Volume 70 Issue 18

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, March 1, 2022

VOL. 70, ISSUE 18

est. 1954

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HIGHLANDERS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE WEARING MASKS ON CAMPUS.

NEWS

UCR announces commencement 2022 will be in person and other COVID-19 updates AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor

Highlanders graduating this year will be able to celebrate the campus’ 68th commencement ceremonies in person.

UCR’s official announcement came after many Highlanders awaited the news as to whether this year’s commencement will be consistent with the untraditional ceremonies that have occurred in the past two years due to the pandemic.

UCR’s 2020 and 2021 classes saw both online and hybrid ceremonies. In contrast, the ceremonies this year will take place throughout the campus on Pierce Lawn or the Student Recreation Center.

Graduating seniors are excited to have their accomplishments recognized in-person. “After being quarantined for so long, it makes me happy to be in person for at least the end,” says fourthyear film major Jimmy Lee Truong.

Other ceremonies, like the African

OPINIONS

Student Program’s Black Graduation, Chicano Student Programs Raza Graduation and University Honors’ Cording Ceremony, will also be in person.

“I’m really excited to be able to have an in-person graduation. With everything that has happened this quarter, an inperson graduation was the one thing I didn’t want to lose. I’m really excited and really looking forward to walking the stage with family present,” says fourth-year political science major Kevin Contreras.

Ceremonies will take place during the month of June, beginning with the School of Medicine commencement on June 3. A full schedule of all ceremonies can be found on the UCR website.

Graduation applications for those graduating this spring are due on March 1, 2022. COVID-19 guidelines for the in-person graduation ceremonies ► SEE GRADUATION PAGE 4

THE PROPOSED REFERENDUM WILL INCREASE STUDENT ATHLETICS FEES BY $90 A QUARTER.

Student athletes voice their support for an athletics referendum during ASUCR’s 16th meeting AMARAY ALVAREZ Assistant News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s 16th meeting took place Wednesday, Feb. 23, both in person and through Zoom, at the ASUCR Senate Chambers.

All members of the senate were present, excluding CHASS senators Torres, Blanca Estela Alba, Christian Martinez, CNAS senators Catelin La, Rachel Paredes and SOE senator Dorothy Doronila, who were all excused.

Motions to approve the current meeting’s agenda were called for by Executive Vice President Mufida Assaf with a motion to add Finance Hearing Minutes 13. The previous meeting’s minutes were then opened and approved.

Both passed with a vote count of 10-0-0.

During the public forum, First Time College Student Director Lilly Romero spoke first thanking the senators who attended and promoted

their first event where 200 gift bags with snacks were passed out.

Next, several members of UCR’s athletics department and sports teams spoke in favor of an athletics referendum that was not approved at a previous meeting.

The proposed referendum would increase student athletics fees from $35 a quarter to $125 a quarter, making it a $90 increase.

Luis Montanyo, the director of the Student Athletics Committee, spoke in support of the referendum, first stating the sporting teams have suffered roadblocks due to COVID-19 with there being no fans and games having to be postponed or canceled. He stressed that sports have been an outlet for athletes during the pandemic and this referendum will help athletics on campus continue.

Chris Lam, a member of the Student Athletics Committee, spoke next stating that this referendum will support more ► SEE ASUCR PAGE 4

Posting an aesthetically pleasing picture of your iced coffee isn’t going to solve your problems TRYING TO MOLD YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE TO MATCH OTHERS’ IS ONLY GOING TO LEAVE YOU FEELING BURNT OUT.

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NEWS

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DAVID MORENO Assistant Opinions Editor

College is the perfect time to explore your identity, and you shouldn’t waste your time trying to become someone you’re not.

Growing up, you may have heard someone say the following phrase: “College is the best four years of your life.” While the sentiment may be a little misleading, for many people it actually holds some truth. College,

for many who attend, ultimately ends up being the best four years of their lives, from finding their college sweethearts to making lifelong friendships. This, however, is not a universal experience. College can quickly become more about keeping up the appearance of perfection to show off to your peers rather than about actually living. While it may be easier for some students to avoid this downward spiral, it’s safe to say that we have all felt the pressure at

some point in our college career.

Your college experience, for the most part, is what you want it to be. If you want to spend hours away hiding in a corner of a library every single day, no one is going to stop you. That’s the best part about being a college student; you get to decide how you spend your free time outside of class — whether that be sitting under a tree wearing ► SEE R’PERSPECTIVE PAGE 7

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TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

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An Update on UCR Students for a Safe Return to Campus STUDENTS ADVOCATE FOR BETTER ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE FORM OF HYBRID AND ONLINE CLASSES.

ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

UC Riverside students continue to hold a mixed reaction toward the transition to in-person instruction as students still hold concerns with how this transition is being handled. However, a group, UCR Students for a Safe Return to Campus has served to allow students to voice these concerns and saw advocacy for better accommodations for UCR students, notably the implementation of hybrid options.

Wyntyr Jaslyn, a senior in Education Society and Human Development, voiced their strong support for hybrid options and accessibility for all, noting the difficulties that certain students may have in accessing resources, especially those with disabilities and those living outside of Riverside County. “Keep access open, accommodations in place if we have these compassionate clauses. If they make the classroom accessible for the disadvantaged student, all students can succeed with more equity to access,” Jasyln expressed.

Jaslyn suggested that mandatory recordings be made via professors through services such as Zoom, Yuja or even Otter.ai transcription services. “I want and advocate hybrid options from here out because we have this tech and these accommodations.

This has been requested for years,” the

student explained. “This is something that has to be provided by request for students with disabilities, so what harm comes from recording all courses so if a commuting student experienced a vehicle emergency, they can sign in via the Zoom hybrid or access the recording they missed?”

Other students have similarly voiced their support in making it so students have access to hybrid or remote options, or transcripts and recordings after the class.

A student in the UCR Students for a Safe Return to Campus Discord commented, “Having the option of getting the lectures recorded and available for certain period of time in the instances that the student can’t attend the class in person with limitations of how many they can miss and opt for the online version seems like a good balance.”

The student further described how other universities like UCLA had recordings available for graduate students even prior to the pandemic.

The movement has garnered substantial support with the Discord server, which has over 300 students and a change.org petition that has been signed by nearly 6,900 people.

Organizers and supporters of the movement have also made progress in the past month through getting in touch with the UCR administration.

On Feb. 9, a Q&A session was hosted

by UCR Vice Chancellor Brian Haynes and ​​Associate Provost Dr. Ken Baerenklau during ASUCR’s 14th senate meeting. This session was held in resolution in support of more remote learning options and saw the

vice chancellor and associate provost address the senate and students’ concerns about returning to campus. Haynes explained that “safety, access and accessibility” are three principals UCR adopted during the pandemic and noted current statistics of COVID-19 on campus, detailing how 97% of students and 88% of staff are vaccinated.

AP Baerenklau also noted the greater number of testing sites and flexibility on campus, while also ensuring the senate and students that the campus will not go into another full closure in the event of an outbreak. Bryce Hill, an organizer and administrator of the UCR Students for a Safe Return to Campus group, was also present and expressed his concerns to the present administration.

Following this meeting, Hill and CHASS Senator Victoria Nguyen met with VCSA Haynes and Dr. Baerenklau on Feb. 11 to discuss further steps. They decided to reach out to the Academic Senate to obtain a public statement that discussed professors’ flexibility in choosing which learning method they would want to teach their class.

The Academic Senate responded on Feb.

JOSH WANG / THE HIGHLANDER

17, and the statement was released on Feb. 18 and included the flexibility for professors to decide between hybrid or online.

Senator Nguyen ensured that consistent communication is held between the group and the administration. She appreciated the efforts of the group and her involvement with this cause, expressing that, “It has been a true honor of mine to work alongside such a passionate group of students and I am happy to have been able to put Bryce in contact with administration. It is the true goal of ASUCR to be the voice and link between students and administration. ” Hill requested a second follow-up meeting on Feb. 22, and this meeting will take place with Dr. Baerenklau on March 3.

All involved in the group and the movement are hopeful to see further progress made in accommodating students and implementing hybrid options. Jaslyn explained, “We are about the education of students, access to knowledge and greater learning overall as an institution. If it was mandated that hybrid options have to be available it would be a huge leap in access H and education.” ■

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ASUCR ► FROM ASUCR

than just the athletics department.

The committee currently has a social media manager that has been able to further his graphic design passion while working with them. Not passing the referendum will cause his position to no longer be available.

JT, a track and field fourthyear business major, then spoke, stating that he chose to attend UCR to be close to home and because of its Division One standing. He hopes that the senate will reconsider the referendum as it hasn’t been increased in 21 years.

Daniel Valak, a third-year business major and international student from Czech Republic, is a member of the tennis team and believes it is important for schools to have competitive athletics departments to bring culture to the campus.

Daphne, a business major and international student from France, stated that they came to UCR on a scholarship to play basketball. The campus has a high academics and athletics program. The athletics program means a lot to Daphne and her team members who represent the school. She is proud to be a Highlander and supports the referendum.

Katie Wong, a fourth-year psychology student, spoke through Zoom on behalf of the athletics department, who she referred to as her second family.

She attended the meeting to fight for the referendum and referred to several senator’s campaign promises. Wong highlighted that many of the promises were to assist in getting students more involved and help improve their transition to college.

She believes that the athletics department does meet these promises.

The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Wesley Mallette, spoke last on behalf of the student athletics and athletics department. He addressed the rumor that UCR is looking to bring back its football program and clarified that it is false.

Mallette then spoke about how serving the students at UCR is an honor and that he is proud of those who spoke at the meeting.

He would be happy to meet with the senate and further discuss

JOSH WANG / THE HIGHLANDER

the details of the referendum.

The referendum would increase student aid and assistance as it would have to adjust to cover the higher cost. This would result in more money going to the school.

A Q&A was then opened for the senators to respond to Mallette. President Pro Tempore Orlando Cabalo thanked those who attended the meeting and stated that the senate feels the price proposed is too high.

There is a large amount of food insecurity on campus, and most students cannot bear this cost increase. Cabalo is an employee at the botanical gardens on campus and has heard from student coworkers that they live paycheck to paycheck.

Mallette responded that the senate shouldn’t assume the finances of every student, and the proposed referendum would increase by fees $1.25 a day, about the same or less than a cup of coffee.

Executive Vice President Assaf then suggested that the senate add the discussion of the referendum as an agenda item during next week’s meeting.

Senator Victoria Nguyen spoke next, stating that she did not vote on the referendum due to the lack of representation at the meeting it was presented

at. Senator Nguyen was glad to see student attendance and their passion for the athletics department.

Senator Lauren Garcia also spoke about being pleased by the representation from different athletic groups. Garcia then asked how the department reached the price of a $90 increase.

Mallette responded that the department hopes to be transparent with students and that in the referendum there is a breakdown of where the fees will go.

Chief Justice Mohammad Almouzzan spoke last during public comment, stating that they have met with the Women’s Resource Center, and they are restarting Feminist Friday once a month. The FLEETS Study Abroad program also has a case where a trip to Japan has been canceled due to enrollment issues and asked the senate to look into this situation. For the judicial branch, Almouzzan has approved an animosity clause where anyone who wants to present to the judicial council can speak anonymously without fear.

Executive office reports took place next. Elections Director Sarmiento spoke first, announcing that they

are extending the application deadline by a week for positions that do not yet have applications.

Committee Reports followed with the presentation of finance hearing minutes 12 and 13.

During the finance meeting 12, the Finance Committee allocated $998 to Hylander Financial Group, $2,589 to Hillel and $1,329 to the Afghan Student Association. During meeting 13, $750 was allocated to Highlander Duelists, $1,329 to Chess Club at UCR and $1,768 to Abyssinian Student Union. Both minutes were approved.

Three new legislations were then presented to be approved. SR-W22-011: Narcan Distribution & Overdose Preventative Measures was presented by senator Cabalo and Kay Sosin, a representative from the Women’s Resource Center. The legislation would allow narcan training on campus as well as providing it on campus. Narcan assists those who are suffering from an opioid overdose.

Other campuses have narcan initiatives that are student led, but no UCs have campus programs to administer narcan.

SR-W22-012 Proposition to Implement a Nursing Program was then presented and will

► FROM GRADUATION

have not yet been announced.

Campus COVID-19 updates

LEO YUE / THE HIGHLANDER

Following California and Riverside County’s lift of the mask mandate on Feb. 15, UCR will continue to mandate that those on campus wear a mask while indoors. During a public forum that occurred at one of the ASUCR meetings, UCR’s Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Brian Haynes announced that the campus will not lift their mask mandate. Students should continue to fill out the Daily Wellness Survey, and those who live on campus are expected to get tested every two weeks. Test results can be submitted

create a nursing program on campus. SR-W22-013 In Support of Implementing a Criminal Justice Major was present last and will create a criminal justice major. All three legislations passed with a vote count of 10-0-0.

Senator Vu reported that the CHASS town hall amendment and Black scholar amendments were passed, and they met with the WRC. Senator Kent attended the Lunar New Year event that night and has a meeting with dining officials to discuss reopening the closed Scotty’s on campus and a full reopening of The Barn.

No one spoke during public comment, but during roundtable and announcements, senator Nguyen thanked those who advertised the snack back event and that it was a success. Senator Kiroloss also announced that the BCOE town hall would be Friday, Feb. 25.

The meeting was then H adjourned at 8:11 p.m. ■

through the Daily Wellness Survey.

While Riverside County has consistently seen high cases of infection throughout the pandemic, UCR has not had any large outbreaks. Riverside County and UCR COVID-19 dashboards show that cases are decreasing from the omicron spike that occurred between December 2021 to January 2022.

Students and employees should monitor the campus COVID-19 dashboard to see where infected persons were on campus and if they were potentially exposed to the virus. Emails regarding confirmed cases in classrooms and residence halls are no H longer going to be sent out. ■

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TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2021

Construction has begun on a new Student Health and Counseling Center on campus ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

UC Riverside has announced that a new Student Health and Counseling Center will be established, allowing for easier access to health and wellness services at one location. This project will see a modernization in students accessibility for these services.

Construction of the planned two story building began in the week of Feb. 14, and a special ceremony was held on Feb. 18 in celebration.

The facility itself will be a 39,450-square-foot building, of which 27,900 square feet will be utilized to house Student Health Services, The Well and Counseling and Psychological Services. It will be located on the western portion of Parking Lot 21, south of Linden Street, between Aberdeen Drive and Pentland Way. Construction will take over a year with the center opening to students by May 2023. Building it in the northwest end of campus will grant greater accessibility to student residents in the recently built Dundee Residence Hall and North District apartments, as well as commuters, with parking available nearby.

This project will serve as a major improvement for health wellness on campus as all

three services are currently located in one aged building, half of the overall size of the new planned facility.

Denise Woods, Associate Vice Chancellor of Health, Wellbeing and Safety, noted, “The new building will improve health, counseling and

STUDENTS CAN ACCESS MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING SERVICES IN ONE SPACE. counseling services and primary care but will also host a number of workshops and seminars for students.

She hopes for Highlanders to be able to connect with one another better through the

office and an ambulance loading area. In addition, the facility will have spaces for Counseling and Psychological Services, for both individual appointments and for group therapy, and for The Well, the

ARCHIVE / THE HIGHLANDER

wellness services on campus by offering an integrated and holistic space with increased medical and mental health providers on staff.”

As described by Woods, the center will not only offer

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center.

The Student Health Services space will include resources for students such as exam rooms, an urgent care center, a pharmacy, a fullservice laboratory, a radiology

student health and educational wellness program. Jacqueline Norman, a campus architect, described, “The area is designed to offer privacy and comfort while also facilitating group discussions.”

Although planning for the center began prior to the pandemic, many COVID-19 related measures and services will be particularly focused on during construction and operation, including COVID-19 protocols, testing and other services that students utilized during the pandemic.

Norman detailed how the project will include “adequate separation and spacing, room to line up outdoors and flexibility for how people enter and leave.”

Woods explained how building the center benefits the university in the pursuit of integrating wellness into student life on campus. “We just want to make sure students feel supported here on campus, that they’re able to successfully maintain and retain their education, and graduate and move on successfully.”

Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox expressed his belief that universities are ultimately about people, including the faculty and staff who serve students. “We have a responsibility to help them help students with their well-being. That’s what this H building symbolizes.” ■

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Opinions

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The UC’s student housing crisis means detrimental consequences for students who want to attend THE STUDENT HOUSING CRISIS IS SO SEVERE THAT UC BERKELEY IS CONSIDERING FREEZING ENROLLMENT LEVELS TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.

T

he University of California system is home to some of the most wellrenowned universities in the world. The consistency of these rankings and the system’s incredible faculties and programs mean that students from all over the globe clamor to get their place in the universities. However, this does not blend well with the ongoing student housing crisis that all UCs are facing, and have been facing for many years now. Now, UC Berkeley is taking drastic measures to deal with this issue by considering the freezing of enrollment so they can try to solve the problem. While this seems like an overreaction to the problem to some, the fact is that the wisest thing that Berkeley can do at this time is stop accepting new students in order to house the ones they currently have and help them succeed.

Berkeley should absolutely freeze enrollment. Though it will mean a sharp dip as new coming freshmen aren’t flooding in to pay exorbitant

tuition, it will avoid more students fighting for housing the way they have been for years now. Across the UC system, students are having to resort to being homeless, sometimes even sleeping in their cars or couch surfing while attending some of the best universities in the world. By freezing enrollment, UC Berkeley will have the chance to get its ducks in a row and work with the student body they currently have and work to solve this crisis from there.

Although this will be a financial blow for the university, this maneuver absolutely must be undertaken. It is well-known, shown in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, that an individual often cannot obtain selfactualization or a good education when stuck at the “bottom level” of the pyramid — that is, their basic needs of food, shelter and clothing are not being met. If this lower level of physiological needs are not met, then students are often unable to focus on such necessities higher up this pyramid, such as safety, friendship and reaching their fullest personal potential. Leaving students

out to dry by not offering them a roof over their heads and meals to eat prevents them from achieving their full potential in the education they are trying to receive. If Berkeley chooses not to freeze enrollment, they are doing their students a great disservice by essentially blocking them from reaching their highest potential as students of a UC school.

No matter the loss of money, it does not compare to the suffering that students have to face because of a lack of access to affordable housing. In their effort to run like a corporate machine, universities and their systems often forget the very human needs of those who attend their university and fund it in the first place. Freezing enrollment will prevent more students from falling into this trap of attending a great university while living on the street at the end of a long day of classes. Indeed, if the universities had more morality, they could warn students upfront of the housing crisis that they are facing so students understand what they’re getting into, and possibly make other plans for

housing if they are able to do so.

In situations like these, the only people that suffer are the students.

Though losing a year of freshmen will certainly take a toll on the university, the fact is, UC schools are wealthy and have many students paying tuition already. If UC Berkeley and indeed all the UCs want to focus on solving the housing crisis, they need to stop inviting new recruits in to fight for already limited housing in the first place. They must focus on the students they already promised to watch out for. To avoid doing so is to show that they don’t care about the quality of education that their students receive, and to prevent current generations of students from achieving their fullest potential even H at a top university. ■

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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THIS IS AN ACT OF CRUELTY THAT WILL LEAD TO MASS-SUFFERING IN AFGHANISTAN IF LEFT UNADDRESSED.

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HARRY STOLTZ Contributing Writer

On Feb. 11, President Biden announced his plan to claim $7 billion worth of frozen assets from Afghanistan’s central bank. In a “fact sheet” released last week, the White House outlined President Biden’s “Executive Order to Preserve Certain Afghanistan Central Bank Assets for the People of Afghanistan.” President

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

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The United States stole $7 billion worth of frozen assets from Afghanistan Biden plans to split half of these funds for compensation to families of 9/11 victims, and to use the other $3.5 billion for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

The assets, which have been frozen in the United States since August of last year, were assets held by Afghanistan in U.S. banks. This decision to steal from Afghanistan, rather than offer aid for the 20 years of devastation caused by the United States, is an incomprehensible act of cruelty that will lead to a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has a long history of being taken advantage by foreign powers, and subsequently being thrust into poverty. According to data collected by the World Bank, Afghanistan remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with recent data from 2020 placing it within the top 10 poorest. This status is largely due to the constant conflict that the country has been subjected to for hundreds of years and massive foreignled wars in the last couple decades. In the modern era, Afghanistan faced a Soviet invasion starting in 1979, which lasted until a peace treaty was signed in 1989. In the coming years leading up to 9/11, Afghanistan remained in internal conflict. Of course, after the 9/11 attacks, the United States embarked upon the 20-year-long war in Afghanistan with an original goal of taking out Al-Qaeda and Osama Bin Laden. Barely 10 years into the war, U.S. Navy SEALS had killed the terrorist leader, and Al-Qaeda was not the threat that it once was. Instead of leaving the country, inexplicably, U.S. forces remained for another 10 years. By December 2010, only 35% of Americans

supported the war effort. By the time the United States finally left the country in 2021, just 29% of Americans opposed the withdrawal.

Extracting $7 billion from Afghanistan is a “gut punch,” especially following the United States claiming to separate itself from the country with last year’s withdrawal. Opinions will vary on whether the withdrawal was done effectively, and there is certainly a reasonable debate to be had about that.

Critics of the withdrawal argue that it was sloppy and that the deaths of 13 U.S. service members could have been avoided. However, it’s important to put this into perspective. Given the sheer number of troops that the United States had to evacuate from the country and the lack of intel regarding Taliban power, it’s a wonder that it went as well as it did. Even if the withdrawal had issues, 12 deaths pale to the 240,000 afghans who died over the 20-year conflict. Of those 240,000, an estimated 71,000 were innocent civilians who were unfortunate enough to have been born an Afghan or Pakistani. Destruction in Afghanistan wasn’t just limited to human casualties either. In 2020, 47% of the country remained in poverty, and the United Nations Development Programme warns that 97% of Afghans could plunge into poverty sometime this year without aid. War has a heavy toll — especially 20-year-long wars.

In order to compensate for the devastation caused by the United States, the government should work to rebuild infrastructure and avoid the lurking humanitarian crisis. Instead

of helping to solve the problem, the United States chose to steal $7 billion from Afghanistan. These funds make little difference for a country like the U.S., which has a total GDP of over $20 trillion. In comparison, $7 billion is roughly 35% of Afghanistan’s total GDP. The White House claims said that $3.5 billion “would remain in the United States” for victims of terrorism, and more specifically, families of 9/11 victims. In a country with a GDP of over $1 trillion, the U.S. government should have pulled these funds from elsewhere, especially not from a country that had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks.

All of the 9/11 pilots were from four different countries — none of them from Afghanistan. Fifteen of the 19 terrorists were from Saudia Arabia, which remains a top U.S. ally. If the United States is willing to turn a blind eye with the country that directly financed 9/11, it has no excuse to act as harshly as it has with Afghanistan.

It’s disturbing that the United States thinks that millions of Afghans should suffer for an attack that they had nothing to do with. The White House claims that the other $3.5 billion will be vaguely spent “for the benefit of the Afghan people and for Afghanistan’s future.”

Aside from the fact that the U.S. is only returning at most half of what it stole, these funds will be distributed through a trust fund rather than simply returning it to the Afghan government, which would be the most efficient way to do so. If the United States wants to see itself as a humane nation, it cannot continue to loot H helpless countries like Afghanistan. ■

► FROM R’PERSPECTIVE

your favorite outfit on campus or never leaving your dorm room.

For some, romanticizing their life is what brings them joy. You plan your entire day around finding the perfect spot on campus to study. You make the perfect playlist, put on the perfect outfit and order your favorite drink at Starbucks.

To some people, this entire routine may seem like a complete waste of time, only making the simple act of studying all that more complicated. While they may be correct in theory, for many students setting up their routines, this is the only way they can be productive. We shouldn’t be so quick to judge others because they actively choose to over romanticize simple experiences. College can be very stressful. If the way you choose to cope with that stress is by ordering an overpriced iced coffee and posting an aesthetically pleasing picture of it onto your Instagram story, then so be it. But this, of course, isn’t going to fix your problems.

I say this from personal experience, because everything I just described are all things that I have done in order to cope with the stress that comes along with being a college student. I have done it all: from the strict bedtime routines to having no routine at all. I can safely say that there is no perfect way to be a college student. There’s no perfect formula that you can follow, and no internet life

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hack is going to miraculously change your life. Trust me. Failing into these toxic mentalities around having the most aesthetically pleasing routine only leaves you burnt out in the end. While it may seem enticing to follow internet trends and completely surrender to wellness culture, these trends aren’t always the answer. And if you choose to not participate in them, it doesn’t diminish your experience as a college student.

Nonetheless, there is no perfect way to

be a college student. Everyone is going to have their own unique experience, and the key is to figure out what works the best for you. You can be the student that only takes their notes on their iPad using aesthetically pleasing templates. On the flip side, you can be the student that refuses to bring a laptop to class because you know that handwriting your notes has been statistically proven to be better for remembering information. If you wake up everyday and make yourself the main character, you have all the right in

the world to do so. There’s no harm in romanticizing your life while in college — sometimes, it’s the only way to make the experience worthwhile. It’s important to remember that most things you see on social media are fabricated, so don’t fall victim to holding yourself to unrealistic standards. Instead, remember that there’s more to being a college student than aesthetically pleasing morning routines H and cute coffee study dates. ■

8 TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

Features

FEATURES

ASPB’s

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

ASPB HOSTED A BATTLE OF THE BANDS MUSIC CONCERT.

Sound Clash discovering talents at a smashingly successful event By: Senna Omar, Assistant Features Editor

COURTESY OF @PHAN.XICO VIA INSTAGRAM

On Thursday, Feb. 24, ASPB hosted Sound Clash, an annual music competition available to all genres. In a captivating display of Highlander talent, five artists competed for the chance to win a paid performing slot at ASPB’s Spring Nooners.

The event was held in the HUB plaza, where they provided food, drinks and an all-around fantastic time. ASPB also asked a plethora of trivia questions and offered prizes such as a free T-shirt to those who answered correctly.

First up on the chopping block was third-year business major, Adonix; the name may sound familiar because Adonix made his debut at ASPB’s Bonfire in November 2021.

Adonix drew the crowd in with his opening number, “Made in France,” and kept the energy going all the way through his set, ending with “Love Tonight.” Adonix described his music style as “house/EDM, but I enjoy playing all genres, whichever gets the crowd and me moving!” Mirroring the sound of influencers such as RL Grime and Zeds Dead, Adonix rocked the crowd and left the night with plenty of new fans.

Adonix’s entire discography can be found on Spotify @ Adonix.

Second to perform was first-year economics major,

Medha Sarkar, who entrapped the audience with her angelic voice. She played three covers including: “People Watching”

by Conan Gray, “Feel Like S—”

by Tate McRae and “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish.

The crowd sang along and even began to wave their flashlights with the rhythm. When asked to describe her talent, Sarkar said, “People have described my voice as being similar to Billie Eilish. I usually sing with a lighter, airy tone and pair it with acoustic guitar since it suits my voice best.” Influenced by the music of Taylor Swift and Troye Sivan, Medha wowed the crowd and left her mark on the outstanding night.

The audience was brought to life with El Segundo’s vibrant display of talent. Third-year environmental science major, Daimyo performed four songs at Sound Clash, all of which had a dreamy, indie sound. “I make whatever music as long as I feel it truly represents me,” stated Daimyo. More specifically, he described his discography as ranging from hard indie to alternative rock and tacking heavy influence from his background as a secondgeneration Mexican American.

Songs such as “Mischief/ Green’’ and “SellOut” left the audience in awe, and most likely gained them a few new

frequent listeners. El Segundo’s entire discography can be found on spotify @El Segundo.

Next to take the stage was Jesica Verduzco, who serenaded the crowd with her guitar strums and drew them closer with every note sung. Performing in an indie-rock style, Verduzco kept the crowd mesmerized for her entire performance.

The spectacular display of talent was closed out by Studies of the Starcross. The band wowed the crowd, ending the night with “Thanks for the Venom.” Studies of the Starcross is an “emo math” band, which is an unconventional form of rock drawn from hardcore punk and indie music.

More information about the Studies of the Starcross can be found on their instagram @ studiesofthestarcross.

Many commenters expressed their enjoyment for all the music, and the intimate atmosphere of the concert. At the end of the beautiful night, Medha Sarkar was crowned victorious and the recipient of a paid performance slot for ASPB’s Spring Nooners.

Overall, ASPB’s Sound Clash was a memorable night filled with amazing food, performances and people. I would definitely recommend everyone check out some of the memorable artists who performed.

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

9

Study tips that make life a little easier FINALS CAN BE STRESSFUL, SO HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED DURING FINALS.

ALEXANDRIA LACHMAN Contributing Writer

With finals coming up, having a game plan when it comes to the tiring task of studying can be overwhelming itself. Everyone has their own methods that work best, and one thing is clear: there is no perfect way to study effectively because every student is different.

Here are some study tips that might help with finals just around the corner.

No. 1: Get Organized Having a planner with all important final dates can really make a difference.

Having your week planned out ahead gives you a chance to time in the week to study, without that overwhelming feeling. Make sure to plan breaks to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed at the last minute.

No. 3: Find a Study Spot Right For You

Some students work best in quiet places where they can focus with no distractions, while others work best with friends who are having music blasting consistently. There are plenty of places on campus that work for everyone. With the endless study rooms available at the campus library, or coffee shops that give you that energetic vibe, don’t forget to take advantage of these indoors and outdoor spaces.

ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF REDGREYSTOCK VIA FREEPIK

No. 2: Try Studying with Friends Having friends to study with can make studying feel more fun and productive.

You can always ask classmates as well to meet up for an hour to study at a local coffee shop. Set up your computers and grab coffee or snacks, and have resources to help with material you might have trouble understanding. In the end, it holds you accountable because no one likes a friend who cancels at the last minute.

No. 4: Don’t forget to take breaks

While in the studying zone, we sometimes forget the importance of breaks.

Taking breaks even as short as a 10-minute recharge can give you a boost of productivity that you might desperately need. Taking breaks from all the stress of studying gives you a less likely chance of burning out.

This cookie butter cookie recipe is not only a tongue-twister, but also a delicious treat THIS SIMPLE RECIPE WILL HAVE YOU STOCKING UP YOUR SHELVES WITH COOKIE BUTTER SPREAD AND ADDICTED FOR DAYS. BRENDA JOVEL Assistant Radar Editor

Cookie butter has possibly become a must-try flavor in 2022. From churro flavors to rich lattes, cookie butter is sure to take over your pantry this year. This simple cookie butter cookie recipe is perfect for those days where you want something sweet but also easy to make to fulfill that craving.

BRENDA JOVEL / THE HIGHLANDER

COOKIE BUTTER COOKIES Preparation time: 1 hour and 40 min Servings: 15 cookies Ingredients: • • • • • • •

1/2 cup of all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon of cinnamon Pinch of salt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter 1 cup of light brown sugar 1 cup of cookie butter spread (the Trader Joe’s version or the Biscoff brand can be used) • 1 large egg • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

First, sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Sifting the dry ingredients will give you a smoother mixture for the cookie dough. Then, set the mixture aside.

In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter together. Use a whisk or a hand-held mixer for an easier mixing process. The result should be like a paste. Make sure to scrape down the sides of your bowl to gather the mixture. Then, add the cookie butter spread and mix until fully incorporated. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated as well.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients (do not pour all of it in at once). The dough will be sticky and a bit runny. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill it in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F (if you’re using a convection oven, preheat it to 325 F).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and take the dough out of the fridge.

Roll the dough into 15 small balls (make sure to not add too much dough!), leaving about 1-2 inches of space around each cookie. Do not flatten the dough since the cookies will expand on their own.

Bake the cookies for 10-11 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned.

Remove cookies from the oven, and let them chill for 5-10 minutes. The cookies should be crumbly on the outside and have a soft interior for a chewy finish. Serve and enjoy at your heart’s desire!

10 TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

Radar

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Collect your Quarters:

‘Street Fighter’ teases continuation title

HAILING FROM A LONG-GONE ERA OF COIN-OPERATED ARCADE MACHINES, “STREET FIGHTER 6” TAKES ON THE FRANCHISE’S MOST MODERN LOOK TO DATE IN RECENT TEASER. COURTESY OF CAPCOM

ELIAS ALMAREZ-HERRERA Staff Writer

A

mysterious timer posted on the official website for Japanese video game developer Capcom sparked speculation around what announcement would soon be made. Fans connected the dots, forming a timeline which placed the end of the six-day countdown in alignment with the final round of Capcom’s annual Pro Tour fighting game competition. Following the final round of the “Street Fighter V” (2016) tournament, Esports commentators transitioned viewers into two major announcements. A comprehensive anniversary collection of classic Capcom fighter series has been set for release in June 2022.

What followed was a 40-second teaser clip, displaying a hyper-realistic model of “Street Fighter’s” main character, Ryu preparing to engage in combat with newcomer Luke. The art style of this short trailer is a prominent takeaway and glimpse into the direction this installment will take. From drops of sweat and steam rising off of each character model to the detailed skin blemishes, “Street Fighter” has never looked this realistic before.

To say this fighting

game brand has become a cultural force would be an understatement. The legacy begins with the first installment of the series which came in 1987, a game considered to be ahead of its time. A bug in the original engine of the arcade release allowed players to perform chain combos, linking one attack to another and maximizing damage inflicted on opponents. With clunky mechanics and an input system yielding hit or (more often than not) miss command of special moves, the original “Street Fighter” game was popular but failed to innovate by many standards. It did, however, introduce player one to the franchise’s poster-boy Ryu and his sparring partner Ken, then only playable as player two. Retrospectively, “Street Fighter” is merely a time capsule to a time before the popularization of fighting games in the gaming industry.

After the release of a few spinoff entries, Capcom distributed the title that single handedly changed the landscape of the fighting game community forever: “Street Fighter II: The World Warrior” (1991). Its overall polished look and full roster of characters with unique movesets to choose from slated the game for success early on.

Over seven re-releases and updates have followed in the subsequent years, with the

latest entry dating as recent as 2017. “Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers” (1993) introduced the super combo, a move that inflicts even greater damage after successfully executing an intricate input.

More than a mere sequel, “Street Fighter II” is a far cry from its predecessor.

From the USSR based professional wrestler, Zangief, to the All-American, flash kicking Guile, there is no denying the “Street Fighter” roster is rooted in caricatures of global identities. While the fighting styles are derived from world athletics and martial arts — muay thai, kickboxing, tai chi among others — the true appeal for casual players is the thrill that comes with pulling off a dragon punch or fireball for the first time. It is no surprise “Hadouken” is one of the most recognizable sound bites in gaming history.

The transition from 2D to 3D graphics was an unsteady process across the gaming industry. For fighting games, the struggle prevailed. As franchises like “Tekken,” “Mortal Kombat” and “Soul Calibur” found their footing in the new terrain, “Street Fighter” continued on as a 2D fighter. With titles like “Street Fighter Alpha: Warrior’s Destiny,” a prequel to “Street Fighter II” and “Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike” which houses timeless competitive play, there was a looming notion that the brand would inevitably get left behind.

Just short of three decades after the release of the original World Warriors title, “Street Fighter IV” (2009) served as the canonical sequel to “Street Fighter II.” The distinctly

stylized graphics influenced by calligraphy-esque ink patterns premiered alongside a catchy pop-rock anthem “The Next Door” (2009) by the 14-member Japanese boy band EXILE. Apart from spinoff titles, this trailer release marked the first time fan favorite characters Ken, Chun-Li and Sagat could be seen battling with 3D style graphics.

“Street Fighter 6” seems to be pushing forward the foundational artstyle found in the franchise’s previous 3D games with each character having personalized ink effects emphasizing move sets.

Whether the gameplay will reflect the simplicity of earlier entries or feature a variety of fighting modes like the latest editions is still uncertain. The game will surely thrive if its developers focus intently on creating solid training and story modes. Online play with adequate rollback can also make-or-break player experience. Bonus content like dramatic battles and survival mode would be a treat for dedicated, seasoned “Street Fighter” aficionados.

“Street Fighter” is undoubtedly Capcom’s most beloved and mainstream intellectual property.

Following a ten year slump in the company’s fighting game department, the success of this title is crucial. Developers involved with “Street Fighter IV” began hosting official announcements via livestream, racking up audience engagement with the franchise once again. Further details about “Street Fighter 6” are set H to come this summer. ■

VERDICT: Since Capcom has become infamous for launching vanilla versions of their games with the bulk of its superior content being made available for download in the years to come, Street Fighter 6 will have to be a solid game upon initial release to keep its core audience invested.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Odesza makes an emphatic return with their latest single ‘The Last Goodbye’ ODESZA TEASES A NEW ALBUM ON THE WAY WITH THEIR LATEST SINGLE RELEASE. SAMUEL LAO Radar Editor

After a long four-year hiatus, Odesza finally made their long-awaited return on Feb. 8, releasing a masterful six-minute long track. Many fans had speculated that the duo might have separated and focused on their own projects, but this release only proves that the bond between the two is stronger than ever.

Odesza, a group composed of Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, formed in the early months of 2012 shortly before Mills and Knight graduated from Western Washington University. From their early releases to their biggest hits, the duo has always been known for their feel-good style of EDM, as well as their genrebreaking beat drops; there is no category of music that could house these two.

With their latest single, “The Last Goodbye,” it seems as if the duo has switched up their typical style of EDM, opting to release a slower-style ballad with very hard-hitting lyrics like the opening line, “Let me down easy, for your love for me is gone.” From the very start of the song, it is obvious that this track

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TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

11

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is reigning in a new era of Odesza and what they can bring to the table. As the progressions begin to build, there are hints of the oldstyle Odesza music, but the first beat drop would have to be the moment when both styles, old and new, align and create something like never before. With their use of electronic synthesizers, there are definitely feelings from the older days, but even when the beat drops, the duo opts to keep the sadder chords, only speeding them up to move in a much faster pace. In the genre of EDM, the beat drop is typically a spot of the song where fans can understand what type of emotion an artist is attempting to portray, but this song is very contradictory with multiple feelings being portrayed at once.

In the second half of the song, Odesza completely switches up the tempo by using a bass guitar as the leading instrument, bringing in a funky vibe from a different era of music. Unlike the more typical EDM track, “The Last Goodbye” seems to have two completely different beat drops, something

that definitely keeps fans on their feet.

To close out the track, Mills and Knight do bring back their original beat drop heard earlier in the song, and end it with the repeating guitar pattern that brings a certain melancholy to listeners.

Looking to the future, hopefully this single is not just a farewell and fans can finally be gifted a full album after waiting for so long. There have been speculations around various social media platforms that the title of the track is a foreshadowing for the last album from Odesza, but nothing has been confirmed. The duo has yet to say anything about these rumors, and honestly, fans should simply be excited that “The Last Goodbye” is a sign that something new is coming from these two H geniuses. ■

VERDICT:

“The Last Goodbye” should not necessarily be classified as a sad song, but Odesza most definitely brought in hard-hitting lyrics with a groovy, funky beat to back them. If you are looking to get into the genre of EDM, this is the perfect track as it embodies so many different types of feelings.

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Sports TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022

SPORTS

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The most surprising and disappointing NBA teams at the All-Star break WITH ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF LEFT IN THE 2022 NBA REGULAR SEASON, THE PLAYOFF RACE IS STARTING TO HEAT UP.

other role players such as Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies are a force to be reckoned with.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have found themselves at the bottom of the Eastern

been the main focal point in the surprising success of the Cavs this season. Rookie power forward Evan Mobley brings a strong defensive presence as well as offensive versatility and is looking like

HANSEL CHU Assistant Sports Editor

With the 2022 NBA All-Star break occurring just this past week, many teams found themselves comfortable in the playoff standings. However, other teams that were expected to perform at a high level simply haven’t met expectations.

With teams gearing for one last playoff push, here are some teams that were either surprising or disappointing at the All-Star break.

Surprising

The Memphis Grizzlies have been the talk of the season so far. Led by the AllStar point guard Ja Morant, the Grizzlies sit comfortably at the third seed in the Western Conference with a record of 4120. Last season, the Grizzlies finished ninth in the Western Conference. After defeating the Spurs and the Warriors in the play-in tournament, Memphis was defeated in five games against the Utah Jazz. Many analysts and fans expected the Grizzlies to finish as a lower playoff seed in the Western Conference this season.

However, with the superstar emergence of Ja Morant, as well as the improvements of

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Conference standings in the past couple of seasons. Ever since the departure of LeBron James, the Cavs relied on the draft and young talents in hopes to be relevant once again. This season proved to be that season Clevland had been hoping for as they sit at fifth in the Eastern Conference.

The two All-Stars, point guard Darius Garland and center Jarrett Allen, have

the favorite to win Rookie of the Year.

With a strong young core mixed with some veteran leadership, the Cavs are going to be a fun team to watch come playoff time.

Disappointing

The Los Angeles Lakers are the most disappointing team so far this season. With the trade for superstar point guard Russell

Westbrook and free-agent signings of former All-Stars to pair with the superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers were expected to be title favorites. However, the team just doesn’t seem to mesh well when they play on the court. A lack of defensive intensity and a discombobulated offense saw the Lakers sitting at ninth in the Western Conference.

There is still time for this Lakers team to come together and string in a couple of win streaks, but the time to do it is fastly closing.

The New York Knicks were one of the most surprising teams last season as they finished fourth in the Eastern Conference.

After losing to the Atlanta Hawks in five games, many analysts and fans thought that the Knicks were back into playoff contention once again. The trade for former All-Star point guard Kemba Walker and the free-agent signing of Evan Fournier had many fans excited for the upcoming season. However, Walker has become a shell of himself and has slid out of the rotation, and Fournier has been inconsistent with his play on the court.

With struggles on both the offensive and defensive side of the basketball, the Knicks find themselves 12th in the Eastern Conference standings. If the Knicks want to make it into the playoffs, they will have to go on a massive win streak and find the H groove they had last season.■ THIS FOURTH STRAIGHT VICTORY PUT UC RIVERSIDE IN FIFTH PLACE IN THE BIG WEST.

UC Riverside’s victory over UC Santa Barbara furthers their winning streak

KEVIN CONTRERAS Sports Editor

The UC Riverside women’s basketball team faced off against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos traveling up to the Santa Barbara coast for the away game matchup. With an early lead in the first half, the Highlanders were able to stay in control of the game and secured the win for themselves.

Starting off the game, a layup from junior guard Mele Finau jumpstarted a run for UCR. The Gauchos managed to earn a point in between but a 3-pointer from senior guard Keilani Cooper completed the 7-2 run. The Gauchos went on a six-point run for themselves but another 3-pointer from Jada Holland in between kept UCR in the lead 10-8.

With just over 4 minutes left in the first quarter, Jordan Webster managed to sink a free throw and a 3-pointer, extending the Highlander lead. UCSB attempted

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another run, scoring a 3-pointer and a layup, but the UCR defense kept them at bay, closing out the quarter, 16-13, in favor of UCR. Going into the second quarter, the Highlanders came in strong with a 10-2 run. During the UCR run, redshirt senior Olivia West and Cooper managed impressive 3-pointers. The Gauchos then shut out the Highlanders for the final 3 minutes of the quarter, and a 3-pointer from junior point guard Johnni Gonzalez prompted UCSB to go on an 11-6 run.

Despite their efforts, UCR remained in the lead at the end of the half, 32-26.

The Highlander’s solid playmaking in the first half foreshadowed what would occur in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Highlanders opened up the scoreboard in the third quarter with a jumper from Cooper. UCSB sank a 3-pointer, courtesy of senior point guard Danae Miller, with a follow up

jumper from junior guard Alexis Tucker to put the Gauchos within reach 31-34 with under 8 minutes left in the first half. UCR went on a brief 4-0 run, to keep themselves in the lead, to which the Gauchos replied with a 4-0 run for themselves. With about 2 minutes left in the third quarter, UCR found themselves narrowly in the lead, 40-35.

The Highlander’s managed to buckle down on defense and carry their victory over into the fourth quarter while also managing to sneak in a few points, courtesy of a 3-pointer from West and a layup from freshman forward Esther Mataranz. UCR went into the final 10 minutes of the game ahead, 45-35.

In the final quarter of the game, UCR kickstarted the point scoring with a jumper from West. The Gauchos replied with a layup of their own. West then managed a 3-pointer off of a fast break to keep the highlanders in the

lead, 50-37. UCSB was then awarded two free throws, which they sank. UCR then went on a quick 4-0 run, to which the gauchos responded with two backto-back 3-pointers sunk by Miller and senior guard Megan Anderson, 54-35.

UCR then went on another little 4-0 run. UCSB, unwilling to give up so quickly, went on a 6-0 run of their own.

Unfortunately, despite the impressive playmaking from UCSB in the final minutes of the game, UCR closed out the match with two free throws from Anna Blount. The Highlanders emerged victorious, 60-51.

UCR continued its game winning momentum into Saturday’s matchup with the Cal State Northridge Matadors, winning 72-59. UCR’s women’s basketball team will return to the SRC Arena on Thursday, March 3 for a bout H against the CSU Fullerton Titans.■