Volume 74, Issue 08

The Highlander

AFSCME union workers go on strike

Two day strike initiated by AFSCME 3299.

ANGELICA BRIANNA ACOSTA

Assistant News Editor

On Nov. 17, 2025, the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME 3299) began their strike at the University of California cam-

OPINIONS

puses, including the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The strike lasted from Nov. 17–18. From custodians to food service workers, over 65,000 campus employees and health care workers associated with the AFSCME union joined the strike at multiple UC campuses.

Amongst those at the strike was California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, a former UCR student. During her speech she established,

“I am honored to stand with you today because you are the backbone of the greatest public university in the entire world. 3299, I want you to know that we are here to stand together.”

AFSCME claimed that they are protesting over the “University’s failure to settle contracts addressing the cost of living and affordability...

300,000 UC students should not be represented by one voice

With the rise of tuition, student representation must increase on the UC Board of Regents.

JOSÉ DEL ÁNGEL

News Editor

The University of California (UC), a system serving 300,000 students, currently grants only one of its two student regents voting power on the UC Board of Regents. This body sets policy on tuition, academic programs, labor agreements and systemwide priorities. The second student position serves as a non-voting “regent-designate” for a year before rotating into...

Highlander in the Arena: Jessica Dean joins the UCR all-time 1,400 career digs list

Women’s volleyball libero Jessica Dean reflects on her accomplishments during her last season at UCR.

APARNA GANDE Contributing Writer

Last week, senior libero Jessica Dean from women’s volleyball was named University of California, Riverside (UCR) Athlete of the Week. This season Dean has surpassed 400 digs and her defensive plays have been a bright spark for the Highlanders this season.

Dean reached the 1,400 dig milestone in her career on Nov. 14 versus UC San Diego after recording 19 digs. With this feat, she joins a decorated list of five other Highlanders with the same achievements, and this season marks Dean’s first time securing 400 digs with UCR.

“Hitting that achievement … it was a little bit shocking to me,” Dean reflected. “But I think once you hit it and hear about it, and hear about what you’ve accomplished, it kind of puts things into perspective.”

NIKO SUWANDI / THE HIGHLANDER

Staff

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Cecile Diroll opinions@highlandernews.org

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Humans of UCR

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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 nondiscrimination. 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.

Solnick, Managing Editor

“[My parents picked the spelling of my name because] in Spanish it’s [pronounced] “Que-i-la” so they [went with the] different spelling.

I’m from Palo Alto. Everytime I tell people Palo Alto they never know [where that is. I chose UCR] because I [felt] like I was always stuck in a bubble. I’ve always been in the Bay Area. I just wanted to step out for a second because I feel like it’s so different.

The weather is completely different. In the beginning, I wasn’t used to the heat. I feel like coming here was a big change, but the people here are really nice.

[I was homesick and] the first two weeks were really bad. I’d call my mom everyday and I was like “I have to go home.” But [after] a month, [it got] better. Especially after I started joining clubs and getting more involved. Now that I have my people, it’s easier [to adjust].

I’m part of Sigma Kappa and UCR Girl Gains. I’m still looking to join more, but those are my two main ones. When it comes to [weightlifting, I could never go by myself.] That’s why I joined Girl Gains. They teach you workouts, even if you’re a beginner. If you’re interested in [something more serious,] they’ll help you.”

Asst.

HIRING Staff Photographer Elena Versage photo@highlandernews.org

Compiled by Isaac

AFSCME union workers go on strike

TWO DAY STRIKE INITIATED BY AFSCME 3299.

ANGELICA BRIANNA ACOSTA

Assistant News Editor

On Nov. 17, 2025, the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME 3299) began their strike at the University of California campuses, including the University of California, Riverside (UCR). The strike lasted from Nov. 17–18. From custodians to food service workers, over 65,000 campus employees and health care workers associated with the AFSCME union joined the strike at multiple UC campuses.

Amongst those at the strike was California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, a former UCR student. During her speech she established, “I am honored to stand with you today because you are the backbone of the greatest public university in the entire world. 3299, I want you to know that we are here to stand together.”

AFSCME claimed that they are protesting over the “University’s failure to settle contracts addressing the cost of living and affordability crises facing the University’s most economically vulnerable workers.” They also stated that they are representing UC employees that have been working without a contract for over a year.

AFSCME’s priorities include: livable wages, affordable healthcare, safe staffing and housing benefits. They claimed their “members have been priced out of local housing markets by wage rates that have failed to keep pace with inflation, leading thousands to leave their jobs and fueling the growing staff vacancy crisis at UC.” Negotiations have been going on since June.

Before the strikes took place, the UC system released a statement claiming, “Despite UC’s continued outreach, AFSCME has not presented any substantive counterproposals since April 2025.”

The UC states its current proposal includes a 28 percent wage increase over five years. It also maintains that it has bargained in “good faith” with AFSCME since June and that the agreement in place has set AFSCME employees’ starting wage at $25 an hour.

According to a fact sheet the UC released, the new $25 starting wage — described as a five percent increase over previous wages — took effect in July 2025 and includes healthcare subsidiaries. But AFSCME representatives and union workers disputed these claims during the strike at UCR.

The first speaker at the UCR location

ASUCR Senate Meeting

PENULTIMATE MEETING OF THE QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS LEGISLATIVE AND SUSTAINABILITY UPDATES.

OVI MATHIVANAN Staff Writer

On Nov. 19, 2025, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) meeting began at 7 p.m. and adjourned at 8:25 p.m, with all agenda items approved.

University of California Student Association (UCSA) Government Relations Associate Adrianni Silvano reviewed key 2024-2025 legislative victories, including transparency requirements for immigration enforcement activity at schools, protections for students calling 911 in overdose emergencies and expansion of basic needs services. Silvano also out-

lined UCSA’s 2026 legislative priorities: affordable student housing, expanded basic needs support and equitable career pathways.

Senate Bill SB-F25-017, transferring the Campus Safety Alliance Committee from the Personnel Director to Campus Internal Affairs, passed 16-0-1. The Green Campus Action Plan (GCAP) reported strong turnout at recent events, including over 600 attendees at the GCAP Farmer’s Market, and presented a $1,325 GCAP grant, approved 17-0-0, to support Gardening Club renovations to the R’Garden.

was Ricardo Cisneros, a former UCR employee and current executive secretary-treasurer for the Inland Empire Labor Council. Recounting his experiences working as a cook at UCR over 20 years ago, he asserted that “there is no difference back then as to what it is now,” referencing the AFSCME claims over insufficient healthcare and the raise in parking prices for employees.

Jeanette Obeji, who works as a cook in the Lothian Residence Hall, said the union’s contract ended last year and that employees have been pushing the UC for a fair replacement for more than a year, claiming the UC is eliminating raises and increasing parking costs for workers. Explaining what the union

is looking for in a contract, Obeji shared, “We are asking for something fair, we are asking for our wages to be reasonable. If our wages are increasing, but everything else is increasing then what’s the point of the raise?”

Alongside union workers, students also joined the strike in solidarity. Briana Trujillo, Vice President of External Affairs for Associated Students of UCR voiced, “We as students, we see the work that you all do, we see that you all are here to repair a contract, and we are tired to see the UC not negotiate with you all.”

AFSCME ended their two day strike on Nov. 18, 2025 and are still in negotiations with the UC.

Crime Watch: Murder charge dismissed against man who ran over pregnant teen

ISAAC JACOB BLACKHORSE GARCIA ACCUSED OF STRIKING PREGNANT 16-YEAR-OLD IN RIVERSIDE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

ANDREW HAGLER Staff Writer

At the end of a hearing on Thursday, Nov. 13, a Riverside County Superior Court judge dismissed the murder charge alleged against Isaac Jacob Blackhorse Garcia, accused of running over and killing a teenager in Riverside in February of this year.

Garcia is still expected to stand trial for two counts of unlawful intercourse with a minor and possession of child pornography. He was arrested Feb. 2 after allegedly killing 16-year-old Kaylie Corona, who was almost nine months pregnant at the time.

The Riverside Police Department stated that he had arrived at the victim’s house to drop off Kaylie’s 15-year-old sister, with whom he had engaged in sex. As Kaylie’s family came out, Garcia backed up and accelerated before striking Kaylie with his vehicle, leaving her in critical condition.

The Court did not provide specific details regarding the decision, nor has the District

Attorney’s Office stated whether prosecutors intend to pursue an alternative charge for Kaylie’s death.

COURTESY OF RAEAN

NIKO SUWANDI / THE HIGHLANDER

17,000 California-issued commercial driver’s license for immigrants in to be revoked

SECRETARY DUFFY ACCUSES NEWSOM OF LYING ABOUT IMPROPERLY ISSUED CDLS, THREATENS TO PULL $160 MILLION FROM CALIFORNIA.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

On Nov. 12, 2025, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had unlawfully issued 17,000 nondomiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to immigrants, all of which are being revoked, according to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy.

The issue grabbed public attention in August when a tractor-trailer driver without authorized residency made an illegal U-turn, killing three people. Following the incident, the Department of Homeland Security’s claimed that California’s issuing of CDL to illegal immigrants has “killed Americans,” to which Newsom’s office responded with post on X, which mocked “Kosplay Kristi and Road Rules Duffy” for exaggerating the status of CDLs to portray it as more harmful than it actually is.

WIth their new statement, USDOT has accused Gavin Newsom and his office for making false claims about the gravity of the situation. Further, Secretary Duffy made a post on X saying that Newsom and California was “caught red-handed after weeks of claiming they did nothing wrong.” Further, he made a threat to pull $160 million in federal funds unless every single illegally issued CDL is revoked.

In return, Governor Newsom’s office made another post on X saying that “once again, the Sean ‘Road Rules’ Duffy fails to share the truth,” criticizing Duffy’s “sad and desperate attempt to please his ‘dear leader.’” The post then went into disproving the statement by USDOT, claiming that it was a number of other reasons that led to the revoking of 17,000 CDL none of which had anything to do with illegal residency.

Secretary Duffy responded by posting photos

of CDLs issued by California set to expire way past the U.S. work authorization expiration date, implying that the licenses in fact were issued illegally.

This reflects a larger agenda of USDOT favoring American drivers over non-Americans as demonstrated earlier this year when secretary Duffy signed an order enforcing stronger English proficiency and removing any commercial truck operators failing to comply. According to Duffy, “America First means safety first” as he argues that “Americans are a lot safer on roads alongside truckers who can understand and interpret our traffic signs.”

According to CNN, Secretary Duffy claimed that California and five other states have illegally issued CDLs, but California is the only state in which Duffy has taken any measures against.

Inmate dies after medical emergency in Riverside County jail

MICHAEL DUPAS DIED ON NOV. 14 FOLLOWING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY AT LARRY D. SMITH CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

KASSANDRA AGUIRRE

Michael Dupas, a 61-year old inmate held at the Riverside prison, Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, died on Nov. 14, resulting from an undisclosed medical emergency.

Dupas was arrested on Aug. 8th in Mead Valley on charges relating to the violation of a restraining order to prevent domestic violence and resisting an executive officer, along with six other misdemeanor and two felony charges, according to the jail information management system of the Riverside County Sheriff’s office.

All of the charges were either non-filed or under continuance, meaning the court had not yet con-

victed Dupas of the charges. They are currently pending prosecution at his next court date, which is set for Dec. 17 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

According to a press release posted on Nov. 16 by Riverside Correctional Sgt. Christopher Wedel, deputies were notified at 6:18 a.m. on Nov. 13 that Dupas was experiencing a medical emergency in the transportation area. He was then transported to a local hospital to be treated following efforts of present deputies and jail medical personnel to aid him.

The press release further described that it was at the hospital that Dupas’s health continued to

decline. He was pronounced dead the next day by hospital physicians.

The Riverside Sheriff’s Office Corrections Central Investigators Unit is investigating Dupas’s passing and currently assumes no foul play was involved.

Dupas’s family has been informed of his passing, and the Central Investigators Unit is urging those with information regarding the incident to contact their Sheriff’s Lead Investigator Brett Devine at (951) 555-7019.

Staff Writer

JIHOON KWON Staff Writer

Starbucks workers kick off nationwide strike across 65 Stores

WORKERS’ UNION VOTES TO INITIATE OPEN-ENDED STRIKE AFTER COMPANY FAILS TO MEET DEMANDS.

On Thursday, Nov. 13, Starbucks workers across the country kicked off an indefinite strike spanning 65 stores in response to the company’s failure to meet negotiation deadlines, with over 1,000 employees organizing the mass walk-out.

Union leadership chose to start the strike on Starbucks’ Red Cup day, typically one of the company’s busiest days of the year, in which stores offer free reusable holiday cups to customers who order certain beverages.

In Dec. 2023, Starbucks promised to finalize an agreement with the union by 2024, but since then, former CEO Laxman Narasimhan was replaced by Bryan Niccol, under whom negotiation progress has stagnated. Starbucks workers have expressed overall dissatisfaction with working conditions, including low pay and understaffed, overcrowded stores.

Company leadership maintains that Starbucks provides extensive benefits, including 18 weeks of paid family leave and 100 percent tuition coverage for a four-year college degree, yet these benefits are inaccessible to many employees.

Dochi Spoltore, a barista from Pittsburgh, said in a union conference call on Nov. 13 that it’s difficult for Starbucks employees to be assigned more than 19 hours, leaving them short of the 20 needed to receive certain benefits.

Meanwhile, Starbucks reports continuously rising sales and revenue, including an overall 13 percent increase in the 2023 fiscal year to 36

billion dollars in revenue.

Starbucks locations that have voted to unionize span the country, including nearly 50 in California and two here in Riverside. As of now, locations in ten Californian cities have participated in the strike, including San Diego, Long Beach and Anaheim.

Unionized stores account for just 550 of Starbucks’ roughly 10,000 company-operated locations, leaving workers to rely heavily on visibility and customer solidarity to increase their leverage. Since the strike began, unionized workers have picketed vigilantly, protesting in front of non-unionized stores and working to ensure the strike gains public support.

As Todd Vachon, a union expert at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, stated, retail companies like Starbucks rely heavily on their public image to make sales. Even with limited participation, a highly visible strike could give the union a great deal of sway in terms of bargaining.

Key unaddressed demands include better hours to combat understaffing and allow greater access to benefits, higher take-home pay as baristas struggle to get by and resolution for labor law-related charges against the company. The union cites a failure to negotiate in good faith and participation in extensive union busting, with over 100 complaints issued against Starbucks by regional offices of the National

Labor Relations Board for unfair labor practices.

In a letter to employees, Starbucks’ Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly claimed union members walked away from the bargaining table and that certain union demands would require drastic changes to Starbucks’ operations, such as allowing workers to shut down mobile ordering if too many orders are in the queue. She also wrote that the union has proposed a 65 percent pay increase immediately and a 77 percent increase over three years, which she considers unreasonable.

Union representatives posit that this is a misrepresentation of their demands: “That allegation is not true. We presented a set of economic proposals as options to negotiate over and ultimately get to more pay and benefits. Starbucks simply said ‘no’ to all of them, and then disingenuously added up all the options as if they were one cohesive demand,” Michelle Eisen, a Workers United spokesperson and union bargaining delegate, said in a statement to ABC News.

So far, Starbucks has rejected the workers’ proposals and has shown reluctance to negotiate, but workers remain hopeful as the open-ended strike pushes forward and stores continue to unionize, joining the 475 that have done so since 2021.

ANDREW HAGLER Staff Writer

COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Merck’s experimental pills make progress towards cholesterol management

ORAL PILL COULD SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO INJECTABLE LDL-LOWERING MEDICINES.

OVI MATHIVANAN Staff Writer

On Nov. 8, pharmaceutical company Merck reported new data showing that its experimental cholesterol-lowering pill, enlicitide decanoate, can target a protein that helps regulate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Enlicitide keeps LDL receptors active in the liver for longer, which allows the body to remove more LDL cholesterol from the bloodstream and reduces the risk of heart disease.

The findings come from the CORALreef Lipids trial, where 2,912 adult participants with hypercholesterolemia and with or at-risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) took part in a study designed to evaluate the pill’s safety and effectiveness for lowering LDL cholesterol.

Many participants had hypercholesterolemia or high

LDL cholesterol despite taking moderate to high-intensity statin treatments, whereas others were unable to tolerate statin. The design was randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, meaning neither the participants nor researchers knew who received the enlicitide pill or a placebo.

After 24 weeks, the daily oral pill lowered LDL cholesterol in participants to between 55.8 to 59.7 percent compared with individuals who received a placebo. After one year, participants maintained significant LDL reductions between 47.6 to 52.4 percent.

Researchers are investigating the pill’s effectiveness in long-term cholesterol management beyond one-year periods.

If approved by the Food and Drug Administration, enlicitide decanoate could represent a major turning point in cholesterol

treatment. It would offer patients a convenient oral alternative to current inhibitors, which many patients report as costly, inconvenient and inaccessible to them.

The data was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025. Merck also plans to submit these results to

regulatory authorities and continue testing the drug in larger trials to determine whether it can safely and effectively reduce serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, particularly in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Kennedy heir rises to the political stage

MARIBEL HERNANDEZ Contributing Writer

After New York’s (N.Y.) Rep. Jerry Nadler vacated his United States (U.S.) House seat, Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, recently announced his campaign for N.Y.’s Congressional seat, stirring up controversy amongst both Democrats and Republicans. Schlossberg first gained media traction in the weeks before the 2024 Presidential election after being declared Vogue’s political correspondent.

During this time, he took to his social media posting content that ranged from him singing along to CharliXCX’s hit song “365,” mocking his cousin RFK Jr. and posting political commentary. When questioned about his social media presence, Schlossberg states it is his way of “figuring a way to breathe” in a “toxic social media environment that has been dominated by Republicans.”

However, critics remain unimpressed by both his untraditional social media approach and his resume. The Kennedy heir graduated from Yale, obtained both his law degree and MBA from Harvard, and worked as a political surrogate for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign. Despite

these recognizable names, an anonymous high-profile Democrat campaigner has stated, “The Democrats don’t want him … we don’t need more distractions.”

Nadler, whose seat Schlossberg is running to occupy, informed CNN that his successor should have “a record of public service [and] a record of public accomplishment,” which Schlossberg “doesn’t have.”

While Schlossberg hasn’t released any official announcement on policy stances he will take, he has stated, “I’m not running because I have all the answers to our problems … the people of New York 12 do … I want to listen to your struggles … [and] go to Washington and execute on your behalf.” He has also openly criticized the Democratic Party’s minimal pushback against the Trump administration’s controversial antics and he claims that without Democrats winning back control of the House of Representatives, “we’re helpless to a third term.”

While it is unconstitutional for a president to hold a third term in office, this has not stopped President Trump and his supporters from dwelling on the idea. ■ H

JACK SCHLOSSBERG BEGINS CAMPAIGN FOR NEW YORK CONGRESS.

COURTESY OF ADOBE STOCK

Opinions Take it or Leave it: When life knocks you down, get up and come back swinging

RESILIENCE ISN’T BUILT IN PEACE, AND EVEN THE TINIEST EFFORT MEANS YOU’RE REFUSING TO GIVE UP.

NAYSHA AGARWAL

Contributing Writer

One fine day, you’re minding your business, drinking your overpriced latte. Then, the next thing you know, you’re getting emotionally, academically, medically and spiritually dragged into a fullblown World Wrestling Entertainment match you did not sign up for. Annoying. Rude. Borderline wrong.

And here’s the thing nobody tells you: when life comes swinging at you from every direction possible, you’re allowed — no, encouraged to swing it right back.

The last eight weeks of the quarter have been the kind of plotline even a sitcom writer would call “too dramatic.” Family tension that feels like static in the air. 20.5 course credits piling up like they are personally offended by your existence. People treat you in ways that make you question your worth at every step, even though you are trying more than you should be.

Then the medical chaos kicks in, the kind where you have ended up in the hospital three times already. It’s the kind of stretch where breathing itself feels like another task on the overflowing calendar.

Slowly, stubbornly, but nonetheless still moving. Give yourself credit when credit’s due.

And somewhere in the middle of all the chaos, everyone loves to chime in about what they think you should do. They’ll tell you to do this, do that, go to therapy, calm down and slow down. And you’ll probably think, “Yes, thank you, I am very aware I am doing a lot. I thought I could handle it. I can still handle it … just apparently at the cost of my mental sanity.”

I used to think mental health was nothing.

Yes, I know I forgot to eat. I’ve buried myself under so much work that I literally don’t have time to feed myself. Because I don’t want to sit still and think about my life. I don’t want to acknowledge the chaos. Or worse, I look like I’m “tweaking” — as they love to call it now — and spiraling, even though I’m doing my best.

In reality, they don’t understand that I’m okay, I feel just fine. Sometimes it’s the peer pressure that gets me thinking that maybe I am “tweaking.” But then I think to myself, “No, I am not,” and that for sure makes me “tweak” and spiral even more.

Because here’s the plot twist nobody sees coming: struggling isn’t the opposite of thriving. Sometimes struggling is the exact process that builds the version of you who survives the next disaster without fully combusting. Resilience doesn’t grow in peaceful seasons; it grows in the weeks where you’re crying every time you look into a mirror, email a professor with shaking fingers and wonder how many more times you can say “I’m fine” before the universe finally gives you a break.

So swing back at life by showing up when every part of you wants to disappear. Swing back by being proud of the bare-minimum days or the “I tried” days when you had to get out of bed even though it felt impossible. Swing back by recognizing that even when you feel lost, uncertain of your goals, your direction, your future, you are still moving.

That if I gaslit myself hard enough into believing I was okay, then I magically was okay. But it doesn’t feel like that anymore. I want it to be okay right now — like poof — I wake up one morning and all the chaos evaporates. But life, unfortunately, doesn’t believe in magic tricks.

So instead, I’m learning to do it day by day, step by step, not necessarily fixing everything or reinventing myself. But adjusting life just enough so I’m not experiencing burnout and not going crazy every single day.

And sure, some people have been an important part of this journey by checking in, supporting and caring for me. But at the end of the day, it’s me who has to make the changes. And I fear they don’t understand that five people asking me if I’ve eaten today doesn’t help; it actually makes me feel worse.

To be honest, nobody but yourself can do anything to truly help you. Yes, I agree people can help and guide you, but you have to put the effort in.

Because that means no matter what happens — no matter how low it gets, even when you swear it can’t get lower and somehow it still does — you will fight back. You will do better. You will do right by yourself, not for others, not for validation, not for applause. For you. Because you owe that to yourself.

If you take anything from my chaos, let it be this: take care of your health. Not just your physical body, but your mind and heart. Tiny steps go a long way. Go on a five-minute walk. Frolic around for no reason. Get yourself a treat, play an instrument, write, eat, run and do whatever actually makes you happy.

Give your brain a break from all the studying, thinking and overworking. Give yourself permission to pause. To exist. To not think. Stop for a second. Stare into the wild abyss. Let the juices flow. Listen to your brain for once instead of bulldozing over it.

That’s where the healing begins. Befriending yourself, while hard as hell, is important. And even if it’s not, you can always swing again.

HOLLY DAWSON / THE HIGHLANDER

300,000 UC students should not be represented by one voice

WITH THE RISE OF TUITION, STUDENT REPRESENTATION MUST INCREASE ON THE UC BOARD OF REGENTS.

JOSÉ DEL ÁNGEL News Editor

The University of California (UC), a system serving 300,000 students, currently grants only one of its two student regents voting power on the UC Board of Regents. This body sets policy on tuition, academic programs, labor agreements and systemwide priorities. The second student position serves as a non-voting “regent-designate” for a year before rotating into the voting seat.

Student leaders across the UC system argue that this structure leaves the broader and diverse student population underrepresented, especially on issues where student viewpoints diverge. This is precisely why granting a second voting student regent is not only reasonable, but it is necessary. The UC’s governance structure was designed in a different era, long before the student body became as large, diverse and politically engaged as it is today.

Supporters of the change point out that California’s other public higher-education systems, the California State University and the California Community Colleges, both have two voting student representatives, thanks to legislation enacted since 2019. The UC is governed differently: its autonomy is embedded in the California Constitution. Because of this, state lawmakers cannot simply pass a bill to alter

UC’s governing structure. To change the system, the Board of Regents could revise the policy itself, or students could advocate for a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval in 2026.

Current student regent Sonya Brooks has already demonstrated the weight and importance of a UC student vote. In her first months as a voting regent, she opposed granting the UC President the authority to raise tuition for professional degrees, a stance aligned with concerns students often raise about affordability and access. However, a single student vote still cannot accurately reflect the lived experiences of 300,000 students across 10 campuses.

Meanwhile, this year’s non-voting student regent, Miguel Craven, highlights another challenge: the UC system requires students to “consult the institution,” not the other way around. He and other advocates argue that adding a second vote would help broaden student representation, especially since committees, where much of the decisionmaking groundwork occurs, often meet simultaneously. With only one voting student, students can’t be represented in all the spaces where decisions are ultimately made.

Student leaders like the UC Student Association President, Aditi Hariharan, also

stress that “students aren’t a monolith.” The tuition policy offers a clear example: in 2024, the UC student regent voted to support an increase in nonresident tuition even as many students, including Craven, publicly opposed it. A second vote could both diversify viewpoints and make it clear when student opinion is genuinely split. A second voting seat would also help strengthen deliberation, distribute the burden of representation and align UC governance with other public systems in California.

However, current efforts to create a second voting seat face procedural barriers. Advocates are weighing whether to pursue a constitutional amendment, a long, highstakes process, or to press the UC Regents directly for a policy change. Either path requires political strategy, unity among student groups, and most importantly, the willingness of decision-makers to acknowledge that student participation should evolve with the size and complexity of the system.

That being said, it is undeniable that the UC should modernize its governance and give students the power to influence their numbers, stakes and insights.

COURTESY OF AUTHORITY12345 VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Rebuttal: ‘80s music isn’t totally tubular

FROM ITS OVERRELIANCE ON SYNTHESIZERS, MEANINGLESS LYRICS AND EVEN HINTS OF POLITICAL INCORRECTNESS, ‘80S MUSIC SHOULD STAY DEAD.

IAN PALMA Radar Editor

With the decade’s incessant use of neon, pastel suits too bright for the human eye, unattractive mullets, as well as the release of tacky, over-thetop films like “Top Gun” and “Pretty in Pink,” the 1980s deserves to be disregarded when it comes to finding out which decade was the greatest. Those who deem it as one of the best decades ever are either blinded by nostalgia, the shining neon lights associated with the era or both.

My greatest irk with the ‘80s, however, isn’t from how questionable the fashion was or how cheesy many of the films are. It is by how soulless, repetitive and even somewhat problematic the music of the time was.

Unlike the more introspective and virtuosic sounds one could get from listening to bands of the ‘60s and ‘70s, the point of most songs from the ‘80s was to get everyone on the dance floor and have them moving to the most overproduced, synthesizer-driven sounds. Musical acts of the ‘80s, such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Depeche Mode relied on such a boatload of synthesizers that it would practically be hard to discern which band is which. Not only were they indistinguishable in sound, but in aesthetics as well as many of them could be seen donning similar sports suits and puffy hair. Each band was nothing more than a carbon copy of another.

Musical artists of the ‘70s, such as The Clash, The Rolling Stones and Tom Petty, whose songs have been known to have a gritty rock and roll edge, also had to conform to the more polished and synthetic sounds just to stay relevant in the music industry. Many of the songs they produced during the ‘80s lacked the jaggedness that made

them so great in the first place.

Shadowed by synthesizers and overproduction, the lyrics of many ‘80s songs are nothing more than cringeworthy and nonsensical. From The Police having a song in which the main chorus is “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” to Depeche Mode’s track “Just Can’t Get Enough” having a line that goes, “Just like a rainbow, I know you set me free,” the music of the ‘80s suffered a clear creative bankruptcy when it came to deep and meaningful prose.

Many critically acclaimed pop songs of the ‘80s haven’t aged well either. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police, underneath its romantic crooning and sharp arpeggios, contains lyrics about stalking people. The juxtaposition between its dark lyrical content and soft melody makes it easy to misinterpret and romanticize. It’s all the more concerning considering that the song can usually be heard playing in events like weddings. There are a plethora of other songs from the ‘80s that have outdated lyrics and content such as “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits and “Turning Japanese” by The Vapors.

If the 1980s could be summed up in one word, it would be “flashy.” From the expensive dresses of Madonna to the exotic location shots found in Duran Duran music videos, many musical artists of the ‘80s promoted ideas of excess and wealth. With the help of MTV, music artists took advantage of music videos to craft their public image. When it came to big-budget music videos, they portrayed themselves to be decadent, flamboyant, larger-than-life gods and goddesses.

Out of all of the musical artists that unashamedly flaunted their wealth, Michael

Jackson has to be the main offender. When it came to his performances, Jackson captured the attention of audiences with his flashy suits and jackets alongside slick choreography. Offstage, Jackson openly promoted excess and consumerism through his collaborations with businesses like Pepsi while buying stuff as questionable as a pet monkey.

Even though the music of the ‘80s did in fact promote social justice and issue awareness, it also had its fair share of misogyny and problematic content, especially within the rock and heavy metal genres. Popular rock songs of the decade like “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Motley Crue and “Rock You Like a Hurricane” by Scorpions, which still manage to get radio airplay to this day for some reason, openly boast lyrics that objectify women. The on and off-stage drunken, testosterone-reeking, womanizing behavior from hard rock bands like Guns N’ Roses and Motley Crue further underscored the macho culture of rock music during the time.

Although the decade also spawned influential female rockers like Joan Jett and Lita Ford, the association between rock and sexism persisted throughout the ‘80s. It was only until the next decade, with the arrival of Nirvana and the Riot Grrrl scene, that this would eventually be rectified.

It’s okay to enjoy the vibrant and usually upbeat music that the ‘80s produced, but to call it great would be the equivalent of calling microwave beeping noises “exciting.” Most of the music from the 1980s was robotic, lyrically bizarre and unpassionate.

COURTESY OF RICHARD FORSTER VIA FLICKR

The art of being chronically offline

MY EXPERIENCE WITH TAKING A BREAK FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHY OTHERS SHOULD DO THE SAME.

My screen time totaled over 12 hours a day before I went to college. I was the definition of a person being “chroni cally online.” It all started when I created my first social media ac count at 14-years old. At the begin ning, I was not as addicted, but it eventually got to the point where I would feel embarrassed about my phone screen time because I knew I could be more productive.

In June 2025, I decided to de lete both my TikTok and Instagram accounts for three months until I started college. When I first deleted these platforms, I struggled hard not to download them back. I re member self-consciously trying to find the apps on my phone, then re membering I deleted them and not knowing what to do with myself. I was essentially experiencing “with drawals” from these platforms. Al though this was a difficult challenge at first, I was able to push through, which benefited me in ways I never could have imagined.

Research shows that other people should consider taking the time to step back from social media and being online because it is better for your mental health, allows you to pick up new hobbies and spend more quality time with family and friends.

head like clockwork. When I deleted these apps for the summer, I felt a lot better be-

cause I did not need to compare myself to other people.

consists of lots of grass, palm trees and feels like a safe space. The parks I would go to often felt like a nice break from being inside and it reconnected me with nature.

Sometimes the phrase “touch grass” is true. When I would explore my neighborhood or parks, I felt more appreciative of the world we live in, instead of being sucked online looking at other people’s accounts. Simply going outside more often has led me to feel better and more productive.

Removing social media can also give you more time to spend with the ones you love. When we give most of our time to social media, we miss out on the quality time we could be spending with friends and family. We spend hours on our phones daily when we could be watching a show with our family in the living room or going on a hike with our friends.

The first reason people should take a step back from social media is because it has a lot of mental health benefits. According to a study on social media’s impact on teenage mental health, “Social media can negatively impact our overall wellbeing by fueling anxiety, depression, loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO).”

When scrolling on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, I would compare myself all the time. I would see people traveling the world or achieving impressive milestones. Seeing this constantly on my feed often left me feeling behind. I found myself asking, “Am I doing enough with my life? Do I have a boring life? Could I be doing more?”

All of these questions and anxious thoughts would always wrap around my

Additionally, people should take time off social media and be online because it opens the door to trying new hobbies. After I deleted social media, I spent time journaling my thoughts and experiences throughout the summer before college. I developed a healthier addiction compared to doomscrolling.

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When I journal, it makes me feel better mentally, which has been proven in studies that show journaling can lead to better mental health. Journaling thoughts, even the bad ones, has made me more in touch with my emotions rather than being more focused on being online.

Another hobby I developed after leaving social media is exploring nature. Over the summer, I took the time to explore more local parks and my neighborhood, which

During the summer before my friends moved away for college, I made the effort to spend time with them as much as I could. Being with them made me feel like I was more grounded than I used to be. In the past, I would find myself really conflicted about whether or not to post a hangout with friends on social media.

But instead, I focused on making connections and my goodbyes before we all went our separate ways. Spending time with my family and reconnecting with old members was also a highlight of my summer. This quality time with friends and family is what made my entire summer one of the best times of my life.

Overall, when you delete social media and take a step back from being online, it can have many benefits. Developing more hobbies and not being trapped in today’s online world can help you learn so much more about yourself and appreciate life more.

NATALIE MARTIN Contributing Writer

COURTESY OF TRACY LE BLANC VIA PEXELS

Features Scotty-Scopes:

Finals baddie prep guide

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22): Balance work and rest

Plan study time and break time in advance. Add a short walk or stretch between tasks. A balanced pace keeps your mind fresh.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19): Stay consistent

Make a daily schedule and follow it closely. Track your progress in a simple checklist. Routine supports discipline and reduces stress.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): Plan your schedule

Make a clear list of what you need to study. Break tasks into short sessions to stay focused. Use timers to keep yourself on track and avoid burnout.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Focus on self-care

Take short breaks during study blocks. Stretch, drink water or listen to calm music. A steady routine supports your mood and helps you stay grounded.

FINALS ARE COMING. USE SMART STRATEGIES TO STAY FOCUSED, CONFIDENT AND READY TO PERFORM YOUR BEST.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21): Start with hard material

Begin with subjects that demand the most effort. Finishing the tough content early helps you build confidence and creates mental space for the rest.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18): Try creative study tools

Use digital flashcards, videos or study apps. Join a group chat to quiz yourself. New formats help you stay interested and focused.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Set up a calm study space

Choose a quiet area with soft lighting and organized materials. Keep snacks and water nearby. A comfortable setup helps you stay steady and focused during long study hours.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Set goals and reward yourself

Write down what you want to finish each day. Give yourself small rewards as you complete tasks. This builds motivation and keeps your energy high.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21): Keep your study flexible

Move between topics when your energy changes. Study in open spaces or switch locations to stay alert. Flexibility helps you stay engaged.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20): Review in a quiet setting

Read through your notes slowly and reflect on key points. Picture yourself remembering the material during the exam. Calm review helps you stay confident.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Use different study methods

Switch between flashcards, notes and practice problems. Change subjects when your focus drops. This keeps your mind active and prevents boredom.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): Organize your notes

Create clear sections for terms, concepts and formulas. Review material in a steady order. A structured approach helps you hold information longer.

RUBAITA IQBAL Assistant Opinions Editor

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store

A HEARTWARMING STORE THAT COMBINES THE ENJOYMENT OF A BARGAIN AND THE GENEROSITY OF PHILANTHROPY.

After a week of gloomy rain, you are in search of a new place to explore in Riverside on a beautiful and sunny morning. Wandering aimlessly, you finally stumble upon one 13 minutes away from the heart of downtown. On the corner of Van Buren Boulevard and Magnolia Avenue is a lovely shop that combines both the enjoyment of a good bargain and the generous heart of philanthropy. Welcome to the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center is a nonprofit organization that seeks to find homes for abandoned cats and dogs. Established in 1897, this association provides basic veterinary services (such as spaying, neutering, microchipping and vaccinations) and works with local shelters to protect pets from the euthanasia list. They also offer a foster program so that underage or recovering cats and dogs under their care have a safe and loving home even before they get adopted.

The thrift store, along with community donations, is what helps fund this adoption program. There are so many delightful items to

purchase from this thrift store, and it is an added benefit that the proceeds from this shop are redirected to a good cause.

As soon as you walk in, the store’s neat and organized layout immediately stands out. Every section is clearly labeled so you can get a quick overview of the floorplan before stepping further into the shop. If you do not particularly care about where to start your exploration, you can simply follow the natural flow of the aisles as I did. You will pass festive displays as Christmas encroaches on Thanksgiving and you will then fully enter the housewares section. Here, they have everything from baking tins and martini glasses to ceramic dolls and engraved plates.

The next thing you will notice is that everything is incredibly affordable. General prices are listed in the aisles on large, easyto-read laminated pieces of paper and specific prices are written on brightly colored stickers on the item itself. I didn’t see many items over $10 and if they were, the items in question were jackets or large appliances.

Pushing past the housewares, we get to the physical media section, my favorite part of the store. This

area had an incredible selection of books, DVDs, CDs, cassettes and vinyls. The general prices for the books were 99 cents for paperbacks and $1.49 for hard covers, and the CDs were 50 cents unless otherwise stated. I ended up purchasing five books that, at any other store, would have totaled up to roughly $100. At the Mary S. Roberts Thrift Store, I only paid $4.46. This was the greatest bargain I had ever seen from a thrift store.

Once you step away from the physical media section, you can turn back to the front of the store where you’ll see rows and rows of clothes organized by color in a rainbow sequence. After all, a thrift store without clothes is not a thrift store.

At the top of each row is a box where you can place hangers and a laminated piece of paper stating the general prices. Each item had color coded tags that referred back to the piece of paper. For example, an article of clothing with a pink tag would be $5.99 as listed by the sign.

The prices for the clothes ranged from $4.99 to $9.99 with purple tags having specific prices not listed alongside the general ones. Within this selection, I was able to find an Ariana Grande “Thank

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U, Next” hoodie, a sweatshirt with characters from the anime “My Hero Academia” and a nice button up for summertime with cherry and flower designs. More generally, this selection of clothes had everything from graphic tees and loud patterned shirts to dresses, skirts and pants of various materials.

Finally, after exploring this lovely shop, you are ready to check out and step up to the register. Here, you are reminded once more of the cause this thrift store supports for, lovingly taped to the podium where the register sits, are all the cats and dogs that have been happily adopted through this program as well as a QR code that leads to pets who still need to find their forever home. It is a heartwarming sight to see as you leave the store.

The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center Thrift Store is an adorable place to shop at that supports an incredible cause. If you ever need a respite from your busy school schedule and wish to help pets find the loving homes they deserve, come down to the corner of Van Buren Blvd and Magnolia Ave and spend the afternoon exploring the many offerings of this thrift store.

MALINI JOSEPH Contributing Writer

MALINI JOSEPH / THE HIGHLANDER

NORM’S NOOK

SPOTLIGHT

The Box Springs mountains

FIND OUT ABOUT THE HOME OF THE WILD BURROS!

Assistant Features Editor

The Box Springs mountains are home to the many species that bring life to Riverside. Hummingbirds, blue-green spiny lizards and burros form the ecosystem of the Box Springs mountains and are loved by many students. Beside the University of California, Riverside (UCR) campus, these mountains offer many hiking opportunities for students, professors and Riverside residents.

The most popular hiking trails, such as the Two Trees Trail, the M Hike and the Box Springs Mountain Loop, offer a beautiful view of the

landscape and a panoramic view of the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. Hawks fly over the reserve, spying for rodents and reptiles. Wild donkeys leave their smelly marks as they graze in the vegetation. The 132-foot-high “C” that sits on the side of the mountain was made by UCR students in 1957 to represent our university and its students. Next time you decide to hike at the Box Springs mountains, make sure to pay attention to the animals that consider it their home. ■ H

DUMPLINGS OF THE WORLD

zania

26. Pou ___: “where I may stand” in Greek

27. Popular destination on July 4th

“Très ____!”

28. March Madness org 32. Badger into buying

34. Like a four year old’s smile

36. On all _____ (crawling, say)

37. Trader Joe’s staple

40. Fourth-down kicks

41. Locating

42. Saturated

44. The last major division in college sports

45. Xiao long ___ (soup

By Staff

dumplings)

48. Big bird

49. ___ Paulo, Brazil

51. Tilt

53. Indian flatbread

55. Potato pasta

59. “I’m ____ you!”

60. Correo _____ (Spanish airmail)

61. Spanish bears

62. Trig. prerequisite

63. Korean glass noodle dumplings

64. Three squared

65. Passport fig.

66. Take _ ____ breath

67. California’s Mission in Solvang

Down

1. Best french football forward

2. Like french fries

3. Subway systems

4. French _____ soup 5. Beat to a pulp 6. 1000 meters

7. “Never Have I Ever” star 8. Thin as _ ____ 9. Dorothy’s home 10. Master’s prerequisites for some 11. Larva that attacks Valentine’s Day plants

12. ________ of justice

13. Crab Rangoon’s tradi-

tional cousin

21. Summaries

25. Strip, sand and stain

29. Fish-and-chips fish

30. “Three men in ____”

31. Sportscaster Rashad

Yearn

Ballerina’s skirt 35. City that neighbors Ann Arbor, for short

Called upon

TV remote feature

52, in roman numerals

Polish cheesy potato dumplings

Portuguese explorer Vasco

Drives home (baseball)

GRAPHICS BY LAYNA LAPIKAS / THE HIGHLANDER

NOLA PERIFEL

NOLA PERIFEL / THE HIGHLANDER

SUDOKU

What fun UCR class should you try?

