TheUSDVISTA
Volume 56 Issue 21
Thursday, April 25, 2019
On Newsstands Weekly
◆ The Official Student Newspaper of the University of San Diego since 1968 ◆
Coachella rocks Indio Toreros head to the desert for Weekend 2 of the popular music festival
People walk through different aspects of the venue during Weekend 2 of Coachella. See pages 12 and 13 for more.
Photo courtesy of Coachella
USD student pursues rap career
Shaya Rouhifar splits time between his studies and his blossoming rap career Sabrina Alterman Asst. Feature Editor Catherine Silvey Feature Editor While navigating the rigorous curriculum demanded by the University of San Diego, many students find it difficult to fit in standard extracurriculars, much less the creation and release of an extended play (EP) record
on a major streaming platform like Soundcloud. However, USD sophomore Shaya Rouhifar seems to be managing the balance with both grace and style. An Orange County native, Rouhifar balances his time between working toward his Marketing and Business Administration double major and spending almost every weekend in a Los Angeles recording studio. While these pursuits may seem unrelated, Rouhifar expressed
desire to incorporate both of them in his future career. “I want to use my business degree to start working at a record label,” Rouhifar said. “I want to learn everything I can right now. In the future I might want to produce music. I just bought a guitar and I’m trying to learn to sing from YouTube videos.” Rouhifar developed a love for music at a young age, and started to experiment with his personal
Toreros win with walkoff
musical style in middle school. “I started trying to make music in eighth grade,” Rouhifar said. “My cousin taught me how to rap. We would freestyle in the car. He was so much better than me that it drove me to keep being better.” Additionally, Rouhifar expressed that a change in hip hop music led by modern artists inspired him to use music as a way to spread meaningful messages.
See Rapper, Page 11
Hayles’ paving the way
Joe Duffy Asst. A&C Editor We are connected to technology in a way that humanity has never been in the past. Cell phones and laptops are now a part of our daily lives, whether we’re using them to study, work, or scroll through Instagram. We engage with unblinking glass screens, plastic and metal bits, hard drives and motherboards—but is this all computers are? In the Warren Auditorium on Tuesday, April 16, scholar N. Katherine Hayles gave a lecture entitled “Can Computers Create Meaning?: A Cyber/Bio/Semiotic Perspective.” She argued that computers can, in fact, create meaning. It all just depends on our definition of “meaning.” The event was part of the Joanne T. Dempsey Lecture Series, created in memory of the late USD English professor of the same name. The biannual series brings literary scholars from around the world to the University of San Diego community. Professor Koonyong Kim, Ph.D., delivered a short introduction for Hayles, calling her work “trailblazing” and commenting on some of the unique titles of her books—such as “My Mother Was a Computer: Digital Subjects and Literary Texts” (2005). “(Hayles’) work is very different from other leading scholars’ works, where these scholars focus primarily on something intangible and immaterial in the age of cybernetic culture,” Kim said. Hayles, who currently serves as
See Computers, Page 14
USD baseball takes down Portland 4-3 in extra innings The University of San Diego baseball team continued conference play last Thursday night with an action packed 4-3 win in 10 innings against the University of Portland Pilots. A little bit of quality pitching from Chris Murphy, some late game drama, and crucial pitching out of relief from Travis Kuhn led to a hardfought victory against Portland. Senior shortstop Jeff Houghtby capped off the night with a walk-off single in the bottom of the tenth inning, giving the Toreros the win in the first game of the three-game home stand. Despite losing two out
of three games in their previous series against Loyola Marymount University, the Toreros were able to come back with a win against Portland in extra innings in addition to beating California Baptist at home on Tuesday. To begin the game, USD handed the ball again to their junior ace, Chris Murphy, who showed yet again why he is one of the best pitchers in the West Coast Conference. Murphy silenced the Portland bats for much of the game, going six innings with eight strikeouts, four walks, and only two earned runs in one hundred and thirteen pitches. Opposite Murphy, the Toreros faced unorthodox pitching from Portland Thursday
night with the Pilots utilizing two “submarine,” or sidearm pitchers in Cameron Richman and Christian Peters. USD baseball head coach Rich Hill described his team’s approach in facing pitchers with deceptive, underarm deliveries. “Usually those guys are not really effective against left handed hitters,” Hill said. “We weren’t freaked out that those guys were coming in because we had seven lefties running at those guys. I don’t think they have any lefties coming out of the bullpen, so it was a good matchup for us.” Chris Murphy started off the game on a high note by striking
Sri Lanka Easter bombings
Editorial: Mueller report
Student art exhibits
Kanye’s Easter Sunday Service
Silveyra stars in USD softball
See Opinion, page 6
See Feature, pages 8-9
See A&C, page 10
See Sports, page 15
Henry Jones Contributor
See News, page 3
See Baseball, Page 16
First year Cody Jefferis throws out a Portland runner at third base in the fourth inning. Photo courtesy of Thomas Christensen
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The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
NEWS
Campus Update
Associated Students
At the April 11 AS Senate meeting, senators continued to debate changes to the body’s constitution. They agreed that the speaker of the senate will be selected by a two-thirds vote of the senate. This policy ensures that the speaker of the senate will have the support of the body of senators. Senators also continued to debate the role of the new judicial body within Associated Students. The chief justice is expected to have expertise with Robert’s Rules of Order as well as the AS Constitution and Bylaws. The senate decided that the chief justice will be chosen by the other five elected judges. The senate also moved to approve priority registration for active duty members of the military. Earlier in the semester, the body approved priority registration for veteran students. This decision will go into effect in the next registration period. Two new student organizations were also registered by the AS Senate. First, the senate approved the Cars, Motorcycles, and Off-Roading Club. This organization strives to connect and create a support network among automotive enthusiasts. The club hopes to have a number of off-campus drives to further enjoy their interests. The senate also voted to register the First Generation Student Organization. This club looks to provide support, services, and advice to students whose parents did not earn a fouryear college degree. The organization promises a mentorship program in which students are taught financial literacy and how to navigate campus. Finally, the senate discussed the design plans for the Student Life Pavilion’s staircase. The plan includes large vinyl wall stickers with words describing what takes place on each of the floors. The senate also proposed a large directory of spaces available in the SLP. Elections for the 2019-2020 Associated Student Government body are taking place this week. Voting takes place on the my.sandiego.edu student portal and will close at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Marion Chavarria Rivera and Shanti Stender are running for AS President. Jesse Magaña and Greyson Taylor are running for AS Vice President. Carolina Moreno Armenta and Charlie Young are running for AS Speaker of the Senate. The USD Vista has covered AS throughout the semester. See previous issues for more information.
Copley Library incident
Last Tuesday afternoon, a woman was arrested and removed from Copley Library after employees called the Department of Public Safety claiming that she had been creating a disturbance and would not leave when asked to do so. Students in the library at the time saw her throwing books off of shelves and shouting at employees working at the circulation desk near the entrance. According to Chief James Miyashiro, the individual is a former student who ceased enrollment for unspecified reasons, and has since created public disturbances warranting public safety response more than once in the past. Body-cam footage from the officer who conducted the arrest shows the individual shouting profanities and attempting to assault the officer before being placed in handcuffs and escorted down the steps of the library. In the footage, the individual can be heard shouting profanities about the university while claiming that the library is a public space and that she is being unlawfully provoked. Following the incident, the woman was delivered to SDPD custody. The individual has been issued a no-trespass order and is subject to immediate arrest upon returning to campus.
CORRECTION: Page 2, 4/11 Issue The weekly “Campus Update” incorrectly said that a senator moved to adjourn the meeting in the middle of Joshua Glasser’s statement. The motion was made after the speaker’s time expired.
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Volume 56 Issue 21
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NEWS
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The USD Vista
Sri Lanka suffers Easter bombings
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More than 350 people were killed in the bombing of churches and hotels across the island nation
Amy Inkrott News Editor On Sunday, April 21, a wave of explosions tore through the country of Sri Lanka killing over 350 people, and injuring at least 500 more. The country faced multiple bombings targeting luxury hotels and Christian churches. These attacks come a month after the deadly mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Christians from across the world were impacted by these attacks as they came together to celebrate Easter. The joyful observance was overshadowed by the devastation caused by the bombings. Suicide bombers targeted churches and high-end hotels throughout the country. Sri Lankan Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardene claimed that a local extremist group carried out
group coordinated the bombings. In the days following the attacks, people took to the streets to mourn the loss of these individuals. USD senior Alexa Perera was especially impacted by the recent terrorist attacks. Growing up in a Sri Lankan Catholic family, she previously visited some of the sites destroyed by the Easter bombings. Before he moved to the United States, Perera’s grandfather regularly attended mass at St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo, one of the locations devastated in the attacks. Perera was shocked by the bombings and their connection to her family. “My mom’s side of the family is very Catholic so my grandpa is having a hard time understanding why someone would bomb a church,” Perera said. “I feel affected because of how my granddad is
“The targeting of believers gathered for prayer is particularly painful, whether it be a church, mosque, synagogue or any house of worship.” -President James T. Harris III the attacks in response to the terror attacks in Christchurch. Just a month earlier, more than 50 individuals were killed in a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques. However, Wijewardene did not provide any evidence to connect the two events. The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks, but officials are unable to show that the
affected. But I’m Sri Lankan, I’ve met them and been there and experienced that so I do have a connection. It’s just hard. I have been to those places and it could so easily happen whenever.” Although she no longer has relatives living in Sri Lanka, Perera is still struggling to comprehend the attacks.
