AUGUST 27, 2020 UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA Letter from the Editor: the Screens Between Us Don’T Have to Be Barriers

DAILY NEXUS THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020 www.dailynexus.com UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA Letter From the Editor: The Screens Between Us Don’t Have To Be Barriers

Kaiyi Yang | Hong Kong

Beyond adjusting to the status quo, the Nexus, much like the community we serve, continues to an grow and change despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19. editor of the To those of you who are reading this article in print, the paper Dear opinion section. in your hands is proof that it’s possible to move forward even Class of 2024, (That concrete jungle when it feels like the world is standing still. As I type, writers and Something about being really is where dreams are Sean Crommelin | Newbury Park editors are crafting the stories contained in the following pages; Harper Lambert | Los Angeles elected editor in chief through a made of.) I mention this because copy readers are catching errors; illustrators, photographers and Zoom conference just didn’t sit right. I while the Nexus is many things — a graphic designers are creating the visuals; and production is mean that literally: There I sat at the desk platform for independent voices, a breaking tying it all together. in my childhood bedroom, when I should’ve news outlet, a social group — one thing it The assemblage of our first print issue in months is bittersweet been perched on one of the ancient couches or is not is a gatekeeper of student journalism. I with the knowledge that our whole staff won’t physically mismatched swivel chairs of the Daily Nexus office. am so proud to represent a paper that welcomes reunite until it is safe to do so. But someday we will, and in the Still, I clung to a sliver of hope that, by the end of all students, whether or not they bring any prior meantime, we’re making it work. I hope this brings you as much the summer, I would be writing this in my new office, knowledge or experience to the table, and teaches by reassurance as it has brought me. unmasked, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of doing. Had it not been for this open-door philosophy, my Quarantine has also been a time of internal growth for the the editorial staff working away at our weekly print edition. college experience would have taken place in an alternate Nexus. I stepped into this role with the objective of strengthening Now, nearly four months and 100 miles sit between that universe. ties with the communities we cover and addressing the Nexus’ expectation and reality. In addition to the devastating impact on However, you don’t need to wait for the Nexus to physically longstanding lack of diversity. Over the past months, the Black both people’s lives and livelihoods, finding hope in future plans — reopen its doors in order to join. Lives Matter movement has ignited long overdue conversations only to be let down by cancellations, postponements and promises To the Class of 2024: Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, about racism and inequality across newsrooms nationwide, of updates to come — has become a regular feature of COVID-19. you are part of the UCSB community, and you can be part of the underscoring the need to take meaningful action at the local When it’s impossible to know what will happen two weeks, six Nexus community as well. To those of you who hoped to join a level. months or a year down the line, how do you move forward? campus newspaper or are looking to experience some aspect of This summer, members of our editorial staff have been The answer is you do what you can, one day at a time. college virtually — we need your voices. I hope you choose the developing the Nexus’ first formal diversity and inclusion If working at a daily publication during a global health crisis Nexus to stay informed, entertained and excited for the college initiatives. As other editors in chief have taken care to emphasize, and the defining civil rights movement of our generation has experience that awaits you. change is never easy, and progress is never made without missteps taught me anything, it is that the world keeps turning. Each day And to all readers: I look forward to the day that we can or mistakes. I feel it is important to reiterate that accountability is ushers in both new challenges and new stories of individuals kick it in the office and eat the candy that always seems to be a two-way street. To demand it of the institutions we frequently and communities rising to meet them. People are still creating lying around there. Until then, I’m just a few clicks away. The cover without expecting — and inviting — the same would be art, fighting for justice, advancing science and technology and screens between us don’t have to be barriers. hypocritical and counterproductive. The current editorial staff making each other laugh. And as long as they do, the Nexus Heads high, masks on and for the love of humanity, follows in the footsteps of those taken forward and backward will be here to share their stories. please register to vote. by nearly 100 years of Nexites, and my goal is to build on the Where is “here” if not the underbelly of Storke Tower Harper Lambert progress that previous generations have forged while leaving my that has been our paper’s home for half a century? Well, Editor in Chief 2020-21 own mark on this organization which has done so much for me. much like another, far more famous concrete jungle, [email protected] Taking on this position would’ve been unthinkable without the the Nexus is more than a building — it’s a state of people who are pillars of my Nexus experience: Laurel Rinehart mind. I’m proud of how our editors and staff and Ali Abouesh, who rolled out the welcome wagon for me; members have kept the Nexus running these Jorge Mercado, who personifies leading with compassion; and past months, with the added difficulties especially Hannah Jackson, my predecessor and close friend who of distance, online communication helped me overcome my initial imposter syndrome. Thank you and even different time zones. for showing me how to get the job done and for being there for me as I figure it out myself. It’s been almost three years since I first stepped foot into a staff meeting, equipped with nothing but a love of writing and a bottomless well of opinions. A few quarters later, I became

Winnie Lam | Temple City Laila Voss | San Diego Ida Kazerani | Anaheim Hills 2 Thursday, August 27, 2020 News Daily Nexus Students and Parents Adjust Their Expectations for the First Day of Online College

“I need to make friends with your future wife so she can call me the day that she pegs you.”

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Ze is truly living the the college experience with zir’s “friend” (entanglement) by drinking an entire box of Twisted Teas plus an entire box of Truly Lemonades while watching the “Bee Movie.”

Tomorrow’s Forecast: Vomiting over the toilet at 3 a.m. and thinking about bees. It’s never too early to start preparing for your CAREER. UCSB Career Services offers assistance to all current students and recent grads. Explore major and career options. Get experience. Prepare for graduate or professional school. Develop a career readiness action plan. Apply education and personal skills to the working world. #hiregauchos

(805) 893-4412 career.ucsb.edu MIA GRIFF/ DAILY NEXUS

00084-Summer-2019 Nexus Mail Home Ad 2019 1 7/23/19 11:33 AM Daily Nexus News Thursday, August 27, 2020 3 Students and Parents Adjust Their Expectations for the First Day of Online College Asumi Shuda being able to make friends that be open partially, and she expects college has been a lot better than for an online format. staying home, practicing, playing Reporter could support her through her that opportunities to meet fellow I thought it would be, even with “I am hopeful that the professors in tournaments and becoming a classes and that she could spend student peers will be forgone for classes being online, because of are able to find creative solutions better player overall.” Everyone remembers their first time with during her downtime. this quarter. She also worries my online school experience and to compensate for the lack of For the parents of incoming day of college. “Because I am staying home about being homesick while FSSP,” Lou said. in person interactions that will freshmen, the reality of this Perhaps it marks the day you for the fall, I am honestly really relegated to studying in her room. Like Lou, incoming first-year occur in the fall,” Dighe said. school year has brought met your lifelong best friend or left scared that I will not be able to “If I stayed home, yes, I would English major Maya Dighe said But not all students are as disappointment and concern. home for the first time and had a find people to become friends miss out on the whole dorming the online fall quarter would not optimistic about the turnout for One parent, Charlene Roger, is teary goodbye with your family. with and study with,” Sharma college experience, but in reality, be a much of a transition for her, the online fall quarter. Kai Brady, concerned about risking COVID- Maybe you joined the wrong said. there will probably be more to do having been homeschooled for a student tennis player, deferred 19 exposure for her son, as he lecture and sat embarrassed in Incoming first-year pre-biology at home than on campus,” Pham her entire K-12 academic career. his first quarter at UCSB after will be moving into the dorms the back of the room, or even felt major Audrey Pham said the said. “I am used to taking classes the tennis season was postponed. this fall. the sudden weight of adulthood news of an online fall quarter However, not all students are online, so if anything, the He hopes to spend the time until “My husband and I feel drop on your shoulders. came as no surprise to her, as her navigating online school for the transition for me would be winter quarter training on his ambivalent about our son’s But when the class of 2024 start at UCSB,” Roger said. “As looks back on their first days expected, he has concerns on of college, their memories could how everything will play out this look dramatically different than year, as do we.” those from all the years before. Roger worries mostly about the With online classes and quality of education her son will residence hall limitations, the receive from an online format, university will not be welcoming especially in conjunction with the students to campus with the cost of tuition. normal celebrations. As a result, “Although there may be incoming freshmen have had to additional costs involved in adjust expectations for the start creating and offering an online of their college career. instruction platform this year, we Amidst the COVID-19 feel students should be entitled to pandemic, Chancellor Henry a discount during the timeframe T. Yang announced in June that where their only option is online courses for fall quarter would be learning,” Roger said. primarily online, later confirming Mitch and Rowena Preciado that less than 3% of classes would are also sending their son to be in person and that freshman UCSB this fall. They, too, have housing would be limited to reservations. The Preciados said certain single-occupancy rooms. they are unsure of how well UCSB This flurry of new changes placed will be able to protect students many incoming students’ fall from COVID-19 exposure and quarter plans on shaky ground. how living in single-occupancy For incoming freshmen like dorms will affect students’ social Anshul Panda, learning that he and mental health. would be spending the beginning With the number of confirmed of his college years behind a COVID-19 cases in I.V. heading computer left him with mixed toward 150 this week, the emotions. As a pre-statistics and Preciados said they have doubts data science major, Panda said his that students will follow social main concern is staying motivated distancing and COVID-19 safety while mourning the loss of the practices to keep themselves and iconic freshman experience. each other safe. “Of course in college, students “The more kids you have, the have to be more independent and harder it is to control,” Rowena self-motivated as people and in said. “The virus is not something the classroom, but the students to mess around with. Your who are better at learning on decision will affect other kids their own may be better off than and you could bring the virus students who are not,” Panda said. home to your parents if [you’re] Panda also said he worries not careful.” about missing out on the Despite all of these challenges classroom experience and KAITLYN SMITH / DAILY NEXUS and the uncertainty ahead, some personal interactions that come An artistic compilation of iconic UCSB locations, pictured left to right: the library, Storke Tower, one of the four dining commons, Del Playa students say keeping a positive with in-person instruction. Drive, Campbell Hall, San Nicolas Residence Hall and Freebirds restaurant in Isla Vista. outlook for the next quarter could For pre-economics major Priti be the key to surviving college in senior year of high school was cut first time this year. Kylee Lou, an taking classes in person,” Dighe own by following the training Sharma, the first day of college a pandemic. short due to the pandemic. incoming first-year psychological explained. “However, I am pretty regimen of the UCSB tennis might not look all that different “I am trying to stay optimistic, “A couple of months ago, I was and brain sciences major, feels sad that we cannot attend classes team. from her last days of high school as that definitely helped me really hoping that [fall quarter] that she has an edge over most in person because I was really “Since I do not know if we — conducted virtually. Regardless, get through these past couple would be in person, but at this other students. She graduated looking forward to it.” would practice or if players on after a summer of social distancing of months, especially with my point, I have become used to the in April from Connections Although she is disappointed the team would even show up and quarantining, she said the high school senior year being cut idea of online school,” Pham said. Academy, an online public K-12 that classes will not be in person this fall, I did not want to pay jump into fall quarter will be a short,” Pham said. Pham is still struggling to decide school, and is currently enrolled this fall, Dighe also appreciates for the quarter to get half an bitter welcome to the new school “I am also trying to find things on her housing for fall quarter in the Freshman Summer Start the precautions the university is experience,” Brady said. “So I year. to be grateful for, such as being and is weighing the options of Program (FSSP). implementing to keep students talked to my coach about it, Sharma decided to stay home able to spend more time with my staying home or moving to Isla “I honestly feel like my safe and looks forward to seeing and he recommended that I for fall quarter but worries about family and friends at home.” Vista. UC Santa Barbara will only transition from high school into how professors adjust instruction defer, so now I am planning on

It’s never too early to start preparing for your CAREER. UCSB Career Services offers assistance to all current students and recent grads. Explore major and career options. Get experience. Prepare for graduate or professional school. Develop a career readiness action plan. Apply education and personal skills to the working world. #hiregauchos

(805) 893-4412 career.ucsb.edu

00084-Summer-2019 Nexus Mail Home Ad 2019 1 7/23/19 11:33 AM 4 Thursday, August 27, 2020 News Daily Nexus Back on the Same From the Computer’s Glow, Wavelength: KCSB Alumni FSSP Offers a Remote Return To Host Radio Shows Freshman Experience Yuriko Chavez members and interact with other but that everyone “definitely gets Reporter freshmen through Zoom breakout closer after everybody introduces From Around the World sessions, he added. themselves.” UC Santa Barbara’s Freshman With students attending the online Similarly, Lu said that even though Mariam Bagdady on-air Gaucho reunion amongst music. Summer Start Program, a six- program entirely from home, FSSP he is in contact with numerous other Reporter the various graduating classes. “I’m not sure if anybody is week program during which has adapted; following an increase freshmen, “it’s a little bit harder to Bryan Brown ’99, a network talking about women of color and incoming freshmen take summer in size of 55 more freshmen than the find people that I can specifically ... When the coronavirus engineer in New York, returned health in Santa Barbara,” Evans classes ahead of fall quarter and year before, the program currently talk to personally and talk to one- pandemic forced UC Santa to the KCSB radio scene after said. “It’s just a different voice that learn about UCSB’s resources, is holds 530 members. And as a result on-one.” Barbara’s KCSB-FM to move its spending 11 years as KCSB’s chief folks will get to hear … I feel like being held entirely online due to the of the virtual nature of this year’s To close the communication gap, operations online in late March, engineer. His show, “The Return having that kind of voice in Santa coronavirus pandemic. FSSP, students are also exempt from students have been using social the show didn’t stop. In fact, it got of CoolMojo,” streams from Long Barbara and in the community is Under normal circumstances, the the traditional housing and program media and creating “group chats more creative. Former students — Island and features “a lot of live very important.” Freshman Summer Start Program service fees, saving them almost that are made for a certain class or now DJs and producers from all and not-so-mainstream jazz,” While alumni said they were (FSSP) would be held on campus $3,500, according to the Summer certain majors” to make up for lost over the world — are tuning in to with a selection of other music happy to be back with new and and its attendees would dorm at Sessions website. in-person connections, Kazanjian support the show and host radio from genres such as R&B and updated programming during the San Nicolas Residence Hall. Keila Kazanjian, an incoming said. programs, brought together by soul. the pandemic, their summer However, health concerns have freshman and pre-political science But despite the program’s efforts the common cause to help the Brown said that his return to programming is a temporary fix barred the program’s students major, said one of the main to provide students with the college radio station of their past. the station and his show felt like to the ongoing recruiting shortage from experiencing its usual format attractions of FSSP is “the idea of conventional FSSP experience, some From Peru to Japan, from a homecoming after being away until new college students can — involving in-person classes and being able to get a head start on freshmen have decided not to attend New York to the beaches of for seven years. join the team in the fall. exploring UCSB’s beachside receiving credits and becoming the program. Santa Barbara, UCSB alumni “When I left, it was sort of like “That time in your life, it doesn’t environment — in exchange for one more familiar with the university, “If you’re at home ... you can’t are working around the clock leaving home again. It had been a leave,” Fuller said. “I would gladly behind a computer. as it has a very different system really experience living in dorms to ensure their cherished big part of my life for a very long give up my seat at any moment Transitioning the program into the compared to high school.” [or] making your friends,” according community radio station stays time, and so to be able to come for somebody who’s local. I would virtual world of online learning and Another incoming freshman and to Hailey Pereyra, an incoming on air, according to Ted Coe, back and then to see people I hate to take their spot.” socializing was not the experience physics major, Anthony Lu, said that pre-biology major who chose not the current staff advisor for the hadn’t spoken to or whose names Despite the temporary that Ralph Gallucci, a professor in the opportunity to interact with and to attend FSSP due to the online station. hadn’t crossed my mind in years programming, current KCSB staff the classics department and one of get to know his professors is one of format. More than 23 alumni was really neat,” Brown said. see this summer as a launchpad the program’s directors, intended. the greatest benefits of the program. Instead Pereyra has been using programmers rejoined the KCSB for helping student members The two main goals of FSSP Recently, Lu attended a seminar Shoreline to interact with other team at the end of June with network to form long-term for students have always been and learned about the importance students, as well as student life new and updated programs that connections with radio industry “to transition at the university to of his professors and the amount Instagram pages that have connected reminisce on shows going as far professionals, according to Coe. make friends, and to know where of diligence and stress that the job her to individuals and clubs that back as the 1980s, according to It’s almost“ like Coe mentioned the possibility everything is and understand all demands. share her interests, she said. a press release from KCSB. The going back to my of continuing alumni-hosted of the opportunities and resources “It really gave [me] a different Despite a summer of virtual social throwback programs include programs as a regular feature that are available,” according perspective about the university and interactions — and the inconveniences “Smooooothe Beatzzz,” a jazz hometown. It’s on KCSB due to the addition to Gallucci, who also hosts the about professors that we see every they bring — FSSP students are still music show, and “reDISCOvery,” a real sense of of perspectives and content that normally Campbell Hall-packing day,” Lu said. grateful for the program and the an electronic and funk music mix. were not covered on the show Greek mythology class, Classics 40, While the virtual FSSP is able to opportunities it has to offer. KCSB has not only revived nostalgia for me. before. during FSSP. share opportunities to its students, “In general, what I’ve believed old shows but has welcomed an “They have a focus that Despite the challenge of online the socialization component of the before this pandemic, and still believe array of new programs as well, is serving other parts of our instruction, Gallucci said the program has noticeably changed. In now during FSSP, is that online including the “KCSB Sample community,” Coe explained. program is still able to show students lieu of socializing in person, FSSP classes are never really ideal because Platter,” a new addition that Maiya Evans Student General Manager the university’s resources virtually. now offers virtual groups on Zoom it removes the physical interaction provides a taste of two shows Maiya Evans ‘05, a lecturer Emma Mesches, a fourth- With over 70 activities listed on for freshmen to mingle and talk, with both teachers and classmates,” every Friday, including those of in the Department of Health year biology major, had a Shoreline, the online platform for according to Kazanjian. Lu said. “But they can still become alumni, according to Coe. Education at San Francisco State similar outlook when it came clubs and organizations, students James Li, an incoming actuarial almost equally as enriching to those Jesse Fuller ‘03 is one of the University, had similar feelings to immortalizing the alumni can register and attend various science major, said that “Zoom who stay focused, are responsible many to make a comeback. about coming back to KCSB. programming. workshops with multiple faculty definitely made it more awkward” and can adapt to new environments.” Fuller revived his old show She’s hosting the “Hey Girl “We’re going to definitely “Itadakimasu” — a program Health Show,” a new program have alumni with shows because showcasing different genres of on KCSB that examines health they’re producing super cool Japanese music, including his topics affecting women of color. content that we wouldn’t have. newest addition of classical music. “You kind of leave school, you We can’t really do the recruitment Fuller currently lives in the go off and you have your life, but we usually would … so it’s been Gunma prefecture of Japan, where so much of who I am or really really nice having these alumni,” he works as an IT infrastructure so much of my leadership came she said. engineer and networker. He from what I did at KCSB,” Evans With the combination of new said that being across the Pacfic said. “It’s almost like going back students joining KCSB during fall Ocean and “getting connected to my hometown. It’s a real sense recruitment and alumni joining [back]” with his KCSB family of nostalgia for me.” the station for the summer, KCSB has been enriching, but a little Her show uniquely expands is making steps to diversify its strange after his 17-year hiatus. beyond what KCSB’s audience is programming into the future, “I’m super happy to help out accustomed to hearing from the according to Coe. and fill up some spots while radio station, focusing on current “The diversity of the station it’s necessary,” Fuller said. “It’s events and culture rather than adds to the diversity of definitely a weird thing to go music, she said. programming, and then you add on [after] all these years, and Evans explained that her to that that people are coming especially as we all have moved show, along with other alumni from outside of Santa Barbara around the world.” programming, is a way to and they’re bringing in their Many of Fuller’s college friends showcase content that is not flavor,” Evans said. have rejoined the broadcast, usually included at KCSB and is “It just makes this [the] eclectic turning a pandemic-driven a way to represent new shows in mix that KCSB has always been improvisation into a virtual, programming that don’t focus on about.” MARCELLO FRISINA / DAILY NEXUS

HAYLEY TICE / DAILY NEXUS Daily Nexus News Thursday, August 27, 2020 5 UCSB Students Describe Their Paths to Higher Education, Often Paved by Family Sacrifices

Arturo Martinez Rivera enough,” Gonzalez said. from UC Berkeley with a that he learned everything about County News Editor For a third-year art major, who bachelor’s degree in sociology being a doctor in Spanish. Sofia Mejias-Pascoe chose to remain anonymous, their and returned to UCSB where Kaileh’s mother received a Deputy News Editor parents worked as a janitor and she obtained her master’s degree bachelor’s degree at the American contractor so that their children in education. Guerrero’s two University of Beirut before fleeing This year, the UC system would never have to. siblings also pursued degrees in to Spain as a refugee during the — one of the largest public “Their biggest gift to me was higher education, something she Lebanese Civil War in 1988. university systems in the nation their support,” they said in a attributes to the impact that the When she arrived in Spain, she — admitted the most diverse class written statement. education system has had on her met Kaileh’s father — and fell in of students yet. This fall, while We also talked to a handful family. love with him. the pandemic quiets the college of students who described what “We saw how someone in Their journey later brought towns around California, new their journeys looked like from school, [how] the education them to the U.S. after having freshman and transfer students the beginning to now, at UCSB. system, [can make] that difference Kaileh. Kaileh’s mother restarted will be welcomed virtually to Ana Guerrero’s journey began for us, I suppose. And so maybe her college career after moving their first day of college, while outside the United States. A that’s kind of something we to California, since her Lebanese some returning students will Ph.D. student expecting to get wanted to get back,” Guerrero degree didn’t transfer. Next year, begin their last year. her degree in education in a few said. “[To be] a cultural broker she will graduate with a master’s Courtesy of Ana Guerrero At UC Santa Barbara, nearly months, Guerrero moved from and support them, encourage degree in special education. Her Guerrero is pictured with her parents and siblings when she was a quarter of admitted freshman Mexico to Goleta at a young age, them in following their career father got a job as a doctor for about 2 years old. From left to right, Ana, Isaias, Carolina, Patricia and Adrian. and transfer students are Latino and said she felt as if she grew up aspirations, just like someone did Valley Health Team, a federally or Chicano and over 40% are in two different worlds — “living for us.” funded clinic in Fresno. Asian American. Black students as a local Mexican immigrant For other first-generation After 25 years of working at the represent 4% of the admitted family in Goleta, yet also in a college students, Guerrero same hospital, her father is now student population; American university environment.” stressed “the need to bring their the chief medical officer there. Indian and Pacific Islander are Both parents worked labor- entire self with them and not “When I was little, I would both less than 1% each. intensive jobs: her mother worked try to leave parts of themselves go visit him at work a lot too. I While the UC system touts its as a housekeeper, while her father behind to fit in or to feel like they would just be so in awe that he most diverse admitted class to became a mechanic for the San belong.” had this huge office and he would date, the road to higher education Clemente Villages — university- “They’re there because the put our pictures up and just have remains paved with economic, owned graduate student housing academic setting needs them; that there with his diplomas and social and linguistic roadblocks. — after working as a gardener for the learning spaces need them. certificates all up everywhere,” Many students’ journeys to UCSB most of his life, she said. We need diverse voices, we need Kaileh said. began not with themselves, but As a graduate student, Guerrero to voice experiences. And so to “I think that is something that I with their parents. lived at San Clemente for two years really feel proud of who they still look to to this day, when I’m We asked students from a and would occasionally run into are and where they come from feeling unmotivated. I see all of variety of backgrounds to share her father while he was working because just in itself that is super that and all of that hard work and how their family’s journey shaped there as a gardener; moments valuable,” Guerrero said. how he got to where he is.” their futures at one of the world’s where she bumped into him The journey to UCSB for Kenneth Mejia, a fourth-year Courtesy of Jeanine Kaileh top public universities. In the around San Clemente followed Jeanine Kaileh, a third-year economics and accounting major, Kaileh is pictured with her parents and sisters in a photo from Dec. submissions we received, students her throughout her college career, biopsychology major, began over said his parents’ hard work has 2018. From left to right, Razan, Husam, Layan, Najwa and Jeanine. detailed the sacrifices made by serving as a reminder of how her 5,000 miles away, across the been a constant theme throughout their parents that brought them parents shaped her childhood, Atlantic Ocean. It starts with a his life. He remembers a lesson his and was eventually promoted to give him an opportunity for closer to higher education. Guerrero said. love story, she said; her parents father learned in his own life: “It to supervisor. However, the higher education. The family of incoming “They did everything they met in Spain after leaving the doesn’t matter where you come language barrier was only one “I thought that was crazy, freshman Jessy Gonzalez spent could to really just provide us that Middle East. from. You may have different part of the challenges he faced. working in retail every day for years pinching pennies, working college diploma, but just that in Kaileh’s father grew up in disadvantages from other people, “Normally, to be supervisor, he the past 20 years. That made as gardeners and living with itself gave us a whole different life occupied Palestine territory in but you can still get the same had to be white and know a good me appreciate them more, what extended family in an apartment than the life they had and the life a farming family with seven thing,” Mejia said. amount of English, have some they do, what they struggle to do to get by, the freshman said in a we would have had if we didn’t siblings. From a young age, her Both of Mejia’s parents came education and he got it,” Mejia and provide me a better way of submission to the Nexus. Now, get through college.” father wanted to become a doctor from the same farming village said. living,” Mejia said. those sacrifices have paid off. Guerrero said she never and “defied all odds” when he in rural Mexico and migrated “He didn’t have the education, Despite the roads that each “However, flash forward many envisioned herself attending moved to the U.S. in 1967 to to the U.S. together in their 20s. that language, but he was able to family took to higher education, years, and my parents were finally graduate school at UCSB. Even pursue medical school, she said. After settling down in Orange overcome that barrier and be a one thing is certain: Their parents able to start a successful company. as a student at Santa Barbara Soon after that, his education County, his parents started supervisor, so that was what really are incredibly proud of how far They bought a house, their own City College, she said she felt took him to the University of working graveyard shifts at surprised him,” he continued. their children have come. cars, and are now helping send intimidated and distant from Granada in Spain to earn a Target, coordinating deliveries When Mejia himself started “It’s just making it all count me to study at UCSB. I am a other students, like an “imposter” medical degree, despite only and taking inventory. working at Target after high for them, making it all worth it proud first-generation student, in her own community. knowing how to speak English Working at Target for 20 years, school for his first job, he realized for them and them being proud,” and I can’t ever thank them Later, Guerrero graduated and Arabic. It was there, she said, Mejia’s father rose up in the ranks how hard his parents had worked Mejia said. UCSB Library Prepares for Possible Fall Quarter 2020 Reopening

