THE HIGHLANDER
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE
est. 1954
FOR THE WEEK OF TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018
VOL. 66, ISSUE 29
SPECIAL ELECTION FILLS VACANT CNAS SENATORIAL SEAT
Softball ends season with 2nd place finish at NISC Championship JARYD BONGCARAS Senior Staff Writer
MARTIN LOPEZ / HIGHLANDER
AIDAN RUTTEN Senior Staff Writer
The new ASUCR senators held a special election on Tuesday May, 22 in order to determine the unfilled CNAS senatorial seat.After all 17 candidates gave two and half minute speeches and responded to questions, a vote decided the top two. Current Executive Vice President Carisha Moore and newcomer Wajeha Mahmoud made it through, and then closed deliberations took place to determine the winner.
Mahmoud, a biology major and third year transfer student, emerged victorious by an unknown margin. Her speech focused on leadership credentials and on expanding opportunities for marginalized students. “There aren’t that many research opportunities offered for undocumented students and freshman students,” said Mahmoud. “I’ll work on having more opportunities for more people. Research is for everyone.” Mahmoud transferred to UCR this past winter,
making spring her second quarter. According to Article 3, Section 3 of the ASUCR Constitution, “candidates must have been in attendance at UCR for a valid Confirmation of Enrollment in Classes or through other proof provided by the University Registrar, cumulative total of at least one (1) academic year prior to serving in office.”
After winning their NISC Regionals on May 18 over UNLV, the UC Riverside softball team (38-24) advanced to compete against the three other regional champs in the NISC Championship round. The final round took the form of a double-elimination format that would be played over four days as UCR opened up the first day against Eastern Kentucky University. Game one: UCR 9 - EKU 6 The win continued a fourgame winning streak for the Highlanders who collected a total of 12 hits that day. Senior Tayler Misfeldt started on the mound and pitched a complete game, allowing four hits, three runs, zero walks and striking out nine hitters. The team got on the scoreboard first behind a solid six hits and four runs scored in the third inning. UCR then filled the bases off of three straight singles to begin the inning, with junior Amanda Lynch being brought in from the bench to pinch hit. Lynch, both figuratively and literally, stepped up to the plate and knocked an RBI single to right field to give UCR its first run of the game. A pair of RBI singles from senior Jenna Curtan and sophomore Danielle Ortega, as well as a walk from freshman Seanna Garewal, would give the Highlanders a 4-0 lead. ► SEE SOFTBALL, PAGE 16
► SEE ELECTIONS, PAGE 4
Riverside housing market headed for a strong 2018, says UCR School of Business VASKEN NAJARIAN Contributing Writer
A study released on May 18 by the UCR School of Business revealed that the housing market in the Inland Empire is set to experience a prosperous year in 2018. This is largely due to the current state of both the supply and demand of housing. Robert Kleinhenz, Executive Director of Research at the UC Riverside School of Business Center for Economic Forecasting and Development, explained this phenomenon in an interview with the Highlander. “On the demand side, several years of job and income gains have enabled households to improve their financial situation. ► SEE HOUSING, PAGE 5
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News ASUCR
Special election f ills vacant CNAS senatorial seat ► FROM ELECTIONS, PAGE 1
Her victory appears in conflict with this stipulation. Although nothing in the bylaws provides guidance as to possible exceptions to this, the judicial council is responsible for deciding whether an exception can be made. The judicial council has jurisdiction over all electionsrelated matters. For the first vote, new senators wrote down their top two picks and tallied them up. After Mahmoud and Moore were chosen as the top two, all the other candidates left. The final round involved closed deliberations among the 2018-19 cohort of senators, as well as Elections Director Taylor Brown and several executive cabinet members. According to Article 2, Section 4 of the ASUCR Constitution, “All official meetings of the Senate and its subordinate bodies shall be open to the public, except for closed sessions which may be called during a regular meeting for the discussion of personnel and employee grievance matters, investment decisions and litigation.” The senate does have the authority to table appointments for later closed sessions, according to Part 5, Section E of the elections code: “All confirmation deliberations shall be open to the public, unless the ASUCR Senate tables the appointment to a closed session by a majority vote of the entire Senate.” The process was guided in part by Vice President of Internal Affairs-elect Jose Cortez-Hernandez, who expressed concern over the speediness of the process. “Essentially why I was calling for a closed session process is just for all of the senators … to flesh out the pros and cons between each candidate,” he said during the meeting. “I feel like going through 17 candidates in one hour is not a sufficient amount of time.” He said that he
feels like the vote should not be a “rushed process.” Also according to Cortez-Hernandez, “Only seven of the applications were presented to the senate because nine of them were added on less than eight hours before the meeting.” Timothy Hughes, a second year environmental studies major and also ASUCR presidential protest candidate “Furry Boi,” ran to fill the seat as well. In an email to the Highlander regarding the special election, Hughes described the experience as disorganized: “The process was not efficient in any way,” he wrote, “the event seemed to go on as though there was absolutely no planning beforehand. Taylor (Brown) had a disagreement with the EVP on how it should be carried out and they came up with the new procedure for how the voting would go.” According to Hughes, the initial voting procedure was supposed to involve only five candidates who would all give speeches. After deliberations and a vote, one candidate would be confirmed. Describing his application experience, Hughes wrote that an email was sent to the candidates letting them know if they would be in the top five. He then emailed Brown about the format and time limit of the speeches they were to prepare. “Taylor (Brown) said candidates would come into the room one at a time and address the senate and that there would be no time limit,” wrote Hughes. However, all 17 candidates ended up speaking for an allotted time of two and a half minutes each. “As we began (late), the incoming EVP informed the c a n d i d a t e s that we would have 2.5 minutes each and that we would all remain in the room and listen to one another talk. Taylor (Brown) arrived late but did not contest this in any way,” he said. Elections Director Taylor Brown declined to comment. ■H
MARTIN LOPEZ / HIGHLANDER
MARTIN LOPEZ / HIGHLANDER
ASUCR shows support for on-campus communities, removes stipend limit for ASPB MARK BERTUMEN Senior Staff Writer
ASUCR held its weekly meeting last Wednesday, May 23. Here are the highlights: • Acknowledgement of indigenous lands … CHASS senator Grant Nakaoka proposed that a statement be made at every meeting that recognizes and shows respect to the Native American tribes that once lived on the land that UCR was built on. CNAS Senator Matt Shashaty did not think the statement would be necessary and proposed that a plaque of the statement be made instead. Nakaoka argued that the plaque would not have the same impact as making the statement at every meeting. The bill passed 7-2-0. • Solidarity with campus organizations … Four bills were considered during the meeting which aim to support on-campus communities. • The first bill (SR S18-008) … was introduced by CHASS senator Roy Tongilava who proposed that ASUCR recognize the Pacific Islander community as an individual group, pointing out that the ethnicity has been “aggregated” into the Asian category at UCR under “Asian-Pacific Islander (API).” Only 0.2 percent of UCR students are Pacific Islander, but are mixed in with the 30.4 percent of Asian-American students and as a result lose representation as an individual race and also lose out on campus resources. The vote passed unanimously 11-0-0. • The second bill (SR S18-009) … was proposed by Nakaoka, who asked that a solidarity statement be made between ASUCR and Costo
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Hall. He noted that the motion itself was symbolic in nature but nevertheless would help mend the rocky relationship ASUCR has with the Costo Hall. This seems especially relevant after the failure to pass the Highlander Empowerment Referendum during the UCR elections, which would have provided funds to UCR’s Ethnic and Gender Programs. The bill passed 8-0-1. The third bill (SR S18-010) … was presented by CNAS Senator Priyanka Garg. She stated that Costo Hall only had one area for all Asian communities to meet and found that this was not enough space. Garg proposed that a separate office be created in Costo Hall for the South Asian Programs, which would serve students with backgrounds in countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Tongilava commented that this may spark the creation of offices for other individual ethnicities as well. The vote passed unanimously 9-0-0. The fourth bill (SR S18-011) … was proposed by CHASS senator Semere Mengistu and aims to help African Student Programs and their efforts to improve the attendance and retention of students of African descent at UCR. The vote passed unanimously 9-0-0. Gender inclusivity at Rivera Library … CHASS senator Marco Ornelas proposed that a men’s bathroom in the Rivera library be redesignated as a bathroom for all genders in light of a conversation he had with Nancy Jean Tubbs, the director of the LGBT Resource Center at UCR. Nancy identifies