“I think I’m just in shock,” Perera said. “I don’t know how to process this. No one really understands hate crimes. People use religion as a basis for hate crimes sometimes. It’s really hard to understand why someone would attack a church on Easter Sunday. I would never think that would happen. No one should ever be scared to practice their faith wherever they are. I don’t know how people of the Christian faith in Sri Lanka are gonna go forward with this.” The impact of these attacks has led Perera to fear the possibility of more attacks in the future. “Knowing that anything bad can happen anywhere nowadays, it’s just scary to think about,” Perera said. On Monday afternoon, President James T. Harris III responded to the attacks on Sri Lanka in an email to the University of San Diego campus community. Throughout the email, Harris echoed the heartbreak and overwhelming grief felt by people throughout the world. “Acts of terror and hate are antithetical to the values we hold most dear as a Catholic university, especially our conviction in the dignity of each and every person,” Harris said. “The targeting of believers gathered for prayer is particularly painful, whether it be a church, mosque, synagogue or any house of worship.” Harris reflected on the continued pain caused by the Christchurch
Multiple bombings occurred across the country of Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Photo courtesy of Google Maps
massacre. Both of these terrorist acts sparked mourning across the globe. In his email, Harris called students to be Changemakers in their own communities by living lives of love and acceptance. “While we may have limited ability to affect the situation in Sri Lanka or New Zealand, we have unlimited potential to impact the lives of people around us and to shape our campus and our
communities into the places of love, healing, and respect for which we long,” Harris said. The University promised to dedicate a candlelight vigil to the victims of these attacks on April 24 on Paseo de Colachis. At Mass for Peace in Founders Chapel, students prayed for an end to hatred and violence as they stood in solidarity with those impacted by the bombings.
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The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
Volume 56 Issue 21
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OPINION
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The USD Vista
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Not everyone can say #MeToo The underserved victims of sexual violence
Ali Ulin Asst. Opinion Editor Society and policy work together to protect white women from sexual attacks and disregard those who need it most: queer people and people of color. As sexual assault and harassment are some of the most topical issues in politics and on social media today, the lack of research into how to prevent sexual assault in these high-risk, high-vulnerability groups and underrepresented
white women. The lack of reports from minority groups speaks to the lack of protection and support provided to these victims and survivors. Only one report for every 15 black women who experience sexual assault is filed though nearly two-thirds of black women are sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18; likewise, only about one-third of Latina women who experience sexual violence report the crime to the authorities, according to a survey done by the
“The lack of reports from minority groups speaks to the lack of protection and support provided to these victims and survivors.” victims is troubling. As there should be no comparison to the severity and effects of these grotesque attacks, there should be no disparity in legal representation, justice served, or recognition. One of the main battles women, especially women of color, have to fight is to be heard. A study done by Catalyst.org showed that 75 percent of claims filed by white women regarding sexual assault or sexual harassment were filed by prosecutors while only 34 percent of claims filed by black women received the same attention. Similarly, “End Rape On Campus” (EROC), an advocacy group for preventing college sexual violence, conducted a survey showing that attorneys declined to prosecute 67 percent of cases on behalf of Native American women that are victims of sexual violence (and other violent crimes) even though Native Americans have the highest rate of sexual abuse, being twice as likely to be victims as any other race. With these statistics in mind, it becomes clear why 80 percent of all rapes reported are made by
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. These victims (alongside the majority of victims of color) cannot and should not have to suffer the pain of trial, lack of justice to their assailants, and social or economic consequences of going to trial. Additionally, women of color are at higher risk for any form of domestic abuse whether that be sexual, verbal, emotional, or physical from intimate partners than are white women. Nearly half of black women experiencing domestic abuse, with approximately four out of every 10 suffering partner violence according to the National Intimate Partner & Sexual Violence Survey. Often times, these marginalized groups do not have the freedom to report or speak up due to their economic, social, and political disadvantages. The average lifetime cost of necessary health care support for victims of rape is over $122,000, and the average health care rate increases by an average 16 percent for women who were victims of rape as children. Alongside life’s other financial burdens, underprivileged groups,
generally people of color, often cannot afford to report instances sexual assault or domestic violence. When someone’s social identity is used against them, it creates an obstacle on the path to bringing these crimes to light or prosecuting his or her abuser. The LGBTQ+ community is often abandoned by law enforcement and overlooked by politicians and the general public in regard to protection, advocacy, and awareness of their heightened risk to sexual violence. Lesbian and bisexual women are reportedly up to three times more likely to be sexually assaulted than straight women; and gay and bisexual men are up to 15 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than straight men according to a study done by the School of Public Health at Boston University. There is a clear lack of understanding of what same-sex abuse looks like and a disbelief that women can be predators. Couple that lack of understanding with the shame that men experience when they are the victims of what is generally deemed a “women’s issue,” and it becomes easy to understand why the public overlooks sexual assault in the LGBTQ+ community. The highest risk group for sexual violence is transgender people of color, at approximately six times the risk to their white transgender counterparts. Nearly half of all transgender people will experience sexual assault in their lifetime according to a survey done by the Human Rights Campaign. Seventy-three percent of LGBTQ+ college students experience some form of sexual harassment or sexual abuse, according to EROC. On college campuses, women, especially women of color, and transgender people consistently experience
disproportionately high rates of sexual violence. This is not to take away from anyone else that has been affected by sexual violence. Intersectional minority groups, people with more than one marginalized social identity, often have the highest vulnerability and risk to sexual abuse. The Human Rights Campaign studies show that almost half of lesbian women and nearly two-thirds of bisexual women experience sexual abuse from a partner as opposed to one-third of straight women. Additionally, almost onethird of gay men and over onethird of bisexual men experience sexual violence from a partner as opposed to one-fifth of straight men. Forty-seven percent of trans people are victims of sexual abuse in their lifetime; more than half of all LGBTQ+ people of color are victims of hate crimes over the course of their lifetime. With college students already being at the highest risk of sexual assault, minority groups are put in an even more unsafe position on campus. Every 92 seconds an American is sexually assaulted, leading to more than 320,000 victims of sexual assault per year. Over half
students being sexually assaulted during their college experience. Roughly 80 percent of college sexual assault goes unreported; campus sexual assault is a serious issue that is best combated by prevention and awareness education, as has been proven in studies like Aggression and Violent Behavior, and by an extensive review about violence prevention strategies by researchers in the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who are educated on sexual assault or receive sexual assault prevention training are much less likely to commit sexual assault than those who are not educated or have received no such training. That training can and should be delivered by way of alreadymandatory classes that many colleges provide for incoming first years. On a grander scale, the justice system is in dire need of proper representation of minority groups that are highly affected by and vulnerable to sexual violence. If you or anyone you know ever needs to report sexual abuse or needs support in regard to sexual violence, call the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN,
“Society and policy work together to protect white women from sexual attacks and disregard those who need it the most: queer people and people of color.” of these offenses are committed against people aged 18-34 according to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. College students are extremely susceptible to sexual assault, and the most highly affected group within college students are those who are transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming (TGNQ), with nearly one in every five TGNQ
a sexual assault awareness, prevention, and protection nonprofit organization) National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800646-4673. On-campus resources also include the Center for Health and Wellness Promotion (call: 1-619-260-4618 or email: chwp@ sandiego.edu) and Student Wellness (call: 1-619-260-4655 or email: wellness@sandiego.edu).
The University of San Diego does not share the views presented within the editorial and op-ed sections. The opinions expressed in this section reflect solely the opinion of the respective writer.
The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
E DI TOR IA L
Democracy left defenseless
Mueller Report reveals “sweeping” attack on United States democracy, apathetic response from Trump Eric Boose Opinion Editor If one of the cornerstones of a democratic nation is free and fair elections, the United States may be less democratic than we all thought. While the Mueller Report contains many causes for concern, the emphatic statement that the Russian government “interfered in the 2016 presidential election in a sweeping and systematic fashion” should be terrifying. Even more terrifying, the report concludes that not only did the Trump campaign know about Russian interference, but that lies told by the administration actively hindered the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s inquest into that meddling. Our democracy was attacked, and the president is letting our attackers off the hook. According to Mueller’s report, Russian election interference took the forms of a social media “information warfare” campaign, as well as hacking and releasing documents from the Clinton campaign. The information warfare campaign, funded by a Russian oligarch with purported ties to Vladimir Putin, was designed specifically to “undermine the U.S. electoral system.” The program involved Russian operatives posing as American citizens or grassroots political organizations with the express goal of criticizing Hillary Clinton and supporting Donald Trump. All told, the Russian social media campaign reached at least
29 million Americans on Facebook alone, but that number may be as high as 126 million. While American citizens and interest groups have every right to criticize and support political candidates in this country, foreign influence is highly regulated. The operatives who conducted the information warfare campaign are charged with “participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States.” The United States was defrauded. Not to mention, Russian agents hacked into Democratic Party computers and email accounts and released sensitive information. It would be no stretch to classify such hacking as espionage, cyber warfare, or both. At best, the United States was the victim of a deliberate attack by a less-than-friendly nation. At worst, the United States was, for a moment in time, not an entirely democratic nation. In any case, the commander in chief has a responsibility to respond quickly and appropriately. In the months leading up to his election and the years following it, President Trump has failed to do so. For the duration of the FBI’s investigation into possible election interference, Trump pressured then-FBI Director James Comey to drop the investigation or at least publicly state that Trump had no connection to Russian interference. When Comey did neither, Trump fired him. After the Special Counsel was appointed, Trump and his associates continued to impede
the investigation into possible election interference. Twice in the first month of the Special Counsel’s investigation, including the day the investigation began, Trump attempted to fire Mueller. Beyond his attempts to have the Special Counsel removed, Trump took direct action to hide evidence both linking his campaign to Russian interference and evidence to suggest Trump was impeding the investigation. The investigation found that Michael Cohen lied to Congress at his 2017 hearing in order to stick to a “party line” created by the administration. In his report, Mueller states that “those lies materially impaired the investigation of Russian election interference.” Also in 2017, Trump instructed White House Counsel Donald McGahn to create a false report “stating that he had not been ordered to have the Special Counsel removed.” There is no doubt that Trump’s actions in response to the investigation into Russian election interference are counterproductive. Plainly, Trump’s behavior is irresponsible and un-presidential. While the degree of Russian interference in the 2016 election, as well as the hostile nature of the administration’s response to the subsequent investigation, are made clear by the Mueller Report, not much else is. With respect to possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives, the report concludes that while “the investigation
established that the Russian government perceived it would benefit from a Trump presidency and worked to secure that outcome, and that the Campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts, the investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.” In regard to possible obstruction of justice, the Office of the Special Counsel stated, “If we had confidence after a thorough investigation of the facts that the President clearly did commit obstruction of justice, we would so state. Based on the facts and the applicable legal standards, however, we are unable to reach that judgement…. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him.” It is important to note that while the report does not directly implicate Trump in criminal activity, the report does not, in any way, prove his innocence. The report lists 10 separate instances which could constitute an obstruction of justice offense, including the president’s attempt to have the Special Counsel removed, the president’s firing of Comey, and the Trump Campaign’s response to reported ties to Russia. This lack of closure leaves the American people, especially
Congress, with a decision to make. Some Democrats in the House of Representatives are strongly considering impeachment. If Trump is impeached, he will face a trial in the Senate to be removed from office. If he is still in office next fall, he will face a different, much larger test – the 2020 presidential election. At that point, voters will have every right to see themselves as the judge and jury in a nationwide trial. However, to do so would minimize the importance of the election. The 2020 presidential election can not simply ask American people if they would like four more years of Trump or simply someone else. With the Democrats fielding the most primary candidates in American history and one Republican primary challenger already declared with others considering bids, voters must choose the two candidates who they believe are most fit to do the job. Our democracy may not survive another election in which Americans feel they must choose between the lesser of two evils. Donald Trump consistently downplayed the severity of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Actions he took as both a candidate and as president impaired the investigation into that interference to a degree which could constitute obstruction of justice. Those actions permitted an attack against our democracy, and are unacceptable from the President of the United States.
New names a start, not a solution More must be done in reconciling Serra’s sainthood with his legacy
Eric Boose Opinion Editor Earlier this semester, I wrote that this country is still home to a multitude of monuments that contribute to the oppression of Native Americans and that allowing those monuments to go un-confronted is to partake in that oppression. One such monument resides on our campus – Serra Hall. Since I wrote that editorial, Serra Hall has been renamed Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall, adding the name of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha – the first Native American to be granted sainthood. The addition of Tekakwitha’s name is a welcome first step, but is little more than that. Confronting Serra’s legacy is as complex a task as is the saint’s legacy itself. It would be easy to point to Stanford University’s decision to remove Serra’s name and likeness from their campus in the fall and ask why USD will not simply do the same, but Stanford does not share USD’s Catholic identity. To
Stanford, Serra was an important part of the Bay Area and California’s history, but nothing more. To USD, Serra is not only part of our city and our state’s history, but also a key figure in our identity as a Catholic university. As a Catholic institution in a city built from a mission he founded, Serra is undeniably a person of great importance to USD. Perhaps that importance is the reason President James Harris III committed to preserving Serra’s presence on campus. To some extent, there is also an argument that Serra is not the monster that he has been made out to be. At Serra’s canonization in 2015, Pope Francis praised Serra, saying he “sought to defend the dignity of the native community, to protect it from those who had mistreated and abused it.” However, there is little consensus in the historical community regarding Serra’s role in the missionaries’ abuse of Native Americans. While some historians would support Pope Francis’ portrayal of the saint,
others would argue that Serra was fully complicit in the oppression of native people in California. Regardless of Serra’s true involvement, his legacy is now tied to that of the California missions, for all of the good and all of the bad the missions brought. Herein lies the crux of the problem with Serra. Whether deserved or not, Serra’s name and likeness embody the atrocities committed by all Catholic missionaries throughout California. Thus, the dilemma USD faces is striking a balance. While the university has every right to preserve a key piece of San Diego’s history and USD’s Catholic identity, it must also recognize the struggle faced by Native Americans, who inhabited this land long before we did. The addition of Saint Tekakwitha’s name alongside Serra’s represents that balance, but does not fully achieve it. At this point in time, the only impact of renaming Serra Hall and Missions Crossroads – renamed Mata’yuum Crossroads – is symbolic. As
President Harris said when the name change was announced, the addition of Tekakwitha’s name is “a symbol that we were honoring those who were here first, and also those who came later, so that they would be on equal footing.” While symbolic change is important, if that symbolism is not supported by action, it becomes nothing more than a facade. That action has to be education. If Serra’s name is going to remain on campus, his legacy must be addressed with the utmost respect. That is to say, there should a public, in-depth examination of Serra, his importance to Catholicism, and the impact he had on the native people of California. Students should be given as much information as possible and be allowed to make their own decisions about what kind of man he was. Here, USD can and should look to Stanford as an example. There is one instance of Serra’s name which remains on Stanford’s campus – Serra Street. In choosing
to leave Serra Street unchanged, Stanford decided to use the street as an opportunity to inform its campus community. According to The Washington Post, the university’s intention is to add a plaque to Serra Street, explaining who Serra was, as well as the controversy surrounding him. If USD is to address the controversy surrounding Serra fully and appropriately, a similar plaque in Saints Tekakwitha and Serra Hall would go a long way toward achieving that goal. When the name change was announced, President Harris stated his belief that having two names on the building would foster an important dialogue on campus. No matter what, that dialogue will be the most impactful if everyone has the chance to form an informed opinion. In that way, if there is no follow-up step besides adding Tekakwitha’s name alongside Serra’s, it becomes an empty gesture.
The University of San Diego does not share the views presented within the editorial and op-ed sections. The opinions expressed in this section reflect solely the opinion of the respective writer.
Volume 56 Issue 21
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OPINION
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The USD Vista
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Environmental cost of Coachella A not-so-Instagram-worthy snapshot of the festival’s impact
Hannah Sonberg Managing Editor Tens of thousands of musiclovers rejoice in Indio, California each weekend of the Coachella Valley Music Festival that takes place every year in April. The crowds will pile toward each stage, creating an ocean of eager young adults cheering and stacked on each others’ shoulders waiting for their favorite artists. As the excitement builds in anticipation of headliners like this year’s Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, and Tame Impala, just about the last thing on the festival-goers’ minds is what kind of environmental impact their attendance at Coachella will cause. A recent impact report on festivals like Coachella and Stagecoach showed that attendees produce 107 tons of solid waste per day, tripling that number by the end of the weekend, only to produce that same amount again during Coachella’s second weekend. The Coachella website promotes many sustainability efforts that the festival
offers, and even states that “75% of America’s waste is recyclable but we only recycle around 30% of it.” You may think that this statistic placed under the header “No Impact Coachella” points toward some impactful sustainability campaigns from the festival, but unfortunately that is not the case. The same impact report showed that only 20 percent of the 107 tons produced daily by Coachella ends up recycled – even less than the average American recycling rate that Coachella advertises. Over two weekends of Coachella, the waste adds up to 642 tons of solid waste, with only 128.4 tons being recycled. Coachella states that 75 percent of their waste can be recycled, and if that amount was met, over 480 tons of the 642 would be recycled. So why doesn’t Coachella actually recycle 75 percent, or at least the 30 percent they say is typically recycled? In 2017, the Indio City Council allowed Coachella’s attendance to rise from an already impressive 99,000 people to a whopping
125,000. With the quick increase of attendance rising 26 percent, Coachella will be bringing in higher profits, and more attendees to ignore Coachella’s sustainability efforts. All of this does not detract from the attempts that Coachella makes to lessen its environmental impact. Coachella donates unwanted and left-behind camping equipment to the Galilee Center which gives sleeping bags, tents, coolers, chairs, etc. to underprivileged families living in Coachella Valley. The festival also offers water refill stations and reusable bottles available for purchase, as well as a 10-for-1 plastic water bottle tradein that offers guests merchandise, upgrades, and fresh water for bringing in stray bottles. Artcovered recycling and trash bins are located throughout the festival and there is even a way to recharge cell phones by simply doing some exercise. Coachella provides unique ways to save energy and the planet, but that doesn’t mean that people will use these programs. Unfortunately, when walking the
grounds of Coachella, trash covers the supposedly Instagram-able lawns, proving that despite the festival’s efforts, not everyone participates. You may also be wondering about those giant pop-up stages. How much energy does it really take to keep those lights, fog machines, and projections running? Most of the stages and amenities that keep attendees cool in the heat and dancing to their favorite artists are powered by diesel machines. You may have heard of the Weekend 1 gas fire explosions that put festival campers at risk. The same diesel is what fuels the captivating light shows for artists’ sets. Due to the massive size of the stages and the elaborate stage requests from artists, these diesel generators often burn out, which means they have many, many backup generators to ensure a smoothly-run show. Diesel exhaust includes gases that are extremely toxic for animals and our earth, and are frequent contributors to the deterioration of natural habitats. Carbon monoxide,
for example, is a gas let off by diesel generators that prevents oxygen from reaching vital organs in the human body. Nitrogen oxides, another emission from diesel generators, are a main component of smog and form with other gases to create acid rain. Neither are good for our earth or our bodies, yet both are emitted in mass at Coachella. When next year rolls around, and you see that pre-sale notification from Coachella, think about what that $500 ticket is contributing to. Don’t be shrouded by the allure of an artist you’ve never seen live before, or the sun-soaked, fairytale pictures you’re planning on taking. Instead, do your research. How are your actions affecting the world around you? It may not seem like one person opting out of the 125,000-person festival will provide much of an impact, but your actions will start the wave. And if you do still decide to attend Coachella, bring your reusable water bottle, recycle appropriately, and respect the land that allowed the festival to happen in the first place.
Op-Ed: Rebuilding natural cathedrals Caring for our planet goes beyond Earth Day Instagram posts Camille Morales Op-Ed Contributor Throughout the past week, news of the Notre Dame’s incineration and the horrifying images of tongues of flame licking the main steeple as easily as a child’s popsicle spread across the internet like wildfire. The images were heartbreaking because something precious, something beloved, and something irreplaceable was destroyed. The outpouring of love, support, and monetary donations was inspiring, but when the donations rose to upward of $450 million dollars, it left me wondering why that amount of funds is not being acquired for another, larger, and arguably even more precious cathedral that is currently in the midst of destruction. This might be an inflammatory thought, but it seems absurd to invest all of that money into a pile of sticks and stones, when we could invest it into halting the soon-to-be irrevocable damage that is being done to entire ecosystems across our planet. I feel closest to something sacred and something divine when I am outside under an infinite sky, looking out at the ocean. Elaborate cathedrals are made by fools like man, but only God can make a tree, a forest, or an ocean teeming with a mind-blowing amount of complex, living organisms. If there is one thing I will take away from my studies in biology, it is how much of a miracle it is to be alive. When I think about how absurd it is
that all of the proteins in our body actually function correctly and simultaneously, that hemoglobin molecules carry oxygen molecules to our brain, breathed out of trees, it leads me to think that there must be some higher power. When I came to USD, my biggest apprehension was the requirement to take three religion classes. I thought that organized religions had caused more harm than good throughout history. Ironically, the religion classes I took ended up being my favorites at USD. I realized how inescapable and integral religion is to the human experience. Whether you like it or not, every human will end up worshipping something, so you better be careful and intentional about what you worship. Most adults end up worshipping themselves – their success, money, beauty, popularity – and let their ego sit in the throne of their mind, which inadvertently shackles them to a meaningless life. If it’s not obvious from what’s been written so far, I think that what we should be worshipping is Nature. The Earth is one living, breathing, organism that the human species is just one constituent organ of. It is time that we face up to the truth that as biological organisms, humans are a part of, not apart from planet Earth. In the words of philosopher Hubert Reeves, “Man is the most insane species. We worship an invisible god while destroying a visible nature, unaware that the Nature we are destroying is the God
we should be worshiping.” Earth day is not just a one-day celebration. Caring for our shared home is not just posting a cute Instagram of yourself out in nature or boasting about your trendy
reusable straw you just bought. It is about educating yourself about the ultimate causes of your actions and committing to choose sustainability over convenience, of prioritizing the health of the planet over your
own short-term desires. If you are interested in learning more facts and small easy changes you can make that will add up to having a large benefit for our shared home, please follow the @humanagreement.
Kaia Hubbard//The USD Vista
The University of San Diego does not share the views presented within the editorial and op-ed sections. The opinions expressed in this section reflect solely the opinion of the respective writer.
THE USD VISTA
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APRIL 25, 2019
S T U D E N T A RT 20 E X H I B I T 19 SPRING
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This April, students walking past the Exhibit Hall in the Student Life Pavilion (SLP) have been greeted with yet another surprising addition to the hall’s long history of ever-changing identities–an art gallery featuring imaginative pieces of artwork created by their fellow students. Such pieces as a floating pair of upside-down, jean-clad human legs attached to the ground at the hip lie within the glass windows of the gallery, created by USD students for USD students. Every year in the spring, the USD Department of Art, Architecture, and Art History (DAA+AH) presents multiple student exhibitions. Student art is stationed all across the USD campus, from the Senior Visual Arts Exhibition presented in Sacred Heart Hall to the Annual Student Exhibition displayed in the SLP Gallery.
Volume 56 Issue 21
A conversation with Farrah Karapetian, assistant professor of Visual Arts, on the process of art making and creative exploration
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FEATURE
Art making is a rigorous cycle of action and assessment: we train ourselves to observe what we do as we do it, pose questions of the results of our actions, and adjust from there. No two such cycles are alike. This is very similar to what happens in a science lab, but the subject, in the case of artwork, is you. Some pieces in these exhibitions derive from classwork and others from independent research; any one of them may have been made overnight or over quite a bit of time. An artist’s process, however, is a continuum–a
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THE USD VISTA
completed work poses questions that catalyze the next–and so it may be helpful to imagine any one of these works as a part of a larger investigation that culminates at the undergraduate level with a thesis project. The exhibitions, however, were organized during the spring semester, and relied on the input of multiple contributors, from student curators to a visiting juror. Organizing and installing exhibitions engages all skills: technical, communicative, aesthetic, and conceptual. Next year, this process may become a more codified part of our
curriculum. It’s important for the students working in the Department of Art, Architecture + Art History (DAA+AH) to rally toward the endgame of exhibitions, since it’s a different context than is class. This is a part of our work toward professional practice, since it engages so many of the parts of the art world in which the students can look for jobs. It’s also important for the DAA+AH students to have feedback from viewers outside the cauldron of our critiques; how is their work received by those with less training in the arts? The student body that hasn’t yet taken m a ny c o u r s e s w i t h i n our department may be unaware of the rigor of art practice, and of the many different kinds of skills it engages and professional routes to which it can lead. At the very least, I hope they connect with individual pieces; at the most, I hope they get in touch with students or professors in the DAA+AH to learn more about the work and the practice. In the future, I hope that some of our DAA+AH students will organize panels a n d c o n fe re n c e s t h a t demonstrate the way that concepts in art integrate with other pursuits.
Spread by Mónica Millán/ The USD Vista; Content by Catherine Silvey/ The USD Vista: Photo courtesy of Zoé Morales/ The USD Vista
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The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
F E AT U R E
Kanye West’s Sunday Service
Christianity and pop culture collide at service as spirit-filled gospel is witnessed by Coachella attendees the center of the orchestra singing and encouraging the others that sang around him. Most notably, West walked around the mount with singer Teyana Taylor as he sung “Never Would Have Made It.” As the two walked together the choir followed behind them singing along, making an incredible scene of organic community music. West himself only rapped twice, in “All Falls Down” and “Jesus Walks.” Those in the crowd had varied reactions to this synthesis of concert and church, as well as to West’s back-seat presence. Some jeered for more Kanye West hits while others swayed to the gospel music with hands raised and eyes closed. As the service made its way to the twohour mark, the leader of the choir asked all in attendance to embrace the neighbor to their right and left, and many did so cheerfully. Soon after, West walked down the mount to his awaiting family who sat on the rolling hills adjacent to the grassed stage and then left the venue. The choir and music continued as the creator of the Sunday Service left, acting once more as an attendee. As the service concluded, those in attendance were still left with questions unanswered. Was the Sunday Service a concert, church, or something more? Was West motivated by a sincere desire to share in faith with those in attendance or was the service motivated by capitalistic intent? Did West reconcile and harmonize the values of Christianity and secular pop culture? Is this even possible? Is this West’s intent? What is known for certain is that this Sunday Service marked a unique point within Western culture. It was a confluence of the celebration of spirit in gospel song and a hub of celebrity fanfare.
West shed tears following the Chance and DMX rendition of “Ultralight Beam.” Photo courtesy of Liam MacRae
Sunday Service performers stand centered on the mount as Coachella fans (upper right) and celebrities (lower left) watch. Photo courtesy of Goldenvoice 2019
The choir with hands raised sang to those in attendence at the Sunday Service. Photo courtesy of Liam MacRae
Luke Garrett Editor in Chief On April 21, masses of Coachella Weekend 2 attendees as well as flocks of celebrities arrived early to the Coachella campground for Kanye West’s Sunday Service. Neither fan nor famous in attendance knew what to expect, as West’s services had been invite-only since they began this past January. The world only knew of the services through Kim Kardashian West’s social media posts and various videos uploaded by those invited. Not only was this service the first to be public, it also tread a thin line between Christianity and secular pop culture. It held a unique space where celebrities and those who follow them were both in attendance. And it occurred on both Easter Sunday – the holiest day of the Christian faith– and the final day of Coachella – the music industry’s premier festival. This Western cross section of religion and secularism left the crowd utterly clueless and exceedingly curious as they sat in the grass field waiting for the Sunday Service to begin. The venue itself gave little to no answers as to whether the Sunday Service was concert or church. A custom-made grass-clad mount stood at the center of the crowds in an almost biblicallydesigned terrain. The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains laid in the background perpetuating this quasi-religious scene. Although the merchandise booth aptly named “Church Clothes” solidified that this was no church service, with “Jesus Walks” socks selling for $50 and sweaters for $250–the line wait was over two hours. When the music began, the service moved away from being
simply a concert as gospel music filled the Coachella campsite venue. An orchestra and choir atop the mount, all dressed in light purple tunics, began to play and sing gospel with staggering strength. Classical gospel numbers “How Excellence” and “Satan, We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down” were sung with excellence and passion by the choir, who danced as they sang. Gospel revisions of “As,” “Back to Life (How Ever Do You Want Me),” and “Ultralight Beam” were also sung. Chance the Rapper notably sang his part in the latter-most song and DMX, with his passion filled and guttural voice, followed Chance with a two-minute sermon. This rendition of “Ultralight Beam” brought West to tears. Chance and Kid Cudi were quick to console West as he knelt in the grass. The service became strikingly spiritual with West’s expression of raw emotion and the conductor’s frequent calls to the crowd to raise their hands in praise. Junior Liza Browning attended the Sunday Service with her older sister and was impressed with the performance. “It was an incredible mix of his content with a gospel type music,” Browning said. “It blended so seamlessly. ” When asked about the spirit of the service, Browning spoke of its spiritual nature. “It made me believe in something,” Browning said. “I am not sure if that was what (West) was intending. Everyone was singing for this one thing. Whatever that was for each individual person, you felt it, you kind of let it in.” As for West, little was seen performance-wise from the Sunday Service’s creator. He, for the most part, acted as an attendee, sitting in
Chance stood at the center of the mount with West and performed “Ultralight Beam.” Photo courtesy of Jim Joe
Volume 56 Issue 21
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FEATURE
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The USD Vista
Student rapper gains traction
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Shaya Rouhifar balances academics and aspirations as he pursues a career in rap while studying at USD Rapper from Page 1 “I was always really into music but I couldn’t really relate to it until I heard current artists on the radio,” Rouhifar said. “They had real life issues and they were giving advice. Kid Cudi showed that it was okay to show emotion, and you didn’t really see that earlier on in hip hop. I want to help people through lyrics the way lyrics helped me.” In connecting with the music and recognizing it as a channel for his passion and emotion, Rouhifar created an artist name rooted in the messages conveyed in his music.
“My name is Shaya Betterworld,” Rouhifar said. “My brother actually gave me it. It was my nickname in high school. My nickname captures
people that you don’t need to fit into a certain category. I am a college student with my own issues who goes through that. I think
“I shouldn’t battle myself. If it’s not constructive criticism, I shouldn’t listen to it. It took me a long time of second-guessing myself, but I focus on having myself on my side.” -Shaya Rouhifar what I want to do in music. I just want to make the world a better place. I want to inspire kids who were just like me. I want to show
Rouhifar spends most weekends at a Los Angeles recording studio creating music. Photo courtesy of Shaya Rouhifar
people would relate to me because I am just someone with a dream.” When asked if he has experienced any struggles along the way of his musical journey, Rouhifar acknowledged not only the mental obstacles and doubts he has faced, but also the methods he has used to keep his mind in the right place. “I always have a thought of, ‘Can it be better? Am I conveying messages that are meaningful?’” Rouhifar said. “I want everything that I put out to have a message. I want to always use my platform to do something important. I remind myself that I will always have stuff that I can work on but need to keep my head up. I shouldn’t battle myself. If it’s not constructive criticism, I shouldn’t listen to it. It took me a long time of secondguessing myself, but I focus on having myself on my side.” Rouhifar also noted the impact that his family’s support has had on his work, and how it motivates him to continue in his passion. “My parents are incredibly
Rouhifar’s passion comes from his desire to spread a message with his music. Photo courtesy of Shaya Rouhifar
supportive,” Rouhifar said. “Once they found out how serious I was about music but I still wanted to put college first, they became my number-one fans. My dad has helped me get equipment. My brother and cousin hype me up and talk about me to their friends.” In addition, Rouhifar cites the genuine love he has for music as motivation to keep working hard. “My dad always tells me, ‘Eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work, eight hours of recreation,’” Rouhifar
said. “So when I’m done with school work, I only want to do music. And I love it. I don’t force myself to do it.” Rouhifar’s journey as an artist is ultimately a reflection of one of his strongest messages– “Don’t let your dreams die...you can balance dreams and reality.” Pairing his studies at USD with his natural talent and love of music has paved the way for Rouhifar’s success, allowing him to pursue both his education and his passion while building a career in the music industry.
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The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
A ART RT S & CULTURE C U LT U R E Coachella craze continues
Festival goers brave the blazing-hot desert one performer and art installation at a time Kaia Hubbard Associate Editor To onlookers, or anyone with an Instagram account, Coachella might appear to be one expensive, weekend-long photo shoot. Posed pictures in front of the Ferris wheel featuring unoriginal outfits–think Doc Martens and mesh–flood feeds for weeks. The artists, however, seemed to see through this mirage, asking of their audiences one common thing: get off your phones. FRIDAY On a nearly 100-degree day, weekend two of Coachella 2019 kicked off with the familiar sight of a sea of people flocking from one stage to another. The Sahara stage lights competed only with the sun as they flashed to the fast-paced, EDM beats. Notably, the crowd shrieked in delight as Jauz played “Baby Shark,” the popular kids tune turned beat-heavy hit. However, the variety of music housed at this festival became evident not too long after at the Gobi stage when 78-year-old Calypso Rose gathered a massive crowd for her slower, rhythmic sound before declaring herself the queen of Coachella. The contrasting sounds didn’t stop there. As one crowd amassed, enthralled by Kacey Musgraves’s melodies and floral backdrop which too often resembled an old Taylor Swift, another group collected to view Jaden Smith’s dramatic ascent into the air in a white Tesla, accompanied on stage by his famous sister and father. As the festival stretched into the evening, the Coachella stage was faced with its biggest names. Anderson .Paak brought the eager expectations of first-year festivalgoers and returners alike to a new level as the sun set over the desert hills. With an excited grin on his face as he drummed and sang simultaneously, a sea of background dancers all dressed in yellow, and perhaps the largest crowd to gather so far that day, the evening was in full swing, and the audience knew it. Junior Grace Getchell was in attendance, and watched as .Paak kicked the festival up a notch.