issue and maintain a controlled circumstances, the library has that make up most of the use of environment for health and safety,” broadened its digital database to our collection — electronic journals Kujan explained. offer key in-person services that and books. When we look at what The library is also enforcing facilitate learning, Rael said. is viewed or downloaded online other state, county and campus That means moving services, versus what is checked out in public health guidelines, like such as course reserves, online. print, it’s a 9-1 ratio,” Grosenheider frequent handwashing and facial “We’re working with faculty to noted. coverings. The library has ordered get some of those up electronically, With the reopening of higher more hand sanitizer than “we ever whether that’s via an e-book or education facilities dependent on have before” and implemented we have staff scanning certain state and county public health hand-wipe stations throughout sections to make sure we have guidelines, the official reopening the building, Kujan said. Facial those available now,” Rael date of the University Library coverings will be required for all explained. has yet to be decided. Public staff and visitors, and those who And the librarians, who health guidelines are constantly do not wear one will be provided normally provide in-person evolving as more information one or asked to leave by staff upon research consultations, will now about coronavirus is made refusal, he added. be at the service of students via available, which creates challenges MAX ABRAMS / DAILY NEXUS Despite sweeping changes in its Zoom, she said. in establishing a timeline for Michelle Lee safety. Once the library reopens, seating capacity to keep students structure and layout, the UCSB “Obviously it’s not safe to meet reopening, Kujan explained. Reporter student access will be restricted six feet apart and encourage social Library will strive to remain as face-to-face, but they’re still ready “The county is changing. We to sections of the first two floors distancing, according to Dave an active resource for all students to answer questions. We [also] were doing great, and then all of Amidst the coronavirus in an effort to follow state and Kujan, library building operations and faculty, both in person and have a 24/7 chat service that’s the sudden we weren’t doing great, pandemic, UC Santa Barbara’s county guidelines limiting building manager. remotely, according to Hannah available online if people need to [and] everything that’s going on University Library is currently density by percentage, while still “A table that normally would Rael, library communications and get in touch with a librarian at any in I.V. [is] just leading to more making preparations to reopen its maximizing student study space, have had eight people … in group marketing manager. time,” according to Rael. complications. So [there’s] this doors to students, staff and faculty Deputy University Librarian Alan study rooms is reduced down to Rael said that in-person These digital services are idea that we’ve done a tremendous for fall quarter. Grosenheider said. one chair in a room,” Kujan said. resources such as GauchoPrint and accompanied by the library’s amount of planning for the hopeful After being closed for the past “It’s much easier for us to “I would just say that from the computer desktops will be open vast digital collection, which reopening … [just] to put it on six months, the library recently manage if it’s limited to a section amount of study space we have for use, along with the recently encompasses nearly 90% of hold,” Kujan said. underwent a massive deep cleaning of the first floor, or a section of opened up, student health and established pickup and mailing the University Library’s entire Uncertainty aside, the University — maintenance staff disinfected all the second floor, thus allowing safety is paramount. If we just open service available to all UCSB staff collection, Grosenheider said. Library is working closely with public areas, dusted and polished us to not have as many people up all our seats to the students, it and students who wish to access Additionally, by gaining emergency campus administration and stairwells, washed the fabric on managing it, which allows more would be opening up a problem.” physical materials. access to the HathiTrust, a university task forces to coordinate chairs and even scraped over students to have seats,” he added. Kujan also said that the library As a member of the Association collaborative digitization service its reopening under the safest seven buckets’ worth of gum from Grosenheider also noted that is in the process of implementing of Research Libraries (ARL), for academic and research libraries, possible conditions, along with the underneath the tables, according Building A, the newest addition a seat reservation system, which the University Library carries a the library has enabled students rest of the campus, Grosenheider to a UCSB Library Facebook post. to the library, will likely be the students must use to enter the mission to promote “intellectual and faculty to immediately access said. In addition to extensive cleaning, first of the two floors to reopen, library. engagement with the world digitized material across all UC “We are doing our very best library staff have implemented and study space will expand from “We are going to require the of ideas and the creation of libraries. to ensure everyone’s health and drastic changes in the structure there. reservation system for students to knowledge,” according to the “The biggest service the library safety — both [for] the students and layout of the library to Along with floor restrictions, come into the building so we can library website. To continue this provides is ensuring access to the as well as the library employees,” further ensure student health and the library has also reduced its do better tracking if we have an mission amidst current pandemic vast amount of electronic resources he said. 6 Thursday, August 27, 2020 News Daily Nexus The “Uphill Fight that the Black Community in America has Constantly Been Fighting Toward”: UCSB & I.V. Community Speak on Black Lives Matter Movement

Arturo Martinez Rivera Tony McDade, Stephon Clark, which 3.2% of the community Sofia Mejias-Pascoe Philando Castile, Janisha Fonville, identifies as Black, a protest Katherine Swartz Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, calling for justice for Floyd in Holly Rusch Atatiana Jefferson and countless May drew close to 1,000 people, Max Abrams others — has mobilized millions holding signs and chanting, with Nexus News Team to stand up and fight for change. fists held high in the air. But as City councils are renaming protest headlines disappear from People around the world know schools and streets that were mainstream news, it remains George Floyd’s name. His death originally named after racist unclear how the Black Lives added. experiencing racism or structural and his final words — “I can’t figures in Texas, California, Matter movement has changed, “This movement really racism through the ways that we breathe” — ignited Black Lives Virginia and more. Officials or will change, the community of highlights that we’re not going keep our community safe.” Matter protests and drew millions in Berkeley and Minneapolis Isla Vista and UCSB. to throw a ‘people of color’ to the streets across the U.S., and have promised to reform police We asked seven prominent thing on this, but [ask] Black around the world earlier this year. departments or disband them figures from the Black community students specifically, ‘What do Black activists have been at altogether. Statues honoring of Isla Vista and UCSB exactly you need?’” she said. the center of the fight against Confederate figures are being that: What does this movement For Robinson, a Black student racial injustice, galvanizing a taken down — through both mean for the I.V. and UCSB in a graduate program in which nationwide reckoning with police toppling during protests and community? And what is the “there are very few of us,” she brutality after Floyd was killed sanctioned removal — across the future they envision for the Black feels the university is seeing the by a white police officer in May. country. community here? struggle of and listening to the Outrage over the police killings On the streets of Isla Vista, UC Here are the hopes, visions and voices of its Black students for of Black people — Breonna Taylor, Santa Barbara’s college town in insights they shared with us. the first time. “They’re like, ‘Okay, we need to listen and hear out Black Dahlia Hylton students,’” Robinson said, adding “Now more than ever, the that it’s also important to support cries of #BlackLivesMatter [are] Black voices without tokenizing being spoken around the globe,” them. “It’s almost like this new Dahlia Hylton, former director thing that they’re hearing now.” of the Office of Black Student Ethan Bertrand, board director Development (OBSD) at UCSB, for the Isla Vista Community said in an email to the Nexus Services District (I.V. CSD), before leaving the university in said that nationwide calls to Ariel Bournes August. reform police departments and “And living in a space of duality condemn uses of force against And if the answer is yes, then — joy and sadness — is something protesters have been echoed in “our community is not safe.” Undergraduates, graduate emphasized that real change cannot through the cracks, because not all we have to reckon with on a Isla Vista. Ariel Bournes, who graduated students and faculty who spoke with occur without effective retention, Black students feel comfortable in all daily basis,” she continued. from UCSB in 2012 and currently the Nexus described the changes and that the university should bolster the same spaces.” Hylton arrived at UCSB in works as a community relations needed at UCSB as twofold: Black its support for the Black students and Alexandra Gessesse, a former January 2020 as the inaugural officer at the UCSB police students and faculty should be better faculty that are already here. Associated Students senator who director of the OBSD. The office department, said he looks back represented in the UC system, and “We as a university can’t champion graduated this spring with a degree represents the fulfillment of at his college experience with those who are already part of the UC the fact that we care about diversity in philosophy and Black studies, one of BSU’s primary demands, mixed emotions. need to be better supported. without providing the resources said that UCSB should prioritize which Chancellor Henry T. “I enjoyed my time here Only 5% of undergraduates and to sustain your diverse student diversifying the resources that are Yang promised to address in and I don’t want to speak 4% of graduate students at UCSB are population,” said Raymok Ketema, made available to Black students. March 2019. negatively about my college. I Black, and those who spoke to the a rising third-year doctoral student “There’s no way we can have one As the first person hired love my college, but the reality Nexus said that there are two key in the history department who also Black student organization serving within the OBSD, Hylton said of the situation was, in many ways to raise these numbers: reviving attended UCSB as an undergraduate. the entire Black student population that improving the experience circumstances, the color of my affirmative action and hiring more Ketema noted that graduate … We have African students. We for Black students at UCSB skin was the first thing that Black faculty. students, compared to have Nigerian, Somali students, means not only inclusion, but people saw and it put me in a Anne Charity Hudley, a professor undergraduates, give more weight Ugandan students who come from “appreciation.” position where it was something in the linguistics department, to faculty diversity when choosing a such diverse backgrounds that are “The beautiful part about to be overcome, which is director of undergraduate research school. She said “90%” of her choice grouped and categorized as Black to being a brand new office, with no ridiculous.” and North Hall Endowed Chair in to attend UCSB came down to the be put on campus. And then we’re precedent, is that we can develop Looking to the future, Bournes the Linguistics of African America, opportunity to work with Mhoze subjugated to everything that falls this space into something that envisions a community in which said that affirmative action has Chikowero, an African history under that umbrella,” said Gessesse, evokes exactly what our students Black voices are more than just suffered from “bad framing” since professor and Ketema’s faculty who founded the East African need. And that’s a sense of Sekani Robinson heard. the passage of Proposition 209 advisor. Student Association at UCSB. belonging; that’s security; and “I’m imagining a space where in 1996, which prohibited state “I do think that having more Black Beyond creating new academic acknowledgment,” Hylton said. “I’ve heard from my we are celebrated, not just government institutions, including faculty in any given department will and social resources for Black While offices designed to constituents, my neighbors and tolerated. Not just having our public schools, from considering increase the pool of applicants that students, those which already exist serve Black students including my friends about them not feeling opinion sought during times of race, sex and ethnicity in admissions are interested in UCSB,” Ketema must be better funded and supported the OBSD are a step in the safe around law enforcement crisis, not being seen as, ‘Oh, you or employment. said, adding that she was “super by the university, Ketema and right direction, the university is officers,” Bertrand said. know, they’re the squeaky wheel, “I would love to see people really disheartened” to learn that out of the Gessesse emphasized. Both cited the still ignoring one of the smallest Bertrand acknowledged that what can we do to make their start to advocate and explain to nearly 3,000 graduate students who Black/African-American Scholars demographics on campus, meaningful change to police voice go away?” people why affirmative action is attended UCSB during the 2019-20 Floor in Santa Rosa Residence Hall according to Sekani Robinson, a systems will take time, but Bournes says Black voices repair work on an unjust and unequal school year, only 83 were Black. as a vital way to bring together doctoral student in the sociology individuals can start by engaging need to be included as “a valued system, rather than this notion of Black undergraduates, but Gessesse department. in community conversations that perspective.” giving benefits to women and people said that Black students who don’t “[Black students’] needs get to the root of police presence. “This is a people group that of color,” Charity Hudley said. live on the floor may not “know sometimes get overshadowed or “What does safety mean? What has a rich history in our country, In November, Californians will what resources are there for Black they get low-balled,” Robinson does racial equity mean? How dealing with these issues … vote on Proposition 16, a measure students.” said. can we promote public safety in addressing these things, being to reinstate affirmative action. The Ketema said the resources As the Black Lives Matter a way that also promotes racial the leaders [of] these causes. UC Board of Regents unanimously currently offered across campus are movement has emphasized, equity?” Let’s utilize this resource and voted in June to support ending the “surface level” and difficult to access, Black people face unique, One of the most important let’s expand this resource. Let’s ban on affirmative action in hopes of and that UCSB needs to close the pressing problems that require questions to ask, Bertrand equip this resource, let’s support diversifying its student body. Charity gap between students who need help specific solutions, Robinson said, is whether “people are this resource.” Hudley said that advocating for from the university and the offices Proposition 16 is one of the most that can provide them that help. important actions that people can “The goal would be that Black take to support Black students. students will have easily identifiable October 2018 marked half a resources available to them without century since UCSB’s Black Student having to jump through a million Union (BSU) released its first set of Anne Charity Hudley hoops to get it to them, because demands to enact change for Black it took me a really long time in students and faculty on campus, Ketema said that more Black undergrad to learn about my but many of the group’s initial calls faculty need to be hired across resources and access them,” Ketema for change remain unanswered by campus — not just in the Black said. UCSB administration. At the time, studies department — and that no In the meantime, Black BSU called for an “increased hiring of department should have only a organizations across campus have minority persons,” “the appointment single Black professor. already started to fill that gap by of Black coaches ‘whenever this “I think that we should have many providing vital social and academic becomes possible’” and the “non- Black faculty in each department, resources for students, Ketema said. condonement of any harassment by so that you can have community The campus administration needs any students, whatever color.” even within your departments,” she to financially support the work these BSU again called on UCSB for said. “I don’t think there’s anything organizations are already doing, she change in 2019, when it asked the wrong with acknowledging that added. university, among other demands, there’s different cultures with every “This school has money,” she said. to “[recruit] more Black students in given background.” “It shouldn’t be that hard to properly order to increase our Black student “Blackness is diverse and we support and back the Black workers population.” should acknowledge that and have that are trying to do the work that But aside from recruitment, as many resources as we can to the university should technically be SICHENG WANG / DAILY NEXUS Black UCSB students and faculty kind of prevent students from falling doing.” In May, a protest calling for justice for George Floyd drew close to 1,000 people, holding signs and chanting with fists held high in the air. Here, protesters gathered in front of Storke Tower. Daily Nexus News Thursday, August 27, 2020 7 Hundreds Gather for Candlelight Vigil in Rememberance of Those Lost to Police Brutality On June 7, hundreds of community members shared from the event are still The responsibility of educating better serve Black students, as community members gathered feelings of grief and pain standing three months later, others about racism is a task that a result of the BSU demands for a candlelight vigil at Sea while offering advice on how serving as a reminder to Isla often falls on the Black community and Yang’s agreement to fund Lookout Park in rememberance non-Black allies can stand in Vista residents the necessity of and other communities of the positions. However, when of those lost to police brutality. solidarity and fight against continuing the longstanding color. However, upholding that Merchant was promoted to Candles in hand, attendees racial injustice. fight agaisnt police brutality. responsibility quickly becomes a Assistant Director of Mental listened as Black students and Signs, posters and candles burden, Gessesse said. Health Initiatives and Inclusion in “When it comes to Black May 2019, Barfield was left as the students talking about why you only clinician available to meet shouldn’t be racist, all of a sudden, with students who requested a it’s like this is our duty. And it’s Black psychologist. not our duty. It’s our duty for our According to the 2018-19 community. But it’s not a duty C.A.P.S. annual report, students to educate others and empathize that identified as Black, African with us,” Gessesse said. American or African accounted for 8.6% of all students that visited C.A.P.S. “We desperately need more Black therapists,” Ketema said. Raymok Ketema “Everybody’s talking to the same Many of the sentiments from people. And I think it can also the original 1968 BSU demands, deter Black students from going including the need for Black to see a therapist when you representation, support for the realize that everybody’s seeing Black community and space the same therapist.” designated for Black students, are The responsibility for making mirrored in the demands BSU the university-wide changes to presented in 2019. A majority of better support Black students falls the issues lie within the design on the administration, Gessesse of higher education — a system said. that continuously favors white “[Is UCSB] financially investing histories over Black histories, in our well being? ... Are [they] Ketema said. investing in the resources that “It’s a deeply embedded I need as a student? Are [they] systemic problem, and I’m getting the departments more not confident that any of the faculty?” Gessesse said. recommendations I make will From the original BSU necessarily improve the lived demands in 1968 and the experiences for students because subsequent demands in 2012 Alexandra Gessesse realistically this institution wasn’t and again in 2019, it’s time that Ketema said a university’s focus designed for me to be here. So, as UCSB administration addresses shouldn’t be on educating white long as it’s functioning as it was the failures of higher education students about Blackness. Rather, structured, I don’t think I’ll ever that Black students have been the university should focus feel like I’m supposed to be here,” pointing to for decades, Gessesse ALASKA YOKOTA / DAILY NEXUS its efforts on improving Black Ketema said. said. students’ educational experiences. At UCSB’s Counseling and “Do I have to keep checking “I don’t know if I feel like it’s my Psychological Services (C.A.P.S.), on the Chancellor to do his duty to advocate for white students Black students are severely part?” Gessesse said. “Or is the to learn about anti-Blackness. I underserved, Ketema said. Chancellor going to do his part feel like sometimes it’s better for There are currently five because he understands the my energies to be put towards staff members that identify as task? He’s good at doing [these] improving situations for Black Black, according to C.A.P.S. annual reports, why can’t he do students instead of trying to teach Director Brian Olowude. Two his reports and check in with the white students about fundamental psychologists, Meridith Merchant demands he signed on to?” anti-racist, anti-imperialist ideas,” and Mario Barfield, were hired “Why do Black students have to Ketema said. in September 2013 in order to hold them accountable?”

Three Black women co-founded myself for, making sure those role of law enforcement in I.V., the Black Lives Matter movement who have been marginalized the working group, comprised in 2013 after Trayvon Martin, historically are given a voice and of Bertrand, Board President a 17-year-old Black teenager, are given their moment,” Bournes Spencer Brandt and Board was shot and killed in 2012 by a said. Director Jay Freeman, is looking neighborhood watch coordinator, Bertrand has led the charge into community-oriented policing who was later acquitted of second- for the same cause within the I.V. solutions. degree murder and manslaughter CSD. At a meeting in June, the Bertrand said these solutions charges. board unanimously condemned should fit the needs of the Seven years after breaking police brutality, declared racism community it serves. In I.V., ground, the movement is bigger a public health emergency and where Bertrand said “many of the than ever before, but supporters created a working group dedicated issues involve alcohol and drug still stress that advocacy and to police reform and anti-racism emergencies,” solutions should allyship are needed long-term. efforts. focus more on “harm reduction SICHENG WANG / DAILY NEXUS “My biggest fear is that this will and wellness.” be, whatever, a two-week, three- “We have a big opportunity week moment. And then we all go there to foster a community back to things, our normal lives,” of equity and innovation, to Bournes said. prepare and to build the bench of The kind of change needed for leadership for folks who will fight the Black community requires for racial equity, wherever they go continued allyship and part of after Isla Vista.” that means continuing sometimes Black Lives Matter isn’t the first uncomfortable conversations movement to fight for justice in about race, Bournes said. Since the Black community, Gessesse the start of the protests, his text said, but for some, it may be inbox has been flooded with the first they experience in their messages from people asking him lifetimes. about race and police brutality, he “For some young Black people, added. this is their first time engaging “I can’t tell you how many in a Black power movement. For conversations I had where it’s their parents, it was Rodney King like, ‘Hey, Ariel, this is the first and for their grandparents, it was time I’ve thought about race. Emmett Till,” Gessesse said. This is the first time I’ve thought What has changed since then is about police brutality. This is not so much what the movement the first time I’ve thought about is fighting for, but who is listening, these issues. I understand that she said. you’ve been thinking through and “The things that people are

dealing with these things your Ethan Bertrand experiencing, as early as 1925 to whole life, so can you talk to me [the future in] 2025, are still the about them?’” “I think that policing has same thing,” Gessesse said. These conversations, though focused a lot on maintaining order “I think it’s important that BLM exhausting for Bournes, are worth and control, but not enough on right now, as it stands today, is a having for the change they could creating a healthy community humbling reminder of the same bring, he said. where all of us genuinely feel safe argument and uphill fight that the “If I’m going to exhaust myself, in a holistic way,” Bertrand said. Black community in America has this is the cause I want to exhaust In an effort to reimagine the constantly been fighting toward.” SICHENG WANG / DAILY NEXUS 8 Thursday, August 27, 2020 News Daily Nexus A Trip Through Isla Vista in 24 Hours

Sicheng Wang City College. This young Although the coronavirus Photo Editor population defines a vibrant pandemic means most incoming culture for Isla Vista, as seen students will begin their journey 3 p.m. Just west of the UC Santa from its residents’ obsession away from the campus, we Barbara campus, Isla Vista is an with surfing, grab-and-go food, hope these photos taken over integral part of life at UCSB. The front-yard activities and many a 24-hour period can provide a town is dominated by students more essential elements of I.V. glimpse into the daily life of the at UCSB and Santa Barbara life. community. 3 a.m.

SICHENG WANG / DAILY NEXUS When the afternoon sun beats down on Isla Vista, one’s backyard is the place for yoga, beer die or at-home concerts powered by a Bluetooth speaker. Even under the unusual circumstances nowadays, one can still enjoy a socially distanced drink.

SICHENG WANG / DAILY NEXUS When the student population of Isla Vista is fast asleep, essential workers are laboring to keep the town running. Here, a truck driver unloads vegetables near the intersection of Seville Road and Embarcadero del Mar, where several popular restaurants are located. 6 p.m. 6 a.m.

MAX ABRAMS / DAILY NEXUS The evening sun on a drying wetsuit is quintessential Isla Vista. That’s because surf culture is not just a KAIYI YANG / DAILY NEXUS pastime here — it’s a way of life. There is nothing more exultant than seeing the sunrise in Isla Vista, especially on the way to campus. Though the campus is closed and all instruction is remote, some students are still up early in the morning. 9 a.m. 9 p.m.

MAX ABRAMS / DAILY NEXUS KAIYI YANG / DAILY NEXUS As the sunlight retreats beneath the horizon, it gives way to Isla Vista’s nighttime glow from street lights Most residents of Isla Vista are still at home during this time, while stores start preparing for the day’s work. and neon signs. At SOS Liquor, a splash of light and a natural vignette brought this eclectic storefront Despite fewer students living in Isla Vista, most stores are still open and providing the community with to life. service and convenience. 12 p.m. 12 a.m.

KAIYI YANG / DAILY NEXUS People dine at Woodstock’s Pizza, a restaurant popular among students. During quarantine, restaurants SICHENG WANG / DAILY NEXUS have proceeded with outdoor business in Isla Vista. The outdoor tables enable people to enjoy their food Coal Oil Point is the westmost corner of the stretch of shoreline that holds UCSB and Isla Vista. Away and time with friends while maintaining social distancing. from artificial light, it is the ideal place to see the galaxy on a summer night. Daily Nexus News Thursday, August 27, 2020 9

Summer 2020

Dear Gauchos:

Welcome! We look forward to having you join our UC Santa Barbara community. This is not how we envisioned the start of fall quarter, but we are thrilled to have you join us. Whether you will be logging on here in Santa Barbara or from somewhere else, please know that we recognize what a challenging time it is to be a new student. Many of you have and personal challenges. Many have also been directly impacted by COVID-19, and our hearts go out to those dealing with the loss or illness of a loved one. We have also seen xenophobia, increases in racist incidents against Asian- anti-Black racism. These are important issues of our time and you will be invited to engage with us in discussion and action and to adopt our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

As we weather the COVID-19 pandemic together, it is critically important that each of us commits to following local and state health guidelines. On campus we will be required to wear face coverings, wash our hands frequently, and keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet from those we do not live with, among other precautions. To keep you safe, faculty and staff have committed to following these directives as well as avoiding gatherings of over 10 people, monitoring daily symptoms, and complying with all health orders in place for Santa Barbara County. We trust you will do the same to protect yourself, fellow students, faculty, staff, and community members. It is important to note that the goal of these precautions is the health of our community, and that the University is committed to a public health approach when responding to noncompliance.

At UCSB we value healthy and respectful dialogue. We value civility, dignity, and differences of opinion that ultimately help all of us to learn and grow. The diversity of perspective and life experiences that our students bring to UCSB is backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ students, veterans, transfer students, and so many others bring to UCSB. You belong here and we will continue to support you through these uncertain and challenging times.

Particularly as we embark on a period of time when many of our interactions with each other will be online, it is vitally important to be thoughtful and considerate in how we communicate with each other. Consider whether you would say something differently if you were saying it to someone in person, and if humor or sarcasm will translate without verbal

Moreover, November 2020 will bring a presidential election that promises to be contentious and about which many are times when our free expression (either verbal or online) offends or causes discomfort in others, just as there may be times when we become offended or uncomfortable when listening to the expression of another. It is in these empathetically. It may help to review our Principles of Community. Free speech is not unconditional, however. Speech in which a direct threat is made, or that harasses a particular individual is not protected speech and is a violation of place, and manner regulations that ensure that free expression does not disrupt classes or the orderly operation of the campus.

UCSB values respectful interpersonal interactions, as well. This is more than a value; it is an expectation. There is no tolerance for sexual violence or assault of any kind, including sexual activity without fully informed and conscious consent, dating or domestic violence, and stalking. These actions, whether committed on or off campus, are violations of UC policy, campus regulations, and the law. We are committed to providing education to help prevent sexual violence, as well as resources that support survivors and encourage reporting. Ending sexual violence is a goal we must all work towards by confronting actions and attitudes that perpetuate such behavior.

Like our greater society, UCSB is not immune to COVID-19, acts of intolerance, sexual violence, or other misconduct. Please seek assistance from the following resources if you are affected by these issues:

infection or exposure (805) 893-7129, [email protected], or http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/home/ coronavirus. Additional COVID-19 information can be found via the Santa Barbara County Department of Public Health UCSB Wellbeing, features a one-stop shop for many Student Affairs services available online during the MAX ABRAMS / DAILY NEXUS pandemic and information about how to contact each of these resources (many of which are also mentioned here), http://wellbeing.ucsb.edu Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and 24/7 Counseling, 805-893-4411 or http://counseling. sa.ucsb.edu To report a bias incident or for information and support resources, http://studentlife.sa.ucsb.edu/bias information on reporting options for sexual violence, sexual assault, abusive relationships, and stalking), 805- 893-4613 (24-hour advocacy line) or http://wgse.sa.ucsb.edu/CARE or http://sexualviolence.ucsb.edu harassment, dating or domestic violence, or stalking to the University, 805-893-2701 or https://oeosh.ucsb. edu UCSB Police Department, 805-893-3446 or www.police.ucsb.edu (911 in an emergency) and Isla

Opportunity Program, MultiCultural Center, Dream Scholars Resource Team, Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, and the Veteran’s Resource Center (contact information available at www.sa.ucsb.edu). Each department listed offers student involvement opportunities. We hope you will lead the way in making sure our campus is a healthy, safe and welcoming place for all.