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as a woman but told Ornelas that she has issues using bathrooms in public because she “looks like a man,” as Ornelas said during the meeting. The bill passed 7-12, where Shashaty gave the only opposing vote, referring to “a lot of different (difficult) situations across the country” involving people of different genders in the same bathroom. He emphasized potential discomfort people may feel as a result of such occurrences. ASUCR’s need-based scholarship … Vice President of External Affairs Jonathan Li noticed that there was no need-based scholarship given out by ASUCR and in turn proposed the creation of the Highlander Pride Scholarship Committee to handle and disperse the scholarship accordingly. $6,000 have been gathered for the scholarship so far, but nothing will be given out until $25,000 has been collected. ASUCR will contribute 5 percent of nonstudent fees to this scholarship every year. The bill passed unanimously 9-0-0. ASPB stipend cap removed … In the past, the stipend of the Associated Students Program Board (ASPB) could not exceed that of ASUCR’s. CHASS senator Mariam Al-Khalili found that it was unfair for the pay rate of ASPB to be dictated by ASUCR’s, since their operations are fundamentally different. The bill passed 9-0-1. A committee for indigenous students … To assist indigenous students on campus, Nakaoka proposed that an “Indigenous Student Task Force” be created with the intention “to promote access,
opportunity, and retention efforts for the indigenous/American Indian/ Native American/First Nation students to succeed.” The bill passed unanimously 10-0-0 • Senate reports ... • Concerning any opposition he had to any of the bills, Shashaty explained that he was not speaking only for himself but also for people on campus that “think like him.” Shashaty said, “I like to focus more on individuals, and if that makes me come off in any way negative, I don’t see a need to apologize.” • Ornelas apologized for a comment he made in the Highlander last week feeling as though it sent out a misconstrued message that “ASUCR doesn’t do anything.” The comment was made in the context of lowering the stipend of ASUCR from its current level of $9,900, which he said he supports. “I don’t think that anybody in ASUCR does nothing and I don’t think that nobody should get paid,” Ornelas said. • Nakaoka apologized for his comments in an article from that same issue last week, which he believed gave the impression that he did not support the Highlander Empowerment Referendum, which he actually supports fully, and that he was slandering Costo Hall and ASUCR in their current feud of interests. “Why would I shame two of the groups that I’m very proud to be a part of?” Nakaoka said. He claimed that the confusion was due to the condensing of his interview by the article’s writers. The next ASUCR meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 23 in the senate chambers located in HUB 221. ■H
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Jennifer Brown to lead Undergraduate Education at UCR AMANI MAHMOUD Senior Staff Writer
Jennifer Brown, former vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at Oregon State University, has been named to lead UCR’s Office of Undergraduate Education and will join UCR on August 1. Brown received her doctorate in horticulture from Michigan State University in 2004 and was previously associate dean of the Graduate School at OSU since June 2015. She will be replacing Richard Cardullo who has served as the interim vice provost of Undergraduate Education since March of 2017. Cardullo will continue as the faculty director of University Honors. In an interview with the Highlander, Brown wrote that she was drawn to UCR because it has been a personal and professional goal of hers to help a diverse population earn their college degree. “When I was in high school, I never dreamed that I could be a professor or work at a university. I didn’t know these opportunities existed. I want to share this knowledge with future Highlanders (high school
and middle school students) and the current student population,” stated Brown. According to Brown, one of the most important things any university can do is invest in their students. “My experiences in Upward Bound/Trio Student Support Services, working while in college, going on my first study abroad trip and the difficulties that I faced help me be more empathetic to the challenges students face entering college and continuing through to graduation,” stated Brown. She would also like to use her experience as a faculty member and graduate school dean to help students think about graduate pathways and non-traditional careers. Brown wrote that when she was young, she had never heard of a hydrologist, food scientist or microbiologist. She hopes to change this and educate students on the many paths they can take after graduation. As vice provost and dean of Undergraduate Education at UCR, Brown has many aspirations for the future of her position. “I want to continue the great work UCR is doing with eliminating achievement
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gaps and increasing graduation rates for those who choose this university,” she said. Brown also claimed that she would like to “take a deeper dive” into how she can continue to provide opportunities
for students to participate in undergraduate research, Supplemental Instruction and other programs that promote student engagement. When asked what she hopes to accomplish overall through
her new position at UCR, Brown stated, “I want students to leave here with a degree and the skills to make a difference, gain upward mobility and contribute to the national and global economy (sic).” ■H
Riverside housing market headed for a strong 2018, says UCR School of Business VASKEN NAJARIAN Contributing Writer ► FROM HOUSING, PAGE 1
Moreover, millennials have largely moved into the household formation/ first-time home buying stage of their lives,” stated Kleinhenz. He also emphasized that interest rates, while low, are expected to rise soon. This expectation could pressure people into making a decision regarding whether to buy or sell. Regarding the housing supply, Kleinhenz pointed to the fact that builders are starting to construct more homes in the Inland Empire, which will help convince younger families to move to the area. Interest rates have been low, but the expectation that they will increase in the near future should motivate prospective buyers into purchasing homes. The increase in demand has not gone unnoticed by builders who have started building more single family homes. While there are still not
enough homes, Kleinhenz maintained that the trend is moving in the right direction. The report also states that the Inland Empire’s economic growth and improvements to its local economy will prevent the next recession from being detrimental to the housing market. In response to this claim, Kleinhenz stated that it is important to remember that during the most recent upturn, large numbers of jobs in the Inland Empire were created in construction. Construction jobs, one of the most volatile occupational sectors, tend to be heavily susceptible to large swings in demand. Now, industries where more sustainable job gains are expected, such as logistics, healthcare, the food industry and manufacturing are experiencing growth. “Moreover, the housing sector skyrocketed during the last expansion because it was all too easy to get a mortgage. Easy money coupled with rapidly increasing prices led some people to buy not one,
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but two or three homes,” said Kleinhenz. In many instances homebuyers did not put enough money down, so as soon as home prices fell, they find themselves in a difficult situation. This would lead to them
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eventually having to opt for a foreclosure or short sale. The housing market is not as over-inflated as it was during the economic recession because now it is more difficult to qualify for a mortgage in the first place. However, this is not to say that the local economy will not face any problems that result from a recession, but just that they won’t be as severe as in 2008. Housing sales, however, have not been as steady as many have hoped. Sales for both existing and new homes have plateaued mainly due to a long-time lack of houses in the area. Kleinhenz explained that “Supply should increase this year as new home construction increases. As of the first quarter 2018, single family permits were up 14% year to year in Riverside county and up 10% in San Bernardino county.” Kleinhenz also emphasized that in order for the Inland Empire to grow, younger people will have to be among the next wave of home purchasers
translating into a younger labor force. “If you want a vibrant economy in the region going forward, you need to make it an attractive place for young households. It’s a big plus that the region is already more affordable than the coastal regions,” said Kleinhenz. While Los Angeles and Orange County have typically been considered more appealing places to live, the Inland Empire is much more affordable for young families. Kleinhenz explained that if the prices of homes continue to increase, it might not be possible for many families to move to these areas, and they have no choice but to consider moving to the Inland Empire. Beyond that, Kleinhenz hoped that improvements in housing can be a way of attracting and retaining young home buyers in the area. He thinks that that if the Inland Empire can offer people what they are looking for in their neighborhoods, their communities, the region as a whole will begin to realize its potential. ■H
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Prestigious STEM fellowship awarded to eleven UCR students
VIVIAN LEE Staff Writer
The coveted National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research fellowship was awarded to 11 UCR students. Over 2,000 applicants this year were selected to receive the award out of the 12,000 students within the United States. The government agency recognizes those who are pursuing research-based graduate and doctoral degrees within the science, technology, engineering and mathematic fields . The four undergraduate students receiving this fellowship will continue their graduate education the following quarter, with one graduate fellow who completed their undergraduate studies at UC Riverside. The prestigious program selects students from a variety of economic and demographic backgrounds. NSF Fellows receive a three-year stipend of $34,000 as well as $12,000 to use for tuition and fees. In addition, they are given the opportunity to conduct their own research within their accredited institution or internationally. Morgan Dundon, a first-year doctoral candidate in the Materials Sciences and Engineering program, appreciated the way the fellowship has given her the opportunity to pursue her research without the financial burden. She shared that the fellowship would give “extra opportunities for career development like external internships and networking events”, which would be beneficial upon completion of her doctoral study. Through her involvement with the Kisailus Biomimetics and Nanostructured Materials Lab Dundon she studies plant systems which are able to absorb heavy metals from water and soil and hopes to create a simple synthetic membrane for water purification. Many students who were awarded this fellowship credit
