Volume 75, Issue 06 by The Highlander- UCR

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE

The Highlander For the week of Tuesday, November 3, 2026

VOL. 75, ISSUE 06

NEWS

Students hold “Solidarity with Jane Doe” protest

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SPORTS Behind the net: Inside Women’s club volleyball Uncovering the ‘affinity’ of club sports.

COURTESY OF JUSTIN TRANG ALEXANDER WONG/THE HIGHLANDER

During the demonstration, participants criticized rape culture and called on UCR to respond to incidents of assault. KASSANDRA AGUIRRE Contributing Writer

On Oct. 28, University of California, Riverside (UCR) students participated in the “Solidarity with Jane Doe” protest from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in response to the Jane Doe

v. Cornell University lawsuit, in which a former student sued Cornell University and seven of her accused rapists. The lawsuit opened a national conversaton surrounding sexual assault on college campuses. The participants met in front of the UCR Bell Tower before marching to the administrative building Hinderaker Hall and back. The demonstration was organized by the Students for Survivors UCR, which focuses on supporting

survivors of sexual assault. Founder Maya Chinai described that the demonstration aimed to directly call out UCR for their ‘complacency’ in the sexual assault of multiple students by allegedly not adequately responding to reports submitted to Title IX and Civil Rights Offices. Chinai began the protest by citing statistics such as one in four female undergraduate students on college ► SEE JANE DOE PROTEST ON PAGE 5

NEWS

UCR Young Democratic Socialists of America campaign to “Kick Starbucks Off Campus” Supporting a nationwide effort to lobby for a fair contract.

CHASE LEO SOYLU CHEE Contributing Writer

IYANNA WALLACE Assistant Sports Editor

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is home to several NCAA Division I athletic programs, including soccer, basketball, baseball and more. However, these programs are not the only way for students to get involved in athletics on campus. Club sports are ways for students to get involved in a more competitive environment. Everyone has their own journey with joining a club team, and for copresidents Audrey Griarte and Amber Lopez their stories were similar. Both women had played volleyball before they started at UCR. “I tried my best to integrate myself into any volleyball activities because I played for a while before college,” Griarte explained. Similarly, Amber Lopez said “[playing in college] was something I was interested in.” The third-year setter, Audrey Griarte, has been a part of club volleyball for — years. Amber Lopez, third-year middle blocker, has played for UCR’s club for three years. The close-knit community that is made while playing, is something that makes the team so great to be a part of, “Though playing club volleyball, it got me to actually expand and make new friends, which [is] nice,” Lopez said. Griarte and Lopez also gave a glimpse into how it can be difficult ► SEE WOMENS VOLLEYBALL ON PAGE 21

EMIL ANDERSON / THE HIGHLANDER

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“What I really liked [about Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology] was that it was a really well-rounded major … It got me into a lot of cool niches about biology. It definitely gave me an opportunity to go above and beyond and look beyond [as well as] inside the cell.” “I work within UCR residential education as a Program Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). I also work with ASUCR, so I’m currently the Disability and Awareness Liaison for the Office of DEI there. So I kind of do DEI work all around.” “Since it’s my third year, [my main goal] is to make as [many] human connections as possible … I’m trying to not be afraid of being genuine. I’m trying to also not be afraid of taking risks. Success isn’t defined by one moment in your life.” “Since I live in the Bay Area, I hope to kind of work more in the inner city. I don’t really know what I want to do in terms of either being pre-med or research. But one thing I want to do is at least work in a big city such as San Francisco and give back to the inner city.” “[My hyperfixation], for some reason, is actually Robert Pattinson. I’ve been really into his filmography lately. Most of my movies [on Letterboxd] literally have him on it. Anything Robert Pattinson does, like any memes, I’m always over that.”

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ASUCR

ASUCR Senate Meeting THE SENATE DISCUSSED UPCOMING ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND AFFIRMED SOLIDARITY WITH UNION ACTION. KASSANDRA AGUIRRE News Editor

On Oct. 28, the Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) began their weekly Senate Meeting at 7:02 p.m. and concluded at 8:41 p.m. In New Business, Executive Director Asha Nettles delivered a Fall Quarter Report regarding ASUCR operations. She disclosed that their office is fully staffed, explained the different professional staff’s duties and announced the launch of their R’Booth, or R’Professional Photo Booth, service. The senate then heard State of the Association (SOTA) reports from the Office of the President, the Office of Internal Affairs, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as well as the Office of Marketing and Promotions. While presenting her SOTA report, President Mia Tu’ifua discussed multiple potential upcoming changes to campus operations. Among these being plans to implement a new orientation model, potential expansions of the HUB and Costo KASSANDRA AGUIRRE / THE HIGHLANDER Hall and further developments to the Bannockburn property once and another being a summit for the UC the existing structures are demolished. Office of the President (UCOP) from Feasibility surveys for some of these Nov. 19 to 20. items are estimated to be released to the At the Board of Regents meeting public for feedback around December. they will discuss a proposal from Tu’ifua also discussed two upcoming the Housing Advisory Committee meetings she will attend, one with the to construct a North District three Board of Regents from Nov. 17 to 18 to accommodate a goal student

population growth of 35,000 students by 2035 and the campus’s first vertical parking structure — which would be around four to five levels tall. At the UCOP summit the council of presidents from all University of California (UC) undergraduate campuses and UC President James

Milliken will discuss ways to restore trust in higher education, including institutionalizing funding for basic needs services and considering the return of SAT and ACT tests as a requirement to apply to UC campuses. The council will also consider amending UC policy to address AI usage, cyber security concerns following last year’s national Canvas hack and deliberate what the UC can provide regarding immigration and legal council. In Committee Reports, the senate reviewed resolutions SR-F26-002, or “Resolution to Adopt the 2026-2027 ASUCR Policy Agenda and SB-F26003, or ASUCR Resolution in Solidarity with UC-AFT and In Support of Arts and Humanities Education. Presented by Nettles, SR-F26002 solidified what the senators’ roles required as well as their powers in office among other items. The resolution passed unanimously. Co-written by College of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences senators Nathan Boylan-Boisvert, Gen Yang Lin and Gaby Vasquez SR-F26003, which is written in the ASUCR senate meeting agenda as a bill but reported as a resolution, aimed to vocalize support for the University Council American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT) efforts to bargain with the UC for worker protections. The resolution was also passed unanimously.

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UCRPD arrests suspect linked to armed robbery and attempted robberies SHAREEF PENDERGRASS WAS ARRESTED AFTER THREATENING MULTIPLE VICTIMS AT GUNPOINT OUTSIDE OF CAMPUS. ANDREW HAGLER, MICHEAL GOI Assistant News Editor, Contributing Writer

Over the course of Oct. 23 and 24, the University of California, Riverside, Police Department (UCRPD) received six separate reports of robberies and attempted robberies by an armed suspect on an e-scooter across Linden St., Canyon Crest Dr. and the University of California, Riverside’s Lot 27. In an update sent on Oct. 26 at 7:05 p.m., UCRPD, with aid from Riverside Police Department’s RobberyHomicide Unit, PACT and METRO teams, stated that they had the suspect, 18-year-old Shareef Pendergrass, in custody after “tireless investigative efforts of UCRPD detectives and officers, who worked from the first reported incident on Oct. 23, 2026, through the

weekend and into [Monday].” Pendergrass was booked at Robert Presley Detention Center on six counts of armed robbery and his bail was set at $280,000. The incidents occurred at approximately 7:42 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 8:40 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 6:58 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 7:01 p.m. on Oct. 24. The only robbery confirmed to be successful was the first, in which Pendergrass reportedly took money from a victim at gunpoint. UCRPD is asking all with information about the incidents to contact UCRPD at 951-827-5222. ■H

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NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Students hold “Solidarity with Jane Doe” protest

DURING THE DEMONSTRATION, PARTICIPANTS CRITICIZED RAPE CULTURE AND CALLED ON KASSANDRA AGUIRRE UCR TO RESPOND TO INCIDENTS OF ASSAULT. News Editor

ALEXANDER WONG/THE HIGHLANDER

On Oct. 28, University of California, Riverside (UCR) students participated in the “Solidarity with Jane Doe” protest from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in response to the Jane Doe v. Cornell University lawsuit, in which a former student sued Cornell University and seven of her accused rapists. The lawsuit opened a national conversaton surrounding sexual assault on college campuses. The participants met in front of the UCR Bell Tower before marching to the administrative building Hinderaker Hall and back. The demonstration was organized by the Students for Survivors UCR, which focuses on supporting survivors of sexual assault. Founder Maya Chinai described that the demonstration aimed to directly call out UCR for their ‘complacency’ in the sexual assault of multiple students by allegedly not adequately responding to reports submitted to Title IX and Civil Rights Offices. Chinai began the protest by citing statistics such as one in four female undergraduate students on college campuses being raped. Chinai also stated, “It is a lack of action. [It’s] the institutions that promised to protect us and their negligence and neglect that is allowing these numbers to grow.” The group began their march at 1:20 p.m., chanting “We are Jane Doe,” as they moved from the Bell Tower and around the Highlander Union Building, holding signs with phrases such as “end rape culture,” “not all men but it’s always a man” and “believe survivors.” Once at Hinderaker Hall, which holds the Title IX and Office of Civil Right’s

Offices, Chinai addressed staff looking at the protestors from the hall, stating, “Admin of UCR, you may not be rapists but I see your part. We see the part that you play in violence against women.” Before asking other protestors to speak, Chinai went on to further assert that rape culture is an “epidemic.” She argued that students should focus on supporting each other amidst allegedly dismissive handling of reports, adding “This university, this institution, has proven that they cannot be trusted with accountability or justice. So it is up to us to build that amongst ourselves,” while offering herself and the other protestors as an expression of support for survivors of sexual assault. One participant, who will not be named due to safety concerns, spoke in regards to their experience with Title IX processes. They stated, “I did so much paperwork, I gave up my weekends, I canceled plans in order to fill out all the goddamn paperwork for the Title IX reports and they didn’t even fucking read the evidence.” Another student participant, Amyrose Evans, directly addressed campus administrators, stating “There are women in that building. There are women in that administration that know the pain. They have felt the sting of patriarchy, they have felt the sting of rape culture and they want this change just as much as any of us ... We see you, do you see us?” Gender and Sexualities department NonSenate Lecturer Jessica Rehman also spoke during the demonstration, sharing that she

was assaulted as a graduate student and did not receive support from administration. Rehman told the crowd, “rape should never have to impede on your academic journey ... I just want to relay the message that you’re still a person.” At the end of her speech, Rehman invited students who need support to visit her office — Interdisciplinary North Building room 2047. Overall, 10 participants besides Chinai spoke during the demonstration; largely about the function of power in the act of rape, to voice support for survivors and discuss their own assaults. Vice President of the Office of External Affairs Joseph Anastacio expressed personal and official support for the demonstration, crediting Chinai and the other organizers for their communal work. In a statement to The Highlander, Anastacio shared, “This issue is so prevalent, not only because it connects to me personally, but being on a college campus and seeing how prevalent rape culture is and how so many times people within spaces of Greek life, within spaces of, you know, male dominated areas, there’s like a diminishing of really even raising the issue. People don’t want to talk about it ... I want to be very vocal in throwing my support anywhere I can.” After the speeches, the protestors marched back to the Bell Tower and heard Chinai deliver her final address where she stated, “We are breaking the cycle of silence that keeps us feeling isolated. That keeps us feeling alone and afraid to speak up. We are here and we are powerful and we will keep fighting.” ■H

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Metrolink to consider major service cuts REDUCTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO COME AMID LOWER RIDERSHIP AND UNSTABLE FUNDING. AASHIYANA KHALASI Contributing Writer

On Oct. 23, 2026, a new budget for Metrolink was proposed during a Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) Board of Directors meeting, in which members discussed the reduced budget for the next fiscal year, as well as potential service cuts. In response to this, the transit agency has begun to propose schedule changes which would eliminate some current train routes. Metrolink has experienced budget cuts since April, particularly from the agency’s two largest financiers, Metro—a separate public transit system—and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The companies withdrew a total of $9.5 million in March due to their own fiscal constraints. Metrolink also implemented its first price increase in 13 years on Oct. 5, 2026, raising fares by up to 27% depending on fare type in an attempt to address financial pressures and keep up with operation and maintenance costs. The currently proposed schedule, known as Scenario Eight, would substantially decrease service levels, dropping 29% of weekday trains and 40% of weekend trains, with San Bernardino, Antelope Valley and Orange County facing the largest portion of cuts. This includes the Arrow, funded solely by San Bernardino Transit Authority, which will also have fewer trains and varying schedules due to the cuts.

Additionally, the new plan would move away from pulsed scheduling, referring to multiple lines having consistent stop times, and clock face scheduling, referring to trains departing exactly one hour apart. The new plan is reported to prioritize accommodating a standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work schedule and decrease the total number of trains throughout the day. The cuts aim to focus on ‘low-performance’ trains, such as midday routes, due to their use being lower than morning and evening trains. Although ridership has increased post-pandemic, rates remain lower than historically recorded. According to data from Metrolink’s Onboard Survey, students make up 27% of current riders as of 2025. As Southern California’s only regional rail commuter network, reducing the number of trains could impact students who commute to work, school and other locations with Metrolink. Alternatives include Amtrak or regional buses such as the RTA. University of California, Riverside (UCR) graduate student and historian of the transportation network in Southern California Cooper Crane discussed his concerns about the potential cuts, mentioning how they could affect student’s schedules, stating, “It’s not like all the train schedules are being cut, but the problem is that they’re being cut in such a way that makes them way less flexible of an option

for commuters … Sometimes you might have classes into the evening. Train is no longer an option for you. The schedule will not allow it.” Currently, temporary solutions include Metrolink’s request for the State Rail Assistance Program, a two-year grant that would utilize bridge financing to avoid the cuts, which could provide temporary funding until a long term budget is secured. The next meeting, set to take place on Nov.13 at the Metro Headquarters Building in Los Angeles, will include a public hearing and final board vote on the budget change. If approved, the changes would go into effect no sooner than Jan. 4, 2027. COURTESY OF FLICKR VIA MATTHEW E. COHEN

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UCR Young Democratic Socialists of America campaign to “Kick Starbucks Off Campus” SUPPORTING A NATIONWIDE EFFORT TO LOBBY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT.

CHASE LEO SOYLU CHEE Contributing Writer

The University of California, Riverside’s (UCR) chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) is organizing a campaign to kick Starbucks off UCR as a part of the YDSA’s nationwide campaign in solidarity with Starbucks Workers United (SBWU). With over 12,000 union partners, the SBWU’s list of grievances includes wanting a standardized pay raise, further worker protections and the reversal of union-busting procedures. According to a statement published on the union’s website, negotiations have resulted in pushback from Starbucks, stating, “We’ve been clear and consistent in our demand for Starbucks to settle a fair contract and stop their record-breaking union-busting activity … We believe a fair contract is not only possible, but within reach as long as executives are committed to good-faith bargaining and supporting the baristas who are key to Starbucks’ success.” According to SBWU, judges have found that Starbucks committed more than 400 labor law violations such as firing union organizers, threatening and interrogating workers regarding strikes, denying benefits and closing stores that have union activity. With labor disputes between SBWU and Starbucks remaining active, the UCR chapter decided to launch their “Kick Starbucks

Off UCR” campaign. YDSA Co-Chair Liam Cruz addressed the YDSA’s decision to begin campaigning, stating, “The union is not calling for Starbucks to end as a corporation. They’re just asking that their work be valued, and that they get fair pay and

EMIL ANDERSON / THE HIGHLANDER

fair hours so they don’t have to work a second job. At the end of the day, even if people do love Starbucks, they should also love the workers who are making the Starbucks drink possible.” The Starbucks on campus is located near student dorms at The Market at Glen Mor. While they are licensed by the Starbucks corporation,

its workers are contracted by UCR Dining Services. YDSA elaborated, “We also do want to clarify that this is in response to the demand that the Starbucks workers United Union called out for people to boycott Starbucks until they have a fair contract..” While canvassing on campus to discuss their petition and the ongoing labor disputes, YDSA reported that students had varying reactions, with some supporting their efforts for political and personal reasons while others objected to their campaign. Cruz described this, stating, “There’s some people who are already against Starbucks ... There’s definitely people that, like, necessarily disagree with it. They just like Starbucks, and there is nothing you can say [that] will take [Starbucks] away from them.” YDSA plans to hold an on-campus rally and march on Nov. 12 starting at the Bell Tower and ending at the Glasgow Dining Hall. There, speakers will address UCR Dining Services, with Cruz adding, “We just don’t believe our university should be allowing this to occur when Starbucks has such a well-known history of being horrible to its workers, and what does that say about the university if they know this and still ignore it.” ■H

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Why we can’t have student protests like in Europe

FRENCH STUDENTS HAVE GROUND THE COUNTRY TO A HALT WITH PROTESTS. HERE’S WHY AMERICAN STUDENTS CAN’T DO THE SAME. COURTESEY OF THE ROAR

JACOB SEGURA Contributing Writer

Starting from a single student protest in theParis suburb in mid-September over staff shortages at a local high school. The student movement has taken the country by storm since then., . Thousands of arrests, buildings burnt to the ground and curfews in place. Initially, these protests were led by high school students and focused on issues like long school days and teacher shortages. Now these protests encompass more than just students, including a broader range of issues like social inequality, joining a broader trend of student-led protests across Europe. Albania, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium and Serbia have all experienced mass student-led protests. Although these protests haven’t spread across the Atlantic into the U.S.There are many factors as to why the U.S is not experiencing the same issues Europe is. widespread disruptive student protests like in Europe just can’t really happen in the United States. The majority of student protests in Europe are organized by student unions. Student unions have local chapters at select campuses where members elect representatives who then vote on decisions and positions the national union takes. Union Syndicale Lycéenne, a French High School Union, had organized many of the student demonstrations in France. Student unions don’t exist in the United States. American universities have student governments, but they’re confined to a single campus, focus mostly on campus policy and aren’t independent from the university. Student unions in Europe were created

to organize and protest in the interest of students, with millions of students being a part of student unions across Europe. The United States still has independent student organizations that can organize protests, as seen with the nationwide Gaza Solidarity Encampments back in 2024. However, these protests brought consequences for the students involved, including academic suspensions and expulsions by universities that student unions in Europe can largely insulate their students from. Students aren’t fully immune from punishment by universities in Europe, but these large student unions can help protect them from retaliation.The difference is protest culture between the U.S. and Europe. It’s not that Americans don’t protest, they do, it’s that the Europeans do it more frequently and are far more disruptive. They’re more likely to engage in direct action which can include strikes, blockades and occupation of public places. American protests do often contain these elements, however most protests in America are usually more performative. There is less direct action and more of an emphasis on signs and chants. An example of this performativity being American protestors dancing in animal costumes in front of ICE facilities. The specific example of dancing and costumes was in response to claims by the federal government that the conditions in Portland were like a ‘war zone’, but that just underscores the difference in protest culture. A French protestor wouldn’t care about the negative perception, while many American protestors are insecure about being seen as

too disruptive and thus put on a ridiculous performance to prove otherwise. These differences make it hard to see widescale and disruptive student protests in the United States, however it’s far from impossible and could still happen if students make the effort. Student unions aren’t a requirement to organize mass student protests. The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a student advocacy organization, organized nationwide disruptive anti-war student protests throughout the duration of the Vietnam War. National organizing and a broad program, beyond just anti-war advocacy, was a part of this success. Campus branches being autonomous aided the SDS’s rapid growth. However, this had created infighting that, spurred on by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, led to its downfall. It is true that Americans are largely averse to disruptive protests, yet they’re not completely opposed to them either. Polls showed that two-thirds of Americans supported the Black Lives Matter protests in June 2020, during the peak of these protests, which were the most disruptive we have seen in decades. A more recent example of this is in Minnesota, where a general strike and a ‘day of action’ on Jan. 23 of this year drew hundreds of thousands of people to the street. Would-be student protestors should learn from the mistakes and the successes of past student movements, and not be discouraged by the apparent revulsion Americans have to disruptive protests. ■H

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OPINIONS

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We don’t need more consent education, we need action THE EXPONENTIAL RISE IN COLLEGE RAPE CASES POINTS TO A BIGGER ISSUE: THE SYSTEMIC NATURE OF COLLEGE RAPE. MAYA CHINAI Contributing Writer

Universities have dealt with college rape through ample consent educational seminars, yearly online trainings and pro-consent culture events. But what if the problem is that rapists just don’t care, they get a thrill out of it? When rape is about power, control and a show of masculine dominance, their deficit isn’t with understanding consent, its with consent being unimportant to them. Consent is a simple idea to understand. From consenting to paying the full price for a snack at the store, to consenting to a professor’s expectations in lecture, we practice consent every day. When the University of California, Riverside is in the top 1.3% of universities globally with a high standard of admission requiring years of high school preparation, such a basic practice as mutual understanding and consent cannot be attributed to a person’s lack of knowledge. Rapists are not under-educated on

the matter. It is often the victim’s lack of consent that is so appealing. The masculine identity is based on power, dominance, authority and control. Rape is the ultimate exertion of those qualities and thus the foremost act affirming the masculine identity. Rape is not just validating the rapists’ masculinity, but makes them “man enough” in the eyes of all those who subscribe to hegemonic masculinity. In a world where sex is commodified, porn is freely accessible to anyone and men’s desires persistently reign over women’s, male entitlement over women’s bodies and access to sex reigns supreme. A simple PowerPoint and self-paced online module cannot combat such a fatal injustice. Not only have colleges contributed to the normalization of college rape but the lack of sanctions and punishments for rape only sponsor its continuance. When universities

address consent but neglect the needed in-depth conversation about rape itself, which continues to treat it like a bad word and taboo, they are condoning the rapes that do occur under their watch. What survivors and vulnerable students need is action taken with a trauma-informed approach to keep them safe, as the universities in charge are entrusted with their students’ safety. what campus anti-sexual violence organizations and campaigns need is to build a culture where community accountability becomes reliable when institutions fail. If the influx of college rape cases making headlines have proven anything, it’s that consent education alone is insufficient. Everyone must talk about rape; rapists and those complicit must be held accountable. The trajectory must shift towards impactful action rather than talk if there is any hope in ending sexual violence on college campuses.

The Young Adult genre is not rotting your brain STOP DISMISSING THE GENRE BECAUSE IT’S “EASY TO READ.” ANGELICA BRIANNA ACOSTA Editor-in-Chief

The Young Adult genre (YA) has been heavily criticized for years, for being too “simplistic” or even “ruining” reading all together. Oftentimes the criticism comes from those who either only read literary pros or the people who refuse to pick up any fiction book whatsoever, because they don’t see the value in it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, this one is just wrong and based in prejudice. It’s important to point out that the genres that get the most criticism tend to be the ones that are largely female dominated. Romance, the new sub genre of fantasy romantacy and YA all fall under fire at least once every month. However, hardly anyone ever has the same criticisms for horror or scifi books. It’s especially interesting that romantacy is rooted in separating books primarily written by women and targeting women. YA is often like romantacy is accused of just being all around bad, that it lacks depth and “real” writing style. It’s a tough argument to make being that

the genre has the likes of S.E Hinton and Susan Collins. The genre carries so much more depth than the surface level books from the likes of Alex Aster and Lauren Roberts, and even those books have a place to belong.

just carry dystopian and fantasy books, but fiction too. S.E Hinton’s “Outsiders” book is a prime example of this. A staple in every middle school class room, students everywhere have heard the name Ponyboy and they learned how his resilience shaped his future. Hinton’s book teaches students that even when a system is stacked against you, you can learn to flourish in it. Hinton also comments on societal structures that favor the rich and create larger obstacles for the poor.

Susan Collins “Hunger Games,” series is a staple in every bookworm’s bookshelf and to claim it is too “simplistic” because of its genre does the series a great disservice. Collins books dove into government corruption and propaganda, she makes readers uncomfortable without It is important to remember that YA as a having to be over explicit. genre has created a space for new readers to find themselves in books and allows YA at times even does romance better them to later grow into other genres. YA because of the fact that it cannot use is meant for young adults, inevitably physical intimacy as explicitly as regular some people will grow out of the genre, romance books can. Instead a YA book but that does not negate its purpose and must build intimacy through trust, shared importance in the literary world. YA can experience and meaningful conversation have beautiful pros and yes, even more and banter. easy to read books. However the genre as a whole adds to society, all books to some YA as a genre has been glossed over degree do. and misrepresentative often, confusing it with romantacy. All the while YA does not

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10 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Features

FEATURES

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Horoscopes Friendship Is Magic

WHICH MY LITTLE PONY CHARACTER ARE YOU?

