Volume 70 Issue 06

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, November 9, 2021

VOL. 70, ISSUE 06

est. 1954

COURTESY OF UCR

NEWS

COURTESY OF RIVERSIDE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOSHUA WANG / THE HIGHLANDER

SPORTS

UCR prepares for a new STEM UC Riverside men’s basketball Education Center blows out Cal State Los Angeles in season opener FORMER ASUCR PRESIDENT ARAM AYRA AND RICH DAVIS OF UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION STAND IN OPPOSITION TO THE STEM EDUCATION CENTER.

HARU CHANG Contributing Writer

UCR is partnering with Riverside Unified School District to construct a STEM Education Center that will be located on the east campus. The proposed school facility will stand at three stories with state-of-the-art facilities. The building will have approximately 30 classrooms, commons, labs, parking, a kitchen and outdoor learning spaces. It is expected to accommodate approximately 1,200 part-time and full-time students with a capacity of 800 students at any given time.

The STEM high school will be a specialized school with an equitable selection process where only students who meet certain high academic standards will be accepted. The school will include defined selection terms through a weighted point system with opportunities for all students at every

RUSD school. Transportation will be provided originating at each of the five comprehensive high schools.

RUSD is the developer with project approval over programming, funding and operations. UCR is the property owner and has approval over use of the land, and its Board of Regents is the approving entity for the environmental review. RUSD will be required to obtain development permits to build the project in order to meet off site improvement standards.

The project is part of the district’s STEM Initiative Plan and has a projected cost of around $64 million. UCR is leasing the land to RUSD, which saves the district significant land acquisition costs.

Approximately one-half of the project cost is expected to be covered by the funds from Measure O, a bond passed by voters in 2016. Measure O allows school site acquisition and construction; thus, the project fits within the bond measure’s funding. The remainder of the STEM Education Center funding will be through Career and Technical Education grants and state funding. ► SEE STEM PAGE 3

NEAR TRIPLE-DOUBLE FROM ZYON PULLIN LEADS HIGHLANDERS TO A CONVINCING WIN. HANSEL CHU Assistant Sports Editor

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team blew out Cal State LA 90-56 at the SRC Arena Saturday afternoon.

The Highlanders started the season off with a bang as high expectations were placed on the team after a successful last season. Led by junior point guard Zyon Pullin, who flirted with a tripledouble this game, UC Riverside made easy work of the Golden Eagles.

In the first quarter, junior guard Flynn Cameron got off to a hot start with a corner triple and a layup to give the Highlanders an early 7-2 lead. Five minutes into the first half, senior forward J.P Moorman II got things going with seven quick points. The story of the first half was the Highlander defense, as by

the halfway point, UC Riverside already forced five team turnovers on Cal State LA. A corner 3-pointer from freshman guard Wil Tattersall extended the Highlander lead to nine with 5:25 left in the first half, and a Eurostep layup from Moorman II gave UC Riverside its first double-digit lead of the game.

From that point on, the game was dominated by the Highlanders as they would go on multiple runs to extend their lead to end the first half. Back to back buckets from Pullin gave UCR a fourteen point lead with 2:10 left on the clock. A top of the key 3-pointer from Cameron and a layup from graduate student Dominick Pickett put Riverside up twenty at halftime, 50-30. Pullin stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists at the half while Moorman contributed with nine points and three rebounds. UCR also forced 11 Golden Eagle turnovers, ► SEE MEN’S BASKETBALL PAGE 12

RADAR

HONORING THE SPIRITS OF LOST LOVED ONES WITH CONCHEROS, MEXICAN ART AT UCR

READ ABOUT IT ON PAGE 10!

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OPINIONS 5

FEATURES 9

RADAR 10

SPORTS 12

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

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Humans of UCR

Upcoming Events:

IVAN ZHANG | COMPUTER SCIENCE W/ B.A.| FOURTH-YEAR COMPILED BY RYAN POON

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Nature Walk in the Botanic Gardens 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

UCR Botanical Garden

What’s Up Doc? - What is Postpartum Depression and what can I do about it?

12 p.m.

Virtual Event

10

Rock Jam 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

SRC, The Rock

BROWN FACE 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Studio Theater, ARTS 113

11

Trans Group Meeting 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Virtual Event

Spanish Language Circle 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.

Virtual Event

12

Women in Engineering Lunch and Learn 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Rivera Library, XCITE Commons

Zumba 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SRC, MPR A

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Saturday

16th Annual Spirit of the Tribes 5K 8 a.m.

Virtual Event

The Inheritance 7 p.m.

UCR ARTS

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Virtual Succulent Pumpkin Workshop 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Virtual Event

World Climate Simulation 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Botanic Gardens, Meeting Room

“Getting Started with Poll Everywhere” Webinar 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Virtual Event

Cardio Kickboxing 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SRC, MPR A

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

“I think its okay to not be passionate about your career. After all, spending time with friends and family isn’t really profitable. If you are like the thousands of students out there who aren’t sure of what you want to do, find work that can give you the time and money to do the things that you enjoy.”

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News

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NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

► FROM STEM

COURTESY OF UCR

UCR breaks its enrollment record for fifth year in a row THE CAMPUS’ 2021 FIRST-YEAR CLASS MAKES UP THE MOST CALIFORNIA STUDENTS OF ALL NINE UCS.

AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor

For the fifth year in a row, UCR has continued to break it’s enrollment record. Since 2016, the campus has seen a constant increase in undergraduate and graduate student enrollment. As of 2021, a total of 26,847 students are enrolled at UCR; that’s a 1.6% increase from 2020 when there were 26,434 students enrolled.

Of the student population, UCR is also recognized as being one of the more diverse UCs. Latino students make up 41% of the student population, and Asian students make up 35.1%.

UCR’s expansion of its departments, like engineering and medicine, have also attracted students to the campus. The Bourns College of Engineering has increased its number of undergraduate and graduate students to 4,495, whereas three years ago, their enrollment was about 3,400.

While UCR saw an enrollment increase, the UC campuses together did not reach a new enrollment record for the first time in eight years.

According to UC Provost Valerio Ferme, enrollment totaled 46,710 students — down 88 students from last year — as of census day on Sept.

7. The decrease in student enrollment is considered to be due to the COVID vaccine requirement for students to return to campus. Before census day, more than 100 students dropped out.

Ferme also expressed that the universities managed to increase their number of international

and out-of-state students, a group that had decreased in 2020 due to the pandemic. The current UC student body is also the most diverse in university history, with nearly a quarter of students across all campuses being students of color.

As a result of COVID-19, many students struggled applying to universities this year due to low grades or inability to pay for application fees.

To help students, UCR suspended “the letter-grade requirement for high school classes taken in winter, spring or summer terms of 2020 and the full 2020– 21 academic year.” The UC system as a whole was also more lenient in allowing students more time to complete their deposits and turn in their transcripts.

From the 9 UC undergraduate campuses, UCR admitted the most California residents to its firstyear class with 29,004 students.

The downside to the increasing student population is the continuing housing shortage crisis and inability for students to enroll in necessary courses.

Having more students in the areas surrounding the UCs has caused housing availability to decrease as prices increase.

This year, UCR opened a new on-campus housing complex, The North District, yet many students still faced the inability to find housing. Students looking for on-campus housing were put on waiting lists only to remain on them as the fall quarter draws to an end.

With the winter quarter for UCR being 95% in-person classes, students must now find housing H closer to campus. ■

The STEM Education Center is an unprecedented project in Riverside for a public university campus. It, however, follows other examples of school district and university partnership: International Polytechnic High School at Cal Poly Pomona, California Academy of Mathematics and Science at Cal State Dominguez, Geffen Academy at UCLA, The Preuss School at UCSD and University High School at Cal State Fresno.

On Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, former ASUCR president Aram Ayra and University Neighborhood Association member Rich Davis presented to the Associated Students of UCR their concerns about the addition of a STEM high school.

Davis listed several reasons in the University Neighborhood Association site that explains why he and his associates oppose the STEM Education Center development.

According to the University Neighborhood site, a district manager stated at a community meeting that in 50 years, the STEM building would be obsolete and will probably be demolished. If agreed upon, UCR is expected to be the sole owner of the building. The lease agreement gives UCR ownership for 50 years with the option of two 10-year extensions. Davis stresses the need to fund schools that are already well-established in the district and that are still fully operational.

So far, RUSD has accumulated more than $1 million of billable hours from UCR. RUSD is billed for any time spent by UCR employees working on this project. The District will be solely responsible for the expenses associated with the proposed facility. This includes the design

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and construction, purchasing of land rights owned by the city of Riverside, relocating all cell towers on the property, paying for the fiber cables for UCR baseball field, environmental impact study, costs of resolving all issues found in the environmental impact study and daily maintenance and upkeep. UCR assumes no liability in any future lawsuits.

Students will not be required to live in the district in order to attend the STEM High school. The school will not be a comprehensive high school where students attend based on their address. This has become a point of concern as those who reside and attend outside of the Riverside district will not pay property tax.

According to Davis, the Measure O property tax was expected to invest more in schools like Fremont, Ramona, Poly and North High School: to remodel and renovate needy schools that were already established in the district.

During the ASUCR meeting, Ayra raised concerns about the complications of equitable distribution of resources to the new facility and brought attention to how the location of the new facility may impact traffic and parking.

RUSD anticipates that a Transportation Management Plan will be developed to include parking policies and expanding busing options. Other concerns raised by Davis and Ayra are under evaluation by RUSD. As of now, four sites have been presented by UCR for consideration by RUSD. Preliminary due diligence is currently in progress on the six acres of land on the cross of Blaine St. and Canyon Crest Heights. ■ H

UCR begins constructing new School of Medicine AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor

On Friday, Oct. 22, UCR began construction on its second School of Medicine building. This expansion will help assist the campus in developing a more competitive medical program and accommodate the growing number of students.

The new medicine building is being built behind the current School of Medicine and Education Building and Boyce Hall. Construction on the project is expected to be finished by the summer of 2023.

The facility is expected to utilize approximately 57,000 assignable square feet and will be five stories incorporating classrooms, specialized teaching spaces, lecture halls, administrative offices and study and lounge spaces.

“This building will provide the much-needed space for our medical students, faculty and staff, and it provides a path for the expansion of our medical school class,” said Dr. Deborah Deas, vice chancellor of health sciences

UCR IS ONE OF SIX UCS THAT HAVE A SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

COURTESY OF HENSEL PHELPS VIA UCR

and the Mark and Pam Rubin, deans of the UCR School of Medicine. “So much work has gone into the planning and

design of this beautiful new building, and this event is a major milestone in the process.”

UCR is 1-of-6 UCs that have a school of medicine. The first class was admitted in 2013 with 40 students; they graduated from the program in 2017.

The mission of the school of medicine is to “improve the health of the people of California and, especially, to serve Inland Southern California by training a diverse workforce of physicians and by developing innovative research and health care delivery programs that will improve the health of the medically underserved in the region and become models to be emulated throughout the state and nation.”

The budget and design of the building was approved in March of this year by The Regents of University of California. The current project manager working on the site is Mihai Gavan, and the planner is Melissa Garrety. Hensel Phelps Construction/CO Architects, which completed the Multidisciplinary Research Building in 2019, was selected as the design/build team for the project. ■ H

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NEWS

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ASUCR

The sixth ASUCR meeting saw the efficient delivery multiple reports and passage of legislation ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s sixth meeting was called to order on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber. All senators were present, excluding senators Martinez and Akel. Motions to modify the current meeting’s agenda were called for by Executive Vice President Mufida Assaf and saw the addition of a Highlander Racing’s under New Business and Finance Hearing Minutes No. 10 and 11 to Committee Reports. Motions to open and approve the previous week’s meeting minutes took place as well.

A public forum then began with an introduction from Isaac Lee, campus organizer of the California Public Interest Research Group. Lee began by describing CALPIRG’s commitment to social change since the ‘70s, with involvement in projects that work to protect the environment, provide hunger relief and promote civic engagement. He announced a new voters project that saw 10,000 students registering to vote with a voter turnout of 69%, a major increase since the prior election. A rally was also held by the research group to rally against oil spills and saw a collaboration with sister chapters from other universities including UCI, UCLA and USC. Two campaigns were also held including a 30-by-30 campaign that resolves to have 30% of land preserved by 2030.