the GradSuccess office for their mentorship, writing consultations and workshops. Catherine Nguyen, a first-year graduate student in evolution, ecology and organismal biology, shared her goals with the Highlander. Through this fellowship, she hopes to continue her research in hormones, specifically oxytocin and vasopressin, and understanding how “parental care in both mothers and fathers (using California mice could) have applications in wildlife conservation and human health.” Another NSF fellow and first-year graduate student has been involved with organizations such as Let’s Do It! World and the Ocean Protection Council in regards to environmental studies and waste management. Win Colton Cowger and his team are focused on plastic pollution and developing open-source tools for policymakers and waste management companies to identify locations of waste accumulation. Like Cowger, Isis FraustoVicencio is pursuing her graduate education in environmental sciences after graduating from UCLA and College of the Sequoias with a major in chemistry. Her undergraduate studies contributed to her interest in linking her research in greenhouse gas with air toxins and health. By using existing tools that are used to record methane levels, Frausto-Vicencio wishes to “go out to communities that are impacted by refineries and their pollution and see what the BTEX, a type of carcinogen, levels are there.” This unusual integration of the two fields enables her to explore the co-benefits of reducing greenhouse gases with air pollution, instead of solely focusing on each field separately, combining both fieldwork and lab research. The NSF Fellowship is the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, existing since 1952. With their
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outstanding selection of students in a broad range of scientific disciplines, NSF graduate fellows are in the pursuit of contributing to research, teaching and innovations in science, technology and engineering. In addition to that, the fellowship promotes diversity among participants, not limited to graduate applicants. Prospective applicants who wish to apply for the following year must demonstrate large potential for significant improvements or achievements in the STEM fields and wish to pursue research within their master’s or doctoral degrees. The following graduate and undergraduate students have also received a fellowship from NSF. • Alejandro Aron Gallegos, graduate • Joseph Valdez, graduate
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Julia Adams, graduate Leticia Meza, graduate Natalie Fischer, graduate Rosa Maria McGuire, undergraduate • Shannon Sweitzer, undergraduate Honorable mentions were extended to 1,459 students nationwide. The following are honorable mentions from UCR: • Carys Layton, undergraduate • Glen Raymond Morrison, undergraduate • Sarah Nicole Ruckman, undergraduate • Madison Sankovitz, undergraduate • Erica Marie Sanderleaf Sarro, undergraduate • Andrew Danny Widjaja, graduate ■H
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HIGHLANDER EDITORIAL
ASUCR’s lack of transparency leaves much to be desired
A
t a closed meeting on May 16, CHASS Senator Mariam Alkhalili’s senate bill to reduce ASUCR Executive Cabinet (ECAB) stipends by about 60 percent was decidedly rejected by the ASUCR Senate Legislative Review Committee (LRC) in a 5-0-1 vote to table the bill. Alkhalili’s bill, which was shot down by the five-member committee headed by incoming External VP Martin Cuenca, aimed to reduce ECAB stipends back to levels similar to what they were before March of 2013. Senator Alkhalili’s efforts to bring responsibility and accountability back to ASUCR through her bill are an incredibly refreshing display of how ASUCR could be working to serve the student population. The allbut classic ASUCR response however, a closed door vote overseen by an incoming member of ECAB with a clear conflict of interest, is only typical of what we have come to know and expect of ASUCR in recent years. Vice President of the ASUCR Office of External Affairs Martin Cuenca currently chairs the LRC, a subcommittee that reviews and edits bills before they are debated on the senate floor. The vote to table the bill was done in a closed door meeting with no public record of what was said or seen, where Cuenca himself abstained from the vote and the 5 other members voted to table. Alkhalili’s bill would reduce the yearly stipend given to the 5 members of the ECAB from $9,900 to $3,960. Two other UC Campuses, UCB and UCI respectively, compensate their associated student presidents with maximums of $4,000 and $6,525. Those two campuses also have total funds of $1,612,105 and $1,475,874 directed towards their student governments respectively, compared to UCR’s total of $752,587. According to this budget structure, a total of 15 percent of
JUSTUS ROSS/ HIGHLANDER
ASUCR’s budget, the $12.50 quarterly fee paid by every student, is currently diverted towards stipends for its members. ECAB stipends were raised to their current levels by a secret ballot in 2013 in the midst of attention and controversy over a resolution entitled Divestment of Companies that Profit from Apartheid, which sparked passionate debate from pro-Israel and pro-Palestine speakers and overshadowed the stipend debate. After the senators voted on the measure, the ballots were shredded. In the vote to table the bill that would bring stipend levels near to what they were in 2013, Senate Pro Tempore, External VP elect and LRC chair Martin Cuenca has a clear conflict of interest on a bill that would reduce his compensation for the upcoming academic year by about 60 percent. And although he abstained from voting on the bill, clearly recognizing his conflict of interest, the UCR community has little indication of what went on and what was said during that closed meeting that could have influenced the vote of the five senators. And even though it’s very unlikely Cuenca influenced the outcome of the LRC’s vote, the fact that the vote was done in a closed meeting with no public record does nothing but cast suspicion on what should have easily been an incredibly disappointing, but otherwise routine vote. The way in which this vote was handled was extremely careless, disrespectful to the UCR community and utterly unprofessional. This unnecessary shadiness, mixed with a hint of general ineptitude, is exactly the kind of behavior that sadly has become expected from ASUCR. Alkhalili’s bill is important because it addresses two fundamental questions. Firstly, whether the members of our executive cabinet deserve these levels of compensation, a question that is intensified by ASUCR’s comparatively
small budget and extraordinarily high salaries compared to top student officials at other UCs. Secondly, and more importantly, Alkhalili’s bill asks whether these salaries send the right messages about what it means to be a member of ASUCR’s executive cabinet. The goal of reducing ASUCR’s expenditures on stipends from 15 percent of the budget to 10 percent is a clear step in the right direction. Comparisons to other UCs with much higher budgets for student governments but still much lower compensation alone provide a very compelling case, but there is also a much simpler consideration. Does the work that ECAB is doing justify the yearly stipends of $9,900? For comparison, an editor at the Highlander spends an average of 15 hours a week to provide weekly services to the UCR campus through a print newspaper with high standards of journalism and an extensive multimedia network online. For the work they put in for students, a standard editor at the Highlander makes a fraction of the ECAB’s yearly stipend. The chairperson of ASPB makes $8,736 yearly for putting on a wide variety of campus events such as Block Party and Spring Splash, and hosting a number of prominent guest speakers such as Lena Waithe just earlier this month. Considering how low student satisfaction/involvement is with ASUCR, as evidenced by the fact that only 14 percent of the student population took the short time to vote in the election, it is abundantly clear that ECAB’s salaries do not compare to those of other organizations given the modest benefit ASUCR brings to campus. The second question brings to mind more fundamental reasons why ASUCR may be performing the way it is. A salary of $9,900 is a really strong incentive to pursue a position in the executive cabinet. To candidly agree with Alkhalili — “These positions do not exist to provide personal gain and
financial stability for elected students but rather to serve the student body.” Although the positions are inherently demanding, some are much less so than others, and the $9,900 compensation is extremely generous given the fact that student government positions are meant for students who go above and beyond to dedicate themselves to the betterment of the student body. By removing this extra-lucrative incentive of nearly 6,000 extra dollars, the UCR community could be much more confident that it was electing representatives who are running for the right reasons. While obviously lowering salaries does make it more difficult for lower-income students to properly support themselves as members of the executive cabinet, Alkhalili’s proposed compensation levels of $3,960 are a fair amount to any member of the executive cabinet who is in their position out of a desire to serve the student population. ASUCR’s problems are much wider than simply excessively high salaries for the executive cabinet, but Alkhalili’s bill would undoubtedly make a serious impact on the workings of the institution. Furthermore, through her leadership, Alkhalili has clearly shown the potential of a bold and determined ASUCR senator that will push decisive action through.
ASUCR, however, clearly shows no signs of changing its ways anytime soon. By tabling one of the most constructive resolutions of the year and allowing Martin Cuenca, who has a disqualifying conflict of interest with the vote, to chair a closed door meeting of the committee that tabled the bill, ASUCR once again proved that old habits really do die hard. ■H Highlander editorials reflect the majority view of the Highlander Editorial Board. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Associated Students of UCR or the University of California system.
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With the rise of Uber, the taxi industry is too small to survive SHYAM RAJAN Contributing Writer
Throughout the past decade, the ridesharing company Uber has established its prominence in the transportation industry worldwide. A fixture of the sharing economy that is developing among millennials, Uber’s growth has largely displaced the taxicab industry, which long was the predominant mode of travel in urban centers. Although many local governments have passed regulations governing transportation network companies like Uber, the regulations were designed to ensure proper safety and working conditions and inadvertently ignored the woes of competing taxi drivers. When faced with regulatory constraints and subsequent investigations of evasion, Uber not only lobbied for less restrictive measures, but also cooperated with lawmakers to endorse streamlined regulations, who knew that the alternative, their withdrawal from cities, would eliminate the thousands of potential jobs they offered and also end access to a popular service. Seeing Uber’s potential to eclipse the taxi industry, taxi unions called for local governments to regulate Uber drivers in a manner similar to taxi drivers by forcing measures like fingerprinting upon them. Lawmakers responded, even considering the opposite alternative — deregulation of the taxi industry, albeit tepidly. Such actions indicate that policymakers consider intervening to save an antiquated industry as delaying the inevitable: Death by the invisible hand of the free market. The European Court of Justice recently ruled that Uber is a taxi company subject to the
regulations of its union. In the U.S., however, Uber is exempt from city licensing laws because it is considered a technology platform that connects consumers to services. Recent regulation attempts, like the California Senate Bill 1035 and a proposed plan limiting the number of Uber drivers in New York City failed partially because even Democrats, traditionally pro-union, took a conservative stance on regulating the sharing economy. Seeking participation in what was once a profitable industry, taxi drivers purchased medallions that gave them exclusive rights to pick up street hails in a given city. By disrupting the ride-hailing market, Uber clearly made driving taxis an increasingly less profitable venture. The potential value of taxi medallions provided a hefty retirement package, for they could be transferred from owners to prospective buyers by sale. In 2013, a medallion’s average price in New York City was $1 million. By 2018, however, their average value depreciated to under $200,000, a decrease of over 80 percent. The family of Nicanor Ochisor, a New York City taxi driver who took his own life in March, claimed that the rise of Uber was a cause for his fatal decision. Due to depreciation, the expected retirement package gained by selling what was once a highly demanded medallion is no longer practical for taxi drivers who believed they had this assurance when they purchased their medallions years ago. These drivers, who once believed they were participants in a safe, government-regulated industry, are now becoming mired in debt as they find themselves unable to
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pay the loans they borrowed to purchase their medallions. Stuck in a dying industry because of their medallion ownership, taxi drivers have little opportunity to find recourse for their financial insecurity. In New York City, regulations limit the number of taxis to about 13,600. The number is fixed with the intent of limiting supply, so increased demand fetches higher prices for taxi medallions. However, the number of Uber drivers there is around 60,000 — almost four times greater. Furthermore, the number of daily trips using Uber in the city has increased from about 50,000 to almost 500,000 between 2015 and 2018. At the same time, the number of daily taxi trips dropped from about 400,000 to 300,000. If displacement continues at this
rate, the end of the taxi industry is near. Any attempts to resuscitate the failing taxi industry by guaranteeing wages or controlling the supply of medallions are only stopgap measures. Although current taxi drivers have little recourse other than calling for public aid, their employment, growing evermore unprofitable, will soon be replaced by Uber, a billion dollar private-sector firm that flourishes in the current economic environment. Taxi drivers have lost their exclusive position in consumer travel, once signified by their medallions. Nevertheless, Uber claims the taxi industry is not their main competitor; they are, ultimately, after private car owners. The taxi industry is showing its age as it is undercut by
Uber, which provides a costcompetitive and user-friendly alternative that takes advantage of the widespread mobile platforms in the hands of consumers across the world today. In San Francisco, the local government let the taxi industry fail and is now facing a lawsuit addressing allegations that it backed worthless depreciating medallions whose price they promised to guarantee. Pleading to the courts, the taxi industry is exercising its last resort. Nevertheless, the dwindling fortunes of taxi drivers will likely continue to be overlooked by lawmakers who see a bright future for Uber in today’s consumer-driven sharing economy. The taxicab will likely become another casualty of innovation unless it too can embrace ingenuity. ■H
What Mexico Can Learn From Venezuela in Upcoming Elections JOSE FLORES Contributing Writer
Times are changing and they are changing fast. Emerging leaders invoke nostalgic memories of what the world used to look like and draw attention to each respective country’s “glory days”. Candidates and executives such as US President Donald Trump, Matteo Salvini of Italy’s populist Lega Nord party, and now, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico, all reminisce about a time where their countries seemed much more stable and prosperous. The same pattern can be observed in the 64-year-old former mayor of Mexico City who seems to be on his way to the Mexican presidency. Despite Lopez Obrador’s admirable tenacity, Mexican voters going to the polls on July 1 can learn a valuable lesson from Venezuelans, who democratically elected left-wing populist Hugo Chavez in 2000 and have suffered economic and social hardship since. Despite not running under the banner of either of Mexico’s two most popular parties, the National Action Party (PAN) and the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Lopez Obrador’s strength stems from his position as an outside option for the citizens of Mexico. Lopez Obrador, popularly known as “AMLO” , has launched bids for the presidency three times under the party he founded himself: the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA). Lopez Obrador’s political platform is based on left-wing populism, an “us” versus “them” ideology that has characterized recent candidates in the Western world. Despite his promises to put
a firmer grip on drug violence (which the country needs), Lopez Obrador has drawn criticism from those who deem him too radical, leading to comparisons with Venezuelan socialist Presidents Hugo Chavez and his successor Nicolas Maduro that quickly became authoritarians. These skeptics are not wrong in suggesting these comparisons. According to Dutch political scientist, Cas Mudde, populist candidates like Chavez “...told his supporters that their problems were caused by unresponsive, undemocratic elites and institutions. A strong leader, he argued, was necessary to break through those shadowy forces and impose the will of the people.” In contrast to a strong leader willing to resort to abnormal forms of punishment, Lopez Obrador has actually suggested amnesty for those previously involved in the drug trade business. “You can’t confront violence with violence. You can’t put out fire with fire,” Lopez Obrador said Sunday night. “Amnesty doesn’t mean impunity. . . . We have to attend to the causes that give rise to insecurity and violence, especially reducing poverty.” Launching his campaign on the same brand of optimistic promises as Chavez and Maduro, Lopez Obrador’s popularity comes from his pledges to quickly overcome Mexico’s most insidious challenges. On Sunday, May 20, Mexico had its second national debate featuring Lopez Obrador alongside fellow candidates Jose Antonio Meade and Ricardo Anaya of the PRI and PAN coalitions. On the same day, Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro won the presidential race in a
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country whose democracy has been hijacked by an everlasting dictatorship for nearly two decades. Ever since 2000, when Maduro’s predecessor Chavez won the presidential elections, his party has dominated every aspect of life in Venezuela. Perhaps most importantly, Chavez and Maduro sought to nationalize control of the country’s oil reserves, once thought to be the source of prosperity for the South American nation. Likewise, Lopez Obrador from Mexico wants to make sure Mexican oil “never falls back in the hands of foreigners”, particularly the United States. Lopez Obrador’s message mirrors that of his Venezuelan counterparts; regaining control of resources and thus claiming to restore and protect national wealth. This anti-American sentiment runs through many
of Lopez Obrador’s recent promises, and it comes as no surprise that, given the fiery, antiMexico rhetoric from President Trump, Lopez Obrador has seen an increase in his popularity for presenting a strong, nationalist image. Although on the surface, the promises that Lopez Obrador makes to the people are tempting, they are nevertheless dangerous as well. The repercussions of Mexico establishing anti-US policies and a ‘Mexico First’ ideology could come back and hurt the economy of Mexico. The United States is Mexico’s greatest trade partner with over $600 billion in trade last year. Additionally, since Mexico sells most of its oil to the US, a worsening of trade relations means a hit to resourcebased revenues. A reduction in Mexico’s oil revenues obviously means less profit coming into the
country, and a reduced ability to fund Lopez Obrador’s priorities like poverty assistance programs. Despite recent warnings, the Mexican people do not seem to be changing their minds about who they want to elect in a matter of weeks. This is best explained by Viridiana Rios, a Purdue University professor who explained, “The reality of the country is such that we have to understand that AMLO voters are not angry, rather they have nothing to lose.” Essentially, in a country where people are constantly upset and frustrated by presidential politics, the Mexican people are willing to take a risk that could potentially work out for them. Still, Mexican voters should keep in mind that Lopez Obrador’s populist promises could easily lead them down a path similar to Venezuela’s. ■H
OPINIONS
HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/opinions
TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018
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OPINION POLL Compiled by Lizelle Oreno, Contributing Photographer
“Do you prefer the quarter system or the semester system?”
Amanda Threet Media and Cultural Studies Fourth-year “I personally prefer the quarter system. I found that classes are easier to take when there’s only 10 weeks per term. I like that it’s faster pace; you don’t have to spend so much time on a subject.”
Sarah Peavey Psychology Fourth-year
Christian Lugo Spanish Third-year
Kelly Vasquez Psychology Second-year
Olimpia Marmolejo Liberal Studies First-year
Leylani Quintana Anthropology Fourth-year
“I prefer the quarter system because I get the chance to take a lot of classes within one year, and I can get it over with.”
“All I can say is that I wish the quarter system was not as fast and less stressful.”
“Quarter because it goes by faster and makes you more motivated to just finish your classes on time.”
“I prefer the quarter system because I feel like the faster pace gets us more motivated. I feel like I learn better rather than stretching it out for more than 10 weeks and drag out.”
“I prefer the quarter system because it’s a lot quicker and in case you’re stuck in classes you don’t like or with professors that aren’t really helpful it gives you more of an opportunity to have three chances to explore different classes.”
OPEN LETTER FROM
CHANCELLOR KIM A. WILCOX I read with deep regret C a r i s h a M o o r e ’s o p e n l e t t e r to the Highlander regarding my silence on issues related to sexual violence and sexual harassment. Making public comments during ongoing investigations may adversely affect the outcome of a case, which I wish to avoid at all costs. I recognize now those concerns made me too cautious in my public comments about sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH) at UCR and I apologize for that. While we have done much to address SVSH on our campus, we, like too many other universities, still have more to do in eliminating sexual violence and sexual harassment. I have joined with ASUCR leadership to push harder for reform on the campus. Among the first steps in that regard, I have committed to: 1) require inperson sexual violence and sexual harassment training f o r a l l Vi c e C h a n c e l l o r s a n d Deans, 2) work with our new Chief Compliance Officer to conduct a review of our Title IX processes, and 3) provide funding to increase staffing in our CARE Office. We will commence work on each
o f t h e s e , i m m e d i a t e l y. Every person who steps foot on the UCR campus should expect an environment free from sexual violence and sexual harassment. I will work with student leaders throughout the summer to deal with this important issue and to provide other universities around the country a model for best practices. I have learned much from this experience, and I look forward to working with the campus community in the months ahead to assure that everyone at UCR feels safe and supported.
S i n c e r e l y, Kim A. Wilcox Chancellor Note: The University California, Riverside
of
Be informed.
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The Highlander Newspaper is a great way to keep up with current events and news around campus. If you are interested in the newspaper’s articles or pictures, we offers opportunities in writing, photography, and design. Join us every Monday at 5:15 p.m. in HUB 101 to learn more.
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Features
Campus Cope Planning for a Post-Grad Education BY: Martha Delgado, SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Most people believe that if you want to go to a graduate school program then you need to start planning early. It is recommended to start looking into programs two years before graduating. However, looking into graduate programs does not have to be intimidating or overwhelming for those that are beginning their research on it. Here are some steps to start planning for a post-grad education. Why do you want to go into Grad School? One of the big questions you should ask yourself is if you need a master’s degree. Graduate school often costs more than an undergraduate degree and there is not a lot of financial aid given to graduate students. Given the significant investment, it is important to be sure that you want a graduate degree. Some careers require a post-grad degree while others don’t. Make sure to know your reasons for going to graduate school. Overall, post-grad education is careerminded, meaning that the degrees you pursue are intended to support you in your career path. However, a master’s degree also allows you to pursue an interest. To decide if you want to pursue a specific post-grad degree, you can take internships in the field of the degree to give you a sense of what the work entails. Finding the Right Program Do you know what post-grad degree is needed for your career path? Are you looking for a Masters in Business Administration or a Masters in Communication? There are a variety of grad school programs with different specialized studies. One quick Google search can bring up a variety of results that you can search based on university or program. After you find a fit-
ting program in a university, it will have a description of the overview and learning objectives of the program itself. This information can allow you to decide whether the program aligns with your career goals. The location of the university is another factor that you should consider when choosing a degree. Do you prefer a small or large class size? What is the campus community like? Make sure to visit the campus if possible to find out if the school would be the right fit for you. You want to make sure that you will also enjoy the experience to get the most out of your graduate education. Meet the Requirements Make sure that while you are looking at programs, you also look at their requirements. For example, to apply to medical school, you need to meet specific class requirements. Most programs will require a personal statement and provide a prompt. If you need feedback on your personal statement, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers writing appointments for personal statements (make sure to book your appointment as soon as possible since spaces tend to fill up). Another common requirement are letters of recommendation. It doesn’t hurt to start building those relationships with professors and faculty on campus. To start doing so, make sure to attend office hours. Ask Your Professors for Advice Asking professors is a great way to get more information about grad school. Having been through the system, professors will be able to help you out and give you their insights on graduate programs. This way you can
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also let them know about your educational or career goals, and allow you to start building a professional or mentor relationship. This is something that can help you in the long run whether you choose to apply to grad school or not. Talking to professors can also help you get a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are important in the application process because they validate your qualifications. For most grad schools, letters of recommendation are absolutely necessary and they can serve you well into your professional career. Exams Are you going into law, medicine, teaching? Do you know the difference between the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admis-
sion Test (GMAT), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT)? This is where you look at the requirements for your program. Typically, medical schools require MCAT scores, law schools require LSAT scores and business schools require GMAT scores. There are two versions of the GRE, the General Test and the Subject Test, and the test you will need to take depends on the graduate program. The required tests will be listed in the requirements of the program that you choose to pursue. Some programs don’t even require an entrance exam, such as a Masters in Fine Arts. It is usually advised to start preparing for the test at least two months before you take it. There are different prep courses
available from a variety of test companies. In addition, the ARC offers prep courses almost every quarter that you can sign up for. Don’t Stress Out! Don’t forget that you don’t have to go into grad school right after graduating. There is always the option to take a year off to focus on and improve your application. Maybe you might want to take this time to complete internships or to prepare for the exam. Taking time to strengthen your application can be what can get you into your dream school or program of your choice. While thinking about grad school itself can seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. By looking at the requirements and researching programs early, you can boost your confidence and build a strong and competitive application. ■H
Avocado Toast Tammy Nguyen, contributing writer The dope idea for this recipe for students by students was first inspired by my Student Life coworker Jessenia Sanchez. I was volunteering for the R’Pantry at the time of the idea pitch and decided to take action to figure out how we could realize it. With blessings from The Well, we aimed to use items already provided by the R’Pantry on a regular basis to help students put together quick, nutritious meals. This meal provides healthy fats, protein and fiber. It also goes well with gluten free bread! I hope that this will help support UCR peers in reaching their goals by supporting their health first.
Instructions
Avocado (1) Bread (1-2 slices) Chia Seeds (optional) Olive Oil or Butter Paprika (add lightly, optional for more flavor) Pepper Salt Tomato (optional)
How To:
Toast bread slice(s). Spread olive oil or butter evenly onto toasted bread. Spread mashed avocado on bread and season to liking with salt, pepper, and paprika. Top with diced tomato as desired. ■H COURTESY OF PEXELS
R adar ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
JIMMY LAI / HIGHLANDER
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TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018
Radar
Beautiful composition and breathtaking animation can’t save “Darling in the FranXX” from crashing and burning MARCELO GARCIA Senior Staff Writer
“Darling in the FranXX” has proven to be the biggest disappointment to come out of the 2018 winter anime season. Now, before you think I’m getting carried away, allow me to elaborate: it’s far from the worst show of the season; that title goes to “Ito Junji: Collection.” But compared to the hype that came with the announcement of a series that would be a collaboration from two of the greatest anime studios in the business, A-1 Pictures and Trigger, “Darling in the FranXX” falls extremely short. Now I realize this article might seem a bit hasty to some. After all, there are five episodes left, and the story has reached a turning
“DARLING IN THE FRANXX” HAS JUST SLOWLY BECOME MORE AND MORE FRUSTRATING BECAUSE IT REFUSES TO GIVE CONTEXT THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE point of sorts. But this article isn’t just about the problems with the few most recent episodes; don’t worry, we’ll get to them later. The focus of this article, and the real problem with “Darling in the FranXX,” is its utter lack of so many aspects that made its predecessors great. Truth be told, I don’t have many problems with “Darling’”s first episode; in fact, it’s a good setup. We get a nice monologue from Hiro and Zero Two, which introduces the “bird that shares its wings” analogy quite nicely, especially when we get the callback to it later on. We’re also introduced to the show’s main plotpoint, Hiro and Zero Two’s relationship, and see the polish of this series’ animation; the show feels especially cinematic whenever a scene shifts into a widescreen shot with letterboxing. At this point the world and scale of “Darling” is very unclear, being the pilot episode it doesn’t appear to be a huge issue, since it mostly serves to keep the mystery and wonder of this new world we’ve been thrown into, or so you would think. Unfortunately this vagueness wasn’t a precursor to an actual plot but rather an indicator of the lack of direction and focus that plagues the series. As the story progresses and we learn the little we do know about the world, we’re left with more questions than answers. What happened to Earth that left it in its current state? Why are children forced to fight as
parasites? What are the the 9’s? What is the end goal of this series? You could argue that “Darling in the FranXX” is holding its cards close to its chest, but that’s simply not the case. We already know that parasites are conditioned and brainwashed into piloting FranXX, we know that Zero Two and the 9’s are created in a lab, and it’s been made abundantly clear that these characters are just expendable pawns of Papa, or whoever it is that hidden cabal we see every other episode actually is. The series has nothing to gain from not explaining the full extent of the situation. There’s no longer an element of mystery. Instead, “Darling in the FranXX” has just slowly become more and more frustrating because it refuses to give context that would improve the experience and allow the audience to focus on what’s happening on screen. Before anyone uses the massive exposition dump that was episode 19, as a defense for the series, my point still stands. Rather than just being kept in the dark and having all the information thrown at us at once, discovering tiny tidbits of information and slowly putting the plot points together would have been much more enjoyable. Speaking of which, “Darling’”s ability to form a cohesive story is shaky at best, with certain plot points either being ignored or just outright forgotten about for episodes on end. A prime example of this is Hiro’s disease, which infects him as a result of riding with Zero Two in Strelitzia for the first time. At the start Hiro is warned that no one has survived riding with Zero Two more than three times, but after doing so and surviving, Hiro proves that this is a special case. However, once we search
“DARLING’”S ABILITY TO FORM A COHESIVE STORY IS SHAKY AT BEST, WITH CERTAIN PLOT POINTS EITHER BEING IGNORED OR JUST OUTRIGHT FORGOTTEN ABOUT FOR EPISODES ON END for any explanation as to why Hiro is special, things get a bit fuzzy. It’s implied that Hiro and Zero Two’s bond is strong enough to make this different, however it’s not confirmed. This all comes together to, like most of this series’ plot points, create more questions than it answers. This isn’t even taking into account that Zero Two has been siphoning Hiro’s life up until episode 13, which would explain the disease. However, episode 17 reveals that after Zero Two’s siphoning has stopped, not only has Hiro’s disease not
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gone away, but it has now spread and caused him to grow horns. What makes
THESE ACTION SEQUENCES FEEL EQUIVALENT TO BEAUTIFULLY PAINTED PLASTIC this especially confusing and difficult to follow is that there is little to no mention or build up to these events, which simply happen. I’m not asking for a narrative that’s spoon fed, I simply want a story that isn’t randomly spilled into my lap. Now I could go on about “Darling’”s plot, I could bring up the fundamental flaws in Hiro and Zero Two’s relationship, and just how unbelievable the entire thing is, or I could mention the catastrophe of a B-story that was the Kokoro love triangle. For interest of time, however, I’ll shift the focus over to another outlying aspect that contributed to its downfall: its action sequences. The main problem with the action in “Darling in the FranXX” is not the animation; all the fights feel very fluid and it never feels like the show’s budget forced the animators to cut any corners. Alongside the great animation, the soundtrack is spot on; Strelitzia taking flight in episode 15 is a great example of just how well the music and visuals complement each other in this series. However, there’s just one thing that holds these scenes back, with a few small exceptions – they are all extremely boring to watch. Never did I think I would say that I was bored
watching an action sequence from the same studio that made “Kill la Kill” and “Gurren Lagann,” but unfortunately “Darling in the FranXX” has surprised me in the worst way possible. What makes these action sequences feel equivalent to beautifully painted plastic is the complete lack of emotional investment or stakes attached to any of them. Throughout this series, I have never once felt as if any character was at any real risk of actually dying. The closest the series has gotten is episode 9, where the entire crux of the episode comes down to whether or not Goro dies. While watching the episode I was skeptical, and was later proved right, when “Darling in the FranXX” wasn’t brave enough to kill off anyone even remotely important. Goro’s death could have had the same effect of Kamina’s in “Gurren Lagann,” added stakes and a reminder of the mortality of the characters we’re following, but instead the choice to save Goro had the opposite effect. Now, we know that plot armor is protecting our characters and we are certain that no one will die, at least not in any way that’s compelling or satisfying. This lack of investment and emotional attachment is a result of what is inevitably the biggest problem that “Darling in the FranXX” faces, which is one-dimensional, static characters without any sense of growth. By episode 19, every character in the series is the same as when it started, excluding Mitsuri and Kokoro, but I would hardly call their brainwashing character development. But it’s not just the lack of change that makes these characters so hard to connect to, it’s the fact that all of them feel so one sided. What
does Zero Two want other than to be with Hiro? What are Kokoro’s ambitions or goals other than, “I want to have a baby?” Quite frankly there are none, and that’s
THE SERIES HAS LIKEABLE CHARACTERS WITH A SOLID PREMISE, BUT IT LACKS THE AMBITION TO GO ANYWHERE WITH THEM. “Darling’”s downfall. The series has likeable characters with a solid premise, but it lacks the ambition to go anywhere with them. This group of pilots, much like the show itself, never go anywhere, they simply exist. “Darling in the FranXX” is an extremely flawed show, but it’s far from the worst anime I’ve ever seen. In fact, I can say for myself that there are a few scenes in it that I thoroughly enjoyed, because more than anything this series is brimming with potential. The reason I find this series, quite honestly, tragic is that it was provided more than a few opportunities to diverge from its shaky start. Had “Darling” capitalized on these moments it could have become truly great. But as time went on every new episode seemed to just be an example of that potential being completely squandered. When the series was first introduced it seemed like a perfect combination of Trigger ’s edge smoothened out by A-1’s distinct polish, but as time went on the series gave way to foundational issues that led to its downfall. ■H
HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/arts
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY,MAY 29, 2018
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Princess Ten Ten returns for another successful showcase MARTHA DELGADO Senior Staff Writer
After two sold-out performances in 2017, “Princess Ten Ten and the Dark Skies: A New Musical” returned for three showcase performances on May 25 and May 26 in Watkins 1000. This revised version included new music and lyrics by Jacqueline Emerson (most known for her role as Foxface in “The Hunger Games”) and arrangements and orchestrations by Lee Huff (music composer for “Stranger Things: The Musical Tribute”). “Princess Ten Ten and the Dark Skies” is an adaptation of the children’s book of the same name by media and cultural studies professor Setsu Shigematsu. The book is part of the Guardian Princess Alliance series, a collection of storybooks about diverse princesses who promote environmentalism, diversity, self-esteem and kindness. The musical, presented by S.T.R.O.N.G. Edutainment and Guardian Ambassadors, was co-directed by Chari Arespacochaga (theatrical director of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) and second-year Theatre, Film, and Digital Production major Winter Lawson and adapted to the stage by Maggie Herskowitz and Jillie Mae Eddy. In the musical, Ten Ten, a gender nonconforming superhero, uses her abilities as a wind master to keep the air of Fusan (meaning “wind city”) clean from air pollution brought by the main antagonist, the Zongli (or
royal advisor). Ten Ten, played by fourth year biology major Angela Briones, is bullied for her gender nonconformity and desire to learn Tiandao, a martial arts form only taught to boys. Among the new additions made to the musical since last year was The Wind (Nick Leppert), who appeared waving blue ribbons alongside Ten Ten. Leppert’s fluid motions added a magical element to the story as audiences were able to see Ten Ten’s abilities as a wind master. There was also an interactive section with the audience later in the musical where attendees are given ribbon sticks to wave along as Ten Ten is celebrated as the guardian of the skies. The highlight of the show was Briones’ energetic and charismatic performance. The music and lyrics highlighted Briones vocal strength as she vibratoed in her solo song, “That Isn’t Me.” Despite not having a microphone, Briones’ voice projected all around the room. One of the strongest scenes in the musical was when Ten Ten’s father, King Wu (Marvin Dollano), expresses his disappointment and embarrassment at Ten Ten’s lack of femininity. The room grew quiet as King Wu projected his voice to scorn Ten Ten with the words, “You’re not the daughter I wanted.” It remained silent as Ten Ten pleaded desperately, begging for her father’s acceptance. The tense scene was brought to life by both actors’ expressions of
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frustration and vulnerability. While many positive changes were made in this second revision of the musical, there are still elements that could be improved. The musical felt rushed and did not allow enough development for the relationship between Ten Ten and her Grandmother Sun Hee. Additionally, without the use of microphones, the singing voices of the cast were often drowned out by the music. With just ten rehearsals, the cast and crew of “Princess Ten Ten and the Dark Skies” were able to accomplish a successful showcase. Even though children are the musical’s target audience, it has equal potential to teach adults about the dangers of air pollution and the importance H of staying true to yourself. ■
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“Solo” doesn’t disappoint fans, but it doesn’t do much else MARCELO GARCIA Senior Staff Writer
If you held the same views as myself, and hundreds of thousands of other Star Wars fans, “Solo” was a very dicey proposal. In the year and a half leading up to the film’s release there were multiple script changes as well as creative differences that eventually led to the firing of directors, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Not to mention that the trailers released prior to “Solo” hitting theaters were all extremely underwhelming. Top it all off with the fact that a standalone Han Solo movie is probably the most unappealing idea for a Star Wars film ever and you have me going into the theater with very low expectations. After seeing “Solo” I can now confidently say that the movie exceeded my expectations, if
only by the bare minimum. The cinematography for the first 30 seconds of the film is surprisingly well done. After the movie begins by giving the signature Star Wars space letters monologue, the screen fades to black and is jump-started to life by sparks as the film’s namesake hotwires a vehicle to make his getaway. Frankly this ends up being the most noteworthy takeaway from the entire film, which speaks magnitudes for the rest of the film. This isn’t to say that it’s a horrible experience, the film just never manages to be anything more than passable. Aprime example of this mediocrity is Donald Glover’s portrayal of Lando Calrissian, which was almost universally the most anticipated aspect of this film. What audiences expected, from both the previously established character and some of Glover’s previous roles, was a performance
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES
COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES
that would allow him to stand out as a charismatic and eccentric fan favorite, but for the most part that’s simply not the case. Throughout this film it feels as if Lando is just there, and while I will admit that there was not much of a character to work with in the first place, I can’t help but be disappointed that Glover’s personality never comes across in this film. I’m not expecting a Troy Barnes from “Community,” where Glover played a quirky and clueless jester, but in “Solo,” Glover simply feels replaceable by bringing nothing to the table. Speaking of pointless segments of this movie, there’s L3 (Phoebe WallerBridge), who takes up the role of obligatory, sassy self-aware droid, that solely exists as comic relief after the positive response to K-2 in “Rogue One.” I can appreciate the creativity behind her snarky, SJW-parodying comments, but the actual humor is more of a novelty and doesn’t find much success. The space battles are
okay, with the first heist on Vandor being the best action sequence. The initial meeting of Han and Chewbacca is nice, but again it’s very bland and not much else. One of the outlying problems with Solo is that it fails in the department of fan service. Usually, sci-fi and comic movies suffer from going overboard with callbacks to older movies, but when it comes to “Solo” this leads to it being stripped of the life of the Star Wars franchise. This is the main reason why a lot of key moments, which in a better executed movie would lead to fanboy goosebumps, just fall flat. And of course, there’s the elephant in the room, Alden Ehrenreich as Han Solo. Many fans questioned whether he could measure up to Harrison Ford’s iconic performance of the role, especially following his character’s untimely death in “The Force Awakens.” I would say “spoiler warning” but honestly, if you haven’t seen one of the most successful
movies of 2015, which came out over two years ago, you don’t really have a right to complain about being spoiled. As for Ehrenreich, I’d say he passes, but not as Harrison Ford’s Han Solo. The Han in this movie is a much greener and less cynical one, he hasn’t development into the veteran swindler we’ve come to know and love, so comparing him to Ford’s character just isn’t fair. In fact, the worst highlights of Ehrenreich’s performance are when the script forces him into playing Ford’s character. The intent was to show a slow progression into this role of intergalactic outlaw, but instead we get random and out of place lines that really don’t serve any purpose than to cause cringe. Verdict: “Solo” isn’t the dumpster fire you were expecting, but it’s definitely not the big summer movie you’ve been waiting for. Fans will be sated until Episode IX, while newcomers will have a decent time at the movies. ■H
SPORTS
HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports
TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018
Highlander World Cup Halftime
The 2018 World Cup in Russia is just under a month away, and some teams are still being put together. However, that’s not stopping The Highlander from breaking down every group to give you a comprehensive overview leading up to the first kickoff.
Coach: Gareth Southgate, coached England U21 from 2013-2016, has served as head coach since 2016
Coach: Roberto Martinez, Spanish, managed Everton 2013-2016, has served as head coach since 2016
Kevin De Bruyne After Coach Martinez’s controversial omission of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan, Kevin De Bruyne’s role in Belgium’s midfield has become even more important. The 26-year-old played an instrumental role in Manchester City’s record-breaking EPL season by scoring eight goals and providing an impressive 16 assists. The stats do not end there; De Bruyne passed the ball 2,693 times this season, which is a whopping average 72.78 times per match. These performances led to him placing second to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the 2017-2018 PFA Player of the Year. His simple style makes him easy on the eye, and his ability to pass the ball will be what makes this Belgium team tick. It will be Kevin De Bruyne’s performances that will determine how Belgium’s star-studded attack will come together, especially when they face some of the tournament’s powerhouse countries this summer. Potential lineup: Courtois - Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Kompany - Carrasco, Dembele, De Bruyne, Meunier - Hazard, Lukaku, Mertens Formation: 3-4-3 Prediction: 1st in group, semifinalist, 4th place finish Matches: Vs. Panama 06/18 Vs. Tunisia 06/23
Vasken Najarian Contributing Writer
World Cup Appearances: 9 First Appearance: 1954 Last Appearance: 2014 Best result: Fourth place, Semi Finalist 2002
World Cup Appearances: 13 First Appearance: 1930 Last Appearance: 2014 Best result: Fourth place 1980
Eden Hazard While Hazard did not perform up to his high standards during the 2014 World Cup, he is still one of the most talented players on this Belgium side. Since the last World Cup, the 27-year-old winger has been phenomenal for club side Chelsea. He won the PFA player of the year in 2015 and was a nominee in 2017 but was edged out by Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante. As of this year, Hazard is statistically the best dribbler in the world, completing an average of 6.4 dribbles per 90 minutes of play. This is a higher successful dribbling rate (75 percent) per game than some of the world’s other great dribblers including Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. Hazard has a knack for making opposing defenders look like training cones and he will have to do so in order to create openings for the likes of Dries Mertens and Romelu Lukaku.
Group G, Part I
England FIFA Ranking: 61
Belgium FIFA Ranking: 3
Players to watch:
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Key Players: Harry Kane Once considered a one-season wonder, the Tottenham hitman has come off of a season in which he scored 30 goals and provided two assists. This also marks the fourth straight season where the 24 year old has scored 20 or more goals in the EPL. Kane has been able to translate this scintillating form for England, scoring twelve goals in twenty three appearances. Kane’s 6’2, 188 pound frame has been an absolute nightmare for opposing sides to defend against. Not only is Kane physically impossible to stop, but he plays an incredibly dynamic style and can score from nearly any situation. He showed off this versatility last season when he scored thirteen of his goals with his right foot, ten with his left foot and six with his head. The rest of his goals were penalties, but with such an overwhelming majority of his goals coming from open play, he should feel confident that he will have a strong first World Cup. He will most likely line up next to Leicester’s pacey striker Jamie Vardy, and England will be heavily reliant on these two to fire them far into the tournament this June. Dele Alli It is not often that both of the two key players on a Highlander World Cup Halftime come from the same club, but leaving Dele Alli (22) off would be unfair. This is a player who had won the PFA Young Player of the year twice by the time he was 21 years old. While Kane will have to likely carry the burden of scoring most of England’s goals, Alli will be responsible for helping provide a creative spark to an England midfield that has a stigma of being otherwise dull. The dynamic midfielder is coming off of an EPL season in which he scored 9 goals and assisted 10 more for Tottenham. Alli is a refreshing, more modern English player and has already earned praise from some of the game’s all time greats including none other than England legend Frank Lampard. He will likely play behind Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, and will serve as the link behind England’s midfield and attack. A failure to properly utilize Alli’s talents will lead to a disjointed attack and yet another disappointing England showing this June. Potential lineup: Pickford - Tarkowski, Stones, Walker - Young, Henderson, Dier, Alli, Sterling - Vardy, Kane Formation: 3-5-2 Prediction: 2nd in group, Quarter finalists Matches: Vs. Tunisia 06/18 Vs. Panama 06/24 Vs. Belgium 06/28
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TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018
HIGHLANDER // highlandernews.org/sports
Sports
HIGHLANDER Softball ends season with 2nd place finish at NISC Championship
HOT TAKE Why Real Madrid is the best team in the world today JOSE FLORES Contributing Writer
Spanish giants, Real Madrid secured their third consecutive UEFA Champions League title on Saturday, May 26 by defeating English underdogs, Liverpool in Kiev, Ukraine by a score of 3-1. In an unexpected final, the Spaniards once again demonstrated why the club is the best in the world today. Aside from the injuries of Mohamed Salah and Dani Carvajal, who are both now in doubt for the World Cup, the final left us with one clear message: Real Madrid is the best team in the world today. Now, I know what everyone might be thinking: What about FC Barcelona? While FC Barcelona has dominated the race for winning the league in the last decade, Real Madrid’s focus has clearly been the Champions League. Real Madrid has been clever in focusing its efforts on the Champions League because winning the tournament gives them bragging rights over any club in Europe as well as automatically qualifying the winner for the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. In the last two campaigns for these trophies, Real Madrid has come out on top. Although FC Barcelona won the treble back in the 2014-2015 season, Real Madrid has won every Champions League after that. The reality is that while winning domestic titles does give a club prestige within its country, the Champions League is internationally acclaimed. Other than recognition, what makes Real Madrid the best team in the world is that the team responds in the most crucial moments. For example, Real Madrid doesn’t always win El Clasico against FC Barcelona. In fact, in the last 10 league encounters, Real Madrid has only won 2 of these encounters whereas Barcelona has won 6 of them. Real Madrid, however, have won the last two finals against Barcelona, one in 2013/14 in the Copa del Rey final and the other in 2017/18 Spanish Super Cup Final. And one on hand while it is now becoming a shocking tendency that Barcelona has been eliminated from the last three Champions League tournaments by teams such as Roma, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus, Real Madrid has only been eliminated once in the last 4 years. After its triumph on Saturday, Real Madrid has become the team to beat next season. The simple fact that the team has won the title so many times in the last five years will definitely urge teams like PSG, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to attempt to end this hegemony. And while some may argue Real Madrid isn’t consistent, the club is effective and that is what is necessary to win titles in the modern era of soccer today. ■H
JARYD BONGCARAS Senior Staff Writer ► FROM PAGE 1
UCR finished their scoring efforts in the seventh inning off another RBI single by Curtan, and a three-run homer to left field by sophomore Emma Ramelot. Eastern Kentucky added five runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut the UCR lead, but the Highlanders held them off to win 9-6. Game two: UCR 0 - LMU 2 After going through its first four playoff games without recording a loss, UCR finally dropped a game on Thursday morning to host school Loyola Marymount University. Misfeldt provided another great outing in her fourth straight start, but the Highlander offense only put up a total of two hits for the entire game. Misfeldt gave up only two runs, two walks and struck out eight batters in her fifth consecutive start. The Highlanders recorded only two hits throughout the entire game, a double from Curtan, and a single from junior Brittney Garcia. LMU recorded two runs off a homer to right center in the second, as well as by scoring off a wild pitch in the third. This would round out the host school’s scoring efforts, as they handed UCR its first postseason loss with a 2-0 win. Game three: UCR 7 - EKU 1 The Highlanders struck first off an EKU error in the second inning, as EKU responded with a run of its own in the fourth. However, the Colonels allowed eight hits and six runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, where UCR did most of its offensive damage. Lynch pinch-hit for the Highlanders again with the bases loaded in the fifth driving in an RBI single. Garewal then scored an RBI double, ending UCR’s scoring for the game. The freshman went 2-for-3 at the plate, in addition to senior Jenae Lockwood’s own hit, two walks and two runs. Curtan and Garcia both collected RBI singles of their own in the fourth inning. Misfeldt tied her personal best from her sophomore year by pitching her 21st season win. The fourth-year controlled an offensive EKU by only conceding one run, eight hits and
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three walks, simultaneously striking out five batters. Game four: UCR 0 - LMU 5 In the final game of the season, Misfeldt played her last match-up as a Highlander. She pitched six innings and conceded only two hits and a run throughout the first five innings. Curtan scored UCR’s only hit of the day and was an offensive force in the team’s seven postseason games, earning a .381 battering average in addition to an on-base percentage of .519. Curtan also collected five runs, two doubles and five RBI. Curtan leaves a record of all-time highest hits, runs and doubles in program history. The loss marks the close to the Highlanders’ historic season by taking home an NISC regional title and reaching the final day of the tournament in the NISC Championship round, all in the debut of the team’s first postseason appearance. Lockwood, Misfeldt, Curtan and Garewal represented UCR on the All-Tournament team in the championship round. ■H
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Baseball falls short to Cal Poly on Senior weekend series JARYD BONGCARAS Senior Staff Writer
Three early runs by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (30-27, 15-9) in the first inning proved to be too much for UC Riverside (20-32, 8-16), as they fell 4-2 on Thursday night in the first game of a three-game series. SLO got on the board early, taking the lead in part to a double by Alex McKenna, and an RBI triple from Kyle Marinconz. A pair of hits would give the Mustangs a 3-0 lead by the bottom of the first inning. Senior shortstop Colby Schultz recorded UCR’s first hit of the day, serving as one of only two UCR players on the night with two hits, going 2-for-4 at bat. The Highlanders brought in two runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning, with redshirt senior Tony Gudino singling through the right side. Gudino went 2-for-3 at the plate, joining Schultz as the only Highlanders with multiple hits on the night. Following a pop-up from freshman Nathan Webb, junior Dean Miller smacked a double to right center, putting Gudino on third base. Freshman Cole Pofek then singled to shortstop, but both runners remained in the same spot, loading the bases. Senior second baseman Cody Sporrer knocked a single to left center, bringing Gudino and Miller home to cut the Mustang lead to 3-2. UCR was unable to put up another run for the rest of the night, as a run from Cal Poly’s Elijah Skipps in the top of the third would wrap up the scoring efforts for both teams. For the second game, the Highlanders took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth, but Cal Poly would score the final two runs to eke out a 2-1 victory. Pofek scored his first career triple, continuing his streak of at least one hit in the past four games, as well as in six of his last seven outings. Junior Matt Hardy’s single through the left side to bring Pofek home proved to be UCR’s
only run of the day. The game remained tied at 1-1 until the eighth inning, when SLO hit a pair of successive singles. Hardy ran well into foul territory to tally the second out, but the sac fly would bring home Cal Poly’s Cole Cabrera to give his team a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Connor Cannon led the Highlanders going 2-for-3 at bat, and redshirt sophomore Trenton Toplikar gave up just one run and struck out two batters over the five innings. The team ended the series in a 6-5 defeat that got pushed to 10 innings on Senior Day, but was able to set a new single-season Big West record, on account of three home runs. Cannon’s shot in the bottom of the third
inning marked UCR’s extra-base hit during conference play, breaking the program’s previous all-time record of 82, set in 2010. Miller went yard in the seventh inning to put his team up 5-2, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate for the day. However, the Mustangs would score four runs total throughout the eighth and tenth innings respectively to secure the 6-5 win. Schultz, Webb, Hardy and Cannon all ended the day with two hits each. Eight different Highlanders played on the mound as well, totaling eight strikeouts between them. The Highlanders end the season with admirable statistics, finishing with a .430 slugging percentage and 20 home runs, 57 H doubles and 8 triples in conference games. ■
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