Volume 72, Issue 11

The Highlander

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

For the week of Tuesday, January 9, 2024

VOL. 72, ISSUE 11

SPORTS

STUDIES SHOW THAT MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION AFFECTS NCAA RECRUITMENTS.

‘Everyone does it’ - Kevin Durant

OPINIONS

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CALIFORNIA’S NEW LAW IS A MASSIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR FORMER INMATES TO REINTEGRATE PROPERLY INTO SOCIETY.

Undoing archaic “tough on crime” laws that restrict access to housing for those with a criminal record is beneficial for societal welfare AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

On Dec. 12, 2023, the Journal of Sports Economics published a study detailing the consequences of Marijuana legalization on recruiting outcomes in NCAA D1 sports. Looking at recruitment data from 2003 to 2019, the study found that Cannabis legalization is an “important but complex driver of college sports recruiting.”

Presenting “unexpected consequences of marijuana legalization,” the study concluded that “legalization appears to improve basketball recruiting outcomes for in-state colleges but hurts recruiting outcomes for football programs … reveal[ing] a channel through which marijuana laws could impact post-secondary education.”

The study uses recruitment data from Rivals. com, a highly trusted sports ranking site, and a difference-in-difference data model to present these findings regarding marijuana legalization on collegiate athletics. Since Rivals.com only displays the recruiting ranking for the top 25 teams in a year, the researchers utilized the

“Rivals 250 Bonus Scale” to determine the recruitment rankings of the remaining teams. In their analysis, researchers analyzed the 126 teams over 17 basketball seasons, participating in the “ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, SEC, Mountain West, MAC, CUSA and American” basketball conferences. For college football recruiting outcomes, researchers also utilized data from Rivals.com, examining 113 college football teams over the 17-year study duration.

As indicated by the research model, recreational marijuana legalization “adversely affects football recruiting outcomes.” Collegiate football programs in states with legalized recreational cannabis use rank 2.9 slots worse than institutions where cannabis is not legal.

Researchers concluded that this was significant data, indicating a magnitude of ten percent, and “in absolute terms, the magnitude for Legal is roughly equivalent to 1.7 additional BCS bowls in the past five years or about 51% as strong

Regarding accessible housing, most citizens have only been concerned with affordability. But for many former prisoners they have had to endure a never-ending nightmare in which their old conviction affects their ability to find a place to stay. A previous conviction makes it extremely difficult and less likely a landlord would approve a tenant into their building.

Even worse, some local regulations specifically prevent landlords from providing housing to former prisoners.

Luckily, a new law in California starting this year overrides those local rules. Assembly Bill 1418 overturns city laws prohibiting landlords from permitting housing licenses to those with a criminal record. Since housing is not legally a fundamental right, it should, at the very least, be universally

regarded as a fundamental commodity.

If an individual can afford housing, under no circumstances should the government actively intrude on that person’s ability to find a place to stay.

Crime-free housing policies are ineffective at reducing crime in an area, which is the intention behind these “tough on crime” laws. Of the 104 cities in California with crime-free housing regulations, none of the cities “achieve[d] their intended objective of preventing or reducing crime.” The only thing these policies result in is a “significant increase in evictions,” and an increase in evictions leads to more instability in a convicted person’s life.

Without housing, an individual is less likely to maintain or even find a job. It becomes difficult to establish a social network. An inability to find ► SEE HOUSING PAGE 7

► SEE MARIJUANA PAGE 16

NEWS

INTERVIEW WITH TFA RECRUITMENT DIRECTOR AND UCR ALUM.

Teach for America: an education nonprofit MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

Teach for America (TFA) is a nonprofit organization which recruits fellows and potential teachers to be trained and have them work in communities in need of better education.

According to their website, TFA’s mission is to “find, develop and support equity-oriented leaders — individually and in teams — so they can transform education and expand opportunity with children, starting in the classroom.”

Quincy Bloem, a recruitment director who works with students at UCR, the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Los Angeles explains that her main focus is to “build relationships with students and professors on campus to bring them information about Teach for America [for those] who may be interested.” To garner this interest, she “host(s) things like equity talks” which are virtual events with “vast” topics, participating in career fairs and doing classroom presentations.

Bloem explains that one of the reasons that

the organization exists is because “it’s clear the U.S. education system is built on racism and classism. We know that not all of our students have access to an excellent education, and not all of our students have access to the same opportunities for success as others. So what we are really working towards is achieving education equity, because obviously all of our kids deserve access to both of those things.”

To combat this aforementioned inequity and work towards the goal of education equity, Bloem elaborated that “we have our short term strategy, the Ignite Fellowship [which] is for folks who are currently enrolled in an undergrad or graduate school program. It is paid part-time and virtual tutoring. Before you start working with your students, you receive training for Teach for America. Then you transition into working with your small group of students, and you’re paired with a veteran teacher so that that individual can continue to support you in your growth as ► SEE TFA PAGE 4

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NEWS

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2023

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Professor Spotlight: UCR Professor is awarded the 2023 National Medal of Science UCR’S DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, BARRY BARISH, WINS THE 2023 NATIONAL MEDAL OF SCIENCE FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF PHYSICS BY DETECTING THE EXISTENCE OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES.

ALEXANDRA CELIS ARCENAS Contributing Writer

Barry Barish was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1936.

However, he grew up in the LA area and excelled in the public education system. He earned his undergraduate degree and Ph.D in physics at the University of California, Berkeley. After obtaining his doctorate, he spent a year as a postdoctoral at Berkeley before starting his career at the California Institute of Technology. Currently, he is teaching part time at Stony Brook University and UC Riverside as well as participating in research at Caltech.

Professor Barish began his role at Riverside in 2018, after winning the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his observations of gravitational waves which contributed to Einstein’s general theory of relativity. In an exclusive interview with the Highlander News, he states that the LIGO Lab’s research, which he received the Nobel for, “was much too consuming to teach;” therefore, he became full time research faculty. He did “miss teaching and being part of the academic faculty.” So, when UCR offered him a part time teaching position for the Department of Physics, he mentioned “it was kind of perfect because I could teach there. It’s a very different kind of school and a very different kind of study body … and I am a big believer in public education and how important it is.”

Professor Barish was attracted to Riverside because of the diversity of the student body. He states that he understands that many of the students at UCR are first generation, and as a first generation student himself, he finds the UCR community “appealing” and has “thoroughly enjoyed” his role here.

Barish hopes to develop certain areas of the Physics Department to leave a “long-term legacy” on the student body and the department itself. He states that he has been “quite active” though he may not be on campus in person.

He explains that “we’ve been meeting and we’re trying very hard to build up an area of physics where we’re hiring new faculty. I am kind of leading that effort.”

Professor Barish is not only a Nobel Prize winner, but also the recipient of the 2023 National Medal of Science which was bestowed upon him by President Joe Biden

IMAGES COURTESY OF UCR

at the White House during a formal ceremony. He shares his experience of entering the White House, saying that “everywhere you turn there is a statue, or painting, or even, furniture that represents the history of the U.S.” He then goes on to mention that President Biden was “very generous with his time” to fully recognize him, and the other laureates, on their accomplishment and dedication to

American science.

After the formal ceremony, he and his family were able to speak individually with the President. He commends the President for spending time with them “especially considering what’s going on in the world right now. It was pretty amazing that he would take the time to do that.”

According to the National Science Foundation, the medals are to celebrate and recognize advancements of sciences that were in service to the Nation. Specifically stating that “The president presents the medals to recipients at an annual awards ceremony at the White House. Although

up to 20 awards may be given in a single year, the president typically bestows eight to 12 awards annually.” While this may be the case, the last time that the National Medal of Science was awarded was 2014.

Recounting his emotions when receiving the award, Barish reflects that “everything is overshadowed by getting a Nobel Prize.” However, he explains that there is a different sense of accomplishment and attachment that comes from being awarded the National Medal of Science.

As someone who has benefitted from the public school system through his younger years and has been “supported by the Department of Energy and National Science Foundation and served on the board of the National Science Foundation,” he comments “I am very active and very involved and very committed even though I work internationally for the U.S. program.” So, “getting an award for my contributions to American science, that’s different but very special.”

When reflecting on the feelings he experiences after receiving different kinds of awards, he answers that the satisfaction comes from the science itself. He explains “awards are very individual,” but the research the awards signify are “very important developments in physics.”

He does explain the importance of such awards: “it puts a spotlight on science for the general public.” He states that accepting these awards “gives me responsibility that I didn’t have before.”

Using global warming as an example because it is a “real true issue,” Professor Barish states “I have more of a responsibility to tell politicians and the public important issues that involve science … I have nothing original to say about [global warming], but having the prestige of the National Medal of Science, I have more impact.” Therefore he sees the National Medal of Science as the “highest honor, you can have as an American scientist.” ■ H

4 TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

NEWS

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Teach for America: an education nonprofit INTERVIEW WITH TFA RECRUITMENT DIRECTOR AND UCR ALUM. MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

Teach for America (TFA) is a nonprofit organization which recruits fellows and potential teachers to be trained and have them work in communities in need of better education. According to their website, TFA’s mission is to “find, develop and support equity-oriented leaders — individually and in teams — so they can transform education and expand opportunity with children, starting in the classroom.”

Quincy Bloem, a recruitment director who works with students at UCR, the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Los Angeles explains that her main focus is to “build relationships with students and professors on campus to bring them information about Teach for America [for those] who may be interested.” To garner this interest, she “host(s) things like equity talks” which are virtual events with “vast” topics, participating in career fairs and doing classroom presentations.

Bloem explains that one of the reasons that the organization exists is because “it’s clear the U.S. education system is built on racism and classism. We know that not all of our students have access to an excellent education, and not all of our students have access to the same opportunities for success as others. So what we are really working towards is achieving education equity, because obviously all of our kids deserve access to both of those things.”

To combat this aforementioned inequity and work towards the goal of education equity, Bloem elaborated that “we have our short term strategy, the Ignite Fellowship [which] is for folks who are currently enrolled in an undergrad or graduate school program. It is paid part-time and virtual tutoring. Before you start working with your students, you receive training for Teach for America. Then you transition into working with your

small group of students, and you’re paired with a veteran teacher so that that individual can continue to support you in your growth as a tutor so you can best support your students.

“Our next program that is part of that short term strategy of achieving education equity is our Core Program. This is for folks who are in their final year of either their undergrad or graduate school program. It is a two year commitment with Teach For America during which you are a full time fully salaried educator in the classroom. Again, you receive training the summer before you enter into your classroom. You go through a paid training run by Teach For America where you’re developing best teaching practices, you have the opportunity to implement those skills because you’re teaching a small summer school class. You’re also getting to know other teachers with TFA and you’re doing a lot of identity work. Over the course of your two years, you’ve really committed this time to working towards being the best teacher you can be for your kids.”

Data that Bloem compiled revealed that TFA has 127 UCR core member alumni. She remarks that based on the data that “out of those 127 Riverside and [TFA] alumni, 38 stayed in LA and 89 went elsewhere [for their regional placement service]” and within the Inland Empire itself, “at least nine of them are still working in schools.”

Bloem continues, “One of our main goals is to really bring folks into the core who share experiences with our students, who share identity markers with our students, and so on. So what we see is a lot of the students that we work with are students of color and from low income backgrounds. As of now 48% of our current core members identify as people of color … and 59% of our board members come from low income backgrounds.

“These are our students [who] are living [in] communities that have been historically silenced and have not received the resources that they deserve. The funding that they deserve. And so having teachers with similar backgrounds and experiences, who have the ability to really connect on this particular level is super important.”

Francisco Flores, a UCR-TFA alumni, reflects on his journey through UCR and TFA, “I had several majors during my time at UCR, but graduated with an education major. What bolstered my interest for TFA was my passion for teaching. TFA looked like a really good program that was looking to change lives in communities I wanted to serve that started right after college, which was best for me, since I found I like to keep busy.”

Currently an Algebra II teacher in his first year in the TFA Corps, Flores considers that “teaching is a rollercoaster. You are gonna experience a lot of ups and downs throughout the day and throughout different days. After having one of the best days of your life one day, the very next could be one of the hardest you’ve had as a teacher. I do intend to continue teaching after obtaining my teaching credentials. I’ve found that teaching, although hard work, is a very fulfilling job. There’s nothing like contributing to the success of the kids of the next generation.”

Considering plans for the future, Flores states that “I plan to stay in the area I’m teaching for another couple of years. The students I am currently teaching have had first-year teachers in math all of their high school career, so I want to ensure that future grades at the school I’m H teaching can receive a better experience.”■

COURTESY OF PEXELS

Opinions

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

5

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

With nursing students blocked from public education, Californians face an exacerbated nursing shortage

POST-PANDEMIC, THE CHALLENGES NURSES FACE ARE EVEN GREATER, WITH NO ONE EQUIPPED TO MEET THEM.

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.

Entering the nursing field has grown increasingly difficult in recent years, with barriers to entry that have little or nothing to do with actual qualifications or dedication.

A serious gap has become obvious in nursing education, as there are not enough programs for students. With California needing nurses and an increasing number of students and aspiring nurses forced to turn to expensive, and therefore less accessible, private education, the need to grow nursing education has never been more obvious. More federal funding needs to be allocated to this expansion if public universities are going to be able to keep up with demand as private programs have done.

The limitations of nursing programs can be attributed to many factors, including low pay for instructors and the pandemic.

On average, the annual salary of a college nursing instructor is $104,000, which is nearly $30,000 less than the annual salary of a registered nurse. There is no financial incentive to leave working in a hospital for a college campus. Universities can also have more requirements to teach that further limit the amount of qualified candidates for teaching. At Cal State Fullerton, teaching applicants must have a doctoral degree in a nursing-related field.

To make matters worse, the pandemic caused the closure of clinical sites throughout California in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. While this action was necessary to protect the safety and health of students and patients, it is to the detriment of students today. Hospitals were forced to keep nursing students out, creating challenges in meeting the California Board of

Registered Nursing’s clinical experience requirements.

Furthermore, while COVID-19 drove demand for more nurses, the state’s increase in inhabitants with health insurance also facilitated demand for healthcare staff across the board.

Those who wish to become nurses are turning toward expensive private programs, which cost around $130,000, compared to UC and CSU programs which land around $39,000. Many students consider this price worth it as they can obtain their degree and practical training in a timely manner. These students also find high-paying nursing jobs more accessible, making student loans more realistically affordable. West Coast University Dean of Nursing Katie Kay has asserted that their graduates are, on average, earning jobs with an annual salary of $100,000.

While this option provides an alternative, it is not a desirable one. Students should not be forced to take out massive loans to gain an education that should not be this unreasonably exclusive, regardless of a low risk of default.

Nurses are already under enormous pressure with understaffing, long hours and unreasonable demands. These facets are driving qualified and skilled nurses from the field at a time when they are desperately needed. The last thing medical professionals and patients need is a shortage of education programs that will facilitate the possibility of solving these issues. None of the challenges that nurses face can be addressed without more nurses. The answer is, unsurprisingly, more money. In 2023, Riverside City College and UC Davis received federal funding from the U.S. Department of

Labor to expand their nursing programs.

UC Irvine, with a $40 million donation, will be able to effectively double their enrollment by 2033. These increases in funding are what will protect the survival of public nursing programs. Without the resources and financial support received by private universities, public universities are destined to fail.

UC Riverside does not offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and the Health Professions Advising Center recommends that students apply directly to a university with a nursing program. This gap is costing UCR students as transferring to a nursing program is not advisable. UCR is just one of many universities that do not offer a much needed education program, a failure they should actively seek to remedy.

In May 2023, California Rep. Adam Schiff, along with several other democrats, introduced the Support Faculty and Expand Access to Nursing School Act to provide federal grants to nursing schools for the hiring of more faculty that would also allow universities to provide more competitive salaries. In support of the Bill, Schiff stated, “If we can’t train people to enter the profession, then as more and more retire, and a lot of our nursing workforce is aging out, we’re not going to have new nurses to take their place.”

This now qualifies as a crisis in California. Data from Sept. 2023 shows a decrease of 40,000 nurses fewer than needed with the possibility of that number increasing to 193,000 by 2030. This is a slippery slope that, without decisive action, will cost Californians a lot more than just money. ■ H

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

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California Pizza Hut’s layoffs ahead of wage hikes are a warning sign LEILANI ACOSTA Contributing Writer

Businesses are forced to “Ketchup” with wage hikes.

Assembly Bill 1228 enforces a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers, an increase of $4.50 from previous wages, effective April 1. Every worker deserves a fair wage to live and thrive, and this bill addresses that. However, it is imperative to note the major drawbacks of A.B. 1228’s implementation. The main concern is that this bill will give big corporations, like Pizza Hut, an excuse to cut costs in ways that will hurt hard-working employees.

The minimum wage in California has been cited as increasing steadily over the past decade, with inflation growing alongside it. As product prices increase, it is important to recognize the negative impact this will have on low-income families. If wages are stagnant while inflation increases, these families won’t be able to afford to live in California. There is little doubt that this increase in the minimum wage is clearly need-

ed to help struggling individuals survive and thrive in an inflated environment.

Though the increase of $4.50 for minimum wage might stimulate the economy, government officials must remember that business owners are encouraged to transfer the cost of higher wages. It is concerning because of the choices this legislation will encourage business owners to make.

While some may take time to implement methods that benefit the best of their company and employees, others may prioritize the company’s health and decide based on what will raise its profit over its workers.

A.B. 1228 affects more than fast-food employees.

Managers of fast-food corporations are allowed to make up for the costs of increased employee wages. In response to this new bill, Pizza Hut plans to lay off around 1,100 delivery drivers. Delivery drivers

have been disadvantaged compared to the rest of the food-delivery market with the popularity of Uber Eats and DoorDash. The layoffs were a quick and easy way for Pizza Hut to react versus trying to come up with a more comprehensive solution. These layoffs are caused by a change in demand for the drivers’ services.

Other options for fastfood chains to meet minimum wage requirements include mobile-order selfservice, scheduling fewer employees during slow hours, more scheduled employees during peak hours and loyalty rewards programs. Implementing a mobile-order service option will allow consumers to input their orders without stepping foot inside the restaurant. Additionally, this will eradicate human error between the cashier and consumer, getting food out much quicker. Having more organized scheduling for

employees will reduce costs of labor assuming employees are paid hourly. This way, the corporation can allocate its resources and employees efficiently without wasting money scheduling too many at one time.

Implementing a loyalty program will also combat high wages by increasing consumer sales and demand.

Many fast food chains have reward programs where if someone spends a certain amount of money, he or she will receive a free dessert or meal.

California’s A.B. 1228 clearly has good intentions for California’s economy and population. Nonetheless, this prime example of government intervention has drawbacks and almost encourages business owners to combat it through layoffs or other methods.

This represents the very real possibility that more businesses will employ this tactic using the wage hike as cover. ■ H

IMAGE COURTESY OF PEXELS

California plans to reuse sewage water in Southern California by 2028 ASHLEY CARRANZA Contributing Writer

California needs to implement new regulations that will expand water access.

The California State of Water Resources Control Board is set to adopt regulations allowing sewage water to be treated and transformed into pure drinking water and delivered directly to people’s taps. The regulations will enable water suppliers to recycle the water flowing in underground drains in an advanced purification process.

Researchers believe reusing sewage water will make local communities more resilient

IMAGE COURTESY OF FREEPIK

to growing climate change because water supply will be more sustainably produced.

As a state plagued by droughts, California must adopt this new environmental measure because the negative side effects of droughts, such as public health and safety impacts, are too dangerous.

According to a 2022 California State Auditor, California water systems are rated as “failing to serve nearly one million people.”

Current water treatment plants and projects demonstrate that there is a lot of room for these new regulations to improve California’s water situation. For example, Carson — a desert city in Southern California — runs a successful water recycling and purification project through the Metropolitan Water District. The Carson water treatment plant has not only advanced water purification technology, but has helped repurpose sewage water in dry areas and rural parts of California. When the sewage-totap water purification process is completed in this new regulation, it can further improve California’s water systems statewide and ensure more Californians have access to safe drinking water.

California residents’ comfort in being willing to drink the highly treated water will depend on its safety and overall health issues.

The advanced purification the sewage water will go through will be more than enough to pass as drinking water. The water produced will be high-quality water and safe to consume.

Heather Cooley, director of research at the Pacific

Institute, states that “sewage undergoes an extremely sophisticated treatment process, and scientific research has shown that the highly purified water is safe to drink.” With this in mind, California residents will feel safe and protected knowing that the state has undergone thorough research and years of labor to ensure the water is safe to drink.

Furthermore, California residents can feel more comfortable drinking purified water by researching many of the provided articles online that can break down the process of technology producing clean water.

The uncertainty of drinking recycled water comes from the term “toilet to tap.” Still, Heather Cooley, director of research at the Pacific Institute, a water think tank in Oakland, and other water experts say it’s inaccurate to call it this. The process of purification is advanced and goes through multiple steps of treatment. One of the steps that sewage water is processed through is called UV Disinfection. The UV radiation mops up any contaminants or pathogens that may be in the water.

Using sewage water will be essential to addressing California’s susceptibility to droughts. Adopting these new methods does sound unappealing initially, but after many rounds of treatment and UV Disinfection, using sewage water can be a dependable source for California’s water supply. ■ H

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OPINIONS

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

7

Undoing archaic “tough on crime” laws that restrict access to housing for those with a criminal record is beneficial for societal welfare AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

CALIFORNIA’S NEW LAW PERMITTING LANDLORDS TO RENT TO TENANTS ACROSS THE STATE DESPITE A FORMER CRIMINAL CONVICTION IS A MASSIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR FORMER INMATES TO REINTEGRATE PROPERLY INTO SOCIETY. Regarding accessible housing, most citizens have only been concerned with affordability. But for many former prisoners they have had to endure a never-ending nightmare in which their old conviction affects their ability to find a place to stay. A previous conviction makes it extremely difficult and less likely a landlord would approve a tenant into their building. Even worse, some local regulations specifically prevent landlords from providing housing to former prisoners. Luckily, a new law in California starting this year overrides those local rules. Assembly Bill 1418 overturns city laws prohibiting landlords from permitting housing licenses to those with a criminal record. Since housing is not legally a fundamental right, it should, at the very least, be universally regarded as a fundamental commodity. If an individual can afford housing, under no circumstances should the government actively intrude on that person’s ability to find a place to stay.

Crime-free housing policies are ineffective at reducing crime in an area, which is the intention behind these “tough on crime” laws. Of the 104 cities in California with crime-free housing regulations, none of the cities “achieve[d] their intended objective of preventing or reducing crime.” The only thing these policies result in is a “significant increase in evictions,” and an increase in evictions leads to more instability in a convicted person’s life.

Without housing, an individual is less likely to maintain or even find a job. It becomes difficult to establish a social network. An inability to find housing, inability to find a job and increased

“poor people are much more likely than wealthier people to commit street crime.”

If the goal is to lower crime rates in a city, then it is imperative to remove regulations that cause groups of people to fall into

isolation can have negative ramifications for local communities. Without the necessary resources an individual needs, there is an increased chance of recidivism.

Empirical evidence has confirmed that

endless loops of poverty.

Accessibility to housing lowers the burden a former prisoner has to deal with when reintegrating into society. Former prisoners such as Michael Griggs have

elaborated on this point. On his path to rehabilitation, Griggs took college classes and currently aspires to obtain a master’s degree. When he was searching for a place to stay, he could only find an apartment roughly ten miles away from campus. Griggs was deeply frustrated with the scarcity of options for housing and asked how it could be remotely possible to “move forward with [his] life without having the first fundamental thing, which is housing, a safe place to live.” Griggs and many other former inmates are already behind in becoming productive members of society. Lifting those restrictions on housing gives them new hope for rehabilitation and a future.

Undoing ‘tough on crime’ housing policies does not reward illegal activity.

Illegal activities are already punished through jail sentences, community service and hefty fines. Punishments should begin and end in a courtroom, not the court of public opinion. The point of ending those housing policies is to give former prisoners a stable pathway to a peaceful and meaningful life. Closing doors on abilities to find shelter for anyone does nothing but create more harm. California will be on the right side of history with the implementation of A.B. 1418, and many other states should follow suit.

Everybody deserves a chance to chase after a fulfilling life. For countless people, that fulfilling life involves a stable place to stay. ■ H

R’Perspective: Reading Grandma’s cards won’t be as difficult for Generation Alpha CECILE DIROLL Assistant Opinions Editor

A NEW CALIFORNIA BILL WILL REINTRODUCE CURSIVE INSTRUCTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS. My grandmother sends me a “Happy Birthday” card with the typical wellwishes and a $20 tucked inside every year. As a child, I remember squinting in confusion and re-reading her loopy handwriting to understand her message.

Eventually, I would hand the card to my parents and ask them to “translate” her old-school handwriting. Similarly, in middle school, my teacher would hold a “cursive competition” in which my classmates and I were required to write a passage from a book in cursive under a time limit. In the end, we would vote for who had the best and worst cursive handwriting. Despite the game’s ridiculousness, it wasn’t surprising when my handwriting was chosen as the worst since I was only taught to print.

However, I’m not the only one in my generation unfamiliar with reading and writing in cursive. In 2010, Common Core — a new educational model outlining academic standards for K-12 mathematics and English — officially pushed out cursive instruction in primary schools.

Instead, Common Core focused on “keyboarding skills” over handwriting.

One standard, for example, expected fourth graders to “type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.” Due to this

shift, many members of Gen Z don’t know cursive. The only cursive instruction I received was a 10-page packet at the beginning of second grade.

A new California law, Assembly Bill 446, will reintroduce the “dying art” of cursive alongside core subjects, such as mathematics and English, for first through sixth graders. Amending the “Educational Code,” the state-mandated program’s purpose is to “include knowledge of, and appreciation for, literature and the language, as well as skills of speaking, reading, listening, spelling, handwriting and composition.” Although many are concerned about adapting to the digital age in education, cursive handwriting is an important skill for students to learn as it has many cognitive benefits and connects the present and past.

For instance, it is faster to write in cursive because it does not require stopand-start strokes of writing in print and allows students to read more words fluidly. This increases reading and writing speed, which encourages longer attention spans for students. Additionally, research shows cursive writing improves brain development as important neural connections are formed in areas of critical thinking, language and memory. Cursive

stimulates the brain synapses of the left and right hemispheres and builds neural pathways that improve the retention of information. Other benefits of cursive handwriting include improved fine motor skills, fewer “letter reversals” for students with dyslexia, better spelling and increased memorization.

Most importantly, cursive handwriting connects the past with the present.

The absence of cursive instruction limits students’ ability to review primary sources and historical documents containing essential facts. A firsthand understanding of meaningful information in handwritten letters, manuscripts and other such sources is at risk of being lost if new generations can’t read them. Thus, cursive handwriting instruction in schools enables students to feel closer to history and gain a deeper understanding of it.

Individual handwriting also demonstrates personality traits. Each

person’s penmanship reveals unique stylistic strokes and patterns. My grandma’s neat, traditional cursive handwriting and my larger, bubbly handwriting represent our different personalities and feelings in a way that typing on a computer cannot. Though keyboarding is an essential skill in the digital age, cursive handwriting is a skill H that should not be overlooked or lost.■

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

FEATURES 8 TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

FEATURES

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/features

A new year brings new tidings...

What’s in store for you in 2024?

ARiES: KiNG OF SWORDS MARCH 21 - APRiL 19 The King of Swords bodes well, Aries. As the winter quarter begins, the cards foretell a time of intellectual power. You’ll be taking the lead in a big way this year, and your peers will turn to you as someone of keen intellect. As you navigate 2024, you can depend on yourself without reservation.

CANCER: SiX OF PENTACLES REVERSED JUNE 21 - JULY 22 Cancer, this year will be one of generosity from you. You will, unfortunately, come to the realization that you are receiving nothing in return. Still, you will give and give regardless of how the people around you react.

LiBRA: QUEEN OF WANDS SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22 The Queen of Wands tells us that your year shows incredible promise.

You will throw yourself into your friendships and relationships as you approach everything with determination. This year will exhibit a newfound sense of confidence in yourself.

CAPRiCORN: MAGiCiAN REVERSED DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19 You are going to be unfocused, and that will hinder your achievements. Furthermore, you are acting out of negative emotions, causing you to manipulate others. Stop thinking of everything in terms of personal gain because it will mean your failure.

TAURUS: TEN OF PENTACLES REVERSED APRiL 20 - MAY 20 This year offers the possibility of a major financial hit. You’re playing it risky and refuse to handle any situation realistically. This failure is avoidable but requires a major shift in your attitude. Though, perhaps this is a lesson you need to learn the hard way.

LEO: KiNG OF WANDS JULY 23 - AUGUST 22 You will be focusing on achieving incredibly grand ideas, Leo. The King of Wands indicates that what others may label as delusions of grandeur are actually within your grasp. This is not to say that it will be simple or easy, but that you are the person capable of meeting your own standards and maybe even the standards set by others.

SCORPiO: EMPRESS OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21 The Empress indicates that you will spend a lot of time in nature this year. You are going to be searching for peace and stability. You will find the answers you’re looking for with thoughtful contemplation of your place in the universe.

AQUARiUS: FOUR OF SWORDS REVERSED JANUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 18 The next year is not looking particularly promising, Aquarius.

Your year remains murky as it’s unclear if this year will be one of bone-deep exhaustion or a year of quiet reflection. The path is unclear, but in front of you are only two possibilities: burnout or self-contemplation.

Ysabel Nakasone, Opinions Editor

GEMiNi: TWO OF WANDS MAY 21 - JUNE 20 The Two of Wands indicates that 2024 will be about planning and manifesting for you.

It will be a quiet year of mental and physical preparation for the future. This year will be about exploring options and setting up the first real building blocks of the future you have decided for yourself.

ViRGO: KNiGHT OF CUPS AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22 This year is going to be filled with romance, Virgo. Before you get too happy, romance can also be filled with heartbreak.

There are no guarantees, but you can’t let that drag your aspirations and imagination down.

SAGiTTARiUS: TEN OF CUPS REVERSED NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21 You’ll feel disconnected from the people in your life, Sagittarius. Your relationships are going to go through a rough patch, and you are going to struggle. There is no telling if those relationships can be repaired, but it is clear that they will never be the same.

PiSCES: ACE OF SWORDS FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20 This year is going to be a breakthrough one for you. In the coming months, you will break through a mental block that has been plaguing you for some time. Many facets of your life that have been hidden from you and invisible will be brought to the forefront with extreme clarity. ■ H

IMAGES COURTESY OF FREEPIK

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Organize Your Life

FEATURES

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

9

A DEVOUT PLANNER’S FAVORITE TIPS AND TRICKS FOR GETTING YOUR LIFE TOGETHER FOR 2024.

NATALIE DAHL Features Editor

If you’re anything like me, you love planning your weekly schedule out minute by minute. If I had to choose between keeping my car or my precious Google calendar, I would probably have to start walking a lot more. As a self-proclaimed schedule-lover, here are some tried and true organizational and goal-setting tips I love that you can implement going into the new year.

Google Calendar

Like I said before, my heart belongs to this beloved google tool. If something isn’t on my calendar, it isn’t happening in real life. My favorite part about it is getting to color code the different activities placed on it (orange is my classes, yellow is work, blue is rehearsal, etc.). My biggest tip for a new google calendar user is to dedicate one color as an indicator for possible, or “maybe” events. That way you can see if you are potentially busy at one time and not overbook yourself while still not locking yourself into an activity. Another feature I love is being able to make different calendars — I keep all of my personal scheduling in one calendar, but I often put my friends’ work and class schedules on their own calendars to see when they’re free. This makes it so much easier to hang out with people because we avoid the back and forth of trying to schedule something without knowing when the other is free. Of course you can use these tips for another digital calendar program or in a physical planner, but we all know where my allegiance lies.

Incentivizing Goal Setting

Something I think is missing in a lot of goal setting, especially around the new year, is an aspect of fun. I often see people get discouraged from their goals early on in the year because there is nothing motivating them to work through potentially hard tasks to reach their desired targets. One way I’ve made goal setting fun for me is incentivizing my smaller goals. A personal resolution I made this year was to read more books — each time I finish a book, I’m letting myself get a little treat like going out to lunch with a friend or buying something I’ve had my eye on. Another fun way I’ve seen people incentivize bigger goals is writing down aspirations on different mini champagne bottles, and opening the bottles once a specific goal is achieved. Sometimes very personal achievements can seem like they go unnoticed by everyone around you, so carving out time to celebrate by yourself can help to keep you motivated.

Spreading Your Eggs Between Baskets

Another mistake I’ve made in the past is trying to make too many goals in one category of my life. One semester, I tried to focus on improving my academic performance so much that my execution fell through the second week. I scheduled hours and hours of unrealistic study time on my calendar and rather than focusing on a smaller academic goal (like focusing on one of the classes I was struggling in), I set out to do something beyond my reach at the time. Because I tried to push every other aspect of my life to the side, none of my academic goals were achieved. I find that if I equally spread out my goal-making and allot equal time to different features of my life, I felt much more balanced. For me, this looks like making one academic goal, one fitness goal, one professional goal, one hobby goal and one wild card, but it can look like anything for you.

H Hope that whatever organizational or goal-setting tactics you use to plan your year yield helpful results! ■

IMAGES COURTESY OF GOOGLE

Bake, Bank and Baggu your way into 2024 24 THINGS TO DO IN 2024.

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

New year, new me! That’s what we all say isn’t it, but by Jan. 3 we are all back to the same bad behavior. This year will be different, be special, be adventurous — 2024 is the year of living. If you are a lost lamb looking for a way to feel joy again this year, here are 24 things to do in 2024.

1. Get a life Life is too short to spend it in bed. Stop scrolling through the endless abyss of the internet of your phone — go outside, touch some grass and get a life.

2. Bake more Baking is fun. Cakes, cookies, muffins, banana bread, cupcakes, pastries, croissants, macaroons — the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, these baked goods will taste far superior to any store bought items.

3. Buy a Baggu The Baggu bag is the bag to have. Keep your snacks, laptop, water bottle and first born child all in the bottomless Baggu.

4. Go to class I see you, paying 30 grand to rot in your dorm bed instead of going to class. You go king! Maximizing your education and your dollar with every missed lecture. Literally go to class — it is the reason you are at school.

5. Actually go to the gym Every year everyone and their mom has the new year’s resolution to go to the gym; this year actually go to the gym. If you hate working out, try one of the UCR Student Recreation Center (SRC) classes. Peer pressure actually works, so get a workout buddy, go to the class and let the environment force you to work out.

6. Self care every day Everyday should be about you. Prioritize yourself! Do your skin care, drink water, eat a meal and feel your self rejuvenating with every step made for yourself.

7. Get a job Stop being broke, be up. Go get a job so you can survive this recession.

8. Explore Riverside Literally just go outside. Why are you spending all your time staring at the four white walls of your apartment when you can go see downtown! Explore the antique shop, walk around the art museum, or even stay at UCR and play hide and seek in the arts building.

Just have some fun before your apartment starts to consume you.

9. Get a tan Again, go outside … spend at least 10 minutes in the sun everyday so that you do not turn gray. You do not have the “skin of a killer,” this is not twilight, you are not Bella.

No one cares where you have been loca, as long as you go outside.

10. Go to Six Flags Disnyland is out in 2024 — we do not support genocidal companies here! Instead go to Six Flags, have the time of your life waiting in short lines to ride actual fun rides.

And ASUCR has a discount so it’s cheaper.

11. Cook in your kitchen Stop eating out, you’re literally broke. There is no reason your credit card bill should have $2,000 worth of doordash orders on it. Instead use that kitchen you are paying a monthly rent for and eat the $100 worth of groceries you bought yesterday. Being lazy is out in 2024 — start cooking.

12. Open a saving account Like I said before, you are broke. The only way to not be broke is to start saving money. Open a savings account and start building that generational wealth for your family.

13. Get life insurance If all else fails and you are unable to save money, get a life insurance policy to save money instead. This way when you die instead of leaving your children with debt, they can at least depend on your life insurance policy.

14. Become financially literate So your kids do not have to rely on your life insurance to support them, start learning about money. Financial literacy is not reserved for Wall Street bros and business majors.

Go learn about money so you can have some money.

15. Read a book…

With the intelligence levels of some of the people out in these streets it’s rather apparent that nobody reads anymore. Pick up a book and start educating yourself. Just cause society is stupid does not mean you should be too.

16. Read a book about manipulation If you want to be a manipulator or avoid being manipulated, knowing the art of manipulation is important.

17. Be a problem This year … be the problem. Instead of having to wait for everyone’s apologies for wronging you, wrong them first. Be apologized to not the apologizer.

18. Be realistic — 2024 is not the year of the delulu Being delusional is out, these years come back to reality and stop obsessing over that man who looks like one of those crusty white dogs.

19. Quit smoking Your body, your choice so if you want to continue to blacken your lungs be my guest, but if you care the least bit about your health it’s time to put down the fruit flavored USB, if not for yourself than for Congo.

20. Mind your own business This year, keep your nose out of other people’s business, there is no need to be involved in drama that has nothing to do with you. Manifest peace for 2024.

21. Listen to more Champagne Papi Listen to some Drake, he will give you joy. Open the windows and scream some Anita Max Wynn at the top of your lungs just to feel something.

22. No situationships Situationships and weird middle grounds are out. Either get in a relationship or leave each other alone. No need to live a life in limbo.

23. Live, laugh, love Why is everyone so stressed about everything … literally just live. Make the best of your life and try to enjoy it.

24. No toxicity in 2024 2024 is the year of no toxicity. Find some peace and enjoy the vibes and have a wonderful New Year.■ H

10 TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

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Spice up your basic ramen noodles into the perfect girl dinner INSTEAD OF EATING YOUR RAMEN STRAIGHT FROM THE PACKET, CHANGE IT UP AND ADD NEW TWISTS! KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

For college kids with a low budget and the need for a quick meal, ramen noodles have been a university essential since the beginning of time. However, this meal can often become boring and repetitive, so upgrading your basic instant ramen by investing in better ramen brands and adding ingredients will enhance your meal. This pantry staple is so versatile that mixing and matching different ingredients can create the perfect ramen dish for you!

Ramen Brand

Nongshim Shin Ramyun is an option geared more toward those looking for spicy and peppery-flavored soup-type ramen. It’s perfect for those looking for an instant ramen with a little kick. This can typically be found in a local grocery store in the Asian aisle.

The Indonesian instant noodle, Indomie Mi Goreng, is typically found in Asian grocery stores. This instant fried noodle is bursting with umami flavors thanks to the flavor packets it comes with. This is an underrated ramen that is easy to make and is so tasty that you might find yourself constantly craving it.

A rightfully well-known ramen brand, Samyang Buldak stir-fried noodles, has been on the rise with people making and eating them on TikTok. With different variations such as their most popular one, Carbonara, the brand is known for its spicy chicken flavoring that turns up the heat and is sure to make your mouth burn.

Add-Ins

Rice Cakes, known as tteokbokki, are a great addition, adding more substance to chow on if the noodles are not enough for you. These Korean rice cakes can be boiled with the noodles, but be careful not to leave them for too long, as they can become overcooked and too chewy. These are best paired with stir-fried noodles, especially the Samyang Buldak ones.

If you like mushrooms, they are great for adding an extra umami flavor to the mix.

In my opinion, the best type of mushrooms to add to ramen are shiitake and enoki.

While shiitakes add a chewy texture, enoki mushrooms add a bit of a crunch factor that helps enrich the eating experience of a sometimes boring meal.

A lot of ramen noodles can be crazy spicy, so adding some type of dairy can help tone down the spice and give the dish a more creamy and rich flavoring. For soup-type ramen, it’s best to add some Kewpie mayo for the punch of umami. In spicy stir-fried ramen, adding a dash of milk can make the dish creamier and add a thick, rich flavor.

Toppings

Working as both an add-in and a topping, an egg is a tried and true addition that is typically added many times into ramen, no matter how it’s prepared. A soft or hardboiled egg is best paired with a ramen soup. For stir-fried ramen, a fried egg can go perfectly on top. For the best flavor, mixing in the egg is the way to go, especially if the yolk is runny.

Cheese can sometimes be questionable to add to ramen, but when it melts in from the hot temperature, it’s the ultimate combination. As mentioned before, dairy can help ease the spice of ramen, so cheese is perfect for this. The cheese pull when you pull the noodles for your first bite is just as satisfying as the taste.

A not-so-common topping to stir-fried ramen is corn cheese. Make it yourself by mixing butter, kewpie mayo, a dash of salt and pepper and a lot of cheese. It’s a twist to the classic cheese addition that should be tried before being knocked off the list.

This is best paired with the Samyang Buldak noodles.

Some other basic toppings to include in your instant ramen are furikake, sesame seeds and green onion. Furikake is a Japanese sprinkling topping made with a mix of seasonings that can bring a bold and savory umami flavor to your instant ramen.

Sesame seeds are similar to furikake but in a more subdued way. Both are found in Asian grocery stores, but can also occasionally be found in a local grocery store.

Green onion is another typical ramen topping that not only boosts taste but also adds a bit of color for an aesthetically pleasing picture of your food.

Sides

Keeping to the theme of the typical college pantry, spam is an addition that many students can find in their kitchen. Adding crispy, fried spam to your ramen brings another flavor into the mix that will blend seamlessly into your ramen noodles.

Dumplings are another side that are quick to make and can add that extra oomph if the noodles themselves feel like they’re missing something more. You can add even more flavor to the dumplings by coating them in the leftover sauce from the noodles.

Noodles are typically chewy, so adding crispy egg rolls to eat alongside them creates a great juxtaposition to balance the softness of the ramen. The crunch factor of H egg rolls paired with the tenderness of noodles makes for the perfect combination. ■

Who you should date based on which ‘Sex and the City’ girl you are A GUIDE TO WHO YOU SHOULD PURSUE BASED ON WHICH OF THESE FEISTY FOUR LADIES YOU ALIGN WITH MOST. GABRIELA GALVAN Contributing Writer

When you’re a twenty-something-year-old in college, your whole life is about pursuing the slight chance of a passing glance from your dining hall crush (and to make the parents happy by pursuing your passion for medical school, of course)! However, a dining hall crush is an impossible fantasy, and your roster is most likely empty (good for you) or riddled with one-sided conversationalists lonesomely entertaining themselves in your Instagram DMs. Despite the regularly scheduled gamble between a broken heart or transcript-crushing GPA each quarter, dating can get easier (no promises)! Queue the jazz music, crank out a “Hey, I’m walking here” every now and then and channel your inner “Sex and the City” New York gal by considering dating one of the following types of people.

Carrie Bradshaw

Now, it’s time for something scary. Think about yourself for a minute. Are you the type of person who prioritizes the social impression your first day of school outfit makes at your eight a.m. lecture? Do you wear your heart on your sleeve more times than you wear your Essentials hoodie? Might you have a severe case of main character syndrome? Are you bad with money? If the answer to these is a yes, you’re likely a Carrie Bradshaw, main character to the hit 90s HBO series “Sex and the City.” Carrie is a “me, me, me” personality, meaning she’s the epitome of a self-centered person.

She puts herself and her problems at the forefront of everything that doesn’t involve shoes and a cosmopolitan. Despite these being horrible qualities, they’re easy to adopt in a college setting where everyone competes for friends, relationships and jobs. However entitled, judgmental and irresponsible Carrie might be, she is equally effortlessly sexy and makes for an excellent enabler for a shopping addiction. If you identify as a Carrie, a person you should gravitate towards is someone emotionally available.

Someone who is openhearted and expressive caters perfectly to a Carrie personality that needs all the doting in the world. On a side note, make good use of that refund check with some new bank-breaking flashy pumps, Bradshaw style. Seriously, it’s time to retire those air forces!

Charlotte York

Your notes app is very telling of your personality. Gut-wrenching, 3:00 a.m. notes app slam poetry? You’re likely a creative feeler. Notes app grocery lists? You’re likely a very structured person. Notes app baby name list as a single individual? You’re likely Charlotte York, one of the four best friends in “Sex and the City.” Upholding traditional values and engulfed by a classy aura, whether that be by her impeccable fashion sense or her polite sense of self, Charlotte is an effortlessly graceful individual. These traits are all the more attested by her devotion towards her friends and her genuine hope of happiness for everyone around her. If you’re anything like Charlotte, your champagne glass is never half empty and always half full, perfectly defining her optimistic personality. For anyone who relates to Charlotte, a like-minded, modest and supportive partner is your best bet. Someone who is fond of helping others and carries themselves without the satisfaction nor need to be the center of attention because of their kindness easily complements an equally considerate personality like Charlotte’s.

Someone who supports a shoe addiction wouldn’t be too shabby, either. In true Charlotte fashion, be nice, be pretty, and be smart; you’re the catch!

Samantha Jones

She doesn’t need a rich man, she is a rich man who wants a rich man. Of the four best friends, Samantha Jones easily sticks out like a sore thumb, one wearing a blinding diamond ring weighing carats in the double digits. With a personality stronger than any million-dollar stone, Samantha is a straightforward individual who is never afraid of confrontation, lives life to the fullest and stays as far away from tradition as possible. Being ahead of her time, she shamelessly caters to treating herself with anyone and everything, whether that be a Birkin or a man with an open wallet. Her self-proclaimed “try-sexual” (willing to try anything at least once) persona has no limits on her natural curiosity. However much she is driven by her frank and outspoken nature, she is equally overprotective over the friends she cares for most. If you’re a person with a loud and proud personality who also happens to crave a festive and raunchy occupied lifestyle, you are undoubtedly a Samantha. Support your lively lifestyle by gravitating toward someone with an opposing grounded personality. Intriguing differences attract and cater to a daredevil personality type like Samantha Jones, who is ready to confront something new. While it’s not likely that someone in college will provide you with an open heart and wallet, the gamble should lift your curious spirits.

Miranda Hobbes

Despite being a lawyer, Miranda Hobbes is guilty of being the most outspoken and brilliant of the group. Having the rare quality of thinking both with her head and heart, she holds no hesitance, putting herself before anyone and her friends. Her trajectory in life is defined by her logical thinking and strong work ethic, which has led her to have a successful career. Her difference of opinions does not scare her, and much less does being perceived define her confidence. And much like Samantha, she is ahead of her time as she dominates a predominantly male-occupied space. Miranda is the most calm and settled of the bunch, and lets her friends pave the way for any gossip or drama. Much less in the limelight, Miranda enjoys being doted on and made the center of attention in private by her then-partners. Miranda is her own provider and finds peace in life, being utterly dependent on herself; if you’re someone who relates to those likes, a career-oriented partner with a strong sense of independence is your perfect fit. Overall, find someone who will live in your world. ■ H

COURTESY OF WARNER BROTHERS

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RADAR

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

Movies to look forward to in 2024

2024 is filled with exciting upcoming movies to put on your list of films to watch.

KIMBERLY BEJEC Assistant Radar Editor

There are plenty of new movies coming out in 2024 to look forward to. Ranging from sci-fi to musicals, 2024 is filled with films that will make audiences eager to watch in the cinema. While 2023 had a variety of great movies, 2024 has promises of films that will gather plenty of talk.

“Mean Girls” (Jan. 12)

Adaptation after adaptation, “Mean Girls” has a lot preceding it. The upcoming musical teen comedy film first started with the cult classic 2004 film, which later was adapted into a Broadway musical. In all adaptations written by Tina Fey, the story follows the female high school cliques and the effects of bullying, gossip and crossing the “Queen Bee.” The film has an ensemble cast composed of Angourie Rice, Renée Rapp, Auliʻi Cravalho, Christopher Briney and Tina Fey.

“Madame Web” (Feb. 14)

Amidst the plentiful amount of Spider-Man films released in the past few years, another one weaves into the wide Spiderverse. “Madame Web” follows the titular character, Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson), a paramedic in Manhattan with clairvoyant abilities forced to confront her past. She is trying to survive being hunted by a mysterious adversary that resembles Spider-Man while connected to three young women (Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor and Isabella Merced), who seem to have powerful futures.

“Inside Out 2” (Jun. 14)

In the animated coming-of-age sequel to “Inside Out,” (2015) the film returns to the teenage mind of Riley as new emotions are introduced. Alongside the original emotions of Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale) and Disgust (Liza Lapira) comes Anxiety (Maya Hawke), with more following beside her.

“A Quiet Place: Day One” (Jun. 28)

The film franchise’s release of two horror films, “A Quiet Place” (2018) and “A Quiet Place Part II” (2020) has amassed plenty of success. Expanding on the universe comes the third installment, “A Quiet Place: Day One,” which will reveal the origins of the apocalyptic world of blind extraterrestrial beings with an enhanced sense of hearing.

“Deadpool 3” (Jul. 26)

“Dune: Part Two” (Mar. 1)

Unofficially titled “Deadpool 3,” the upcoming Marvel Studios superhero film has been highly anticipated by fans of the cinematic universe. With the success that came from “Deadpool” (2016) and “Deadpool 2” (2018), fans had positive reviews of the R-rating films, which was a first for Marvel. While the official plot has not been revealed yet, the announcement of Hugh Jackman reprising his role of Wolverine along with various actors reprising their roles has got fans pumped.

“Godzilla x kong: The new empire” (apr. 12)

“Joker: Folie à Deux” is a sequel to the 2019 film, “Joker” with Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the titular character and villain, the Joker. Along with the first film, the sequel is set to continue telling the beginnings of the Joker along with his romantic relationship with Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). Although not much has been revealed about the musical thriller, audiences are eager to learn more about the iconic supervillain clown.

After the wide success of “Dune,” (2021) the upcoming sci-fi film continues the journey of Paul Atreides and Chani played by Timotée Chalamet and Zendaya respectively. The two venture out with the Fremen to save the universe and seek revenge on the people who destroyed Paul’s family. The movie has been highly anticipated following the release of the six-time Academy Award-winning film “Dune” and its star-studded cast.

With the giant lizard and buff gorilla normally pitted against each other, the two team up against a mysterious threat with plans to destroy the planet. In the first film, “Godzilla vs. Kong,” where the two monsters battled each other, critics gave positive reviews as they finally saw the two legendary monsters come headto-head. The sequel will not only continue their story but also showcase the two iconic monsters’ origin stories and what ties them to humankind.

“Challengers” (apr. 26)

When the trailer for “Challengers” was released last year, audiences were eager for the romantic sports drama film’s release. The movie stars Zendaya as the wife and coach of a Grand Slam tennis champion (Mike Faist) who signs him up for a Challenger event, in which he will face off against her former lover (Josh O’Connor). The drama and tension in the trailer hold promise that the film will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

“Joker: Folie A Deux” (Oct. 4)

“Wicked: Part One” (Nov. 27)

There have been many adaptations and inspired works of the 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, such as the notable 1939 film adaptation and stage musical “Wicked.” With the musical still going strong in its success, Universal Pictures announced a two-part adaptation of it. The story follows two witches, the green-skinned Elphaba Thropp (Cynthia Ervio) and the popular Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande) as they navigate their unlikely friendship in the Land of Oz and journey to their fated roles of the Wicked Witch of the West and H Glinda the Good respectively. ■

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12 TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

‘Foe’: a chaotic rendition of a broken marriage

Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan join forces as they assume the roles of an estranged couple in a depleted world of nothingness.

BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

A disbelieving husband refuses to leave behind his simple life on his family’s farm. A disillusioned wife who desires to leave the farm and see the outside world for herself. Mix it with a world dying from climate change and robots progressively taking over the workforce — it’s the perfect formula for a disconcerting sci-fi film.

Set in the Midwest during a dystopian 2065, director Garth Davis depicts a sullen world that hasn’t seen anything but dust storms and crop failure in his latest film, “Foe.” Adapted from Iain Reid’s novel, the first scene reveals a vulnerable Hen (Saoirse Ronan) uncontrollably sobbing in the shower. Her narration reveals that she feels detached and invisible from her husband, Junior (Paul Mescal). Her dreams of playing the piano and venturing into the outside world have been crumbled by her marriage, yet her character yearns to reconnect with her partner. The solitude she endures is disrupted one night when a stranger knocks on the couple’s door.

The stranger introduces himself as Terrance and explains that he works for OuterMore, a government aerospace company. He says that Junior is one of many who have been randomly chosen to live in space as part of OuterMore’s effort to find a sustainable way of living in the sky. Junior reacts furiously in disbelief, immediately refusing the idea.

Terrance then describes his enrollment as that of men being drafted into the army, insinuating that Junior has little to no choice. Junior begrudgingly begins the grueling preparation process for his departure. As Terrance leaves their home, Hen and Junior quickly reconcile in an intimate scene. Their happiness lasts for a second as a year passes and Terrance unfortunately returns.

When Terrance reveals that for their marriage to survive while Junior is gone, Hen will be given a biological replacement for her husband. Morals have been thrown right out the window with a bizarre idea like this. For the replacement to know every little thing about Junior and Hen, Terrance

records sessions where the two reveal their innermost desires and resentments — the resentments mostly told by Hen. Terrance’s voyeuristic presence among the couple is uncomfortable to watch, to say the least. His character brings a new level of chaos into unexplainable scenes, obscuring his motives even more.

As their marriage is deconstructed, the songs played throughout the scenes perfectly narrate the state of emotions the characters find themselves in. Its selection of songs such as “The End of the World” by Skeeter Davis, “Although The Sun Is Shining” by Fleetwood Mac and more paint scenes as more frustrating — frustrating because the couple share their happy moments on-screen yet they remain distant from each other. Even with the music highlighting the brokenness of the young couple’s marriage, it does not save the film entirely.

Though Mescal and Ronan mold into each other perfectly as their characters’ marriage is put to its most exhausting limits, the jarring scenes cut to the next are confusing and leave nothing but questions. One moment their characters are crying, the next, they are hysterically laughing. It’s a hot mess of emotion that is never fully resolved, especially when the twist simply makes you more depressed about the characters’ realities.

“Foe” is untrustworthy in its narration and establishment of characters. Hen is unpredictable in her actions and words. Junior feels trapped in his reality which causes him to distrust everything that he sees. Terrance — his character is simply depicted as a horrible marriage counselor who appears to indulge in the couple’s worst moments.

What saves the film is its somewhat clever build-up to its twist, but that is until the end after an hour of confusion has scattered your brain. It’s a sad moment and it makes you question what love can look like between two beings, what morals we must remain attached to, and those that we must H let go of. ■

DISTRIBUTED BY AMAZON MGM STUDIOS

Verdict: “Foe” is an unpredictable, unreliable and convoluted story of lost love and hopeless realities in a dystopian future.

If you’re looking to be sad and confused for almost two hours, this will set the perfect mood.

Get enchanted by Rebecca Ross’ new book ‘Ruthless Vows’ Take a look into Rebecca Ross’ ‘Ruthless Vows’ to examine impossible obstacles and twists in this love story combining conspiracy and betrayal.

NOLA PERIFEL Contributing Writer

Fresh out of the printing press and sequel to “Divine Rivals,” Rebecca Ross’ new novel “Ruthless Vows” introduces themes of fantasy and betrayal to her readers. It mixes magic, love and war, creating plot twists and combining betrayal and conspiration to save the world. Ending her “Letters of Enchantment” series with this book, Rebecca Ross ties her story together beautifully, building on the cliffhanger left at the end of the previous novel.

The romantic fantasy series tells of an impossible love story between journalists, Roman C. Kitt and Iris Winnow. Taking place during a war of immortal and enchanting gods, the story discreetly intertwines magic in certain areas of the fictional world. The enemies-to-lovers trope between Kitt and Winnow evolves amazingly, captivating passionate readers. Ross switches between the two different points of view throughout the book, providing a glimpse into each character’s experiences during the war and the story they embark on. Her second novel tells the story of these two characters after one has lost their memory, desperately trying to remember their past while captive in the wrong god’s hands.

The first book, “Divine Rivals,” established the world and storyline of the “Letters of Enchantment” series, but readers were much more touched and interested by the second book because while the first one concentrated on the war front and journalism, it was only the beginning of a blossoming love story. The second captivated their attention further because it set an impossible obstacle between the two lovers, who were now known from the first novel, which pushed interest and curiosity to know the ending. “Ruthless Rivals” has a more complex plot, creating unexpectedness on every page. In the first novel, Iris battles the loss of her mother and her brother’s disappearance in the war while in the second, she has come to terms with these facts but now desperately tries to keep her spirits up after the disappearance of Roman.

Upon reading this story, it was interesting to see how

both characters would find their way back to each other in the middle of a harsh war when they are living two very different and almost opposite lives. The intriguing and original aspect that the author brings in her first book is anonymity. The journalists communicate but only one knows who they are writing to, with the other writing blindly to a stranger. Using the magic of connected typewriters, which is the base of the story, Rebecca Ross cleverly incorporates the letters that the main characters write to each other to give her book more life.

When reading this book, the images described unfold before readers’ eyes. The author’s writing style is so vividly descriptive that it feels like you are living the story and feeling the character’s emotions. The second book references back to the first one, giving a sense of nostalgia when thinking about “Divine Rivals” and nourishing a blossoming love story that continues to grow in “Ruthless Vows.” This heart-warming story keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time as you cannot take your eyes off this book and every page keeps your attention, wondering what would happen next. Leaving readers full of hope for a happy ending, the story is an easy read and keeps readers on their toes, anticipating what happens H next in the story. ■

Verdict: “Ruthless Vows” is an excellent read that has been long awaited, exceeding expectations. After being disappointed by the end of the first book, the sequel has a satisfying beginning, middle and end and is a great start to 2024.

COURTESY OF REBECCA ROSS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

RADAR

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

13

‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is the future of battle-oriented anime The newly styled second season of “Jujutsu Kaisen” solidifies the series as one of the greatest.

BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

Ever since its Oct. 3, 2020 premiere, “Jujutsu Kaisen” has become a household name in the anime scene, featuring stunning animation, a lovable, colorful cast and an ensemble of cleverly written character abilities and powers. Created by Japanese manga artist, Gege Akutami, the series jumps into full gear for its highly anticipated second season that released its first episode on July 6, 2023. “Jujutsu Kaisen’s” season two promised and delivered on an even grander scale. Separated by two arcs, the season starts with a prologue to the first season called the “Hidden Inventory Arc” for the first five episodes, following the characters Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru. It finishes with a continuation of the present timeline into the “Shibuya Incident Arc” where a grim war ensues following the events of the first season.

The “Hidden Inventory Arc” cleverly set up the events of the “Shibuya Incident Arc” as Gojo and Geto’s relationship in the prologue proved to be a crux for the war waged in the main storyline. The first five episodes of the second season felt like a fast-paced slice-of-life with a dramatic and heavy conclusion, bringing a sense of levity and brightness to the morbid series before dropping viewers into the chaotic frenzy of present Shibuya. A sense of tragedy is beautifully ensnared into this light beginning, as those who have watched the first season will see Geto’s tragic and inevitable fall into villainy and Gojo’s rise to becoming the strongest. This arc’s strength resides in how the two’s seemingly unbreakable bond would become the ultimate battle of philosophies that ensue into the present war.

Following the prologue, the latter 19 episodes cover the “Shibuya Incident Arc” which can only be described as an ultimately satisfying pay-off to what has been set up by everything before it –- the first season, movie and five-episode prologue. As the viewer’s senses of security fade with Gojo’s downfall in the story, the narrative is pumped with higher stakes and a feeling of heaviness. Character’s mindsets and morals are constantly challenged as they face the consequences of their thinking and are forced to adapt to the grim fates of the war. “Jujutsu Kaisen” is at its darkest this season as it tests its heroes to the absolute limit.

“Jujutsu Kaisen’s” second season’s animation is an interesting case, insofar as Maruyama Animation Produce Project Association (MAPPA) Studios had decided to change the overall aesthetic of the series. Where the first season of the anime show features more rendered imagery, darker tones and more details, the second season

opts for less details and simplicity. With this new approach, the new aesthetics gives action scenes more blur which can be helpful, but at times worsens the quality of animation. At its worst, the paneling and animation will come across as confusing, leaving audiences wondering what happened during the fight choreography. Yet, at its best, the new art style lends itself to a gorgeous fluidity, emphasizing the high-octane martial arts of the battles.

The animation behind the “Hidden Inventory Arc” was a consistent high and the “Shibuya Incident Arc” gets off on a slow start with some episodes feeling strangely lackluster, only to rev to a crazy high starting on the 13th episode. Its new aesthetic is a definite win and hopefully, MAPPA will keep the same energy in adapting future material.

The action behind “Jujutsu Kaisen” is greatly supported by its soundtrack, with every battle featuring an energetic and dramatic track behind it. The music sounds jazz-inspired as rock-orchestral melodies envelope each scene inducing fevered excitement and thrill, as fights kick into a higher level.

Overall, “Jujutsu Kaisen” is a cohesive masterpiece. It’s rare to find an anime series so sure of itself as it doubles down on what its fans want: more action and more thrill. With more coming along the way, we can only expect greatness from its future. ■ H

Verdict: “Jujutsu Kaisen” finds itself as one of the greatest anime series with its exquisite action and beautifully heavy storylines. The series will go down as one of the greatest battle-shonen in history.

IMAGES DISTRIBUTED BY STUDIO MAPPA

14 TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

RADAR

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/radar

‘The Last of Us’ shows us what true masculinity means The portrayal of Bill and Frank’s relationship in the third episode of the ‘Last of Us’ series demonstrates the evolution of the male and LGBTQ+ narrative.

BRENDAN VO Radar Editor

DISTRIBUTED BY SONY PICTURES & PLAYSTATION

The 2013 marriage of game developers Naughty Dog and entertainment giant Sony Computer Entertainment spawned the phenomenal zombie-apocalypse game, “The Last of Us.” Inspired by the bleakness of Cormac McCarthy’s book, “The Road,” and the classic apocalyptic game “Resident Evil 4,” “The Last of Us” launched June 14, 2013, and was revered for its captivating narrative experience and tense survival gameplay. The video game’s story was then brought to the screens of Home Box Office (HBO) users as an incredible streaming television series on Jan. 15, 2023. The show went on to receive several nominations for awards, which included 24 Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe awards, as well as becoming the first video game adaptation to be nominated in major Emmy categories.

Seven of the 24 Emmy nominations the hit show had received were for its third episode, “Long, Long Time.” Featuring Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank, the episode focused on the romantic relationship between the two side characters, deviating from the main story. Its shift from the action-packed conventions of the zombie show was where “Long, Long Time” shined –- a tragic yet hopeful romance within a violent, desolate world. In all, the episode is representative of the modern evolution of masculinity in storytelling.

To understand “Long, Long Time” in the space of masculinity, one must first observe conventions of where masculine identity was conceived. Much insight can be drawn from screenwriter Max Landis’ theory on what killed vulnerability, a non-masculine trait, in action movies. Landis theorizes how the Sept. 11 attacks had pushed Western media to stray away from vulnerable, effeminate heroes like the male protagonists from the 1984 “Ghostbusters” or the 1993 “Jurassic Park,” posed as passionate intellects, and reinforced “winner” male protagonists. The entertainment space influenced the idea of traditional manhood through male characters that were portrayed as indestructible and dominating by focusing on what Western media felt they needed: victory.

This idea of the winning male character would seemingly never incorporate homosexuality. One can strongly speculate this correlation exists due to the extremely effeminate portrayal of gay male characters and the connection of tragedy to LGBTQ+ narratives in media. Tracing back to the Hays Code, a self-imposed guideline for films and TV released between 1934 and 1968 to prohibit positive depictions of gay characters, queerness was associated with loss and death.

However, with changing times came new ideology and the rise of effeminate male heroes had come on the rise. Tropes like the male caretaker had gained popularity with serieses such as Disney’s “The Mandalorian,” Netflix’s “Arcane” and “Stranger Things,” as well as meek male characters like Waymond in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Western media is now valuing its more human male characters because now, more than ever, is an era that prioritizes human connection and relationships.

With contemporary movements for mental health awareness and the ever-growing desire for inclusivity, it can be strongly speculated that modern audiences don’t want winners –- they want protectors, fathers and guardians.

These concepts and insights can be applied to “The Last of Us’” male side character, Bill, which can be further understood through the changes in the character from the 2013 game to the 2023 series. “The Last of Us” conveniently presents a clear evolutionary line for its narrative through the adaptation from the source material. Bill is an incredibly traditionally masculine character in the games. He is presented as a true survivalist who is cold and logical, to the extreme point where he believes love to be a hindrance in his mission to stay alive: “In this world, [love] is good for one thing; getting you killed.” In the zombie action-horror game, he goes so far as to abandon his partner, Frank, to die, painting him as a tragic figure and the worst possible reality of a person in this environment.

Bill’s story is emboldened by the apocalypse genre itself, where these stories seek to show how human nature will lead to violence and terror. Yet, this type of narrative is strongest when demonstrating how, despite the overwhelming odds, stories where characters find love and meaning can persist in this genre. Thus, Bill is a cautionary tale for whoever is playing “The Last of Us,” insofar as he concentrates on purely surviving which leads him to abandon love and live life without any purpose. His character is lonely and paranoid, devoid of any human connections and having no concern for the future, but always focused on being the winner in this apocalypse.

Bill survives, but he is purposeless, angry and miserable.

The game’s narrative already establishes how winning is not enough through its iteration of Bill. But, with HBO’s version of “The Last of Us,” Bill’s character deviates powerfully through the subversion of traditional masculinity through his homosexuality. In the first five minutes of Bill’s introduction in the show, he still seems to feed into the stereotypical man; hard country music blasting as he drives his pickup truck, building electric fences and deadly traps with power tools and watching keenly at his multiple camera angles through a screen, with a ready gun. After he saves Frank and helps him, the forming romantic relationship becomes a powerful tool in reshaping how his character is seen.

In “Long, Long Time,” the show greatly diverges from the game with Bill effeminately opening up to Frank with multiple moments of emotional vulnerability. Every single time Bill and Frank interact, the scenes are beautifully laced with Bill’s intent to protect him. Where in the video game, Bill closes off his heart, he opens it in the series, subverting the cynical expectation of human nature in the apocalypse and the traditional masculine “winner” trope into a hopeful and humanistic story.

What seals “Long, Long Time” as a representation of the new ideals of masculinity is its affirmation of queer romance in its ending. Bill and Frank, in an apocalyptic setting and against all odds, marry each other in the year and die together after a long, fulfilling life. In direct rejection of the queer tragedy, Bill states “I’m old. I’m satisH fied. And you were my purpose.” ■

Sports

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

15

UC Riverside men’s basketball team falls to Long Beach State, 75-83 HANSEL CHU Sports Editor

Highlanders drop to 1-3 to start conference play.

The UC Riverside men’s basketball team lost a tough battle against Long Beach State, 75-83, Saturday night in Long Beach. After getting a huge upset win against UC Santa Barbara the week before, the Highlanders suffered a blowout loss against UC Davis and looked to get back in the win column against a gritty Long Beach State team. Long Beach State came into this game with a huge win against USC earlier this month, which proved to be a tough test for UCR. The Elbees jumped out to an early 4-0 start due to two quick turnovers from the Highlanders. UC Riverside was able to settle down, and redshirt sophomore guard Isaiah Moses started to get going by scoring the first seven of nine points for UCR, which gave them a 9-6 lead within the first six minutes of the game. Both teams started to go back and forth as they continued to exchange bucket after bucket. Sophomore guard Nate Pickens started to find a rhythm as he scored two consecutive field goals to give UC Riverside a 13-11 lead at the 10:48 mark. Redshirt freshman forward Kaleb Smith gave valuable minutes off the bench as he scored four consecutive points to keep the Highlanders in the game.

As the first half started to wind down, Moses drove in the paint and finished at the rim to give UCR a 23-20 lead with 5:52 left until halftime. However, Long Beach State started to go on a run to close the first half as a quick 7-0 run turned the tide in favor of the Elbees. UC Riverside would respond with a run of their own as redshirt freshman guard Barrington Hargress knocked down two 3-pointers to give the Highlanders control of the lead once again. Both teams continued to exchange buckets, which ended with a layup from guard Marcus Tsohonis to give Long Beach State a 35-34 lead at the half.

Neither team was willing to give up the lead to start the second half as the lead continued to seesaw between the two teams. For Long Beach State, the Traore brothers

started to make their impact as they were getting second-chance points for the Elbees and were disrupting the Highlander offense with their defense and rebounding. Long Beach State started to pull away as they went on an 11-0 run to gain control of the ball game. Back-to-back scores from the Traore brothers pushed the lead to seven at the 13:21 mark, and guard Messiah Thompson scored in back-to-back jumpers to give the Elbess their first double-digit lead of the game, 55-43, with under 12 minutes left in the game.

Tsohonis also started to find a rhythm as he continued to work in the mid-range and score against the UCR defense. After a missed 3-pointer from Tsohonis, forward Amari Stroud got the offensive rebound and emphatically dunked the ball back in to give Long Beach State their biggest lead of the night, 67-52, which forced head coach Mike Magpayo to call a timeout.

Off of the timeout, Smith knocked down two straight 3-pointers to cut the deficit to 10.

Off of a fastbreak, Hargress was fouled and sunk in one of two free-throws to close the lead within single digits. However, the UC Riverside defense couldn’t find an answer for the Long Beach State offense as after a block from forward Aboubacar Traore, guard AJ George dunked the ball on the other end to extend the Elbee lead back up to 13 points.

As time winded down, Long Beach State held on to win 83-75 and gave UC Riverside its third loss in conference play.

Graduate student forward Kyle Owens led the way with 19 points and six rebounds for the Highlanders. Hargress finished the game with 14 points and eight rebounds. Smith, off the bench, scored a career-high 19 points and seven rebounds.

The Highlanders fall to 6-10 (1-3) on the season and will face Cal Poly at home on H Thursday, Jan. 11, at 7 p.m. ■

Michael Penix Jr. and Co. will carry the Washington Huskies to a National Championship ISAAC SOLNICK Contributing Writer

Offense beats defense in a soon to be Big 10 rivalry.

On Jan. 8, the undefeated No. 2 Washington Huskies (14-0) will face the undefeated No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (14-0) in the National Championship game. The Huskies boast a high-powered offense led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and a trio of elite wide receivers. The Wolverines, on the other hand, possess a powerful defense littered with future NFL draft picks. This game is a classic elite offense vs. elite defense matchup that promises to put on a show.

This game also marks the end of the 4-team college football playoff format which will be replaced by a new 12-team format in the 2024-2025 season. Despite boasting undefeated records, both the Huskies and the Wolverines dealt with adversity in their semifinal games.

After trailing 20-13 late in the fourth quarter, quarterback J.J. McCarthy (with a little help from an amazing catch by wide receiver Roman Wilson) led the Wolverines offense to a game-tying drive to force overtime against No. 4 Alabama. In OT, a quick score from running back Blake Corum put the pressure back on the Tide. On 4th and goal, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was stuffed at the line of scrimmage as the Wolverines took home the Rose Bowl.

In the Sugar Bowl, the Huskies were hanging on to a 37-31 lead against No. 3 Texas with less than a minute left. It appeared Longhorns wide receiver AD Mitchell would repeat his heroics from last year’s Peach Bowl (while playing for Georgia) until cornerback Elijah Jackson swatted the pass away. The Huskies and the Wolverines escaped with wins and saved their undefeated records in the New Year’s bowl games. On Jan. 8 however, somebody’s “0” has got to go.

The Wolverines are currently favored by 4.5 points thanks to their aforementioned defense, their solid running game and Jim Harbaugh’s coaching pedigree. The Wolverines are led by a strong secondary featuring talented sophomore Will Johnson and experienced fifth-year Mike Sainristil. They’ll have their hands full against Washington, but they will surely get help from the front seven. Milroe was sacked six times in the Rose Bowl and the Wolverines will need to put Penix Jr. under the same pressure.

On offense, the Wolverines are led by a two-headed rushing attack. Running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are talented enough on their own, but they are

complemented by one of the best offensive lines in the country. Even without consensus All-American guard Zak Zinter, Michigan’s running game should pose a huge threat to the Huskies.

If the Huskies hone in on the run game, J.J. McCarthy and Roman Wilson will punish the defense with play-action. In the Sugar Bowl, McCarthy showed the potential to lead an offense in clutch moments, but he is going to have to take better care of the ball.

Despite finishing the game with 0 interceptions, McCarthy had many close calls. He had turned it over on the first play until a video review showed that Alabama safety Caleb Downs was out of bounds and was bailed out by Wilson’s tremendous ball skills on a couple of occasions.

It is crucial that McCarthy and the Wolverines are careful with the football because the Washington offense is electric. Michael Penix Jr. leads the best passing offense in the country. Penix Jr. is accompanied by wide receivers Ja’Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillian and Biletnikoff award nominee Rome Odunze. He’ll even have running back Dillon Johnson returning from injury. Johnson will devastate the Wolverines if they are playing too shallow.

Despite being the underdog by 4.5 points, many are confident that Washington will win the championship thanks to their high-flying offense. Washington’s talented receiving corps and Penix Jr.’s left-handedness reminds some of Alabama with Tua Tagovailoa under center. Similar to Penix Jr., Tagovailoa’s ball placement is his biggest strength.

With receivers like Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy at his disposal, opposing defenses could never find an answer.

Michigan will need big performances from their star defensive backs, as Penix Jr. is predicted to dissect the Wolverines like a surgeon. The Wolverines keep it close as the Huskies are no stranger to a close game. Let’s say 34-27 Huskies. Offensive MVP will go to Penix Jr. while Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad will take home Defensive MVP. Does “defense win championships” or is “the best defense a great offense”? We’ll soon find out.■ H

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

16 TUESDAY, JAN 9, 2024

SPORTS

THE HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/category/sports

‘Everyone does it’ - Kevin Durant SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

Studies show that marijuana legalization affects NCAA recruitments.

On Dec. 12, 2023, the Journal of Sports Economics published a study detailing the consequences of Marijuana legalization on recruiting outcomes in NCAA D1 sports.

Looking at recruitment data from 2003 to 2019, the study found that Cannabis legalization is an “important but complex driver of college sports recruiting.”

Presenting “unexpected consequences of marijuana legalization,” the study concluded that “legalization appears to improve basketball recruiting outcomes for in-state colleges but hurts recruiting outcomes for football programs … reveal[ing] a channel through which marijuana laws could impact post-secondary education.”

The study uses recruitment data from Rivals.com, a highly trusted sports ranking site, and a difference-in-difference data model to present these findings regarding marijuana legalization on collegiate athletics. Since Rivals.com only displays the recruiting ranking for the top 25 teams in a year, the researchers utilized the “Rivals 250 Bonus Scale” to determine the recruitment rankings of the remaining teams. In their analysis, researchers analyzed the 126 teams over 17 basketball seasons, participating in the “ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Big East, PAC-12, SEC, Mountain West, MAC, CUSA and American” basketball conferences. For college football recruiting outcomes, researchers also utilized data from Rivals.com, examining 113 college football teams over the 17-year study duration.

As indicated by the research model, recreational marijuana legalization “adversely affects football recruiting outcomes.” Collegiate football programs in states with legalized recreational cannabis use rank 2.9 slots worse than institutions where cannabis is not legal. Researchers concluded that this was significant data, indicating a magnitude of ten percent, and “in absolute terms, the magnitude for Legal is roughly equivalent to 1.7 additional BCS bowls in the past five years or about 51% as strong as the effect of a college fielding a new head football coach.” Researchers concluded that their key results from legalization data is, “state legalization of recreational marijuana appears to have adverse effects on football recruiting for colleges and universities within the state.”

Contrary to football recruitment, marijuana legalization presents the opposite effect on collegiate basketball, improving recruitment numbers. The research model found that residing in states with legalized recreational cannabis use improved collegiate basketball recruiting rankings by 3.7 slots; this result is significant with a magnitude of five percent.

Researchers concluded that the effects of Marijuana legalization are not trivial, and “In absolute terms, being located in a state with legal marijuana exerts an effect on recruiting that is 50% as strong as having a new coach.”

Using the recruitment data from Rivals.com, researchers concluded that colleges in states with legal access to recreational marijuana would receive enhanced recruiting numbers in collegiate basketball but reduced numbers in collegiate football recruitment.

According to the research model, being located in a state with legal cannabis is associated with a 3.7-slot improvement in recruiting rankings for basketball and a 2.9-slot reduction in recruiting ranks for football. Researchers compared these numbers with previous football and basketball recruitment research, finding that Marijuana legalization is half as important as head-coach status when it comes to recruiting collegiate athletes. In both the case of football and basketball, marijuana legalization is considered a significant variable, suggesting that interested parties of other NCAA sports should consider the effects of Cannabis legalization on collegiate recruitment numbers.

The results of this study are unsurprising, given recent professional football and basketball attitudes toward marijuana. In 2023, the National Basketball Association (NBA) removed marijuana from the list of prohibited substances for NBA players, essentially legalizing cannabis in the NBA. Not only is this demonstrative of a progressive shift in attitudes towards marijuana, but it also allows NBA players to benefit from the cannabis industry lucratively. Basketball players have even commented on the NBA’s decision to legalize cannabis within the industry. Kevin Durant, in reference to marijuana use, stated, “It’s the NBA, man. Everybody does it, to be honest. It’s like wine at this point.”

Interestingly, in recent years, the National Football League (NFL) has experienced a shift towards more progressive ideologies regarding cannabis use. In Feb. 2022, the NFL even awarded one million dollars to the University of California San Diego and the University of Regina in Canada to investigate the effects of cannabis use on pain management. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, stated that this “may lead to the discovery of data-based evidence that could impact the pain management of our players.” With many of their players reportedly consuming marijuana for pain management without fear of losing their careers, many perceive this announcement as the NFL being more open to cannabis use.

Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, during his collegiate football career in 2010, tested positive for marijuana and was suspended for the remainder of the season. Something he was punished so harshly for 14 years ago, according to Kelce, is now something that around 50 percent to 80 percent of professional football players use. Kelce even stated that under the NFL’s more lenient marijuana policy implemented in 2021, it is easy for players to use marijuana during the H offseason, and as long as “you just stop in the middle of July, you’re fine.” ■

COURTESY OF PEXELS