Another report was given during the forum by the personnel director of the Student Voice Committee, where she detailed the feedback that students had regarding the transition back to campus.

According to a survey, 85.6% of students believed that UCR overall made the right decision in the transition back, although students’ opinions varied in regards to their comfort level with the university’s current accommodations. Through a question by SPP Sen. Arleth Flores Aparcio, it was

clarified that all the data discussed can be found on the official ASUCR website.

In addition, BCOE Sen. David Kiroloss hoped to get in contact in order to write a resolution to follow up with a case study.

Ex officio reports and Committee reports were also delivered during the meeting. At first, the galley saw the academic senate ratification of a variety of committees. A report was then delivered by the Ethnic and Gender office as well. As part of committee reports, motions were called for to open review Finance Hearing Minutes No. 10 for the finance meeting which took place on Oct. 28, 2021. A total of $14,264 were allocated to a variety of programs and clubs on campus, such as $2,589 for Flying Samaritans at UCR and $3,446 for Future P.I.L.L.S. Another motion was passed to open and review Finance Hearing Minutes No. 11 for the finance meeting which took place on Nov. 03, 2021, where a total of $18,389 were allocated for programs, including $2140 for Women’s Club Soccer and $3500 for MECHA de UCR. Both meeting minutes were approved with a vote of 14-0-0.

One piece of legislation was subsequently reviewed following its approval from the Legislative Review Committee. Senate Resolution SRF21-011 Emergency Student Worker Encouragement Act. Primarily authored

by CHASS Sen. Christopher Kent, the legislation resolves to have the Associated Students of UC Riverside support UCR Dining Services efforts to hire more workers, through spreading awareness of available positions, the consideration of priority registration and reduced parking pass rates for student workers, raising the starting pay at the dining restaurants, and working in close collaboration with labor groups on campus to support future worker movements.

As part of New Business, a GCAP Green Grant Application was reviewed for UCR’s Highlander Racing club. The application saw the student organization

THE MEETING WAS CONCLUDED WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO REOPEN THE SUBWAY AND HIBACHI-SAN ON CAMPUS.

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request support from ASUCR’s Green Campus Action Plan in order to have their racing development be in line with UCR’s sustainability efforts.

The meeting concluded with senator reports, including an announcement from Sen. Kent regarding the reopening of the Subway and Hibachi-San on campus.

Other announcements included an announcement from CNAS Sen.Rachel Paredes about an upcoming CNAS Town Hall meeting with a special visit from the

dean, an announcement from CHASS Sen. Angelina Chavez about an upcoming Town Hall for the school of business and an announcement from CHASS Sen., President Pro-Tempore Orlando Cabalo, regarding his collaboration with ASUCR President William Wang as part of a $40,000 basic needs fund for groceries.

H The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m. ■

APPLY NOW FOR AN ASUCR SCHOLARSHIP! Are you an undergraduate student who is involved on campus? Are you active in organizations or involved in leadership roles? If so, the Associated Students office (ASUCR) is now accepting applications for The Vincent Del Pizzo and Jeremy Harrison scholarships!

You must be of senior standing with a gpa of 3.0 or above, and active in school activities or leadership roles to qualify.

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2021 For more information and to apply, visit the ASUCR website here: https://asucr.ucr.edu/services/scholarships (These are not need-based scholarships, and typically pay out around $1500 ea.)

Opinions

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The religious exemption for the COVID vaccine is nothing more than a dangerous loophole

COURTESY OF STAN LIM VIA UCR

EVERY MAJOR RELIGION ACROSS THE GLOBE HAS ENDORSED THE COVID VACCINE. IF COLLEGES ALLOW “RELIGIOUS” EXEMPTIONS, ANTI-VACCINE SENTIMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RUN RAMPANT.

W

hen the UC system announced that in-person classes would be offered only if students got vaccinated, there were exemption options that followed.

These included accommodations for those who have medical reason not to take the vaccine, or those who have a religious opposition to it. The former has obvious reason to exist; some immunocompromised people may not be able to take it due to an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine.

The latter, however, is a loophole for anti-vaccine individuals to not take the COVID vaccination. All major religions have endorsed the taking of the vaccine to their followers, from the Pope to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to the leaders of Hinduism. However, some sects and individuals are refusing to do what will help the safety of others, and the UC system should close the religious loophole to keep people from putting the rest of the population at risk.

The most obvious reason why the religious exemption loophole needs to be closed is because anyone can say they’re religious just to get out of taking the vaccine. Some may have to click a digital box and say they’re religious, and others may have to submit a letter in order to receive the exemption. Since both of these methods rely solely on the honor system, anyone could be the furthest thing from religious but simply check off that box or submit a letter detailing how pious they are without ever stepping foot in a place of worship. The lack of vetting in this process indicates that anyone can use and abuse this exemption to get out of having to take the vaccine to go to a UC. In K-12 schools, the personal belief exemption from vaccines has been eliminated entirely in California to

prevent this kind of circumventing. These mandates are in place primarily because vaccines work. They keep students safe, and as a result, we have no outbreaks of polio or chicken pox at schools anymore. The same principle should apply to COVID-19 on college campuses; all students who can should take the vaccine for the welfare of those around them.

For those who identify as religious that refuse to take the vaccine, it’s no surprise that the reason for this is because of the high politicization and misinformation surrounding the pandemic. From something as simple as a family friend sharing an antivaccine meme on Facebook to as serious as Republicans in Congress denouncing the vaccine, the pandemic has sadly been clouded by heavy politics that never should have entered the sphere of health in the first place. The COVID vaccine has created an even more divided “us vs. them” environment in America, which is already inflamed by divisive party politics and useless black-and-white thinking that is making our country stagnate.

One of the major worries is that vaccines were tested using fetus cell lines; while this is true in the case of some vaccines, neither the Pfizer nor Moderna vaccines used fetus cell lines. In fact, pro-life groups have deemed these two vaccines safe for pro-life people to take if this happens to be a concern.

Additionally, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine did use fetal cell lines to test the vaccine, these cell lines are from two elective abortions in the 70s and 80s, so it isn’t any fetus that has been born recently. While those who are ideologically opposed to abortion may say that this is an excuse to not take the vaccine altogether, there are still two vaccines endorsed by religious leaders that can be taken in good conscience. However, people are so tied up in party identity politics that facts no longer matter.

The religious exemption is therefore almost wholly useless and is being used so people who are misinformed can avoid protecting themselves and other people. As the Delta variant sweeps around the world, it is the unvaccinated who are most at risk of death. At some point, the conviction one has for their party’s morals has to give way to common sense. Though distrust of the government is wholly valid, in the middle of a pandemic that has killed so many people worldwide and left families distraught, to hold on to the false belief that God will smite you down for something as simple as a needle in your arm and a vaccine in your bloodstream is dangerous to all involved.

Nowhere in the religious literature does it say that you cannot take a vaccine that will save people’s lives. Religious groups have stated that it’s the right and just action to take, but American selfishness continues to cloud common sense.

No other country on Earth has had the difficulties that Americans have when it comes to getting people vaccinated.

Americans are so dead set in selfishness and being correct that they will refuse to do what is right even when the religion they claim to follow states that it is fine to take a vaccine that will protect everyone. To keep the religious exemption open will make colleges a high-risk place for everyone to be so long as the pandemic continues. The UC must close this exemption and offer no excuses outside of medical exemptions if it values the safety of its campus communities H and the safety of the country as a whole. ■

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 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

OPINIONS

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Post-lockdown, students need prioritize sleep hygiene A STUDY SHOWING INCREASED SLEEP DIFFICULTIES AFTER COVID-19 LOCKDOWN INDICATES THAT RESEARCHERS SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT PROBLEMS RELATED TO ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

YSABEL NAKASONE Contributing Writer

Research is showing that a surprising 98% of people are experiencing new sleeping problems after the pandemic-induced lockdown. What is especially concerning is that a large portion of these individuals consist of millennials and Generation Z, who report unstable sleep routines. This alarming issue needs to be addressed quickly with proper sleep hygiene techniques and the separation of work and living environments.

Sleep deprivation is extremely dangerous and can affect alertness, memory, mood and energy.

Furthermore, it can gradually get more severe until people experience

COURTESY OF PEXELS

chronic sleep deprivation. This is when a person becomes unaware of the symptoms they are experiencing since it feels normal. These effects, particularly problems with alertness and memory, present a problem for students who need to pay attention and retain information for their classes. Additionally, students who stay up late may be overtired and even sleep through classes. The negative effect this could have on scholastic accomplishment reinforces the need to spread awareness about positive sleep habits.

For college students specifically, there is an association between a lack of sleep and low grade point averages.

College students struggle when it comes to time management between

extracurricular commitments, parttime jobs, studying and sleep.

Additionally, sleep hygiene tactics like a peaceful sleeping environment or not working in one’s bedroom pose a challenge for those living in the dorms. Poor sleep due to the COVID-19 lockdown is another hurdle for students as they try to engage in positive sleep hygiene and attain scholastic success.

As the workplace changes from campus to one’s bedroom, people still need to re-define what the classroom is. This shift that occurred during lockdown could be responsible for students’ deteriorating sleep hygiene.

For those struggling with sleep deprivation, turning another room of their living space into an office may help keep the bedroom a more restful place. Studying or working in a library, coffeehouse or outside may help to keep working space and living space separate, therefore improving sleep. Additionally, communicating with roommates about quiet hours in the shared space could improve sleep hygiene. These practices are incredibly important in addressing sleeping difficulties.

Common sleep inhibitors such as napping after 3 p.m. and caffeine intake should be mitigated.

Additionally, eating also plays a

key role in better sleep hygiene, which means that large meals should not be eaten before going to bed.

Limiting these behaviors can be helpful not only to college students, but anyone struggling with sleep difficulties. Additionally, students should avoid catching up on sleep during the weekend when they don’t have classes. A good sleep hygiene tactic is to practice going to bed and getting out of bed at the same time every day, whether it is a weekday or weekend. Changing one’s sleeping schedule during the weekend only makes it harder to return to waking up early come Monday morning. At the very least, awareness of these practices are essential for college students who are even more sleep deprived post-lockdown than they were before.

Sleep deprivation is not only responsible for deteriorating mental health, but also for students struggling to return to the normal classroom and a normal education.

The pandemic has created barriers in many aspects of life, and education is no exception. People need to continue to find and implement solutions to combat those obstacles.

In this case, prioritizing rest on the same level as academic performance H is the solution. ■

The “Culture of Silence” surrounding sexual violence on college campuses must be put to an end

TW: Mentions of SA MADISON RHEINS Editor-in-Chief

All too often, stories of survivors on college campuses, including our own, go viral and reveal the atrocities committed by predatory men. These stories going viral usually come from the survivors themselves, pleading with the public to help keep them safe due to the university’s failure to take action.

This should not be a reality for women

on college campuses- universities must take action by holding the perpetrators accountable and making sure that they prohibit these individuals from walking freely on school grounds.

In order to properly address the issue, administration must tackle this situation at the root by upholding policy. Codes of conduct must be taken more seriously across all college campuses in the U.S. Most importantly, there should be more support given to survivors, and less

COURTESY OF PEXELS

to the accused — in most situations.

A survivor should not have to go to social media for support and help in order to get the school’s attention.

School administration must take a more productive role in removing these harmful individuals from the premises at first mention.

There is a sense of reluctance on the part of universities when it comes to expelling abusers and protecting women. From the incident at the University of San Diego in May 2021, to more recently, the pattern of drugging and sexual violence at the University of Southern California- it’s clear that something must change. In both incidents, women were vulnerable to the passiveness of administration and had to take matters into their own hands. By garnering public support, the schools had no choice but to take action.

However, there are hundreds of women, especially POC, across the country whose stories remain out of public view and are still in danger. Without public scrutiny, there is little optimism that these institutions would have taken the same steps they had.

The dangerous men committing these acts must face harsher consequences.

College campuses need to recognize that by slowly reacting to these crimes with little effort, they are showing these men that they can behave this way again and face no consequences. Furthermore, it can be extremely traumatizing for a

CAMPUS ADMINISTRATORS MUST WAKE UP AND TAKE CHARGE WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING SURVIVORS OF ASSAULT.

survivor of sexual assault to be walking around campus, knowing that they can run into their abuser at any given time.

Perhaps much worse, though, is that oftentimes, the survivors face harsher punishment by being banned from attending class instead of their abusers or face hoards of people invalidating their experiences. In fact, according to Know Your IX, nearly 40% of students reporting on sexual violence have their education disrupted in the process rather than the abuser.

College campuses need to stop creating safe spaces for sexually violent men and start prioritizing women’s safety. No one should be subjugated to having their abuser in class with them, and at no point in time should they be punished for reporting. At institutions who claim to foster society’s next generation of upstanding citizens, there should be no place for this “Culture of H Silence.” ■

OPINIONS

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

7

The false narrative that kids are not affected by COVID is killing them

MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN ARE NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO COVID-19; HOWEVER, IT IS VITAL TO DISMANTLE THIS FALSE NARRATIVE AND GET CHILDREN VACCINATED. COURTESY OF PEXELS

SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer

Since the start of the pandemic, the false narrative that children are not susceptible to COVID-19 was plastered on every surface. Now, almost two years later, recent data shows that kids are equally likely, if not more likely, to catch the deadly virus than adults. It is essential to end the misinformation surrounding children and COVID and encourage parents to vaccinate themselves and their children.

Many experts suggest that the spike in COVID cases among children is related to the return to in-person learning. At the beginning of the school year, there was no vaccine available to those aged 12 and under, causing them to be more susceptible to infection. Most of these children have been quarantined and away from most of their peers for an extended period. By entering a germinfested school with no protection

from this virus, it was only a matter of time before infection rates spiked.

California already requires students to be vaccinated against a majority of viruses, and pending FDA approval, children K-12 will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 to attend public schools.

Within recent months, the rate of children infected with COVID-19 has grown exponentially. In fact, children make up the bulk of the infected; this is partly due to the increase in vaccination rates among the older population.

The good news is that as of Nov. 2, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has authorized and recommended that all children aged five and older get vaccinated with the PfizerBioNTech pediatric vaccine.

COVID-19 cases in children can result in severe health problems. During the summer, the CDC reported a fivefold increase in COVID cases among children, many of which resulted in

hospitalization. Symptoms in children can last for months on end, resulting in “long COVID,” causing future complications for the child including fatigue, joint pain, myalgia, headache, breathing problems, concentration issues and disturbances of sensory function. During trials with ages 5-11, the authorized Pfizer vaccine was shown to be 91% effective; these numbers are similar to those presented during the testing phases of adults and adolescence.

Getting children vaccinated is beneficial not only for their health but also for their education. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona believes that vaccinating elementary-level kids will be a “game-changer” for the public school system. Not only will the vaccine keep schools open and prevent further quarantines it also will give parents peace of mind when sending their young and vulnerable children into public school environments. By

increasing the percentage of vaccinated students within elementary and middle schools, the probability of returning to online school dramatically diminishes.

While health and safety should always remain a priority in schools, educators and administrators will now be able to shift their focus to academics, making up for lost time caused by the pandemic.

The distribution of the pediatric vaccine began on Nov. 3 and is set to scale up to full capacity starting Nov. 8, 2021. All information regarding vaccination can be found on the official CDC website. Widespread vaccination is critical to protect everyone from being infected with COVID-19. Fully vaccinated individuals have been awarded the privilege of returning to a certain degree of normalcy; the sooner vaccination rates increase, the sooner people can safely return to preH pandemic life. ■

LOS ANGELES IS DIRECTING ITS POWER SECTOR TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO MOVE TO 100% RENEWABLE BY 2035. THIS IS NECESSARY TO COMBAT THE EXISTENTIAL THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

Los Angeles and its carbon-free plan should be a beacon of hope for climate action HARRY STOLTZ Contributing Writer

Last September, the Los Angeles city council voted to move the city’s energy sector to carbon free by 2035.

This ambitious goal is endorsed by the city’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, who has been a vocal supporter of sustainability measures in Los Angeles. While the responsibility for climate action usually falls on larger national entities, Los Angeles is in a unique position to react to the climate crisis. Los Angeles is an exceptional city not only because of its size, but also because of its global influence. As such, it is the city’s responsibility to do all it can in the face of the existential crisis that is climate change.

Los Angeles is a coastal city, and as such, it faces many challenges related to the changing climate. Some studies predict that coastal areas in Southern California could face up to three times as many days over 95 F, and generally more extreme weather. There is also the threat of rising sea levels along the coasts, as glaciers and sea ice melt near Antarctica and Greenland.

The proposed plan backed by the Los Angeles City Council and Mayor Garcetti aims to direct the city’s energy utility to move to carbon-free energy within the next 15 years. The LA Department of Water and Power is the largest municipal utility in the nation.

Because the LADWP is publicly owned,

the Los Angeles city government is able to direct how it is operated, and pass measures that make the production of energy more sustainable. Other cities could follow elements of the LADWP plan and incorporate it into their own plans. Moving away from fossil fuels is difficult, but a successful transition in

full sustainability by 2035. One of the findings of the city’s “100 Percent Renewable Energy Study (LA100),” which was published earlier this year, was that rooftop solar panels would be crucial in transitioning the city’s energy grid to 100% renewable. Around 38% of single family homes would need to

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Los Angeles could have reverberating effects for cities across the country.

The city of Los Angeles commissioned a study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to provide a roadmap for

be outfitted with rooftop solar. This would require installing six times the current amount of solar panels in the city. However, with costs associated with installing solar reaching all-time lows, this goal is more achievable than

ever. Another takeaway from the report is that wind and solar farms, along with comprehensive battery storage, would be necessary to complete the transition.

The study estimates that implementing all these methods of reaching full fossilfuel independence would cost the city somewhere between $57 billion to $87 billion. This means that the estimated cost of reaching 100% renewability would be between $3.8 billion to $5.8 billion per year until 2035. In contrast, the annual budget for Los Angeles is around $11 billion. It’s unclear how the city would pay for this plan, but finding a way to do so is an essential task not only for the sake of city dwellers, but also the world. The stakes are high, and we’re already seeing some of the early effects of the climate crisis – rising sea levels threaten to submerge island nations, record temperatures are now common, and wildfires ravage California each year.

Despite the challenges associated, it is vital that Los Angeles undertakes this monumental transition. LA is the second most populated city in the United States and has a worldwide influence like nowhere else in the world. A city-wide effort to transition the expansive energy grid could serve as a blueprint for other large cities and send a message that climate action is not only possible, but necessary. ■ H

8 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

Features

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

Campus Cope: Scheduling classes for winter quarter SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer

With over half of the fall quarter already complete and winter fast approaching, registration is on everyone’s mind. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when registering for your classes:

Don’t wait till the last minute Classes fill up really fast, so be sure to know when your registration opens so you can have first dibs on classes. You can find all registration time tickets on R’Web in the registration tab under “prepare for registration.” Here, you can also see if there are any holds preventing you from registering for classes.

Delaying registration will cause you nothing but trouble. Most likely, all the classes you want will be filled or happening at awkward times of the day.

Avoid super early/ super late classes Sometimes it’s tough to avoid doing this, especially if you register late. Many students find it hard to

handle both of these types of classes.

Waking up super early is hard, especially when you’ve stayed up all night studying and cramming in all of your work. Going to class in the evening might be even harder, especially when you already had a full day before them. These class times can also get in the way of your life and make having a nice routine extremely difficult.

Don’t forget to eat College is stressful, and you probably don’t want to add more stress to your life by being “hangry.”

When scheduling classes, make sure to leave gaps for meals; it’s essential to eat something. Also, if at all possible, try aligning mealtimes with friends; it will be a nice break from class and refresh you for the rest of your day.

REGISTRATION CAN BE A LITTLE COMPLICATED; HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE.

and studying, so don’t overwhelm yourself with four stem labs in one quarter. Likewise, don’t take all of your most challenging courses in the same quarter. It’s a balancing act.

Make a term plan On the registration tab of R’Web, students have the opportunity to plan their term and access this plan during registration. It’s good to go into registration with some sort of idea of the classes you want and the time slots you want these classes to be at. R’Web allows you to have a maximum of three term plans per quarter, excluding your degree audit plan. Take advantage of this and make backup plans because sometimes original plans don’t H always go as we would like them to.■

Balance the difficulty level When creating your schedule, try to balance out your hard and easy classes. It’s essential to have free time to exist outside of class

ROSE KUPISIEWICZ / THE HIGHLANDER

Five pieces of flash fiction perfect for fall SENNA OMAR Contributing Writer

Flash Fiction is a short fiction story consisting of only a few hundred words. Here are a few fallthemed flash fiction pieces you are sure to enjoy:

“Then it Was Autumn Again” by Sherri Turner from Reflex Fiction

Paris, the city of love. This excellent piece of flash fiction details the love of an English couple living and spending their autumn in Paris, France. They spent the afternoons window shopping as the leaves fell around them. Drinking pastis from small glasses outside Parisian cafes as the onlookers gawked at how touristy the lovers dared to act. Anyone looking for love or in love this fall season will adore this fall fling read.

“Three Days” by Samantha Hunt from The New Yorker

If you are a fan of the darker side of fall, you are sure to love this piece of fiction. This story follows a woman named Beatrice as she walks along the cold, lonely shoulder of the highway along the guard rail, desperately trying to make it home to her family.

“Untitled” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from SoundCloud

Sick of reading? Try out this audio short story.

This story details a woman battling her seasonal depression as she journeys to connect to the world around her. The best part is that Adichie manages to turn an otherwise dull November walk into this beautiful piece of fiction.

“Broads” by Roxane Gay from Guernica

At this point, “fall” and “cuffing season” are almost synonymous terms; everyone is looking for that significant other to cuddle up with during the colder months. This story details Jimmy Nolan’s quest for love as he tries to battle the insecurities that seem to keep him from finding love. ■ H

“The Women of This World” by Ann Beattie from The New Yorker

With fall comes uncomfortable family Thanksgiving dinner parties. Beattie details the struggle of a woman named Dale as she prepares and serves a massive Thanksgiving dinner for her husband and family. If your family includes some sort of misogynistic older uncle or grandparent who is “from another time,” subtly gaslighting the women at the table to be more traditional, this is the perfect read for you.

LOOKING FOR SOME EASY READING OR LISTENING? TRY CHECKING OUT ONE OF THESE FANTASTIC PIECES OF FICTION.

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

FEATURES

9

The best popcorn chicken to satisfy your every need POPCORN CHICKEN IS THE PERFECT SNACK TO SHARE WITH FRIENDS, BUT WHO MAKES THEM BEST?

MADISON RHEINS Editor-in-Chief

Many students, including myself, consider popcorn chicken to be a staple snack in their lives. Luckily, UCR is conveniently located near several establishments serving up this savory dish.

From Ten Rens Tea Time to Tim Boba, you’ll surely find something that will satisfy your craving. I made it my mission to try and find the best popcorn chicken from these establishments and ranked them from worst to best — so you don’t have to.

No. 3: Ten Ren’s Tea Time

No. 2: Cha2o This was a tough decision to make! Located right next door to Ten Rens Tea Time, Cha2o is also an eight minute drive from campus. Making this the most expensive of the three establishments, the popcorn chicken snack came out to be $8.70. And while their version of popcorn chicken was a bit pricier, they did not disappoint.

The pieces of chicken were cut into smaller pieces, and each bite was very crunchy.

The seasoning on this chicken

tasted the best, and I was very satisfied with the spice level. Unfortunately, the only pitfall which kept Cha2o from snagging first place was the fact that the chicken tasted rubbery after the first bite. From then on, I had to chew a great deal before swallowing.

No. 1: Tim Boba Coming in at No. 1 is Tim Boba, located further down University Avenue from Ten Rens Tea Time and Cha2o.

Rounding out to be a 10 minute drive from campus, it was my

farthest location of the night.

I was completely satisfied with Tim Boba. Having been the least expensive at $8.00 flat, the quantity of chicken surprisingly surpassed both of the previous locations. Not to mention, the meat was cut into the cutest, bite-sized pieces, making it the perfect snack to share. The texture had the right ratio of crunchy breading and tender chicken. Additionally, the seasoning was right on point and tasted delicious with the sweet chili sauce provided.

Overall, I would definitely recommend coming to Tim Boba for popcorn chicken. ■ H

Ten Rens Tea Time is a small restaurant located down University Avenue, making it an eight minute drive from campus. The popcorn chicken snack I ordered came out to $8.57, which was pretty expensive for what I recieved.

The pieces given to me were largely cut, which defeated the purpose of it being “popcorn,” and the quantity was minimal.

Texture wise, the breading was a bit soft, and I did not taste the seasoning as well as I should have. I was sad with these results — especially since I’ve had such a good experience with their other dishes. I would not get this again.

ASHLEY CHEN / THE HIGHLANDER

10 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

Radar

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae

HONORING THE SPIRITS OF LOST LOVED ONES with Concheros, Mexican Art at UCR Amidst the narratives that center violent, destructive systems around Indigenous cultures, Dia de los Muertos is a time for celebration.

ARCHIVE / THE HIGHLANDER

ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA Contributing Writer

Woodwind sounds of the Conchero dancer’s whistle and the steady, percussive beating of huēhuētl, a cylindrical drum made of wood and swamp cypress, marked the commencement of the Day of the Dead procession. Native American Student Program director Joshua Gonzales began with a blessing, offering song and then prayer to begin the ceremony. Martin Tellez led the trio of Aztec dancers adorned in feathered headdresses and regalia, distinguishing features of Aztec royalty. After circling the Bell Tower to bless the memoriam altars created by various student organizations, a crowd of onlookers gathered with curiosity to see what the Concheros would do next.

Nov. 2 marks the annual observation of Dia de los Muertos, a custom passed from generation to generation of people descended from present day Mexico, Central America and regions along coastal California. There are many practices that vary based on culture and country of origin, but the sole purpose is to recognize the passing of loved ones. Lore holds that the spirit of family and friends who have died return to visit those who maintain practices to remember them.

Traditional Indigenous arts have been kept alive through time and celebrate spirituality in what is known as elementos naturales: fire, wind and de tierra, the earth. The sun, believed to be the creator of all life in Mexica religion, is represented by smoke from the burning of aromatic tree resin, copal.

Its sweet scent engulfed the UCR quad as Tellez blew the conch shell trumpet to begin the first dance.

There is great attention to the intentional foot movements. The entire body shifts as the half-noted drum and handheld instruments create a rattle effect and capture the spirit of unwavering rhythm. Dance is a core element of the Conchero tradition. Movements that make up this

performance are highly symbolic of the aforementioned natural elements. The beat of the drum calls forth the spirit of the fallen, both past and present.

“In Tlanextli Tlacopan” came to a climax with an Aztec fire dance. Lupe Tellez, co-director of the group, lifted an altar, set aflame, to the sky to begin the final ceremonial dance. The altar is set on the ground while each dancer has an opportunity to spin and twirl about the fire. One dancer approaches the flame with a cool confidence and places his bare foot directly on the open heat. His rattle shakes as he turns on one foot.

Martin Tellez kneels before the altar, placing a turquoise ball into the fire and tossing the ignited object between his hands.

“To be alive

is to navigate the world without fear.”

This tradition, presumably quite painful or intimidating to attempt, is exemplary for embracing the elements that make up our Earth rather than to allow ourselves to be consumed by fear. In spirit, as steady as the beating drum, the people who predecess us ever remain by our side.

Each tradition and act of celebration displayed pre date the Columbian settlements during Spanish colonization.

Efforts to eradicate the instrumentation and practices developed by Mexica people were futile as Indigenous people continue to uphold the customs passed down to them.

Following the Concheros’ performance, spectators found themselves in the heart of la cultura, as co-sponsored by Chicano Student Programs. Lowrider vehicles were parked on display, embellished with decorative skulls. Vendors selling hand

woven throws, jewelry and calaveros — the iconic sugar skull most closely associated with Dia de los Muertos — had students lined up along the row of tents.

Finally, the Inland Empire local Afro-Latin group Quitapenas took the stage to close out the Day of the Dead festivities. Their blend of post industrial instruments like the drum machine, electric bass and guitar with staple instrumentation in the Latin musical tradition, namely maracas and cowbell, create an innovative blend with calls to familiar music. The Quitapenas sound is reminiscent of Chicano Batman and other titles that occupy the Latin indierock scene.

In the age of mass consumerism and late-stage capitalism, it is necessary to give a platform to Indigenous traditions that continue to honor the deceased on Dia de los Muertos. The art and visual expression of, but not limited to, Aztec, Maya and Mexica identifying-people extends far beyond aesthetics. “In Tlanextli Tlacopan” and the danzas, dances, presented this week are not merely performances for entertainment purposes. Every item, every movement and each detail is carefully thought out and acted out with immense intention.

They are a sacred form of art the community at UCR had the immense privilege to be a part of, if only as bystanders. It has been said that these practices are the way each of us ought to be remembered by. These songs and traditions will be practiced by the family we eventually will leave behind.

Life, as well as death, can be painful.

Grief is not a linear process. We may find ourselves unable to remember the slightest details about the people we lost, and then in an instant some specific memory may come flooding back like it was only yesterday. Celebration, song and dance: these are the reminders that there is very little that is guaranteed in life. All we can do is dance and sing to the spirits and know that they are H dancing and singing back to us too. ■

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

11

COURTESY OF NICOLAS PADOVANI VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS UNDER CC-BY-2.0

Post Malone and The Weeknd make an iconic first collaboration with single, “One Right Now” SAMUEL LAO Radar Editor

AFTER A PERIOD OF RECLUSE, POST MALONE MAKES HIS COMEBACK.

It has been a while since Post Malone has really released anything, as it seems he took a much needed break during the COVID period. After his Hollywood’s Bleeding tour for his album “Hollywood’s Bleeding,” Post Malone went into a hibernation period where he really didn’t post or have interactions with fans. As someone who is known to have a fast-paced lifestyle, it seemed as if he needed to recharge, recoup and possibly find inspiration for his new album.

Being quite a private person, Posty typically doesn’t post on his social media accounts, usually keeping it strictly to promotional posts for his wine company or his music. If that is not telling enough of his testament to privacy, the fact that Malone has chosen to move away from Los Angeles to a private property in Salt Lake City, Utah, should speak volumes. It might be difficult to get a glimpse

into his life, but Malone has now officially announced his return in a very large way with his dropping of a new single with The Weeknd.

“One Right Now” marks the very first time that The Weeknd and Post Malone have ever collaborated on a song, and for both artists, the song is quite different from the typical style their fans are used to hearing. The Weeknd has been teasing a new sound with his most recent album, “After Hours,” and the ‘80s nostalgic beat that he has been using has continued with this most recent release. With Posty, this should not come as a surprise as he has continuously proved to be an individual who constantly changes the type of songs he chooses to do, but this truly is the first time that Malone has hopped on an ‘80s style beat, and it is an exciting testament for what is to come with his full album.

The song sees both artists singing to a scorned lover who seems to be glorifying the fact that she has moved on with someone

new. However, both artists give their significant others a taste of their own medicine as they boast their own various love interests.

With the chorus line, “I got one comin’ over and one right now”, both Post Malone and The Weeknd are essentially telling their exlovers that they are perfectly content with their new lifestyles.

Though they do express some pain when saying things like “Don’t call me ‘baby’ when you did me so wrong,” the song largely maintains its “two can play at that game” message.

Posty usually doesn’t shy away from singing about his ex-lovers, but rather than lamenting his sadness like he usually does, this song serves as a reminder that he is doing completely fine in this life.

For fans, this will be a song that everyone can easily relate to.

Looking towards the future the release of this single means that Post Malone is back and ready to share a new project with the world.

It has been three long years since

he released a full album, and the anticipation has been killing his fans. With all the hits he has had, it is safe to say that Posty will present a new sound that his fans have H never heard before. ■

VERDICT:

After a long period of silence, Post Malone fails to disappoint with his collaboration on “One Right Now”, with The Weeknd.

The song’s heavy 80s pop influence marks a clear sign of return for Post Malone and indicates that he will be back and better than ever come the release of his new album.

12

Sports

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

UC Riverside Women’s basketball is victorious against the Whittier College Poets THE HIGHLANDERS ARE OFF TO A GREAT START AS THEY WIN WITH A 41-POINT LEAD.

PATREACE ESPIRITU Contributing Writer

The Highlanders hosted their season opener against the Whittier College Poets last Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Their first game was held at the Student Recreation Center arena where they won 83-42. Parents, students, alumni and supporters alike came out to watch the game and the women’s basketball team’s victory in their exhibition match did not disappoint.

During the first quarter, the Highlanders were relentless as they scored point after point. The home team had an impressive start, leading 18-2 early in the game. The team had a 47.4% field goal percentage, scoring nine out of the 19 attempts made and 11 rebounds in total. Their team’s offense and defense were impressive as they ended the quarter with 23-6.

As the second quarter began, the Highlanders maintained their energy and eagerness to win. The Poets scored some points, but were unable to break through the Highlanders’ incredible defense. UCR had 14 rebounds and two steals with only five turnovers. They ended the first half of the game with a strong lead of 40-15.

The Highlanders started the third quarter on a good footing. Redshirt sophomore

forward Matehya Bryant, scored the first point of the second half for the home team.

The Poets attempted to gain some momentum trying to find the net but were met with the Highlanders incredible defense. UCR kept Whitter at bay with an 11-6 run leaving the score 46-26. They finished the third quarter with a 3-point shot by freshman guard Rose Morse and a solid 30-point lead with the score at 58-28.

With an early lead of 33 points by the Highlanders, the final quarter of the game had a tense atmosphere. As the visiting team’s cheers grew louder, their players maintained their tenacity as they scored six points back-to-back. But UCR was unstoppable the whole

night and they eventually led by 35 points, putting the score 77-42. With less than two minutes left on the clock, the win was secured but the Highlanders knew that the job was not yet done. As the final buzzer resounded throughout the court, the Highlanders finished strong with a 41-point lead.

Coach Nicole Powell remained calm throughout the game, showing full faith and confidence in her players’ skills to win—as she should be. There were no lead changes throughout the whole game, further cementing the fact that the Highlanders played exceptionally well for their season opener. And while the starters—Bryant, junior guard

Jada Holland, senior guard Keilani Cooper, senior forward Daphne Gnago and Morse— set the pace of the game with their amazing performance, the bench was just as tenacious. By the end of the game, the score was in favor of the Highlanders with 38 points coming from the bench.

With a win under their belt from this exhibition game against Whittier College, the Highlanders are looking forward to their next match up. The regular season will begin on Nov. 9, 2021 and they will be playing against the California Baptist Lancers, hoping for another sweet taste H of victory. ■

ARCHIVE / THE HIGHLANDER

► FROM MEN’S BASKETBALL

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

which turned into 14 points off turnovers for the Highlanders.

UC Riverside carried their momentum from the end of the first half into the second half, as a beautiful in and out crossover into a layup from Pickett gave the Highlanders a 60-37 lead in the first five minutes of the second half. Possessions later, a 9-0 run from UCR extended their lead to thirty, 69-39. A backdoor cut into a slam dunk from freshman forward Niyi Olabode gave the Highlanders their largest lead of the afternoon, 8755. Even the bench players contributed to the fun, as a thunderous fastbreak dunk from redshirt freshman Quinton Ford ignited the crowd and put the exclamation point on the game as the Highlanders won in blowout fashion, 90-56.

Pullin finished one assist shy of a triple-double, which has not been achieved in UC Riverside men’s basketball history. He put up 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists along with five steals. “Zyon is a really hard cover because he can drive it, finish it, draw fouls because of his strength and has become an excellent passer who can read coverages as well as any point guard,” said head coach Mike Magpayo when asked about Pullin’s performance. Moorman II also contributed with 15 points and nine rebounds. The Highlanders forced 19 Cal State LA turnovers, which led to a massive 26 points off of turnovers. When asked about their defensive performance during the game, Magpayo said, “We just wanted to play team defense and stick with our identity and scheme and we accomplished that today.”

The Highlanders officially begin their season on Nov. 9 as they travel down to San Diego to take on San Diego H State.■

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS