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Thursday, May 5, 2022

Volume 158 No. 40

SJSU search-committee forum advances presidential pursuit By Eva Martin STAFF WRITER

Around 40 San Jose State community members shared their concerns with the SJSU presidential search committee on Wednesday in the Student Union Ballroom. The California State University Board of Trustees launched a national search for the new SJSU president after former president Mary Papazian announced her resignation on Oct. 7, 2021, concluding her tenure on Dec. 21, according to an Oct. 7, 2021 SJSU blog post. Wednesday’s open forum was the “kickoff” of the nationwide search, said the CSU public affairs senior director Michael Uhlenkamp.

Our next president needs to be committed to creating a climate where intolerance is not tolerated. Phillip Heller Jewish faculty and staﬀ association president

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“[Members of the board] are gathering the input from the campus community in terms of the knowledge, skills and abilities that are requisite in the new president,” Uhlenkamp said. Following the CSU policy for presidential selection, the search committee is made of trustee and advisory committees, both with members appointed by the chair of the board. The trustees committee includes the board chair, four trustees and the CSU chancellor. It’s collectively in charge of recruitment, selection, and appointment of the future SJSU president. The advisory committee includes SJSU representatives from the faculty, staff, students, alumni and a member of a campus advisory

Christopher Steinhauser, SJSU presidential search committee chair and California State University board of trustees member, (left) sits next to CSU Interim Chancellor Jolene Koester and opens the forum to public comment Wednesday in the Student Union Ballroom.

PRESIDENT | Page 2

San Jose State groups discuss complexities in U.S. prison industry By D’Netrus Chevis-Rose STAFF WRITER

About 15 San Jose State students and community members gathered for an interactive discussion regarding mass incarceration and the American prison-industrial complex. The discussion was co-hosted by two SJSU student groups: Bridge, a non-profit political organization and Students Against Mass Incarceration. Sabrina Nabizada, political science sophomore and current president of the SJSU Bridge chapter, explained the ultimate goal of the national organization. “We are one of the many chapters of a national organization called Bridge USA, where we focus on detoxifying political discourse on college campuses,” Nabizada said.

MacKenzie Owens, global studies senior and Students Against Mass Incarceration treasurer, said the group is dedicated to advocating for local prison reform and stopping a new jail from being built in Santa Clara County. Nabizada explained that the event was an active discussion based on a “Jubilee” style of communication between the presenters and audience with the purpose of finding a consensus amongst the different perspectives in the room. “Basically, we say a statement and you go to either side of the room, the left side to agree or the right side to disagree,” Nabizada said. “Hopefully we can see some common ground between the different perspectives in the room.”

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INCARCERATION | Page 2

Students from San Jose State clubs and organizations including Students Against Mass Incarceration and Bridge have an open discussion about U.S. incarceration in the Student Union Ballroom.

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NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022

INCARCERATION Continued from page 1 Student advocates said the interactive discussion stressed tudent the importance of student cing expression through voicing their personal stances on the movement and gave a physical representation to the discussion about mass incarceration and the prison-industrial complex. Nabizada led the discussion to the topic of abolishing the police and whether society could benefit from havingg no policing system. udies Sara Wille, global studies elieves senior, said she believes em would abolishing the police system e. create a backflow of crime. sh a form of law “Every time you abolish low,” Wille said. you have a huge backflow, hing it for other “I do agree with abolishing

Continued from page 1 board, who all provide consultation to the trustees committee. The SJSU presidential search committee is made of 18 members in total, according to an April 22 SJSU press release. The presidential search committee will “hopefully” announce the candidate selected to become the SJSU president in November, Uhlenkamp said. Before the start of the open forum, SJSU staff and facilities workers protested near the university’s Student Union asking for wage rising and negotiations with the SJSU administration. The protest was organized by the Teamsters local 2010, a labor union representing more than 14,000 workers in higher education which includes the CSU employee union, according to its website. Some of the labor union members attended the open forum in the Student Union Ballroom after the protest. “Because the trustees are here . . . we want them to understand that we are invested, we are part of the campus,” said Howard Hall, SJSU facilities staff worker. “Having said

that, we want to be treated fairly.” Hall said he’s looking for an SJSU president with the same work ethic as the former SJSU president Don W. Kassing, who was SJSU president from 2005 to 2008, and interim president between 2004-5 and 2010-11, according to the SJSU website. “He was probably the one president that I saw that was out all the time . . . he knew your name if you came up,” Hall said. “He would sit there, and he would listen to what the problems were to try to make it better.” Christopher Steinhauser, CSU trustee and chair of the search committee, opened introduced and moderated the open forum. “We will be working together to recruit and seek nominations and applications of highly qualified individuals,” Steinhauser said. “We are eager to hear from all of you throughout this process.” Jolene Koester, CSU Interim Chancellor said to the audience before the opening of public comments that the search will be conducted in a confidential manner to protect the candidates, who can’t disclose their interest for the president position without affecting their current career. “We do conduct the searches in

PRESIDENT

sociology junior

Anthony Majano

Prisonindustrial complex

There’s a lot of people ople in jail over issues that at are no longer issues like possession of marijuana, also mental health reasons that at can be addressed in a completely m l t l different manner.

and proposed a system he believes would be effective. “If these people can put their money in an acco account to have it stashed away so tthat when they get out they can be b on their feet, I think they sh should definitely have the righ right to do so,” he said. Pre-law fresh freshman Magnus Herrlin argued that some criminals should not be allowed to make money for themselves if they’ve ccommitted a heinous crime. “I’m not talking about people who made low leve level drug offenses here … I’m talking about ab murderers, rapists, arsonists . . . if they need to do labor, which whic is allowed in the Const Constitution, I don’t really have h a problem The profit-driven with that,” relationship between the Herrlin said. government, the private Sociology j u n i o r companies that build, manage, Anthony supply and service prisons and M a j a n o , related groups including unions programs to take its place.” belie believes there is Aaron Hor witz, an assumption and lobbyists regarded as the behavioral science junior that prisoners cause of increased incarceration said he believes there’s been are “automatically rates especially of poor people an increase of crime in the violent violent” and don’t Bay Area, specifically in San deserve to be a part and minorities and often for Francisco. of society. nonviolent crimes. “San Francisco decriminalized “I believ believe the amount petty theft, places were getting of people wh who are in jail for PH burglarized and police could do actual violent crimes c is super IC BY nothing about it,” Horwitz said. marginal,” Majano said. “There’s BR YA In San Francisco decriminalizing a lot of people in jail over o issues that NN AB R petty theft was a potential step toward are no longer issues l like possession E AR T S T LET T; SOUR WEB of marijuana, also mental health reasons preventing mass incarceration, CE: MER RIAMthat can be addressed in a completely according to a July 14, 2021 article get livable wages for jobs they different manner.” from NBC News. The conversation shifted, do in prison. Follow D’Netrus on Twitter asking participants if they believe Jalen Terry, sociology junior @dchevisrose incarcerated individuals should explained his solution to the problem

a confidential manner for many reasons I have just outlined, but there is a presidential advisory committee that is going to be fully engaged,” Koester said. “The members of that committee represent a key constituency of San Jose State University.” The forum was open for 2-minute long public comments, in-person and on Zoom.

African American community and the Native American community who are “very small and often left out.” Phillip Heller, president of the Jewish Faculty and Staff Association, said the next SJSU president should act against anti-semitic acts affecting Jewish students and faculty members on campus.

I never realized until now how important the president drives the university, so I wish there were more students present. Clarissa Mae Calimbas SJSU student engagement coordinator

Many audience members said they’re looking for a president who cares about diversity and representation, fighting racism and racial inequalities and improving the communication with labor unions among the campus community. Felicia McKee-Fegans, chair of the SJSU Black Faculty and Staff Association, said she would like to make sure that the future president will continue to meet with the

“I rise to remind the committee their responsibility to choose a president who’s committed to ethnic equality and safety for everyone,” Heller said. “Our next president needs to be committed to creating a climate where intolerance is not tolerated.” Sharmin Khan, SJSU linguistic and language development lecturer, said she wants a president who will be committed to labor protection.

“Secondly, In the spirit of shared governance, [it’s important] that faculty is received, not subservient to administration, but as equal,” Khan added. Hall, who came to the open forum after the protest, said to the committee that SJSU workers are looking for somebody who will listen, talk and “bring everyone to the table of discussion” and not just their management team. Associated Students President Anoop Kaur said the future SJSU president should value “communication, transparency, and openness.” She said the president will have to rebuild trust with the campus and Downtown San Jose communities. “I never realized until now how important the president drives the university,” said SJSU student engagement coordinator Clarissa Mae Calimbas after the forum. “So I wish there were more students present.” The forum was the only presidential committee meeting open to the public in the process of the future SJSU president search, according to the April 22 SJSU press release. Follow the Spartan Daily on Twitter @Spartan Daily

MULTIMEDIA Produced by Evan Reinhardt MULTIMEDIA & ASST. NEWS EDITOR

Spartan Recreation hosted one of its outdoor adventures in Yosemite National Park from April 29 to May 1, oﬀering students an escape from campus life as the semester comes to a close. Outdoor adventures coordinator Tony Dianda led the trip and guided students through hikes and activities. “The outdoors is a place to live in the moment and really enjoy each other’s company, not only connecting with the other people in the group, but the places we visit and the people we visit,” Dianda said during the trip. “Whatever skill level you have, you’re more than welcome on these trips and we’ll set you up for success.” He said participants often form strong bonds that extend past the camping trips.

SEE PHOTOS ON PAGE 3 Follow Evan on Twitter @evan.reinhardt

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NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022

Spartans frolic through Yosemite Park PHOTOS BY EVAN REINHARDT Right: San Jose State student Emily Laih nears the top of Vernal Falls during a hike along the Mist Trail in Yosemite Valley on Saturday. Below left: SJSU outdoor adventure coordinator Tony Dianda takes a rest on a fallen tree during a hike on Saturday. Below right: Hikers gather atop Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail to soak in the view in Yosemite National Park on Saturday evening.

Above right: Giant granite walls loom over countless sequoia trees on Saturday. Above left: SJSU sociology senior Cindy Balbuena (left) and Dutch international student and business major Boudewijn Boekel chat during a break along the Mist Trail. Left: Stars fill the night sky above the tips of tall sequoia trees on Saturday night.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022

JOAQUIN’S COFFEE CORNER

Café presents smart, unique flavors By Joaquin De La Torre STAFF WRITER

Academic Coffee, located on 499 S. Second Street, has served decadent coffees and teas to the Downtown San Jose community since 2017. Founder Frank Nguyen said the name for the cafe came from his dedication to the lifelong pursuit of coffee knowledge and an encapsulation of a significant moment in his life. “At the time that I had started the business, I had gone to Antarctica in my previous [field working in] the travel industry and the ship we were on was a science vessel called the Academic,” Nguyen said. The cafe offers patrons traditional coffee house favorites such as the Espresso Latte, Americano and Cortado. I am always happy to see a Cortado on a cafe’s menu because my first time actually enjoying an espresso beverage was drinking a Cortado. Cortados derived from the Spanish word “cotar” meaning “to cut” can trace its origins to Basque Country, which is located in northern Spain. The drink is a simple beverage consisting of steamed milk, espresso and little-to-no foam culminating in a drink that is more palatable since the acidity of the espresso is “cut” by the milk, according to a Jan. 12, 2021 Roasty Coffee article. Roasty Coffee is a coffee enthusiast platform dedicated to promoting brewing coffee in the “slow way” and has been publishing since 2015, according to its website. While the cafe serves classics, it also sells drinks that incorporate international flavors such as the Pandan Latte, Piloncillo Cinnamon Latte and Honey Assam Au Lait. Pandan is an aromatic, tropical

JOAQUIN DE LA TORRE | SPARTAN DAILY

The “gorgeous gorgeous” Iced Match Vanilla Latte from Academic Coﬀee which is located on 499 S. Second Street Downtown San Jose.

tree found in Southeast Asia with leaves featuring a sweet flavor profile similar to vanilla, according to a July 19, 2021 The Spruce Eats article. The Spruce Eats is a food website with articles intended to help amateur chefs create amazing dishes with less confusion, according to its website. “I came here my freshman year . . . and I had their Pandan Oat Milk Latte and I know that sounds really basic and everything, but it was super delicious,” said Dillon Gadoury, business marketing junior. The Pandan Latte is one of the cafe’s signature drinks and consists of a pandan syrup, espresso and the patron’s choice of dairy or non-dairy milk. “I don’t always like my coffee

really sweet . . . so I ask for 50% [level] sweetness, but it has this really nice earthy nuttiness to it, which I love,” Gadoury said. The pandan syrup, as well as every other syrup used at Academic Coffee, is freshly made on site, Nguyen said. “A lot of customers will pop in every now and then and they are like ‘Oh, what’s that smell?’ and it’s like we just made our piloncillo cinnamon syrup,” he said. Piloncillo is a Mexican cane sugar, which is sometimes called Mexican brown sugar, and is usually found in any grocery store, looking like hardened baked sugar cones. When I visited Academic Coffee, I felt like a “gorgeous, gorgeous girl” so I had their

CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORD PUZZLE 1

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SUDOKU PUZZLE

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58. Extraterrestrial object 59. Therefore 60. Majestic 61. Extraterrestrial 62. Imagine (archaic) 63. Accomplished 64. Andean animal DOWN 1. Notion 2. Colorless 3. Corporate image 4. Always 5. Important 6. Hymn singers 7. Forsaken 8. Component used as fertilizer 9. One who subjugates 10. Twist 11. Farewell 12. A type of renewable energy 13. Journey 21. Petrol 25. Adult males 26. Burst of wind 27. Glimpse 28. Half-moon tide 29. Watering system 30. Answer

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matcha available, according to the cafe’s website. As the Iced Matcha Latte delicately danced on all of my taste buds, I rested peacefully under the protection of the large shady tree on the corners of South Second and William street where Academic Coffee has outdoor light pink and blue seating. “I feel like, you know, we’re in downtown, where a lot of things can get hectic or can be loud,” Gadory said. “But I feel like you come here and you’re kinda in your own world where it’s very calm.”

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JOKIN’ AROUND May the 4th be with you... ...May the 5th be CINCO DE MAYO!

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Iced Matcha Vanilla Latte as the TikTok trend proclaims. Matcha is a green tea that’s finely ground into a powder and can be used to make drinks and flavor desserts, according to Dictionary.com. The ethically sourced matcha powder used at Academic Coffee is from the Aichi Japanese prefecture, a region that’s been cultivating the plant since the 13th century, according to Academic Coffee’s website. The Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte was superb and featured a light, almost unnoticeable, vanilla flavor and a solid yet subtle earthy matcha hit. This is not surprising considering that the matcha is comparable to ceremonial grade matcha, which is the highest grade of

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SOLUTIONS

May 4th

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3 1 8 4 2 7 9 5 6

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OPINION

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022

CINCO DE MAYO

ILLUSTRATION BY BIANCA RADER

Americans abuse storied holiday People celebrating with excessive drinking and costumes are disrespecting Mexican culture

Christina Casillas MANAGING EDITOR

When May comes around each year a sense of dread bubbles in my stomach. The approach of Cinco de Mayo, or May 5, means I have to deal with non-Mexicans perpetuating stereotypes and using a faux holiday commonly referred to as “Cinco de drinko” to get drunk, wear fake mustaches and wear traditional Mexican cultural garb as if it’s a Halloween costume. Get a grip. If you’re going to use the holiday as an excuse to get drunk, so be it but know what you’re celebrating and don’t mock Mexican culture while you’re enjoying tequila and mezcal. Cinco de Mayo is a commemoration of an 1862 Mexican victory against French emperor Napoleon III and his army in the battle of Puebla, according to an Encyclopedia Britannica entry. Mexican officials instituted a temporary foreign debt repayment moratorium in 1861, which resulted in Spanish, English and French troops invading the country and demanding payment, according to the same encyclopedia entry. Though English and Spanish troops left by April 1862, the French military remained and

partnered with rich landowners, trying to establish a monarchy under Archduke of Austria Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph. Though poorly armed, a Zapotec and mestizo attack led by General Ignacio Zaragoza on May 5, 1862 left more than 1,000 French troops dead in Puebla. The Zapotec are an indigenous group based in and around the eastern and southern parts of Oaxaca, a southern Mexican state, according to an Encyclopedia Britannica entry. Mestizo is a term used to describe people of mixed indigenous and European descent, according to a July 10, 2015 icle. Pew Research Center article.

I’m willing to b bet money that h the entitled frat boys and those who “celebrate” Cinco de Mayo by getting blackout drunk aren’t doing so in commemoration of an underdog victory against European imperialism. Though French troops didn’t leave Mexico ’til 1867, the triumphant May 5 attack was an example of Mexican strength. I’m willing to bet money that the entitled frat boys and those who “celebrate” Cinco de Mayo by getting blackout drunk aren’t doing so in commemoration of an underdog victory against European imperialism. To see a holiday that is either celebrated briefly or not at all in its country of origin being blown

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out of proportion by people in the U.S. is confusing, but it’s especially disconcerting when paired with the gross simplification of Mexican culture often seen at Cinco de Mayo celebrations and parties. It’s nauseating how debauchery is associated with what brings pride to many Mexicans and the U.S. Mexican diaspora. It’s especially concerning because Mexicans are often portrayed negatively and inaccurately in pop culture. The portrayal of the Mexican community in media can be demeaning and harsh, according to the Ferris State University Jim Crow Museum Mexican and Latino stereotypes webpage.

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Mexican immigrants, especially those who immigrate to the U.S. without documentation, are often portrayed as “lazy” and “ugly menaces to society,” according to the webpage. While I’m sure those who dress up during Cinco de Mayo festivities don’t intend to harm, it’s disrespectful and though not purposeful, but it can perpetuate tired and dangerous stereotypes. My father came to the U.S. illegally and while he has his papers

now, he’s always been one of the hardest working people I know. It’s infuriating to think of these stereotypes when I know he goes home tired after nine hours in the sun, landscaping gardens and beautifying the yards of rich Silicon Valley folks. Seeing non-Mexican men wearing sombreros, serapes and fake mustaches on the holiday to fit the stereotype is disgusting. Sombreros first appeared in the 15th century, the name “sombrero” meaning something that provides sombra, or shade in Spanish, according to an Encyclopedia Britannica entry. They’re especially popular in Mexico and the southwest U.S. as they protect wearers from the sun, according to the same entry. Though not indigenous to Mexico, serapes are woven worn-blankets similar to ponchos, and their weaving has thrived in the country since the 18th and 19th centuries, according to a serape exhibit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Sombreros and serapes aren’t costumes. They’re beautiful and often created lovingly by artisans to be worn proudly, not for you to wear once a year while downing six Modelos at a little college party or bar. I’m not against Cinco de Mayo celebrations. If you want to have fun, have fun, but if you intend to host or attend parties, know what you’re celebrating and don’t disrespect a vibrant and beautiful culture. Follow Christina on Twitter @christina_casi

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT