Volume 72, Issue 28

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UC response to student protestors spur UAW to strike News

UAW CHARGES UC WITH VARIOUS LABOR VIOLATIONS AND DEMAND RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

In response to the actions undertaken by various University of California (UC) administration in regards to the student protests at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and UC San Diego (UCSD) International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) 4811 filed an Unfair Labor Practice Charge against the Regents of the University of California. As of recently, the UC Office of the President (UCOP) has taken up the labor complaints and alleged that “this strike is illegal.”

UAW 4011 claimed that the UC system violated multiple labor violations, some of which are, the UC Regents interfered with and retaliated against members for “exercising their rights to engage in peaceful political protest,” and “changed the terms and conditions of employment regarding Employees’ rights to protest peacefully.”

In a Twitter post made by UAW 4811 on May 17, they called for UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) to be the first university to stand up. This action will take place on May 20 and “all Santa Cruz UAW 4811 academic workers should stop all teaching and wind down research work.”

In their report, UAW 4011 cited the action that the UC Regents undertook at UCLA where they requested “forceful police intervention” and “allowed and condoned a violent attack” against peaceful protestors, as well as the action taken at UC Irvine (UCI) and UCSD where UC Regents had “issued suspension notices to peaceful protestors,” claiming that this penalty was only previously issued for “the most egregious misconduct” and that “this disparate, content-based disfavor toward pro-Palestine speech is an affront to the rights of employees to engage in peaceful protest.”

As listed on their website, UAW 4811 called for the UC to negotiate and come to an agreement by addressing five key points:

“Amnesty for all academic employees, students, student groups, faculty, and staff who face disciplinary action or arrest due to protest.”

“Right to free speech and political expression on campus.”

“Divestment from UC’s known investments in weapons manufacturers, military contractors, and companies profiting from Israel’s war on Gaza.”

“Disclosure of all funding sources and investments, including contracts, grants, gifts, and investments, through a publicly available, publicly accessible, and up-to-date database.”

“Empower researchers to opt out from funding sources tied to the military or oppression of Palestinians. The UC must provide centralized transitional funding to workers whose funding is tied to the military or foundations that support Palestinian oppression.”

On May 16, in response to the allegations made against them, Melissa Matella, Associate Vice President of Systemwide Labor Relations explained that the “UAW’s decision to strike over nonlabor issues violates the no-strike clause of their contracts with UC and sets a dangerous and far-reaching precedent that social, political and cultural issues – no matter how valid – that are not labor-related can support a labor strike.” Further alleged in the statement was that “the [UC Regents] had no indication that the protests were connected to any labor dispute or the terms of employment for students.”

However, in the Twitter post which called UCSC to action, they specify a few of the unfair labor practices that the UC has allowed and committed, including “actively risking the health and safety of UAW 4811 members and members of the university community by creating an unsafe work environment. Making unilateral changes to working conditions that have impacted our teaching, our work obligations, our safety and our academic freedom. Summoning the police to forcibly eject and arrest UAW

4811 members in retaliation for engaging in peaceful protected activity. Demanding workplace related changes causing a chilling effect on future considered actions by the Union and its members and more.”

Addressing the UC statement, Heeba Hartit, a fifth year doctoral student and instructor in the University Writing Program, and Academic Student Employee Unit Chair for UAW 4811 at Riverside reiterated that “The UC has committed various unfair labor practices which has led to the strike in the first place” and that “it is actually against the law for them to deem our strike unlawful. That is entirely within the purview of the California Public Employment Relations Board.”

From May 13 - 15, “the ability to authorize the executive board to authorize a strike was put up to vote to membership. Members can have a voice on whether or not they not they wanted to give the executive board clearance to authorize a strike” according to Hartit. This authorization would allow for the UAW to call for a Stand Up Strike.

The UAW 4811 are a union of 48,000 academic workers at the UC system. According to a Twitter post, 19,780 academic workers “voted on whether to authorize [the] union’s Executive Board to call a strike,” which resulted in 79% of participating members voting “YES” to authorize the strike “if circumstances justify.” While the option to abstain was not offered, some were just not present to participate in the vote due to external factors such as work breaks, and others chose not to vote in general due to other miscellaneous factors such as conflicts of interest.

Hartit explained that the situation at UCR is “interesting” in regard to the strike. A few weeks prior, UCR’s proPalestinian protestors were the first to reach an agreement with administration during their encampment period. At the moment, she emphasizes that it “is our responsibility to demonstrate solidarity [with] other campuses.”

While UCR has not yet been called to action, as various UCs will be asked to stand up intermittently, Hartit shares, “we’re preparing, we’re absolutely ready to go. Every campus is gearing up.”

A show of unity: collective student action at Regents

Turn to page 6 Turn to page

A

‘The student intifada’

glimpse into student activism at the UC Regents meeting

Turn to pages 8 and 9

Free, free Palestine, free, free, free Palestine — There is only one solution, intifada revolution — We will honor all our martyrs. All our children’s sons and daughters — 1234 occupation no more — UC Regents, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide — UC Regents, you can’t hide. You are funding genocide — Intifada, intifada. Long live the intifada — Min al-maya lil maya Falstine Houria —

— From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free — Disclose, Divest. We will not stop, we will not rest — We want justice, you say how. End the attacks on students now — Viva, viva Palestina — Tell me what you want, what you really want: Justice! Tell me what you need, what you really need: Justice! How we gonna get it? People power! —

Here

A show of unity: collective action at Regents meeting

‘THERE WILL BE NO UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA WITHOUT ITS STUDENTS’: STUDENTS EXPRESS THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT AT UC BOARD OF REGENTS.

BRENDA JOVEL Editor-in-Chief

Pro-Palestinian protestors from across the University of California (UC) system came together to advocate and demand for the UC Board of Regents to hear their calls for divestment and disclosure. A few days prior to UC Merced hosting their first Regents meeting on their campus from May 14 to May 16, UC Merced’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), UC alumni, and community members gathered to launch their encampment on May 12, 2024 to join the nationwide efforts of pro-Palestinan protesters. To read more about the UC Merced encampment, read “The student intifada” by Senna Omar on page seven.

During all three-days of the UC Regents meeting, the general public gathered outside the meeting’s doors in hopes of having their statements heard during Public Comment. As Public Comment began on May 15, several UC community members, including students and alumni who had traveled from all across the UC, were unable to share their statements due to limited access to the building.

Celene Aridin, Associated Students of UC Davis’ Vice President of External Affairs, explained how she had reached out to organizers of the Regents meeting to discuss efficient methods for Public Comment. Aridin explained, “[organizers of the Regents meeting] said that the students who didn’t go [May 15] can be prioritized for tomorrow.”

Aridin brought light to the fact that several students had driven long distances specifically for this meeting’s Public

Comment and that it was discouraging for them to have to make the trip again to have the opportunity to share their thoughts.

As the meeting progressed, protesters engaged in civil disobedience, disrupting the meeting. This disruption was captured by Students for Justice in Palestine’s UC Merced chapter and posted on their Instagram. Protesters disturbed the meeting with shouts and chants aimed at the Board. “36,000 dead,” exclaimed one protester. Another protester followed with, “On the anniversary of the Nakba … Shame on you!”

The post also shows Board members leaving their seats and police officers coming in as protesters held their keffiyehs before them, all while continuously chanting, “UC, UC, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

During the disruption, Regent Lark Park announced warnings to audience members, demanding they end the protest. By the final and third warning, Regent Park requested that “the appropriate police officer make a declaration of unlawful assembly and clear the room.”

UC Los Angeles student David Ramirez and UC Davis student Valeria Cantor recalled the disruption and noted the attempts made by protesters to have their voices heard by the Regents. Ramirez criticized the actions of the Regents as the disruption occurred, “I think it’s just ironic how this university teaches us to disrupt the status quo, to speak out against injustices … this is the first opportunity

[Regents] have to hear from UC Merced students first-hand about what they feel about what’s going on, and yet, rather than listening to their own students, they call in hundreds of police officers to brutalize them and kick them out of the meeting.”

By the end of the May 15 meeting, protesters gathered to chant peacefully outside of the building. While marching back to the encampment, protesters chanted, “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest” before marching to the encampment.

Public Comment on the third and final day of the Regents meeting allowed students and alumni to stress the importance of divestment to support the people of Palestine; students also urged Regents to vote “no” on action item J1.

Titled “Adoption of Regents Policy on Public and Discretionary Statements by Academic Units,” J1 is meant to ensure that information, such as “political or controversial issues,” posted on university websites do not represent the institution’s views.

A couple of speakers during Public Comment were critical of J1 because it would limit the kind of speech allowed on university websites. The document notes that any speech released by universityassociated individuals must adhere to the guidelines the university has set.

“However, individual faculty members, groups of faculty or Units could choose to express opinions on other pages of a Unit’s website provided that statements made on behalf of the Unit must be consistent with procedures adopted by the Unit and must

include a disclaimer that the opinions do not represent the official views of the University,” as stated on J1’s background information.

Hoku Jeffrey, an organizer for By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), held a petition signed by “over 1,000 students in the University of California [system],” lobbying the Regents to vote against the adoption of J1. Jeffrey added, “There must be a no-gag rule on … students, faculty and staff that are defenders of the Palestinian struggle for equality.”

The decision of whether or not to approve J1 was pushed to the next Regents meeting in July.

UC Irvine student Dee Statum stood in for their professor during Public Comment. Statum held up their phone to the microphone, playing a recording of his distressed professor being arrested at the UC Irvine encampment. Echoing throughout the room, Statum’s professor was heard pleading, “We cannot have a genocidal foreign policy in a democracy because the young people are going to be the ones that pay the price for these horrible decisions,” with her voice becoming more frustrated and agitated with every word.

Shortly after, Statum returned to Public Comment for their own statement. They expressed, “There will be no University of California without its students. The decent thing that you all can do if you don’t want to divest is at least fire the Chancellors who are sitting here and abusing students. That’s the least that you can do.” ■ H

‘The student intifada’

DISPLAY OF SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINE ACROSS THE UC COMMUNITY.

SENNA OMAR Managing Editor

76 years after the first Nakba, on May 15, 2024 ,in a display of collective resistance, alumni, workers, and students from across the University of California (UC) system gathered at the UC Merced pro-Palestine encampment to “call attention [to] the Regents and demand they disclose and divest” from Israel and weapons manufacturing. During the three-day UC Regents meeting, from May 14 to May 16, 2024, the powerful voices of protesters echoed across UC Merced’s ‘Little Lake’ separating protesters from the UC Board of Regents meeting.

Their chants traveled across the water, infiltrating the building where the Regents meeting was held, forcing the Regents inside to hear their calls to “Free Palestine” and end the “UC funding of genocide.” As protests were happening in the encampments, people assembled outside the doors of the Regents meeting, demanding to be let in and have their voices heard. For more information regarding the Regents meeting, read “A show of unity: collective student action at Regents meeting,” by Brenda Jovel on page six.

According to Associated Students of UC Merced’s UC Student Association (UCSA) Chair Ari Huffman, on the second day of the Regents meeting, protestors at the encampment hosted “various programs to build community and share space at UC Merced.” In remembrance of the first Nakba, the event featured speakers from all across the UC system, as well as musical performances and dances; protesters gathered to “honor all [their] martyrs” and celebrate Palestinian culture.

To honor the Palestinians who were killed by Israeli forces, members of the encampment put up a memorial with the names of the first 6,000 “Palestinian martyrs who have been killed since Oct. 7.”

Huffman emphasized the “UC solidarity” present at the encampment throughout the Regents meeting. She highlighted that “this is not just a UC Merced issue, UC Riverside issue, a UC Berkeley issue; it’s a system-wide issue. The [UC] Regents are the people that we need to target and who we need to put pressure on, and they are here today. Every [UC] campus is represented here today … The support from our other sister campuses means so much to us, and we want to continue to build this bridge and tell the Regents to disclose and divest.”

Since its founding in January 2024, UC Merced’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has organized numerous walkouts, programs, teachins and, most recently, its encampment, which began on May 12, 2024. Huffman declared that UC Merced’s SJP will not end their encampment until all “our

demands are met and until divestment is met.”

Speakers throughout the day emphasized their support for Palestine and their disappointment in the UC for their, as one speaker put it, “connection to the Zionist entity and profit off this genocide.”

Of many speakers during the Nakba remembrance program, was UC Merced alumni and organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Jesus. Jesus began his organizing efforts for Palestine because he felt a connection to the Palestinian struggle through his identity. He expressed that “as an undocumented student, I understood the deeper connections of the state and my own people’s repression … This movement for the liberation of Palestine is a movement that unifies all of us people in the diaspora here in the United States, because in one way or another, we are all interconnected, and we all have a common enemy, which is US imperialism.”

In between speeches from members of the UC community, as protesters saw Regents exit the meeting, they began chanting and demanding to be heard and recognized by the Regents. Protestors engaged in chants such as “UC Regents, you can’t hide, you are funding genocide,” and “Michael Drake, you’re a liar, we demand a ceasefire,” attempting to garner the attention of the Regents and gain recognition for their demands.

A speaker at the encampment and a member of the UC Berkeley community, Hesham, emphasized the power of the UC system as the “largest employer and educator in California,” and echoed his fellow speakers and organizers’ calls for divestment and justice in Palestine.

“I think divestment is long overdue. We’ve done it for apartheid South Africa; there is no reason why we shouldn’t do it for the apartheid, Zionist, racist, white supremacist State of Israel,” expressed Hesham.

Nadya, a UC Santa Cruz alumni and organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, cited the “repression and obtuse Zionism with no support from our administration on campus” as what spurred her into action. Emphasizing the hypocrisy of the UC, Nadya remarked, “The UC says that it’s an educational bastion, but we know that they prioritize money over education. That’s consistent with what they’ve shown us … We know that however long it takes to recognize this as a genocide on the international stage … that the International Criminal Court (ICC) will be very interested to talk to these people who look genocide in the face and continue to fund it without a blink of an eye.”

After two long days of chanting and lobbying Regents to come and converse

with students at the encampment, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, the final day of the Regents meeting, Student Regents Josie Beharry and Merhawi Tesfi, led Regent Josie M. Hernandez, Regent Gregory Sarris and Regent Keith Ellis to the encampment during their 20-minute lunch break. Although this meeting was short, Regent Hernandez promised protesters that he would return following the conclusion of the Regent meeting.

After the Regents left, members of the encampment began preparing to host the Regents at their encampment and brainstorming questions to ask them upon their return.

Following the conclusion of the UC Regent meeting, Student Regent Beharry, Student Regent Tesfi, Regent Hernandez, Regent Joel Raznick and Regent Ellis returned to the encampment to, according to Regent Ellis, “answer students’ questions” and discuss “information we shared with them discussed during the Investments Committee meeting on Tuesday.”

All of the Regents present echoed the same sentiment that they are only one Regent and cannot speak for the Board of Regents as a whole, only for themselves as individual Regents. When asked about divestment, students received similar responses from all the Regents present: “Divestment is complicated … and not as simple as pulling money out.”

None of the Regents could commit to divestment; however, Regent Hernadez committed to lobbying the Regents regarding student concerns. Throughout the question-and-answer session, the Regents emphasized that they are not an “all-powerful entity.” UC Merced’s SJP President Janine Barakat responded, “It is disheartening for the students to hear you all diminishing the power and advocacy that you hold as Regents.”

Student Regent Beharry stated, “We are allies to you always,” and emphasized that because of the work that the students have been doing across UC campuses, the UC disclosed their investment portfolio on day one of the UC Regent meeting.

The displays of collective actions across not only UC campuses, but also universities across the globe, have led some protesters to call this a “student Intifada,” or ‘uprising’ demonstrating the strength of the collective action in student organizing efforts, similar to protests against “South African [apartheid]” and the “Vietnam [war].”. Nadya proclaimed that “no matter where [the Regents] go, UC students, faculty, staff and people of conscience will find them and will let them know that it is their responsibility to divest student funds from the genocidal project of Israel against the Palestinian people.”

As Regents walked away from the

encampment, protesters began repeatedly chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” “We want justice, you say how, end the attacks on students now” and “Viva, viva Palestina.”

Graduate student at UC Los Angeles (UCLA), Dylan Kupsh, who was pepper sprayed in the eyes by Zionists during his time at the UCLA Palestine solidarity encampment, expressed his disappointment in the responses Regents gave to students, as well as the lack of accountability for Chancellors across the UC system for authorizing police force on their own students.

Kupsh shared that his “friends are still limping because they were shot by rubber bullets, and a lot of people were in the hospital getting stitches. I think there’s not an acknowledgment of the real pain and suffering that we went through because of the regent’s actions and the Chancellor’s actions against us.”

Directing the conversation towards the Regents’ emphasis on students meeting with their Chancellors regarding divestment, Kupsh stated, “we were [at the UCLA encampment] for an entire week. The Chancellor, [Gene Block], never came, and he knew where we were. He admitted to watching us getting brutalized by Zionists from the building right next to us … we’re willing to have this conversation about divestment and [are] trying to achieve these demands. It’s really frustrating when the Regents come here and say, ‘we’re willing to have this conversation,’ but in reality, they don’t come [to us].”

Dee Statum, a UC Irvine (UCI) student who spoke during public comment at the Regents meeting, echoed the dissatisfaction expressed by other in the encampment in regards to the Regents’ response to the student protesters as well as their disappointment in the UCI Chancellor, who, on May 15, 2024, authorized the “demolishment of the [UCI] encampment.” Statum claimed that the actions of UCI Chancellor, Howard Gillman, and chancellors across the UC system were actions of “abuse” by “police enforcement” towards student protesters and shared that one of their friends, alongside one of their professors, were arrested during the raid on the UCI encampment.

Statum continued, emphasizing how the Regents “make [divestment] seem very complicated. I can understand the fact that you cannot divest immediately, but why can’t we do this step-by-step? Why can’t you just say, in the future, we will not be investing in A, B and C companies because they’re doing A, B and C … to say that there are no steps to divest from these companies is crazy to me … there’s no reason why they should be in contact with these companies.” ■ H

A glimpse into student activism

People from all across the UC system gathered at the UC Merced encampment to protest the UC Regents meeting. Ari Huffman, media relations for the UC Merced encampment, expressed, “We want to unite California on this front. Palestinians are being genocided at an incredible heartbreaking, devastating rate, and we do not want our tuition dollars or taxpayer money to go towards this. This affects all of us.”

Protesters create a memorial in remembrance of the 36,000 Palestinians who have been murdered since Oct. 7, 2023. This memorial included a candle visual, as well as a display of the first 6,000 Palestinian martyrs.

a

“We are able to graduate next quarter. Palestinians are not going to get a graduation ceremony … We don’t want to be the beneficiaries of the oppression of the Palestinian people.” - UCLA student Dylan Kupsh

Protesters at the encampment celebrate Palestinian culture by engaging in traditional Palestinian Dabke. Dating back thousands of years, Dabke is a symbol for Palestinian resistance, representing unity and strength in the resilience of Palestinian people.

Jesus,

speaker during the Nakba remembrance program at the UC Merced encampment stressed “We will fight back, we will organize to make sure that we see a liberated Palestine in our lifetime.”

at the UC Regents meeting

Police barricades prevented protesters from entering the Regents meeting. In order to enter, people were forced to walk all the way around ‘Little Lake,’ extending the amount of time it took to get from the encampment to the Regents meeting.

“I think a lot of times in these narratives it is forgotten why we’re really out here, and that’s because of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. 35,000 people have been murdered by Israel … At UCLA, we faced chemical and biological weapons, we faced bear mace, pepper spray, people were going to the hospital, but it’s little in comparison to what Palestinians are facing in Gaza.” - UCLA student Dylan Kupsh

from

When students asked if the regents would be willing to put out a statement in “solidarity with the genocide that is happening in Gaza,” Regent Joel Raznick responded, “I do not know that I would define this as a genocide.”

Palestinian musical artists bring the encampment together through every stum and note sung. The crowd gathered to immerse themselves in this captivating display of Palestinian culture and resistance.

from left to right, Regent

and

“And then when we come, and we protest, we’re met with silence. The Regents listen more to the people who beat us up, who assaulted us, than what we’re doing which is protesting and de-escalating and doing all the things that this university values.” - UCLA student Dylan Kupsh

“This Movement for the Liberation of Palestine is a movement that unifies all of us people in the diaspora here in the United States, because in one reason or another, in one way or another, we are all interconnected, and we all have a common enemy, which is US imperialism.” — Jesus

Pictured

left to right, Regent Joel Reznick and Regent Jose Hernadez address protesters at the encampment.

Pictured

Keith Ellis

Student Regent Merhawi Tesfai address protesters at the encampment.

Senate will leave CHASS Senator vacancy unfilled

SENATE VOTES ‘NO-CONFIDENCE’ ON SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

EMYR ORTIZ Assistant News Editor

In a discussion over special elections for a vacant College of Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator seat, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) Senate voted “no confidence” on the election. The vote will effectively leave the vacant position unfilled for the duration of the school year.

The discussion over vacancies comes in the wake of the resignation of CHASS Senator Alex Lu last week. Senator Lu had several impeachment charges levied against him, but resigned before an impeachment hearing. Because of this resignation, these charges did not lead to any official proceedings.

A majority of the Senate voiced opposition to filling the seat, questioning how a senator elected so close to the end of the school year could be effective.

CHASS Senator Rachit Shah reflected

on his own experience, having become a senator through a special election. “For me personally, when I joined in the middle of October, it took me 90 days for the full onboarding process to be officially completed,” stated Senator Shah.

Senator Roshan Kannan, who was also elected during special elections, shared his own opinion on the topic, “by doing special elections this late in the quarter, and by electing someone, I don’t believe it’s beneficial for them or for us. We’re putting a lot on their plate and asking them to speed things up and do something that we were taught over a span of a month or longer in one or two weeks.”

The senate voted 9-0-0 on a vote of no confidence, effectively leaving the Senate seat vacant for the remainder of the year.

Special elections are also intended to be held for CNAS Senator, SOE Senator, Nontraditional Student Director, and

Elections Director for the upcoming academic year, according to the Elections Director Instagram page.

The Senate also passed multiple pieces of legislation unanimously, 9-0-0, last Wednesday, addressing topics ranging from ASUCR succession to facilities.

Senate Bill S24-003, or The Smooth Transition of Power Act outlined new measures for aiding in the transition to new ASUCR members. The bill outlined a new exit survey for ASUCR elected officials and a “Leadership Succession Summit.

Senate Resolution S24-004, also passed on Wednesday, aims to push for “more accessibility in terms of social media and other media,” according to Senator Teesha Sreeram, a primary author of the bill. The bill calls for student organizations to implement photo IDs, or written descriptions of visual posts.

It also asks that faculty include closed captions on videos and course materials, and that ASUCR create an “accessibility guide” for student organizations.

Other legislation passed include a resolution on facilities accessibility which “calls for UCR’s Facilities Services to conduct annual accessibility audits” prior to the start of the academic year, and for ASUCR to learn how to report malfunctioning facilities, and two Senate Bills which amended ASUCR bylaws.

Senate Meeting 23 of the school year was called to order at 7:07 p.m. and was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Senators Ray Khan, Philson Ho, Kevin Nguyen, Grace Su, Kaden Ho, Anjana Narasimhan, Amariah Peedikayil and Crystal Toral were excused.

UCR’s R’Pantry receives donation from Stater Brothers Charities

GRAND REOPENING OF STATER BROS. MARKET SEES MULTIPLE DONATIONS MADE TO RIVERSIDE NONPROFITS.

MATA ELANGOVAN News Editor

The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) Basic Needs R’Pantry program received a donation of $2,500 from Stater Bros. Markets on May 15, 2024. Located on Iowa Avenue, the supermarket held their grand reopening showcasing their remodeled supermarket and donated a grand total of $12,500 to five local nonprofit organizations.

Remi Rodriguez, the R’Pantry Coordinator, recalled the events leading up to receiving the grant, explaining that Stater Bros. Markets is one of the vendors that they regularly reach out to in order to stock the pantry. They were informed that the store manager was given the

opportunity to highlight five nonprofits, “ones that were making an impact in Riverside specifically.”

Currently, Rodriguez estimates that the R’Pantry serves on average 300-350 students a week, and this includes both the R’Pantry location in the Highlander Union Building, as well as the satellite station set up at the Student Health Center. They comment, “we’re always looking [for] ways to keep our shelves stocked… So we’re always happy and willing and able to accept donations, or ways that people want to help us out with.”

Rodriguez hopes to use the funds that the pantry received in order to “market

more to make sure that students are aware that [the R’Pantry] exists.”

At the Stater Bros. grand reopening, the Stater Brothers Charities Director, Danielle Olman, started off with a few words to kick off donations, “Our dedication and passion for community service extends outside of our four walls, and one way we do that is through our nonprofit, our Stater Brothers Charities. We are a passionate community partner that champions and helps advance local nonprofit goals with a focus on hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, and health and care for our veterans and active service members.”

According to the R’Pantry’s website, their mission is to provide “emergency non-perishable food, personal hygiene, household care, and childcare items to both undergraduate and graduate students experiencing food insecurity.” The services that they provide are open to all students, regardless of financial status, and allows for one visit to the R’Pantry each week. Hours for the organization vary on a quarterly basis and include a mixture of appointments and drop-in hours. ■ H

OpiniOns THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

LA City Council may never get the accountability its people need

THE LA CITY COUNCIL’S DECISION TO REMOVE KEY ETHICS REFORM POLICIES FROM THE BALLOT FURTHER DENIGRATES ANY REMAINING PUBLIC TRUST.

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.

The Los Angeles (LA) City Council has been inundated with scandal after scandal since long before the release of the racist recordings of various council members, including Councilmember Kevin de León, who had held onto his seat to this day. In response to the unending barrage of scandals facing the city, a series of charter reforms are being considered in order to rebuild public trust. While some of these measures seem like an overdue no-brainer, they will not be enough to mitigate the damage done by years of wrongdoing on the part of council members.

While the release of recording that implicated LA City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmember de León resulted in a push for transparency in a shocking turn of events, so were the charges brought against City Council President Pro Tempore Curren Price for perjury and embezzlement. There was also the 2021 indictment of suspended Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas for his participation in the University of Southern California (USC) kickback scheme for which he was found guilty of seven charges, including “conspiracy, bribery, honest services mail fraud and honest services wire fraud.”

In 2020, sexual harassment of a bodyguard for Mayor Eric Garcetti was alleged in a suit against the city. There was also the “pay-to-play” scheme investigation that led to the conviction of former Councilmember Mitchell Englander for lying to federal authorities, which, again, significantly diminished public trust in the city council. There have been investigations into council members for illegal donations, and federal authorities have expended time and resources investigating campaign contributions. LA City Council is quite

literally overflowing with corruption and ethics violations that would make their constituents’ skin crawl.

“This council needs reigning and oversight; they cannot be trusted to behave themselves, so, like children, they need supervision.”

These odious and numerous scandals make it important that the Ethics Commission be given more independence. There’s no question this council needs reigning and oversight; they cannot be trusted to behave themselves, so, like children, they need supervision. The charter reforms of the greatest importance were the addition of two new commissioners not appointed by elected officials and the ability to directly add ordinances to the ballot.

The proposed new charter reforms are incredibly necessary, and it is unclear why they were not in place before, but they will not be enough to stop the poorly concealed corruption that has made a home for itself in the walls of City Hall. While increasing penalties for violations of the LA Ethics Code is a sound decision, the lack of independent oversight is severely problematic.Without the changes, there is no way for the Ethics Commission to place ordinances on the ballot without going through the city council. It is wildly inappropriate that the Ethics Commission has to have the approval of those it is intended to oversee.

This council has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted to monitor

themselves or hold themselves accountable. It makes absolutely no sense that they should be allowed to have that kind of sway over the ability of the Ethics Commission to complete their mandate.

A truly independent commission has shown prmising results. In San Francisco, the passage of two ethics-related measures gave the commission more power, and it has not been abused. The fear in LA is that the Ethics Commission would take advantage of their ability to go directly to the voters, though there is no evidence to show that this is even remotely likely. The blockage of such a move by the LA City Council only highlights how afraid they are to be held accountable by their constituency and erodes any remaining trust the public has left.

This came to fruition on May 14 when the council decimated any real chance at ethics reform, gutting the public’s hopes. The previous package was not ambitious enough, and still, the council rejected its most important changes. A completely gutted package will be all that’s on the ballot this November. The choice to actively avoid accountability will only strengthen the community’s resolve and reinforce the need for greater reform.

An unsurprising 90% of LA voters think ethics reform is needed to address the level of corruption within the city council. And despite this clear public support, the council rejected the reforms. It’s a slap in the face of the community and so disrespectful that there are no words for it. Even the bare minimum they’re offered is only a false shot of hope, and there’s no telling if or when Angelenos will get the city council they deserve.

Dismissal of children’s climate case represents an unjust ignorance of the younger generation’s climate concerns

ALEX KUPISIEWICZ Contributing Writer

The plaintiffs’ claim that the Fifth Amendment was violated is being dismissed as easily as all of their generation’s climate concerns.

The climate case Genesis B. vs. EPA was initially filed in December 2023 by 18 plaintiffs between the ages of 8-years-old and 17-years-old in which they argued their Fifth Amendment rights were being violated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case focuses on the lack of action the EPA has taken to mitigate future climate change catastrophes and their system of calculating how much pollution to allow, which unfairly implies that the lives of the future generation are less important than the lives of current adults. The case was dismissed by the court on May 1, but the reasons for this dismissal seem more like an excuse. It seems as if the court’s real intention is to strike down the case before it can reach a courtroom.

Judge Michael Fitzgerald of the United States (U.S.) District Court for the Central District of California reasoned that the plaintiffs did not show how an admittance of wrongdoing by the EPA would be impactful or significant. Essentially, the ruling suggests that the plaintiffs should be asking for more from the EPA than an acknowledgment of their wrongdoings. Otherwise, there’s no point. There was no comment about why the court would dismiss a case based on how helpful a win would be for the plaintiffs since it’s not a comment on the strength or legality of the case. This makes one wonder if the real reason is that the court doesn’t want the case to go forward and will make excuses to ensure this outcome.

This ruling shows the blatant dismissal of the known long-term dangers of climate change by the EPA, U.S. presidents and previous generations. It also demonstrates a lack of respect for and neglect toward the younger generation’s opinion on important matters even when their lives are on the line. The EPA, which publishes numerous articles and findings on the long-term effects of climate change, has been focusing disproportionately on the present in this matter while ignoring the needs of the future or the young people it will affect. Specifically, the calculations utilized by the EPA in predicting future impacts of climate change rely on data that only includes the deaths of those above 30-yearsold. There is a data gap for those under the age of 30 who suffered a climate-related death and the EPA has not fixed it.

The dismissal allowed the plaintiffs to amend their complaint by May 20. According to the general counsel for Our Children’s Trust, the Oregon-based non-profit law firm that put together the case, the plaintiffs and their lawyers plan to file an amended complaint by the deadline. This isn’t their first case of this nature, as they have already taken legal action in all 50 states and have similar lawsuits pending in other states, including Hawaii, Florida, Utah and Virginia.

The non-profit law firm has already won a case in Montana requiring the state to abolish laws promoting fossil fuel usage and push for greater consideration before approving future fossil fuel development permits. Montana’s state

court decision proves that some judges consider the case strong enough, even if there are differences in cases on a state-by-state basis. This example only calls the California court’s decision into question even more. The California court’s ruling implies there is no point in recognizing the damage of the EPA’s actions rather than implying the case needs adjustment and improvement. However, to actually fix something, it must first be acknowledged as existent.

Despite the California state court’s attempt to silence their valid complaints, the younger generations are not planning to stand down anytime soon. Their determination and resilience in the face of such dismissals is a beacon of hope, inspiring all to take action on the climate crisis.

Going to college is worth it, especially if it is a California

public university

AAZAM KHAN Contributing Writer

California publiC universities prepare students to Compete in the job market far better than for-profit Colleges.

With rising tuition costs, there has been an ongoing debate as to whether attending a university is worth the expenses. While it is important to be critical of the rise of tuition, the answer is not to ditch college altogether. Not only is attending college worth the financial obligations, but it can expand life and career opportunities in ways a high school diploma alone cannot. Among the universities one can choose from, California’s public colleges can provide the best value in postgraduate return on investment.

California’s two public university systems are the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU), which provide a host of career openings for students in wide-ranging fields. Access to public education is especially important for students who have nontraditional college experiences. For example, roughly one-third of CSU students are first-generation students.

First-generation students face many unique issues on top of the already difficult demands of college life. They are more likely to commute to their university, meaning there is less time for those students to study for their classes or search for potential internships which may be why they are half as likely to utilize on-campus resources. These students also receive more need-based aid than non-first-generation students at public universities. This is not true of private schools, which are typically more expensive. The difference in what public and private universities offer students needing financial aid and campus support are a huge part of what makes California public universities high value.

Five universities in the CSU system, UC Riverside and UC Merced were ranked as top universities for strong social mobility.

California public universities provide students the best chance to break the cycle of generational poverty because they offer access to opportunities for a diverse group of socioeconomic backgrounds. Many have become disillusioned with the value of a college degree, but California universities offer internships and research involvement. When a student pays tuition, they pay for more than just lectures; they pay for access to those resources and opportunities. Many private schools have fewer of these opportunities and fewer facilities to do so.

Additionally, public universities in California admit a more diverse student body who are able to take their degrees and find a job that makes up for the educational costs.

A study from the College Futures Foundation found that more than 50% of public universities in California take less than a year post-graduation to recoup the educational costs while the other 45% lay between one to five years. These numbers far outcompete the value of private and for-profit universities. More than 15% of students attending private universities and 27% of those attending for-profit universities have to spend over five years of their earnings from their jobs to repay tuition.

This does not mean that public universities are perfect; there is still plenty of room for these institutions to improve. Attending a California public university is still incredibly expensive, even without factoring in the costs of the extracurricular activities students do to get into these schools. CSUs overwhelmingly supported a 34% tuition hike within the next five years, and these dramatic increases fuel the impression that an undergraduate education is not especially valuable. While the rise in cost may distress many people, many

high-paying career options are unavailable without a college degree.

Unfortunately, college is not a straight ticket to success. It takes time and energy to stay on top of classes, and a financial toll on all students. But, public universities in California offer exceptional programs that help students attain good jobs and achieve financial stability while offering resources to various students. Some students face different circumstances that complicate their college journey, such as student parents who are financially supporting their families. Public universities are more equipped to support students who face these challenges than private colleges are. ■ H

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

Gov. Newsom’s cuts in funding for California public universities will significantly hurt Inland Empire college students

CECILE DIROLL Assistant Opinions Editor

The proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budgeT plan will reduce funding for uc and csu financial aid, furTher burdening sTudenTs who are already sTruggling.

In his updated fiscal year 2024-2025 budget plan, Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing significant cuts in funding for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems. Faced with an estimated $44.9 billion budget deficit, Gov. Newsom is now proposing a reduction of $125 million in funding for UC, which he says will be rectified in the 2025-2026 budget plan. However, in 2022, Newsom promised to support the growth of the state’s public universities with a five-year growth plan by allocating $2 billion in funding. This reduction, along with other proposals for the Cal Grant and Middle-Class Scholarship programs, will undoubtedly place a heavier burden on students who are already struggling to make ends meet.

Cal Grant, one of the state’s most extensive financial aid programs, primarily provides cash aid to California Community Colleges (CCC) as “67% of student recipients” in 2020 were enrolled at CCC “compared to 22% at CSU and 4% at UC.” Supporting the lowest-income students, the Cal Grant program has grown in the past few years, with more money being offered to students each academic year. If the program were to continue growing, as had been anticipated, it was projected Cal Grants would reach “$2,000 per student by 2030” rather than the current average of $1,600.

However, by proposing to limit its expansion, CCC students’ financial aid packages will be reduced. In reports, CCC states that 64% of its students are low-income, 46% are Latino and 35% are first-generation — many of whom come from the Central Valley and Inland Empire. These underrepresented and underserved students often choose a community college path for its greater financial acces-

sibility and less costly tuition than four-year institutions. Limiting the financial aid these students rely on affects their path to higher education.

The budget proposal would also cut $100 million of funding for the Middle-Class Scholarship, which has previously “received more than $600 million annually.” The Middle-Class Scholarship serves 300,000 students whose families earn up to $217,000. On average, Middle-Class

Scholarship recipients receive $1,970. Unlike the Cal Grant, which is awarded to the lowest-income students, the Middle-Class Scholarship assists the next income tier of students who comprise a large majority of the UC students. Gov. Newsom’s plan to reduce funding for this

scholarship program will make paying UC’s increasing tuition rates more difficult. Considering that UC housing costs continue to grow year-over-year, particularly at UCR, reducing student award amounts will hurt deserving students at a time of greater need.

According to the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Financial Aid website, “87% of UCR’s undergraduates receive financial aid,” and “98% of those students receive gift aid.” Additionally, “77% of those who receive aid have their full fees covered by grants and/or scholarships.” UCR students receive the most financial aid out of all the UC campuses, with an average of approximately $22,000, including grants, loans and work-study. Gov. Newsom’s cuts to the Middle-Class Scholarship and refusal to expand the Cal Grant program will undoubtedly negatively impact many UCR students.

While Gov. Newsom couldn’t have anticipated the state deficit in 2022 when he promised to expand these financial aid programs, cutting funding for public education is not the answer. The proposed funding cuts also come at a time when many students are struggling to apply for financial aid due to ongoing problems with the revised FAFSA.

Moreover, studies have shown that a UC or CSU education yields a higher short-term return on investment than a non-California public university. Thus, state support for UC and CSU makes financial sense by paying dividends in years to come. Reducing funding for financial aid programs that millions of students need to attend college will only have negative consequences. California should be prioritizing accessibility to higher education, not creating more barriers. ■ H

LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

A week of trAnsition And chAnge Ansition

Something

new iS coming, juSt around the corner…

19

The Sun is a sign of enlightenment and knowledge. You’ve been in the dark for too long and your blind searching is about to come to an end. This week you’ll find the key, no matter how big or small, that will unlock all of the answers you’ve been searching for and more.

cAncer: eight of wAnds ncer: June 21 - July 22

The Eight of Wands is a sign of dynamism, action and change. Things have been going steady and you’ve become too comfortable. It’s time for a big shift, whether you’re ready for it or not. Hang on to only what you need, but be ready to let go if that’s what’s best.

This is not a card of outward strength, but of inner strength. This will be a tough week, full of challenges, but know that you have it in you to persevere and come out stronger than before.

leo: two of cups c July 23 - August 22

You’re growing closer to someone new — you know exactly who I’m talking about. That is a connection to focus on and nurture, not just during this week, but for the rest of the spring – if not even longer.

Aedan Ferrara, Production Manager

librA: Ace of pentAcles A: ent septeMber 23 - october 22 epteM

A new opportunity has just popped up and you’re not quite sure what to do with it. That’s because it has the potential to be almost anything you want it to be — so if you’re ready, make your decision, stick with it and charge forward.

cApricorn: Moon pricorn: deceMber 22 - JAnuAry 19 eceM A A

All is not as it seems, Capricorn. Look for places where you may be making incorrect assumptions about the world around you, others’ intentions and the path forward. Know that the person who most often lies to you is yourself.

scorpio: six of pentAcles october 23 - noVeMber 21 ctober no eM

The Six of Pentacles is a card of charity and generosity. Reflect on everything your community has done for you these past few weeks. Now is the time to give back, to share that abundance with others and put your gratitude on full display.

AquArius: queen of swords ueen words JAnuAry 19 - februAry 18 A A

The Queen of Swords is a true queen: independent, self-assured, able both to take charge when the situation calls for it and to step back and let others lead themselves. Embrace your independence, responsibility and leadership — you have it in you, and now is the time to show it.

Gemini, stop worrying about other people. You’ve had your gaze turned outward for so long. Now it’s time to look inward, to reflect and to cultivate your own inner life. Think back on your own growth these past months and consider the person you’d like to become in the near future.

Virgo: pAge of cups pAge August 23 - septeMber 22 epteM

You’re passionate about your goals. Lately, you’ve had a lot of things to be zealous about. Desire alone doesn’t get things done, however. Now is the time to lay out your next steps and be ready to make real change.

sAgittArius: nine of wAnds gitt ine nds noVeMber 22 - deceMber 21

You’ve been working hard these past few weeks, and it’s almost time for that hard work to come to fruition — but not quite yet. It may have been difficult, and it may have taken a lot of time and effort, and it’s going to take just a little bit more. The reward will be so much sweeter if you wait.

pisces: six of swords isces: ix words februAry 19 - MArch 20 Arch

Things have been a little unsteady, Pisces, but that’s all about to change. You’ll have to change, too, and you won’t come out the other side unscathed. Embrace the uncertainty, the newness, and remember that change comes to all — and in this case, it’s for the better.

Aries: sun MArch 21 - April

Arch

tAurus: strength Aurus April 20 - MAy 20 Ay

geMini: high priestess e MAy 21 - June 20 Ay

‘I Hate Love Stories’: SAF’s Cultural Extravaganza Hearts Hearts

A

JOURNEY OF FRIENDSHIP, GROWTH, AND CULTURAL APPRECIATION AS THE BOARD REFLECTS ON THE DEDICATION AND PASSION THAT BROUGHT THIS CULTURE SHOW TO LIFE ON STAGE.

SAATVIKA GORTI

Contributing

Writer

The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) South Asian Federation (SAF) celebrated its fifth annual culture show at the University Theatre on May 11, 2024. SAF is a dedicated organization that aims to unite the South Asian population at UCR, through various events such as socials, dance workshops, picnics, “chai talks” and the SAF Banquet. One of their most notable events is the extraordinary Culture Show. The board of directors for this year’s Culture Show — Parnika Nammi, Ruth Rapuri and Siya Panchal — worked vigorously for an entire year with their cast and ensemble to present “I Hate Love Stories.”

The directors’ vision was to showcase the diverse facets of South Asia through a plethora of acts, making it a truly immersive experience. They drew from lessons learned in previous years to enhance and personalize this year’s production, with program assistants from last year now leading the show as their own production. The sense of camaraderie within the team and the broader SAF community was extremely evident, with everyone contributing significantly to the success of the show.

formance resonated with the audience, highlighting the cultural significance of garba in South Asian festivities.

Raaga, the coed South Asian fusion a cappella group, mesmerized the crowd with their harmonious vocals. Additionally, the Peacock Dance from Sri Lanka was a wonderful portrayal of beauty, showcasing the intricate movements and vibrant colors associated with this traditional

teams left a lasting impression, demonstrating the diversity and talent within the South Asian dance community at UCR.

Abhinaya, the classical dance group at UCR, presented a captivating blend of South and North Indian classical dance forms. Their bharatanatyam performance showcased expressive synchronization, sharp movements and expressions, exemplifying the cultural richness of South India.

“I Hate Love Stories” came to be over the summer after the fourth Culture Show ended, and Panchal desired to see romance back on the stage, which served as the basis for their production. The team was set on a love story that would not end the way the audience expected and would be “a rollercoaster of emotions.” The play followed the lives of four childhood friends: Zain (Dhruv Patel), Priya (Heili Shah), Rishi (Aryan Renjith) and Pooja (Nikki Doiphode) who graduated college and planned a trip around South Asia. The story made for a perfect stage for elaborate performances displayed by various UCR South Asian Clubs, including a fashion show and choreography by Riya Bhakta and Richa Patel.

The SAF Culture Show featured a diverse range of performances that captivated audiences and celebrated the rich cultural heritage of South Asia. Among the standout acts were Raas, a co-ed garba team known for their energetic and synchronized movements, showcasing traditional Gujarati folk dance with modern flair. Their per-

folk dance. The performance captured the essence of Sri Lankan culture and added a unique touch to the cultural showcase.

Rooted, a South Asian urban fusion dance team, showcased their innovative choreography blending traditional and modern dance elements. Their performance was a seamless fusion of diverse dance styles, reflecting the evolving nature of South Asian dance forms in a contemporary context.

Titan Bhangra brought the vibrant energy of Punjab to the stage with their energetic act. Their high-energy movements and rhythmic beats had the audience cheering and dancing along with infectious joy.

Aag and Afsana, two premier dance teams at UCR, brought their unique styles to the stage at the SAF Culture Show. Aag dazzled with their competitive Bollywood fusion dance and flaunted dynamic choreography. Meanwhile, Afsana captivated the audience with their storytelling through coed Bollywood fusion dance, displaying precision and synchronization in every movement. Both

Meanwhile, their kathak presentation mesmerized the audience with rhythmic patterns, dynamic footwork and the storytelling traditions of North India. Abhinaya’s dual performance highlighted the diversity and artistic depth of Indian classical dance, adding a traditional yet dynamic flair to the cultural showcase.

Each performance at the SAF Culture Show was not only a display of technical skill but also a celebration of the diverse cultural tapestry and artistic talent within the South Asian community at UCR. A dedicated and passionate team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the SAF Culture Show to life. As the event approached, rehearsals intensified, evolving from a few times a week to daily sessions lasting multiple hours. The effort put in was described as a “labor of love,” reflecting the dedication and commitment that went into crafting the show, referred to as a mix of the culture show board’s “blood, sweat and tears.”

The team’s unwavering dedication and passion were visible, reflecting their commitment to cultivating an inclusive community at UCR. By using cultural celebration as a focal point of their production, they sought to foster unity among diverse audiences.

While their story didn’t end in a traditional romantic manner, it acted as a vessel for delving into the diverse experiences and traditions within South Asian cultures. Zain and Priya’s narrative, although bittersweet, embodied authenticity and depth, furthering the team’s mission to promote understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity through the power of artistic expression. ■ H

Beyond the tassel

The ulTimaTe guide To decoraTing your graduaTion cap.

NOLA PERIFEL

Contributing Writer

Decorating graduation caps is a tradition that many students partake in to celebrate their years of undergraduate college education. If you’re wondering how to go about it, read on!

Gather supplies:

The first thing graduates should do is gather supplies to craft personalized graduation caps — this includes your graduation cap, of course. Make sure you buy your graduation cap rather than rent it to ensure that you can modify it the way that you want. You need glue that adheres to fabric like hot glue or fabric glue. Don’t forget the cardboard or cardstock which is needed to create a base for your decoration. The most important thing that you need is decoration materials, such as paint, stickers, fabric mark glitter, ribbons and sequins.

Decide on a theme:

Plan out your decoration design:

These themes could be based on your favorite shows, movies or books, other interests of yours or significant facets of your personality. It could be fun to decorate your cap focusing around a joke or pun, and you can always find inspiration on Pinterest or other social media platforms. You can concentrate on your hobbies and the things you love but you can also focus on UCR, making a cap full of school spirit to celebrate your undergrad years.

The

summer I

Sketching out your design in a notebook to have a clear idea of what you want to see is very important to avoid mistakes when crafting your cap to avoid wasting any materials. Then for the decoration portion, you need to prepare the base of the decoration which you will later attach to the surface of the graduation cap. To do this, you will need to measure the square surface of the cap and apply those measurements to a piece of card board. You could always just around the cap with a pencil on the cardboard but this technique might be less accurate. Then you can cut out your base which will be the surface on which you decorate. It’s best to avoid ruining the only graduation cap you have with accidental paint splotches or misspelled words. Additionally, the cardboard or cardstock should have a circle cut out in the middle to fit the small button into the base. You can also choose not to add a base and to decorate directly on the cap, but keep in mind that it is your only shot!

Decorating with a base:

try out any vision or theme that you are hesitant about. If you can’t decide between two themes, you could always do both and choose once they’re done. The first thing you can do is sketch your vision on the base using the sketches you made previously. If you plan on adding pictures, you can sketch the shapes of the pictures you would like to add on the base to know exactly where to position them. This will also help you decorate around where you plan on adding pictures. By painting your base you can also add new colors to your cap and once it’s dry, you can begin decorating with sequins, glitter and ribbons.

Decorating directly on the cap:

For this type of decoration, you only have one shot so be extremely careful. A great tool to be sure that you don’t mess up drawings is using chalk. Chalk is commonly used on fabric to mark where to cut or sew because it erases easily and does not leave marks. So begin by tracing your design on the cap and then get started. Using hot glue or fabric glue, you can begin to attach sequins, glitter and the rest of your decorating material.

Once you are finished, the only thing left to do is graduate. Display your cap proudly and go get your diploma!

If you decide to decorate using a base, here’s how. First of all, you have as many tries as you would like so you can

turned graduate

STep inTo your Self-care era ThiS Summer, There’S plenTy of Time for adulTing.

MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES

Assistant Features Editor

The final days of the spring quarter may seem far away with the chaotic nature of college life, yet week eight is here! Although that comes with the dread of upcoming finals, for pending graduates, the rite of passage that comes with receiving your degree is within close reach. Months ago, you were just starting the first day of your last year in college, keeping pace with the quarter system as always. Now, most of you are in the process of preparing for your corresponding ceremonies, finding loopholes in your busy schedule to shop for attire, caps, sashes and other needed materials. The spotlight is on you, and it’s well deserved! I can’t fully grasp the overwhelming emotions that come with closing out your college experience. One thing I’ve come to observe, however, is a recurring question: “What do you plan to do after graduation?” Although this question stems from good intentions, it places pressure on graduates to give an elaborately long response, planning out the future and taking away from fully enjoying the present.

You’ve invested a lot in your years of academic education, so enjoy the festive ambiance and prioritize your well-

being in the present. If someone does ask you about what’s next, a simple and polite response is to express that you’re taking the summer as a time to reflect and adapt. This includes impending graduates who have secured jobs after graduation, as you’ll also need time to do the same. Taking the summer to find direction in life doesn’t have to inflict anxiety. You can discover more about what you want your path to look like by being engaged in the present. There is no roadmap, set expectations or implications that confine your potential. This can be scary but equally liberating. Summer is the perfect grace period for you to venture into new interests and indulge in what makes you happy. Nothing is set in stone, and there’s no right or wrong way to pave your path. Rely on your values so that you don’t regret anything you might want to try. If you do end up regretting something, it’s not as serious as you probably think.

The end of college should not be the end-all of fun. Adulting doesn’t have to feel like a chore — you can make it a non-linear and quirky experience. Do what gives you

peace; if that includes working right away, then prioritize balance so that you can enhance your happiness in all aspects of life. If you have the funds to travel, there is no better time to explore a place you’ve dreamed of going. Perhaps you’re looking to rent your own apartment in a new city that offers much to explore, or saving up to do so while moving back home. While it can be stigmatized to move back in with your family, this doesn’t have to feel like you’re taking steps back, especially in this economy. There’s so much freedom that comes with being able to make your own decisions this summer, so take it one day at a time.

Considering most of this graduating class were also the high school graduates of 2020 during our COVID-19 era, extend your celebrations over the summer. Be extra and own it. Make it the most memorable graduation yet. You’re all set with experiences, skills and one degree hotter to take on the world!

■ H

RADAR

Spring Splash 2024 made big waves before crashing to an abrupt end

By: Brendan Vo, Radar Editor, Kimberly Bejec, Assistant Radar Editor

Spring Splash undoubtedly holds a special place amongst University of California, Riverside (UCR) concerts. For seniors, it’s their last hurrah before graduation and for underclassmen, it’s their introduction to musical performances by big artists, multiple attractions and more. To all, it stands as the biggest Associated Students Program Board’s (ASPB) event of the year. This year’s Spring Splash was hosted on the Highlander Union Building (HUB) Lawn on Saturday, May 18, 2024 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., open to all undergraduate students who have registered and obtained their wristbands for the event.

Theme

This year’s Spring Splash centered on a stormy theme, an aesthetic that was aided with motifs such as “Demon Slayer” inspired torrents and lightning. The theme was seen in their designed stage, venue artworks, Instagram posts and desirable merchandise. The merch, in the form of a soft baby blue shirt, played well with the manga/anime theme at the back of the shirt, separating the artist’s name with panels in a darker blue and completed with a centerpiece anime-styled pair of eyes. Overall, the decorations around the venue also displayed the theme very well, submerging UCR students into the aquatic world.

LINE

If there’s ever any size measurement of an ASPB event, one can take such a measurement in observing the event’s line situation. Spring Splash’s lines were gigantic. The line to enter the event started from the Student Business Services building and wrapped around the lawn, before snaking all the way to the Arts building. Those who were at the front of that line came as early as 7:30 a.m. and just a bit further down were those that came at a more modest 11:30 a.m.

As expected, many were motivated by the allure of the promise of free merchandise if they lined up early — and they were indeed granted a wristband that could be shown at the merchandise booth to claim a 2024 Spring Splash shirt. This system has proved to be strategically effective, as not only does it help quell the disappointment of those who used to wait in lines for the merchandise only for it to run out, but also allows concertgoers to devote their efforts to other amenities and attractions if they did not receive one.

ASPB’s largest concert had high energy, but faced safety concerns with its large crowd.

FASHION

Despite the hot weather, many attendees showed up in their best attire for ASPB’s event of the year. As a result, bright or muted pastel colors were the go-to color scheme this year. From bathing suit tops, to jorts and classic button downs slays were commonly seen throughout the event. For more on the best Spring Splash fits, check out “What the fit (WTF),” on page 22.

ATTRACTIONS AND AMENITIES

76 degrees never felt so hot, and Spring Splash’s water station did well to remedy this. From the beginning, students headed towards it to combat the heat.

As with ASPB’s other concerts, the venue offered a wide range of food trucks and vendors to peruse for food and drinks. Spring Splash 2024 featured popular food trucks and vendors like “Red’s Pizza,” “Q's Tacos” and “Burning Buns.”

This year’s Spring Splash concerts were sponsored by many organizations, and the two that had their own booths were Raising Cane’s and Innisfree. Raising Cane’s booth handed out branded guitar picks, lip gloss, car fresheners, lanyards and keychains. The Innisfree booth was especially popular with the products they were handing out as well. Other organizations that were at the event were The Well’s program, Golden ARCHES and End Overdose at UCR which had their own manned tables.

The most popular attraction by far for Spring Splash was the caricature drawings with its consistently large line. Other attractions included the staple ASPB photobooth, a station that airbrushed tattoos and a Meta Quest Virtual Reality (VR) station.

ARTISTS PERFORMANCE

Keeping the vibes alive between sets was the host and DJ for Spring Splash 2024, Clubaction. “I graduated in 2020…and I didn’t think I would ever come back and play for [the students],” Clubaction said as she gushed over her return to campus. Her mixing skills helped to keep the crowd hype as they danced or sang along to the beats and lyrics. It prevented any dull moments from arising between sets. The music was a mix of great beats, including Metro Boomin’s “BBL Drizzy” beat and “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” by Soulja Boy.

First up on the lineup was Isabella Lovestory and she did not disappoint in opening Spring Splash. Dressed in a bright purple wig, matching pants and black high-heeled boots, the Latin Pop artist had great energy from the get-go. Her stage presence is one of the main highlights of her set as she would sway her hips to the music and interact with the crowd, even asking “where my b*tches at?” Lovestory performed bops such as “Botoxxx,” “Cherry Bomb” and “Sexo Amor Dinero.” Typically, the first artist gets overshadowed by students barely trickling in and touring the venue first. However, Lovestory completely shined, as her performance had audiences interested in looking further into her music. Her sultry music and fun beats brought the crowd in and got them ready for the rest of Spring Splash.

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Next on the lineup was Trivecta, an electronic dance music (EDM) artist, who was perfect for “UC Raverside.” He instantly brought up the energy on his set filled with electric beats and synths. From the well-timed beat drops and seamless transitions, the crowd was jumping around, head banging and waving their hands in the air, similar to a real rave. He mixed in popular beats and songs such as “The Loop (TYNAN Remix)” “Let Go (feat. Jessy Covets) and his new song, ”Feel The Vibe.” In one particular highlight of Trivecta’s set, he stepped out to the front of the stage with an electric guitar and incorporated his electric riffs into the mix. The whole crowd was feeling the set that made any bystander want to be in the crowd and jam out to Trivecta. The set was tame but also very reminiscent of typical EDM music, making it a perfect middle ground for fans of EDM and those who don’t listen to the genre as much.

Many students were especially eager to see d4vd perform at the live concert. The R&B artist became popular when his songs were used for TikTok edits, which gained him a lot of traction. He had a strong start to his set as he mixed in both the slower serenading-type music and the bass heavy, high-energy songs. d4vd was also accompanied by a guitarist and drummer who amped up his set even more. His music got the crowd waving their hands in the air and swaying along to songs like “Romantic Homicide,” “Sleep Well” and his most well-known song, “Feel It.” He shined the most on his slower songs that he is known for as he showed off his vocal range with high notes and prolonging a key. The mix between the soft lyrics and bass heavy songs was a perfect balance that fit well with the Spring Splash vibes. At this point of the night, the crowd had built up to fill up the lawn and was filled with energy as they eagerly awaited Lil Tecca.

RECEPTION

The students interviewed for their opinions during the event were generally positive.

When asked about his experience, first-year anthropology major Carmelo Rodriguez said he enjoyed the music and stated “I think the food vendors are nice and there [are] lines but they [aren’t] really that big.” For the next Spring Splash, he says that he would like to see more food trucks.

Second-year biology major Michael Bhasin and third-year biology major Luke Dawes feel that this has been the best Spring Splash so far in their experience. They also credit the food as a great part of Spring Splash and Bhasin hopes to see rapper Lil’ Baby in the 2025 lineup.

Second-year bioengineering majors Manishi Jayasuriya and Anaruag Peedikayil thought last year’s lineup and performances were a bit better, however, stated that this year’s event in its entirety was more enjoyable. They loved the people and the vibes and when asked what they would like to see next year they exclaimed, “More bikinis and summer wear!”

LIL TECCA INCIDENT

ISABELLA LOVESTORY LIL TECCA TRIVECTA D4VD

In the moments before the final artist, Lil Tecca, the crowd was repeatedly asked to “raise your hand and take five steps back.” The crowd at this point was the largest for the New York rapper and the excitement was at an all time high, prompting the response from many members of the security team to enter the pit between the stage and the audience to caution the many listeners to keep a safe distance between themselves. The situation was reminiscent of Block Party’s final artist performance, Ski Mask the Slump God, as the fervent crowd was also pushing into issue. However, security’s response then was milder and the show continued.

Although this prolonged the process of getting Lil Tecca on stage, he eventually got on, getting the crowd instantly hype with his intro inspired by “The Purge,” calling out for the crowd to “prepare to lose your f*cking mind.” Lil Tecca went on to perform “HVN ON EARTH,” “Gist” and “500lbs.” However, before he could continue on, the set was paused which gave security more time to call on the crowd to step back and distance themselves from one another.

Security’s attempt to calm the crowd and push them back lasted for about five minutes, until the screen eventually signaled for people to look for the emergency exits. This led to confusion as some people started to leave, and others stood in bewilderment. Eventually, everyone got the memo that Spring Splash was canceled and were being ordered to leave. As people left, their disappointment was very evident at the unexpected mishap. Thirdyear psychology major, Jillia Lacbain expressed her frustration saying, “it was disappointing. Everyone came for Lil Tecca but all we got was three songs and yelled at.”

When reached out to ASPB for a statement on the event’s cancellation, The Highlander was redirected to the Instagram post the Board made on the night of the event. In the post addressing the abrupt cancellation, ASPB said “unfortunately, due to increasing safety concerns for our attendees, ASPB and UCR professional staff came to the difficult decision to end tonight’s festival early. Moving forward, we hope we can come together as a community to support key values of respect and compassion so we can all enjoy a safe and enjoyable concert experience.”

“What the fit” (WTF)

Spring Splash 2024 Look Book

Daniel He/Him 1st year

Hana She/Her 2nd year

Outfit: thrifted

Shoes: ReeBok

Denim Zipup Top: Forever 21

Denim Skirt: Amazon

Shoes: Converse

Dany He/Him 1st year

Kiera She/Her 1st year

Outfit: Thrifted

Shoes:Doc Martens

Top: Q

Pants: Free People

Shoes:Doc Martens

Habiba She/Her 1st year

Outfit: Shein

Shoes: Amazon

Matthew He/Him 3rd year

Top: Ross

Pants: Macy’s

Shoes: Vans

Sunglasses: VERSACE

‘Evil Does Not Exist’: The mysteries and politics of the land

The introduction of a glamping site in a quiet town signals the beginning of something amiss.

By: Luke Liao, Staff Writer

“Evil Does Not Exist” opens with a lengthy, unbroken shot of snow capped trees from below, an intimidating angle diminishing us against the leafless branches. Arresting, yet discordant strings from musician Eiko Ishibashi accompany the scene. The shot ends abruptly and we’re introduced to an eight-year-old Hana (Ryô Nishikawa), who is observing something in the forest. We then follow her father Takami (Hitoshi Omika) for an extended period, observing his routine: cutting logs for a fire and collecting spring water for his friends who own a ramen shop.

It’s tedious work, but the atypical tone of the opening persists through formal choices, keeping viewers testy. Cuts in score and image are done abruptly and camerawork switches frequently from graceful tracking to off-kilter handheld. There’s a constant feeling that something isn’t right.

The first instance of anything narratively awry happens when Takami learns that the remote forested town, Mizubiki, where he resides, will soon be home to a glamping site owned by Playmode, a talent agency hoping to stake a claim in the lucrative industry. The corporation sends down two employees, Takahashi (Ryuji Kosaka) and Mayuzumi (Ayaka Shibutani) to ease anticipated tensions. And sure enough, tensions are high as the town bands together, pointing out the negligence of Playmode and the damage the hotel would have to the ecosystem, polluting water and disrupting deer paths. The two subordinates can only throw out empty assurances, promising to take up their complaints.

The stage is set for an expected divide between the natural world and capitalism — the small town and the corporation. The audience is compelled to cheer for every local’s personal testimony and smirk at the employee’s stupefied responses – or lack of one. But, writer-director Ryusuke Hamaguchi doesn’t let the dust settle here.

Takahashi and Mayuzumi then become the focus as they express genuine concern to their smarmy boss and their bonding over their dissatisfied careers and dating lives. Hamaguchi, who, in the past decade has proven to be a master of humaneness, demonstrates this once again. Yes, these people may be cogs in a wheel, but they are not callous like such a disposition would suggest. This empathy is why the two eventually ask to learn about the natural world from Takami, an expert in ecology.

Becoming enthused by Takami’s lifestyle after inexpertly chopping a log, Takahashi stated that he hasn’t felt this good in a long time and that he should stay in Mizubiki longer. The introduction of the two employees, specifically Takahashi, gives us a foothold in the film, with the narrative still remaining at a distance from an absolute reading. Takahashi’s sudden fascination mirrors that of the business he promotes. Sure, it’s fun and a change of pace from his city life, but for people like Takami, it’s just life.

Takami is a man who only takes what he needs from nature. His daughter has a different relationship to nature, characterized by wide-eyed fascination. The characters’ relationship to the natural world is all inherently acts of receiving, but one out of self-satisfaction, one out of necessity and one out of appreciation. The three motives never explicitly butt heads, but they rather exist as a matter of fact. With this, Hamaguchi conveys that no relation to nature is inherently evil.

The film’s final act, at once unsettling and existential, presents itself as an anomaly in relation to its constituents — the tonality becoming that of mystery. When we realize what has happened in the final scene, it's easy to fault Hamaguchi, who has been carefully building a knife edge, into overworking his hand as he tries to reach for a more stirring, rather than befitting ending. Though there is some truth to that — it happens quite suddenly — en masse, it’s a reasonable choice.

Numerous traces of an imminent evil have been patiently planted by Hamaguchi (blood on thorns or dubious behavior from Takami), suggesting such a conclusion. The strength of the finale is, however, the interpretation it invites, which the film deserves to propose. Reflecting on the film’s title, the mystifying turn of events could signal the involvement of karmic forces beyond comprehension, or perhaps, and more simply, nature running its course.

Verdict: Telling a story about flora and fauna in jeopardy, “Evil Does Not Exist” is engrossing while evading easy interpretation.

Divine Fury: ‘Blood of Zeus’ Season Two

In an epic power struggle, Heron embraces his dominance amidst celestial betrayals and dark prophecies, every twist leads to a greater challenge.

By Saatvika Gorti, Contributing Writer

Four years after its debut, the second season of "Blood of Zeus," a Netflix original anime series, premiered on May 10. The first season, which premiered in 2020, follows Heron (Derek Phillips), a bastard mistreated by villagers and his unwed mother, Electra (Mamie Gummer). Their friend, Elias (Jason O’Mara), helps them through tough times, living in a hut miles away from the town, or "Poli."

Demons invade the village where an Amazonian, Alexia (Jessica Henwick), captures them, revealing the threat of a demon cult. Elias explains that when the Olympian Gods defeated the Titans, their blood created a new generation of enemies, the Giants. Their souls were imprisoned by the gods, but humans who discovered and feasted on their remains became demons. Elias then reveals he is actually Zeus and instructs Heron to mine adamantine to forge a powerful sword.

Zeus's affair with Electra, a queen married to the cruel King Tyrion, resulted in Heron's birth. Hera's (Claudia Christian) jealousy leads her to expose the affair, prompting Zeus to hide Electra and Heron in the cloud-shrouded town. Despite Zeus' efforts, Hera orchestrates an attack on the town, leading to Electra's death at the hands of Seraphim (Elias Toufexis), the demon leader.

The second season picks up right where the first left off, with new directors Jae H. Kim, Joshua Covey and Jae Woo Kim at the helm. Seraphim faces judgment for his crimes, but Hades (Fred Tatasciore) offers him freedom in exchange for cooperation. Seraphim refuses, choosing eternal torture over divine manipulation.

Meanwhile, on Olympus, more is revealed about the battle between the Giants and Gods before Zeus' death. Zeus had entrusted his sister Hestia (Vanessa Marshall) with moving the Eleusinian Stone, a powerful artifact, to Gaia (Jean Gilpin), Mother Earth. This stone imprisons the gods' worst enemy, and uttering his name would release him. The stone becomes a coveted object among the gods, with Hades particularly eager to change his fate as ruler of the underworld.

The narrative shifts focus from Heron to explore the backstories and motives of other gods and goddesses, as well as romantic plots and political intrigues. When the focus returns to Heron, he struggles with his newfound powers of thunder and lightning. Plagued by visions from Gaia, Heron learns of a prophecy about a demigod who will use these powers to avert a grave threat. Simultaneously, he battles with rage after discovering that his lifethread was severed not by the Fates, implying his impending death which he desperately seeks to prevent.

As the season progresses, Heron and Seraphim confront each other again in the hidden realm, where gods clash over the Eleusinian Stone. Gaia wishes for the gods to reconcile, but tensions escalate until Hades, unable to contain his anguish, stabs Heron. In her fury, Gaia releases the monstrous Typhon by speaking his name, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.

The second season of "Blood of Zeus" brings a mix of strengths and weaknesses to the table. One of the show's most notable achievements is its breathtaking animation. The visual style remains as captivating as in the first season, with meticulously crafted environments that evoke the grandeur and mystique of ancient Greece. The character designs are distinct and memorable, contributing to the series' unique aesthetic.

The storytelling, however, has its ups and downs. While the series dives deeper into the lore and expands on the mythological universe, it sometimes loses focus. The shift away from Heron to explore other characters and subplots can feel disjointed, leaving the show to feel rushed to the audience viewing it. This season's pacing issues are evident, with some episodes feeling overly packed with information while others seem to serve as filler without significant plot advancement.

The introduction of new directors Jae H. Kim, Joshua Covey and Jae Woo Kim bring in fresh perspectives but also some inconsistencies. The direction varies in quality, with certain episodes showcasing brilliant, tight storytelling and others falling flat. The directors' handling of action sequences is generally commendable, delivering thrilling and dynamic battles that keep viewers engaged. However, the emotional beats sometimes lack the impact needed to resonate deeply with the audience.

The music continues to be a strong point, effectively enhancing the epic and dramatic moments of the series. The score complements the animation beautifully, adding layers of intensity and emotion to the unfolding drama. The sound design, paired with the orchestral soundtrack, helps to immerse viewers fully into the mythological world.

One of the critical aspects of the second season is the character development. While some characters, like Hades and Seraphim, receive substantial and intriguing backstories, others, including Heron, struggle with more repetitive arcs. Heron's internal conflict with his powers and his impending fate is compelling but could benefit from more nuanced writing to avoid the sense of redundancy.

Verdict: "Blood of Zeus" season two builds on the strengths of its predecessor, although it sometimes struggles with pacing and focus, the season's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.

Radar_Blood of Zeus_Distributed by Netflix 2

Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ sparkles in its long-awaited return to scandal, love and high society

The popular Regency era TV show does the friends-to-lovers trope right.

By: Kimberly Bejec, Assistant Radar Editor

Since “Bridgerton’s” first season debuted in 2020, the series has become a massive success among viewers, creating a wide fanbase. The show has since released another season and a prequel spinoff series “Queen Charlotte,” both met with high ratings and praise. “Bridgerton” is based on the novel series of the same name written by Julia Quinn.

The passionate, emotional drama and over-the-top social etiquette of high society of Regency era London create a binge-able show that glues audiences’ eyes to the screen. Additionally, since the release of the last season in 2022, fans have been yearning for a new season and to return to the love stories of the fictional Bridgerton family. Season three of Bridgerton was split into two four-episode parts: the first on May 16, 2024, and the second on June 13, 2024.

“Bridgerton” takes place in the early 1800s among ‘London’s ton,’ the upper class of English society. The prim and proper are expected to follow the rules and their duty to society of fashionable styling and finding and courting a suitable spouse while in the public eye. The noble and elite take part in the social season in which formal balls, dinner parties and various other social events allow for courting and chatting among the ton.

The series follows each of the eight Bridgerton siblings’ love stories as they navigate through high society and gossip. The gossip can spread quickly, especially as the anonymous author of the ton’s newsletter, Lady Whistledown, is eager to expose any scandal that might arise.

Penelope exceptionally shines this season as she faces many challenges. Since the start of the show, her character has been developed to the point of audiences rooting for her. The show builds up women in a way that feels empowering, while also getting the audience to sympathize and understand a woman’s perspective during the Regency era. Many of the characters have a relatability factor to them that gets audiences connected to them, resonating with what they may deal with.

The tension between the main couple has always been another highlight of the show. The buildup for Colin and Penelope has been in the works for the past two seasons, making the pair’s love story even more anticipated. However, tensions for the two are at an all-time high this season as they take on the limelight of the main couple.

Season three of “Bridgerton” follows the love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and his longtime friend Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), who has had a long unrequited crush on him. Throughout the past two seasons, the pair, known to fans as “Polin” have been developed as side characters allowing them to finally shine as the main characters for their season.

However, the setup in the last season raises the stakes as Penelope faces an estranged friendship with Colin’s sister, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie). Penelope, a self-proclaimed wallflower, is finally away from the walls to find a husband and stand up for herself. Colin offers his help to Penelope to build her confidence and find her a suitable husband in the current social season.

One of the many aspects that the Netflix series gets right is the wonderful acting performance from its cast. Through passionate dialogue and longing stares, the cast perfectly brings the essence of the show to life. Each lead couple drives intense emotions in their characters, enough to enchant the audience and connect them to the show. Newton and Coughlan do this seamlessly as they fit into their main character roles. Additionally, the chemistry between the two is off the charts, teasing fans for more to come in part two of the season.

Every secretive glance and longing moment between Colin and Penelope is enough to make the audience giddy with excitement. It builds anticipation as the season progresses to see how the love will develop and how they will handle any obstacle that comes their way. This helps to build suspense for the audience which can hook them onto every moment of the show.

Many of the actors’ performances and tension hinge on the wonderful writing that the series employs. From the fanciful and proper language to the witty dialogue, the script is unique in its own way that contrasts with other current TV series. It brings out the romance of the show in a way that can make even the audience swoon over the heartfelt words or laugh at humorous moments mixed in as well. From drama, suspense, romance and comedy, the show is a seamless and perfect blend thanks to its screenwriting.

The show does not skimp on aesthetics, from its beautiful scenery to a colorful wardrobe that remains true to its era. The design is part of “Bridgerton’s” charm, appealing to the audience’s eye and appreciating the attention to detail. With the show's focus on London’s high society, comes glitz and glam that the production achieves. The lavish costumes and aesthetic sets make the story all more real for the audience to immerse themselves in.

A major talking point of the show lies in its unique soundtrack and for good reason. The soundtrack features popular contemporary modern-day music reworked into classical, orchestral pieces performed by Vitamin String Quartet. The music is a fun easter egg to spot for music enthusiasts trying to pinpoint the tune. It’s a wise creative choice from production as it connects classical music from the past era to current bops that audiences know and love.

Colin and Penelope’s love story from friends to lovers continues on June 13, streaming exclusively on Netflix.

Verdict: The season keeps true to what makes the series so popular, while also bringing in a fresh new love story. Part one of “Bridgerton’s” season three is a promising setup for part two as it heightens the excitement for the drama to come.

SPORTS Highlander Hot Take: Head coaches take too much of the blame

General managers and owners should be held responsible for a team’s lack of success.

The first two rounds of the NBA and NHL playoffs are finally in the books. While a bunch of franchises have aspirations to win it all, only one team will call themselves world champions. Teams that fall short often try to diagnose what went wrong. This often leads to the team’s head coach losing their job.

This year, teams haven’t been shy to make drastic changes following playoff disappointment. In the NBA, the Los Angeles Lakers were quick to fire Darvin Ham after they lost to the reigning champions, Denver Nuggets, in five games. Similarly, the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe after losing in the first round for the fourth time in five years.

Coaches are quick to lose their jobs when things go wrong, but there are plenty of factors that go into team success. Head coaches are especially limited by the talent at their disposal, a responsibility bestowed onto the general manager (GM). GMs build the team’s roster via trades, free-agent signings and draft picks.

While in some cases, coaches do influence these decisions, this is the exception and not the rule. Time and time again, head coaches are hamstrung by bloated contracts, draft busts and careless ownership. During his time with the San Jose Earthquakes, Matías Almeyda suffered the consequences of terrible roster construction.

Upon his arrival in 2018, there was a lot of excitement buzzing in the Earthquakes fanbase. Almeyda had just concluded a very successful four-year tenure with Mexican giants Chivas Guadalajara. With Chivas, Almeyda won the 2015 Copa Mexico and the 2017 Liga MX Clausura. For the Earthquakes, the future looked bright under Almeyda. However, Almeyda’s time in San Jose was doomed before he even started.

Before Almeyda’s appointment, GM Jesse Fioranelli signed wingers Vako Qazaishvili and Magnus Eriksson to big money Designated Player (DP) contracts, but Eriksson and especially Vako were ineffective in the MLS. With the team’s third DP contract occupied by an aging Chris Wondolowski, Almeyda was stuck with the current crop of lackluster forwards.In his first couple of seasons in San Jose, the Earthquakes struggled to score goals as Almeyda grew increasingly frustrated.

After Vako’s and Erikkson’s contracts expired, the Earthquakes used their two new DP slots on wingers Christian Espinoza and Chofis López; two players Almeyda heavily advocated for. Adding to that, the emergence of young forwards Cade Cowell and Benji Kikanović had the Earthquakes firing again. In 2020, Almeyda led the Earthquakes to just their second playoff appearance in eight seasons.

With an injection of new blood in the attack, it looked like Almeyda could finally bring some silverware to San Jose. Unfortunately, Almeyda developed pent-up frustrations from his first couple of seasons and a lack of investment from ownership.

By: Isaac Solnick, Staff Writer

Tension between the head coach, GM, and owner started to boil over and negatively affect the team. After a slow start to the 2022 MLS season, the San Jose Earthquakes parted ways with Almeyda.

Almeyda was quickly scooped up by AEK Athens of the Greek Super League. The season prior, AEK finished in a disappointing fifth place behind crosstown rivals Panathinaikos. Almeyda had his work cut out for him. Nevertheless, Almeyda guided AEK to their first Greek Super League championship in five seasons.

He was able to complete this quick turnaround because AEK invested in Almeyda like the Earthquakes never did. Almeyda wanted to bring Kikanović with him, but AEK couldn’t reach San Jose’s asking price. So they pivoted to Orbelín Pineda, Almeyda’s former disciple while at Chivas. The Mexican international added creativity and flair to AEK’s midfield en route to winning Super League Greece Foreign Player of the Season. Simultaneously, Almeyda was recognized as the competition’s best coach.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Earthquakes are still plagued with the same issues. Following Cowell’s sale to Chivas in the summer, there is an overreliance on Espinoza to create high-danger chances. The recent arrival of attacking midfielder Hernán López should help, but the Earthquakes still have one of the smallest wage bills in the entire league.

John Fisher, owner of the San Jose Earthquakes, has shown a reluctance to change this and it keeps current GM Chris Leitch from building up the rest of the roster. Particularly, the team’s defense has suffered. So far this season, the Earthquakes have given up a league-high 33 goals and lost ten of their first fourteen MLS games.

Let’s not forget, there are many occasions where the head coach is at fault for a team’s failures. Still, blame is typically passed onto the coaches rather than the GM. GMs are afforded better job security because they might do something drastic if they feel their seat getting warm. It's possible, GMs could carelessly trade future assets in an effort to save their job.A mistake like this could set a franchise back years or even a decade. This means coaches end up paying a price for when things go wrong.

In leagues without a salary cap floor, like the MLS or the MLB, owners need to be held accountable by the league and the player’s association to keep wage bills high and the teams competitive. It’s tiring seeing coaches routinely getting fired due to subpar rosters relative to a team’s expectations.

Coaches are often tasked with elevating poor teams into the playoffs or leading an average team to a deep postseason run. Bad coaches can hold back a talented team, a la Josh McDaniels with the Raiders. However, even the best coaches are limited by talent-depressed rosters. The people responsible for assembling competitive squads, whether it be the GM, owner, or a combination of both, should be held accountable for not holding up their end of the deal.

Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA headlines the most anticipated season in the league’s history

Clark struggles to open the season, but shows great potential.

By: Terry Nguyen, CW

After becoming the first overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark leads her new squad, the Indiana Fever, into a fresh season. However, it has been a shaky start over the first two games, as the Fever opened the season with two consecutive losses.

Indiana fell in their season opener on the road Tuesday against a Connecticut Sun team that finished 27-13 in the 2023 regular season, and made the WNBA Semifinals. Two days later, they lost 102-66 in their home opener against the New York Liberty, who lost in the finals last season.

CLARK 22

Clark’s debut game saw her finish with 20 points but also had 10 turnovers as she struggled adjusting to the speed of the WNBA. Clark addressed the media following the loss against Connecticut. “Collectively, obviously 25 turnovers is going to make it really hard for us to win,” Clark said, assessing her team’s performance. “They took 66 shots [and] we took 50 … it’s really hard to win games when you give [Connecticut] 16 more opportunities than we had.”

Despite the Fever falling to 0-2, Clark understands there’s still lots of basketball left to be played in the season: “There’s gonna be good ones, there’s gonna be bad ones … you gotta learn from it and move on and be ready to go.”

Clark did not address the media following the game against New York. She finished that contest with nine points, six assists and seven rebounds.

Despite struggling out of the gate, the 22-year-old rookie phenom from Iowa carries with her an inestimable level of aura and attention to the women’s game. The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final between the Iowa Hawkeyes and South Carolina Gamecocks drew an estimated 18.7 million viewers according to Nielsen overnight figures, the most watched basketball game since 2019 (pro and college, men’s and women’s). Clark later appeared on Saturday Night Live, further boosting her platform and popularity.

The so-called “Caitlin Clark Effect” is real. The 2024 WNBA season is by far the most anticipated season in its history, dating back to its founding in 1996. Clark’s arrival to similar to what other sporting legends their sports. Tiger Woods made entertaining to watch, while lots of fire and He brought lots strength to his a generation of his footsteps. Michael three-peats with the dynasty and his signa line brought the NBA to paving the way for future to come. Caitlin Clark has portunity to elevate that is the WNBA, women’s college

WNBA’s #1 PICK

On the court, it’s Clark’s playstyle that captivates her fanbase. Her ability to create her own shot, especially behind the arc, is what draws so much attention to her games. Clark averaged 31.6 points per game while shooting 37.8 percent from downtown in her final season with the Hawkeyes. She is a crafty ball handler that can dance on a defender and knock down step-back three-pointers with consistency, a la Stephen Curry. Clark is also an elite facilitator, as she averaged 8.9 assists in her final Iowa campaign. She is a great outlet passer, constantly igniting points in transition for her teammates, while playing with great anticipation and control in a half-

The Indiana Fever have a young core to build around, including 2023 first overall pick, Aliyah Boston out of South Carolina, and 2022 second overall pick, Nalyssa Smith from Baylor. With the arrival of Caitlin Clark, Indiana to contend for championships in the years to come.

FanDuel has Caitlin Clark as the favorite to win WNBA Rookie of the Year, at -700. The Fever will continue their season Wednesday May 22, 2024 in Seattle.

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