MALINI JOSEPH Features Editor

Aries (March 21 – April 19): Rainbow Dash

Brash and hotheaded, make sure to take other people into consideration. You hide behind bravado and in doing so push the people who care about you away.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): Spike

Running around taking care of everything may seem like the one way to cement your status in the group but you’re spreading yourself too thin. Invest in a spa day and a long nap and eat at that restaurant you’ve been dying to try.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22): Celestia

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): Apple Jack

Grounded and down to Earth, you are a pillar of security to the people around you. Allow yourself the space to put down the weight you carry for everyone else. You are not what you can do for others.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22): Rarity

What an incredibly generous soul you have. Your creativity is boundless, your ambition eager … When was the last time you ate? You give and give but then forget to take care of your physical needs… Fix it.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21):

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): Discord You love a good mischievous moment, a silly prank. However, like Rainbow Dash, it is easy for you to forget how your actions can be perceived by those around you.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22): Princess Mi Amore Cadenza

You are elegant and kind, beloved by all around you. Remember that you don’t have to constantly hold every string. It is okay to let people help you.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21):

You play the diplomat very well. But remember being neutral will not serve the people around you. Step in when you see the people you care for struggling.

Luna You are protective of those in your circle, ever watchful like the moon. Be careful, for it is easy for your ambitions to mow this circle down. Know that the people around you would help you

Pinkie Pie You’re the life of the party, bringing joy wherever you go. You understand you are more than what you provide to people right? The people who care for you will not abandon you simply because you need someone to rely on from time to time.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19):

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18):

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20):

Sunset Shimmer

Twilight Sparkle

You have been locked in. Your studies are on a strict schedule and you have backup plans for your backup plans. Go meet a friend for coffee or lunch. Neglecting your social life will push you into a hermit-like isolation.

You and Sunset Shimmer are two peas in a pod. Too focused on excelling at everything you touch, you have left your social life to rot. You may think it unnecessary, but you will be unbalanced without an extracurricular or a hangout at least once a week.

Fluttershy Too often you want to hide from the world and stick with the creatures and activities that bring you the most comfort. You’ll miss out on so many new and exciting things if you do so though. New creatures to meet, new activities to add to your rotation. Step out of your comfort zone at least once this week.

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FEATURES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Victim Number ? SUMMER LEADS HER FRIEND AWAY AND OFF TO A BAR NO ONE GOES TO FOR A FUN TIME OUT.

count the raindrops M THOMPSON Contributing Writer

LILLIAN JONES Contributing Writer

“Oh my gosh, Summer! You are so lucky your dad let you borrow his truck!” They cheered as they shook Summer’s shoulder a little. It has only been a day since school ended for the year and the girls were ready to get drunk and wasted. Summer’s grip on the steering wheel of the old, beaten-down red truck got impossibly harder in order to keep her hands on ten and two as they shook her around a little. Summer groused, “If you keep doing that, I might get myself killed.” They laughed, their head falling back onto the stuffing from a tear on the top of the car seat. “You lied to your parents right?” Summer questioned not taking her eyes off the road. “Uh duh. I told them we were going to some church camp for good girls, and they believed it.” They laughed, “Where are we really going, Sun Bug?” Summer pulls into the small parking lot with only one other car, “You’re just asking me that? We’re at The Rattle Shack, you know the one on the outskirts of the town next over. The one where no one will know us, and no one goes to.” “You’re the best!” they squealed as they squeezed the lights out of Summer as she chuckled lightly and gently prided them off. They head inside and Summer handed them a drink, then another, and another, and another until they were both drunk. Maybe they were a little, okay a lot more drunk than Summer as they stumbled across the dance floor and completely went limp in Summer’s arms. “Sun Bug … I’m all hot and sweaty and smelly. We sh —” they said slurring their speech.

Summer rolled her eyes. “Nonsense you smell fine, like a nice warm meat pie, so we’re staying.” “Hey ladies, me and some guys are going to the backrooms,” a guy purred as he pointed at a door. “You should come, we’ll have fun.” “Sure.” Summer agreed as she took a step forward with them still depending on her, they shook their heads. “Don’t be such a party pooper.” As soon as they walked past the line of safety, they heard the door make a clicking sound, and Summer immediately pulled away from them. Not being able to hold their own weight, they immediately fell to the floor with a thump. “Wait … Summer,” They gasped as they tried to get up but failed, and as they looked around they saw a peacock, leopard, goat, snake, buffalo, koala and finally Summer slipped on a pig mask. MAIN The group of animalsST laughed and laughed as they got closer to them. They pulled and shoved and pinched at their flesh. It was like the group was spinning around them too fast for them to keep up. The peacock dehumanized them, the leopard stole from them, the goat touched them, the snake hissed at them, the buffalo growled at them, the koala watched them with eyes that enjoyed every second. They ORANGE ST tried to look for their friend, but the pig bit them. “Hey … hey. What are you ddoing … stop … No!” The forgotten victim screamed for someone. They will be buried in an unmarked grave, with no headstone to iden■ tify them. H

count the raindrops as they fall name them, claim them, label them all watch them trickle down the wall and become a puddle on the ground. by watching how the drops accrue we know who we are, do you? we counted the drops in ones and twos to pick that puddle apart. a puddle is hard to understand and impossible to hold in your hand so from that puddle, we demand you pluck each drop and put them in jars. or you could let the puddle be a puddle? watch how the sky is reflected in its surface how beautiful a puddle can be whether you count the drops or not. after all, we are oceans not raindrops.

ELLA KIM / THE HIGHLANDER

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12 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

FEATURES

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NORM’S NOOK SPOTLIGHT Anderson Hall

MALINI JOSEPH Feature Editor

ALEXANDER WONG/THE HIGHLANDER

Anderson Hall has a long history at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). This building was once simply the Citrus Experiment Station, where researchers would develop tastier, more resilient oranges. It is one of the very first buildings of the university as we know it and has witnessed the School of Business’s development at all stages. This historic building has massive, regal steps that many clubs over

the years use as the backdrop for their professional photo shoots. The tree-shaded benches and arches to either side of the main courtyard makes for an excellent study spot hidden away from the world. No, seriously. Across the street from the isolated Business building, Anderson Hall is a long trek from any major spot on campus. However, the history and aesthetic make it a beautiful place to visit and study at.

CROSSWORD CLUES

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MALINI JOSEPH / THE HIGHLANDER

By Malini Joseph, Features Editor

ANSWERS

(DON’T PEEK!) DOWN: 1. H2O 2. Blocks bright lights 4. Keeps phone alive 5. Handy dandy pack for injuries

ACROSS: 3. Object that moves wind 6. Cloths that get rid of germs 7. Concert item that blocks loud

noises 8. Carries a lot of items at once

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FEATURES

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

TEST YOURSELF!

Apple Crumble Loaf

Henya Dadem, Assistant Marketing Director

What holiday would you be?

The perfect warm and cozy fall dessert. Instructions: Loaf: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a loaf pan with butter and line with parchment paper for easier removal. 2. Combine sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Set aside. 3. Beat eggs, milk, butter and vanilla extract in a large bowl until just combined. 4. Grate 2 large apples and mix into wet ingredients. 5. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well combined. Crumble: 6. In a separate bowl, combine flour, brown sugar and cinnamon and until well mixed. 7. Mix in cold diced butter into the mixture and combine until butter cubes are as coated in dry ingredients as possible. 8. Pour 1/3 of the loaf batter into the greased loaf pan. Sprinkle a layer of crumble on top of the loaf batter. Save some of the crumble to put on top of the batter. 9. Repeat the process until all the batter is poured into the loaf pan. Top the batter with the remaining crumble. 10. Once the oven is preheated, bake for 45 minutes, or until the toothpick comes out ■H clean when inserted in the middle. H ■ 11. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool. Cut into slices and serve.

Take this quiz to find ouT!

Prep Time: 30 minutes Servings: 8

By: Agna Soneji, Production Manager 1. What kind of food do you like the best? A. Sweet B. Sour C. Spicy D. Savory

Ingredients:

Apple Loaf: • 1 cup white granulated sugar • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon cinnamon • 1 egg • 1 cup milk • 1/3 cup of butter, melted • 2 large apples, grated • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract/ paste Crumble: • ½ cup all purpose flour • ½ cup brown sugar • 6 tablespoons of butter, diced into small pieces • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

3. How do you explain your music taste to other people? A. “Everything” B. EDM C. R&B D. Rap 3. What does your room look like during finals season A. Horribly messy, but it is usually clean B. Messy, like always C. Perfectly pristine, you wouldn’t even know it was finals week D. Room? You live in the library actually

answer key

SUDOKU

DIFFICULTY: EASY

2. How do you spend the most time? A. Yapping with your friends B. Partying every weekend C. Spending time with your partner D. Going out to eat

MAIN

If you got “A” the most, you most resemble Christmas. You are well liked by all and the most relatable person here. You bring good vibes everywhere you go and people definitely enjoy spending time with you. Though, this also means you are most definitelty basic. You mainly fit the status quo and won’t do things that are too out of your comfort zone. If you got “B” the most, you most resemble Halloween day. You are definitely a type B person and enjoy the party. You were probably at Escape for haloween or wanted to be. You are the life of the party and you always bring the energy. No one is bothered or tired by you but rather you energize and get the party started. You do have a bad habit of slacking on your schoolwork but you get through it eventually, right?