Sincerely,

Margaret Klawunn Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Katya Armistead Assistant Vice Chancellor/Dean of Student Life 10 Thursday, August 27, 2020 News Daily Nexus Here’s What You Need To Know About I.V. CSD Elections This November Sofia Mejias-Pascoe Here’s what you need to know affected by that relationship. Deputy News Editor about each of the candidates He has limited experience Arturo Martinez Rivera running for positions this fall: with the I.V. CSD and has never County News Editor Bertrand is a current director attended a board meeting. Despite and former president of the I.V. this, Aguilar said he would like to The Isla Vista Community CSD board and a political science be a part of the district’s growth Services District will have three major at UCSB. He served as the during its “very young period.” seats up for grabs on its board of board’s first president, leading the Aguilar is running unopposed directors this November, marking I.V. CSD through its historic first and will not appear on the the first time that voters will get two years in existence. He recently November ballot. to elect new officials to the board led projects within the I.V. CSD Flaherty is a rising third-year at since its creation in 2016. such as the anti-racism and police UCSB double majoring in history The openings for the 2020 ballot reform working group with Brandt of public policy and political include two seats with a four-year and Freeman. science. She’s also currently term and one seat with a two-year Bertrand’s priority for the next serving on the 2020-21 A.S. Senate term. Incumbent Director Ethan four years is improving public as an off-campus senator, which Bertrand is running for reelection safety and crisis response through she does not believe will be a unopposed alongside Marcos the board’s anti-racism working conflict of interest if she is elected; Aguilar, a former UC Santa group. Bertrand is a supporter consequently, Flaherty does not Barbara student and long-term Isla of the Black Lives Matter plan to resign from Senate if Vista resident, also unopposed, for movement and frequently brings elected to the I.V. CSD. She is also the two four-year seats. racial equity issues to the board, a member of the sorority Alpha Two current UCSB students, including initiating the board’s Chi Omega. Catherine Flaherty and Daniel recent discussion on the California Her platform includes creating Courtesy of Ethan Bertrand Courtesy of Marcos Aguilar Mitchell, are competing for the Legislative Black Caucus Police an I.V. planning commission to Ethan Bertrand, current director and former Marcos Aguilar, a UCSB alumnus and library two-year seat. Both are entering Reform Package. improve lighting and parking in president, is running for a four-year term. employee, is running for a four-year term. their junior year at the university During his time on the board, the community while streamlining and currently hold positions in the Bertrand has helped lead efforts to composting efforts. She supports Associated Students (A.S.) Senate. create the I.V. Community Center, the movement to defund the The Isla Vista Community fund an interpersonal violence police and wants to move I.V. Services District (I.V. CSD) is a investigator position with the UC toward community education seven-member board which Police Department and expand the efforts and increase the CSO includes the UCSB appointee Community Service Officer (CSO) program. Flaherty also wants to George Thurlow and the Santa program. ramp up awareness surrounding Barbara County appointee Robert Bertrand previously served on the coronavirus pandemic and Geis. Five of the seven seats are the Isla Vista Recreation and Park continue community face mask elected by the public, and one District and participated in the handouts. of those elected members is the Associated Student Government Flaherty has never attended board president. The current at Santa Barbara City College. an I.V. CSD meeting. She is a board president is Spencer Brandt; Bertrand is running unopposed self-described “third generation he and Director Jay Freeman hold and will not appear on the Gaucho” and believes her “deeply seats that are not up for election November ballot. personal ties” to I.V. give her an this year. Aguilar graduated from edge over her opponent, Mitchell. Father Jon-Stephen Hedges, UCSB in 2014 as a double major “I really do give everything an assistant pastor and longtime in English and philosophy. He 100%. I thought a lot about advocate for the houseless worked in the UCSB Library as an running and I ran because I know I population in I.V., is leaving his undergraduate and currently serves will do a good job and I know that seat after serving on the board as its diversity and engagement I will work with and collaborate since its inception four years ago. assistant. He’s lived in I.V. since with other people to really make Kristie Nguyen, a fourth-year 2010 and is running with the real change and tangible change Courtesy of Catherine Flaherty sociology major at UCSB who endorsements of the Democratic for the everyday student in their KATHERINE SWARTZ / DAILY NEXUS Catherine Flaherty, a UCSB third-year was appointed in 2019 following a Party of Santa Barbara County, everyday life,” Flaherty said. Daniel Mitchell, also a UCSB third-year undergraduate, is running for a two-year term. vacancy is also leaving the board. Brandt and Bertrand. Mitchell is a third-year UCSB undergraduate, is running for a two-year term. Nguyen is the first woman of color Aguilar’s priority is navigating student majoring in music to serve on the board. I.V. through the challenges composition and is planning to Voters established the I.V. CSD brought on by the coronavirus double major in political science. in 2016 as the unincorporated pandemic. He also wants to He is also a current A.S. College district’s first form of self- focus on improving public of Creative Studies senator but governance. The establishment safety in I.V. through fostering plans to resign from that position came after years of community police-community relations and if elected this fall. activism calling for a local source increasing housing sustainability Mitchell’s biggest priority of leadership and a voice for the and affordability. is helping I.V. recover from the community. Measure R, which “Plenty of people are paying coronavirus pandemic. He plans to passed in 2018, gave the district tons of money to live here and do this by increasing the operating its first form of funding through a they’re working multiple jobs and hours of the I.V. CSD’s current user utility tax. they’re paying for tuition. How do mask handout program. For the 2020-21 fiscal year, the we make these hurdles smaller for Other priorities on his platform I.V. CSD has estimated a budget of students?” Aguilar said. “How do include basic needs distribution, approximately over $1.26 million; we bridge that gap to make this a which he would address by about 40% of that will be directed more affordable community?” implementing hygiene giveaway toward community programs. The Another priority for Aguilar is tents and food drives in I.V. board has the power to establish to direct attention and resources Mitchell said he also wants to localized programs that focus on toward the needs of underserved build affordable housing in I.V. to the specific needs of I.V. and in communities in I.V., including assist the houseless population. the past has worked on lighting houseless and family populations. “I think I’d be the best to serve projects, the I.V. Community He hopes to tackle this through in this seat because I’m very Center, the beautification program collaboration with landlords and ambitious. Obviously everything and graffiti abatement. property management groups. that I have, all my plans, they In previous years, the Aguilar plans to join the board’s might not all get accomplished, board has faced criticism from anti-racism task force, which but the fact that I would push for the community for a lack of focuses on developing alternative them and be really hard working representation of the marginalized methods to traditional policing. and aggressive when it comes to groups in I.V. Five of the seven Through his work with the UCSB tackling all the problems we have board members are white men, Library and its Committee on in I.V… I think that certain drive and only two members are people Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, is what really [distinguishes] me as of color; the only woman on the he has taken part in conversations a candidate,” Mitchell said. board, Nguyen, is leaving her seat about the role of police in the Voters will pick the next I.V. CSD this fall. library and how students are directors on November’s ballot.

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DANIELA GOMEZ / DAILY NEXUS Daily Nexus Sports Thursday, August 27, 2020 11 UCSB Athletics Armchair QB The Big West Conference announced that Somebody should probably tell fall sports will be postponed through the Paul George that the NBA came end of the calendar year. For now, men’s and back from its hiatus. women’s basketball are still scheduled to SPORTS begin on Nov. 10. Marella Swims 10 Miles for COVID-19 Relief

Brandon Victor Marella began to brainstorm The donations were distributed to navigate swimming against the Club, he had made his off-hand raised over $12,000 for COVID-19 Sports Editor causes he was passionate about, to Cottage Hospital in two separate current on the return. conversation with Stori a reality; relief, $2,000 more than his initial causes in which he could help funds. The first (and larger) fund “Every so often, I have to look and, more importantly, he had goal. Dan Marella was never serious make a difference. While Marella covered COVID-19 home kits — up and make sure I’m still going about swimming 10 miles in the considered raising money for Black given to people that test positive in a straight line and not drifting,” ocean — at least, not at first. Lives Matter, UCSB Swimming but don’t necessarily have to go to he said. Sure, Marella had picked up had just recently held a fundraiser the hospital. These kits included In addition, Marella had open-water swimming during for the movement. Instead, Marella items such as pulse oximeters and to combat the mental fatigue quarantine, but that was largely opted to raise money for COVID- thermometers which allow patients associated with such a long swim. out of necessity. With the closure 19 relief. to monitor their symptoms at In the pool, Marella’s main event of swimming pools due to COVID- “I was motivated by the fact home in hopes of preventing the is 400 meters; Saturday’s swim 19 regulations, Marella, a rising that America has done such a hospital from exceeding capacity. was 16,093 meters — over 40 times UC Santa Barbara junior and poor job containing this virus,” Marella spoke directly with Lynn longer. men’s swimming team captain, he said. “There’s been a real lack Fitzgibbons, an infectious disease “It’s really easy to get lost in had begun training with a group of awareness from people on the specialist at Cottage Hospital and your head,” Marella said. “You of older swimmers, including his news who aren’t wearing masks, Gaucho alumna who spent her constantly analyze how you’re assistant coach, Mark Stori. After and even people in I.V.” collegiate career playing for the doing in terms of technique, and the group had finished a six-mile However, COVID-19 relief water polo team, and decided that how you’re feeling.” open-water swim to celebrate a falls under a broad spectrum these kits would help alleviate But outside of those adjustments, group member’s birthday, Stori and Marella wanted to make as stress for health care workers. the transition to open-water jokingly told Marella that he tangible a difference as possible. The second fund would help swimming was relatively effortless should do a 10-mile swim. Rather than donate to a national Cottage workers with daily tasks, for Marella. With every swim, “At first, I didn’t take it seriously,” organization, Marella opted to such as child care. Marella felt himself getting less Marella said. raise funds for Cottage Hospital in Since the idea came to fruition, and less tired, and ultimately he felt A few days later, however, Santa Barbara County. According Marella trained every single day, confident enough in his stamina Marella decided to turn that off- to the UCSB Athletics Department swimming around four miles daily. to brave the 10 miles. Confidence the-cuff statement into reality. On website, Marella set out to raise Typically, Marella starts his swim in his own ability soon overtook Saturday, Aug. 15, Marella swam $10,000 for the hospital. at 66 DP and goes all the way the doubt that had earlier bugged 10 miles from Isla Vista, beginning “It’s really hard to gain attention to the Goleta Pier and back. For his mind. close to El Embarcadero Road, to for a worldwide issue,” Marella said. Marella — a lifelong pool swimmer “There’s always that what-if, but the Santa Barbara Yacht Club. “There are thousands of people in — perhaps the biggest transition after swimming more and more, I “The whole thing came together Santa Barbara County, and I want into open-water swimming was knew that I could do this,” Marella naturally,” he said. “I decided that to hopefully create a trend where dealing with the current. While said. Courtesy of Dan Marella if I was going [to swim 10 miles], I others can have an impact on their he swims with the current on the Ten miles later, when Marella Pre-COVID-19, Marella had focused on the 400-meter distance in the wanted to do it for a cause.” local community.” way to the pier, he had to learn reached the Santa Barbara Yacht pool. Now, he has turned his attention to open-water swimming. Cannon Hosts Official UCSB Baseball Podcast

batting practice for players. baseball — and the perfect person you work so hard? … What were “kind of like a slap in the face.” He stayed involved after to head a podcast about UCSB’s the characteristics you had as However, he recognizes that, graduation, pursuing his interest baseball program. a kid and trying to recognize in the best-case scenario where in sports broadcasting for the This appreciation for baseball, that 20 years down the road? ... athletes are allowed to resume baseball program while also for Gaucho baseball, is reflected There’s a reason you’re here.” playing, the same success might continuing to fulfill the field in conversation, in Cannon’s Cannon initially called the be replicated in the upcoming and team duties. After travelling work and most pointedly podcast a “quarantine project,” 2021 season. to the College World Series in in his podcast. “Gaucho 9” explaining that it was meant Yet still, five months later, this Omaha with the 2016 squad, captures an unexpected load to distract listeners from the thought remains merely hopeful Cannon officially joined the of professional success, lessons increasingly disheartening news speculation. In the meantime, program as a paid employee. learned and mentorships based that began unfolding in the early Cannon employs the “Gaucho Currently, he serves as the and formed within the UCSB days of spring. The Gauchos’ 9” podcast to re-engage Gaucho director of facilities in which baseball community. Interviews 2020 season — one that he and fans, players and alumni and, he manages field and stadium with Gaucho alum-turned-MLB others claimed had College at the very least, continue to maintenance and improvements stars and coaches like Michael World Series potential — had keep Santa Barbara baseball on and also acts as an administrator Young and Skip Schumaker give just been abruptly yanked from people’s radar. of student managers and work- a glimpse into the depth of the the players amidst the surfacing When I asked Cannon to study crews. And, yes, he was the university’s overlooked athletic pandemic. The roster had played recommend an episode or two one responsible for adding lights program. Check-ins with current the third game of what ended up for a new listener, he humbly to the stadium this past season. players provide just a bit of sound being its last series on March 8, struggled to narrow it down. Beyond the logistical day- reassurance of normalcy among only days before the university For a Gaucho baseball all- to-day tasks, Cannon is often the daily chaos of the pandemic. announced it would move the history lesson: Episode 5 with interacting, travelling and There is a casual fluidity in final days of Winter Quarter Al Ferrer. For some A-game collaborating with the team. Cannon’s conversations with 2020 instruction and exams interviewing with an MLB all- Consequently, he has been able these guys — he knows his shit, online. star: Episode 6 with Michael to develop unique relationships and it shows. When asked about “We have unfinished business,” Young and Bob Brontsema. And with the players, one which it, he attributes the quality to Cannon reflects. From his for a dive into the world of sports balances a high level of respect that universal language that perspective, the team had broken broadcasting: Episode 12 with and appreciation with light- baseball enthusiasts, players or into a formidable stride since the Travis Rogers. hearted, friendly banter. not, seem to all share. It’s that onset of the season. Their stream To listen to any of the 18 “I like to keep it light with undeniably impressive ability of wins was a collaborative (and counting) episodes on them. I want them to be my to reference on command what effort in the truest form and “Gaucho 9,” check out the UCSB friend, but at the same time I might seem to an outsider like had different players stepping baseball website or the podcast’s kind of want them to respect the irrelevant statistics, dates or even up in critical ways each game. official Instagram page (@ work I do. I’m out here busting a random play in that one inning Cannon admits that after seeing ucsbgaucho9podcast). my tail, and they recognize that during that one game. the momentous success of the … I’m doing a lot of stuff for Passion for baseball in a time young team, the cancellation felt them, and I try and remind them without baseball undoubtedly Courtesy of Kevin Cannon on a daily basis that they’re in a underlines each of the 18 good position,” Cannon said. episodes. Annika Pearson of talent and work ethic which By now, Cannon has watched However, the podcast just Asst. Sports Editor has defined UCSB’s baseball nine seasons’ worth of players as much retains an accessible program. come in and out of the UCSB quality, one strong enough to It’s not every day that the Cannon transferred as a baseball program, and he engage listeners outside of this person sweeping the dirt after student to UCSB in the 2011-12 understands Santa Barbara’s immediate bubble of fanatics. In baseball games one day is the school year, the same year Head second-tier status — despite its its most basic form, the podcast same person interviewing an Coach Andrew Checketts joined Division I ranking — when it is an ongoing human-interest MLB all-star the next — unless the blooming program. Each comes to athletic recognition. story. It explores the process you’re Kevin Cannon, the individual continues to brighten Across all sports, Cannon holds of athletes recognizing their director of facilities and now the legacy of UCSB baseball. a genuine appreciation for the potentials, making impactful official podcast host for UC Santa Cannon’s now almost decade- overlooked talent and work ethic decisions, being surrounded by Barbara baseball. Following the long relationship with the UCSB of Gaucho athletes. influential people and reflecting abrupt ending to, well, life as baseball program — the players, With UCSB baseball, it on their characters as players. we knew it, Cannon decided coaches, staff and alumni base is no different. He prides the Cannon says he thinks of the to merge his day job with his — began, ironically, with his program on its continuous podcast as a platform for players passion for sports broadcasting. rejection from the team itself. emphasis of work, grit and to dig into their athletic and In the midst of what was Forced to reconcile with the cut, player development. He lauds personal journeys. initially a baseball-less summer, Cannon eagerly inserted himself the deep tradition of growth and “You can go on and be Cannon started up a quarantine into the program by becoming talent that the UCSB baseball yourself,” he starts. “I want to project, a podcast titled “Gaucho a student manager for the team. program has harbored without find out things about you that 9.” In it, he utilizes his behind- Cannon executed a myriad of tasks the attraction of an irresistible define who you are, like where the-scenes experience with until he graduated: everything stadium or brand-new uniforms. you came from. What were your the players, coaches and staff from field maintenance and press Simply put, Cannon is critical motivations? Where did your to illuminate the laudable line box management, to throwing to a smooth season of Gaucho inspiration come from? Why do 12 Thursday, August 27, 2020 Artsweek Daily Nexus ARTSWEEK Streamlining the Social Aspects of Music, College Students Introduce Their Vision for Paddle had the idea long before we similar to several other social for any problems that arose. He ever had the name,” Cerofeci media companies that boast hopes that the momentum they revealed. millions of daily users. Cerofeci have started to build will allow “Me and my friend Sam were and his partners plan to use them to navigate any future sitting in his living room and a similar strategy to launch development issues. we were just making noises to Paddle, taking into account Cerofeci is optimistic about figure out what we wanted the the aspects of social media Paddle’s place in the perpetually name to be. Just spitting out that college students gravitate growing realm of social media, random ideas and nothing was toward. Nicholson and Dull music-streaming services and coming to us.” They decided will introduce the app on their consumer-friendly technology. to go with an arbitrary name own college campuses, while “The key to Paddle is that — Paddle. Cerofeci intends to promote there is nothing like it. You The three friends are working the app among students at have your streaming services with Algoworks, a mobile app UCSB. and you have texting and design company, to create a “Everyone uses Spotify you have all those separate beta version of Paddle with or Apple Music, and almost platforms, but there is nothing funding they have received everyone uses Instagram, so that combines all of them into through their Kickstarter we know that those are two one. We believe that music is campaign. things that college kids are going in that direction, and Sunidhi Sridhar Courtesy of Nicholas Cerofeci “We have a basic layout of into. They are our primary digital media and social media Artsweek Editor From left to right: Matthew Dull, Sam Nicholson and Nicholas Cerofeci, what the frames are going to demographic as of now, but are also going in that same co-founders of the Paddle app. be and what a lot of the pages we do plan to take Paddle to direction, so we tried to jump are going to look like, but we’re a further audience and really ahead of the curve.” As the nation clocks in six students Sam Nicholson and stream [the music] right there trying to take it slow and make expand on it.” Now, in the early stages of months of lockdown, many Matthew Dull — who attend on the app as well,” Cerofeci sure that we get the vision that As is the case with most the app, Paddle is simply a college students have suddenly Pepperdine University and said. we really want instead of going startups, the process of project that Cerofeci and his found themselves with an UC Berkeley, respectively — Over a phone interview, straight to the final product,” developing and launching partners are passionate about unprecedented amount of spare Cerofeci has been working on Cerofeci said that the concept Cerofeci explained. While he Paddle has not been without and that keeps them occupied time on their hands. For some, developing a music and social behind the app came naturally hopes to have an early version its challenges. at home. Nonetheless, Cerofeci including Nicholas Cerofeci, media hybrid app called Paddle. to him and his friends, all of of Paddle available to download “We’re just college kids trying has given some thought to his a second-year College of “The idea of Paddle is to whom are avid music lovers. on the app store within the to learn how to start a business. future goals and said he may Creative Studies writing and combine music streaming With free time to spare, the next six months, Cerofeci Even the semantics of figuring consider pursuing a career literature major, this seemingly services with social media trio looked into the logistics of emphasizes that he and his out the legality of this or that in the music industry. “As a endless quarantine has been — if Spotify combined with their project and decided that partners prioritize the quality is very complicated, a lot more writing and literature major, the perfect time to turn Instagram, and instead of they wanted to try something of the app over timeliness. complicated than I thought,” the entertainment industry is budding entrepreneurial ideas sharing your pictures, you’d be new. Much more difficult Facebook, arguably the most Cerofeci admitted. He said that the place to be. If something into reality. able to share songs and albums than brainstorming the initial revolutionary social networking he and his partners “kind of like Paddle can help me get Along with his childhood and artists that you enjoy with concept, however, was coming service of the century, was started going for it,” and that my foot in the door, then that’s friends and fellow college your friends. You’d be able to up with a name for the app. “We started on a college campus, they adapted to find solutions worth it.” In Review: “Karma 3” Showcases SBIFF Film Talk: “Vera Cruz” Showcases a Dave East’s Consistency and Grit Colorful Hidden Gem of Local Architecture to fill the empty gaps, and Jenkins even contributed a few pieces Jadon Bienz & Evan Gonzalez hi-hats and a melodic sample his future, East notes, “Rappin’ himself. Reporters form the basis of every track. and actin’, I’m just tryna keep In the latest installment of However, the sampling pulls up with Pac,” on “Believe It SBIFF Film Talks, Santa Barbara from many different genres, Or Not.” International Film Festival’s online Dave East is a perfect example which prevents the tracks from Though East’s narratives and series of conversations about local of the modern multi-talented rap sounding homogenous. “Thank diverse flows are engaging, films, Jenkins and Shelton sat down artist. Growing up in Harlem, God,” one of the most satisfying there are a handful of moments to discuss the filming process and he became a prospective tracks, features a creeping piano that make the album a rather manifestation of their dual visions. basketball prodigy in high tune, while “Mission” roams into difficult listen, especially The film footage was captured school alongside now-NBA R&B space with its bouncier 808s those with featured artists. over two years, using time-lapse superstar Kevin Durant, which and backing vocals. Popcaan, a familiar voice photography and constructed he references on his song “KD.” Among the most sonically for those who enjoy Drake’s camera poles to show the growth East’s college basketball career notable moments on “Karma 3” “If You’re Reading This It’s of the property’s art over time was not fruitful, and after he are the vocal features. On “The Too Late,” phones in with a due to the slow development of dropped out, he was incarcerated City,” Trey Songz interpolates repetitive feature on “Unruly.” architectural projects. for six months. His release from the hook to Jay-Z’s classic come- Bino Rideaux’s use of autotune Shelton elaborated on his prison prompted his transition to up track “Heart of the City,” on “Blue Story” is a crutch initial dismay at being followed rapping and acting, including his and East’s gruff bars contrast for poor singing instead of on camera, as he said he would portrayal as the Method Man on well with Songz’s higher falsetto. an instrumental tool, which much rather spend his time at Hulu’s “Wu-Tang: An American The prolific Mary J. Blige’s makes the verse sound like the drawing table. However, Saga.” In recent years, East has dramatic vocal performance on that of an overzealous and Shelton’s process was one worth primarily attracted recognition “Know How I Feel” is a stylistic underskilled Lil Baby. Many documenting, as the inclusion of as a rapper. In 2014, East signed throwback to the old-school of the other features are less community effort and beauty of with Nas’s Mass Appeal Records, New York rap that East draws engaging than East’s own each artist’s innovation came to and in 2016, he was selected as inspiration from. performance, leaving the EVELYN SPENCE / DAILY NEXUS life. part of XXL’s freshman class. His Unlike Jay-Z, however, East songs less satisfactory than Joshen Mantai painting, sculpture and ironwork. music catalogs the plethora of highlights the dangers of his they could have been. Staff Writer Shelton’s initial pitch for a Jenkins’ soundtrack purposefully his experiences, with his latest old life rather than just glorify “Karma 3” also suffers from house in downtown Santa Barbara incorporates playful and spirited album, “Karma 3,” exploring his the struggle. He laments the overambition at times. Despite Beyond Santa Barbara’s covered in paintings was easily music that fit the imagery, new life of luxury as a redemption death of Los Angeles rapper and being highly memorable, “The clay tiling and Spanish-style approved by the city’s review board, without employing traditional from his past. philanthropist Hussle multiple City” borders on messiness due architecture lies the colorful which he describes as nothing composers. In a similar atypical The album’s title highlights the times on the album, and he still to an amalgamation of retro- vibrancy of the Vera Cruz short of a “miracle” because of fashion, Jenkins chose to forgo fact that East believes he will finds himself dwelling on his style rapping, trap drums, R&B House. Located at 521 Santa the expected pushback regarding titles and introductions of the reap what he sows — trauma and past, admitting, “I’m traumatized, singing and an undermixed Barbara Street, the small abode the content of the art. However, participants in the film so as to growth. Although he has come a just look in my eyes, I need sample. The cinematic feel of with eclectic artwork over its Shelton promised no profanity, not distract from their thoughts long way in his career, his heart therapy,” on “Believe It Or Not.” “Stone Killer” is overdone, as if neon green framing is the vision nudity or political statements to be and sentiments. In the interview, remains rooted in his upbringing; These flashbacks appear in his the producer forced a generic of artistic architect Jeff Shelton. contained in the artwork. Projects Jenkins emphasized his reliance on the album cover art features a music as well. On “Said What trap beat onto an actual Director and UCSB film like Shelton’s are typically not intuitive filmmaking in observing grayscale photo of him and his I Said,” East admits, “I see my cinema score. and media studies professor approved in other areas of Santa and discovering priceless off- friends. The third installment in homie that died when I look in East’s consistency ultimately Christopher Jenkins’ film Barbara, like the Upper Eastside. script moments for later scenes, a East’s “Karma” series, the album the sky,” while on “Know How I makes his latest project a “Vera Cruz” follows Shelton’s His inspiration came from the tenet he relays to the film students . emphasizes his personal and Feel,” he recalls, “My man got life solid endeavor, though his housing project as the architect idea to garner paintings based on he teaches at UC Santa Barbara artistic growth from his previous … They think this money make collaborators’ contributions gathers the wider Santa Barbara comforting memories, stemming While the Vera Cruz House projects. In comparison to East’s it all good, how?” punch above their weights. community to decorate the from individual stories from the may be quite ordinary in structure earlier discography, “Karma 3” East also spends plenty of time Four years after their XXL exterior of the radiant house. painters’ life. and size, its facade — where the features far fewer R&B-inspired showing off the lavishness of his freshman nominations, East The individual panels on the Shelton’s ability to foster a walls are flipped to have the art cuts. Instead, the tracks focus on present life. Bars such as, “It look and his fellow classmates house are filled with paintings sense of community with this displayed on the exterior instead his raw lyricism and storytelling. like I’m chokin’ my Patek ‘cause have not fallen into the by local artists, children and architectural project becomes of interior — is anything but. The His voice and delivery are highly [it’s] blue in the face,” on the track creative slump that plagues everyday citizens. In the apparent as hundreds of artists idea originated from Shelton’s memorable as well — a smooth “Menace” showcase the dark so many freshman nominees. film, Shelton’s imagination come together to contribute art to thought that while not everyone yet assertive mix of A$AP Ferg sense of humor he has developed East proves himself capable was described by locals as the property in the documentary. has the means to buy art for their and Nipsey Hussle. as a result of his experiences. of balancing his many talents that of an “8 year old” — but The artworks arranged on the homes, they can alternatively East is known for his “Mission” has East portraying his as he continues to work his one who is masterful, playful exterior ranged from a painting walk by this house and enjoy art juxtaposition of old school current life of luxury and fame, way up in life, improving his and incorporates “the best of the Washington Monument to from the outside. To the citizens techniques over modern trap- from staying at a Four Seasons musical craft en route. parts of childhood.” Shelton’s a depiction of aspen trees in the of Santa Barbara, the value of inspired instrumentals. The hotel to being surrounded by architectural style infuses white snow on a dim winter night. the Vera Cruz House to the album’s production remains fairly paparazzi, as a reward for his Rating: 6/10 creativity into his buildings Shelton ended up contributing community is clear — it uplifts the formulaic: dense 808s, sharp previous ambition. In regards to through a mix of mediums like about 70 paintings to the property neighborhood spirit. Daily Nexus Nexustentialism Thursday, August 27, 2020 13 NEXUSTENTIALISM It’s Satire, Stupid. UCSB Promises No COVID-19 in Dorms, UPDATE: Months Later, All Other Germs Still Okay Times Still Strange, Uncertain

EMMA DEMOREST / DAILY NEXUS Natalie Kothergirls That One Person You Hate added that they EMMA DEMOREST / DAILY NEXUS Esteemed Staff Writer are quarantining with their significant other, Max Myszkowski contracting and spreading various pathogens during their doing cute shit all the time and posting it on Nexustentialism Editor time in on-campus housing. As California rounds off another month their social media to remind you during these “Oh, boy, those were the days,” one former on-campus under quarantine, news has broken that the perplexing and incalculable times that you, Responding to the growing fears of prospective students resident said. “My roommates and I all got the stomach times we are in still remain both strange and specifically, are not only worthless but also set to live in on-campus residence halls come fall quarter, flu together during my freshman year in FT — there’s no uncertain. lonely and unlovable, you lazy hog, and that’s the university announced today that it was confident there roommate-bonding experience stronger than waiting in Though these times may be strange, they are probably why your ex cheated on you. would be no COVID-19 contamination present in student line to puke into the suite’s only toilet with one roommate also uncertain. While nobody knows exactly With a growing population of lazy hogs and housing and that students could expect the usual cesspool while the other occupies it with a seemingly incessant what will happen next, we will undoubtedly no foreseeable end to these unprecedented of bacteria, viruses and other infectious agents that have stream of the squirts.” find ourselves enthralled by the peculiarity of and abnormal times, the world is thrust into come to be viewed as an essential part of the college dorm Prospective students have been warned that, although the situation we are in. The past few months a state of indefinite uncertainty. Things are experience. the dorms have been declared a “safe space” from the have been odd and cause many to feel unsure. not normal; in fact, they are the opposite. While many students have expressed fears over the spread ravages of COVID-19, they are nonetheless stocked with Everything remains up in the air as the world They are not certain, either — rather, times are of the new coronavirus through the famously contagious creepy-crawlies and contagions of all shapes and sizes tries to navigate the labyrinthine nature of anything but predictable. As we navigate these bowels of the on-campus residence halls, the university has — the prognoses of which can (and often do) dwarf that these times. strange, uncertain and especially uncertain offered solace in the knowledge that these buildings will of the novel coronavirus. In order to legally cover their “We are aware that these are uncertain and and strange times, it is imperative, no matter contain nothing beyond the usual microbiota, bugs and bases, the university has released a list of symptoms that strange times,” said the Toyota advertisement how stuck in your childhood bedroom you varmints that comprise an important part of building the may be caused by the endemic pathogens of UCSB’s fine on your car radio, for some reason, to ensure are, no matter how long ago you interacted immune system necessary to survive four years in Isla Vista. dormitories, including but not limited to: anal itching, that you may have peace of mind surrounding with another person besides your immediate “While COVID-19 poses a great threat to our community bloating, constipation, nausea, miscellaneous fluid your car-buying needs as the world experiences family, no matter how vitamin D-deprived and will be stringently kept out of the residence halls,” excretions, hair loss, confusion, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, a bizarre and ever-evolving pandemic. you are from staying inside and no matter Chancellor Henry T. Yang said in a meeting today, “the excessive flatulence, aches and pains, dry mouth, wet ear In fact, these times are so uncertain how neglected your shoes and jeans may university promises students in on-campus housing that and spontaneous combustion (again, just covering all its and strange that any sense of normalcy is feel, to remember one simple fact: We have the usual range of STDs and common colds, as well as the legal bases). immediately frowned upon and kicked to the absolutely no idea when or if things will return overall miasmic aura of the residence halls, is to remain ground. to normal. unchanged.” Max Myszkowski wishes all new students a happy school year “I actually like quarantine,” That One Person This announcement has prompted students across the and recommends they focus on growing as many new white blood You Hate said. “It’s given me so much time to Natalie Kothergirls has cried every day for two greater Isla Vista area to fondly recall their experiences cells as they can before fall quarter begins. really work on myself and be productive.” (and now almost three) weeks. DAILY NEXUS ART & COMICS 14 Thursday, August 27, 2020 On the Menu Daily Nexus ON THE MENU Homemade Japenese Food: Salmon Onigiri Winnie Lam 2. Break the salmon into small pieces with a fork. Add the soy On the Menu Ediitor sauce and gently mix it into the pieces of salmon. 3. When the rice is done cooking, transfer it into a large bowl, Onigiri is a Japanese food made of rice balls formed into a add the rice vinegar and gently mix the rice until well triangular shape and wrapped in seaweed. I used to eat these all incorporated. the time as a kid because I loved the fun packaging and how they 4. Add the furikake to the bowl and mix until it is evenly were super convenient to pack for lunch. Onigiri comes with a distributed. You can add more or less depending on your variety of different fillings such as crab meat, miso paste, teriyaki preference. chicken, tuna and much more. My favorite type of onigiri is the 5. Using a piece of plastic wrap, shape a golf ball-sized sphere type that’s filled with salmon, which is what I used in this recipe of rice into a triangle, but don’t press too hard. (Shaping the because it’s light, filling and a great source of high-quality protein. rice with plastic wrap prevents the rice from sticking to your hands and makes it easier to clean up.) Ingredients: (for 8 onigiri pieces) 6. Press the center of the rice triangle with your thumb and add half of a spoonful of salmon into the indentation. Cover 1/4 pound salmon it up with a little more rice and mold the onigiri until you 1 teaspoon soy sauce are satisfied with the shape. 2 cups of short-grain white rice (or sushi rice) 7. Use one strip of nori to wrap any flat side of the onigiri and 2 tablespoons rice vinegar enjoy! 4-5 tablespoons furikake (dry Japanese rice seasoning) 8 small strips of nori This recipe is definitely time-consuming with all the molding and shaping of the onigiris but after a bit of trial and error, it Directions: actually becomes a very relaxing task. It’s also a very customizable recipe because you can experiment with a vareity of different 1. Wash and cook 2 cups of rice. While the rice is cooking, types of furikake and fillings for your onigiri. They make the bake or pan-fry your salmon. Blot any excess oil off with a perfect lunch or snack, and three of them are usually enough for paper towel and let it cool down. a full meal.

WINNIE LAM / DAILY NEXUS An Easy and Delicious Recipe for S’mores Crescent Rolls Lilliana Linan spread onto the puff pastry. Staff Writer 4. Put the graham cracker sheets into a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Then Looking for a way to use leftover crescent rolls? Or sprinkle the crumbs on top of the Nutella layer, looking to satisfy your s’mores cravings? Now you or use them as a base layer if opting out of the can enjoy these summer classics without getting a Nutella. campfire ready. These s’mores crescent rolls are quick 5. Sprinkle on the mini chocolate chips and add and easy to make, and they can be enjoyed as a snack, the mini marshmallows. a dessert or even for breakfast. They work great as a 6. Starting at one of the two longer ends of each finger food, and anyone with a sweet tooth will love triangle, roll up the puff pastry pieces . these warm, fluffy treats. 7. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. 8. Use the remaining Nutella to drizzle it on top of Ingredients: the rolls or use it as a chocolate dip.

1 tube of refrigerated crescent rolls (I used the This recipe is very useful for using up any leftover Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls) dough you may have because it’s difficult to store 2 graham cracker sheets once the tube pops open, and s’mores crescent rolls 1 cup mini marshmallows are much more exciting than plain ones. Using Nutella ¾ cup mini chocolate chips for this recipe makes for a less dry and more sweet 1 cup Nutella (optional) pastry, but if you’re looking for the classic s’mores flavor, using the mini chocolate chips is best. The Directions: mini marshmallows melt too fast and the puff pastry absorbs them during the bake; so another good idea 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees Farenheit. would be to add marshmallow fluff inside the rolls, 2. Open the tube of crescent rolls and lay out each or use marshmallow fluff as a dip. This is also a individual triangle onto a greased tray. fun recipe to make with friends or little ones, since 3. If using Nutella (for those who love chocolate), its measurements don’t need to be precise and the use a spoon to spread a layer of the hazelnut instructions are straightforward.

LILIANA LINAN / DAILY NEXUS Daily Nexus Science & Tech Thursday, August 27, 2020 15 SCIENCE & TECH “I Really do Believe that we Owe it to Future Generations to Protect These Areas”: UCSB Lecturer Creates Website To Spread Awareness of Public Lands

