Volume 73, Issue 23

Page 1


NEWS

Student visas terminated at UCR

MORE THAN 80 VISAS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED ACROSS THE STATE, WITH NO EXPLANATION PROVIDED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

the terms of the individuals’ visa programs.”

Still Serving: The Dragalicious Drag Ball XXI dazzles with iconic performances

THE LEGACY OF DRAGALICIOUS DRAG BALL SHINES ON, CONTINUING TO CELEBRATE VALUES OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND INCLUSION. MARIBEL GAMEZ-REYES

Dragalicious Drag Ball turned 21 on Thursday, April 10, celebrating with the local community. Doors opened at 7:30 p.m. outside of HUB 302, with tables from organizers— the Queer Alliance of the University of California, Riverside (UCR), Drag Club of UCR, and the LGBT Resource Center—

upcoming events, such as the Inland Empire’s LGBTQ+ cen-

ter’s “Outspoken” poetry night fundraiser.

The check-in process ran smoothly, with students managing a table close to the inside entry. The event was free for everyone, so tabling only served to greet incoming guests and gratuity. Moving further along, a nearby table displayed two options to choose from, either acquiring an LED foam stick or mini hand clappers...

In a scene familiar to many schools in the University of California (UC) system, students at UC Riverside (UCR) received an email on April 7, 2025 from Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox which announced that “the federal government terminated the eligibility of six student visas for members of the UC Riverside community.” Across the state of California’s UC system, California State University (CSU) system and community colleges, more than 80 current and former students have been reported to have their F-1 visas terminated.

On April 8, 2025, a statement was resharing that they are aware of the increased terminations of student visas, and that they are currently “aware of approximately 50 students and recent graduates across several UC campuses who have been impacted.” They share that “The government has not coordinated with UC leaders on their decisions or provided advance notice to us, but has indicated in government databases that the terminations were due to violations of

An article from Inside Higher Ed tracks the visa revocations of colleges and universities across the nation. As of 9:00 p.m. EDT on April 12, over 170 colleges and univer-

students and recent graduates who have had their legal status changed by the nation.

According to the article, the database was originally published on April 8, and will be updated at least twice a day.

As of Fall of 2024, UCR reported having 1,749 international students on tuition basis of the school population. Currently, the visas at UCR which have been terminated include two for current students and four for recent graduates.

Michelle Wang, the International Student Director at the Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) explained that they were informed of the terminated visas on April 7, 2025. Following this communication,

Highlander Hot Take: How the media fails women in sports

FEMALE ATHLETES CONTINUE TO BE SIDELINED BY THE MEDIA AND DENIED EQUAL PAY, EXPOSURE, AND RESPECT.

ELENA VERSAGE

Throughout human history, women have been treated as the lesser gender. This mistreatment is present even in the world of sports, where female athletes face challenges that male athletes have never seen.

Female athletes face a double standard in which they are expected to be feminine, which doesn’t coincide with being an athlete. So female athletes have to balance abiding by society’s norms, while also thriving in a stereotypically masculine activity.

When girls aren’t as feminine as society thinks they should be, they often have to deal with backlash and hurtful comments. When they become too “masculine,” they aren’t seen as real women, and when they are too feminine they aren’t seen as real athletes.

Women in sports also deal with limited media exposure compared to their male counterparts. While men’s sports leagues receive coverage, women’s sports receive slim to none.

MATA ELANGOVAN
JOSEPH RODARTE / THE HIGHLANDER
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Highlander accepts letters from the campus community. They must be 600-800 words at length and include the author’s name and contact information. Topics should be UCR-centric and/or pertain to our generation of students. Contact Opinions Editor Cecile Dirollat opinions@highlandernews.org by Wednesday if interested in writing a letter and submit the completed letter by Saturday at noon. Letters can and will be rejected if it does not meet requirements.

The Highlander recognizes its ethical responsibility to maintain transparency in its coverage and promptly correct any errors published, large or small.

The photos published for “Back on strike: Illegal raises to healthcare premiums and staffing shortages” on page 4 was incorrect attributed to Eddy Basurto / The Highlander. The photographer for those images is Daniela Cruz / The Highlander.

The body text of the “Take It or Leave It: Why UCR would annihilate UCLA in a food fight” on page 8 was mistakenly printed under the headline of the article, “UC’s ban on hiring diversity statements is a clear bid to appeal to Trump” on page 9. Additionally, the first sentence of the latter article was incorrectly inserted into the “Take It or Leave It: Why UCR would annihilate UCLA in a food fight” piece. We apologize for this editorial oversight. All corrections have been updated in our online version and can be viewed at https://issuu. com/ucrhighlander.

LEGAL

The Highlander is published and copyrighted by the Highlander for the students, faculty and staff of UCR. All rights are reserved. Reprinting of any material in this publication without the written permission of the Highlander is strictly prohibited. Readers are allowed one free copy of the newspaper. For additional copies or for subscription information, please contact the Highlander. The Highlander fully supports the University of California’s policy on non-discrimination. The student media reserve the right to reject or modify advertising whose content discriminates on the basis of ancestry, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, age, sex or sexual orientation. The Highlander has a media grievance procedure for resolving complaints against it. All inserts that are printed in the Highlander are independently paid publications and do not reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the staff or The University of California or the Associated Students of UCR.

JOSEPH RODARTE / THE HIGHLANDER

Kill the Cuts: National Day of Action

“THIS IS ABOUT VALUES, ABOUT POWER, ABOUT WHO GETS TO THRIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND WHO GETS LEFT BEHIND.”

On April 8, 2025, the Labor for Higher Education Union hosted the Kill the Cuts. This protest was to bring attention to the federal funding cuts that are research. During an interview with Shun Kobayashi, an associate instructor in the Comparative Literature and Languages Department, he explained that they have three main audiences for this protest: the University of California (UC) administration, the state legislature “because they are proposing $400 million budget cuts,” and congressmen of the federal government.

Beginning at the UC Riverside (UCR) sign between the Highlander Union Building and Bell Tower, the newly elected UCR unit chair for the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America Local 4811 (UAW 4811), Moreak Gomez-Diaz, led the crowd through various call and response chants. One such call was, “when graduate students are under attack, what do you say?” and was met with an enthusiastic “Stand up, was “Kill the what?” met with “kill the

Following the chats, two students spoke on their experiences and the impact that has been made on their education and general livelihood. One student, Sandhya Sriram, expressed how she believes that “knowledge is power” and our lack of [science and education].” She continued to empower the crowd and their cheering, stating that “we are a threat to divisiveness, and by creating a welcoming space for anyone, regardless of background, to empower themselves through the pursuit of knowledge, we are a threat to inequity.”