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If you got “C” the most, you most resemble New Years. You are sweet, calm, very put together and give lots of hope to people. You handle stress very well and you have a good support group of friends. You keep up with your goals and are a chill person. You have a great ambition but it won’t stop you from having fun either. You might just spend a lot of time talking about your partner but thats not the worst. If you got “D” the most, you most resemble Thanksgiving. You are a big foodie, obviously. You are dedicated to your work and you love going out with your friends, especially to eat. You’re also likely to be a gym rat and track all your macros. You are definitely more type A and will keep track of all your work you have to get done, from school to your chores, you are very much ontop of everything. You are an acquired taste and some people might label you a workaholic just because you work hard. Which is definitely not the same thing ■H

14 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

FEATURES

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Beyond accommodations FROM NAVIGATING PHYSICAL CAMPUS BARRIERS TO TACKLING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONAL HURDLES, DISABLED HIGHLANDERS BUILD COMMUNITY AND DEMAND STRUCTURAL CHANGE. NICOLETTE MINASSIAN Contributing Writier

Accessibility is often measured by the presence of ramps, elevators and designated accommodations, but for disabled students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), the barriers to an inclusive education can extend far beyond what is physically visible. Navigating campus as a disabled student at UCR involves more than just simply finding accessible pathways. From the physical layout of older campus infrastructure to rigid academic policies and bureaucratic hurdles, disabled Highlanders routinely encounter ableism and systemic barriers that impact their health, education and well-being. While UCR’s Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) provides essential support for many, significant structural and institutional gaps remain. When institutional policies fall short, the detrimental effects of ableism disproportionately fall on students navigating multiple marginalized identities.

When Campus Design Becomes a Barrier The campus environment itself can reflect ableist design when non-disabled navigation is assumed to be the standard. Infrastructure maintenance remains a persistent issue on campus. Out of service elevators, steep inclines, and broken automatic door buttons create daily detours for students using mobility aids, wheelchairs, or suffering from chronic pain and fatigue. While newer campus developments do incorporate modern accessibility features, older academic buildings and facilities lag behind. The campus layout exacerbates these barriers and navigating long distances between residence halls, lecture spaces, and the HUB during extreme Riverside weather poses significant physical strain and risk to already disabled students. The Intersectional Impact Ableism does not exist in isolation., Iit intersects directly with racism, classism, and anti-LBGTQ+ bias. Ableist systems often assume that obtaining a medical diagnosis is simple and affordable. For low-income and first-generation college students, which is a significant portion of UCR’s student population, securing expensive specialist documentation for SDRC approval is financially out of reach or delayed by a lack of health insurance.

Ableism on Campus Ableism manifests on campus in both subtle attitudes as well as institutional practices. Academic ableism is one of the most prevalent forms of ableism on campus. This includesing the assumption that rigid attendance, high-stress testing environments, and strict deadlines are the only true measures of academic rigor. When disabled or chronically ill students request accommodations like flexible attendance or altered deadlines, they are With the SDRC’s current accommodation met with skepticism, framed as asking for an “unfair advantage” rather than an approval process, obtaining temporary accommodations during the diagnostic equalizing support. process is incredibly difficult, leaving Disabled students also frequently low-income disabled students waiting experience casual ableism, such as having months for necessary accommodations. their invisible disabilities and chronic For instance, one student, Jane Doe, illnesses questioned, being told they “don’t waited over a month and a half just to get look disabled,” or facing frustration from an initial SDRC appointment, followed peers and educators when requesting by another month of processing before necessary adjustments. Ableist systems her accommodations were finalized. This often force disabled students to repeatedly administrative lag ultimately forced her to explain, justify, or prove their conditions take a medical withdrawal from the term. to administrators and professors, turning Experiences like this are not unique; basic access into an exhausting, continuous they represent a recurring reality for negotiation. many disabled students. Students of

color also face compound bias where racial stereotypes and medical dismissals overlap. Their pain, chronic health conditions, and disabilities are more frequently misdiagnosed, overlooked, or dismissed by healthcare providers and academic institutions. LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming students managing chronic health conditions face added friction. Navigating both gender-affirming healthcare and disability accommodations can come with prejudice and dismissal, leaving students vulnerable to burnout and mental health struggles on top of their already present disabilities. What Meaningful Accessibility Could Look Like To create systemic change, dismantling ableism at UCR requires moving beyond the minimum legal compliance and enacting real solutions. The university should implement mandatory faculty education to help educators recognize academic ableism, shift away from punitive policies, recognize their own internal biases, and approach accommodation requests with empathy. Establishing standardized, campuswide guidelines for flexible attendance and deadline extensions would further eliminate department inconsistencies that leave students negotiating for basic access. Streamlining the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) intake process by reducing rigid documentation requirements would also ensure low-income students are not financially locked out of care. Finally, fostering intentional, structural collaboration between the SDRC and Costo Hall’s cultural and diversity centers will ensure that the lived experiences of marginalized, disabled Highlanders are directly uplifted in campus policy decisions. Access is a fundamental right, not an individual battle. For UCR to live up to its values of equity and social mobility, the focus must shift from forcing students to overcome institutional barriers to building a campus where all Highlanders can thrive. ■H

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Comics

COMICS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Season Change - Adelia Urena

Detective DeeDee - Clarence Okonkwo

Chatito - JUXWAH

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Don’t Mention It - Adelia Urena

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16 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

RADAR

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Radar How the success of “Scream” correlates to horror’s resurgence today “SCREAM” LEFT A LASTING IMPACT ON THE GENRE 30 YEARS AFTER ITS RELEASE. LEANA KEO Contributing Writer

Horror has made a remarkable comeback this year with its insanely massive variety lineup in theaters and streaming services. From the global sensation of “Obsession” to the widely praised “Resident Evil” reboot to the current streaming hit “Crystal Lake,” horror has dominated conversations and proved how the gÅenre can push beyond the limitations through its boldness in narrative and cinematographic executions. Choosing to take risks allowed the genre to rebuild and revitalize once again by delivering a multitude of generational hits. Let’s take a step back and observe how this resurgence is a reflection of one that happened 30 years ago and how one single film pioneered a revolutionary revival of the genre. Directed by Wes Craven, “Scream” takes audiences through a metafictional journey of pop culture references following the events happening to an archetype friend group. With a masked killer on the loose who uses horror tropes in means of his attacks, the group must put their horror knowledge to the test if they want to survive his self-made scary movie. Looking through the history of horror, one can see a correlation between audiences today and in the past. Both of them suffered from cinema fatigue. Viewers today have experienced a lack of creativity and originality with the storytelling and executions because films weren’t pushing beyond the boundaries of what can be accomplished as corporations feared risk-taking might mean potential loss. The 90s also felt a similar sentiment known as horror fatigue. Oversaturation of legacy films like “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” were tiring audiences. Horror mascots went from nightmareinducing to commercialized figures. These modifications not only resulted in negative receptions, but a loss of respect for the genre. The established financial assumption for horror can be very comparable between the two eras. Horror is profitable. Stephen Follows and Bruce Nash explained how the relatively low budget needed for producing these movies signal to producers of a potential profit, although it’s very risky. A film’s success is truly unpredictable before premiering, so studios are cautious on which projects to

greenlight in fear of a major loss. It’s a reason why studios may deliberately choose to continue pushing for sequels and franchises. There’s an underlying belief that brand association will safely gather an audience. However, it’s important to note that not all sequels and reboots are bad, some even become incredibly successful or surpass the original. Yet, it does create a craving for something more. The industry had to change in order to stay relevant and afloaVt. The major question: how do we do this?

roughly accounts for $1.3B of the $8.2B acquisition this year alone. “Scream” introduced a change in horror through its self-awareness and self-mockery of the genre. It disrupted the classic horror formula with its humorous parody of clichés and tropes while still maintaining suspense through the fear that no one’s safe. The characters are aware they’re in a movie, they know the rules and yet they still break them. The game of whodunit allowed for engagement with its comedic murder mystery, and all the red herrings and twists thrown around made for a refreshing take on The answer: change the formula. horror with the risks it took in a declining genre. Its success allowed for progression and a revamp to happen. Horror found a new identity. Originality, creative risks and experimentation returned to screens through later releases like “The Sixth Sense” and “Saw” and gained positive appraisal. Studios are now more willing to take these approaches because of the demand and support for them. Films released this year such as “Send Help” and “Leviticus” have found success because they were leaps of faith that went against the status quo to provide a contemporary take on horror. Casting is another parallel. “Scream” and modern films like “Obsession” introduced more niche casts to the big screen. Choosing this approach not only elevated the cast and the films to stardom, but viewers had the opportunity to absorb new faces and talents within a mainstream world. However, “Scream” would fall under corporate pressure. The push for sequels made the film lose its momentum and value it once embodied with its conversion into a marketable figure. Yet, its impact still lingers on. Later films would use the foundations it set to progress the genre and evolve its capabilities. “Scream” is a legacy film that paved the way for risks and innovations to emerge after its release. It’s the fundamental basis of how horror COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES managed to change. ThrouVgh its “Scream” was a massive unexpected hit that daring choices, it’s become an everlasting caused a cultural reset in the 90s because it influence that pushes forth a new golden age of changed the formula. It became one of 1996’s horror to emerge for people today. highest grossing films at $173M. Similarly, this year brought a revival to not only horror, but to cinemas by restoring excitement and ■H engagement. Its domination at the box office

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Underrated country music recommendations for fall HERE ARE SOME NICHE COUNTRY SONGS TO LISTEN TO THIS SEASON. STELLA NOELLE ABASTA Contributing Writer

With the popularization of songs such as “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley and “Made in Japan” by Buck Owens on TikTok, the country genre has amassed many new listeners as of late. Additionally, popular artists such as Tyler Childers, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, Zach Bryan and Kasey Musgraves, all of which have over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify each, are currently dominating the genre. Although there is definitely a reason these artists have the attention they do, there are many more country musicians out there with so much raw talent and potential that do not receive the amount of listeners they deserve. Lay listeners of the genre who may not want to stray too far away from the sound of the popularized tracks but still want to appreciate lesspopularized artists may not know where to first look. Here is a list of some underrated country songs that deserve more attention and are perfect for the upcoming autumn season.

“Ups and Downs” by Chancellor Lawson and Trey Hensley Despite being Lawson’s most popular song, it has less than 90,000 listens on Spotify. However, it deserves tenfold more plays. After a live version of him singing this song while playing the guitar popped off on TikTok, Lawson garnered a bit more attention from the wider country audience, but his artistry warrants much more than that. With only his guitar to back him up, Lawson sings with a beautiful country drawl that magnetizes listeners. From the moment he first plays the chord progression to open the track, listeners are hooked. Not only are the verses endlessly melodic, but also the unique choices he makes while singing the verses are honey to the ears. If new listeners to the genre are looking for some real country yearning, this is the perfect song.

“Without a Fight” by Chancellor and immeasurable guitar skills, Joshua Quimby deserves all the flowers he Lawson Even better than “Ups and Downs,” “Without a Fight” definitely does put up a fight for being Lawson’s best song to date. Lawson is the only person credited on the track, which further showcases his natural talent for composing and lyricism. If there’s one thing Lawson can do extremely well, it’s creating a mean chord progression. The track begins with birds chirping, which continues throughout the song, leading the audience to imagine themselves out in the countryside early into the morning sitting on a rickety wooden porch. Lawson is amazing at vocal phrasing, and his verses and pre-chorus are so incredibly catchy in this song that it sticks in listeners’ heads days after listening. Reflective and somber, Lawson sings about his parents’ resilience, his relationship with them and how that has shaped him as a person and a lover. Knowing that Lawson released this song almost two years after his father was released from prison after 14 years truly puts the first verse into perspective. Lawson bears his soul for the listeners in this number, singing, “Been tryin’ not to be my father / Since I was a little kid / But I still did.” The entire track feels so incredibly raw and real, and it’s something that cannot be created by any sort of industry plant or AI artist. The amount of goosebumps that Lawson’s voice draws out of his listeners is abundant.

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“Ol’ Self-Control” by Joshua Quimby

Grittier than the two aforementioned tracks, this song is one of Joshua Quimby’s many bangers. Quimby, the only person credited on the track, sings melancholic lyrics with an addictive voice over extremely captivating guitar chords. He never fails to make his guitar sing along with him, and this song is no exception for showcasing his incredible talent. With a unique voice

receives and more.

“To the Choir” by Joshua Quimby

This is the most popular track on this list, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. “To the Choir” is one of Quimby’s best songs for a reason, and it’s a great introduction to the alt-country genre. A certified kneeslapper, he uses this uncommon idiom to paint the picture of a hard-working countryman who’s always down on his luck. Again, Quimby’s gritty voice is both unrivaled and incredibly memorable to all that are blessed to not only hear him, but truly listen to him.

“Sleeping Together” by Kashus Culpepper

Although Kashus Culpepper is by far the current most popular artist on this list with many of his songs gaining over one million listens on Spotify, “Sleeping Together” is one of, if not the absolute best song he’s created. An unreleased track, listeners can find this live on YouTube, and it is in fact worth sitting through an unskippable advertisement. The gravely tone of his voice perfectly fits the chords he plays on his guitar, creating the most beautifully bittersweet verses. Despite being a live performance, Culpepper executes the song with no flaws that it might as well have been the recorded version. ■ H

18 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

RADAR

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The newest rendition of “Sense and Sensibility” is an immersive, heartfelt experience JANE AUSTEN’S WORK CONTINUES TO BE TIMELESS IN GEORGIA OAKLEY’S 2026 ADAPTATION. LANDON BAYLON Contributing Writer

Director Georgia Oakley and screenwriter Diana Reid took on the sixth screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Sense and Sensibility” with relative inexperience. It was just Oakley’s second feature-length film and Reid’s cinematic debut, large shoes to fill considering its most recent predecessor was a 1995 Oscar nominee.

end of the film feel quite abrupt, as the third act picks up the pace significantly. Edward, who was set to be married, is disinherited, which breaks his predisposed engagement. He promptly goes after Elinor, free from the shackles of his arranged marriage, and the two

The 19th century story follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Marrianne (Esmé CreedMiles) as they navigate newfound love while being forced out of their Sussex mansion following the passing of their father. In eve of their exodus, the Dashwoods are introduced to Edward (George MacKay), the brother-in-law of their father’s eldest son, who inherits the home. Elinor takes a keen liking to him and instant chemistry is formed despite Edward’s modest nature. Its intersecting narrative delves into Marrianne, who swoons for the charming Willoughby (Frank Dillane), much to the chagrin of Colonel Brandon (Herbert Nordrum), whom she finds unimpassioned. This storyline COURTESY OF FOCUS FEATURES takes the brunt of the film, contrasting the level-headed Elinor finally unite. A gratifying and poignant with the eager and animated Marrianne. conclusion to tie together an otherwise slower-paced film. “Sense and Sensibility” is very much a slow-burn story. The first and second The lead performances are the acts are gradual, subtly dispersing standout of the film. Edgar-Jones plot points of Elinor and Edward’s leads the cast, who had yet to solidify relationship while allowing the wit and stardom following her breakout role heartbreak of Marrianne’s dynamic as Marrianne the 2020 limited series love triangle to shine through. “Normal People,” an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s popular novel. She This makes the climax at the tail brilliantly captures the internal turmoil

and restraint of loving somebody seemingly unattainable, as well as the struggle of putting others happiness before oneself. MacKay shined as well, portraying the strained, standoffish persona to perfection. An opposite yet equally as noteworthy performance, Creed-Miles was a star in her first major role. Unlike Elinor, Marrianne is an outwardly emotional character, giving way for an attention-grabbing, raw performance. Separating the heavy subject matter were lighthearted scenes and quips from side characters. Contrary to the 1995 adaptation, Oakley paints a less romanticized picture on screen. It’s a grounded and muted depiction, while maintaining beautiful cinematography from front to back. A similar methodology was used in the 2025 film “Hamnet,” which was one of the best-received period pieces in recent memory. Both immerse the viewer into the centuries-old settings without shoving it down their throats. It was a tall task to follow up on Ang Lee’s rendition, which was starred by the likes of Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, but Oakley and company were nothing short of spectacular in the retelling of this ageless classic. Verdict: “Sense and Sensibility” certainly has its target audience, but the performances and imagery in this acute, heartwarming period drama ■ make it a worthwhile watch. H

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RADAR

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Fallen in love with metal and alt rock HOW EVANESCENCE BROUGHT METAL AND ROCK TO LIFE FOR WOMEN.

KIMBERLY AGUILAR Contributing Writer

Almost everyone has an artist in their playlist that has totally changed their life. For many little girls in the early 2000’s, they all experienced the same chilling, haunting pianos that would impact their music taste forever. These kids would learn to lean on Evanescence for siren-like vocals and colorful imagery in the lyricism of “Fallen.” This small band from Little Rock, Arkansas began to make headlines in 2003 due to their release of “Bring Me to Life” for the Daredevil movie starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. Soon afterwards, their CDs began to fly off the shelves, and the band won a Grammy in 2004. As always, reviews of “Fallen” began to roll in and they all mentioned one thing: Evanescence was a “female-fronted band.” Many reviews of the album despised the fact that Amy Lee was the front of the band, claiming that they were just “a chick and a piano.” Other reviewers were surprised that a woman could even make good alternative music. Despite the constant misogyny the band faced, Evanescence still pushed through, made amazing music and became role models for women in the metal and alternative rock scene. “Fallen” was filled with femininity in ways that weren’t common in the genre at the time. The lyricism, vocals and the instrumentals displayed the femininity missing in the rest of the male-fronted bands topping the charts at the time. These factors, along with the activism Amy Lee was committed to, propelled the band into many hearts of girls and women of the scene. The imagery of the album can be found in the song “Imaginary.”The lyrics of this song illustrate a fictional world where the narrator doesn’t need to worry about their stressors. The lyric “paper flowers and candy cloud lullaby”

bands like The Pretty Reckless and Halestorm to make music today. Evanescence continues to inspire other women in metal and rock by giving them platforms to perform with them on tour or collaborating with them, like they did with Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante and Poppy. Amy Lee has stated before that she doesn’t want Evanescence to be known as “the best female-fronted band; I want to be the best rock band, period.” She later claims that at most of their performances, she was one of the only women in the venue. Her hopes to have more women in metal and rock are slowly coming to fruition with the latest Aftershock line up. Multiple “femalefronted” bands were present to perform at the biggest rock and metal festival on the west coast. This lineup included but was not limited to: Blue Medusa, The Pretty Reckless, Babymetal, Eye Set to Kill and The Violent Hour. This stacked line up is a sign that women and femininity is becoming normalized in these genres. Young women today can be a part of this scene and can see themselves in the music they like to listen to. They will no longer feel like an imposter in the spaces that shouldn’t have been exclusionary in the first place. While misogynists will always find a reason to complain, this shouldn’t discourage any women from entering the scene or even from forming their own band. So women of Riverside, get out there and be loud!

COURTESY OF SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

portrays a delicateness that previously wouldn’t have been seen in such a male-dominated genre. This femininity continues in the vocals and instrumentals in the song “My Immortal,” where Lee pairs her captivating singing with the band’s signature piano and orchestral string instruments. This song brought a unique sound to a mostly alternative rock/metal album because of the distinct difference in intensity. Many critics of the song called it “banal,” and many others believed the band shouldn’t quit their day jobs because of it. The main issue that many reviewers, mainly men, had with the album was Amy Lee herself. These buzzkills called their music “gag inducing” and refused to give them an actual chance just because the main vocalist was a woman. The entire band was affected by this misogyny and consistently faced rejection and judgement within the scene because they made girl music. Evanescence began to push back on this narrative being spun that women shouldn’t be allowed in the genre. They advocated for other women to pick up the mic or an instrument and take part in the music they like. Their campaigning opened the door for

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Behind the net: Inside Women’s club volleyball UNCOVERING THE ‘AFFINITY’ OF CLUB SPORTS.

YANNA WALLACE Assistant Sports Editor

is something that makes the team so great to be a part of, “Though playing club volleyball, it got me to actually expand and make new friends, which [is] nice,” Lopez said. Griarte and Lopez also gave a glimpse into how it can be difficult juggling both school and competing. Being part of the team involves much more than just showing up for practices and playing the game. Competing throughout the season requires players to dedicate time to practices, tournaments and of course traveling. “Before I joined, I didn’t know to what extent the team took to actually be a part of the tournaments [we play in],” Audrey Griarte explained, “For example [I didn’t know] how much we travel, last year we went to Kansas City, Missouri.” The team’s commitment also means players have to find a balance between competing and being a college student. “It’s definitely hard,” Amber Lopez shared, “I feel like it’s definitely something where you have to get time management down, where you’re going to classes, making sure you have time for homework and studying.” “You even see a bunch of girls at tournaments working on schoolwork… people are studying for tests or exams coming up and they’re still locking in,” Amber Lopez continued. Despite the stress that can come from balancing both responsibilities, academics still remain the priority for the entire team. “For us, school comes first … if you can’t make a practice [or] if you can’t make a tournament, it’s very understandable,” Lopez explained. Regardless, players continue to make time for the team. “I think it shows how determined we are to still keep our student side strong, [while] also show[ing] up for each other,” Lopez said. For the Co-Presidents, club

volleyball is far more than just a game. The time with practicing, traveling, and competing has created a big support system among the players and the Men’s Club Volleyball team.“I think it’s one huge system of support” Audrey Griarte said, “[that’s] my favorite aspect … joining [the team] has given me some of the biggest connections that I’ve made throughout the time that I’ve been in college.” When asked how they would describe their team in one word, many words came to mind such as ‘community’, but in the end they landed on ‘affinity.’ “[I think] affinity is good because we’re all drawn in [to] the same place because of volleyball.” Audrey Griarte remarked.

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get involved in a more competitive environment. Everyone has their own journey with joining a club team, and for copresidents Audrey Griarte and Amber Lopez their stories were similar. Both women had played volleyball before they started at UCR. “I tried my best to integrate myself into any volleyball activities because I played for a while before college,” Griarte explained. Similarly, Amber Lopez said “[playing in college] was something I was interested in.” The third-year setter, Audrey Griarte, has been a part of club volleyball for — years. Amber Lopez, third-year middle blocker, has played for UCR’s club for three years. The close-knit community that is made while playing,

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COURTESY OF JUSTIN TRANG

The Women’s Club Volleyball team just started their 2026-27 season in October and their first tournament was Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. Both presidents encourage those who are interested in joining or just learning more about the team to keep up with the team via Instagram as they regularly post information on there. ■ H

22 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

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Beyond the accolades: Reuben Williams emphasizes team relationships and player development ASSISTANT COACH REUBEN WILLIAMS REFLECTS ON HIS RECOGNITION, COACHING PHILOSOPHY AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING SEASON. IZZY GRAHAM Sports Editor

University of California, Riverside (UCR) men’s basketball assistant coach Reuben Williams has once again earned national recognition after being named to Silver Waves Media’s 2027 list of impactful mid-major assistant coaches and general managers. The honor marks Williams’ second consecutive year receiving recognition from the organization as he prepares for his second season with the Highlanders.

stated. While identifying players who possess both offensive and defensive strengths can be challenging, Williams believes the coaching staff has done a successful job of recruiting and retaining athletes who fit the program’s expectations.

with throughout his career. Rather than attempting to imitate their approaches, he explained that he hopes to incorporate their lessons into his own coaching style.

“I want to steal as much as I can from successful people,” Williams said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining For Williams, developing a competitive a growth mindset and continuously learning team extends beyond recruiting talent. He from those around him. emphasized the importance of remaining That same approach also shapes how Following his first year with UCR, intentional with each player and establishing relationships that encourage growth both on he works with players. WIlliams believes Williams expressed success comes not his gratitude for the only from improving recognition, crediting performance during the coaching staff and games but also the opportunities he has helping athletes received under head develop habits that coach Gus Argenal. benefit them in their everyday lives. “I think it’s a testament to Coach Gus With the upcoming and the opportunity that season approaching, he gave me,” Williams the coaching explained. He went staff has placed a on to emphasize his particular emphasis appreciation for the on establishing leaders and mentors relationships between who have helped him COURTESY OF UCR ATHLETICS returning players and develop throughout his new additions to the coaching career. and off the court. roster. “[We’re] being intentional on teaching Williams’ award follows a successful first Williams explained that the team has season for UCR new coaching staff, which them every single day,” Williams explained, acknowledging that coaching requires both been intentional about building trust recorded the second-most wins by a firstyear coaching staff in program history. As encouragement and difficult conversations. and accountability during the offseason, As he enters his second season alongside believing that those relationships will the Highlanders prepare for another season, Williams and the rest of the coaching staff Argenal, Williams also reflects on the help the Highlanders navigate challenges are looking to build upon their early success. relationships he has developed with the throughout the season. coaching staff. His connection to Argenal “We’ve been very intentional about With several graduate players departing dates back to his time as a student manager, building better relationships,” Williams the program, the Highlanders entered the when the two first began working together. stated. offseason focused on rebuilding their roster Williams described Argenal as both a while maintaining the team’s competitive mentor and a respected leader, expressing his As Williams enters another season with identity. Williams explained that recruiting players who can contribute on both ends of appreciation for the opportunity to continue the Highlanders, his second consecutive Silver Waves Media recognition highlights the court remains a priority for the coaching learning from him. his continued development as a coach. staff. “I just have a ton of respect for him as a With a changing roster and an emphasis “We wanted to make sure that we attacked man, but also as a teacher, [and a] leader of on defensive commitment, accountability and team chemistry, Williams and the UCR and went after talented offensive players, young men,” Williams stated. coaching staff will look to carry that progress but we also wanted to get players that had Williams’ coaching philosophy is heavily into the upcoming season. a commitment to playing defense and a ■ influenced by the mentors he has worked commitment to getting stops,” Williams H

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Five possible moves before NFL trade deadline STRUGGLING NFL TEAMS LOOK TO CHANGE THEIR ROSTERS TO WIN IT ALL. COURTESY OF FLICKR VIA MICHAEL TIPTON

SAMUEL MARTINEZ Contributing Writer

The NFL Trade deadline is on Nov. 10 and many teams are looking to improve their roster after seven weeks of football. So far, many teams are still in contention for division titles and wild card spots. A good trade could be what elevates a team to secure a play-off berth and teams that are failing can gain more draft picks for next year. Last year saw trades like Rasheed Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks lead to a Superbowl win for Seattle. However, when Sauce Gardner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, it went wrong for their franchise. Anything can happen before the trade deadline, but there are some possible trades that could meaningfully affect who makes the play-offs. 5. Jonathan Taylor to The Minnesota Vikings The Indianapolis Colts receive Second and Third Round Pick The Minnesota Vikings are the only undefeated team left in the league but have almost exclusively won off the back of their defense. Their offense led by a mix of Carson Wentz and Kyler Murray has been underwhelming especially with such a talented receiver like Justin Jefferson on the roster. While many might picture a quarterback trade, Jonathan Taylor could be a powerhouse running back that could coast this team to the play-offs due to their 6-0 start. A new quarterback could be too risky of a change for a team already struggling at that position and Taylor could easily bring offensive success without having to rely on Murray. The Colts have already expressed that they want a second and third round pick for Taylor and The Vikings are a very likely candidate.

4. Jalen Coker to the Los Angeles Rams Blake Corum to the Carolina Panthers The Los Angeles Rams are a team that has struggled due to injuries and poor coaching decisions. Also, going into the latter half of the season receiver Devante Adams will be out for 6-10 weeks.The Rams will only have one wide receiver to rely on which would be Puka Nacua. Despite an impressive offense without Adams against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Rams need a receiver that can produce. The Carolina Panthers are shooting to win their division, so it’s hard to see them trading away a player like Jalen Coker without some serious compensation. The Rams don’t have a first round pick due to their off-season trade for Myles Garrett so realistically if the Rams want a game changer, they will need a player for a player trade. This is where Blake Corum could make a good candidate for a possible trade with Coker. Carolina struggles in their run game and Corum is a proven running back that could elevate Carolina’s offense for the rest of the season. 3. Jerry Judy to the Kansas City Chiefs Cleveland Browns receiver Third Round Draft Pick Jerry Judy isn’t a star wide receiver even on a team like the Cleveland Browns but Kansas City could use an extra receiver. Patrick Mahomes is infamous for elevating middle of the road receivers into players that can produce under Andy Reid’s system. While the Browns are looking to be a playoff team, they are not a Super Bowl team and could use an extra third round pick to become a better team in the future. They already have KC Conception and Denzel Boston from the 2026 draft who both have looked extremely promising, so losing Judy wouldn’t hurt the Browns’ chance of making the play-offs.

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2. Cooper Dejean to The Detroit Lions The Philadelphia Eagles Receives Second Round Draft Pick The Detroit Lions have had one of the best offenses in the NFC but have struggled on the defensive side of the ball, specifically the secondary. Cooper Dejean was an integral part of Philadelphia winning The Super Bowl in 2025 and could flip the script on the Lions’ secondary. The NFC North is one of the most competitive divisions in football, and the Lions could secure a wild card spot with a player like Dejean. The Eagles went from competing in the NFC East to looking like one of the weakest teams in the whole league due to injury. With Jalen Hurts out for the season and Saquon Barkley dropping in production, the Eagles should look to get more draft capital to rebuild as fast as possible. While Dejean is an important part to Philadelphia’s defense, they aren’t looking to win a Super Bowl with this current team. 1. Maxx Crosby to the Dallas Cowboys Las Vegas Raiders receive First Round Draft Pick Similarly to the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys are struggling on defense. However, unlike the Lions, the Cowboys need to win their division to make the play-offs. In the NFC East the Cowboys just need to outwin against the New York Giants and edge rusher Maxx Crosby could be the veteran talent that could make Dallas a proper play-off team. The Raiders are sadly not a team capable of making the play-offs in the AFC this year. Another first round draft pick in 2028 could be what this team needs to become a winning franchise next season. Dallas could make a play-off run with Crosby and he would be the final piece to the Dallas Cowboys’ season. ■H

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A resilient and dominant run: the Milwaukee Brewers win the 2026 World Series FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR 57-YEAR HISTORY, THE BREWERS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS.

COURTESY OF FLICKR VIA ERIC GOLUB

LANDON BAYLON Contributing Writer

On Oct. 29, the Milwaukee Brewers took down the Tampa Bay Rays in game five of the World Series, capping off a dominant postseason run. Milwaukee became just the fifth team to win 11 games while dropping two or less, led by a dominant pitching staff and timely offensive contributions. After a hard-fought sweep against the San Diego Padres, the Brewers stunned the reigning back-to-back champion Dodgers with a four-game sweep. Amazingly, Milwaukee came from behind in all four games, a testament to their strong bullpen and lineup depth.

Tropicana Field. The catalyst of their swift championship run: the pitching staff. The unit combined for a 1.91 ERA over 118 innings pitched. That figure shrunk to 1.48 for the bullpen. Manager Pat Murphy leaned heavily on Aaron Ashby, who tossed 18 scoreless innings in relief.

William Contreras, who batted .373 with nine runs batted in, in October. The franchise backstop was awarded the World Series MVP for his offensive and defensive production in the five game set. This came just over seven months after bringing home a World Baseball Classic But the 103-win “Brew Crew” managed title to Venezuela. to turn it up for the pinnacle of the sport. Also worthy of praise, rookie Cooper They squeaked out two one-run games in Milwaukee, then trounced the hearts of Pratt drove in seven runs with a .421 fans in St. Petersburg with a 10-1 victory, batting average against the Rays, and franchise face Jackson Chourio batted creating an insurmountable 3-0 lead. .453 in the Fall Classic. Both were Tampa Bay managed to take game certainly deserving of the World Series four in 12 innings thanks to a depleted MVP as well. Brewers pitching staff, but Milwaukee While remaining extremely savvy on sealed the deal in game five. Cooper Pratt supplied a run in the second inning and the analytics and transactional front, the the pitching staff never relinquished the Brewers operate like any other small lead, taking home the series victory at market team. They flip their star players

for prospects once their contracts become too expensive. But the team stayed true to their franchise cornerstones Brandon Woodruff and Christian Yelich, tenured for nine and eight years, respectively. While no longer in their primes, they both played parts in bringing a World Series title to Milwaukee. This World Series matchup combined for just over a $240 million payroll, which is less than seven MLB organizations. An intriguing matchup in lew of MLB’s financially-motivated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which threatens a “lockout” between owners and players. Salary cap talks aside, the discourse surrounding this 2026 Brewers squad is whether it represents the best team in recent memory. Headlined by presumptive Cy Young winner Jacob Misiorowski, and an elite bullpen and a strong offense, this claim has its grounds. Regardless of talent on paper, this was an immaculately structured roster that only got better in October. They are undoubtedly the team to beat come 2027. ■H