Learn more about these interesting UCR classes and find out which one is best for you!

By: Nola Perifel, Assistant Features Editor

1. Choose the most appealing weekend plans:

A. Playing Mario Kart all day.

B. Bringing my inventions to life and building things.

C. Going to an amusement park.

D. Going to car meets or watching races.

2. What random thing makes you happy?

A. Retro arcades

B. 3D printed figurines

C. Your favorite Disneyland ride

D. The sound of a revving engine

3. What description sounds more like you?

A. I’m a fan of gaming and the history of gaming.

B. I am crafty and I love inventing things.

C. I am fascinated by how things work.

D. I am a thrill seeker and I love taking risks.

4. What are you most interested in getting out of an elective?

A. Diving into the history of my favorite games and pop culture.

B. Bringing my inventions to life.

C. Learning how to turn ideas into magical experiences.

D. Learning the mechanics of something I love.

answer key

If you chose “A” more often, the best class for you to try is The History of Nintendo: From Playing Cards to Global Gaming Icon (MUS 198). This student-led class is perfect for people fascinated by the history of Nintendo, video games and pop culture. This class goes over Nintendo’s journey from handmade playing cards to becoming the biggest gaming company in Japan and a global icon. For Nintendo fans this class is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the home of games like Mario Kart, The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon. Keep an eye out for this fun learning opportunity!

If you chose “B” more often, the best class for you to try is From Concept to Creation: 3D Printing Workshop (NASC 198). This student-led class is the best choice for students who are looking to bring their imagination to life. People who enjoy crafts, materials science and building inventions would love this class. Students get the opportunity to create their own designs and print them on a 3D printer. This class blends imagination with science and can be an amazing creative outlet for the more scientific students. Bring your incredible designs to life in this class!

If you chose “C” more often, the best class for you to try is Imagineer: Build Your Own Disneyland or Universal Studio Ride (EDUC 198). This student-led class is great for students who are interested in engineering and who have a soft spot for theme parks. Students get the opportunity to learn about how rides are created, how imagineers blend storytelling with engineering and different processes used to create rides. Students learn to create magic with engineering. Learn to create magic in this class!

If you chose “D” more often, the best class for you to try is PORSCHE: A Testament to Human Ingenuity (ME 198). If you like cars and aerodynamics, this student-led class is for you. In this class, students learn about sports cars, the engineering behind their favorite automobiles and more specifically, the technology behind Porsche. The class focuses on materials used to create sports cars and how engineers create more efficient and faster cars specifically in regards toPorsche’s impact on the world of cars. This class is great for car lovers and engineers, but also for everyone interested in learning about something new. Learn more about an icon in the automobile industry.

COURTESY OF VEGANBAKING.NET VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

A celebration of light: The Indian Students Association annual Diwali banquet

THE ISA CELEBRATES DIWALI IN AN EXCITING NIGHT OF DANCING, GAMES AND TOGETHERNESS.

SANJANA THATTE Features Editor

The Indian Student Association (ISA) held their annual Diwali Banquet on Friday, Nov. 14 in a night of celebration, laughter and fun. The club, which started in 2017, is meant to provide a safe space for University of California, Riverside (UCR)’s students of Indian origin to celebrate their heritage, and holds the banquet as a way for members of the community to celebrate the sacred festival at school.

Ruhi Barot, fifth year Business Administration major, explained that the banquet is meant to give students at UCR a chance to celebrate Diwali away from home. Diwali is the festival of lights, meant to celebrate the victory of good over evil in Hindu mythology. It is often a day where firecrackers, sparklers and diyas (small lamps) are lit to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.

Sweets and elaborate dishes are made and consumed to celebrate the joyous occasion along with parties and dancing that go long into the night. The ISA board members aimed to emulate the festivities for their students here in Riverside with music, crafts, activities and performances.

Pransh Madalia, second year computer science major and events chair, explained that keeping the atmosphere lively and comfortable is important, as he explains, “[we]

try make it reasonable for everyone to come and just have a whole welcoming nature so everyone who comes does not feel like they’re just alone in there. We create harmony with everyone who is there.”

ISA uses different methods to engage those who come to events, taking part in dancing, games and other activities. This year, Madalia shares, “This was the first time we added [a] poker table to this and people really seem to enjoy it. So every year, we’re trying to bring something new into it and keep it exciting so it’s not repetitive.”

Though the team faced some struggles this year with booking the venue and getting the menu approved, Barot emphasized that she loved working with her team to bring the Diwali celebration to fruition.

The night started out quietly with guests filtering in, occupying tables decorated with bright blue tablecloths, tea lights and flowers. Samosas were passed out at the food section of the hall, and activities such as poker, crafts and henna were offered to attendees. For the crafts section, guests could draw out a rangoli pattern onto a sticker or color in a Diwali themed key chain such as a lotus or diya. Students could also choose a henna pattern of their liking and have it drawn out on their hand in delicate patterns of paisleys and flowers.

The night then moved into the scheduled dance performance from UCRaas, the school’s premier CoEd Raas-Garba team. Fourth year environmental engineering major and member of UCRaas, Nishtha Shah, explained their performances as being a fusion of two different Indian dances, Garba and Raas. Shah shares that the dances originate from the state of Gujarat in India. Both are folk dances, with Garba involving “a lot of high energy and jumping,” and Raas performing “with two sticks called dandyas,” also performed with a similar high energy.

The group performed two songs incorporating Bollywood classics as

well as modern remixes. After, the performance guests could participate in a game of Bollywood-themed musical chairs for the chance to win a gift card, and the fashion show winner, second year Cell and Molecular Developmental Biology major, Aditri Phal, was announced soon after.

After that, the night ended with everyone joining an open dance circle with songs like “Sheila Ki Jawani,” “Tu Meri” and “Naatu Naatu” making an appearance.

First-Gen Life: A Thanksgiving pause for the ones who never stop.

KARMEN LEON Contributing Writer

The purpose of this column is to support you. First-Gen Life will offer tips, stories and guidance to help first generation students not just survive, but thrive here at the University of California, Riverside (UCR).

Many first-gen students grow up in homes where life rarely pauses. There’s always someone waking up before the sun, someone coming home late or someone, most likely you, trying to finish an assignment with a deadline hanging over your head. We learn early on what it means to carry more than our share, to grow up a little faster and to move through the world with a level of responsibility

most people our age don’t fully understand.

That’s why holidays like Thanksgiving carry a different kind of meaning for us. They aren’t just a date on the calendar. They’re one of the few moments when the rhythm of our families changes. For once, the house isn’t buzzing with people rushing in and out. The kitchen is loud again, but in a good way; in the way that sounds like the memories you didn’t know you had felt nostalgia for.

And for many first-gen families, Thanksgiving has never been about following corporate holiday traditions or the polished version of

the day of giving we see advertised everywhere. We know the unfortunate history behind this day and those who profit from it. However, our celebrations aren’t rooted in that. Instead, we take the day as a rare chance to gather, to breathe and to share a meal with the people we don’t get to see enough. It becomes less about the holiday itself and more about what it allows us to do. It allows us to be together without rushing. There is a feeling that rises in these moments — a mixture of gratitude, relief and recognition. You look around and realize how much you’ve grown in the past year. You notice how proud

your parents are, even if they don’t always know the details of your major or the stress of finals. Your family asks how school is going because they genuinely want to see you doing well. These small moments become reminders of why you’re working so hard in the first place. Thanksgiving might look different for each of us. Maybe you’re going home. Perhaps you’re staying close to campus and celebrating with friends who feel like family. Maybe you’re creating your own traditions because adulthood requires you to redefine what “home” means. No matter how you spend it, the heart of the

day stays the same. It gives you permission to pause. To rest. To remember what matters outside of grades, expectations or deadlines. This year, I hope you take that pause seriously. Take the day and make it yours. Spend time with your family, your loved ones, your friends and the community that surrounds you. Let yourself be present. Let yourself rest. Feel proud of how far you’ve come, even if you are still figuring things out. Happy Thanksgiving! You deserve a moment that belongs to you. You deserve a day when the world slows down just enough for you to feel grounded again.

SANJANA THATTE / THE HIGHLANDER

It’s knot just crochet; it’s Hooks for Hope

HOOKS

FOR HOPE LETS CREATIVITY FUEL THEIR GENEROSITY AS MEMBERS TURN YARN INTO MEANINGFUL ITEMS.

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is home to hundreds of clubs and organizations from the scientific, to creative, to the professional and even spiritual. Hooks for Hope, UCR’s very own crochet club, blends creativity with craft as it welcomes one and all to their events, using their talents to give back to the community.

The club opens their events to anyone interested in learning how to crochet, be it students, teachers and staff. With board members and skilled crocheters teaching learners the basics of crochet, Hooks for Hope is a safe space for anyone to learn how to weave their own creations.

Hooks for Hope first found its beginnings at UCR in 2021. The club thrived, but when most board members graduated in 2023, the club was left with a single member of the old guard to hold onto the expectations and values of those who came before. Jasikrat Grewal, fourth year philosophy major, and the current co-president of the club, joined after that last board member decided to hold elections to determine succession, “I decided to apply. So then we all were elected on and we kind of had to start the club up from scratch again.”

Hooks for Hope meets in the Highlander Union Building (HUB) biweekly where they hold events for new and fixed members. Diya Dabio, a fourth year biology student and copresident, explained, “For events, we pick a pattern. So for our event tomorrow, it’s more [of a] Christmas theme and Thanksgiving theme, which is perfect for the holidays.”

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donation drives ongoing right now. People can drop [donations] off at the Creat’R Lab in the blue bin(s). We do have a sign in sheet, and depending what you donate, they’ll provide you community service hours.”

Dabio described how club members try to make the atmosphere of the club inviting, “We tend to have food and stuff. We provide all the supplies so people can kind of come in, grab whatever yarn they want, hook(s) and all that, and they just find a seat. We give a presentation about our club for anyone that’s new there, and then we have the patterns. We also have mentors at our events, and us board members, [and] we come around [to] help people who need help.”

Grewal reiterated, “[We] want to give back to our community. Because obviously we love UCR, we love Riverside and the surrounding areas, [and] we always try to hold one donation drive per quarter where we give back to some sort of organization.”

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This particular club turns their work into donations, which they bring to homeless centers, children’s hospitals and medical centers. Emmanuel Ayala, third year business major and the public relations officer, explained that for this holiday season they will be donating to the Riverside Medical Center Charitable Foundation, and accepting all crocheted donations by December 5th.

Ayala explains, “We do have our

Hooks for Hope’s expert members start by teaching newer crocheters how to hold a hook and yarn comfortably, before moving on to basic stitches and beginnerfriendly patterns. Their goal, on top of donating to charities, is to create a safe community for people to learn how to crochet so that they can take their newly acquired skills home.

In regards to their community, Dabio explained, “I think [we’re] very welcoming. I really like our community, because we don’t judge you. If you’re a beginner, we totally get it. We’ve been in your shoes before. We always help each other out, even if someone’s not an actual mentor there, I see them helping other people around them.”

The Hooks for Hope board members explained that the overall

crochet community on YouTube and other platforms is very helpful and will help answer people’s questions. The members encouraged people who want to learn how to crochet to be patient and to keep trying. Crochet can be frustrating for some, and so many people give up, but the key to success in crochet is perseverance. Speaking from experience, once you get the basic stitches down, you can experiment with many different patterns.

The club mostly struggles with finding left-handed expert crocheters to teach left-handed newer members how to perform basic stitches. Most board members are right-handed and struggle to replicate the hand motions with their left hand to teach people who are less experienced. However, this minor setback does not prevent the members from trying their best to teach anyone who is interested in learning a new activity.

If you are looking for a new hobby and creative outlet, Hooks for Hope is an amazing club for beginners. Participants can not only find a new hobby but also give back to their community with all kinds of creations. Next time you are looking for a club event to attend, give Hooks for Hope a try!

NIKO SUWANDI / THE HIGHLANDER

NOLA PERIFEL

Assistant Features Editor

Got the interview? Here’s how you nail it

A BRIEF GUIDE TO NAVIGATING HOW TO PREPARE, LOOK AND SPEAK FOR THE NEXT STEP IN APPLYING TO VARIOUS ROLES.

So you’re now at the point in your rigorous job, internship, lab or organization application process where you’ve actually gotten an interview – congratulations! Your hard work has paid off – but now, you might be worrying about how to ace it. Interviews are selective, situational and require some social skills, so here’s a brief guide on how to prepare.

Content preparation

Make a concise guide of what your interview will most likely be looking for. While you can’t prepare for every question, understanding what interviewers are looking for – such as your strengths, weaknesses and experiences handling challenging situations – can help you feel more confident and perform better. Additionally, certain industries can have technical interviews where you are asked to perform a task, often seen in fields such as computer science or engineering. Other fields involving direct work with people may propose hypothetical scenarios for you to handle, such as asking you to describe how you would

resolve conflicts with customers. Specialized positions such as labs tend to take interest in passion and knowledge on the lab’s research. Look into what the lab studies, and also read some papers they have published so you can easily talk about what interested you about their work.

If you’re applying for leadership roles such as officer positions, you’ll likely be asked about leadership experience of some kind, particularly in regards to the role you are applying for. If you don’t have a lot of hard work experience to go off of, you can also talk about how other experiences helped you gain leadership qualities that you can apply to the position you’re aiming for.

Finally, no matter what interview you’re delivering, always prepare some questions to ask at the end. This indicates thoughtfulness and interest in the position, and unique, well-researched questions will reflect positively on you and make you stand out.

Look the part

First impressions often manifest through your appearance – but

it’s not only about what you wear or how you look. Greeting an interviewer with a natural smile and sense of enthusiasm is a great first start to letting them know that you’re interested in working to get the job. A firm handshake is also typical for in-person interviews. As for your outfit, business casual is usually what you should go for in most interviews, with some exceptions. If you’re applying for a selective internship in your field, a nicely ironed set of dress pants and blazer with minimalistic accessories is a solid choice. However, if you’re applying to work at your local art store, you could probably add a little more personality to your outfit and have that work in your favor.

Overall, try not to come to an interview dressed too casually or wear an outfit with too many distractors. If you need more clothing advice, as well as professional clothes you can rent, check out the Career Closet at the Career Center on campus!

Talk that talk

Speaking confidently, calmly and clearly is key to delivering a good interview. If you’re unsure

about how to answer something, don’t be afraid to pause for a few seconds to formulate your response. Try to avoid using filler words and make sure to pause and think of your next statement, rather than saying “um” or “uh” throughout your interview. Try and ensure that your thoughtfulness and interest is reflected in your responses, along with a positive and confident attitude throughout the interview. As stated before, ask a few questions at the end of your interview!

Reflecting post-interview

After saying goodbye to your interviewer and leaving the Zoom meeting or the building you were in, take a deep breath to get your anxiety out of your system. Take note of what seemed to go well during the interview, and anything that you could have worked on for the next time you complete an interview. Evaluate yourself without self deprecation, and try to think positively as you wait for results. Additionally, send a thank you email to your interviewer to show your appreciation and acknowledge their time.

JOANNA SIMON Contributing Writer

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Fantastic Fall Fuzz / Adelia Urena

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Think Piece: ‘Regretting You’

OVI MATHIVANAN & NAYSHA AGARWAL Staff Writer / Contributing Writer

WHY THE FILM IS A REGRETFUL EXPERIENCE.

From the very beginning, “Regretting You”, the cinematic adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel, cultivates an atmosphere that feels tonally off and structurally disconnected.

The film opens with Morgan (Allison Williams) in a car with her sister Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald), her then-boyfriend Chris (Scott Eastwood), and their friend Jonah (Dave Franco). Within minutes, the audience is thrown into a chaotic loop of poor time jumps that are hard to keep a track of. Instead of curating intrigue, the film’s sloppy timeline and lack of clarity immediately breaks immersion. This confusion amplifies as the narrative fails to establish a clear focal point – viewers are left guessing whether the central storyline is Morgan and Jonah’s strained dynamics, Clara (Mckenna Grace) and Miller (Mason Thames)’s abruptly formed romance or the unexplained history between Clara and Miller that the film never properly addressed.

Clara and Miller’s relationship in particular feels astonishingly rushed, with fights erupting out of nowhere and to no resolution. Scenes simply jump to them kissing or interacting normally as if nothing happened and that nothing needs to be addressed. With absolutely no emotional buildup, no communication and no narrative consistency, the film’s ambiance collapses under the weight of its own disorganization, leaving the story feeling hollow and hard to invest in.

Compounding this confusion is the film’s surprising lack of meaningful interaction between Clara and her mother Morgan — a relationship marketed as the emotional core of the story. Despite sharing the same grief and navigating parallel emotional turbulences, the two of them are rarely seen engaged in meaningful conversation, leaving Morgan and Clara’s interactions on the bench while the characters’ romantic relationships take center stage for the majority of the runtime.

There are glimpses of hope for a rebuilt connection, where we see Morgan and Clara make space to grieve alongside each other, whether in silence or in conversation. Morgan redefines her sense of self as she explores her intricate, renewed relationship with Jonah amidst the sudden news of Chris and Jenny’s extramarital affair.

Clara, on the other hand, drowns her grief with the excitement of her romantic escapades with Miller and his omnipresent lollipop. But, their conversations are sparse, their shared moments felt rushed and the film consistently prioritized their romantic entanglements over their bond with each other.

The absence of any emotional dialogue between Morgan and Clara creates a noticeable void at the core of the film, making it difficult to connect with either character on a deeper level and weakening the very thematic foundation of the film. Ultimately, the film never delivers on its promise to explore its central relationship, resulting in fragmented plotlines and confused viewers.

Adding significantly to the film’s structural issue is its mishandling of Chris and Jenny’s affair, a plotline that should anchor the emotional stakes yet feels strangely ignored. The film never bothers to define their relationship or drop any compelling hints before the love letters just appear. The audience is expected to believe that them being in the same car at the time of the accident is proof enough of an affair, without the film giving any real reason to suspect it.

Because the betrayal is neither gradually revealed nor thoughtfully explored, the final reveal via love letters feels like an abrupt clumsy plot device rather than a devastating blow. Instead of building legitimate tension, the film relies on a weak, retroactive explanation that lacks emotional weight. By the time the truth

finally lands, the audience is not invested in the characters’ pain, they are just questioning the film’s overall narrative logic.

Additionally, the film suffers from chronic timeline inconsistencies that make the narrative difficult to follow. Abrupt cuts between Clara and Miller’s intimate moments and Morgan and Jonah’s more hesitant, slow interactions leave the viewers disoriented. Key moments in Morgan and Clara’s history, such as the revelation of Morgan’s pregnancy, are made unintelligible due to a sudden jump to the present that erased crucial context regarding the adults’ own teenage years.

The lack of structure creates a dual headache, one where the mother-daughter relationship has little space to develop, while the adults’ attempts at restoring their relationships feel incomplete. The film bounces between plot lines with little attention to the pacing of events, leaving even the most essential developments in the film feeling rushed and impractical to viewers.

Since the film is weighed down by its own lack of structural integrity, it struggles to keep the audience engaged and emotionally invested. Even seemingly small details, like the subtleties of costuming choices, contribute to inconsistent worldbuilding. Rather than enhance or reinforce the character’s values and identities, these visual choices exacerbate the film’s tonal and structural confusion.

Above all, “Regretting You” is a film that misses the mark on its promise to deliver a complex story of grief and mother-daughter connection, instead delivering a damaged package of disorganized plotlines, impulsive romances and undercooked familial relationships. “Regretting You” collapses under the weight of its own narrative disorganization, leaving the audience disoriented and emotionally detached from a story that could have truly resonated.

‘Sentimental Value’ is a refreshingly sincere film

JOACHIM TRIER CAPTURES A COMPLICATED ESSENCE OF FAMILIAL TRAUMA AND RECONCILIATION.

JIHOON KWON Contributing Writer

*this movie review contains spoilers*

Few contemporary filmmakers have been able to capture modern sincerity the way Joachim Trier does, most notably in his previous film “The Worst Person in the World.” His films are often tender, earnest, messy and ultimately human. While many European filmmakers of Bressonian lineage emotionally detach themselves and merely observe behind the camera, Trier’s films feel lived in. In a cinematic landscape where coolness is treated as a virtue, Trier’s embrace of sentimentality is not only refreshing, but a risk of its own kind.

“Sentimental Value” is a continuation rather than a repeat. Similar to “Worst Person,” the film is lively without naivete as Trier depicts his characters with authenticity and affection. However, unlike the youthful uncertainty that the previous film was full of, this carries itself as a much more mature work. As the messiness is expanded into the family dynamic as a whole, it explores layered and complicated familial bonds and trauma.

Consider the protagonist, Nora Borg (Renate Reinsve), who was deeply scarred when her father, Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgård), walked out of her life. Trier depicts ways in which this wound that Nora carries have manifested in a hauntingly human way through the likes of anxiety attacks, an affair with a married man and self-deprecation.

She relies on her sister Agnes (Inga

Ibsdotter Lilleaas) who is shown to be much more grounded and stable, with a husband and a son. When Gustav comes back into Nora’s life and asks her to star in his comeback film, she avoids it entirely, as she often does as a defense mechanism.

Gustav is not entirely apologetic, but still feels regret and wishes to reconnect with his daughters. He struggles to communicate due to his artistic ambition, attempting to express it through his script. The final minutes of the film, when his intentions do make it through and reach Nora, are painfully bittersweet.

Throughout the film, the house exists as a motif. It is what holds sentimental value for Nora, Gustav and Agnes collectively. It represents the generational trauma which runs through the family and the shared bond and history that still remains despite it all. The film repeatedly sheds light upon the pain the house has observed starting from Gustav’s mother. It is when Gustav leaves the house that the generational trauma is passed down. Ultimately, the house is what allows them to reconcile.

This film possesses the poignance and melancholy of 2000s films such as Michel Gondry’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and early Wes Anderson films like “Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.” By design, the film is largely accessible with a kind of emotional clarity it’s aiming for. If not handled carefully, such a notion could easily lead to the film’s emotional beat becoming too predictable and lacking in depth. However, “Sentimental Value” is free from such criticism as Trier masterfully resists falling into melodrama.

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The incorporation of humor in this film allows him to resist such melodrama. Rather than a Vonnegutesque black comedy where the audience laughs at the irony of the situation the characters are in, this film leans towards being fundamentally empathetic, much more organic and witty humor. Gustav giving DVDs of “Piano Teacher” and “Irreversible” as a gift to his grandson who is still a child is easily the funniest cinematic moment of the entire year.

The soundtrack plays a large role in setting the tone for the film. The inclusion of soft folk songs such as “Dancing Girl” by Terry Callier and “Cannock Chase” by Labi Siffre gives an eccentric, yet lively quality to the film.

Despite the initial complexity of the nature of the family dynamic, however, the film does lean towards overly smooth and polished storytelling. The film doesn’t allow itself to become rough and ugly, which softens the impact that it leaves on the audience. The final scene of the film, while succeeding in provoking intense emotion from the audience, ultimately feels unearned as it feels too simplistic of a resolution despite the premise.

VERDICT:

“Sentimental Value” proves itself to be worthy of the Oscar buzz that has surrounded it as Joachim Trier does what he is best at: depicting the messiness and complications of human nature sincerely and unapologetically. There is something unmistakably tender which runs through the entirety of the film which Trier treats with maturity and nuance.

Think Piece: Clipse returns

WHAT THIS GRAMMY NOMINATION MEANS FOR CLIPSE AND THE SOUTH AS A WHOLE.

ANTHONY ASCENCIO-CARVAJAL Contributing Writer

From Virginia Beach, one of the most successful hip hop duo acts in the early 2000s, Clipse, shook up the South with their braggadocio narcotic raps. From singles like “Grindin” on “Lord Willin’” and the revered “Hell Hath No Fury,” they were quickly next in line to carry the South’s hip hop legacy. However, as they built notoriety, with record label issues halting their progress, alongside personal struggles between members Pusha T and Malice, they ultimately split, becoming solo acts henceforth.

After 16 years of hiatus, rumors of a new album comeback between the two brothers were brewing, but nobody was ready for it. Their longtime friend and mentor Pharrell Williams, who helped produce the beats for their earlier albums, singlehandedly executive-produced this project. Recording for the anticipated album “Let God Sort Em’ Out” was done at the Louis Vuitton Headquarters

in Paris. A new era of Clipse, between the matured No Malice and true emcee Pusha T, was rolling out in our current landscape of hip hop.

Despite not having earned any nominations for prior projects in the past, this welldeveloped piece was nominated for five Grammys: Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Best Music Video and even Album of the Year. After uniting once again, the group switched up the heat to deliver another great album, following their roots and styles that garnered them publicity in the first place with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes.

With these Grammy nominations, it shows the validation of the art form of hip-hop from the south. It also echoes the sentiment given in Killer Mike’s Grammy-winning speech last year. Killer Mike, a prominent hip-hop figure from the south, was doubted to continue the success of his earlier years or rival his current younger peers.

He asserts, “you cannot tell me you get

too old. You cannot tell me it’s too late.” Art doesn’t have an expiration date as even timeless music will always outlast the final beats of people’s hearts. Clipse and Pharrell Williams, despite settling into their 50s, are living testaments to the statements presented by Killer Mike.

The South Coast, though having produced many talents and ranging with their styles in the laid back tunes, hasn’t always been given the respect it deserves. In the 1995 Source Awards, OutKast received the honors of the Best New Artist Award and were met with hostile boos from the West and East Coast audiences as they took their first steps up the stage.

Even though many doubters dissed the duo, the wise words of OutKast’s André 3000 still hold true to this day, especially for those who doubted Clipse’s return. “The South got something to say, and that’s all I got to say.” Clipse had something to say, and like back in ‘95, nobody can deny it.

Join the Super Hero Dispatch Network!

ADHOC STUDIO’S “DISPATCH” PROVES THAT SMALLER STUDIOS CAN DELIVER CINEMATIC MASTERPIECES

JOSÉ

DEL ÁNGEL News Editor

On Oct. 22. 2025, AdHoc Studio launched an episodic adventure game on PC via Steam and PlayStation 5 titled “Dispatch.” The game centers on Robert Robertson III, once known as the hero Mecha Man. Now stripped of his powers after his mech suit is destroyed, he is offered a desk job at the Superhero Dispatch Network (SDN). Rather than battling villains directly, his role is to coordinate missions, sending former villains-turned-heroes to respond to crises across an alternate Los Angeles.

One of Dispatch’s strongest attributes is its writing; each of the eight episodes plays like a tightly paced TV show. With “Breaking Bad” actor Aaron Paul as Robert, who gives a performance that’s world-weary but wise, and “The Last of Us: Part 2” voice actor Laura Bailey as Invisigal, a reformed villain with a sharp tongue, are only some of the excellent cast.

The gameplay is a mix of interactive storytelling, puzzle solving and strategic dispatching. When crime calls come in, players decide which hero is best suited and manage their cooldowns strategically. As the story progresses, the missions change, helping the gameplay feel less repetitive than other strategic games.

There’s also a hacking minigame; though it is straightforward at the beginning, it evolves and becomes more complex as the episodes continue. While the quick-time events (QTE) and minigames add some variety, “Dispatch” leans more heavily into narrative than gameplay complexity.

Graphically, the game is incredible. AdHoc uses an art style that evokes high-quality animation and incorporates many cinematic elements that give all the characters a sense of identity. The game is straightforward yet high-quality, especially compared to other games on Steam around the same price range; transitions feel smooth, and every episode feels unique.

With all that being said, the game has a few issues. There are times when the choices made didn’t always lead to meaningful branching. The QTEs and hacking sections, while fun, feel somewhat meaningless in the sense that there are no impactful repercussions if you miss a QTE or can’t hack successfully; some subplot moments don’t fully develop, which makes them feel pointless. And while the romance subplot has sparked friendly debate among the gaming community, particularly between Robert and Invisigal,

it is predictable and relies heavily on familiar tropes.

“Dispatch” is a fantastic game for $30, given that first-person shooters are the most popular game style. This game is a great example that games don’t need flashy mechanics or battle passes to keep players hooked; its greatest strength lies in its characters and emotional sincerity. Playing feels more like watching a hit animated series, where you see these characters grow and evolve in different ways depending on your decisions.

Verdict: For fans of story-rich games (especially in the vein of Telltale-style adventures), “Dispatch” is absolutely worth the time. Even if at times it did feel like the game lacks player interaction, the story and graphics more than compensate. It’s a game that proves smaller studios can deliver incredible games that are cinematic and can emotionally resonate with people.

SHREYA PATEL Contributing Writer

2025 entertainment survival guide!

LET THE COUNTDOWN TO THE GREATEST POP CULTURE MOMENTS BEGIN.

Ditch the endless scrolling and get straight to the top movies and shows that define the year.

Titania

This high-fantasy epic is based on a legendary medieval poem that follows a young woman, Titania, through her kingdom as she finds her way through a decade-long quest of a lost artifact.

The movie offers a much-needed return to the fantasy world in both psychological and emotionally-resonating content – a perfect allegory for the environmental crisis and climate change.

The Secret Agent

The movie is based on Joseph Conrad’s novel. The main character works as a double agent for a foreign power and is pressured to carry out a deadly act of terrorism, forcing him to choose between his country and his family. This gripping, character-driven thriller is praised for the grave tension and psychological depth built around morals and betrayal seen in the world of politics. The movie relates to the blurred lines of domestic peace and abuses of political power that are acutely relevant today.

KPop Demon Hunters

Of course, this movie had to be in the top list. This animated musical follows a K-pop girl group who live a double life as demon hunters. It asks the question, “Would they be able to save their friendship as they fight the rival K-pop boy band to save the world, or will they end up losing public image and close relationships?” This movie depicts how social media has become a big part of many teenagers’ lives as they struggle to maintain a perfect public image while balancing complex relationships off-screen.

Weapons

This movie was definitely something. With its gripping horror and psychological thriller, “Weapons” is considered a masterpiece with its use of a Rashomonesque approach where events are seen through different characters’ eyes. The film narrates the mysterious disappearance of 17 children from the same elementary school class on the same night. As the police investigate, they find a terrifying blend of communal paranoia, domestic secrets and powerful witchcraft awaiting them.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

As one of the most awaited movies of 2025, and sadly the last in the series of the amazing “Mission Impossible” universe, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) charms the world again with his unbelievable stunts and a ticking clock as he struggles to defeat The Entity. This movie ties into society today by relating the villain to artificial intelligence (AI), as people experience the high reliability of tools like ChatGPT and Gemini. It personifies this fear of digital overthrow as AI becomes more powerful, making it a must-watch.

Dexter: Resurrection

After being shot by his son, Dexter Morgan is thrown into a coma for ten-weeks. This series explores the reunion of father and son as Dexter guides Harrison through a society of powerful serial killers. This show delivers the much-needed closure after the first season by putting Dexter and Harrison in New York and forcing them to confront the society they have lived in. The themes of justice, inheritance and corrupting nature of power shine through all ten episodes of the season.

Adolescence

This four-part miniseries focuses on the aftermath of a horrifying murder of which Jamie Miller, a 13year old boy, is accused of. Follow through the investigation that leads to the truth of dissecting how or what can cause a young boy to take the life of his own classmate.

This show is an unflinching masterpiece of realism, taken in a real-time, single-take style to keep the intensity high. It is also a jaw-drop to every college student who lives in this digital world, directly exposed to the psychological impacts of social media.

The Pitt

This show is specifically designed for those that are determined to take their chances in the healthcare field. The Pitt, or Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, sets the scene that follows the journey of a single, 15-hour shift of surgeons as they struggle through the physical and emotional toll of personal crisis, de-funding and the gaps in the American Healthcare System. The labor burnout, under-waged hours and mental health impacts are each something people have been through, but this show will take it to the extremes.

Severance (2022-2025)

Tune in to Severance Season 2 to see how Mark leads his team who have to the truth of it all for the most jaw-dropping climax enters with a new, unknown character. This show earns its way to the top of 2025 through its psychological sci-fi effects, unique concept and phenomenal acting. It inspires many to rethink their work-life balance, corporate collaboration and identity impacts.

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COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.

COURTESY OF SHOWTIME

CBU dominates in ‘Crosstown Showdown’ Sports

UCR MEN’S BASKETBALL STRUGGLES AGAINST THE UNDEFEATED CBU LANCERS.

TERRY NGUYEN Sports Editor

On Tuesday Nov. 18, the University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball team travelled to California Baptist University (CBU) to battle the Lancers in the ‘Crosstown Showdown.’ Last year, the Highlanders defeated the Lancers, 70-69, at CBU’s Fowler Events Center in a game that was decided on the final possession.

UCR returned to CBU with an entirely new roster and high hopes for a statement road win. The game ended up being the exact opposite of what UCR was hoping for, as CBU proved to be the more dominant team from start to finish.

This season, CBU brought back seven players compared to UCR’s two, including 2025 AllWestern Athletic Conference (WAC) First Team selection Dominique Daniels Jr. Daniels is CBU’s most jaw dropping player. Despite only being a 5-foot-10inch point guard, Daniels plays with elite speed and unmatched explosion.

CBU got out to an early lead, 20-4, with suffocating defense

that UCR couldn’t figure out. The Lancers did an excellent job contesting all of UCR’s shots, especially on the perimeter. Wing defenders Jayden Jackson and Martel Williams commanded the CBU defense and made it tough for the Highlanders to score on them.

With around eight minutes to go in the first half, UCR cut the lead to 26-17, but that was the closest they would get for the remainder of the game. CBU appeared to be the more prepared team with a defensive game plan that turned turnovers into transition scoring opportunities. CBU finished with 13 fast break points to UCR’s zero and won the turnover battle 22-12.

The highlight of the night came with one minute left to play in the first half. CBU’s Devon Malcom cut backdoor and dunked on the head of BJ Kolly. That play summed up the night of the Highlanders … a night they would like to forget.

By halftime, the score was 49-31 and the game had already gotten away from UCR. The second half proved to be more

of the same. On offense, Daniels Jr. displayed his quickness and athleticism which makes him one of the premier players in the WAC. Every time he attacked the basket, the crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed watching his immaculate dribble moves and burst to the rim.

Daniels Jr. finished with 25 points and two assists, and his playmaking kept the CBU offense humming all night long. The final score was 80-57, a 24-point difference from last year’s result. CBU improved to 4-0 and hopes to keep their undefeated season

going. CBU was picked to finish first in the WAC preseason coaches poll, and they’ve looked the part so far this year.

This past Friday, the Highlanders traveled to face the University of San Diego. The Highlanders displayed a much more complete performance compared to their loss against CBU. They visited the Toreros as underdogs, but came out with a statement 85-71 win on the road. BJ Kolly had a breakout game, logging a season-high 19 points in 24 minutes.

OSIRIS GRADY SHOOTING A FREE THROW

ELENA VERSAGE / THE HIGHLANDER

DENZEL

Jessica Dean joins the UCR all-time 1,400 career digs list

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL LIBERO JESSICA DEAN REFLECTS ON HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS DURING HER LAST SEASON AT UCR.

APARNA GANDE Contributing Writer

Last week, senior libero Jessica Dean from women’s volleyball was named University of California, Riverside (UCR) Athlete of the Week. This season Dean has surpassed 400 digs and her defensive plays have been a bright spark for the Highlanders this season.

Dean reached the 1,400 dig milestone in her career on Nov. 14 versus UC San Diego after recording 19 digs. With this feat, she joins a decorated list of five other Highlanders with the same achievements, and this season marks Dean’s first time securing 400 digs with UCR.

“Hitting that achievement … it was a little bit shocking to me,” Dean reflected. “But I think once you hit it and hear about it, and hear about what you’ve accomplished, it kind of puts things into perspective.”

Dean described playing libero makes one the “heart of the defense,” covering the majority of the court from the back row. Although she doesn’t score points, Dean sets the tone defensively and allows her teammates to operate and score.

“It gave me more of an opportunity to succeed at the higher level,” she commented. “I just fell in love with the

that comes with being a libero. You’re putting your body on the line 24/7 and you’re going for balls and making these crazy plays.”

Before playing California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) on Thursday Nov. 20, Dean reported that she and her team were optimistic and full of excitement. The excitement propelled the Highlanders in a 3-0 landslide against the Roadrunners. Dean’s 14 digs launched her into third place on the all-time career digs list.

On a personal level, Dean’s team, coaches, family and faith in God have

been the pillars of support throughout her career at UCR. She feels that without them, she could not have gone as far as she has and that they’ve been instrumental to her success on the

“I feel like my team has seen me through all the ups and the downs that volleyball throws at us. What’s been comforting to me is that I can always turn to my team if I have negative self-talk [because] they’re the first ones encouraging me and in my ear,” Dean offered. “When you have people telling you things like that, I mean how can you not succeed?”

Dean played her senior season under new head coach Branden Higa. Despite an imperfect season, Dean mentioned, “Coach Branden was everything we needed in addition to this program. He has done nothing but push us to be our best selves every single day, support us [in any way he can] and allow us to grow.”

Dean asserted this year was an important year of growth for the women’s volleyball team and that coach Higa hopes to develop a program that can win more in the future.

JESSICA DEAN

ELENA VERSAGE / THE HIGHLANDER

Men’s Basketball - Nov. 11

Men’s Basketball - Nov. 18

‘Crosstown Showdown’

Men’s Basketball - Nov. 15

Men’s Basketball - Nov. 21

Men’s Basketball - Nov. 11

UC Riverside vs. California Baptist University

UC Riverside vs. New Mexico 82-68 L

80-57 L

UC Riverside vs. New Mexico 82-68 L

UCR Team Leaders:

UCR Team Leaders:

Points: Andrew Henderson (27)

Points: Marqui Worthy Jr. (15)

Rebounds: Denzel Hines (10)

UCR Team Leaders:

Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr. (3)

Rebounds: Marqui Worthy Jr. (6)

Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr. (3)

Points: Andrew Henderson (27)

Rebounds: Denzel Hines (10)

Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr. (3)

Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 13

Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 20

UC Riverside vs. Long Beach State

Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 13

Cal State Bakersfield vs. UC Riverside 3-0 W

UC Riverside vs. Long Beach State

3-0 L

UCR Team Leaders:

Kills: Andrea Brewer (11)

UCR Team Leaders:

3-0 L

Kills: Nikki Hughes, Layla Hooks (4)

Assists: Makena Tong (23)

Digs: Jessica Dean (14)

Assists: Makena Tong (16)

UCR Team Leaders:

Digs: Jessica Dean (14)

Kills: Nikki Hughes, Layla Hooks (4)

Assists: Makena Tong (16)

Digs: Jessica Dean (14)

North Dakota vs. UC Riverside 76-74 L

UC Riverside vs. University of San Diego 85-71 W

UCR Team Leaders:

Men’s Basketball - Nov. 15

North Dakota vs. UC Riverside 76-74 L

UCR Team Leaders:

Points: BJ Kolly (19)

Points: Marqui Worthy Jr. (20)

Rebounds: Osiris Grady (11)

UCR Team Leaders:

Rebounds: Osiris Grady, Dre Perteete (6)

Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr. (7)

Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr., Dre Perteete, Osiris Grady (3)

Points: Marqui Worthy Jr. (20)

Rebounds: Osiris Grady (11)

Assists: Marqui Worthy Jr. (7)

Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 14

Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 22

UC Riverside vs. UC San Diego

Women’s Volleyball - Nov. 14

CSUN vs. UC Riverside

Senior Night 3-2 L

3-1 W

UC Riverside vs. UC San Diego 3-1 W

UCR Team Leaders:

UCR Team Leaders:

Kills: Sophia Ewalefo (23)

Kills: Sophia Ewalefo (20)

Assists: Makena Tong (45)

Digs: Jessica Dean (28)

UCR Team Leaders:

Assists: Makena Tong (37)

Digs: Jessica Dean (19)

Kills: Sophia Ewalefo (20)

Assists: Makena Tong (37)

Digs: Jessica Dean (19)

Women’s Basketball - Nov. 14

Women’s Basketball - Nov. 21

UC Riverside vs. Idaho 89-75 L

Saint Mary’s vs. UC Riverside 51-41 L

Women’s Basketball - Nov. 14

Saint Mary’s vs. UC Riverside 51-41 L

UCR Team Leaders:

Points: Taylor Swanson (15)

UCR Team Leaders:

Rebounds: Hannah Wickstrom (8)

Points: Aaliyah Stanton (13)

Assists: Hannah Wickstrom (4)

Rebounds: Bria Shine, Shelley Duchemin (5)

UCR Team Leaders:

Assists: Seneca Hackley (2)

Be festive.

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 offer opportunities in writing, photography and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.