Volume 67 Issue 06

THE HIGHLANDER

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

est. 1954

FOR THE WEEK OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 , 2018

VOL. 67, ISSUE 06

MIDTERM ELECTION 2018 CANDIDATES

Sexual harassment allegations verified chancellor’s letter to community exposes 20 years of misconduct

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FEATURES 11

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SPORTS 19

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HUMANS OF UCR

UPCOMING EVENTS: WEEK 5

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JUSTIN MULLINS, PHYSICS, THIRD-YEAR TRANSFER

Tuesday

COMPILED BY MARTIN LOPEZ

Education Abroad Snack & Chat Discussion 12:00pm to 1:00pm HUB (Highlander Union Building), 377 Middle Eastern Student Center

Tuesday Talk - Let’s Have a Kiki 5:00pm to 6:00pm Costo Hall, 245

Día de los Muertos Nooner 11:30am to 1:00pm UCR Bell Tower

Fall Resource Fair 3:00pm to 5:00pm HUB (Highlander Union Building), 302

APSP presents South Asia 2:30pm to 3:30pm Costo Hall, 244

1948: Creation and Catastrophe Film Showing 6:00pm to 9:00pm HUB (Highlander Union Building), 355

Creating a Trans-Inclusive Work Environment 1:00pm to 3:00pm HUB 260

Film: Mercury 13 7:00pm to 8:30pm UCR ARTS, Culver Center of the Arts

Joshua Tree National Park Hiking 8:00am to 7:00pm Student Recreation Center (SRC), Outdoor Excursions Shop

Art in the Gardens 10:00am to 3:00pm Botanic Gardens

API Youth Summit 9:00am to 3:00pm HUB 260

Conversations at the Culver 1:30pm to 3:00pm UCR ARTS, Culver Center of the Arts

Interviewing for Introverts 11:00am to 12:30pm HUB 268

ASPB and Student Life Presents: Launch the Vote 2018 7:00pm to 9:00pm Glen Mor, K106 & K108

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““I really enjoyed the Ender’s Game series of books. I loved watching

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how someone with an awesome mind can both shape the world and be in turn shaped by it, and I found the later books’ philosophical density to be no less engaging.”

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Saturday

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CONTACT US

HIGHLANDER STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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News TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

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Former Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs James Sandoval violated UC sexual harassment policy

AIDAN RUTTEN Senior Staff Writer

A 298-page investigative report released by the UC Office of the President details a pattern of inappropriate behavior in direct violation of the UC’s Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH) policy on the part of James Sandoval, former vice chancellor of student affairs.

Sandoval, who was accused of sexual harassment in August 2017 by an anonymous source who worked under him, remained at his post until November that year, despite being under investigation. He was placed on administrative leave by UCR Chancellor Kim Wilcox that November, but then retired suddenly in December 2017.

The investigation, which relied on the accounts of two complainants, witnesses and Sandoval himself, was conducted by Public Interest Investigations, who found that Sandoval’s “conduct ... was unwelcome,” and that the first complainant’s “decision to ‘consent’ to a brief relationship with Respondent for five weeks from April 2017 to May 2017 was not based on her romantic feelings for him but based on her fear that she would lose her job.” The report not only determined this quid pro quo instance of sexual harassment, but also found that Sandoval’s “conduct was inappropriately affectionate and outside the boundaries of a normal working relationship between a supervisor and their subordinate.”

These circumstances created a hostile work environment which caused the second complainant in the report to quit. Both the quid pro quo and the creation of a hostile work environment are stipulated in the UC’s SVSH policy which states: “Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests ... of a sexual nature when ... a person’s submission to such conduct is implicitly or explicitly made the basis for employment decisions ... or ... such conduct is sufficiently

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latter constitutes the creation of a hostile work environment.

The report, while heavily redacted, suggests that Sandoval’s behavior had been noted for some time within Student Affairs, but was largely kept quiet until 2017 when accusers came forth.

Wilcox, in an open letter to UCR, stated, “The investigation detailed a set of behaviors over a 20-year period, that demonstrated his blatant disregard for university policies and a breach of our Principles of Community.”

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severe or pervasive that it unreasonably denies ... or interferes with a person’s participation in or benefit from ... employment ... and creates an environment that a reasonable person would find to be intimidating or offensive.” The former stipulation constitutes a quid pro quo, while the

Wilcox’s statement provides information regarding some of the steps being taken to combat sexual harassment and violence on campus, “Vice Chancellor Brian Haynes and Chief Compliance Officer Kiersten Boyce will be providing training resources for all who request it. In addition, we

intend to conduct a workplace assessment in the Division of Student Affairs to ensure a safe and supportive work environment.” Despite these steps, some still feel as though the response from the administration is lacking. Carisha Moore, UCR’s undergraduate representative for the UC system-wide Title IX Student Advisory Board, helps revise Title IX policy. “We’re taking student feedback and bringing it to light on a UC systemwide level,” she said. The Sandoval situation will not directly inform changes to Title IX policy, as these revisions are an “ongoing process.”

While neither Moore nor the Student Advisory Board can comment on the Sandoval situation officially, Moore referenced her May 2018 letter to the editor in the Highlander and echoed her sentiments that the process needs to be more transparent and expedient. “I definitely believe that when the allegations came up that there ... should have been a quicker response on how he was willing to take action towards Jim Sandoval,” she said. “I don’t think that he should have kept working ... the process ... could have been faster (and) more transparent to the UCR community.”

Wilcox provided an apology in the statement as well, stating: “I am sorry to those who were directly targeted by Sandoval and to the others subjected to the repercussions of his actions. My heart goes out to any member of our community who has been affected by sexual violence or sexual harassment.” However this sentiment was similarly expressed after an investigation into sexual misconduct at MSU in 2013, a situation which raised questions about misfeasance by Wilcox, who was alleged to have done nothing about the former MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Dean William Strampel’s behavior despite having been informed about it for some time prior to the investigation.

In an April 2018 statement by Wilcox regarding the Strampel case he said, “I have been troubled by the revelations about Strampel’s alleged actions at MSU.” Wilcox was also troubled by Sandoval’s conduct, as stated in the recent letter; “Because of Sandoval’s role and

long tenure at UCR, these findings are especially troubling.”

The MSU statement put things similarly, reading, “I deeply regret that he caused pain for so many. I further regret that some individuals felt they could not report Strampel’s actions at the time they occurred, and I admire the courageous individuals who have come forward.” The Sandoval statement echoes this sentiment. It reads, “I commend the courageous individuals who came forward to report Sandoval’s behavior.”

With regards to the UCR case, Sandoval remained at his post for approximately two months during the investigation, having been notified of the investigation on Oct. 2, 2017 and ultimately being put on administrative leave by Wilcox in November of that year. However news of Sandoval’s relationship was known as early as June 2017, according to Wilcox’s statement, as the Chancellor had imposed sanctions which were detailed in a letter of reprimand placed in Sandoval’s personnel file by UCR’s Human Resources department.

In an email to the Highlander, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Chief Communications Officer Johnny Cruz wrote more about the steps being taken to address the issue of sexual violence and harassment on campus. On top of increased funding for Title IX programs and the addition of a new investigator, Cruz said, “There have been significant changes within UCR Student Affairs this year including replacement of top leadership. Student Affairs is moving forward with an independent workplace assessment that will assess the climate of the division and provide insights as to how best to move forward during this challenging time.”

For anyone searching for resources in regard to reporting or confiding about incidents of sexual harassment or violence, UCR’s Title IX office can be reached at 951-827-7070. An alternative option for those not wishing to pursue an investigation is the CARE office, which provides confidential counseling and support and can be reached at 951-827-6225.

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NEWS

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

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CALPIRG and other groups register over 1,000 students to vote

LUKAS MASSEY Contributing Writer

Student organizations at UCR have been employing several strategies to register students to vote, with the US midterms approaching on Nov. 6, and the voter registration deadline having been Oct. 22 for the state of California. One of the major contributors to this movement was CALPIRG, who registered more than 1,000 UCR students, according to Mya Ho, an activist with the group.

When Chapter Chair and New Voters Project (NVP) Coordinator Miguel Ramirez and NVP Coordinator Elisa Chang were asked about their specific strategies for registering students, Ramirez said “We’re out there, in the ground, getting people registered to vote at our tables, we’re going to the dorms and getting them registered there, we went to classes to do class announcements with the permission of

some professors that really care about this.” He says that the group was even registering some students during their classes.

Chang added, “These are grassroots tactics. We’re all about directly engaging students face-to-face, in person. We’re reaching out to people one by one, asking them ‘Are you registered to vote? What problems have you had?’” She says that during the process of registering students, CALPIRG members are also educating students on the voting process. “A lot of students don’t know you would have to register before you actually vote, a lot of people don’t know the different processes behind registering, they don’t know how quick and easy it is.”

CALPIRG has also teamed up and formed a coalition with other student groups on campus to register students to vote, including ASUCR, Student Life, the Catholic Student Fellowship and ASPB, among others.

Now that the registration deadline has passed, however, this coalition is focusing on a “get out the vote” campaign. As Chang puts it, “There’s no point in being registered if you don’t actually turn out to the polls, right?” Some of these strategies include letting students know the location of where to cast their vote. The polling station on campus will be located at Glen Mor. When asked how the College Republicans pushed students to register to vote, Alan Nguyen, the College Republicans president, stated, “We do voter registration at the beginning of every quarter leading up to an election season.” These strategies included making sure that every College Republicans member was registered to vote, as well as registering those who visited the College Republicans booth at every tabling event. In addition, Nguyen stated, “We’ve registered student voters at our Summer recruitment drive during ori-

entation.” Nguyen said that the College Republicans also plan on hosting an event alongside the College Democrats to “talk to the general student body about positions on the various issues, namely the propositions on the ballot and candidates for government offices.” This event will be held at Glen Mor K106/108 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Highlander reached out to the College Democrats at UCR to inquire about strategies

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implemented to get students registered, however their president, Noble Stephenson, responded saying that they were not doing voter registration.

If students have further questions about these groups, or about voter registration and voting, they can contact CALPIRG at mho@calpirgstudents.org, College Democrats at UCR.Collegedemocrats@gmail.com and College Republicans at CollegH erepublicansucr@gmail.com. ■

ASUCR discusses university budget management, declares solidarity with AFSCME during strike MARK BERTUMEN Senior Staff Writer

LUKAS MASSEY Contributing Writer

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, ASUCR held its fifth meeting of the quarter at 6:33 p.m.

During the approval of the agenda, CHASS Senator Julian Gonzalez motioned to add Student Resolution (SR) F18003 to the agenda, which states that UCR students stand in solidarity with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFSCME Local 3299, which represents university workers within the UC system, was striking from Tuesday, Oct. 23 to Thursday, Oct. 25 that week to protest wages, outsourcing and perceived unfair bargaining practices. CHASS Senator Alex Gonzalez seconded the motion, and it was passed unanimously 11-00.

Vice Chancellor of Planning and Budget Gerry Bomotti then came to the podium to discuss his office’s discoveries on UCR’s current budgeting system, which he notes replaced an older model from 2015.

During his presentation, Bomotti noted that the current budgeting design “suggests central resources will go into deficit in (the) near future” if not adequately addressed.

Bomotti further discussed the current budget model in an email to the Highlander. “The campus did a great job transitioning to the new budget model,” Bomotti wrote, and doing so “was a major undertaking and very complex. Like most things of this type there is often a need tweaks (sic) and to address unintended consequences,” citing the “rise in assessments” for the Student Recreation Center (SRC) as an example; the slideshow he presented states that “indirect costs” for the SRC have gone up from 318,000 in 2015 to 1.07 million in 2018.

Currently Bomotti is looking for further feedback on this new budgeting design, and has already gathered feedback from “faculty, staff and students, and in specific (sic) many of the academic senate leadership committees.” Bomotti

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is planning an open forum for said feedback sometime in November, with further details unavailable at this time.

During public forum, Alyssa of the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) spoke about the Voter’s Project that UCR’s chapter had been running, and reported that as a result of the project over a thousand students at UCR have become registered to vote. This means that the original goal of 500 registrars set

by CALPIRG was surpassed by more than double. According to Alyssa, the group has initiated a “Get Out the Vote” campaign all the way up until election day, November 6th, in order to encourage students who registered to now vote.

The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m. ASUCR meets every Wednesday in HUB 221 at 6:30 p.m.

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AFSCME strikes again after 20 months of bargaining with UC MICHELLE RAMIREZ Contributing Writer ESTELA GONZALEZ Contributing Writer

At 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23, Service workers from all 10 UC campuses joined Patient Care Technical (PCT) workers in striking for safe staffing, wage increases, benefit protections, job security, racial equality and the end of discrimination in the workplace, after UC ostensibly opted for a contract with healthcare premium increases, flattened wages, a forced 401(k) plan and continued outsourcing jobs. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3299 Bargaining Team, following a 20-month period of negotiations over new contracts that would cover Patient Care workers, called for a PCT strike that would take place from Oct. 23 to 25.

Due to the growing rate of outsourcing, job security is a main concern for UC Service and Patient Care Technical workers.

AFSCME spokesman John de los Angeles has stated that the “staffing ratio at UC San Francisco has been as high as 1 outsourced contractor to every 6 directly employed workers.” One senior custodian at the HUB for the past four years said, “First, there were four custodians in the department, then it became two, now it’s just me there.

There’s workers that are leaving their jobs, but they’re (UC) going through agencies, getting temps. That’s not securing our jobs.” As a result of outsourcing, many UC Service and Patient Care Technical workers that retire are actively being replaced with low-wage temporary employee positions that have fewer benefit plans. The topic of job security has not yet been addressed by the UC Office of the President (UCOP), according to the bargaining update for Patient Care Technical Employees.

However, an email from UCOP states, “Over the past five years at UC, the number of patient care employees has increased by 18.9 percent (2,450 workers) and the number of service employees has increased by 14.4 percent (1,206 workers), consistent with the growth of all union workers by 9.9 percent (7,687 workers).”

According to Isaiah Martinez, media spokesperson and senior custodian

in housing, when referring to gender disparities, oftentimes a woman of color will have the “same job qualifications, in some cases, the same years of service, yet, a gentleman could come in and make upwards of 17 percent more.” A study written by AFSCME Local 3299, “Pioneering Inequality,” and made public last April, examined promotions of 25,000 UC service and patient care workers for a period of four years, and revealed racial, gender and income related disparities within the UC system.

Owen Li, co-author of the study, states “When Black and Latino workers change jobs or get promoted, they receive far smaller pay increases on average than their white counterparts. Whether due to an implicit bias in UC’s employment practices or a real lack of structural career advancement opportunities, women and people of color who are employed in these job titles are clearly being short-changed.”

UC has said, “AFSCME leadership has no qualms pointing a finger at UC while choosing to take a larger portion of their members’ paychecks. They increased membership rates in January, changing the monthly dues cap from $78 to $120.”

Union Organizer for AFSCME Local 3299 Leo Tolliver explains, “Basically, what we’re asking for for these workers are a cost of living raise. You’ve got some people here that work here all day, they get off here, they go work another job.”

Expressing this situation, at 12 p.m. on the final day of the strike as the rally began, a worker lifted a sign which read “Workers Who Feed You Can’t Feed Themselves.”

UCOP addressed the topic with this comment, “AFSCME patient care and service workers are already compensated at or above market rates.” However, Tony Thurmond, a candidate for state superintendent of public instruction, states “The cost of living in California is one of the highest and these workers, some of the lowest paid at the UCs, are struggling to keep up with rising housing costs and to make ends meet.”

In regards to retirement plans, AFSCME has stated that UC has shifted from providing a choice between the pension plan and the 401(k) plan to instead forcing a 401(k) plan. By enforcing the 401(k)

plan, people who have been inputting into the pension lose the guarantee of receiving their money. Although UC says otherwise, “UC’s proposed retirement benefits give new employees a choice between a 401(k)style plan with a generous employer match and a traditional pension.” To these claims, Martinez states that UC is trying to force them into the 401(k) plan, “they’re saying that they’re not, that it’s a choice, but we’ve been having talks with new hires here at this university — at Riverside. We spoke to four of them and they said that they haven’t even talked about the pension plan that we have, they’re always talking about 401(k) style plan which is a 403b.”

Concerning the insurance policy, according to AFSCME in the last bargaining meeting, UC considered raising the health insurance by $25. Tolliver states, “We’re hoping to put a freeze on healthcare, a freeze on parking rates, basically we are asking the UC, give us the contract that just expired.” UC said, “A typical UC service employee contributes less than $20 per month for individual health coverage. At UC, coverage for an entire family starts at just $56.71 per month.”

Martinez, however, says, “My girls both have eczema and once our medical goes up,

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their medication is not cheap. Now with them (UC) raising health care benefits, they (UC) already implemented an increase of $20 but now their (Martinez’s daughters) medication went up $5. So now when I go see the doctor, it’s a $20 doctor visit and plus $15 for their medication, now I’m paying 35 almost $40. Before I wasn’t paying that much, I was paying about $25 for both, that’s how it’s affecting me.”

AFSCME has reached out to students for support. Martinez states, “We always ask students to come out and support.

We ask them to support in different ways, when it comes to our dining halls or Scotty’s we ask, we know it’s only for three days but if you guys can, try not to eat there.” A solidarity strike sheet was created for students, who stand with the workers, to sign. “Students and workers united, will never be divided” was chanted throughout the strike in an effort to encourage students to actively participate.

Martinez expresses his gratitude to the students who participated with AFSCME stating, “Without you guys, we have no job. Napolitano doesn’t have a job. No one has a job without you guys, so for you guys going ahead and supporting us, we appreciate it and say thank you.”

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UCR researchers use DNA splicing to prevent Zika virus, dengue fever

JAKEB TIVEY Contributing Writer

On Oct. 1, 2018, Distinguished Professor of Entomology Alexander Raikhel and Lin Ling, a postdoctoral scholar at UCR, published their research on the genetic foundation for chemical receptors responsible for the growth, metabolism and reproduction of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Using advanced CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing, they successfully created mosquitoes that are smaller, have a shorter lifespan and are less likely to transmit diseases such as the Zika virus, yellow fever, West Nile virus and dengue fever, which fatally infects millions each year.

Their research is founded on a lifetime of mosquito investigation as Raikhel, UC presidential chair and National Academy of Sciences member, has personally contributed to over 68 publications regarding mosquito genetic composition and disease transmission. In an interview with the Highlander, Raikhel explained the necessity of collaboration to the scientific process and the unique role mosquitoes have as sources of disease and proliferators of pathogens.

Regarding the collaborative nature of scientific success and application, Raikhel affirmed that “modern science is complex and requires numerous experts to conduct appropriate experiments. Without my talented team of researchers I would not be able to be successful in science.” He goes on to state that “scientific discoveries don’t happen

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in vacuum, rather the knowledge accumulated as a result of efforts of numerous scientists of previous generations builds a foundation for a next achievement.“ In reference to previous and

upcoming generations of collaborators, he cites, “postgraduate researchers, PhD graduate students and a number of outstanding undergraduates” provide the platform on which success is built. This platform is comprised

of UCR’s laboratory resources which have aided the researcher. “Since my childhood, I was deeply interested in biology and I feel very fortunate that I could follow my dream. I am happy to perform my research at UCR,” stated Raikhel.

The gene-splicing method, CRISPR-Cas9, has been used for UCR entomological research before, but this time the focus is not on the genetic dissemination of altered mosquitoes, but instead on a specific serotonin receptor, Aa5HT2B, which can be disrupted to stunt mosquito development. The process used by Ling and Raikhel “provided a link between blood feeding and the fatbody–specific serotonin signaling.”

Raikhel’s motivations consist of improving human lives by eliminating serious illnesses, and the researcher has made it his goal to be of benefit to public health by examining insects.

“I strongly believe that basic and goal oriented research go hand and hand.

We cannot be successful in winning over mosquito-borne diseases without first studying insect vectors such as mosquitoes and then applying this knowledge for developing control approaches,” Raikhel said. He added that “many challenges remain in understanding … why mosquitoes are such incredible disease vectors.

We need to elucidate in depth their genetics and physiology, relationship with pathogens. Only this kind of deep knowledge will give us a chance to win over … formidable enemies of humanity. These questions will keep me busy.”

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Be timeless.

The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and news around campus. If you are interested in the newspaper’s articles or pictures, we offers opportunities in writing, photography, and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.

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2018

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

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Midterm Elections: Candidates

Governor Race

1. John Cox is the Republican candidate for governor of California. He is running in the general election on Nov. 6 after advancing from the primaries on June 5, 2018. Cox supports Proposition 6 which will repeal fuel tax increases and vehicle fees that were enacted in 2017 which would reduce funding for highway and road maintenance and repairs and transit programs. This includes the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (RRAA) and requires voter approval for the California State Legislature to impose, increase or extend fuel taxes or vehicle fees in the future. He opposes the High Speed Rail Project which is a high-speed rail system under construction in California and instead wants to invest in better roads, highways and more efficient transit projects. Cox supports clean energy efforts and opposes any new or expanded offshore oil drilling.

2. Gavin Newsom is the Democratic candidate for governor of California. Newsom is serving as the 49th and current lieutenant governor of California, elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. He served as Mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2011. Newsom supports California’s status as a sanctuary state, advocates for the state’s public colleges and universities to be sanctuary campuses and calls on Congress to pass a reformed DREAM Act. He supports Planned Parenthood funding and hopes to launch a statewide Getting to Zero initiative which would fight to reduce the HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV) epidemics. Newsom also supports all five major criminal justice ballot initiatives including sentencing reform, three strikes reform and the repeal of the death penalty.

House Race, District 41

1. Mark Takano is running for reelection for the 41st District of California which includes Moreno Valley, Perris and Riverside. In 2012, Takano became the first openly gay person of color to be elected to Congress. Takano supports the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and intends to protect and strengthen Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Takano has filed legislation to regulate the for-profit college industry, to protect the benefits earned by veterans and to expand access to job skills training programs. In Congress currently, Takano is the acting ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and a member of the Education and Workforce Committee as well as the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Takano co-founded the Congressional Maker Caucus in order to support the development of new technologies and manufacturing processes.

2. Aja Smith is the Republican candidate for the 41st district of California which includes Moreno Valley, Perris and Riverside. Smith joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 2002 and in 2007 was deployed to Qatar and stationed at Al-Udeid Air Force Base during Operation Enduring Freedom. She supports strengthening national security by providing the military with proper technology and increased manpower. Smith wishes to ensure that veterans receive health care and retirement benefits. She also supports lowering taxes for small businesses and individuals.

Senate Race

1.Dianne Feinstein is running for reelection for California Senator, a seat she has held since 1992. She is a member of the Democratic Party and sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee in which she reviews intelligence reports, budgets and activities and participates in committee investigations. Feinstein supports investments to help create more jobs and tax reform to encourage growth and reduce the deficit. She believes that higher education should be more affordable and supports the ongoing efforts to improve access to healthcare as well as investing in research for disease prevention. In March 2017, Feinstein established legislation that required all amateur athletics governing bodies to report sex abuse allegations to law enforcement or a child welfare agency within 24 hours. She drafted legislation along with John McCain in 2015 that would ban the torture of detainees in U.S. custody which was signed into law. Feinstein most recently voted against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court on Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.

2. Kevin de Leon, a member of the Democratic Party and currently serving in the California State Senate, is running against incumbent Dianne Feinstein for U.S. Senate. de Leon served as the state senate president pro tempore from Oct. 15, 2014, to March 21, 2018. He supports Medicare for all and has proposed a Green New Deal that will restore infrastructure in a sustainable way by capping carbon emissions and pushing for consumption of only renewable energy by 2045. He wrote SB 350 which requires that 50 percent of the Golden State’s energy consumption be sourced from renewable energy by 2030. He proposes a gun control plan that would ban assault weapons, expand background checks, close the domestic violence loophole, create harsher gun trafficking penalties, fund gun violence research and fund community programs in urban areas that are impacted by gun violence. If elected, de Leon intends to co-sign the College for All Act that would dedicate more than $3 billion to student aid which would cover undergraduate tuition for all Californians enrolled in the California Community College, California State University and University of California systems. He defends the DREAM Act as well as ensuring that California remains a sanctuary state. de Leon supports the Marijuana Justice Act which would remove marijuana from the federal government’s list of controlled dangerous substances.

State Assembly District 61

1. Jose Medina is the Democratic candidate for State Assembly of District 61, which consists of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Perris and Mead Valley. Medina is running for reelection and was first elected into office in 2012 and reelected in 2014 and 2016. Medina was once a teacher in the Riverside County School District and is currently the chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. He prioritizes educating the workforce. Medina is currently advocating for the expansion of the Cal Grant C program to support students who want to go to college and improve the quality of higher education as well as K-12 education. On Oct. 1, Medina’s bill, AB 2012, which ensures that part-time community college faculty have the same parental leave rights as full-time faculty, was signed by Gov. Brown. He is also supportive of increasing California’s carbon-free electricity goals to 100 percent by 2025 and prohibiting non-disclosure agreements in sexual assault cases.

2. Ali Mazarei is the Republican candidate for Assembly District 61. Mazarei was not on the June 5 primary ballot however, he received the second-most votes as a write-in candidate. He supports Prop 6 which would repeal the gas tax. He opposes Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 which established an indoor, per person water use goal of 55 gallons per day until 2025. He opposes the California High-Speed Rail project which is a high-speed train system under construction.

District 60

1. Sabrina Cervantes is the Democratic incumbent for State Assembly of District 60, which includes Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and parts of the city of Riverside. Cervantes is running for her second term in the general election on Nov. 6 after advancing in the primaries on June 5, 2018. Cervantes’ top priorities are supporting veterans, improving transportation and making higher education more affordable.

Cervantes spearheaded the Zero Emission Assurance Project, which has been approved by Gov. Brown and provides partial refunds to people who purchase a replacement battery or fuel cell for a zero-emission vehicle. She has also authored legislation that will provide new college graduates with up to two years of debt relief for federal student loans. Along with that, Cervantes plans to create a system that will allow veteran students to obtain class credits for their military training at community colleges.

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District 60

2. Bill Essayli is the Republican candidate for State Assembly of District 60. Essayli, a former U.S. assistant attorney and prosecutor in the Riverside District Attorney’s office, opposes AB 109 which states that new non-violent, non-serious and non-sexual offenders with sentences of longer than one year would be housed in county jail facilities rather than state prisons. He also opposes Prop 47 which classifies non-serious, non-violent crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies. Essayli has expressed opposition to Prop 57, which increases the parole and good behavior options for felons who are convicted of nonviolent crimes. He supports Prop 6, which would repeal the gas tax mandated by SB 1. The gas tax would generate revenues of $5.1 billion towards maintenance and repair of highways and roadways as well as transit programs, using funds obtained through taxation on fuel purchases and car registrations. Essayli hopes to increase jobs and small business growth in California as well as reforming the California transportation department, also known as CalTrans. He has also emphasized public safety as a cornerstone of his campaign.

Attorney General

1. Xavier Becerra is the Democratic candidate and the 33rd and current Attorney General of California. He is the first Latino to hold the office in state history. He is also the first Latino to serve on the Ways and Means committee, the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. Here, he worked to secure fairer tax codes and trade laws as well as protecting Social Security and Medicare. One of his biggest missions is to secure access to quality and affordable health care. Becerra has fought to ensure that the Trump administration continues to support health care subsidies and worked to prevent the limitation of access to contraceptives for women. He has also defended the Affordable Care Act and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that protects immigrant children who came to the U.S at a young age from deportation, in court against the Trump Administration.

2. Steven Bailey is the Republican candidate for Attorney General of California. He was an elected superior court judge in El Dorado County from 2008 to 2017. If elected, Bailey plans to prioritize reducing crime in California. Bailey is supportive of the death penalty and the “Three Strikes” program which is a system that increases prison sentences of criminals who have been previously convicted of two or more serious felonies. He does not believe in strengthening gun control laws; however, he believes that drug and property crime laws should be stricter. Bailey advocates against the early release of felons from their sentences in California and prioritizes the safety of citizens. In addition to reducing crime, he promises to protect California’s sanctuary state status.

Treasurer

1. Fiona Ma is the Democratic candidate for Treasurer of California. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has served as a member of the California Board of Equalization since 2015 as a representative of the 2nd district, which covers 23 counties in California. She believes that the gap between the rich and poor in California is expanding and the way to rectify that is to ensure the growth in California is being effectively managed. Ma supports greater transparency about the state’s finances by endorsing a website tracking the state’s investment health. She promises to ensure the capital necessary to complete projects related to infrastructure, transportation, public schools, housing, water quality, affordable health care and pollution reduction. Her goal as treasurer is to implement a first-time homebuyer program to make housing more accessible and work to lessen college loan debt. To reduce college debt, Ma plans to schedule outreach workshops that will help the public understand some of California’s lesser-known financial programs, such as ScholarShare 529, which helps students form a college savings plan.

2. Greg Conlon is the Republican candidate running for the Treasurer of California. Conlon is a Certified Public Accountant who has been a senior partner in a Big Five accounting firm, Arthur Andersen LLP, for three decades. He has served on the California Public Utilities Commission as president for two years and as commissioner for four years. As Treasurer, Conlon plans to work on eliminating the $800 minimum state franchise income tax to help start-up corporations. Conlon is aiming to improve California’s credit rating by addressing unfunded pension liabilities. He plans to address unfunded pensions liabilities by working to author a new contribution plan for new employees and ensuring that current employees get to keep their present pension plan.

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BCOE receives $750,000 grant to increase number of STEM transfer students AMANI MAHMOUD Senior Staff Writer

The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) at UCR recently received a $750,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research to increase the number of STEM students who transfer from a community college into the engineering program at UCR. A new project, Training Undergraduates through Navy Engagement (TUNE), will

expand UCR’s efforts to allow students to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering in four years. TUNE will strengthen and assist the pipeline through a series of services to students that begin in the first year of college and continue beyond their transfer to UCR. TUNE is a collaboration between the Navy and BCOE to further enhance engineering student experiences, increase recruitment in engineering and provide training in fields of interest to the Navy.

This grant will support prospective and incoming transfer students interested in conducting research projects.

In an interview with the Highlander, Guadalupe Ruiz, the director of TUNE, and Marko Princevac, the associate dean of BCOE, stated that, “We have established collaboration with Crafton Hills, Mount San Jacinto College, Mount San Antonio College, Norco College and Riverside City College. We will work closely with these colleges to provide engineering

LYDIA TSOU / HIGHLANDER

transfer advising, resources, peer mentoring and research opportunities.”

According to Ruiz and Princevac, numerous BCOE faculty have Navyrelated research projects. Further, they have a history of transfer success and involvement of undergraduates in these research projects. This grant will help them take transfer success and research involvement to a new level and further provide developmental opportunities to engineering students. The funds from the Office of Naval Research will be used to support peer mentoring for students at the community colleges interested in engineering, prerequisite course advising by staff, outreach events and a large sum will go toward students who will participate in research with BCOE faculty on projects that are of Navy interest.

Ruiz and Princevac believe that all community college students should have the opportunity to transfer and continue pursuing higher education. “Community colleges serve as a bridge to all students, and the more opportunities the university can provide to assist them, the better,” stated Ruiz and Princevac. They believe that engineering is vastly growing and is an integral component of society. From improving medical devices, to vehicles, technological communication, environmental friendliness, engineering, according to Ruiz and Princevac, directs the next advancement of civilization.

“Engineering shapes the world we live in. With that said, engineering has a lot of prerequisite courses for community college students to take and through this project we will further streamline the process of transferring into BCOE/UCR,” stated Ruiz and Princevac. The TUNE project enables them to closely connect community college students to the university and have them experience first-hand the opportunities and resources UCR and BCOE offers. They believe that this closer exposure to BCOE will make them more likely to discover their interest in UCR. ■H

Opinions 10

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

The midterm elections will surely change America – and young people must take part Editor’s Note: We are running the same editorial as last week’s issue because we believe in the importance of urging students to vote and reaching as large an audience as possible regarding the midterm elections.

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ov. 6, 2018 is the date of the first midterm elections since 2014, where California voters will have a say in local, statewide and national issues ranging from our city councilmembers to the prices of our rent, to whether we as a nation decide it is necessary to hold Donald Trump accountable for the chaos and corruption he has inflamed in American politics. The scope, timing and urgency of these elections all coincide to make this election the most important one American voters have faced in the past 50 years. Residents of Riverside, like every single other eligible voting American, find themselves in the middle of an incredibly high-stakes race where the issues on the ballot, from the senate to the school board, are simply too important for UC Riverside students to sit out.

Every single eligible voter should vote in every single election that they have the ability to, regardless of the perceived stakes, glamour of the candidates, hassle of voting or difficulty of registering. While a number of these commonly cited impediments to voting do require serious solutions, the risks and potential consequences of sitting out an election are greater than any inconvenience the path to voting may pose. The 2018 elections may possibly be the most important elections this country has seen at the federal level in memory. But while the consequences of the election are of paramount significance, the challenge posed by these elections provides valuable insight into why voting is so fundamentally important to the fabric of our country in the first place.

–“The composition of the federal government is determined by the entire eligible-to-vote subset of the United States of America’s population of 323 million different people, a brazen and beautiful proposition, upon which the fate of the entire country rests.”– Voters near the UCR area have a say in two races that will select critical voting members of our federal government, in the House of Representatives, where incumbent Mark Takano (D-41) is running against challenger Aja Smith (R), and in the United States Senate, where voters can choose between longtime Democrat incumbent Diane Feinstein or her other Democratic challenger Kevin De Leon. While Takano is expected to defeat Smith in the election, democratic elections are not a binary split that gives all power to the victorious agenda and absolutely none to the losing one. Much of Mark Takano’s mandate fundamentally depends on his margin of victory, as does the

degree to which he will vote like a Democrat rather than acting more like a moderate. If Mark Takano wins the district with 90 percent of the votes, he will vote quite differently as opposed to if he won with 70 percent, and much differently than a scenario in which he wins just over 50 percent.

As (hopefully) registered voters in this district, readers will likely have to do some research on the two candidates, but the decision ultimately comes down to a simple question: which candidate do you prefer to see as your representative? After making that decision, it does not matter if that candidate is going to win or not in a general election with two candidates — you are the only one that can represent which of the two candidates is more fit to be your representative.

Your vote is the only way you can indicate that relationship, and otherwise, your representative is missing data that is essential to their mission.

The question in the Senate is no different. Feinstein is widely expected to win over De Leon, yet the two candidates espouse different goals, approaches and philosophies — they tell different stories. Feinstein is a hardened Democratic warrior with relationships and experience, De Leon is a savvy, courageous challenger with a compelling story and record. There are clear and important differences between the two candidates; failing to cast a ballot silences you for six years — stifles your influence on the just 100 men and women who determine how much you pay in taxes, the accessibility of your health care, the price of housing, how much you pay for your education or even the future of the planet itself.

Democracy is an experiment of epic scope and scale — one voter ultimately has just as much input as any other (with a few caveats) single voter in the country. The composition of the federal government is determined by the entire eligible-to-vote subset of the United States’ population of 323 million different people, a brazen and beautiful proposition, upon which the fate of the entire country rests.

When one person stays out of the public discourse, that very discourse loses a voice, a perspective, an additional nuance. Instead, those that choose to stay become inflated, and increasingly so with every single voice that is welcomed, but could not be bothered.

–“You wouldn’t let your crazy uncle make your most important life decisions, so why would you let them choose your government?”– Voter turnout in the last midterm election, 2014, was an astonishingly low 36.4 percent, the lowest turnout number since 1942, in the midst of the Second World War. For reference,

with a number as abysmally low as that, a mere 18.3 percent of the voting age population in the United States could have elected majorities in the House of Representatives.

To make matters even worse, turnout rates are anything but evenly distributed among age groups. The youngest age groups vote the least often, and every age group votes at a rate more frequently than the one below. The effect is so strong that while eligible voters aged between 18 and 27 voted at a rate of 19.9 percent, voters 65 and older voted at a rate of 59.4 percent, nearly triple the rate. It does not take complicated mathematical or reasoning skills to then infer from this, that assuming the size is similar between the two age groups, people aged 65 and older control our government at a level approximately three times as influential and impactful than people aged 18 to 27.

This disparity is striking – no group should have even close to the three times the representation to another of similar size in a democracy.

The issue is compounded, and drastically exacerbated, however, by the fundamental fact that younger people will fundamentally have to live much longer with the decisions made by their fellow citizens aged 65 and older. Older populations gravitate toward more traditional political views that aren’t as informed by new developments in the world or are outdated to newer generations that will inherit the country and planet as older generations have chosen to leave it to them.

The failure of young people to vote, while our oldest citizens consistently do, runs directly counter to their interests, ranging from the immediate months after the election to as far as decades in which the legacies or effects of policies will still be reminiscent. It is not inaccurate to say that by not voting, young people are essentially handing over their vote — that is, likely the most powerful tool the average United States citizen has — to senior citizens, thereby allowing them to make some of the most critical decisions that will affect their lives upwards of a century.

Barack and Michelle Obama have been spreading awareness of this voting dynamic in recent months, and to employ the same logic — you wouldn’t let your crazy uncle make your most important life decisions, so why would you let them choose your government?

The more abstract or big picture arguments for voting are incredibly compelling; however, California itself faces an array of difficult questions on the ballot in 2018. Questions that, unequivocally, will determine how much students on this campus will pay for their transportation, their healthcare, their housing, how many homeless will remain on California

streets and where the state gets its energy, among numerous others.

–“Knowing what is at stake in the 2018 midterm elections is absolutely critical for anyone that wants to know how to effectively plan their own future and vote their interests.”– The chief determinants to the answers of these questions lie in the California ballot propositions, specifically Proposition 6’s proposed repeal of the gas tax increase, Proposition 10’s reopening of localized rent control regulations, Proposition 1’s authorization of bonds for veteran housing assistance and Proposition 3’s issuing of bonds for a number of infrastructural and environmental projects.

Proposition 6 is a profound question that truly has compelling arguments on both sides. The gas tax is important not only to pick up the necessary revenue to fund our infrastructure programs, but also to discourage use of gasoline as much as possible and make cleaner or renewable sources of energy and transportation more attractive. At the same time however, the burden of Proposition 6 is likely to fall largely on lower income individuals and communities, and due to the utter lack of public transportation infrastructure in the state, it’s very possible the tax will collect revenue primarily from lower income individuals without actually changing their behavior. The implications of either side of this dilemma are too important to ignore; whatever side you land on, make sure you vote that way.

Propositions 1 and 2 ($4 and $2 billion) both mandate the issuing of bonds for public housing projects in a state that has too many bonds and too few affordable housing units. If you believe taxpayers should pay a little bit more so that the state can bring down the cost of housing, or find this notion detestable, don’t skip this one either. Proposition 3 is the issuing of a much larger bond ($8.9 million) aimed specifically at issues of water infrastructure in the Imperial Valley, ranging from watershed protection to wastewater treatment and habitat protection. These issues are of tremendous importance to the valley area and would bring serious benefits, yet nearly $9 billion in bonds for a local project is a bit unusual, especially when the changes have been shown as unlikely to improve water or scarcity issues in other parts of the state.

Proposition 10 may end up being the most important for most voters.

It would repeal a law that prohibits cities from establishing rent control regulations in apartments built after 1995. The ballot measure would likely do little more than grant cit-

ies increased flexibility in formulating solutions to high rents in their own limits, which could mean many more rent controlled apartments for prospective renters that wouldn’t normally be able to afford the prices, but at the same time, would likely decrease returns for landlords and property owners. Additionally, advertising about Proposition 10 on both sides appears to be largely overblown while the core tenet of the Proposition is little more than a technocratic change that grants more flexibility to individual cities. That being said, this subtle change could have a significant impact for renters, meaning no UCR student should leave this ballot blank.

There’s a number of potentially very impactful local candidate races on the ballot as well; gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom is promising to run on what he describes as California values, including commitments to “expanding health care for all, closing the pay and defending reproductive rights and protecting immigrant families and defending our sanctuary status,” centering his campaign as an opposition to Donald Trump’s federal government. Newsom’s opponent, John Cox is instead running on a message of change for the solidly blue California, promising a repeal of the gas tax, keeping healthcare solidly privatized and slashing taxes and regulations that he claims contribute to California’s troubling housing shortage. Assemblymember Medina, a UCR alumnus who represents eastern Riverside (D61), faces a new challenge from Republican Mohammad-Ali Mazarei.

Nearby Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, who represents western Riverside and Corona, is in a very difficult spot against challenger Bill Essayli. Additionally, the outcome of that seat could be critical in the balance of Democrats versus Republicans in the state legislature.

Essayli has centered his campaign on repealing the gas tax increase, while Cervantes voted for it after receiving assurance of increased infrastructure and transportation funding for her district.

With all things, but regarding elections especially, knowledge is power. Knowing what is at stake in the 2018 midterm elections is absolutely critical for anyone that wants to know how to effectively plan their own future and vote their ■H interests.

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.

If you are registered to vote and are not voting by mail, there is an on campus polling place for casting and dropping off ballots at UCR in Glen Mor J315 on November 6, and you can find other nearby voting locations at https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/polling-place/. If you are not registered but still are interested in casting a ballot, California offers conditional registration up to and including on election day at special locations. To register after the October 22nd deadline, you can find the Riverside county conditional voter registration office at 2724 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA 92507-0918.

OPINIONS

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

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OPINION POLL Compiled by Ryan Poon Contributing Photographer

“Are you registered to vote?”

Kyle Christe Business Fourth-year

Jace Vu Business Fourth-year

Arlyn Ballesteros Neuroscience Second-year

Jose Garcia Bioengineering First-year

Elaine Vuong Business First-year

Joshua Wang Neuroscience Second-year

“I already registered to vote because I believe we should all have a voice, even in smaller local affairs”

“Yes, because I have beliefs and opinions and would like them to be heard.”

“No, but I for sure will! Midterms are getting in my way.”

“I already preregistered in high school to vote so I’m already eligible. It was a pretty big thing back then to make sure we played a role.”

“I haven’t registered yet because I haven’t found the time. I’ve been really busy this past week. I wish it was more convenient!”

“I’ve already registered because I care. I want a cleaner planet.”

Why Californians should get rid of the

state’s landmine - Dianne Feinstein HUGO ARCOS Contributing Writer

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, California voters will have an opportunity to vote for the state’s future in an election where there is no shortage of candidates, issues and propositions to consider.

One key race that everyone must keep a sharp eye on, however, is the United States Senate race between incumbent Democrat Dianne Feinstein and her in-party challenger, Kevin de Leon.

The 85-year-old Feinstein is currently seeking her sixth term in the Senate, claiming that “there’s still so much work left to do.”

Her opponent, Kevin de Leon, has served as the California State Senate pro tempore from 2014 to 2018 and is currently looking for his first national Senate term.

Feinstein’s long time in office and overall veteran-like experience may be a tempting advantage, but it proves to be obsolete when considering her political history, lack of progressive policies and disconnect with the new wave of voters. This negative political background is such a sharp contrast to de Leon’s progressive policies, refreshing promises and strong connection with the current Californian outlook.

Feinstein was first elected to the Senate in 1992 after a special election following Senator Pete Wilson’s seat vacancy to assume governorship. In other words, her first appearance in the Senate seemed to be out of sheer luck, especially when considering that she was fined $190,000 for mishandling her reports for campaign expenditures and contributions.

One of Feinstein’s first political decisions constructing the 1994 assault weapons ban, a ban on 18 specific models of assault weapons and certain military features (such as a flash suppressor). Such a ban was spurred by shooting incidents at 101 California Street in San Francisco (for which Feinstein served as mayor from 1978-1988) and a Long Island Rail Road train in 1993.

Following President Bill Clinton’s election, however, she soon voted against the North American Free Trade Agreement and Clinton’s 1993 Healthcare plan. Free and open trade, one of the hallmarks of liberalism and progressivism,

was now challenged by Feinstein.

However, California did notice this shift, as Feinstein was only re-elected in 1994 by a slight two percent margin.

After the 1994 election, California seemed to just go along with Feinstein as Senator, despite her inconsistency and lack of progressivism in a span of two years. Although she later admitted it was a mistake, she supported the Iraq War resolution in 2002.

Critics have noted that Feinstein could’ve easily joined the other 21 Democratic senators who voted against the resolution due to skepticism about the arguments for war.

I could keep going on about political inconsistencies and lack of progressivism with Feinstein, but I would like to come back to a main point — Feinstein’s overall time in office. Feinstein’s five terms in office mean that for over a decade, California has lacked any new or fresh ideas in the Senate.

Such a trend has crept into the current election, as Feinstein failed to receive the Democratic Party endorsement from California. Also, millenial support for Feinstein has diminished over the year; currently 41 percent of voters between ages 18-44 are expected to vote in her favor according to recent polls.

Why such a trend? It is

important to note that California has not only become more progressive, but also a strong counterweight against the national government led by Trump and conservatives. In other words, we can expect Californians to seek not only a very progressive candidate but also one that is strongly anti-Trump.

Feinstein has not been antiTrump enough considering that she claimed that Trump “could be a good president.” Her centrism is simply out of fashion, and it has opened a pathway for a very progressive and anti-Trump candidate — Kevin de Leon.

Following labor organization and campaign management, de Leon first ran for office in 2006, defeating Christine Chavez for a position in the California State Assembly. Immediately, de Leon authorized the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act, investing $400 million in neighborhood parks across the state. Soon after, he was elected into the California State Senate in 2010. de Leon, the youngest child of an immigrant, has promoted very strong anti-Trump rhetoric.

Taking his personal background and experiences with others into special consideration, he has strongly advocated for a pathway to citizenship, and was a key architect in SB 54, a sanctuary law

that would ensure no state dollars go into the separation of families, forbid law enforcement from providing info to Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) and bar the agency from operating in certain locations. de Leon criticized Trump’s antiimmigrant laws as being rooted in white nationalist ideologies, and claimed that the main goal of Trump’s immigration rhetoric is to create replicates of the standard white American. Furthermore, he not only presents a strong defiance against Trump, but also against his current opponent, accusing her of “trying to reposition herself as a leader after years behind.”

Apart from immigration, de Leon is very progressive when it comes to gun control and addressing climate change. For example, de Leon was responsible for SB 350 and SB 100: SB 350 mandated renewable and energyefficient targets, and SB 100 will make California reliant on 100 percent clean electricity by 2045.

With gun control, de Leon was a strong advocate for the expansion of the 1989 California assault weapons ban, better regulated ammunition sales and a variety of other limitations.

Overall, when putting both candidates next to one another, it is easy to see why de Leon is regarded as more progressive and in touch with California’s

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

current political climate and voter ideology. As a man in his early 50’s, de Leon still has time to have a great career ahead of him.

Feinstein has simply lost touch with new voters. Her centrism and lack of boldness won’t cut it for California, which seeks a strong anti-Trump senator.

A victory on the part of Feinstein would mean another term filled with a lack of progressive policies, action and a stagnant representation in Senate.

On the other hand, de Leon will bring fresh ideas and has proven to be fearless in fighting the establishment.

Such characteristics will be needed to maintain a progressive and forward-thinking California.

With de Leon in office, the Senate will have a new voice to spur positive change, and maintain a strong opposition against Trump.

Christopher Hitchens once criticized Princess Diana by comparing her to a “landmine,” claiming that landmines were very easy to lay, but difficult, dangerous and expensive to get rid of. Similarly, Californians have made Feinstein their landmine, with every one of her victories making it even more difficult to get rid of her. Luckily, we have a candidate willing to aid us with the strenuous process of getting rid of our own,Californian landmine.

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2018 12

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

OPINIONS

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

MIDTERM what ELECTIONS: WE think

Newsom for Governor:

A serious candidate with serious plans

California is a big state Needless to say, Newsom accessibility, a new job for affordable housing with a lot of problems. The is the smart and promising training program, reforming projects, scaling Enhanced state has the highest poverty choice for California that the criminal justice system, Infrastructure Financing rate in the country when we can be sure will not only making bold commitments Districts to the state level to cost of living is properly get things done for the state, to improving California’s crack down on corruption factored in, stands to face but come much closer than serious infrastructure and and mismanagement and severe consequences from anyone else to getting them housing challenges, fighting reworking the tax code to the effects of climate change, done the right way. John for universal health care, incentivize cities to invest in has five of the top 10 most Cox, by comparison, does a renewable energy and affordable housing. expensive cities to live in in good job of hitting Newsom universal pre-K education.

If the above paragraph the United States and has an where it hurts on high Each one of these focuses sounds wonkish, that’s extremely volatile revenue poverty and homelessness, are refreshing plans that the because it certainly is – and base that threatens to cripple the California exodus and state truly needs, particularly that’s a very good thing. the state if a new recession the downsides of the gas tax; commitments on housing Managing California, comes soon. Faced with these however, his strengths stop and infrastructure. growing the state and fighting challenges, Californians have a critically important choice ahead of them as “Gavin Newsom is offering solid, achievable plans to they elect a new governor of this state – essentially f ixes on housing, energy, healthcare, criminal justice and the chief executive of the world’s 5th largest infrastructure. John Cox has done little other than assign economy. blame and offer mythical silver bullets to the state’s most One of the state’s candidates for governor, serious problems.”

Gavin Newsom, is an experienced policy wonk with over 20 years of there. Cox has no experience On the housing issue for those who need it most is California state and local in government and has specifically, Newsom clearly an incredibly tall order where government experience that centered his campaign on outlines his goals, steps to expertise and savviness understands these challenges, the repeal of gas taxes and the plan and the tools he will will beat audacity and and has presented a number replacing the government utilize. The first commitment simplicity every single time. of specific, realistic proposals with laissez-faire free market he makes, to “lead the effort Cox counters Newsom’s targeted faithfully towards dependence. to develop the 3.5 million specificity with frustrating the state’s unique challenges.

Newsom’s campaign is housing units we need by vagueness, leading with The other candidate is an built on the three objectives 2025,” is precisely what “red tape, taxes, sweetheart Ohioan businessman and of creating opportunity, the state needs to counter contract deals, fees, and repeatedly failed politician building California’s future the housing shortage it is outdated environmental rules that is running a campaign and defending California currently facing; the most have created this problem.” defined by little more than values. Key issues that his effective way to bring down Anyone who knows their conservative platitudes campaign uses to define the price of something is fair share of politics know of cutting taxes, slashing these three objectives to produce more of it. He that this, in fact, is code for regulations and getting include education reform also indicates potential nothing more than cutting tougher on border security. with an emphasis on expansion of tax credits taxes and regulations and

Kevin de Leon for US Senate:

Dianne Feinstein is a seasoned veteran of the California Democratic Party.

After being elected in 1992 in what has been dubbed “The Year of the Woman,” Feinstein has been with the party through a rollercoaster of political and policy changes, including the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, which she authored, the Iraq War, which she voted for, her declaration of support for the death penalty, opposition to single-payer health care, statement that Donald Trump “could be a good president” and her fight against Trump’s judicial nominees, to name a few of her most controversial fights.

To progressives, and thus many Californians, much of this record may be troubling.

She has since stated that she regrets her Iraq War vote in the

praying the private sector will fix it. Although one could argue that there are some regulations that are seriously harmful, as Newsom actually says on his campaign website, leaving the massive crisis with limited profit potential in the hands of the private sector almost entirely is either foolish, or evident of Cox’s unwillingness to do what is necessary to actually address the problem for those who need it most.

This very dynamic is the characteristic factor of the race, where one candidate is a pragmatic yet progressive champion and the other’s campaign slogan is literally “Help is on the way!” Complicated issues deserve detailoriented attention and sophisticated solutions.

Gavin Newsom is offering solid, achievable plans to fixes on housing, energy, healthcare, criminal justice and infrastructure. John Cox has done little other than assign blame and offer mythical silver bullets to the state’s most serious problems. Gavin Newsom is the obvious and pragmatic choice for California’s next governor; he has proudly displayed he has the correct mindset, skills and experience to tackle the state’s pressing challenges.

Time for California to make a change

strongest terms and changed its electricity from renewable Fundamentally, Kevin de her mind on the death penalty, sources by 2045, and played Leon and Dianne Feinstein are saying “the world changes and a key role in negotiating very different candidates. You we change.” These previously with Governor Jerry Brown may see explanations showing latent feelings of progressive to approve the statewide that the policy differences right frustration have crystalled with minimum wage increase to now aren’t as big as you think the upstart candidacy of former $15 an hour. He offers his they are, but such a practice California is disingenuous, State Senate “ Kevin de Leon will f ight for the and implies that Pro Tempore the issues where Kevin de California , and the United States of they do differ, like Leon, who whether or not tomorrow , while Feinstein is still California should has emerged as her look seriously struggling to keep up with today .” into a singlechallenger in the general payer health election. contrast to Feinstein by citing care system, aren’t important. de Leon’s track record the most notorious of her The 2.7 million Californians in the California Senate is actions, notably her statement without health insurance will unabashedly progressive, and that Trump “could be a good emphatically disagree. impressively pragmatic. As president,” her vote for the Iraq While Feinstein is owed pro tempore, he authored SB War and opposition to single- credit for lasting decades in 54, the state’s “sanctuary law”, payer health care, but also by the Senate and eventually SB 100, the recently signed pointing to his track record as embracing progressive bill that commits California consistent leader for California policies, the fact that she to obtaining 100 percent of policy and values. once actively campaigned on

issues antithetical to important California positions and values today should not be ignored.

Californians deserve a leader that hasn’t wavered in their political beliefs and convictions.

The world has changed a great deal since Feinstein’s first election to the Senate, and at some point leaders have to change too.

Feinstein was the perfect candidate for the California of 1992 and for many years after, but Kevin de Leon will fight for the California, and the United States of tomorrow, while Feinstein is still struggling to keep up with today. Kevin de Leon is a true Californian, and has been nothing but an important leader for the state as it’s become sophisticated; he should be the state’s next United States Senator.

Re-elect Mark Takano to the House of Representatives: A champion for the 41st District

UCR, as well as most of Riverside, Moreno Valley and Perris comprise California’s 41st Congressional District for the U.S. House of Representatives.

The congressional seat has been held by incumbent Mark Takano (D) since 2012, the first openly gay person of color to be elected to the United States Congress.

Takano has focused his time in Congress fighting for improvements in education and for students, veterans, affordable and accessible

healthcare, more and better Takano is an experienced Americans, protect coverage jobs for Riverside county and congressman with a for patients with pre-existing protecting the environment. consistently impressive conditions, protect and He is being expand Medicare challenged and Social “Aja Smith hasn’t offered many by his seat by Security, hold for R e p u b l i c a n serious solutions to the 41st district’s profit colleges Aja Smith, accountable a United most important issues, while Mark and pass States Air environmental Force veteran Takano is a consistent leader for the p r o t e c t i o n s . from Moreno He also holds district every single day.”

Valley that important has focused knowledge on her campaign on national track record on key issues, the value of some of the security priorities, benefits including his votes to expand best things the 41st district for veterans and lower taxes. Medicaid to millions of has to offer, including

educational resources and the district’s veteran population, as reflected by his work on the House Education and Workforce Committee, House Veterans Affairs Committee and House Committee on Space, Science and Technology.

Aja Smith hasn’t offered many serious solutions to the 41st district’s most important issues, while Mark Takano is a consistent leader for the district every single day. He is the clear choice for the House of Representatives.

OPINIONS

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

Jose Medina (61) and Sabrina Cervantes (60) advocates for State Assembly: Proven with proven records

Riverside is split into two different State Assembly Districts — the 60th Assembly District covers Corona and Western Riverside as well as Eastvale and Jurupa Valley, while the 61st State Assembly District encompasses Eastern Riverside, Moreno Valley and Perris. The two Democratic incumbents, Sabrina Cervantes (60) and Jose Medina (61) are facing challenges from Republicans Bill Essayli and Mohammad-Ali Mazarei, respectively.

Medina’s opponent, Mazarei, did not run for the seat in the June primary election, but gained the second most votes of any candidate as a write-in since Medina originally ran unopposed.

As a result, he became the Republican nominee and is now challenging Medina for his seat.

Mazarei’s campaign headlines with an effort to repeal the gas tax, and lists his other priorities as improving public safety by holding criminals accountable and assisting

first responders, investing in K-12 education, stimulating job growth, ensuring the completion of water storage projects, lowering taxes and ending wasteful spending.

Medina, by contrast,

distribution of quality judges to the Inland Empire, strengthened environmental justice considerations by making it more difficult for projects to avoid the California Environmental

for her district. The gas tax increase, of course, is particularly troubling to the economically challenged Inland Empire; however, Cervantes accepted it in exchange for what her district

“Essayli and Mazarei haven’t offered many reassuring promises to the 60th and 61st district besides pledging to fight to repeal the gas tax , a seemingly appealing move that ultimately, however, shouldn’t be done anyway. Medina and Cervantes , by comparison , have shown themselves to be effective advocates for their district.” speaks with action and record. He is a UCR bachelor’s and master’s alumnus and former ethnic studies teacher in Riverside.

Since being elected to the state legislature, he was instrumental in securing funding ($15 million) for UC Riverside to open its School of Medicine in 2008, which is quickly becoming a hub for quality health care treatment and employment in the area. He also has worked to bring a fairer

Quality Act’s regulations and passed over seven technocratic assembly bills aimed at streamlining and improving education process and outcomes.

Sabrina Cervantes’s opponent, Essayli, kicked off his campaign at a Corona gas station, and has centered his campaign around the repeal of the gas tax increase, seizing on anger after Cervantes voted for the increase in exchange for infrastructure and transportation funding

truly needed most — funding for transportation and infrastructure improvements.

Cervantes’s district does not include UCR, but it is critically important.

In her time in the Assembly, Cervantes secured $427 million towards improving infrastructure and transportation in her district, $2 million towards a Veteran education program at Norco College and has pledged to focus

on bringing the green, growing economy to her district. Her election was also the race that tipped the balance of the California Assembly to a Democratic supermajority, yet in the primary Essayli won 53 percent of the votes, while she only won 47 percent.

Essayli and Mazarei haven’t offered many reassuring promises to the 60th and 61st district besides pledging to fight to repeal the gas tax, an seemingly appealing move that ultimately, however, shouldn’t be done anyway. Medina and Cervantes, by comparison, have shown themselves to be effective advocates for their district; Assembly members that can work with other Democrats that dominate statewide and advocate critical representation and inclusion for their Inland Empire communities.

They both deserve an additional term to continue fighting for their districts.

Xavier Becerra for Attorney General:

Xavier Becerra is the incumbent Attorney General for California since 2017, and has proven himself to be an effective leader and fighter for the state. In a state that faces so many challenges from the current federal government, Becerra has done an excellent job pushing back for California interests.

Most notably, he has gone to court to protect the Affordable Care and Patients Protection Act, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status for the state’s DREAMers, challenged the travel ban targeted towards Muslimmajority countries and the

Legal Representation California Needs Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to slow the adoption of more stringent health care standards.

Challenger Steven Bailey fails to offer any kind of compelling

positions are his support for the death penalty, a “three-strike” system, in which repeat offenders are given much harsher penalties and strong opposition to any kind of

his unwillingness to talk about California’s role nationally suggests he will refuse to challenge the federal government on some of the state’s most important interests,

“Becerra has been with California every step of the way on its most important legal fights” contrast. He is a former El Dorado County Judge that handled criminal and juvenile matters, and has centered his campaign to “refocus(ing) the state’s top law enforcement position on reducing crime.” As for his platform, his central

gun control. He also has said “California needs an attorney general focused on solving our problems, not fighting Washington D.C.” Bailey’s intense focus on state issues opposed to national ones sounds promising, yet

a possibility that is unacceptable when the healthcare, air quality, and immigration status of millions in this state are at such risk. Furthermore, his statewide platforms are nothing more than cookie cutter tough-oncrime platitudes that have

already been tried and failed repeatedly.

Becerra, by comparison has proven to be a fighter for California on the national scale, but has no shortage of statewide achievements either. He secured $67 million in debt relief for defrauded students at for-profit colleges in June, has stood up to the pharmaceutical and banking industries for consumers and advanced competitive policies in preventing oil giant Valero from overtaking an independent petroleum distributor. Becerra has been with California every step of the way on its most important legal fights — he should be reelected.

Moving Fiona Ma for State Treasurer: California forward The California State Treasurer, a position that usually flies under the radar, is much more important than many might think. While most members of government decide how to bring in more money or how to spend it, the State Treasurer handles the government’s financial assets. The Los Angeles Times has described this dynamic as “the state treasurer watches after the government’s savings account while the state controller is in charge of its checkbook.”

The general election candidates are Democrat Fiona Ma, who currently sits on the state Board of Equalization, which

handles tax administration and fee collection responsibilities, and Republican Greg Conlon, a former accountant at Arthur Andersen LLP, a big five accounting firm, and former president of

and has pledged to orient herself towards the most important issues for Californians. Ma is a champion for universal health care in the state, has lead the way on reforming and updating California

ScholarShare529, a lesserknown college savings planning platform.

Republican Greg Conlon has contrasted his campaign by pledging to be a counterweight to “The Democratic Candidate

“Fiona Ma has the vision, experience, passion and skill set to handle California’s f inancial assets as the state enters a new era of problem-solving and governance.” the California Public Utilities Commission.

Fiona Ma is another clear and obvious choice for California.

She has extensive experience working with the complexities of California’s economy,

tax code, has pushed accountability and tackled corruption head on and has remained steadfast on strengthening California’s public education. One particularly appealing plan of hers is to increase public outreach regarding

for Governor,” who “is known for his liberal proclivity to increase spending.” The three issues he has specifically highlighted are to reform the state’s public pensions by starting defined contributions for new

and future employees, reducing taxes on start -up businesses in the state and improve the state’s credit rating.

While many parts of this campaign may sound reasonable, Conlon’s silence on the issues most important to Californians from a treasurer — health care, education and effective tax codes is concerning.

Fiona Ma has the vision, experience, passion and skill set to handle California’s financial assets as the state enters a new era of problem-solving and governance. She should be California’s next state treasurer.

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/features

MARTHA DELGADO Senior Staff Writer

Lights were dimmed in HUB 302 on Thursday, Oct. 25 to create an intimate ambience for ASPB’s 10th annual More Than Spoken Word event.

This year’s event featured four spoken word artists for the first time. Round tables, each lit with candles, were set up in front of a stage. Although this year the event was not held at the Barn, the room was filled with over 100 attendees. The event began at 6:30 p.m. with an open mic available for audience members who wanted to perform their own spoken word. “(More Than Spoken Word) began in 2008 as a creative platform for students who were passionate about spoken word,” explained ASPB Director of Contemporary Culture and secondyear sociology and business double major Karlee Labrador. Although this year the event was not held at the Barn due to ongoing renovations, the turnout for the 10th annual More Than Spoken Word showed the event’s positive growth.

Summaya Knugyani, a third-year biology major, was one of the students to sign up for the open mic. Knugyani

has previously performed her poetry at events hosted by student performance group Teatro Quinto Sol. For this ASPB open mic, Knugyani felt nervous since she did not practice her poem before the event. Yet this did not stop her from giving a powerful performance.

Another open mic performer was Anissa Lopez, a third-year education major who has been writing poetry since fourth grade. Lopez has looked forward to More Than Spoken Word ever since she read her own work in the open mic portion last year. “It’s one of my favorite events that they have every single year,” Lopez said.

Following the open mic, the first spoken word performer, poet and billboard charting artist Ty Scott King, came on stage. Growing up, King initially aspired to become a singer until she was eight years-old, when her sister was impressed by King’s poems.

King’s poems discussed parts of her identity. “Three things were evident on the day that I was born: my nationality, which is Jamaican; my ethnicity, which is African-American; and my gender,” King elaborated. Her performance centered on the immigrant experience and the realities of being a black woman in America.

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THOMAS HOLGUIN / HIGHLANDER

King was followed by Spoken Literature Art Movement co-founder Alyesha Wise-Hernandez, who is originally from Camden, New Jersey.

Wise-Hernandez touched on her heritage and experiences growing up in lower-income neighborhoods. “Camden is dope. Growing up, you weren’t taught that this city is dope. (Camden) is known for all the wrong things, for bad things,” Wise-Hernandez commented. Wise-Hernandez’ poetry included a piece she wrote for Serena Williams that was loosely based on and inspired by Williams’ catsuit ban. “In a lot of the rooms I’m in (on the west coast), there are not a lot of black people or black women,” WiseHernandez began. “I got to remember when I’m in a room, I exist. I’m a black woman in the room. I can’t take that completely out of my narrative.”

Michael Nelder, a poet and communications coach, was introduced as the next artist. Growing up, Nelder was teased for his middle name, Nelder.

Embracing his identity, Nelder chose to use it as his stage name. “Poetry has been a tool that has allowed me with

self-discovery and identity development,” Nelder stated. Nelder’s poems discussed his identity and how his faith informs his worldview. “I think a lot of writing in poetry and life is really about being real with yourself,” Nelder elaborated.

The night ended with poet and activist Yesika Salgado who was a 2018 National Poetry Slam Finalist. Salgado began the night by joking about the “bunch of sad poems” she would be performing that night which were about heartbreak. Salgado also read a couple of poems from her upcoming book, “Tesoro.” In “Tesoro”, Salgado talks about the women in her life and how they survived patriarchal oppression. “My family’s from El Salvador.

It’s really important for me to always say that in a room because Central Americans get erased so much,” Salgado stated.

Afterwards, students were able to meet the performers and purchase copies of the artists’ latest works. The event concluded around 9:30 p.m., closing off a night of introspection and artful oral performance.

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THOMAS HOLGUIN / HIGHLANDER

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HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/arts

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

Radar

MOVIE REVIEW

“HALLOWEEN” STAYS TRUE TO ITS 80S ROOTS

COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES

SILVIA FERRER Contributing Writer

As a fan of the original 1978 “Halloween,” I had high hopes for the 2018 sequel. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. “Halloween” is a crowd-pleaser, with frequent nods to its predecessor, gory scenes galore and a satisfying ending. This movie is definitely a trip down nostalgia lane, but the cinematography, soundtrack and plot are so timeless that even casual horror watchers will be able to find an enjoyable

COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL PICTURES

aspect. Even though it is the eleventh film in the eponymous franchise, “Halloween” effectively goes back to the elements that made the 1978 slasher film so popular.

The opening credits instantly set the tone for the film. The 80s-esque font and Michael’s theme music are both eerie and reminiscent. Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode, the babysitter Michael terrorized 40 years ago. Now older and wiser, Laurie has safe-proofed her home for the return of Michael — who she is sure will come back for her eventually. She has isolated herself from her daughter, Karen (Judy Greer), has multiple locks on her door, a security gate and a hidden room where she keeps her various guns. On the night of Michael’s transportation to prison, he manages to overpower the guards and escape. Throughout the time that Michael doesn’t have his mask, the audience doesn’t ever see his face. The anonymity makes his character that much more creepy; there is no humanity or personality to Michael other than the fact that he is a cold-blooded serial killer.

The film drives this point in through the senseless killing that takes place once Michael gets to the town of Haddonfield. After the iconic theme music sets in, everyone is fair game. However, instead of building the suspense through the soundtrack as other movies in the franchise do, the music is almost distracting at times. It alerts the audience of the violence that is about to occur and takes away from any surprise.

While Michael is off stabbing housewives, Laurie’s teenage granddaughter, Alison, is at a dance with her boyfriend. She leaves momentarily to chat with her friend, Vicky, about post-party plans at the house where Vicky is babysitting. Vicky’s scenes were refreshing to watch after Michael bashes a woman’s head in with a hammer. Her scenes provided comedic relief early enough in the film that it didn’t feel too light. Although his role was small, the boy she babysat was so charismatic that he stole the scenes he was in. The film tries to balance comedy with horror, and

although in this case it worked, sometimes it felt out of place and took away from the intensity. The film does pretty well in staying away from cliches, but Alison’s storyline ends up feeling like a slasher trope. Her character has no real purpose besides providing the set of teens that are primordial to every slasher film.

Apart from her importance to Laurie, her screentime only serves to establish plot details to the audience.

Alison is rescued by a sheriff and Dr. Sartain, Michael’s psychologist, after she has a harrowing encounter with Michael. What ensues is the most nonsensical scene in the film. Michael’s anonymity, a central part of his frightful character, is broken away by Sartain. The red herring during this scene almost veers the movie off course, but it manages to gain traction soon after. Sartain soon becomes one of Michael’s victims. His death scene was particularly gross — brains and blood splatter across the screen. Although the other deaths were still graphic, this one made me look away. The scare factor is definitely watered down compared to any of its predecessors (except maybe Rob Zombie’s interpretation) but the gore is amped up to a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” level.

After hearing about the bus crash on the news, Laurie is immediately on alert. She is the only person who can stop Michael’s wrath of terror, and their eventual showdown is intense. The film has little to no jump-scares, but it does a good job of building the anticipation as Laurie prepares for the confrontation she has long awaited. The shots are exceptionally thoughtful, and the sound effects during these scenes were fantastic. They were simultaneously a reference to its ‘80s roots and added to the momentum the scene was building. In this sequence in particular, the nods to the original were piled on. Fans in the audience are sure to recognize the iconic reference to its 1978 inspiration. But casual watchers shouldn’t fret, as the traditional camera shots and victorious (if a bit ambiguous ending) are an aesthetically pleasing and fun viewing experience.

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Verdict:

While its sense of originality and scares are lacking compared to its 1978 counterpart, “Halloween” pulls its weight. The multitude of characters and twists made the film unorganized at times, but it held true to its slasher roots. Anyone is bound to enjoy this sequel regardless of whether they’ve watched John Carpenter’s original film.

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/arts

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

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"Mid90s": Jonah Hill delivers a hardh i t t i n g c om i n g - o f - ag e st o r y i n h i s directorial debut DANIEL SOLANO Contributing Writer

Although actors-turneddirectors aren’t something new, it is a relatively recent phenomenon that these directorial debutants experience significant initial success. Last year alone, directorial newcomers Jordan Peele and Greta Gerwig made very successful debuts with “Get Out” and “Lady Bird,” both of which received positive receptions both critically and commercially. Jonah Hill has managed to continue that trend into this year, with his first feature writing and directing credit, “Mid90s.”

Starring Sunny Suljic (“The Killing of A Sacred Deer”), “Mid90s” is a coming-of-age story about a 13-year-old boy, Stevie, who deals with the emotional instability of his burgeoning adolescence by hanging out with a group of older skaters who, although caring and good-natured, lead Stevie down a precarious path. Stevie’s problems are made worse by a difficult home life, where his troubled older brother Ian (Lucas Hedges) beats him constantly, and where it is clear that his mother (Katherine Waterston) is far too young and inexperienced to raise children on her own The story jumps back and forth between Stevie’s interactions with his family and his new friends. As Stevie’s family situation worsens, his behavior follows suit, enabled by the people around him and the tough street skating scene he’s becoming a part of. Although the title itself is an homage to the glorified time period the film is set in, the film itself is a deeply personal exploration of a group of troubled young men.

Although there are plenty of comedic moments and skating sequences throughout that help move things along, there are also some slow and deliberate moments that don’t pull any punches and can be uncomfortable to watch. You’ll find that these young men’s bad attitudes and bad decisions are all symptoms of much more serious personal problems, including poverty, familial troubles and mental health issues. Two specific scenes to watch out for are a powerful performance from Lucas Hedges as Ian during an altercation with Stevie, and the conversation Stevie has with Ray soon after. All of these moments are perfectly handled by Hill’s direction who, despite handling topics like underaged sex and drinking, drug abuse, physical and emotional abuse and even death, ensures that none of these moments ever feel cheap or gratuitous.

The same can be said about the time period and the skating in the movie. The soundtrack is a great mix made up of mostly 90s hip hop, with some punk, pop and R&B thrown in, as well as an original score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. You’ll see popular 90s brands and media like Street Fighter and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all over the place, but none of it is ever shoved down your throat.

It’s only there to help establish a lovingly crafted mise-enscene which does a great job of immersing the audience in the story. All of the skaters in the movie are very skilled, but the skating sequences aren’t about showing off skills and complicated tricks, and the skating acts as a thread that runs through the movie and brings all of the characters together

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by providing a setting for the characters to navigate.

Jonah Hill also proves to be a very talented writer and director that should have a promising future in filmmaking. Hill does a great job of showing us these situations as they would happen in real life, and letting the audience form their own opinion; there is no emotional manipulation or any ethical statements made in this movie, even when racist, misogynistic and homophobic comments are made by some of our protagonists. These behaviors are never presented sympathetically, but simply shown as they would happen in real life, and as

someone who is familiar with street skating culture and the people surrounding it, I can tell you that it can get as ugly and mean in real life as in some parts of this film.

Hill also had the wherewithal to get himself a talented and experienced cinematographer.

The movie is shot completely on Super 16mm film in a rare 4:3 aspect ratio by cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt.

The resulting graininess and color scheme works wonders in transporting the audience back to the mid 90s and of capturing the mood and tone of the film. Some might see this style of shooting as gimmicky, and I’ll admit

that while it definitely wasn’t necessary, it was handled well and made the film all the more enjoyable.

Although Stevie is a strong protagonist on his own, much of what there is to like about the film comes from the ensemble cast around him. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Galicia, Smith, Prenatt and McLaughlin are not professional actors, and this is their first feature acting credit. Most of them are involved in professional skateboarding, but they all did a phenomenal job in this movie and I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them went on to act in other projects.

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Verdict:

Despite dealing with extremely harsh and sensitive topics, “Mid90s” marks a great directorial debut for Jonah Hill, and shows promise for his future projects. The film handles its somber and serious themes well, making it a must-see for fans of drama and organic storytelling.

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Be informed.

H The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and news around campus. If you are interested in the newspaper’s articles or pictures, we offers opportunities in writing, photography, and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.

SPORTS

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

HIGHLANDER The NBA’s best HOT TAKE: center is Nikola Jokic JORDAN HOM Contributing Writer

The debate for the NBA’s best big man fields a tough competition. There are many talented centers in the NBA but the best of them is none other than Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.

Rising star Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers has many proclaiming the Cameroon native to be the league’s best center. With a history of injuries, however, it is hard to crown Embiid as the top center because he only played in 63 out of the 82 games in the regular season, missing almost a quarter of the NBA season. Anthony Davis certainly has a strong case as he came third in MVP voting last season. But many could consider Davis to be a Power Forward as he played with Demarcus Cousins last season.

Karl Anthony-Towns has pushed his way into the conversation as well with averages of 21 ppg and 12 rpg. There is also the argument for the “Stifle Tower”, Rudy Gobert, as he won Defensive Player of the Year last season. And, there is also Cousins, who could certainly make his way back to the top as he signed with the two-time defending

champions, the Golden State Warriors. After suffering a torn achilles tendon, however, he might never regain his top form.

Jokic, on the other hand, was quite the offensive force during the 2017-18 NBA season. He averaged a double-double on the season for the Denver Nuggets with 18.5 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency was remarkable as well as he shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 85 percent from the free throw line. His player efficiency rating (PER) was among the top 15 in the league at 24.4, ahead of the likes of Embiid and Cousins.

But even with these strong numbers, the skill that separates him from the rest of the big men is his passing and playmaking ability.

Quite frankly, the NBA has never seen a center quite like Jokic.

The skill that makes Jokic so special is his court vision. His ability to see the floor and predict when his teammates will be on the court leads to easy points for the Nuggets.

Sometimes, Jokic will add a little flair

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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

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2

MEN’S SOCCER

0 COURTESY OF KEITH ALLISON

and throw out a fancy no-look behind the back pass that catches defenders off guard.

Nuggets head coach Mike Malone has given Jokic the keys to the offense and entrusted him with playmaking duties. Last season, whenever Jokic was on the court, the Nuggets offense was among the top five in scoring as they averaged 110.1 points per 100 possessions. However, that number cratered to 104.1 points per 100 possessions when he was on the bench.

Last season, Jokic joined the legendary

Wilt Chamberlain as the only center to average over six assists in a season with an average of 6.1 assists.

He even set the record for the fastest tripledouble ever last season, achieving the feat in only 14 minutes during the second quarter against the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks.

Jokic ended the season with ten triple-doubles of which he got at least ten or more assists in those games. Jokic has literally passed his way into the conversation as the best center in the NBA .

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Women’s Tennis starts Fall season with four wins at ITA Southwest Regionals JARYD BONGCARAS Senior Staff Writer

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

Wo m e n ’s Te n n i s v i s i t e d San Diego from Oct. 18 to O c t . 2 2 f o r t h e I TA S o u t h west Regionals, where they picked up four wins i n t h e i r f a l l o p e n i n g t o u rnament.

S e n i o r Tr a c y Va n r e corded the first win of

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

the season for the Highlanders, edging Cal State F u l l e r t o n ’s P e t r a S u c h i n straight sets (7-6, 6-4).

The freshman duo of Lindsey Gelinas and Natalie Shamma notched the t e a m ’s s e c o n d w i n i n t h e consolation doubles round,

where they outlasted Grand C a n y o n U n i v e r s i t y ’s t e a m of Mathilde Lirzin and Ludovica Infantino 7-6 in the tiebreak. This marked b o t h G e l i n a s a n d S h a m m a ’s first-ever win at the college level, in what is the second time the duo have teamed up for doubles.

Gelinas recorded two more victories of her own on the weekend, picking up two more wins in singles.

After dropping the first set t o C a l S t a t e N o r t h r i d g e ’s Skyla Alcon, Gelinas came back to take the second set and super tiebreak, with the final match score being 2-6, 6-4, 10-7. The freshman then continued her solid play by dropping San D i e g o S t a t e ’s E l l i e A s h l e y in straight sets of 6-2, 6-2.

The team will now move on to their second fall tournament of the season, heading to the Rolling Hill Estates in Los Angeles for the Jack Kramer Club Collegiate Invitational. The tournament will be held from T h u r s d a y, N o v. 1 t o S u n d a y, N o v. 4 .

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Clinches 2nd seed in conference along with first round bye

Men’s golf PLACE

VISIT STOCKTON PACIFIC INVITE

1ST

2ND

3RD

TOTAL

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UC RIVERSIDE

293

280

289

862

T11

TYLER MOORE

73

68

67

208

T53

MICHAEL WONG

72

68

77

218

T63

EDDY YI

73

74

73

222

T70

ANDREW SPILMAN

75

75

72

222

T84

MATTHEW HUO

81

69

79

229

Cross Country Men’s takes 4th place at Big West Championship Women’s takes 6th place at Big West Championship

upcoming matches Men’s Soccer Saturday, Nov. 3 Big West Conference Tournament Semifinal

WOMen’s Volleyball Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Cal State Northridge @ 7 P.M Friday, Nov. 2 against UC Irvine @ 4 P.M.

SPORTS 20

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018

HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports

Dream start for women’s soccer ends in nightmarish fashion JARYD BONGCARAS Senior Staff Writer

In what was supposed to be the year they took the big leap, the UC Riverside women’s soccer team (11-3-3, 2-32) ended their hopes of reaching the Big West Tournament with a 2-0 defeat to the University of Hawai’i (9-6-1, 4-3).

The Highlanders were very much in control in the first half, as they didn’t give up any shots on goal. Redshirt junior goalkeeper Annie Bailey allowed only four goals throughout the entire season heading into Thursday, without conceding more than one goal in a match so far – that streak, however, ended here. UH’s Sarah Lau scored off a cross in the 73rd minute to score the first goal, as Raisa StromOkimoto’s shot in the 78th minute winded from left to right, ultimately putting the game out of reach for the second goal of the night.

Hawai’i fired eight shots with four of them being on goal, while UCR attempted five shots with three being on goal.

Riverside’s best opportunity to score in regulation time happened in the 21st minute after Hawai’i was charged with a foul. With the ball ricocheting off a couple of Highlander players in the middle of the box, senior forward Nerisse Bugho tapped a shot on target, but the ball was saved by UH’s Alexis Mata. This marked Mata’s third save of the night along with notching her sixth shutout of the year.

Mata currently ranks No. 2 in the conference in shutouts this season.

This game was crucial for both teams as a berth for the Big West Tournament was on the line. With Hawai’i securing the win, the Rainbow Wahine are now one win away from their first-ever appearance in the conference tournament, as even higher stakes are on the line when they host Cal State Fullerton this Sunday.

COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS

The Highlanders’ record-breaking start to the season serves as a high note for the team, regardless of how they fared in conference play. In a series of what-if scenarios, a couple of shots on goals in UCR’s two conference draws could’ve really changed the course of the season. If things had gone differently in those two draws, maybe UCR would be sitting at a 4-3 record instead of a 2-3-2 record

in Big West play. Maybe it’d be the Highlanders that sit fourth place in conference instead of Hawai’i, but this is all speculation. Many factors obviously come into play regarding how UCR’s season ended, and unfortunately it had to end this early.

The Highlanders play their final game of the season on Sunday, Oct. 28 against UC Davis.

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Highlanders Rally, Fall Short vs Cal Baptist Lancers RICARDO GARCIA Contributing Writer

RYAN POON / HIGHLANDER

It has been a difficult year for the UC Riverside volleyball team (6-14, 1-7). After a promising (41) start, the team plunged into a (2-13) slump, and entered the Tuesday, Oct. 23 cross-town contest against the Cal Baptist Lancers (18-5, 8-2) looking to end a three-game losing streak.

However, in front of a hostile, record-setting crowd at the CBU Events Center, the Highlanders

were unable to hold a late fifth set lead to complete a comeback from down 2-0, and ultimately lost 3-2.

Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Yuliya Ushakova led the Highlanders with 17 kills, and senior setter Chelsea Doyle had a team high 48 assists. Megan Sester led the Lancers with a gamehigh 21 kills.

The first set was tense, as the Highlanders had an

early 5-2 scoring advantage. Cal Baptist had other ideas as they rallied to take an 11-10 lead. At this point, both teams began trading blows as the score was tied late at 19-19. However, Cal Baptist pulled away on a 6-2 run to close out the first set to take a 1-0 lead.

The second set was all about scoring runs for both teams, with Cal Baptist scoring at least four straight times on four different occasions. The Highlanders responded with scoring four times in a row to take a 14-13 advantage, but the Lancers proceeded to score five straight, taking the lead for good and securing a 2-0 lead.

In the third set, the Highlanders needed to respond with urgency but proceeded to give up a 3-0 run to begin the set. However, with their backs against the wall, they rallied to take a 7-6 lead, and ran out to an 11-7 lead and never looked back, leading by as many as 7 and won the third set 25-18.

The fourth set began with the same urgency, and after allowing the Lancers to score first, the Highlanders retook the lead and did not relinquish it as they led by as many as 6 to take the set and force a fifth set.

In front of the record-setting crowd, the Highlanders took an early 9-6 lead but then proceeded to allow the Lancers to come back and take a 11-10 lead. The Highlanders rallied to lead 12-11 but were then outscored 3-1 to lose 15-12 in heartbreaking fashion.

The Highlanders next game is this Saturday, Oct. 27 at home against Cal State Fullerton.

The team plays five of their final eight games at the SRC Arena and looks to finish off the year on a high note.

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