“This is a performance,” Getchell said. .Paak’s vocal and drum skills might just have been enough, but he built on those too with complex footwork and eventually the moonwalk. Following an incredible trumpet solo, .Paak took a moment to recognize his band, The Free Nationals, and emphasized their 10 years playing together, taking the back seat as the band played one of their own numbers. The crowd only grew as they prepared for The 1975 to take the stage. Colorful visuals framed the band as they changed the genre completely, yet kept up the lively energy that .Paak had fostered. The lead singer, Matty Healy, arrived on stage shirtless, dancing throughout the night upon a treadmill which often gave the illusion that he was walking briskly through a city, and other times made the dancing a bit more laughable. As their set came to a close, the band played “Love It If We Made It,” as images of violence around the world lit up the stage. The audience took home a strong message as the backdrop featured footage of police brutality, refugee crises, and even Trump behind a passionate rendition of the band’s popular song. The take-home messages didn’t stop there, as Janelle Monaé arrived on stage. If the lyrics weren’t enough, every costume change seemed to coincide perfectly with Monaé’s desired meaning. First gracing fans with an outfit that resembled both royalty and militancy, she commanded the stage with her voice, wit, and unmatched dancing. No outfit could contend, however, with Monaé’s famed vagina pants. Designed by Duran Lantink in varying shades of pink, the pants will be featured in a museum this fall – they’re that revolutionary. Monaé’s performance quite possibly could have been confused for the headliner with all its flare and success had it not been for her gracious attribution to the next performer of the night for having her on stage. And still, the crowd grew larger for the first of three headliners
Monaé’s energetic performance captured the attention of the crowd, if it wasn’t her mesmerizing lyrics, it was her revolutionary vagina pants. Photo Courtesy of Coachella
– Childish Gambino. To begin, Gambino gave the crowd two rules: the first, not to leave, and the second – something that was repeated throughout the weekend by other artists as well – to get off your phones. This confident start was quickly followed by Gambino’s admittance to being nervous about his performance and the amount of money fans had spent to be there. However, by the end of the night Gambino seemed to forget his nerves among the cheering, adoring crowd. But that didn’t stop Gambino from keeping the audience on edge throughout nearly all of the performance. With his decision to perform on the catwalk, reaching audience members farther from the front, Gambino confused fans who had eagerly waited throughout the day to stand front row. With his listing of rules, entering the audience to take a selfie, dramatic pausing between songs, and emotive facial expressions, the audience did not get what they were used to. Instead, Gambino challenged the audience through this uneasiness to seek a deeper meaning in his performance and in their Coachella experience. And as the show neared its conclusion, all fans could have dreamed of was hearing the song “RedBone,” and a surprise appearance from Chance the Rapper – and that’s what they were given. SATURDAY Though the desert temperatures had slightly declined, the manicured green grass was replaced with dry, dusty ground by day two. Even still, festival-goers quickly returned come late morning for a full day of music, food and beverages, art, and whatever else best suited their Coachella experience. And without fail, fans flocked in masses in the evenings to prepare for the bigger names. Maggie Rogers’ sunset show featured a boundless energy complete with authentic and contagious emotions. When Rogers cried tears of joy, the crowd cried too, as the vocalist pranced around the stage carrying a pink scarf above her head which cascaded through the air like a vibrant cape. So the big names began, all bringing with them an army of devoted fans. Weezer enveloped fans of all ages with classics like “Say It Ain’t So,” “Beverly Hills,” “Island In the Sun,” and “Africa.” Their setlist was punctuated with somewhat outdated jokes and the emphasis of the FIR “a” in Coachella. Nonetheless, their fans sang every word and swayed to the rhythmic tunes of legends. In a dramatic contrast, the 17-year-old singer Billie Eilish brought a dark presence to the stage, with visuals of spiders and black liquid crawling and oozing, appearing eerily lifelike. Her soft voice, however dark at times, captivated an audience which
Grande, the last headliner, kept the crowd dancing through Sunday night. Photo Courtesy of Coachella
rivaled that of Ariana Grande’s in size, and consisted of a majority of young people. Fans proved their love for Eilish as they not only knew the words to the entirety of her new album, but also belted them back to Eilish at her request throughout the show. While some have criticized Eilish for romanticizing death to young people, others argued that she had the breakout performance of the festival, and the audience might just have confirmed it. Just minutes before Eilish finished her set, fans rushed to the neighboring stage to see headliner Tame Impala in action. In a visualheavy performance that enthralled audience members, the headliner hosted an evening of both fastpaced head bangers and slow swaying. The swirling colors of the giant screens mimicked the windy night on the festival grounds, while lights pierced the dusty air creating illusions of a misty, ghostly evening. The wind seemed most obvious, though, when the confetti hit the air, sending swirls of beautifully vibrant colors down and around the crowd, as if they might never stop swirling. Even more surprising than the burst of confetti was when A$AP Rocky joined Tame Impala on stage, making the crowd go wild. The night came to a close among pools of colorful paper, bright lights, and captivating sound. SUNDAY While some woke up early to see Kanye West’s Sunday Service (see page 10), others took the slower route in ringing in the final day of Coachella 2019. There was a visible restfulness throughout the day, as attendees opted for shady spots over sun, sitting over standing, or taking a break from the music for the art and activities. No matter the fatigue, festivalgoers once again arose for an evening of music and dancing. For some, Lizzo was the motivation they needed to conquer day three. With unmatched self-love and an inspirational message, Lizzo brought her audience out of their
seats and onto the dance floor for up-beat, sing-along worthy, music. Lizzo drew the crowd in with a cover of “No Scrubs,” sending nearby patrons to flock to her stage. She didn’t stop there, speaking about representation in her industry and the need for young artists to have role models who look like them. As improbable as it was, Lizzo breathed life into a tired festival and motivated people to dance one last time in the heat of the sun. The final sunset over the desert hills brought new energy back to fans as they prepared for the music to come. Khalid greeted the crowd with soft, immersive vocals as young fans sang along. Of these songs, most notable were “Young Dumb and Broke,” “Better,” and “Location” among others. “Outta My Head” took the cake, however, as John Mayer accompanied Khalid on stage, guitar in hand. Ariana Grande was the finale that everyone was waiting for. Her show was the reason people stayed late on a Sunday night and the justification for fighting for an up-close spot all day long. Around 10:30 p.m., Grande was preceded by a giant, dark sphere which resembled a moon on stage before stepping out, dancers beside her, for her opening song “Raindrops (an angel cried),” which previewed her sought-after range and vocal skill. As the song quickly ended, “God Is a Woman” followed, as screaming fans jumped up and down to the familiar tune. The crowd reacted similarly to “Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” “7 Rings,” and “Love Me Harder,” but nearly every song was a hit. It wasn’t until the end, however, that the crowd of screaming teens and adults alike took it up a notch at the sight of Justin Bieber, performing for the first time in two years, alongside Grande for “Sorry.” Though fans would have likely been content with the pop ending of their dreams, Grande brought back “Thank You, Next” to close out the festival, in a flurry of light, music, and color.
Volume 56 Issue 21
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ARTS & CULTURE
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The USD Vista
Coachella: the art of the festival
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While it may be known for its music, the artistic aspect of the experience did not disappoint
COLOSSAL CACTI These brightly-colored and exorbitantlylarge sculptures would have fit into the desert seamlessly, had it not been for their colors and improbable heights. Still, influencers and the lay people of Instagram alike gathered for one photo opportunity after another – the cacti just fit perfectly with their aesthetic.
SARBALÉ KE Drawing inspiration from the baobab trees, which are said to bring people together, these structures provided valuable shade during the day and sought-after wind protection in the evening illuminated with layered, multicolored shapes Photo courtesy of Coachella
Photo courtesy of Coachella
SPECTRA Branded on nearly all Coachella memorabilia and used for extensive advertising purposes, this installation allowed those willing to wait in a continuously long line to gain a rainbowcolored and 360-degree view of the festival. Some attendees, however, mentioned that the view from the outside of the Spectra was better than the inside. Photo courtesy of Coachella
FERRIS WHEEL If one thing could set the metaphorical stage for Coachella, it would be the Ferris wheel – comparable to only the distant mountains in framing the entire backdrop and aesthetic of the festival. Attendees can rest their legs as they take in an aerial view of the entire grounds. Photo courtesy of Coachella H.I.P.O Hazardous Interstellar Perfessional Operations, also known as H.I.P.O, featured a rocket which housed figures dressed in hippo masks who could be seen performing a surgery of sorts on another hippo-masked actor. The actors would also occasionally make their way to the top of the rocket to launch tighty whities to groups of gathered attendees. This project attracted viewers throughout the festival and brought up a number of questions. Photo courtesy of Coachella
OVERVIEW EFFECT Perhaps the most well-known is this larger-than-life astronaut, who sneaks up on concert-goers as the large presence rolls to and fro around the festival grounds. This project is complete with a helmet that can project the faces of individuals and moving fingers for a life-like effect. Photo courtesy of Coachella
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The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
Can computers create meaning?
Computers from Page 1
the James B. Duke Professor Emerita of Literature at Duke University, is a world-renowned literary critic and theorist whose work brings together literary studies, cultural theory, and contemporary scientific research. Many of her articles and essays engage with postmodern texts by authors like David Foster Wallace, Thomas Pynchon, and Vladimir Nabokov. Her book, “How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics,” won the René Wellek Prize for the Best Book in Literary Theory for 1998-99. Hayles opened her lecture
with some definitions: rather than “thinking,” Hayles instead used the more narrowly defined term “cognition” which, according to her, “…is a process of interpreting information in contexts that connect it with meaning.” She argued that interpretation implies choice, and without choice there is no possibility for interpretation. Her definition of “meaning” arose from the field of biosemiotics—the science of signs for non-human organisms. “Immediately, if you’re dealing with non-human organisms, meaning has to be seen in a way that extends beyond the
Hayles presents on computers in today’s world and how they create meaning. Photo Courtesy of Ryan Blystone
linguistic realm, since only humans have verbal language in a symbolic form,” Hayles said. “Consequently, meaning, from a biosemiotics perspective, comes from actions and consequences.” She used developments in neuroscience—such as the recognition of nonconscious cognition— the physical origins of the universe, and laws of thermodynamics to bolster her argument and draw parallels between the intellectual properties of organic beings and computers. She encouraged the audience to look at meaningmaking through a non-human lens, and argued that computers can and do create and understand meanings in this context. It was especially fascinating when Hayles discussed the meaning that can be found as a result of absence. She claimed that constraints gesture toward what is absent. The basis for sign relations, she said, is something present evoking something absent, like, for instance, a tree shedding its leaves as winter comes—for the tree, the temperature drop has meaning, as it signals an upcoming but absent event. In her talk, Hayles drew on work from scholars such as Terrence Deacon, C.S. Peirce, and Wendy Wheeler, often expanding on the arguments of these scholars by incorporating a computational perspective. She addressed John Searle’s famous “Chinese Room” thought experiment—wherein,
Searle argues, artificial intelligence is unable to truly understand information, only process it— claiming that it’s problematic to use anthropomorphic
language happening in natural ecosystems, we have to begin to consider…that there’s a similar kind of ecology in computers.” USD senior Casey Huang
“I never thought about how physics is so interconnected to the argument that a computer could create meaning.” - Casey Huang notions of “meaning” when discussing computers. The lecture was followed by a reception in the hall outside the Warren Auditorium. Some professors stayed and chatted with Hayles, while other students and visitors helped themselves to the refreshments being served. Professor Ivan Ortiz, Ph. D., who served on the organizing committee for the Dempsey Lecture, thought Hayles’ presentation urged us to reconsider our views on conventional language and meaning-making. “I think it’s really just inviting us to think about the kinds of languages that are circulating and how different sorts of beings can create meaning outside of the semiotic system we have,” Ortiz said. “And I think that’s so difficult for us because we’re so limited by the linguistic systems we’ve developed that we’ve forgotten that so much is happening in our environment that we have no cognition of. In ecosystems, there’s so much language happening, and because we know that there’s so much
was also in attendance Tuesday night, and said that Hayles’ lecture was thought-provoking in how it managed to shine light on the connections between science and the humanities. “I never thought about how physics is so interconnected to the argument that a computer could create meaning,” Huang said. “Like, I didn’t expect the talk to be so scientific but it was cool to learn even if it was hard to understand. I also liked how she pointed out that meaning is mostly an anthropocentric idea, so we should reframe our thoughts in order to see other possibilities.” The night made the audience question the world around us, and how much of it we are really capable of understanding. After listening to Hayles, it’s difficult to continue viewing computers as mere machines. As we evolve, so do computers, and thus our relationship with technology is constantly changing. The question remains as to what this relationship will look like in the future, and how we will navigate the cybernetic path set before us.
Farm-fresh berries & endless fun
Angelina Dinsmore Asst. A&C Editor Every Spring, students at the University of San Diego look forward to the annual Strawberry Festival, hosted by USD Dining services. Hundreds of students gathered outside of the Student Life Pavilion (SLP) to experience all things strawberries. The entire community of USD had the opportunity to play fun games, listen to live music, and try food samples on a Tuesday afternoon. First year Rose Bailey visited the Strawberry Festival for the first time and was impressed by the variety of samples. “It was interesting to try different samples of things that I wouldn’t normally think would go with strawberries…like bacon!” Bailey said. “Every stand was delicious! It definitely brought a crowd which shows that something as simple as strawberries can bring our whole school together.” Free food always draws a crowd, and the Strawberry Festival was no exception. On Tuesday, April 16, over 10 tables lined the outside of the SLP with vendors ready to share their samples. There were enough options to make a meal, as they had drinks, food, and dessert. For those looking for a refreshing drink, strawberry banana V8 juice was readily available, as well as strawberry Odwalla smoothies. There was also delicious desserts
including strawberry shortcake, a strawberry swirl cake with almond whipped cream, and a fried wonton dish topped with cinnamon, sugar, and strawberries. Perhaps the most unexpected samples were the savory ones. Students enjoyed strawberry and chicken tacos, candied bacon, and BBQ-glazed ribs. As they tried the new and exciting foods, students could listen to the live DJ playing the latest hits or enjoy the hot sun on the SLP lawn. New this year was the cake decorating contest, where students had just 30 minutes to decorate a cake in any way they desired. Five teams of two put their creative skills to the test in order to create a cake that screams, “Spring has Sprung!” Rhonda Papp and her partner, Hallie brought home the win with their Easterthemed cake. They received trophies, aprons, and a basket of strawberry-based goodies. It was sophomore Kevin Gilles’ second time coming to the Festival and he could not get enough of the candied bacon. “It was a cool opportunity to experience new food,” Gillies said. “But I think it was a better environment last year, because it was sunnier and at the IPJ, which was much more open. I liked how they had meat options and not just strawberries. They were very inclusive of all food groups, which I appreciated.”
One of the many strawberry-oriented dishes that was served at USD’s Annual Strawberry fest.
USD’s annual Strawberry Festival is a great way to celebrate everyone’s shared love of the fruit-favorite’s peak season. It gave students and faculty the opportunity to let their taste buds run wild, experiencing foods one would never imagine could be tied to the sweet red berry. Along with the food came the upbeat tunes and packs of friends making their way around the numerous tents. As those appreciating the farm-fresh strawberries came and went, they were sure to grab a nicely-sized cup of the locally-grown berries on their way out. The annual Strawberry Festival was certainly a hit, and while there was no shortage of strawberries, there was definitely no shortage of community.
Angelina Dinsmore/The USD Vista
The abundance of strawberries ready to eat displayed outside of the SLP. Angelina Dinsmore/The USD Vista
Volume 56 Issue 21
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SPORTS
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The USD Vista
SP ORT S
Silveyra shines in USD sweep
USD softball’s Sara Silveyra named WCC Player of the Week after big series to open conference play
Junior shortstop Sara Silveyra went 7-for-10 with a grand slam, three doubles, six RBIs, six runs, a walk, and two walkoff hits in the Toreros’ three-game sweep of the University of the Pacific last weekend. Photo courtesy of David Bernal/USD Athletics
Anderson Haigler Sports Editor It’s every ballplayer’s dream. The game on the line, runners on base, the bottom of what could be the last inning. A chance to propel your team to victory with a hit. The walk-off. The pinnacle of drama in a sport known for its unwritten rules, and a cause for celebration in the face of a hard-fought win. Notching a walk-off hit is an impressive accomplishment at any level, but to have two walk-off hits in back-to-back games to open West Coast Conference (WCC) play? That’s just another weekend for the University of San Diego softball team’s Sara Silveyra. The magical three-game series for the junior began in dramatic fashion, with the Camarillo,
play, the game is over, and the team on the winning side of the lopsided score earns the victory. It’s what some call a “mercy rule.” Thus, with one swing of the bat, Silveyra had the chance to put a premature and emphatic end to the middle game of the Toreros’ crucial conference series against the University of the Pacific. After taking a ball and a strike to open the at-bat, the junior shortstop did just that, sending the third pitch she saw sailing into deep center field. It was well-struck, for sure. But would it be enough to clear the fence and end the game? “I see it, like it’s gonna be close,” USD softball head coach Melissa McElvain, who was coaching third base at the time, said. “I’m just waving all the runners (toward home plate) — and it hits the top
“It was amazing. She was probably seeing the ball like it was a huge beach ball. Great at-bats, great pitch selection — she clutched up.” -Coach Melissa McElvain California native striding to the plate with the bases loaded full of Toreros in the bottom of the fifth inning of their Saturday afternoon offering at the USD Softball Complex. A rally by her teammates earlier in the frame had turned what was once a close, 5-3 game into a bit of a blowout, making the score 8-3 USD by the time Silveyra’s spot in the lineup came back around. That’s not to say that her at-bat carried any less importance, however. NCAA softball’s rules dictate that if a team is ahead by eight or more runs after at least five innings of
of the fence. I’ll tell you this: eight or nine balls out of 10 hit the top of the fence and come back into fair territory.” This time, however, fortune favored the Toreros. “So it was just crazy that she hit it so well and it hits the top of the fence and goes out,” McElvain said with a chuckle. A clutch, grand-slam home run at the most opportune of times for USD. To Silveyra, it was a matter of sticking to her approach in her pivotal late-game plate appearance. “You know, you just keep
things simple,” Silveyra said. “You don’t try to do too much. We just get base hits, and sometimes they go out.” Though Silveyra stated that she would’ve been happy with a simple single, she was happy with the way her at-bat ultimately played out. “It was amazing,” Silveyra said. “We play on a pretty big field, so you don’t know when it’s gonna go out, but it was really fun.” Silveyra’s strong performance at the plate did not stop after the Toreros’ 12-3 mercy-rule victory over the Tigers, however. In the second game of the series the following day, USD once again jumped out to a sizable lead early on behind a grand slam of her own from fellow junior Madison Casiano. With her team leading 7-1 in the last of the fifth inning, Silveyra found herself batting with the bases loaded and another chance to end the game for the second time in as many days. The fortuitous situation begged the question: could Silveyra strike for a game-winning hit on two consecutive days? McElvain recalled that despite her best efforts, the possibility crept into her head. “It was (on my mind), but I’m trying not to let it,” McElvain said. “She’s just so clutch that we kind of get our hopes up for her, and kind of have really high expectations.” High expectations, indeed. But the only person setting the bar higher for the plate appearance than McElvain and her team was Silveyra herself. “Yeah, for sure (the possibility of another walkoff was on my mind),” Silveyra said. “It’s good to
have that confidence in yourself. I wanted to do it for my teammates.” True to her word, Silveyra laced the second pitch she saw to left field, plating two Toreros and earning USD a 9-1 mercy-rule win of the game, as well as a sweep of their first WCC series of the season. As humble as they come, she was quick to credit her teammates as playing a large part in her big weekend. “My teammates are the best, truly the best,” Silveyra said. “And I wouldn’t have been able to do that without them.” Silveyra’s final batting line on
“It was amazing,” McElvain said. “She was probably seeing the ball like it was a huge beach ball. Great at-bats, great pitch selection — she clutched up.” The three wins couldn’t have come at a better time for the Toreros. Because the WCC only has six softball teams compared to most other sports in the conferences’ 10, each of the 15 WCC games matter. And a hot start certainly doesn’t hurt the Toreros’ chances to do something they have never done before: win the regular-season WCC softball title. Whether USD (19-21, 3-3 WCC)
“My teammates are the best, truly the best. And I wouldn’t have been able to do that without them.” -Sara Silveyra the weekend was impressive, to say the least, as she registered seven hits in 10 at-bats with a grand slam, three doubles, six RBIs, six runs and a walk, good for a .700 batting average, a 1.300 slugging percentage, and a .727 on-base percentage alongside her two walk-off hits. For her efforts she received WCC Player of the Week honors for the second time in her career. Team-focused as always, Silveyra stated that as proud of her accomplishment as she was, she was simply happy to see a Torero get the award for a change. “It’s awesome because BYU always gets it, so it was nice to bring it back here to USD,” Silveyra said with a laugh. “I didn’t expect that, but it was cool.” McElvain weighed in on Silveyra’s big weekend.
can do so remains to be seen. But what is for certain is Silveyra and her teammates’ confidence in themselves. “We’re gonna win conference this year,” Silveyra said with a smile. The Toreros will return home to the USD Softball Complex on Saturday, May 4 at 12 p.m. to continue their quest for a West Coast Conference title against Santa Clara University. Admission is free for all USD students.
UP NEXT: USD vs. Santa Clara Saturday, May 4 12 p.m. USD Softball Complex
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The USD Vista
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April 25, 2019
USD walks it off versus Pilots
Toreros win in extras behind a strong start from Chris Murphy and clutch hitting from Jeff Houghtby
Baseball From Page 1
out the two first batters in the top of the first inning. Despite walking Portland’s third hitter afterward, Murphy was able to escape the inning by picking off the runner at first base, which would be the beginning of a lowscoring affair. After a single from senior third baseman, Ripken Reyes, the Toreros were unable to answer in the bottom of the first with fly outs from Houghtby and sophomore first baseman, Shane McGuire. It was a close ball game through much of the contest and Murphy played a big part in keeping his team in the contest. Though he was a bit wild at times, having given up a walk, hit by pitch, and balk by the third inning, Murphy cruised through the first three innings, which included four strikeouts on 47 pitches. USD eventually struck first to begin the scoring. After a double down the left field line by sophomore catcher Adam Kerner, sophomore designated hitter Tora Otsuka drove him in with an RBI single up the middle, making the score 1-0 Toreros. USD would exit the inning after another single by Reyes and a line out by McGuire. Defense also played a critical role in Thursday’s win, particularly with one spectacular play from first-year second baseman Cody Jefferis. In the top of the fourth with the potential tying run on second base, Portland center fielder Blake Porter chopped a high grounder in between the pitcher and first base. Jefferis fielded the high chopper, and with the Portland runner rounding around third, he opted to chase him down instead of going for the easy out at first. Jefferis’ heads-up defense led to a run down between third base and home plate and USD got the
Senior shortstop Jeff Houghtby makes an acrobatic play on a ground ball late in the game. He had the game-winning hit in the 10th inning, earning USD a 4-3 walk-off victory. Photo courtesy of Thomas Christensen
Pilots and escaped yet another jam. Hill described the significance of Murphy’s performance in the fifth inning. “He threw close to 30 pitches that inning, but he came back and struck out one of their best players on a 3-2 fastball that had a little bit of fuzz on it,” Hill said. “To me, that was kind of the moment of the night.” Heading into the seventh inning, after giving up his fourth walk of the game and his pitch
“We have a saying here...the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings belong to us — and it really kind of rang true. That’s the cool thing about this team is that we never believed we were gonna lose.” -Coach Rich Hill critical out, preventing the runner from scoring. The first-year infielder showcased his all-around game not just with his glove, but also his bat later in the fourth. With runners on second and third with one out, Jefferis launched an RBI double down the right field line, scoring senior right fielder Chris McCready and senior center fielder Paul Kunst, making it 3-0 USD. In the top of the fifth inning, Portland flirted with taking the lead, but Murphy continued to keep USD in the game in tough spots. After surrendering a double to Portland first baseman Tracye Tammaro, the score became 3-1 USD. Following a walk that brought runners to first and second, the top of the order for Portland, as well as the go ahead runs came to the plate. Murphy proceeded to strike out the one and two hitters for the
count rising, Murphy was pulled from the game, finishing his outing. He threw six innings striking out eight batters in 113 pitches. Hill proceeded to bring in redshirt senior righthander Travis Kuhn into the game. It would not be an easy start to the game for the hard-throwing relief pitcher. On a 3-1 count with a runner on first, Kuhn gave up a game tying home run to Portland’s designated hitter Hunter Montgomery, tying the score at three. After a rough seventh inning, in between innings, Kuhn gave a pep talk to his teammates in the dugout. “I was making sure that our guys knew that we were still in that game,” Kuhn said. “Tie games are nothing new to us. We’ve been competing in a lot of those this year. At the end of the day, we’re a tough team to beat in any
situation.” With his head held high and his emotions poised, Kuhn came back out in the top of the eighth and put the home run he allowed in the seventh inning in his rearview mirror. He struck out the first two batters of the frame and got a line drive out to end the top of the eighth. While the USD offense was unable to provide him with any run insurance, Kuhn continued to dominate, with a strikeout, groundout, and fly out in a quick of the top of the ninth. After a fly out by Jefferis, a strikeout by Kerner, and a pop out by senior outfielder Chris Colarossi, it was time for extra innings baseball. Kuhn came back out yet again for the top of the tenth, and he finished his night on a high note, going three up and three down with a fly out, strike out, and ground out. Kuhn finished his solid night having gone an impressive four innings pitched out of relief with four strikeouts and one earned run. Going into the bottom half of the inning, the Toreros had the top of their lineup due up, with Otsuka starting it off with a walk. Otsuka was pinch ran for by senior outfielder Connor Doyle, and Reyes followed him up by laying down a sacrifice bunt, which brought Doyle over to second, and into scoring position. McGuire then grounded out to second base, bringing Doyle over to third and the potential game winning run 90 feet away. Two outs, the go ahead run on third, and a tie-ball game in the bottom of the 10th. The stage was set as Houghtby came to the plate. On an 0-1 count, Houghtby
knocked a single into shallow right field, just missing the diving glove of Portland’s left fielder. Nonetheless, it was good enough to win the game on a walk off, highlighting a miraculous victory as Houghtby’s teammates mobbed him at second base celebrating the late-game dramatic win. Houghtby described his mindset
thing about this team is that we never believed we were gonna lose.” Houghtby and Kuhn’s late game heroics may not have been possible if it weren’t for Murphy putting up yet another quality start. Murphy will be a player to watch as the season progresses, with the 2019 MLB Amateur
“Tie games are nothing new to us. We’ve been competing in a lot of those this year. At the end of the day, we’re a tough team to beat in any situation.” -Travis Kuhn during his clutch at bat that won the game. “I was looking for a pitch to hit and not trying to do too much,” Houghtby said. “Tora got on and I was just trying to get a base hit.” In addition to Houghtby’s clutch hitting, Hill attributed Kuhn’s performance as a critical part of Thursday night’s win. “I can’t say enough about Travis,” Hill said. “That’s four innings in a close game where my favorite part about the night was when he gave up the home run and he just couldn’t flinch. He didn’t buckle and got us out of that inning.” Kuhn was not only responsible for keeping them in the game score-wise, but his mid-game pep talk was also crucial in shaping the team’s mindset for the rest of the game. Hill described the team’s resilience going late into games. “We have a saying here — ‘seven, eight, nine is Torero Time,’” Hill said. “The seventh, eighth, and ninth innings belong to us and it really kind of rang true. The cool
Draft less than two months away. Murphy will likely highlight this year’s USD draft class, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say the junior lefty could be selected in the early rounds of the draft. After the game, Kuhn expressed his appreciation for his teammate. “He’s a guy I’ve played with for three years,” Kuhn said. “If his stuff isn’t the best, he is still one of the better guys in the nation as far as my concern.” USD will return home to Fowler Park and begin their final regular-season home stand of the year on Tuesday, May 7 at 6 p.m. against nonconference opponent UC Irvine.
UP NEXT: USD vs. UC Irvine Tuesday, May 7 6 p.m. Fowler Park