizing meal, all of which were fresh.

The decor and the meal make for a great date spot once UCR opens up. Even if it is a little expensive, it is worth every dollar because of the great service, the lovely H location and the scrumptious meal. ■

COURTESY OF MOKKOJISHABUSHABU

precious it is.

During the traditional student Q&A, UCR student Jon Bryan Salvador asked if he had ever been told to change something about himself and if so, how he dealt with it.

Stan mentioned that he is constantly being told to change something about himself. “They throw these things at you but it’s really about them,” he said. He further explains that once we’ve embraced the things we like and dislike about ourselves, they set us apart from others and are parts of ourselves we should try to explore. He hopes that his audience can surround themselves with people who support them.

Students also had the opportunity to ask Stan which piece of advice that he has received was the best. Stan said that someone he works out with back in New York told him, “You gotta do you.” He further expresses that

not everyone is going to agree with that. However, it’s important to be yourself and own your truth. Your path is going to be different from your mentors, heroes and the people you look up to.

Before the event ended, a student asked for his thoughts on Tom Holland. “Unfortunately, it’s sad to see a young man with potential ruin it all,” he sarcastically said. He teased that it’s bad that Holland is a narcissist but all jokes aside, they love joking around with him and that Holland in actuality is the sweetest and most genuine person ever.

This conversation was intended for those who look up to Stan and enjoy hearing the behind the scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This virtual event was ASPB’s last lecture of the school year, but stay tuned for more special guest speakers and events this upcoming fall. “The Falcon H and the Winter Soldier” is now streaming on Disney+. ■

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Radar Olivia Rodrigo THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

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THE RISING STAR’S DEBUT ALBUM ‘SOUR’ IS AN ODE TO TEENAGE ANGST AND TIMELESS HEARTBREAK IN ALL OF ITS FORMS.

is revitalizing the breakup album

COURTESY OF OLIVIA RODRIGO PS LABEL

SILVIA FERRER Managing Editor

There is no one who can do angst better than a teenager, and 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo showcases that in her debut album “SOUR.” She incorporates the pain and the sorrow that come with being dumped into her lyrics, which are made even more impactful and intriguing by the alleged story behind it. More so, the cohesive theme in her album makes it feel like we’re following along with her in the stages of grief: the anger in “good 4 u,” the heartbreak in “drivers license” and the jealousy of “deja vu.” Much like her own musical heroes, Rodrigo’s authenticity and spectacular voice draw you into her music, but it is her emotional rawness that sets her apart from other pop stars.

If you Google search for

“drivers license,” the first result is not the information about the Department of Motor Vehicles: it is the music video for Rodrigo’s first single, which speaks volumes about the waves her first song made across the internet. The song made her a pop star overnight, and it currently has over 764 million listens on Spotify and over 211 million views on YouTube. The mournful ballad repeats a line that becomes a running subject throughout: “I can’t imagine how you could be so okay, now that I’m gone.” The simple line encompasses the many feelings of losing a partner — the longing, the sadness, the jealousy and the feeling of unworthiness — and Rodrigo probes into her wounded ego and heart with greater detail in her following songs, particularly “enough for you,” “traitor,” “happier” and “1 step forward, 3 steps back.”

“Deja vu” is an especially fascinating single on the album because it’s like an onion: once you peel one layer, there’s another one just underneath the surface.

Her source of focus on this song is her ex’s new girlfriend, but while other songs may have a rather misogynistic tinge, her ire is directed at her ex. The concealed anger and overt jealousy in Rodrigo’s lyrics are in stark contrast to the fairytale melody which is eventually broken open by a gritty, distorted guitar. The lyrics are overly simple, but the feelings behind them make them hard-hitting. She sings “That was our place, I found it first“ in a rush, almost like a child who is upset at sharing a toy (or in this case, a special place). Her accusations are multi-faceted: not only does she have to live with the fact that her love story is being lived by someone else, she’s annoyed that her ex is engaging her own interests with someone else. It’s cathartic in every sense of the word, even if the melody and lyrics themselves aren’t complicated.

The personal, if over simplistic, lyrics have an added complexity when heard in tandem with the music video. Rodrigo looks longingly at the new girl occupying her ex’s heart, copies her clothes and eventually sets up

a room full of cameras to continue her obsession. She is the scorned woman, but she sets herself up in a position that is scarcely explored in the musical world — the begrudging admiration of the new love interest, coupled with the fear of not being enough. This song is made all the more interesting by Rodrigo’s racial background; not unlike Mitski’s “All American Girl,” the intentional choice of using a blonde girl in her music video and singling out her whiteness in “drivers license” shows that the cut is deeper than just a broken relationship. Being left for the paradigm of beauty in America is a pain that Rodrigo hints at, but unfortunately doesn’t further develop.

Like the lost art of album sequencing, it is becoming more and more rare that albums have a real theme. Rodrigo maintains one throughout her album: the heartbreak and the loss that comes with a breakup. Albums made by similar artists, like Ariana Grande or Dua Lipa, branch out to other topics, which is fine — but by dedicating this album to exploring all the different feelings that come with being dumped, Olivia Rodrigo makes a statement and makes it loudly. After all, what does Grande’s “Positions” really say? The songs are pretty

‘Midnight in Paris’ explores love and nostalgia in a quirky yet meaningful way KEVIN SANCHEZ-NERI Assistant Radar Editor

One of the best parts about remembering a treasured memory is how sweepingly it can overtake our state of mind. One minute you’re sitting on a desk overwhelmed with papers and trinkets, watching an asynchronous virtual lecture you should’ve watched weeks ago, and then a random childhood memory temporarily halts any and all productivity. When certain recollections have the power to stop us in our tracks, it’s easy to have a desire to go back in time. Written and directed by Woody Allen, the romantic comedy “Midnight in Paris” heartily explores those themes with a blend of fantasy and time traveling and features an ensemble of literary and artistic icons.

The Oscars award-winning film follows Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a successful screenwriter-turned-novelist who is easygoing but struggling to complete his

novel. Gil is in Paris with his materialistic fiancee Inez (Rachel McAdams) and her wealthy Republican parents.

After touring a few quaint Parisian hotspots with Inez’s friend Paul (Michael Sheen) and his wife Carol (Nina Arianda), an inebriated Gil parts ways with the group, deciding to take a stroll in the streets of Paris while Inez takes off with the others in a taxi. Suddenly lost on the way back to the hotel, a car from the 1920s full of revelers in flapper garb pulls up in front of Gil and coaxes him into joining. Gil arrives at a party attended by Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, Cole Porter and a whole slew of other renowned figures.

Incredulous, Gil finds more reason to believe he was “born too late,” as he acquaints himself with Ernest Hemingway and even gets Gertrude Stein to proofread a manuscript of his novel. Upon meeting one of Pablo Picasso’s lovers, Adriana (Marion Cotillard), Gil begins to realize that even those living in what

he perceives as a golden era also long for a past of their own.

Considered by many to be one of Woody Allen’s best works as a writer and director, “Midnight in Paris” expertly crafts a romantic comedy that is whimsical without overdoing it and surprisingly funny. The whimsiness is emphasized with warm cinematography that lends the film an eye-catching quality.

It’s the type of film that will leave you inexplicably happy, even if it’s ending is cliched.

Owen Wilson as Gil Pender is one of the most likeable characters I’ve seen in a romantic comedy, and Rachel McAdams is brilliant at portraying an antagonistic fiancee. It’s clear that Gil is unhappy with his present, which explains his eagerness to embrace his time-travelling predicament as he embarks on the tried and true journey for self-discovery. What separates this particular journey from the rest is the film’s use of historical figures. There is

no better way to explore a lost past than with the “Lost Generation” of writers and artists. Other appearances like the renowned dancer and civil right activist Josephine Baker (Sonia Rolland) and Pablo Picasso (Marcial Di Fonzo Bo) mulling over an unfinished painting add to the film’s dreamlike aesthetic, and scenes with the Fitzgeralds and Gil’s interactions with Hemingway and Stein are entertaining and full of Woody Allen’s prowess for sharp and

and nice to listen to, but they are not groundbreaking nor will they make any real change in the pop industry. Rodrigo took on the challenge of stringing together a set of 11 songs into a cohesive theme that speaks about a universal experience, putting her more on par with intellectual indie artists than mainstream pop stars.

The sounds in Rodrigo’s album are distinct from one another but all pay homage to different artists.

“Good 4 u” borrows chords from Paramore’s “Misery Business,” “1 step forward, 3 steps back,” borrows from Taylor Swift’s “New Year’s Day” and her opening number, “brutal,” is a punk tribute to The Runaways’ “Cherry Bomb.”

This is one of the few downsides to her debut — the sounds are just not fully original, which speaks to the inexperience that can come H with a younger artist’s music. ■

VERDICT:

“SOUR” is a sweet reminder that Rodrigo is not a one-hit wonder. Her lyrical skills, romantic voice and cohesive debut all point to one thing: a new star has arrived on the musical scene, and she is here to stay.

OWEN WILSON STARS IN THIS WHIMSICAL TALE OF YEARNING FOR A LOST PAST.

humorous dialogue.

At the very least, watching “Midnight in Paris” is a great source of distraction. Sidney Bechet’s clarinets at the opening of the film instantly transport us to a Parisian wonderland, allowing for a euphoric viewing experience from the start. There’s a reason “Midnight in Paris” won best screenplay. It’s a meticulous snapshot of the splendor of Paris that is filled with wisdom H and great one-liners. ■

COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES CLASSICS

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Sports MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

UCR baseball loses a tough one against Cal Baptist University

HANSEL CHU Staff Writer

The UC Riverside baseball team lost 5-4 against Cal Baptist University in which the Highlanders found themselves trying to climb back on top throughout the whole game. Going into this, UCR had a 13-game losing streak and were trying to end the season on a high note. However, a disappointing loss in the first of a four-game series with CBU adds to a forgettable season.

Left fielder Cole Pofek got things started for the Highlanders in the bottom of the first inning, as he hit a triple down center field.

However, UCR was unable to capitalize on the triple as a flyout and strikeout ended the inning. In the top of the second inning, CBU landed themselves onto the scoreboard first, as an error from third baseman Nathan

Webb allowed the Lancers to get their first run of the game.

In the top of the third inning, Cal Baptist went on a scoring flurry, which started with a single into right field by designated hitter Chad Castillo. A foul out to first baseman, which turned into a sacrifice flyout, allowed the Lancers to go up 3-0. Moments later, a single into right field from center fielder Nick Plaia allowed another CBU run, which put them up 4-0.

In what seemed like a disastrous turn of events for the Highlanders, UCR rallied in the bottom of the fourth inning to get themselves back into the ball game. Designated hitter Dylan Orick got things started with a triple into left center field and put the Highlanders in a great position to score. Unlike the first inning, UC Riverside was able to capitalize on this

HIGHLANDERS FELL EARLY IN THE SCOREBOARD AND COULD NOT CLIMB BACK TO WIN THE FIRST OF FOUR GAMES. COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

opportunity, as a single from shortstop Anthony Mata saw the Highlanders get their first run of the game.

Moments later, a single up the middle from right fielder Jacob Shanks added another run for UCR and made the score 4-2. Later, a base hit up the middle from center fielder Travis Bohall cut the Highlander deficit to only one run, 4-3. A flyout from Pofek ended what was a momentous inning for UC Riverside.

As the game started to

near its end, chances for the Highlanders to tie or take the lead became scarce. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Highlanders occupied first and third base, putting them in a great opportunity to tie the game. However, a flyout from Webb ended the inning, and UCR missed out on a crucial chance to score.

In the top of the eighth inning, CBU iced the game with a single down the right side from Castillo, which put the Lancers up 5-3 on the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Highlanders had one final chance to comeback from their deficit. A double into center field from Webb gave some life for UCR. A sacrifice flyout from second baseman Ely Stuart inched the Highlanders closer, 5-4. With all eyes on Mata to keep the comeback alive, Mata was struck out swinging, and the game ended with a final score of 5-4 in a Highlander loss.

Pitcher Zach Jacobs in

9.0 innings pitched had a 4.00 ERA and seven strikeouts. Bohall led the way for the Highlanders with three hits and an RBI while Webb chipped in with a run and two hits, which included one double.

The Highlanders won one of the two doubleheader games on Friday, which ended a 15-game losing streak. UCR will play their final regular season game on Saturday, May 29 against Cal Baptist H University at 1:00 p.m. ■

UCR baseball ends their season against California Baptist University in the Crosstown Showdown

KEVIN CONTRERAS Assistant Sports Editor

The 2021 regular season ended this past weekend for the UCR baseball team. They ended this year’s chapter by playing against a familiar team and rival, California Baptist University, in the Crosstown Showdown.

The final game of the four-game series took place in the Riverside Sports Complex under the Inland Empire sun.

After two back-to-back defeats, the Highlanders hoped to ride the momentum they had generated in Game 3, which they won 12-6.

After two quiet innings, the Lancers managed to break away with three runs, as they put themselves on the board, 3-0.

Sophomore outfielder Damon Keith, senior infielder Nick Plaia and sophomore outfielder Chad Castillo were the ones who reached home on behalf of CBU. The Highlanders were eager to put themselves on the board going into the fourth inning. Freshman infielder Anthony Mata singled toward shortstop. Following Mata came redshirt sophomore and catcher Jacob Shanks, who was hit by the pitch and

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

resulted in a walk toward first, allowing Mata to advance towards second. Next came redshirt junior Cole Pofek, who also singled the ball long enough for Mata to run past third base and toward home to put UCR on the board 3-1. Shanks stood comfortably on second base, and redshirt junior and catcher Ethan Payne came a couple batters later, and he ended up walking toward first. This allowed Pofek to advance toward second and Shanks toward third. Finally, redshirt senior and outfielder Travis Bohall followed to bring Shanks and Pofek home with a single toward center field. The game now tied 3-3.

Both teams were eager to get ahead of their opponent as they headed into the fifth inning. This resulted in both teams making runs. For the Lancers, junior catcher Russell Stevenson touched home plate, putting them up temporarily. Opening up the bottom of the fifth inning was redshirt outfielder redshirt junior outfielder Dylan Orick. After waiting patiently for two pitches, he was able to find the ball but in the form of fouls. After being at bat for quite some time, he hit the ball high and

out of the park resulting in an out of the park home run, leaving the game tied again at 4-4.

After five very tight innings, the Lancers were able to break away and form a lead. Scoring two runs in the sixth and a fifth run in the seventh, a total of seven runs in two innings resulted in an 11-4 lead for CBU. The Highlanders did their best to comeback in the eighth inning. Shanks was at the plate one more time, once again walking toward first. Pofek followed with a double toward right field and managed to advance to third while the Lancers tried to stop Shanks from scoring, but to no avail.

Payne came to bring Pofek home with a grounder toward second base. These two runs left the score 11-6.

The Highlanders tried to bridge the gap but were unable to as the Lancers added three more runs to the board in the ninth inning. The game ended with UCR down 14-6 in their final game of the season. The UCR baseball team ended their year with a H record of 15-36. ■

AFTER A CLOSE GAME IN THE EARLY INNINGS, THE HIGHLANDERS WERE UNABLE TO RIDE ON THE MOMENTUM FROM THE PREVIOUS GAME.