Volume 70 Issue 29

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, May 31, 2022

VOL. 70, ISSUE 29

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NEWS

The Associated Students of UCR’s 27th meeting sees multiple pieces of legislation passed GREEN GRANTS ALSO PASSED TO PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION AND SUSTAINABLE METHODS OF ENTERTAINMENT. ABHIJIT REGE News Editor

The Associated Students of UCR’s 27th meeting was called to order on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 in the ASUCR Senate Chamber. All senators were present, except CNAS senator Rachel Paredes, CNAS senator Catelin La, CHASS senator Tammar Akel, CHASS senator Blanca Estela Alba and CHASS senator Hoang Vu. Motions were called to add Legislative Review Committee and Finance Meeting Minutes to the agenda by senator Cristian Torres and was approved 11-0-0. In addition, motions were called to GCAP to the meeting agenda and approved 11-0-0. Motions to approve the agenda were called by SOE senator Dorothy Doronila, and a vote was passed 11-0-0. Following this, an approval of previous meeting minutes was called by SOE senator Dorothy Doronila, and the vote passed 11-0-0.

The Public Forum began with an announcement from Chief Justice Mohamad Almouazzen from the ASUCR Judicial Council. He announced and explained that the elections director special elections will be pushed back because the judicial council has to interview the prospective candidate for the position.

Next on the agenda was New Business which focused on announcements from CALPIRG. A campaign will take place the following year called Beyond Plastics which aims to reduce the environmental impact of plastic on campus. As explained, plastics are not biodegradable and more than 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. In response, an ASUCR resolution was passed for single use plastics in 2021. Other announcements included providing basic needs through an open textbooks grant, pressing UC regents to use open textbooks to help out UC students. In addition, ► SEE ASUCR PAGE 4

OPINIONS

Recent shootings and other controversial events should be addressed in the classroom

CREATING A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHY THESE EVENTS OCCURRED, OR INTRODUCING CURRICULUM LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY, CAN HELP END HATEFUL AND RACIST CRIMES. Disclaimer: This editorial deals with issues of gun violence and hate crimes The United States is once again having to deal with the turmoil and aftermath of yet another devastating mass shooting.

This time, however, the country has been unable to grieve or heal as there have been two high profile shootings just 10 days apart. On May 14, the Buffalo supermarket shooting took place taking the lives of 10 Black Americans. Less than two weeks later, the Uvalde Robb Elementary School shooting took place on May 24 and has currently taken the lives of 19 students and two teachers.

With these recent shootings, teachers across the country are unsure of how to have difficult conversations about racism and gun violence with students who are curious and looking for answers. Although certain school districts or states limit what teachers are able to say, these tragic events are continuing to happen and should be addressed in the classroom to help break

this cycle of gun violence and hate.

In a somewhat dystopian reality, it has become common for children in U.S. K through 12 schools to practice annual school shooting drills with students being taught how to hide and fight back if needed.

This practice is something that has been normalized and is seen as routine, similar to a fire or earthquake drill. The looming threat of a shooter entering your school, or another public area, is something that many children have to think about daily. This worry is only heightened by the continued mass shootings taking place throughout the county. While some parents may try to shield their children from these events, they are becoming more common and children are turning to their teachers for information.

In some conservative states, teachers are not permitted to discuss controversial or racial topics. Texas House Bill 3979, ► SEE EDITORIAL PAGE 5

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NEWS

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

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Clash of ideals on Roe V. Wade arise at UCR campus and city of Riverside

ASUCR CONDEMNED POTENTIAL ROE V. WADE OVERTURN, FINDING BOTH SUPPORT AND DISAGREEMENT AMONG STUDENTS, WHILE A PRO-LIFE RALLY IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE TOOK A CHAOTIC TURN. HANNA RUTQVIST Assistant News Editor

On Tuesday, May 24, ASUCR External led a demonstration in wake of the Supreme Court’s potential overturn of Roe V. Wade, displaying support for protection of the right to abortion. Two points on their agenda were to call for Chancellor Wilcox’s public statement on those who will be affected, and calling for UCR to provide medication for abortion and emergency contraceptives — a measure already signed by Governor Newsom that UCs and CSUs must provide. They marched from the Belltower to Hinderaker Hall, chanting “bans off our bodies,” and “my body my choice.”

This followed a pro-life rally on Saturday, May 21, where hundreds of pro-choice advocates, pro-life advocates, police forces and extremist organizations like the Proud Boys accumulated at Shamel Park in the city, ensuing a hostile clash that eventually moved to the Planned Parenthood center at Tibbetts street. UCR students were present at this rally.

Rally attendees at UCR wrote messages in chalk surrounding the Belltower, with messages including “keep religion off politics!” and information like “bisexual women are 63% more likely to need an abortion.” ASUCR External members gave out fact sheets on Roe V. Wade, which provided context on the ruling

and listed the organization’s agenda as mentioned before.

Though met with support while giving away a substantial amount of fact sheets, passerbyers who disagreed with abortion also took the moment to voice their opinions. Emily Kathleen, a first year Public Policy major, was standing in support when a student approached her stating there was “no basis for pro-choice, no moral basis, no scientific basis.” She invited him to join despite. “I just told him we were there exercising our rights and trying to spread awareness about why protecting Roe is so important,” she said, “He said he might join because he wanted to hear our arguments.”

Someone also added to the ensemble of chalk messages with “Fetus Lives Matter.” This was later seen smothered out.

This came as a shock to Kathleen and other ASUCR members as they were under the impression that most of the student body agreed with Roe V. Wade.

They were also surprised, however, seeing the amount of male students that came forward and showed interest in the movement — especially since this issue does not directly affect them.

Second year Public Policy major Greg Haessner went towards the Shamel Park pro-life rally along with other UCR student members of the United Student Labor Action Coalition (USLAC) and

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CAT 911, an alternative rapid response team based in Riverside. There were EMTtrained UCR students under CAT 911 who came with first-aid kits, isopropyl alcohol and bandaging.

Being outnumbered and aware of the presence of the politically militant group Proud Boys, the students worried about the possibility of firearms being involved. Knowing the rally’s plans to confront the nearby Planned Parenthood, students pivoted to the facility to ensure that it would not be harassed. “Instead of the whole group going to the park and counter-protesting, we decided to stay at the Planned Parenthood and just make our voices known,” Haessner shared.

The police eventually arrived with drones, batons and crowd-control equipment such as tear gas — but were more monitoring the pro-life crowd.

According to Haessner, there were insinuations upon the cops to attack the students, as they were called un-American and not representing the values of this country.

“The police on our side did not move us a step further because we stayed on our side of the sidewalk,” said Haessner,

“they pushed them all the way to the back of the sidewalk because they were still advocating for violence.” Haessner earlier witnessed drones monitoring the students, suggesting that they were the ones expected to become violent.

Many different personalities were at the event — Christian groups, anarchist groups from both sides of the political spectrum and hippies. Haessner met one hippie that traveled from Oregon.

“There were 200 people that showed up at the park, and by the time they got to Planned Parenthood it dwindled down to 80 or 90,” he recounts, “we had 50 people because of intervention coming from L.A. County, San Bernardino and Corona.”

Probably the most surprising of attendees were the young children.

“This woman brings out her baby, starts praising it, and lifts her baby as a prop,” said Haessner, “It’s the epitome of white privilege to bring your baby to a violent protest and believe that you’re protected by the cops when they’re ready and armed H to attack us at any moment’s notice.” ■

UCR ranked 40 out of 623 colleges UCR REMAINS FIRST RANK IN SOCIAL MOBILITY.

HARU CHANG Video Editor

University of California, Riverside was ranked No. 40 on Money magazine’s “Best Value” college ranking. It represents an increase of eight places from its last ranking, No. 48. In a list of “Best Value” public universities, UCR ranked No. 31, moved up from No. 32.

There are 632 colleges and universities included in the 2022 list.

In order to make the list, colleges must have at least 500 undergraduate students and have a graduation rate at or above the median rate for peer institutions. UCR is ranked based on the graduation rate of public universities. A college must have sufficient, reliable data to be analyzed and not be in financial distress. Money considers quality, affordability and outcomes.

According to Money, quality universities would include a six-year graduation rate which was adjusted to capture the transfer student population.

Differences between a school’s actual graduation rate and its expected rate, based on the economic and academic

profile of the student body sway the rating of the quality of education by 30 percent. Standardized test scores of entering freshmen and the percentage of accepted students who enroll in that college are also considered. Pell Grant recipient outcomes are analyzed to determine how well schools help low-income students succeed, schools that serve a large share of low-income students and help them graduate rise to the top.

Affordability of an educational institution is measured by the price of a degree: full cost of attendance including tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel and miscellaneous costs.

Education debt is assessed based one student borrowing, which measures the average total federal student loan amount across all entering undergraduate students, as well as parent borrowing, an average parent plus debt per undergraduate student.

Money also evaluates a student’s ability to repay loans taken out to finance college education.

Earnings 10 years after enrolling are also considered to determine the value of the institution. Money considers various factors that account

for the datas on student earnings, adjusting for factor like state-specific wage differences and the effect of labor market discrimination.

Other University of California campuses such as Irvine (No.9), Davis (No.12), and San Diego (No.12) ranked among top campuses. The rest of the UC campuses finished below UCR. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor was ranked first, followed by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and University of Virginia.

In April, the Center of World University Rankings placed UCR among the top 1.3 percent of universities internationally.

In February, the Economic Mobility Index, which measures the role universities play in catalyzing the economy, ranked UCR No. 18 nationally. During the 2021-22 school term, U.S. News & World Report named UCR for the third consecutive year as the country’s No. 1 university for social mobility, which measures the extent a university educates more economically disadvantaged students at lower tuition and graduates them H into good paying jobs. ■ COURTESY OF ALLYUNION VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS CC BY 2.0

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ASUCR ► FROM ASUCR

CALPIRG hopes to combat homelessness by eliminating food and housing insecurity among students and the local community.

Statistically, 40% of UCR students face food insecurity in some way.

Committee reports then saw a review of Green Grant #9 and #51. Green Grant #9 involves a large-scale initiative for easier access to bikes. As explained by BCOE senator David Kiroloss, more bike racks will be added on campus to promote sustainable transportation on campus.

Green Grant #51 will see the promotion of more sustainable methods of entertainment during large scale events at UCR. This would mean the removal of fireworks that cause air pollution over time and in place, a fleet of drones will perform synchronous performances. Motions to approve the Finance Hearing Minutes were passed 110-0.

Multiple senate resolutions from the Legislative Review Committee were reviewed and approved by the senate.

Senate Bill SB-S21-005 Electioneering was a series of pieces submitted by the elections director and some senators that would prohibit elections for the purpose of self-interest. The bill forbids candidates to question the elections committee about who is running before an official announcement.

Motions to approve this senate bill were called and the vote passed 11-0-0.

Senate Bill SB-S21-004 Require Legislative Candidates to Attend One (1) Senate Meeting would enact the requirement that during the elections process, legislative candidates must attend one Senate meeting. Motions to approve this senate bill were called and the vote passed 12-0-0.

Senate Bill SB-S21-003: Campaigning Reimbursements would regulate campaign reimbursements by restricting reimbursements being given out to promote through social media algorithms. CHASS senator Christopher Kent inquired how this would apply during an online election, such as those which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. CNAS senator Vivek Patel proposed to add an amendment

if instruction was fully online while CNAS senator Myra Usmani could propose a clause with the jurisdiction of the Elections Director. CHASS Senator Nguyen opposed the legislation as she believed that campaign reimbursements should be used in the regard of the candidate and they should not stop students from campaigning however they feel. President Pro-Tempore and CHASS senator Orlando Cabalo instead proposed that algorithm based promotion should be banned. Motions to approve this senate bill were called and the vote did not pass 1-9-1.

Senate Resolution SR-S22-009 ASUCR to Publish CAPS and SHS on ASUCR’s Social Media Platforms and Website would call for ASUCR to publish CAPS and SHS resources on social media and websites.

Senator Usmani hopes for ASUCR to publicize this news to streamline the information CAPS and SHS put out.

They will be partnering with them to help promote their resources to more students on campus. Motions to approve this senate resolution were called and the vote passed 12-0-0.

Senate Resolution SR-S22-008 Take Action for LGBTQ Mental Health Act, authored by Senate Intern Niall Wade, would call for small improvements to help queer people who are struggling with mental health. A presentation is wanted in support for the queer community and LGBTQ+ community. Motions to approve this senate resolution were called and the vote passed 12-0-0.

Senate Resolution SR-S22-006 Proposition to Fix ITS Issues on R’Web Registration Portal proposes to remedy ITS issues on R’web for registration. It would call for the deletion of removed classes from the registration box that lead to confusion and would make portal popups less convoluted. Motions to approve this senate resolution were called and the vote passed 12-0-0.

Senate Resolution SR-S21-007 Implementing ASL/Deaf Culture Courses at UCR was a resolution passed last year and returned this year to be approved once more. Co-authored by people in the ASL

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community and ASL club, ASL classes would be added into UCR course catalog.

As explained by senator Torres, Riverside is well known for its deaf community and knows this resolution will unify the students and the extended community in Riverside.

Motions to approve this senate resolution were called and the vote passed 12-0-0 Senate Bill SB-S22-006 Guidelines for T- Shirt Reimbursement would refund T-shirts only for registered members on Highlander link. Highlanderlink is sometimes outdated or has other issues that do not accurately represent the amount of students in an organization. Motions to approve this senate bill were called and the vote passed 12-0-0.

Senate Bill SB-S22-009 Senate Oversight Legislation aims to reaffirm current senate oversight over legislation.

Legislation that the Senate passes is being followed up by the other branches. The bill affirms rights of the Senate and leading members of the Judicial branch. Senator Usmani commented that senators might have a hold of power to make and approve motions to subpoena ASUCR various officials and individuals but they also might have other biases and concerns. Senator Kent believes that requesting people to come might work well for the future.

Senator Richardson respected the language of the legislation as the senate is urged to report to the students for transparency.

Senator Nguyen was concerned that they are limiting the amount of times an individual can be subpoenaed. PPT Cabalo noted the importance of oversight and hoped the bill would allow students to play a more active role in ASUCR. Motions to approve this senate bill were called and the

vote passed 7-3-1.

Senate Resolution SR-S22-010 Implement a Zero Tolerance Sexual Violence Policy for FSIC Members resolves to implement a zero tolerance sexual violence polict for FSIC members.

SHVP Chairperson Leilani Tull expressed that sexual violence is really high especially in high education and detailed how the resolution is a call to action for members of FISC to be held accountable for their actions not just for students but for faculty and staff. Tull wants to destigmitize sexual violence and help provide UCR student resources. SHVP Committee member Harry Ramos Haessnar was tired of hearing from friends that they reported and did not see action taken. Motions to approve this senate bill were called and the vote passed 11-0-0.

A review of Finance Hearing Minutes #3 for the meeting that took place on May 20. Multiple motions took place to approve allocations by the Executive Cabinet, other sectors of ASUCR, and organizations affiliated with the student government.

Motions to approve the Finance Hearing Minutes were passed 11-0-0.

To conclude the meeting, multiple senators had announcements to make.

Senator Torres first gave congratulations to everyone for their endeavors and achievements. CHASS senator Aalani Richardson reflected on the Texas school shooting and the senators took a moment to recognize the victims. CHASS senator Victoria Nguyen announced a First Time College Student event that took place on May 26th 2022. The meeting was then H adjourned at 9:30 p.m. ■

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

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THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

Recent shootings and other controversial events should be addressed in the classroom

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► FROM EDITORIAL

Texas House Bill 3979, which was passed last year, states that teachers should not discuss current events or controversial topics in the classroom and if they do they should provide “contending perspectives without giving deference to any one perspective.” Not discussing these topics, however, does not mean that they will go away. By avoiding controversial and racist topics, we are ignoring our own racist history and failing to promote racial tolerance and acceptance.

These mass shootings disproportionately target communities of color. The Buffalo shooting was a racist hate crime fueled by the “great replacement theory” while the Uvalde shooting took place at a border town with most of the victims being Mexican Americans. With one of these shootings taking place in Texas, teachers should be able to talk to their classrooms about what has occurred without fear of losing their jobs. Having to present multiple perspectives to this tragedy is wrong. There should be no other side or reason as to why these crimes were carried out. Teaching students about these events can be done in an age appropriate manner instead of being avoided entirely. Not addressing these issues makes students of color feel like they do not matter and may normalize crimes against them.

Critical race theory is seen as a solution for helping teach tolerance and acceptance but has been politicized by right wing states. While CRT is meant to help teach students about how racism is intertwined in our history so that the country can heal and not repeat these mistakes, others have twisted its meaning and claim that it was created to put down white Americans. In California, CRT has been accepted and an ethnic studies course is now required for high school students in the state. This is seen as a step in the right direction as many students who attend college are shocked to learn about certain historical and racial events that they were not taught about in their K through 12 setting.

States or school districts that are more conservative

have been allowed to suppress the information they teach, but a universal CRT curriculum is necessary as gun violence and hate crimes are increasing. If this education was widely accepted and taught, the U.S. may finally begin to decrease the amount of mass shootings that take place annually.

Teenage and young adult men are especially susceptible to conspiracies like the “great replacement theory” or white supremacy and are most likely to carry out gun violence.

By intervening early on and allowing teachers to discuss these issues, the cycle of crime can hopefully decrease or be broken.

These are the names of the victims from the two recent mass shootings: Disclaimer: Different news outlets have used different spellings of the victims names Buffalo: Roberta A. Drury, Margus D. Morrison, Andre Mackniel, Aaron Salter, Geraldine Talley, Celestine Chaney, Heyward Patterson, Katherine Massey, Pearl Young, Ruth Whitfield.

Uvedale: Alexandria Aniyah Rubio, Alithia Ramirez, Amerie Jo Garza, Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, Eliahana Cruz Torres, Eliana Garcia, Eva Mireles, Irma Garcia, Jackie Cazares, Jailah Nicole Silguero, Jayce Luevanos, Jose Flores, Layla Salazar, Makenna Lee Elrod, Maite Rodriguez, Maranda Mathis, Nevaeh Bravo, Rojelio Torres, Tess Marie Mata, Uziyah Garcia, Xavier Lopez. ■ H

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.

CREATING A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHY THESE EVENTS OCCURRED, OR INTRODUCING CURRICULUM LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY, CAN HELP END HATEFUL AND RACIST CRIMES.

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OPINIONS

John Fetterman’s Brand of “ Tough Politics” needs to be the future of the Democratic Party

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DESPITE SUFFERING A STROKE BEFORE ELECTION DAY, SENATE-HOPEFUL JOHN FETTERMAN SWEPT IN A PENNSYLVANIAN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, SIGNALING A MUCH-NEEDED SHIFT FOR DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HARRY STOLTZ Staff Writer

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Sweeping every county, and raking in a solid majority of the vote, progressive favorite John Fetterman won the Democratic nomination for senate in Pennsylvania.

John Fetterman’s victory against establishment favorite, candidate Connor Lamb, in Pennsylvania doesn’t come as a surprise to those who have been watching the race, but marks a remarkable shift for the Democratic Party.

Described as “unfussy and plain-spoken” by Politico writer Holly Otterbein, Fetterman is a welcome shift from media trained candidates like Connor Lamb. In 2020, Fetterman fought vehemently against former president Trump’s election lie, and attacked claims of voter fraud in his state. In a place like Pennsylvania, which is one of the states Democrats hope to gain senate seats in later this year, Fetterman’s tough and progressive brand of politics is a winning strategy, and one that Democrats across the country should adopt, moving forward.

Studies point to the fact that a significant portion of the population vote based on cultural identity rather than policy. If Democrats would adopt a more grounded attitude, they would be able to communicate their ideas

in a much more effective way and pull over more voters.

Of course, Progressives shouldn’t turn to candidates solely because they’re electible while abandoning their policies. This is a false trade-off, and Fetterman proves it with his agenda. Since Fetterman became Lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania, he championed Democratic policies like Marijuana legalization, LGBT rights and more liberal values like lifting up Unions, which have been abandoned by the party at-large. In 2016, and subsequently 2020, Fetterman vehemently supported Bernie Sanders for the presidential nomination.

Fetterman also rose to national prominence in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. As Pennsylvania’s Lieutenant Governor, Fetterman took a vocal and public stance against former President Trump’s “big lie.” Pennsylvania was one of the states that Trump claimed election fraud. In addition to repudiating stolen election claims in Pennsylvania, Fetterman took to the offensive against Texas’ Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who offered $1 million to evidence of voter fraud found in the state. “The only documented cases of voter fraud in Pennsylvania were these three cases, and my dude in

Texas owes Pennsylvania big bank!” said Fetterman.

“And the good news I can report from Pennsylvania is that President Trump received 100 percent of the dead mother vote here in our commonwealth during this last election.” Now, as Fetterman is likely to face off against Trump-endorsed candidate Dr. Oz, his experience fighting against the former president and his powerful cronies will be more important than ever.

Some key signs are showing that Democrats understand the weight of Fetterman’s victory. President Biden tweeted his support for Fetterman immediately once it became clear the primary was over, saying “Electing [John Fetterman] to the United States Senate would be a big step forward for Pennsylvania’s working people.” Additionally, Biden has been significantly more pro-union than past presidents, signaling a shift in focus towards working people across the country.

Moving forward, Democrats need to put their weight behind relatable candidates like Fetterman, in service H of implementing a progressive agenda. ■

In the wake of doomerism ideology, many are left wondering if it is too late for Mother Earth SOLUTIONS TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS ARE LACKING, AND PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO SAVE THE PLANET BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT.

SENNA OMAR Assistant Features Editor

Fifty-year-old Buddhist climate activist Wynn Bruce set himself on fire at the steps of the United States Supreme Court this past Earth Day as an act of protest against the ongoing climate crisis. As the Earth continues to warm and the climate crisis worsens, many activists have taken on a “doomer” mindset, believing that the Earth is too far gone for anything to change. People often avoid speaking about climate change to dodge awkward political conversations, while a man who set himself on fire as an act of protest received minimal media attention.

With the overwhelming aura of gray surrounding climate change, many are left wondering if it is, in fact, too late. The problem with activism surrounding climate change is that there is no leadership. Often at the spearhead of substantial social movements for change, there is an organization or a cluster of people pushing toward a common goal; however, there is a lack of a central purpose with the climate crisis. Every country has different years they plan on lowering carbon emissions by, or

swapping to renewable energy.

These plans are also the result of wishful thinking, with most governments failing to improve the situation in the slightest. Last year, global carbon emissions leaped immensely, and the presence of pollution in our atmosphere has lept to match those pre-COVID-19.

With climate change, awareness is the least of our concerns. We have all heard Greta Thunberg pleading for governments to take action. We watched Don’t Look Up and saw a very probable version of what the future may be. We saw NASA climate scientist Peter Kalmus chain himself to a Chase bank in hopes that anyone would listen.

Despite all of these demonstrations, everyone is acting normal because no one knows where to begin in solving the climate crisis.

In the wake of doomerism ideology, climate activists must rise in defense of the environment and the Earth. Doomerism robs the people of agency, an agency we so desperately need in order to create a cleaner future. Rather than channeling energy into a doomer mindset, climate activists need to channel their energy into a common goal and create policy around said

goal. The fight for Earth must begin with something, and until the people can determine what to fix and how to solve the problem, we will continue to sit burning in the fire together.

Wynn Bruce’s act of climate activism provided little media attention or effect to the overall cause. In Bruce’s honor, two memorials were held with many attendees speaking of his overwhelming “kindness and friendship.” The motivation behind his suicide was quickly swept under the rug and regarded as a “terrible curiosity” in the media.

Most people are not ready to give up on the planet just yet.

“People are still going to college, planning retirement, doing all the things as if the future will look just like the past when we know that’s not true.” In this diluted normalcy, people also fear that there might not be a tomorrow for their children to grow up to. In the media, we are often reminded of the burdening sense of urgency presented with the climate crisis and how, with every passing moment, the temperature rises, and Earth cries just a little H more. ■ COURTESY OF PEXELS

OPINIONS

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

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An income-based student loan forgiveness program is a great start to help Americans out of their student debt DAVID MORENO Contributing Writer

During the 2020 Presidential Campaign cycle, Joe Biden promised his supporters he would advocate for some form of student loan forgiveness. Biden has stuck to his same plan for the most part, saying that he would try to forgive loans under $10,000 for every borrower. Unlike the more progressive members within the Democratic Party who want to push for a more “universal” plan for loan forgiveness, President Biden doesn’t believe that loan forgiveness can be accomplished on such a large scale. Instead, his administration is trying to push an income based forgiveness plan, with the goal of helping those who need it the most. Some Americans believe that loan forgiveness for all would end up benefiting the rich more than the poor. This kind of mindset around loan forgiveness pushes the narrative that some borrowers deserve more help than others. Ultimately, this kind of thinking will only end up hurting all Americans in the long run – regardless of class standing.

This country has instilled the belief that you need a college

education in order to have a successful career. This ideology is especially prominent in lowincome communities, where a college degree can be a one-way ticket out of poverty. Yet, it was recently reported that there are one million fewer people currently enrolled in college now than before the pandemic started. It would seem that across the board, more Americans are reconsidering the effectiveness of a college degree.

For many, the price tag that comes along with pursuing a higher education oftentimes outweigh the benefits. Having a more universal plan for loan forgiveness could potentially ease this anxiety for many prospective students.

It is important to understand the demographic of Americans who currently hold the most student loan debt. Households with an income of over $74,000 hold roughly 60% of the total public student loan debt. Furthermore, households that earn $35,000 or less a year hold roughly 20% of the total public student loan debt. These numbers paint a very specific picture of the type of borrower who holds substantial student debt. A student who comes from a middle class family,

whose parents’ combined income disqualifies them from receiving grants. The middle class in this country is starting to become somewhat of a folktale. As the wealth disparity continues to grow in this country, the middle class is starting to become borderline nonexistent. It would be foolish to not attribute the growing burden of student loans to this economic dilemma.

The Biden Administration’s current proposal for allowing borrowers who make less than $125,000 per year to qualify for loan forgiveness sounds practical in theory. It would ensure that members in low-income households and those emerging from the middle class would receive some form of assistance. While a more universal loan forgiveness approach would ultimately benefit all Americans, an income base program is also beneficial. The Biden Administration needs to pass some form of student loan forgiveness sooner rather than later. The administration’s lack of action will cost them greatly, especially if Biden wishes to run H for reelection in 2024. ■

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION NEEDS TO START TAKING STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS MORE SERIOUSLY, AND THE AMERICAN PUBLIC MUST PUSH FOR THE ISSUE HARDER.

COURTESY OF PEXELS

LESSON PLANS IN A NUMBER OF STATES ARE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

The integration of AAPI history in education is vital to preventing future hate crimes KAYLA BATCHELOR Contributing Writer

COURTESY OF STEVEN SAING VIA FLICKR UNDER CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Asian American Pacific Islander month celebrates and represents the cultural significance that AAPI people bring to the United States, a diverse country. With the rapid increase in Asian hate crimes, however, politicians are utilizing the month of May to prompt necessary conversations regarding what will be done to respond to this change. President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law last year in an attempt to invoke harsher punishments for perpetrators. This year, lawmakers in Illinois, Connecticut and New Jersey are working to require AAPI-based classes in public school curriculums.

Implementing this education plan is one of the many crucial steps in preventing the ongoing cycle of AAPI hate. Furthermore, it assists in promoting the understanding of more significant efforts to help educate students across the country, particularly the controversial topic of implementing critical race theory in nationwide curriculums.

The 2020 New Jersey hate crime statistics skyrocketed when the pandemic first impacted the U.S. population. This trend was also seen in 2020 hate crime statistics in Connecticut and Illinois. National polls point to misinformation and racist rhetoric circulating against Asian people as a cause for this

sudden and violent change. In order to manage and prevent future hate crimes against AAPI people across the country, it makes sense to look at what is being taught in impressionable environments and to debunk any inaccurate depictions put forth by inaccurate sources.

This now poses the question of whether other states with high AAPI hate crime rates will follow suit given the nature of this legislative act. Many states are already working to ban CRT, which is an academic concept that explains how race is a social construct and racism originates from laws and policies.

While this proposed curriculum would specifically address AAPI people, opposing parties may argue that this would target staff and students who do not identify as AAPI. This is already seen on the list of opposing arguments against the implementation of CRT. The problem with this opposing argument is that representational education plans, such as CRT and AAPI-based classes, are necessary to teach students about the ongoing social issues that revolve around racial inequality in America. Students deserve to learn the true historical implications of whitewashed events, like the Vietnam War, or how Brown v. Board of Education altered the way public schools desegregated yet failed to integrate lessons on people of color. Additionally, racism is not

something that someone is inherently born with. The impressionable minds of students are susceptible to learning and retaining this problematic mindset that carries into adulthood.

California became the first state to require the completion of an ethnic studies course to earn a high school diploma, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing this into law last year. While it is too soon to determine whether these implementations have been successful given the slow progression, the primary goal is to develop an understanding of different people of color and the hate they each experience. Ultimately, these proposed policies seen across the country aren’t placed to promote hate and failure. They are being placed to ensure that people are set up for success regardless of race.

There are many different steps that need to be taken to ensure that Asians, Pacific Islanders and people of color are represented in a society that has shunned them for so long.

While the educational step is a small one, it leads to the possibility of implementing policies that leave room for improvement. For the time being, it is imperative to educate the public about how Asians and Pacific Islanders have left a significant imprint on American history and support their efforts to be heard through movements such as Stop H AAPI Hate. ■

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Features TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae

What you are looking for is closer than you think Success is imminent, though it may not be in the way you expect.

By: Ysabel Nakasone, Assistant Opinions Editor Aries (March 21-April 19): Knight of Wands

Leo (July 23-August 22): Eight of Swords

Sagittarius (November 22 December 21): The Empress

Aries, you are the kind of person who would jump off a bridge on a dare. You are impulsive and right now your restraint is being challenged as you are filled with energy and inspiration. You may not care if danger lies ahead because you seek these thrills. In fact, it might just work out this time, but it’ll be because the people who care about you are working behind the scenes to ensure your success. Remember that and be grateful to them.

You’ve been feeling victimized as of late as circumstances and relationships control your actions more than you do.

There’s no easy answer to this problem, though trying to gain perspective might be part of the answer. Look to those who have supported you and try to see what they see.

Maybe it’s time to walk away from the environments that are costing you dearly.

The Empress indicates the birth of new ideas in your life. It’s important that you understand where these new ideas stem from and why. You are the kind of person who needs to know you are doing things for the right reasons and these ideas popping up may be worrisome. Ultimately, you know the best path and you know the difference between right and wrong. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise and try to lead you away from your own moral compass.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Six of Swords You are engaging in complete resistance to change. Taurus, you are an all or nothing sort of person and you can’t compromise on this one. As you shift into the unknown, know that this decision really is your own.

You don’t have to give up the things that are important to you for the sake of a deal that you feel would be a farce. It’s not wrong or naive to accept nothing less than the best possible outcome.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Ace of Wands Gemini, you are charming beyond measure and it often gets you what you want. But this time, it’s your own self that needs convincing. An opportunity or a source of inspiration has made a sudden appearance, and you are looking for a sign that it’s the right move. This card can’t tell you that, but it can tell you that you know the answer already even if you haven’t admitted it to yourself yet.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): temperance You know how to protect yourself, Cancer, but you are very sensitive to betrayal and once something is done, you can’t just let it go. This card is a signal to start healing. Open yourself to that possibility even though it is a hard one.

This doesn’t mean you have to forget the harm done to you, you can’t. You don’t even have to forgive to move on. Just let yourself be open to the future and not only the past.

Virgo (August 23 September 22): The Hermit Virgo, you are a friendly person, but you need to work on being alone. Being alone doesn’t have to mean being lonely.

It’s time for you to do some soul-searching and determine who you are all on your own without others defining you. Looking inwards is the only way to gain the answers you seek because you are the only one who can fully understand your own situation.

This is one of those times where you are on your own and that’s okay.

Libra (September 23 October 22): Two of Cups

Capricorn (December 22 January 19): Nine of Pentacles You are smack dab in the middle of a hustle, Capricorn. You are being challenged emotionally, intellectually and physically.

These challenges are making your question whether or not you have what it takes, but that’s just doubt talking. It’s a voice you need to block out. You’ve been grinding and grinding in order to rise to the occasion, that you haven’t even fully realized the depth of the accomplishments you are accomplishing. Take a minute, breathe and acknowledge the work you are doing.

Aquarius (January 20 February 18): The Hanged Man

The Two of Cups tells you that you are entering a partnership, possibly a romantic one. you are feeling some mutual attraction even though you are unsure of how the other person is feeling. They’re inscrutable and you are frustrated. Just remember that this relationship is only just beginning and know that you can’t expect perfect communication and understanding right off the bat. You’ll meet eye to eye eventually.

You are in the process of letting go of an old burden. It was holding you back, but now you are surrendering to the better angels of your nature. This choice to take a moment and smell the roses is opening your eyes to opportunities that you would have otherwise missed. Let this be a lesson to you and remember to take care of yourself as you go forwards as it will lead you on an unexpected, yet desired journey.

Scorpio (October 23 November 21): Two of Swords

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): The Chariot

You’ve been presented with an unavoidable choice, an ultimatum. The blindfolded woman on the Two of Swords illustrates just how lost you are feeling.

Know that confusion is a natural process and you may even be missing important information that you need to come to the best possible conclusion. Learn everything you can about the conditions of each choice before you decide. Leave no stone unturned, Scorpio.

As romantic situations appear in your life, you are finally in a position to take control.

By applying dedication and honesty to these relationships, you’ll be able to root out what you are truly looking for and whether or not you’ve actually found it. Take action and live with the consequences. Living in a state of the unknown cannot serve you and you may find that you have simply wasted your time on someone who wasn’t H what you want or need. ■ ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESY OF FREEPIK

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

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ILLUSTRATIONS COURTESTY OF RAWPIXEL.COM VIA FREEPIK

SENIOR REFLECTIONS:

The Highlander senior staff look back on their experiences working on the newspaper.

Empowerment through writing - how the Highlander shaped my college experience FATEMA SHALABI Contributing Writer

Growing up, academics were a central part of my family and life. My parents weren’t born and raised in the United States, but after marrying young, they moved to California to chase a better future for their kids than the ones that they had available to them. Being influenced by the inability to complete their own education past high school, my parents were set on having each of their seven children graduate from college, no matter what it took.

Coming out of high school, I had never been more unsure of myself because I had no idea what the next four years of my life would have in store, which was a thought that terrified me. I entered UCR as an English major after being encouraged by my highschool English teacher who convinced me that I had the talent and skills required to do so. I’ve always loved writing, but I never thought about actually pursuing it either academically or professionally.

Just like I didn’t know that I’d graduate with a Bachelor’s in English, I had no idea that I would have the privilege of working with The Highlander.

Joining The Highlander during the first year of remote learning was a wonderful experience. In a time where many of us had our routines severely disrupted with no clear end of quarantine in sight, The Highlander gave me comfort. I had neither known nor met any of the staff before joining, but we still managed to meet on Zoom every week to develop a semblance of an office

environment and to keep this paper going. Though working at the newspaper throughout this period gave me a much-needed sense of comfort, the time that I spent with it following the return to campus was the most exciting.

I was suddenly experiencing a professional, yet casual, working environment made up of my peers, and I soon realized that this was the best first job that I could have ever dreamed of.

Being a part of The Highlander suddenly granted me a whole new world where I felt like I could be understood, one in which people could actually relate to and connect to my background. That is the power that comes from writing.

It grants us the ability to share our deepest thoughts, our deepest hopes, our deepest troubles and, most importantly, to find similarities and connections between them. In this way, becoming a part of The Highlander felt amazing. I now had the ability to properly reflect the perspectives of the student population at UCR. I wanted it to be known that they had a voice and that we were a paper exemplifying that voice. More specific to my own background, I also wanted to give a voice to other first-generation Muslim students at UCR, who have been denied representation for so long.

In more ways than I can imagine, The Highlander gave me the voice that I desperately sought. I was granted the unique opportunity to be a proper journalist where I could cover any topic that matters to me, from world issues to film reviews. As I prepare to leave behind my college life

FATEMA SHALABI / THE HIGHLANDER

and the newspaper, I know that I’ll forever look back at the time I shared with The Highlander with fondness and H warmth. ■

My time at The Highlander has been nothing short of transformative DAVID MORENO Contributing Writer

DAVID MORENO / THE HIGHLANDER

I started my journey with The Highlander during the 2021 winter quarter amidst the turmoil of the pandemic.

I found myself sitting alone in my on-campus apartment desperately needing a creative outlet. Writing for The Highlander during the pandemic allowed me to feel more connected with the UCR community. I was very fortunate to be able to join The Highlander team as the Assistant Opinions Editor this year. I was paired with the amazing Evelyn Homan who I know for a fact is going to make an excellent managing editor next year. During our time together as a team we managed to take the opinions section in an incredible direction. Being able to highlight the different opinions of students on campus was the best part of the job.

Throughout my time at The Highlander, I have learned so many valuable lessons. From formatting in AP style to being able to operate WordPress with my eyes closed.

I have gained so many new technical skills that I know are only going to help me moving forward. When I first started writing for The HIghlander I had long discarded the idea of working in journalism. But since then, I have fallen in love with the job all over again. If you ever came to a writers meeting this year (Mondays @ 5:15) you’ve probably heard me say how the opinions section is the

How do I understand my horoscope?

ALEXANDRIA LACHMAN Staff Writer

With the rise of social media, the use of astrology has increased rapidly and is used in a wide range of platforms including our own. For anyone who is interested in learning more about astrology and their horoscope, at first glance, it can be quite overwhelming. The terms alone can be confusing and with all the talk of moons and suns, it’s hard to identify what each term exactly means. The sun and moon offer different insights to your personality and life. When reading your monthly horoscope, it’s common to refer to movement of planet alignment that is currently moving through all the zodiac signs.

For instance, when your horoscope says your sun is in Cancer, a water sign symbolized by the crab, symbolizes empathy or wisdom for that month. Here are some basic definitions you might commonly see in your horoscope and their meaning.

Sun: self-esteem, confidence, sense of self and identity Moon: emotional compass of the zodiac, values, security and intuition Mercury: the messenger planet, research and communication Venus: the planet of love and influences passion, money and relationships H Mars: how you take action and your energy ■

best. Even though that statement may just be my honest opinion, I believe it to be true.

As the Assistant Opinions Editor, I had the pleasure of being able to work with an amazing team of contributing and staff writers. Each week I was completely blown away by sheer dedication that they brought to our section each issue. Having such a close connection with the students on campus has always been one of the best parts of working for the newspaper. Seeing how students react when we cover a story that directly affects them is always so fascinating. For decades now The Highlander has given students a platform to voice their opinions. Sometimes those opinions are met with immense backlash and that’s okay.

For me, being able to write for the opinions section allowed me to shine a spotlight on issues that directly affected students like me. From immigration to labor practices across the state of California, even sharing a little truth about political icons. Being able to work alongside such an amazing team of editors this year is something I’ll never forget. All those long nights in the office, the amazing discussions we shared during editorial meetings.

Working for The Highlander has truly been one of the best parts of my senior year. The only regret I can say I have is not getting involved with the Highlander earlier in my H college career. ■

A beginner’s guide to understanding your horoscope

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Radar TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/ae

‘Harry’s House’ is a soothing and enlightening experience

THE ENGLISH SINGER ONCE AGAIN SHINES IN THE MUSIC WORLD WITH HIS MOST INTIMATE AND SINCERE ALBUM RELEASE TO DATE.

BRENDA JOVEL Radar Editor

The name “Harry Styles” can instantly cause anyone to scream in excitement. Styles released a teaser for his third album earlier this year that was quickly followed by the release of his single, “As It Was.” As anticipated, the teaser made fans around the world antsy for “Harry’s House.”

The most well-known track, “As It Was” can first be seen as an upbeat tune with ‘80s vibes, yet the lyrics reveal Styles’ struggle with loneliness.

“The song is about metamorphosis, embracing change and former self, perspective shift and all that kind of stuff,” Styles stated in an interview.

The lyrics can make many wonder about their time spent in lockdown and how the pandemic inevitably changed people from social butterflies into introverted characters. Even if we are transitioning back into our “normal” lives, the song serves as a reminder that everyone changed because of lockdown. “As It Was” shows how people have become more self-reflective and aware of the little things that can make us smile every day.

Kicking off the album, “Music For a Sushi Restaurant” feels vibrant and smooth as Styles compares making sushi to creating a relationship.

It’s a fun way of comparing two different things, but it shows how tedious it can be when desiring a new connection. The desire to be with someone transitions well into the next track in “Harry’s House.”

Possibly one of the most favored songs in the album, “Late Night Talking” is about someone trying everything they can to adorn their partner

with love and affection. Underneath the rhythmic tune is a message that uncovers the most vulnerable parts of a relationship and rekindles the fondness that links couples together. Similarly, Styles reflects on his mistakes in a past relationship in “Little Freak.” With mentions of delightful experiences like jumping on a trampoline or playing golf, the song quickly turns into a self-reflection of losing a partner who deserved better.

Continuing with the somber tones, “Matilda” leaves a bittersweet feeling. “You can throw a party full of everyone you know / And not invite your family, ‘cause they never showed you love / You don’t have to be sorry for leaving and growing up” are just a few of the lyrics that comfort fans in being okay with letting go of situations that they don’t have control over. It defines the richness of growing up into a person who is still able to achieve a fulfilling life after suffering hardships.

“Boyfriends” is a slow track that many may relate to the most. “Boyfriends, they think you’re so easy / They take you for granted / They don’t know, they’re just misunderstanding” is the first verse that welcomes fans into the reality of toxic relationships. Its honest message reveals the difficulty in letting go of someone and how relationships like these can affect a person’s entire world. Rather than taking it negatively, fans can view the song as a reminder that mistakes happen, and a cycle of repetitive forgiveness towards someone who does not deserve you can be broken.

In an exclusive interview with Better Homes & Gardens, Styles revealed that the birth of “Harry’s House” arose from the pandemic that halted his musical plans. He revealed that staying at home

made him think about what the idea of home meant, both in a physical and mental space. “I realized that that home feeling isn’t something that you get from a house; it’s more of an internal thing. You realize that when you stop for a minute.”

The meaning of home takes on a very intimate meaning in this album. The various mentions of breakfast foods and recollections of relationships highlight Styles’ journey toward mental health and being satisfied with the present moment one is living. He ponders about past experiences and translates them into smooth and funky tunes that H are hard to forget. ■

COURTESY OF COLUMBIA RECORDS

Verdict:

“Harry’s House” is the most self-reflective and pleasurable album that the English singer has released. Its somber and jazz-filled tunes allow fans to understand the most intimate parts of Harry Styles’ life that also manage to reflect our own experiences. Altogether, “Harry’s House” feels like a groovy yet heartfelt musical experience that will keep fans entertained for hours.

‘Turn Up the Sunshine’ might be your next summer anthem JAELYN GONZALEZ Assistant Radar Editor

A perfect blend of funk and pop is delivered

by Diana Ross and Tame Impala on “Turn Up the Sunshine.” The ’70s-inspired sound is conveyed perfectly with groovy brass and bass.

The retro sound provoked listeners to become further intrigued by “The Minions” soundtrack.

On May 19th, the new single gave audiences the slightest flavor of the upcoming “Minions: The Rise of Gru” soundtrack.

Earlier this month, the marketing rollout for the soundtrack left many tweeting in shock.

Unforeseen artists, from Phoebe Bridgers to Brockhampton, appeared in the lists of appearances on the tracklist. While the fulllength soundtrack is set to be released in July, Ross and Tame Impala, Kevin Parker, set the soundtrack up to high standards for their unique sound.

The song begins with funky brass playing minor melodies. Ross’ vocals quickly sweep the song into a fun cadence. The chorus is carried by layered vocals by Ross. “Turn up the sunshine” is a repeated phrase by Ross. Parker’s

THE UNEXPECTED COLLABORATION BETWEEN DIANA ROSS AND TAME IMPALA HEIGHTENS FURTHER ANTICIPATION FOR THE FULL-LENGTH ‘MINIONS’ SOUNDTRACK.

influence is also heard throughout the song with guitars and synths highlighting the track.

The use of strings on the track is reminiscent of Jack Antonoff’s production style. Towards the end of the track, the string orchestra and vocal harmonies fulfill a grand closing to the song.

The track’s dynamics are nostalgic yet hip.

Ross proves that she’s still got it, supported by reaching high registers and briefly rapping.

The ‘70s influences are evident and perfect to bring back summer soul. The major key melodies set the mood for the summer, creating an atmosphere everyone of all ages can enjoy.

As the contenders for song of the summer are minimal, “Turn Up The Sunshine” is leading the way for a season full of good vibrations.

As the style for the remainder of the album is still unknown, Ross and Parker establish a groovy tone for the rest of the tracklist to follow.

The final result will be settled later this summer.

With an unpredictable collaboration between Ross and Parker, the track is undoubtedly a song H worth adding to your June playlist. ■

COURTESY OF DECCA RECORDS

Verdict:

Diana Ross and Tame Impala capture the imagery of summer in the ’70s perfectly in “Turn Up The Summer.” The track instrumentation and composition are effortless, yet bold and prepares for the release of “Minions: The Rise of Gru” soundtrack that should unquestionably be on your radar.

Sports

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2021

11

Highlander Rewind: UCR Athletics made major improvements in all areas of sports THE 2021-2022 SEASON HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SPORTS SEASONS IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

After a turbulent season last school year, UC Riverside looked to get back into the swing of things after the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students and fans were able to attend sporting events once again and there was renewed life in UCR Athletics.

Although there were canceled games due to COVID-19 and injuries to players, significant improvements were made in almost all UC Riverside sports teams.

UC Riverside basketball took a massive leap last year with the addition of Head Coach Mike Magpayo for the men’s basketball team, Head Coach Nicole Powell for the women’s basketball team, and new athletic director Wesley Mallette. The men’s basketball team became the surprise of the year and finished in the semifinal round of the 2021 Big West Conference Tournament. This season, the men’s basketball team continued their success from last season. They defeated two number one seed opponents in the Big West Conference at the time, which were Cal State Fullerton and the University of Hawaii. After a lackluster 7-12 last season, the women’s basketball team saw major improvements in their players and finished with a 14-11 record, which placed them fourth in the Big West Conference standings. In the Big West Conference tournament, they defeated UC Santa Barbara to advance to the semi-finals against the number one seeded University of Hawaii. Although they lost to the eventual Big West Conference champions, they went toe-to-toe against Hawaii and battled hard till the end. Both men’s and women’s basketball teams now have championship aspirations for next season, and hope to further develop their players and add key transfer players.

The biggest turnaround this year undoubtedly goes to the UC Riverside softball team. Last season, the team finished with a 7-26 record, hitting only 12 total home runs as a team and bringing in 90 total runs.

This season, the team finished with a 25-24 record, accumulating 27 total home runs and bringing in a whopping 240 runs. A major

improvement would be an understatement for this Highlander softball team as they had drastic improvement all across the board.

Their batting stats have doubled or tripled in almost every single category. The softball team also tied a school record with 16 runs scored in a single game. They managed to accomplish this feat twice this season. Not only did their batting improve, but their pitching also went on a whole nother level.

Both starting pitchers Chrys Hildebrand and Katie Barbarick have lowered their ERA and WHIP by a significant amount while also doubling their amount of strikeouts from the previous season. As a result, seven Highlanders were rewarded with All-Big West Conference Honors this season. With the significant improvement of the softball team, they will be looking to carry their momentum into next season.

Women’s track and field broke all kinds of school records this season. Big West Freshman of the Year Linda Perez broke the UC Riverside school record in the 10k multiple times this season. In the Big West Conference championships, she won the 10k in an impressive 35 minutes and 23 seconds.

She also finished as the runner-up in the 5k championship as she clocked in a time of 16 minutes and 45 seconds. Her stellar performance gave her a nod to qualify for the NCAA West Preliminaries, for which she was one of only three Highlanders to earn that honor. Six other Highlanders also earned Big West Conference nods for their performances this season, in which many of them finished in the top three or top five for their respective races.

With all these significant improvements in UCR Athletics, there is much hope and excitement to look forward to. Although the UCR Athletic Referendum did not pass, the recent success of the sports teams at UC Riverside should shine some light on how hard these student-athletes and coaching staff are working. Next year, UC Riverside will have its eyes on the Big West Conference Championship and hopefully bring a H championship back to the Inland Empire. ■

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

COURTESY OF PEXELS

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

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TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2022

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The Highlander

Be Relaxed.

Do you have an interest in writing, photography, design or marketing? The Highlaner can help you polish your skills. Reach out to a staff member via email to learn more.

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