The next speakers were Dr. Dana Simmons and Dr. Michelle Porche, who were present on behalf of the Riverside Faculty Association, “a voluntary association of Senate faculty who stand in solidarity with unions at UCR and across the nation to kill the cuts.”

Dr. Simmons explained that the “[2025-2026] proposed budget would implement an eight percent budget cut to UC totaling $397 million in cuts and additional funding delays of $247 million until 2028.” After the crowd booed, she compared these cuts to California state prisons, stating that the “proposed cuts to the UC budget are four times deeper than proposed cuts to the California prison system.”

Dr. Simmons continued by elaborating on her personal experience with the cuts: “Last Thursday, I received a termination note for a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant that funded a new department and new course on environmental justice and health equity issues that directly impact us and Inland Empire communities.”

Dr. Porche followed, breaking down the impact of the federal cuts on the UCR School of Medicine. Describing impacted clinical research and health services, she mentioned work on “cancer, neurodegenerative disease, infectious disease, chronic disease and psychiatric disorders,” each of which has been impacted.

Additionally, she mentions her own research with Dr. Lisa Fortuna and how “we cannot work in this condition of uncertainty or threats and fear. Yesterday afternoon, we received a termination letter from NIH (National Institutes of Health) immediately canceling our work as academic partners with a community based organization that is the lifeblood of their community.” She adds that this was after two years of training health worker teams.

She continued, “10 minutes ago, we got another letter saying this was reinstated. We can’t do this. We can’t have this level of uncertainty. And we don’t know where we stand really.”

Dr. Simmons concluded their speech with a call to action: “You might not have chosen this moment, but this moment has chosen us. We are called here today. You are hearing the call. It’s ringing loudly. Will you answer it?” The crowd reacted with a collection of “yes’s.”

march were three representatives of the National Union of Health Workers. Each spoke on their experiences in the health-

impacted their patients.

Natalie Espinosa ended their assembly with a call to action:

“The federal cuts on research funding aren’t just the numbers on paper. They risk the lives of our communities and our

loved ones, and just like we are seeing in healthcare, and this is about more than just money. This is about values, about power, about who gets to thrive in this country and who gets left behind. So today, I say this as someone who knows

of you. We will not be divided, we will not be silenced, and we will not let them turn their backs on our patients, our students or our future. So I say this to the administration, you can’t cut your way to a healthier nation. Workers, your voices, all of your voices are so, so powerful.

So kill the cuts, save lives, and fund our future.”

Following these speeches, the crowd began to march from the UCR letter to the School of Medicine. They participated in guided chants, similar to those practiced at the beginning.

During an interview with Dr. Simmons, she expressed that she feels that Tuesday was a “really dark day for knowledge for health, for the well-being of our immediate communities, or our national and of the world.” Adding on, she stated that the cuts being made now will impact groups for years to come causing “ripple effects.”

These ripple effects occur “when research, basic research, is not being done, when the mind of community networks that help us to understand what community needs are and how to address them when that is not being done, the effects last for a very, very long time.”

In regards to the grants cuts her department is facing, she contextualized the timeline of these changes and the uncertainty of which she disapproved. Beginning in January, they received a “stop

work letter on a Department of Energy grant.” Following that, there was no contact for a month and a half. Recently, she received another letter “rescinding that stop work order, so it appears that grant is going forward.”

However, she sees this back and forthally mentioning the School of Medicine faculty and students that have been also receiving contradicting letters. Dr. Simmons brings attention to how these cuts are beyond the numbers and money, speget rehired. We’re talking about people’s livelihoods. We’re talking about not only academic research that contributes to the social good, but also people’s family lives, their livelihoods, their ability to pay their bills. That gets completely disrupted as a result of these cuts.”

Dr. Simmons also shares that the humanities grant that was meant to help begin classes for the environmental justice and health equity courses is meant to assist 25 courses, which constitutes over 1,000 students. Additionally, without the grant, the development of these classes “is going to be delayed, resources will be more stretched, and students will feel that impact.”

This protest was sponsored by The International Union, United Automobile, UAW, Stand Up for Science, American Federation of Teachers, Civil Works Administration, National Education Association, Service Employees International Union, Higher Education Labor United, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 3299, The Union for Everyone and the Labor for Higher Education Debt Collective.

VINZ ANGELO MADRIGAL / THE HIGHLANDER

Student visas terminated at UCR

M ORE THAN 80 VISAS HAVE BEEN TERMINATED ACROSS THE STATE , WITH NO

PROVIDED BY F EDERAL AUTHORITIES

In a scene familiar to many schools in the University of California (UC) system, students at UC Riverside (UCR) received an email on April 7, 2025 from Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox which announced that “the federal government terminated the eligibility of six student visas for members of the UC Riverside community.” Across the state of California’s UC system, California State University (CSU) system and community colleges, more than 80 current and former students have been reported to have their F-1 visas terminated.

On April 8, 2025, a statement was released by are aware of the increased terminations of student visas, and that they are currently “aware of approximately 50 students and recent graduates across several UC campuses who have been impacted.” They share that “The government has not coordinated with UC leaders on their decisions or provided advance notice to us, but has indicated in government databases that the terminations were due to violations of the terms of the individuals’ visa programs.”

An article from Inside Higher Ed tracks the visa revocations of colleges and universities across the nation. As of 9:00 p.m. EDT on April 12, over 170 colleges and universities across recent graduates who have had their legal status changed by the nation. According to the article, the database was originally published on April 8, and will be updated at least twice a day.

As of Fall of 2024, UCR reported having 1,749 international students on tuition basis attending population. Currently, the visas at UCR which have been terminated include two for current students and four for recent graduates.

Michelle Wang, the International Student Director at the Associated Students of UCR (ASUCR) explained that they were informed of the terminated visas on April 7, 2025. Following

this communication, she convened with ASUCR on any developments regarding the situation. International Student Director Wang recommends that “international students be well-acquainted with accessible on-campus resources, such as the

She emphasizes the importance of UCR’s provide guidance on maintaining valid student and immigration status, work authorization, travel advice and more. Their website also consists of general immigration information is important for international students to know what immigration documents they must have at all times and what rights they have while in the United States.”

International Student Director Wang advises that “UCR international students being affected by [visa terminations] should immediately

person who is listed on their Form I-20, or someone from the UCR International Students Staff. If necessary, these students should also contact an immigration attorney for further legal guidance on the next steps.”

As of publication, UCR’s International Affairs request for a statement regarding the termination of student visas.

The identities of the students affected by the visa terminations at UCR have not been released to the public due to the Family Educational

remains committed to international students and will continue to support them in every way possible, consistent with the law. This includes protecting their privacy. UCR does not release

immigration status, unless required by law.”

At the end of the email, a list of resources is listed to the community. This includes UCR services for international students and scholars, UC FAQs on possible federal immigration enforcement actions on UC property, UC “Know your Rights” printable cards, UC Immigrant Legal Services and much more.

In an article published by NBC News, the news group states that “authorities had revoked the visas of international students in at least 29

used 1952 foreign policy statute to take aim at their activism. Others’ visas have been terminated seemingly for past charges like DUIs.” The reason behind the terminations they claim, backed up by immigration attorneys and policy experts, is due to “the Trump administration’s larger immigration crackdown and deportation machine … with immigrants of all statuses being scrutinized.”

UC Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Daily Bruin shared in their report that “[Undergraduate Students Association Council] International Student Representative Syed Tamim Ahmad said the UCLA Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars – which provides visa services and support – believes the terminations were related to arrests or misdemeanor convictions.”

MATA ELANGOVAN Managing Editor

Diversity Council’s goals for the future

MOVING PAST THE ATTEMPTED IMPEACHMENT OF VP OF DEI, DIVERSITY COUNCIL SHARES SENTIMENTS AND ASPIRATIONS.

On March 12, 2025, in the last Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) meeting of winter quarter, multiple representatives from the Ethnic & Gender Centers’ Diversity Council spoke out against the ruling taken by the Judicial Council regarding the trial of the Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (VP of DEI) Ahman Greene, and the lack of presence and accountability from ASUCR senators.

A formal grievance was submitted to the Judicial Council on Feb. 25, 2025 for review regarding the duties of VP of DEI Greene throughsity Council. The original note to ASUCR’s External Branch was signed unanimously by present members of Diversity Council in a closed meeting, which took place Feb. 19, 2025. In this note, they cited the following concerns: lack of presence and engagement in ethnic and cultural orgaseen through lack of clear agenda or action plan in regards to DEI initiatives, failure to meet with student organizations and lack of transparency and communication through lack of consistent updates.

The formal petition brought up six alleged violations of ASUCR bylaws, with four of the violations dismissed unanimously and two violato ensure accountability and adherence to ASUCR duties as VP of DEI

second strike issued was for failure to collect quarterly reports during the fall quarter of 2024.

Alleged violations that were dismissed include that while the VP of DEI has a general responsibility to ensure DEI, there is no explicit requirement the VP of DEI is not written down as one of the 19 members of Diversity Council, he has no set obligation as per duties listed in the bylaws. The second point was that VP of DEI Greene’s attempt to schedule a Town president, and duties to complete outreach and coordination within a spedeadline.

During the Senate meeting in which the Judicial ruling was announced, multiple individuals came to the podium during the Public Forum to share their thoughts on the decision. Joe Anastacio, President of UCR College is a disgraceful dereliction of duty. It is an insult to every student who expects leadership that upholds the principles of equity, transparency anddicial Council has sent a clear message [that] incompetence and inaction

Alikei Parra, the Diversity Council representative for Underground

portionate struggles, including limited resources, systemic barriers and institutional neglect. These challenges are compounded when those in leadership positions fail to work with us in a way that prioritizes our needs

approach has only made our work harder in order to move forward … We will not tolerate being sidelined or ignored by those who are meant to support us. It is time for ASUCR and its leadership to prioritize the needs of marginalized students and work collaboratively to create a campus en-

The Diversity Council, according to Liz Quezada, representative from the Veteran Resource Center, is a subcommittee under ASUCR with parand Inclusion within the resource centers as well as the respected com-

challenging, as many of us were not prepared to be very much involved with ASUCR politics, as many of us come from [respective] E&G centers and have little to no information about ASUCR. Although the Council was given little to no instruction of what the Diversity Council is and how to go about completing our events that are within our bylaws, we were provided help from other Executive Board members and Senators within ASUCR, as well as the active participation from our Diversity Council

Anthony Thornton, chair of the Diversity Council and current Black -

ing to see a Diversity Council you’ve never seen before. We’re going to

Currently, next year’s Diversity Council Representatives have begun to shadow current representatives to understand their duties and responsibil-

don’t want what we did this year to go to waste. This group of Diversity Council representatives have put in a considerable amount of time and effort to be where we are today by going to Senate meetings and speaking our concerns. By having our future E&G [representatives] shadow the Di-

Syria after Assad: A path to democracy

S YRIA PROGRESSES TOWARD A DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION AFTER A SSAD ’ S REGIME .

Bashar al-Assad, son of the former president

Syrian Network for Human Rights, since his by torture, extrajudicial killings, criminal sexual assault, enforced disappearances, totalitarian surveillance and arbitrary arrests. In 2011, the Syrian regime escalated military enforcement to suppress anti-government demonstrations. Between 2011 and 2021, the Assad regime reportedly killed over 300,000 civilians, including more than 27,000 children, while humanitarian conditions continued to steadily deteriorate.

Syrian opposition groups have prepared for a post-Assad era following the 2011 war outbreak. The Syrian National Council (SNC) was formed in 2011, and was later replaced by the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Etilaf. These groups were recognized by Western and Gulf countries as representatives of the Syrian people. Further efforts were made through the UN-led Geneva

On Nov. 27 2024, a coalition of opposition

between Idlib and Aleppo. Three days later, the opposition took control of Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria.

On Dec. 8 2024, the opposition forces in Syria

that the “tyrant al-Assad has been toppled” and they have freed all military prisoners from Sednaya in Damascus. The former president has

a new age of democracy.

in Syria, Damascus and Homs celebrated the fall and chanting anti-Assad slogans.

Since the overthrow of Assad’s regime by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Syria has committed to governmental reform with Ahmed al-Sharaa

March 13, 2025, Sharaa signed a temporary constitution and appointed new cabinet members stating that the constitution will balance social security and freedom.

The proposed government includes plans to appoint professionals from the Syrian diaspora

in reconstruction efforts. The current cabinet has 23 members, representing a mix of religious and ethnic backgrounds, and includes a secretary general. The proposed governmental framework outlines judicial reforms including establishment of an independent judiciary and reconciliation commissions.

The government continues to undergo moments of construction and uncertainty with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), led by Kurdish factions, calling for local autonomy and federalism. Additionally, the ideological differences between secular democratic advocates and Islamist groups regarding the role of religion in the state remain unresolved.

ASUCR’s second meeting of Spring Quarter

L OCAL CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCE MEETING MINUTES DISCUSSED .

The Associated Students of the University of California Riverside (ASUCR) had their second Senate meeting of the quarter on April 9, 2025.

The meeting began with a community member, Rich Davis, explaining a construction situation that is occurring on the intersection of Canyon Crest and Blaine Streets. Davis explained that they are currently working to oppose the development of a high school on these streets and was asking ASUCR’s assistance in attending a board meeting on April 17 to combat this construction.

Davis explained that the high school would have part of its activity on UCR’s campus and allow high school students access to UCR labs, research opportunities and general campus spaces.

Herrera directed him to her department as this type of event is a typical proposal that External Affairs handles.

of Finance Cooper Kumar read out the

organizations. This was approved by the Senate 11-0-0. The second line item was a grant request from R’Story for $1,500. The grant was approved 10-1-0.

During Senator Reports, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) Senator Nathan Baw expressed

Night, to which many senators agreed that they would be interested in assisting with the event.

Additionally, CHASS Senator Anahita Hooshiyari Far explained that following last week’s meeting she created a group chat with those who were interested in working on the United States Student Association (USSA) legislation and for any senators who want to take part, there will be a meeting in the Senate lounge or general ASUCR meeting space from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m on April 9.

During Roundtable Announcements, that she is working to see if the contract between Starbucks and the Glenmor Market has been signed for the upcoming year or if there is a way to remove the Starbucks from campus.

all majors, not just public policy majors. The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.

H H

Carter Anderson were all absent. College of Natural and Agricultural Science (CNAS) Senator Anthony Ching and Bourns College of Engineering Senator Uma Akundi were excused, but joined the meeting at 7:23 p.m.

SARAH TABEL
DINARA GODAGE

THE HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL

UC, it’s time to stand up and protect your students, faculty and staff

THE

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S REVOCATION OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISAS

IS A

DIRECT ATTACK ON UNIVERSITY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND SAFETY ON CAMPUS.

On Monday, April 7, 2025, Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox announced that the federal government had revoked six international student visas from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) recent graduates.

tions. He assured students that the UCR campus police would not contact or detain individuals solely based on suspected immigration status and that the university does not collaborate with federal immigration enforce-tion law.

Chancellors and spokespersons from universities in the UC system have issued similar statements about international students and recent graduates facing visa revocations, including UC Berkeley, UC Los Angeles, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Merced and UC Irvine. As of April 8, 2025, these termirecent graduates across the UC system, according to UC President Michael V. Drake.

The Trump administration is changing student visa statuses through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is linked to the United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security. This system allows universities to digitally track and monitor the immigration status of international students, including their enrollment in classes, completion dates and employment authorizations. Many universities have discovered sudden changes in students’ visa statuses only after checking this federal database.

Students without valid enrollment statuses or visas could face federal immigration enforcement actions. such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), pursue legal action against individuals perceived as public safety or national security threats. However, President Trump’s executive order to inves-

geting of international students.

The primary tool used by the Trump administration to target immigrants and international students is the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This 18th-century wartime law gives the U.S. president the authority to detain or deport foreign-born individuals who are deemed to betion of a potential war with France, the act has been 1892, World War I and World War II. Most notably, it led to the internment of 120,000 Japanese Americans after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

of 1798 is that it permits the president to target immigrants based on their country of origin and deport them without due process. This means individuals can be detained or deported solely due to their immigration status rather than any criminal record, and they do not have the chance to contest their deportation in court.

The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a wartime authority — to pursue and deport immigrants and international students is both cruel and alarming. Many international students facing visa revocations do not pose a threat to public safety; they seek the unique educational and research opportunities provided by California’s public university system. By weaponizing this 18th-century law, historically used to discriminate against and punish minority groups, the Trump administration is overstepping legal boundaries to target vulnerable communities.

fect students’ feelings of safety and belonging at UCR and across the UC system — physically, emotionally and academically. Reports indicate that international students are already deleting social media accounts, prolonging their stays on campus, self-censoring in revocations and deportation.

The presence of ICE agents on campus — an environment meant to be a safe space for learning — is deeply concerning. Such incidents have already occurred at various universities and elementary schools

forts, requesting personal information on approximately 900 individuals. These actions disrupt the academic fear and uncertainty on students and faculty regarding their everyday lives.

Furthermore, this situation could have a chilling effect on free speech across college campuses. International students — or anyone whom the federal governdetention or deportation simply for exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech and protest.

While the protests may initially focus on pro-Palestine issues, this sets a troubling precedent that could lead to crackdowns on a range of demonstrations concerning global issues, immigration policies, climate justice and more. The fear of repercussions may deter students — especially international students on visas — and faculty from engaging in free speech on cam-

gressive activism at universities.

In a letter dated April 10, 2025, 23 state lawmakers

urged the UC and California State University (CSU) -

The letter called on the UC and CSU to uphold their values of free speech by resisting any requests for the names or information of students and faculty involvedmakers also urged these systems to adopt policies that prohibit sharing information about students and faculty members’ immigration status, political activities, protest participation and student organization membership unless legally required to do so.

responsibility to encourage robust discussion and the

the letter stated.

As of this publication, neither the UC nor the CSU has responded to these requests.

It is frustrating that California lawmakers, students,ful action to support its campus communities without receiving any response or action. As a university that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, the chilling impact of federal actions, such as visa revocations, is concerning if the UC and UCR do not provide adequate support and resources for their students. The UCR administration has not adequately addressed students’ concerns about the federal administration’s policies, including recent immigration policies and the dismantling of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

The UC and UCR may be attempting to maintain aministration. However, recent events have shown that immune to the federal administration’s regressive policies, and their vague statements and links to resources -

The UC and UCR must take a strong, public stancementing policies that safeguard free speech, the right to protest and community safety. If they do not act decore values that higher education institutions claim to uphold will prevail.

HOLLY DAWSON / THE HIGHLANDER

UC’s ban on hiring diversity statements is a clear bid to appeal to Trump

THE ATTACK ON DIVERSITY BY THE UC SYSTEM IS A BAD OMEN TO STUDENTS NATIONWIDE.

The University of California (UC) Regents announced on March 19, 2025, that diversity statements are banned in the faculty hiring process at UC campuses. Like Columbia University and many others across the country, the UC system made this change in an attempt to retain crucial funding as universities nationwide have lost millions under the Trump administration’s federal budget cuts.

Some of these funding losses have targeted certain universities for perceived anti-Semitism on campusprograms. Columbia University alone lost $400 mil-

Their university’s administration quickly caved to federal pressure by banning the wearing of masks on campus and hiring more security, hoping to appeal to the Trump administration and gain back some of this funding. The Justice Department also opened an investigation into some UC campuses, including UC allegations of anti-Semitic discrimination happening

during and following the pro-Palestine solidarity encampments last spring.

In addition, the Trump administration issued a widespread order to K-12 schools and colleges across the country to eliminate DEI programs or risk losing federal funding altogether. This threat against universities has concerned many campuses enough to comply. Trump’s pressure to ban DEI programs has also prompted the UC into a worryingly preemptive response of banning diversity statements in hiring.

The UC system is indeed highly dependent on funding received from the state and federal governments. In the 2019-2020 academic year, 42 percent of the UC campuses’ revenue came from state funding, and in the 2024-2025 academic year, 45 percent came from the state’s General Fund. Losing this funding for campus operations could result in lay-

cial aid and student resources. This is likely why the UC Regents banned diversity statements. However, their decision is a clear message of just how quickly university leaders are willing to cave to pressure from the presidential administration.

A majority of the backlash that followed the introduction of the process — and which is being used by the current administration — are allegations that this requirement was discriminatory against white, Asian-American and Jewish applicants. What these claims neglect to consider is that the race of the applicant isn’t taken into account within the submitted statement.

There is no requirement within the instruction to

include the identity of the applicant. Instead, applicants are asked to share how they have worked to improve diversity in their workplace or community. The only factors considered in the hiring process are the actions and ability to improve diversity and helption, this practice is far from discriminatory.

For decades, diversity statements have been part of the hiring process at many UC campus departments. The requirement became common across the nation in the 2010s, and UC campuses became a national leader in adopting the standard. The decision to ban the practice outright, after decades of endurance, is

Diversity is incredibly important in hiring and creating a dynamic workplace, especially on college campuses. Studies show that this discrimination is still subtly present on every campus across the country. After generations of systemic exclusion, incentivizing those who will be a consistent presence, like inclusion is the very least universities can do. And now, UC campuses are refusing to even allow that.

The UC Regents’ decision to ban this practice government shows that their priorities lie with appeasing the Trump administration and not serving

Trump’s second term, the UC Regents’ action comes from one of the country’s more progressive university systems, which is a concerning sign of what is to come to higher education institutions.

HENYA DADEM / THE HIGHLANDER

Why DEI is important to me

REFLECTING ON THE

LEGACY OF LABOR ACTIVISM AND

THE

ENDURING IMPORTANCE OF DEI:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a workplace initiative or academic talking point to me. It’s part of my family’s story, etched into the calloused hands of my grandfather and carried through genera-

DEI became a formal acronym, its spirit lived in the marches where my grandfather walked, in the chants

in the enduring call for dignity led by leaders like César Chávez and Dolores Huerta. Activism like in the Latino Freeze Movement is not new — they are modern echoes of the same decades-long demand: to be seen, heard and valued. And I carry that legacy with me.

promotes fair treatment, equal access and representation of all people — especially those historically marginalized. But to me, DEI is more than just a framework. It’s in a room and standing tall, knowing you belong. It’s being able to speak Spanish without fear of being othered, seeing people who look like your family in positions of leadership. It’s being respected for your identity because it is understood as essential.

JUSTICE IS NOT JUST INHERITED BUT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE ACTIVELY UPHELD. l ives , vo i ces and labor matter

DEI isn’t just about policies — it’s about people, stories and recognizing that lived experiences, especially those rooted in systemic struggle, deserve space and respect. I learned that not in a class lecture, but through my family. Through my Abuelito Guadalupe Angel.

My grandfather is 94 years old. He was a United Farm Worker (UFW) who participated in the Bracero Program, a government initiative from 1942 to 1964 that brought Mexican laborers to work temporarily in American agriculture and railroads, often under harsh and exploitative conditions. He is one of the many Latino laborers who stood shoulder to shoulder with César Chávez, demanding humane treatment, safe working conditions and fair wages.

In our conversations, he’s told me about the heat of hour days making 40 cents an hour at most) and how workers were treated as disposable tools rather than hu-and rest breaks were considered laziness. Exploitation in -

bas rápido, no ganabas nada. A veces me pagaban unos seis dólares por todo el día, desde el solazo hasta la lluvia. Pero no teníamos opción — teníamos que aguantar, said.

didn’t work fast, you didn’t earn anything. Sometimes they paid me six dollars for the whole day, from the blazing sun to the rain. But we didn’t have a choice —

But he also remembers the power of marching. The power of standing together in the face of fear. The power was easy, but because it mattered. Because someone had about dignity. It was about telling America that Latino

My grandfather survived history and helped shape it too.

te tratan tan mal. Por eso marchamos con César Chávez

better. They don’t treat you as badly. That’s why we marched with César Chávez — because we wanted to win something, to change something. And we did win.

That legacy lives on today in movements like the Latino Freeze Movement, a modern boycott calling for greater representation of Latine communities across meconsumption and support for systems that exclude us until we’re seen and heard. Just like the grape boycott, the movement advocates for reclaiming agency in a sysvoices. Both movements use economic and social pressure to highlight how deeply marginalized communities are woven into the fabric of society and how often that fabric is frayed by erasure.

When I see the Freeze Movement trending, I see my grandfather’s footprints in the dirt. I see a continuation,

DEI showed up for me in a quieter, yet deeply meaningful way during my time at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). As a member of Líderes Avanzando, a program supporting Latine students, I was surrounded by people who understood my cultural background, language and references. It was a rare and beautiful thing to be both seen and celebrated.

The contrast hit me even harder when I spent a quarter at UC Los Angeles. There, I caught myself mispronouncing Spanish words on purbecause anyone explicitly made me feel unwelcome, but because I felt I had to dilute parts of myself to be accepted. That’s the invisible weight of exclusion. It lingers in spaces that weren’t built with us in mind.

me harder when I sp

But inclusion is healing. It’s walking into a classroom and seeing professors at your university who look like your tíos or tías. It’s having syllabi that include works by our authors. It’s not having to shrink and that is the quiet, powerful magic of DEI done right.

DEI matters to me because it’s a continuation of my family’s legacy. It’s in the dirt my grandfather marched across. It’s in the dreams my mom nurtured despite barriers. And it’s in the spaces I now step into, hoping to widen the door for others.

We can not let the erosion of DEI and countless other rights be stripped away. It’s imperative that we stand up, speak out and actively work to preserve the values of diversity, equity and inclusion that are fundamental to a just and representative society.We must challenge biased systems, support inclusive policies, amplify marginalized voices and stay engaged in our communities. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement for equity and justice.

In today’s world, DEI is more essential than ever. It is necessary in classrooms that shape young minds, workplaces that create economic futures and in media that shape how we see ourselves and each other. Honoring the activism of our elders means more than just remembering — it means advocating for DEI while building a better present, protecting our futures and honoring past

LILIANNA ANGEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER

Scotty-Scopes:

Watch

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22):

Someone is deep in sorrow and regret. While you can be there for them, don’t let their despair entrap you into a negative mindset.

(Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):

Your community is nurturing and taking care of you, so don’t go looking for trouble. You know who supports you and who won’t.

Aries (March 21 – April 19):

Someone around you is attempting to achieve victory through unethical means. Stop them in their tracks and expose them to your community before they succeed.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22):

You’ve been too reliant on others and one of your people is going to lead you astray. They may not mean it with ill intentions, but it’s something you will have to work to get back from.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):

their mood swings will not allow you to focus on the goals that you are trying to achieve for the future.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): Three of

Avoid being a lone wolf this week, Aquarius. Life is meant to be shared, so don’t isolate yourself.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20):

People are going to try to get you to follow the hive mind this week, Taurus. Resist the peer pressure and follow the pursuit of inner wisdom.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Eight of Cups

You’ve become too attached to one per son or one group. They are holding you back from exploring new opportunities in your life path.

WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE TO AVOID THIS WEEK.

(Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):

Honestly, Sagittarius, you need some alone time with other people so much that you haven’t had the time to hear your own thoughts.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20):

The name of the game is delegation. People will be expecting lots from you this week, so make sure you don’t give too much time to one person.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): King

are turning heads. Don’t let those jealous eyes make you doubt yourself.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): Six of Wands

Avoid those who aren’t celebrating your victories and recognizing you for your hard work. Those who aren’t visibly rejoicing now are also praying on your downfall in private.

Five of Cups
Knight of Cups
Sagittarius
High Priestess
Capricorn
The Empress
Cups
Ten of Wands
Five of Swords
The Hermit
of Wands
Nine of Pentacles
LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER
NATALIE DAHL

NORM’S NOOK SPOTLIGHT

Pitch

“Best places to cry on campus.” “Why people should stop reading the newspaper.” “Love letter to the bicyclists, scooters and non-electric scooter riders.” All of these articles were once just ideas. All

itty-bitty ideas that would eventually belong to a Google document with some pretentious name like “Volume Blah, Issue Blah Blah Blah,” otherwise known as the pitch doc. Every week, our beloved -

ment with cutesy date ideas, home game champions, breaking stories detailing the demise of our country and other relevant stories! Then comes the exciting part: On Thursdays at 5:00 p.m., like clockwork, editors congregate around our favorite long table to pitch these ideas aloud section by section. First goes News, followed by Opinions and Features (the best section), then goes Radar and Sports. This all takes is adjourned. It’s serious business, what can we say? Eventually, these weekly pitches are open for grabs for anyone interested in contributing to the paper. For those who are unsure about writing for us, remember this: we’ve already done the thinking for you. The creativity and execution is left up to you!

H

Vash Chen / The Highlander

GABRIELA GALVAN
GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

COURTESY OF PEXELS

TOP POP SINGLES OF THE YEAR

Across 1. Aerosol language action thriller

Andrrews the top athletes and sport performances of the year 14. Miss America topper 15. Energy, style and enthusiasm

17. 2015 winner by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars

19. Less common variant spelling of “aegis”

20. Sweetheart 21. Artist’s stand 22. Was present 23. Brief brawl

25. Background actors 27. Scout’s quest

32. “Roses ___ red ...” 33. Overwhelms with sweetness 35. Fire up 38. Old Test. book

39. Confederate soldier, for short 40. Debate position

42. What Ellen came out as in 1997

43. Ordinary people, as

MAIN ST

distinct from professionals or experts

45. Travelers’ havens 47. Absorbed, as a cost 48. Conical tents 50. “Books” in French

Soft drink brand

57. Steps over a fence

Fountain order

Ticket part you keep

What Mario jumps into

Awaken from sleep

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz 70. Ancient alphabetic character 71. Skip the big wedding Down

ORANGE ST

Barn topper

Bracelet for the leg

Spider-Man villain

ANSWERS (DON’T

with shocking abilities

Archies

12. ___ donna

13. Column of boxes on a questionnaire

18. Rub the wrong way

24. Make secret, in a way

to a dermatologist

27. Farfetched, as a tale

28. Kind of rug

29. 2021 winner by Dua Lipa

31. Egyptian snakes

34. “O” in old radio lingo

PEEK!)

less parts

41. Freedom from pain

44. Having a will

49. Kind of egg

51. Medieval tenant

52. Metal-bending tool

53. Ran swiftly, unlike a tortoise

55. Flared dress

58. Drive-___

of an elliptical orbit)

H

The pre-med student’s survival guide

HOW TO SURVIVE AS A CNAS MAJOR ON THE PRE-MED TRACK.

The path to medical school is one that requires an unlimited supply of perseverance and a driven mindset. Physics, organic chemistry, biology… man. If you’re on the pre-med track, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Fortunately for you, whether you’re a neuroscience major or in cell and molecular development, I’ve got the perfect survival guide with a few pointers from my pre-med friends to help you pull through these dark times.

The number one rule you should follow as a pre-med student is to always, always go your professor or your teaching assistants (TAs), just make sure you go, especially if you’re struggling with the material. You don’t want to wait until the last minute to try and understand everything, as all the information is cumulative and requires a deep understanding of each section. Also, building a good rapport with your professors can be extremely helpful for you both in the present and in the future, especially when seeking letters of recommendation and potential research opportunities. Your professors and TAs are there to help you succeed, so make sure to take up on their offers.

Another piece of advice is to go to supplemental instruction sessions (SI) if you’re not doing too well in class or want to work with others. These are essentially organized study groups that are peer-led with trained student leaders. In SI sessions, you can discuss lectures and readings, look over important concepts, do practice problems and study for exams together with your peers. Each session is carefully planned and is available for an array of classes, such as biochemistry and math. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) also offers one-on-

one tutoring, so take advantage of these various study programs and ace your exams!

I would argue that it’s better to struggle together than alone. Life will be so much easier if you have others suffer with you, because you

events, like bracelet-making or escape rooms, which are great ways to de-stress and relax.

Overall, if you intend to walk on the hard path, then you may as well take along a few friends who

classes like organic chemistry,

know you’re all in the same boat and equally screwed. Kidding! But on a serious note, try to make friends in your major who have the same goals and aspirations as you. Joining pre-med oriented clubs such as American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is a great way to start, as you get to meet like-minded individuals and gain valuable connections and potential leadership opportunities. offering resources and insight regularly host a ton of social

someone by your side as you

right amino acids.

Your classes are already

life harder by procrastinating and wasting valuable study time. Make sure to establish good study habits and when you’re studying, lock in! If you get distracted easily, move to a different location and turn your phone off.

I also recommend you look at your lecture slides before and after class if possible. Reviewing the material goes a long way, and it’ll be easier to retain information. Use apps like Google Calendar or Notion to keep track of your schedule and assignments so that you stay organized and don’t fall behind.

program that many pre-med students use to study, and it even has pre-made MCAT decks for your convenience.

It’s also vital that you stick with a healthy lifestyle. Yes, studying and keeping up with your classes and extracurriculars is important, but always make sure to keep a good balance. Take breaks in between your study sessions, eat healthy meals and try to get at least eight hours of sleep each day. Pulling all-nighters and drinking

seem all too tempting to get by, especially during exam season, but I promise you that these unhealthy habits will bite you in the back. Remember that your

My respect for pre-med notoriously hard classes, thriving competition and a decade’s worth of school, I think it’s pretty amazing that people continue on this long and arduous path. Both you and I know the reward at the end is worth it. Keep on doing what you do and best of luck!

GRAPHICS BY HENYA DADEM / THE HIGHLANDER

Contributing Writer

Impossible object

It proved quite interesting when reality took a turn. rights, it insisted, pride in its tone. their owner.

GRAPHICS BY ADELIA URENA / THE HIGHLANDER

The Dragaliciou The dazzles with ico Still Se Se

erving:

us Drag Ball XXI us Drag Ball XXI onic performances

The legacy of Dragalicious Drag Ball shines on, continuing to celebrate values of freedom of expression and inclusion

The leg celebra

Black Country, New Road’s

‘Forever Howlong:’ a lesson in rolling with the punches

THE UK-BASED BAND HAS PROVED YET AGAIN WHY THEY’RE A NEW FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH, EVEN WITHOUT FORMER LEAD SINGER-SONGWRITER ISAAC WOOD.

There is no band without its lead

Kurt Cobain. There is no Queen without Freddie Mercury. There is no Velvet Underground without Lou Reed. The lead singer or song-

but a lot of times, they do. Occasionally, when said member passes somebody new, and sometimes they will form a new band all together.

that some bands can reach new heights even after the loss of a vital member.

For every garage band that there was in the 1990s or 2000s, there are now a plethora more digitallyproducing solo-artists. With audioengineering technology becoming democratized and with the introduction of the internet, it seems the old way of making music is obsolete. Gone are the days of bands and session musicians and albums.

Everything is about making one catchy song that will appear on Spotify playlists or used in a TikTok trend. So it is a feat in itself for a new band to release their third studio album in 2025, and for that album to be one of the best and most unique albums of the year. The United Kingdom-based band Black done the unthinkable with their new

It is a masterful unique work of art. Drawing inspiration from the

kind of Frank Zappa-inspired progressive rock that the band became known for with their debut album, and mix-

from a plethora of baroque and chamber pop artists, the album is like if the Pixies made music for the renaissance fair.

It has a kind of medieval feel that

suits the unique tone of the artwork. The sound of harps, harpsichords and choral arrangement are at the root of this sound. The mixtures of styles with distorted guitars, compressed rock drums, multi-section arrangements and unique time signatures are what makes the band unique. There is no band out there that seems to be making music like theirs, as well as achieving their level of success in the process.

However, the band didn’t always sound like this. Some changes behind the scenes have led to major changes in what now seems to do with the departure of their former lead singer, Isaac Wood. Their last major studio recorded album,

lead-singer

Wood. It was personal

that fantasized about Charli XCX are examples of the modernistic songwriting that few artists seem to

deep, emotive British voice and lyrics — which evoked the sound of King Krule — combined with their unique instrumentation is whatginning.

Each song on the album has long intros and outros, with building instrumentals involving woodwind instruments and call-and-response melodies. Compared to their debut,

acclaim of it was proof. The hardto-impress publication, Pitchfork, rated the album a 7.5 out of 10! This came after Wood released a statement stating he was feeling a kind

in the cancellation of their upcoming tour, which left fans questioning what the future of the band would look like.

After three years, it’s clear that this change in the band has not hindered its output at all. With a live album under their belt and now a

departure with stride. The melancholy and depression that hung over present, but the depth of the music -

Every song is a stand out on the album. From the opening track,

is a playfulness to the album that isn’t heard in modern music, and it’s refreshing to listen to. It’s whimsical and silly and heartfelt in all the ways it should be. Being a little over 50 minutes long, the album takes listeners on several roller coasters. From ballads to bangers to breakdowns, the album never feels dull.

Verdict: As they continue to discover their sound, Black great and original music is still being made.

AAKIF IQBAL STAFF WRITER

Sitcoms, stardom and self-growth: Peyton List at UCR

UCR STUDENTS

SAW A NEW SIDE OF P EYTON L IST AS SHE STEPS OFF - SCREEN . IN N EW Y ORK

The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) very own

Spring Lecture on April 9, 2025, at the Highlander Union Building (HUB). This quarter, the lecture, “Sitcoms and Stardom” featured

members were excited to meet the actress they grew up watching on and “Bunk’d.”

To the audience’s pleasure, and described how she also felt connected to her audience and appreciated how they had grown up together. Yet, throughout this able to showcase her true self while breaking the audience’s preconceived notions from her previous roles. Most people may have assumed that she was just as ditsy and mindless as Emma Ross, the most well-known character she played.

cleverness and quick-witted humor with authenticity. She displayed her true personality throughout the interview by coming up with adept responses while integrating clever jokes and bonding with her listeners by giving them insider information. She humorously describes how Mrs.

to be a capybara, not a poisonous lizard. Overall, the audience got famous roles better and saw her for who she truly is.

advice to her listeners by detailing her life experiences. Referencing

gig at a young age, she emphasized how much she valued getting out of being bullied in middle school. It was an opportunity for her to do something that she was not only passionate about, but she was also able to throw in a few sly jabs about getting out of school while doing so. She advised the audience to follow their passions and to cultivate and preserve their uniqueness, as there

worth bullying.

highlighted that people must be kind and humble to go far in any industry. She described how fewer people are willing to work with egotistical and individualistic people, as employers would prefer to work with those who are pleasant team players. Altogether, she advises people to follow their unique interests while remaining respectful and considerate to get far in their careers.

For members of Generation Z that grew up watching her, having

Sitcoms and Stardom felt as if the past and the present were shaking hands.

When asked whether she preferred acting in TV shows or

its family-bonding with co-stars. But she also looks into taking more movie roles and features in the near future.

She expanded on how her role as series, “Cobra Kai,” has been the most pivotal in shaping her as an

an intense training regime, forced her to leave out of her comfort zone and taught her a new skill: martial arts. Before “Cobra Kai,” she had never even thrown a punch.

shared that the idea for “Cobra Kai” stemmed from an episode of “How I Met Your Mother,” a popular sitcom from the 2000s. In this episode, a character by the name of Barney Stinson insists that the “real”

rather than Daniel LaRusso, who plays the Karate Kid in the movie “Karate Kid.”

This episode inspired the creators

Heald, to come up with a sequel oftentimes, actors do not get the

opportunity to work with people in their age group. However, List is grateful for the opportunity to work

a guest speaker at UCR was an incredible opportunity that truly brought a wave of nostalgia. It was inspiring to see how much she’s evolved beyond her childhood person she is today.

H

KISHNEET KAUR AND EMMA MANAOAT

Marvel’s Wilson Fisk would be a better president than Trumpday’s government.

SPORTS Champions at Chambers Bay

How the media fails women in sports

Female athletes continue to be sidelined by the media and denied equal pay, exposure, and respect.

ELENA VERSAGE

Throughout human history, women have been treated as the lesser gender. This mistreatment is present even in the world of sports, where female athletes face challenges that male athletes have never seen.

Female athletes face a double standard in which they are expected to be feminine, which doesn’t coincide with being an athlete. So female athletes have to balance abiding by society’s norms, while also thriving in a stereotypically masculine activity.

When girls aren’t as feminine as society thinks they should be, they often have to deal with backlash and hurtful comments. When they become too “masculine,” they aren’t seen as real women, and when they are too feminine they aren’t seen as real athletes.

Women in sports also deal with limited media exposure compared to their male counterparts. While men’s sports leagues receive coverage, women’s sports receive slim to none.

A study that USC conducted in collaboration with Purdue discussed in an article titled “News media still pressing the mute button on women’s sports” found that “eighty percent of the news and highlights programs … devoted zero time for women’s sports.” A professor involved in the study followed up by saying that on the occasion that a broadcast does mention women’s sports, it is often mentioned once and overshadowed by men’s sports.

Although women are working just as hard in their respective sports, the media does not showcase them. The media chooses to highlight the male athletes and show their achievements leaving women in the shadows. This lack of media attention

exacerbates the struggle that female athletes have when it comes to making money.

In 2024, Caitlin Clark signed a four-year rookie contract for $338,056 with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. The year prior, Victor Wembanyama signed a fouryear contract for $55 million as a rookie with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA.

overall pick in their respective leagues, Clark earns a fraction of what Wembanyama makes. This massive pay inequality is common across sports. However, the issue doesn’t end with just salary.

In an interview with The Residency Podcast, WNBA star Kelsey Plum shared that WNBA players want a better percentage of revenue shared.

players get money from jersey sales and TV contracts (when their games are played on TV). When the owners in the NBA make money, the players make money. Nevertheless, this still isn’t the case in the WNBA.

Plum stated, “they sell my jersey in Mandalay Bay, I don’t get a dime.” WNBA stars also don’t get paid for the likeness the way men do. This only widens the gap between the two genders in terms of money made from the sport. Once again, this gap can be attributed to a lack of media coverage.

The media plays a big part in the world of sports, yet, they’re not doing enough for women’s sports. Fortunately, there is a rise in stardom for female athletes such as Juju Watkins and Paige Bueckers, but this is just the beginning. There needs to be more stars like Watkins and Bueckers for female athletes to level the athletes, and it all starts with the media.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Balancing academics and golf as a student-athlete

Mitzi Duarte shines at Fresno State Classic; aspires to turn pro after collegiate career.

MENS GOLF

4/7/2025 - 4/8/2025Gaucho Invitational

BASEBALL SOFTBALL SOFTBALL

4/11/2025

UCSB vs. UCR vs. 13-4, L L

UCR Team Leaders:

David Whittle: 1/2, 1 R, 1 RBI David Whittle: 1 1 RBI

David Gibbs: 1/4 1 R, 1 RBI David Gibbs: 1/4 1 1 RBI

4/12/2025

UCSB vs. UCR vs. 18-8, L L

UCR Team Leaders:

Andrew Rivas: 2/5, 1 R 1

David Gibbs: 2/3, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB David Gibbs: 1 1 2 BB

5-1, L L R Te T m am Leead r C UC U a a : de s UCR Team Leaders: Raegan Everett: (L, 5-7), 6.0 Everett: (L, 5-7), 6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 K, 4 BB 5 4 2 4 BB Rebecca Cabezas: 1/3, 1 RBI Rebecca Cabezas: 1 RBI

4/12/2025 @ 3:30pm 4/12/2025 @ 4/12/2025 @ 1:00pm 4/12/2025 @ Cal Poly SLO vs. UCR Cal SLO vs. UCR

Cal Poly SLO vs. UCR Cal Poly SLO vs. UCR

5-0, W W

UCR Team Leaders: Maddie Heinlin: (W, 9-10), 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 3 BB 2 0 5 3 BB

Haley Saole: 1/4, 1 R, 4 RBI Saole: 1 4 RBI

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