Courtesy of Christian Puga Tule elk stand in a field of grass in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Almost 250,000 square acres in size, the monument holds the largest native grassland in California. Sean Crommelin Science and Tech Editor loop. “The exact title of my class is landscape, Williams also wanted criticism for the website and also these areas, and that the best Williams was raised in the Public Lands and Waters — Law to shine a spotlight on public lent Williams photographs of way to protect these areas is to San Fernando Valley near Los and Policy. When I moved back lands which are of particular some of the destinations. visit them and care about them “When I talk to my students Angeles and lived in a household to California four years ago, I historical or cultural significance; Of particular note, Grange — and take the actions necessary to about [public lands], I just with a passion for public lands — a realized that I needed to go [and] among these sites, she included who is on the board of directors protect them,” Williams said. put my hands [out] in every passion that Williams inherited. either visit or revisit public lands Chumash Painted Cave State for the Isla Vista Recreation Perhaps more difficult than direction from UCSB. There are In the early ’60s, Williams and her that I had never been to in this Historic Park, a cave near Santa and Park District — introduced finding places to feature was extraordinary state, county and family explored the varietal and area, or hadn’t been to in 30 Barbara harboring centuries-old Williams to the numerous local deciding what not to feature, as national public lands all around bountiful nature of California, years,” Williams said. rock art by the Chumash people. parks scattered all throughout I.V. Williams said. us.” from the quietude of places like “[While teaching my class], I The website highlights a wide Visitors to the site can narrow “The hard part was narrowing Those are the words of UC Carpinteria State Beach to the realized that a lot of my students swath of public lands, taking users down locations by filtering for it down to 50,” she added. “Several Santa Barbara lecturer Deborah majesty of the Sierra Nevada. By didn’t really know about the as far north as Yosemite National their intended activity, such as people have asked me, ‘What’s Williams who, in collaboration Williams’ own account, her father public lands around us and Park and as far south as Anza- surfing, backpacking or even my favorite?’ And I don’t have a with a number of undergraduate had one of the first available REI didn’t understand the scope and Borrego Desert State Park. From picnicking, as well as desired favorite. They’re like 50 children, students at UCSB — including memberships. diversity of public lands around east to west, one can venture off distance from Campbell Hall. all of whom have such special Phoebe Rogers, Samuel Desre, Prior to working as a UCSB us. That got me to thinking, to Joshua Tree National Park and Now, with a template in qualities.” Jason Mathias, Christian Puga lecturer, Williams lived in Alaska ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to have a hit the road to Point Lobos State place that is being continuously “Look at the Chumash Painted and Whitner Grange — created for 37 years, acting as an attorney website like this for my students, Natural Reserve. refined, Williams is hopeful that Caves, for instance. You’re in this a website, Great Public Land for the National Park Service UCSB students and other college The real meat of the website, more people will capitalize on gorgeous setting and you can just Destinations: Santa Barbara and and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife students in the Santa Barbara however, is dedicated to local the concept and create a Great go out there, let your eyes adjust Beyond, to raise awareness of Service, as well as serving as area?’” public lands, the likes of which Public Land Destinations website to the light and transport yourself the diverse natural and historical the executive director of both Thus, the seed for the website are most accessible to students for their own locales. in time. While there, you can areas that surround UCSB. the Alaska Consumer Advocacy was planted. In Williams’ mind, at UCSB, including sites like Williams emphasized that she admire the Chumash ancestors The compendium provides Program and the Alaska Lung it would be a tool for discovery Rattlesnake Canyon, the Baron is always reminding her students and their cosmology, be grateful information about 50 public Association. From 1994 to 1999, and exploration, meant to stoke Ranch trail, many of the parks in that they have a voice in how for their stewardship of this area land destinations within a 300- Williams served as the special curiosity and bring to attention Isla Vista and Ellwood Mesa. public lands are used, protected and appreciate their rich culture.” mile radius of Santa Barbara, assistant to the Secretary of the many ways that public lands The undergraduate students and ultimately preserved for “How do you compare that specifically using Campbell Hall Interior for Alaska, advising the can serve anyone who visits them. working alongside Williams those who come after us. to Yosemite? And how do you as the epicenter, which Williams secretary on over 220 million Along with featuring the flora helped inform her about many “I really do believe that we owe prioritize? It’s not possible.” chose because of the adjacent bus acres of national land. and fauna of California’s natural local spots, provided input and it to future generations to protect Who Decides — Or Is Able — To Stay Home? Researchers Observe Mobility Drop Among the Wealthy and Increase Among the Poor During Quarantine Sean Crommelin income and one’s adherence to included three factors. First, they there was no previous research. circumstances shaping result of the fact that many lower- Science and Tech Editor social distancing guidelines. counted the “percentage of devices Everything we know about the Springborn’s research, the almost income earners lack the capacity They published their findings in staying completely at home,” with socioeconomic effects of COVID- universal ownership of mobile to work from home, constraining When the novel coronavirus the Proceedings of the National “home” defined as the location of 19 (including social distancing) phones in the U.S. gave the team their ability to social distance. began its rapid spread across Academy of Sciences. the device at night over a baseline was discovered starting in March a treasure trove of “near real- According to the report, the fact the United States in March, The foundational research is period. Secondly, they observed 2020,” Deschenes said. time data” with which to track that poorer communities also face several states issued emergency among the first of its kind to device exposure, a measure of the However, there is still precedent mobility among wide swathes of a higher incidence of preexisting declarations with the aim of examine the role of income “as average number of devices present to be found in studies looking the population. health conditions and have less restricting movement and a predictor of social distancing at all of the locations a device at how previous pandemics have In analyzing the data, Deschenes access to health care “suggests a preparing states for a surge in behavior,” Deschenes described in visited in a day. Thirdly, they restricted mobility. and his collaborators observed double burden of the COVID-19 hospitalizations. an email to the Nexus. included the median distance all of “There is a smaller literature a striking phenomenon. Before pandemic.” States also attempted to ramp Deschenes primarily works the devices in a household traveled looking at restrictions to mobility the pandemic and the ensuing “One implication is that given up social distancing amongst in the area of environmental outside their homes. And finally, in previous pandemics. For establishment of stay-at-home the lower ability of low income members of the population. With economics, where he studies the researchers also looked at example, [Springborn in a 2015 orders, mobility was highest individuals to social distance (in an available vaccine still months how environmental regulations the “percentage change in device paper] uses variation in home amongst those in wealthier census part due to the nature of the work away at best, social distancing has affect health and socioeconomic presence at locations of retail and television viewing behavior as a tracts and lowest amongst those in they do), they should be a priority become the primary method for outcomes using many of the same recreation relative to the 5-week proxy for changes in the level of poorer tracts. However, once the group once a vaccine is available,” reducing the spread of the SARS- methodologies employed in this period from January 3 to February daily social interaction in Mexico pandemic hit, the pattern reversed, Deschenes said. CoV-2 virus, which propagates research. 6, 2020,” Deschenes explained. during the 2009 A/H1N1 [swine] and the researchers found that the “Higher-income [earners] most commonly through contact “[That] is how I was approached “One major difference with influenza pandemic,” Deschenes poorest census tracts became the individually have more opportunity with infectious droplets that can to join the team,” Deschenes said, COVID-19, compared to most said. ones with the highest mobility. to work from home and thus social get into the mouth, nose or eyes. adding that a collaborator on the other areas of research, is that But now, unlike in the The report listed several factors distance, even without a vaccine.” These droplets are released from piece, UC Davis professor Michael that may have contributed to As Deschenes and his infectious individuals through Springborn, was formerly a Ph.D. these results. Drawing from other collaborators continue their coughing, sneezing, speaking and student at UCSB. studies, the researchers noted research, they intend to add singing. In order to quantify mobility commonly observed discrepancies another dimension to their analysis: However, not everyone has amongst the population, the between the wealthy and poor’s the spread of the disease and its participated in social distancing researchers made use of four access to information, differences relationship to the enactment of equally. mobility measures taken from in political preferences which restrictions. One researcher at UC Santa mobile phone location pings, could impact how one processes “We are also interested in Barbara’s Department of drawing from three different information and also differences learning if the mobility limitation Economics, Olivier Deschenes, sources of data: Google in one’s attitude toward risk measures had an impact on collaborated with researchers and Community Mobility Reports, depending on one’s income. COVID-19 case and mortality economists from UC Davis and PlaceIQ and Safegraph. Notably, the authors speculated numbers,” Deschenes said. Stanford University to document These mobility measures, that less adherence to social the relationship between one’s collected at the census tract level, KIYOMI MORRISON / DAILY NEXUS distancing guidelines may be a 16 Thursday, August 27, 2020 Opinion Daily Nexus OPINION The Signs as Albums Released During Quarantine Covid Crushin’: Ditch Your S.O. or Stay a Simp AriEs Emily Kocis majority of the aspects of normal college life, it is vital to Melanie Ziment MARCH 21 - APRIL 19 Asst. Opinion Editor mark this time as an important transition in your life. Opinion Editor Put simply, you are going to feel like you’re still in high Without A Partner Is the New WAP of Quarantine school if you’re still dating your high school sweetheart. Is This the Death of the Turkey Drop? “Folklore” by Taylor Swift Like most other incoming college freshmen right There is no way you’ll feel like a college freshman if you’re It’s a tale as old as time: Two high school sweethearts now, you’re probably getting ready to do one of two dating the person who you hung out with during passing graduate and move to college across the country from things this coming year: hunker down in your childhood period and who walked you to the gym every day. And if one another. Though they care for and love one another, bedroom for a quarter of virtual classes or move into an the extent of your college experience this year is going to communication through the phone is hard, and as school apartment or dorm because you tragically signed a lease be logging onto Zoom lectures, being single will at least begins, feelings of jealousy and isolation start to creep in. TAurus before schools abruptly switched to remote instruction. make sure you can virtually flirt with the cute kids in your Both partners are making new friends, having different APRIL 20 - MAY 20 In both scenarios, the obvious key to a successful first classes. experiences — maybe flirting with a new classmate — and year of college, coronavirus or not, is to get rid of that It’s time to determine whether the boy who helped you ultimately start to grow apart. By the time Thanksgiving “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” by Fiona Apple love-sucking leech of a significant other. with a worksheet in AP Biology or the girl who did all of rolls around, it’s time to see each other one last time in That’s right, dump your partner. your work for a group project in 10th grade is in it for the person before ending the relationship. Relationships look very different right now. With a long haul, or just deadweight. If it’s the latter, don’t be the But, as with all things, 2020 has left its mark on growing number of states pushing back plans to reopen asshole who strings them along for another year. relationships and has left couples wondering whether or reimposing restrictions, couples are having to find In the spirit of wholeheartedly embracing breaking the pandemic has temporarily brought an end to this new and creative ways to spend socially distanced time hearts this quarantine, here are some of my favorite, socially Thanksgiving trope. GEMiNi together. Going from seeing your significant other distant ways to dump your high school sweetheart. Now, with many colleges conducting their classes MAY 21 - JUNE 20 every day at lunch to not at all isn’t easy, but it also isn’t If you’re feeling non-confrontational, might I suggest online, many students are choosing to stay at home with an excuse to endanger your life or the lives of others. breakup by carrier pigeon or message in a bottle? Perhaps their folks. With your S.O. staying in the same city as you, “!e New Abnormal” by !e Strokes Whether it’s through Zoom dates or masked picnics six you can get some excellent job application practice and many incoming freshmen might choose to stay with their feet apart from each other, the dating scene has drastically write them a cover letter, or just keep it to what they partners. And to them, I say hurrah! In the words of the love changed. already know by styling it as a college rejection letter. If god Al Green, “Let’s Stay Together.” This is not to say that coronavirus has made dating you feel like really embracing the spirit of virtual learning, As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) impossible, but is this new level of commitment and effort some other options include breaking up over Zoom chat, notes, “pandemics can be stressful,” which is the nice way of worth it to preserve an already doomed relationship? ambushing a supposed Zoom date with a “Why we should saying that being confined within the same four walls with A staple of the freshman year experience for couples break up” PowerPoint presentation or just leaving them in nothing to do besides endlessly scrolling through TikTok across the United States is the big turkey drop. After high the Zoom waiting room and hoping they get the message. can absolutely wreck your mental health. Whether you were school sweethearts give long distance the good college If all else fails, one major pandemic perk is that you can previously struggling with your mental health or not, months cANcEr try, someone typically gets dumped when Thanksgiving always pretend to have the coronavirus and ghost them. of social isolation and uncertainty have undoubtedly taken JUNE 21 - JULY 22 rolls around and everyone heads home for the holidays. their toll on your mental state. In fact, a CDC survey showed Inevitably, high school lovers break up before either Emily Kocis really hopes you don’t take her breakup that young people are reporting increasing levels of anxiety “You and Your Friends” by Peach Pit partner takes their first college final. methods seriously. and depression as a result of COVID-19. However, with many college freshmen staying in their Therefore, having a strong support system has never been hometowns amidst the pandemic, the turkey drop now more essential to your well-being. Studies have long noted seems obsolete. But don’t be fooled. The dreaded drop the positive impact that healthy relationships can have on has not been canceled, just postponed. mental health. Your significant other can be a necessary Sure, right now, you may feel invincible, like nothing person to vent to, a shoulder to cry on or a crucial distraction LEO in the world could possibly extinguish your brightly from the craziness that is ensuing. JULY 23 - AUGUST 22 burning teenage passion, but what happens when you go Not to mention that breakups fucking suck and can back to school? Colleges will eventually reopen and, as be extremely detrimental to your mental health. A global “Neon Future IV” by Steve Aoki you finally move into dorms filled with hundreds of your pandemic is certainly not the time to be going through it. horny peers, breaking up will be unavoidable. Besides these great reasons to stay simping, here’s Even if you don’t take my word for it — the cold, hard another one: If you don’t want to break up with your numbers don’t lie. Data journalist David McCandless partner, don’t! Just because society dictates that it’s the observed that there is a spike in breakups conveniently smart, logical thing to do doesn’t mean that it’s what’s best about two weeks before Christmas when examining for you. And while the argument usually goes that you Facebook relationship status data. So not only is the should be out experiencing college and not hung up on VirGO turkey drop a mainstay of the college rumor mill, but it’s some long-distanced high school S.O., trusty coronavirus AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22 also backed up by some pretty serious data. has swept these excuses away for you (goodie!). If you are While the dreaded dumping may not be a threat happy with your current chosen person there’s no good “Blame It on Baby” by DaBaby this year, it is guaranteed to resurface whenever it is reason to rush into breaking up. safe enough for couples to go back to college in person. If all these good reasons haven’t convinced you yet, then Ultimately, you may as well save yourself the heartbreak, I have one final thing to point out: Who else is there to have tedious arguments and the overall effort of staying sex with (following the NYC Health Department guidelines together for another year before the inevitable “it’s not of course) during the many months of quarantine that are you, it’s me.” yet to come? In a time of virtual classes, breaking up with your EMILY LIU / DAILY NEXUS LibrA high school partner can also be an important first Melanie Ziment has had too much time to ponder the SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22 step in asserting some desperately hard to come by question: If you aren’t boinking to Al Green, does it even independence. With Zoom University sorely lacking a count? “It Was Good Until It Wasn’t” by Kehlani Ask AJ: One Marijuana & Too Many Yerbs the specific benefits you mentioned, I would no doubt that this is absolutely true, and you scOrPiO recommend just taking a yoga seminar. should be very scared. Luckily, Isla Vista is such a OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21 mess of “bodily fluids,” as you put it, on any given weekend (or weekday!) that you’ve got some time “Chromatica” by Lady Gaga before The Law gets around to knocking on your I want to try one marijuana. Does door. In the meantime, I recommend you take a Campus Learning Assistance Services good look at your life choices and try to figure out (CLAS) have any tutoring sessions where not only what possessed you to drink Smirnoff Ice, you can try one marijuana? which is offensive enough on its own, but why you thought it would be a good idea to mix it with beef Listen, I’m gonna tell you this because you seem stroganoff. It sounds like that one’s on you, dude. cool, but you have to promise not to tell anyone In all seriousness, you probably (probably) have else. What you’re gonna do is walk up to the front nothing to worry about. The UCPD is still on the sAGiTTArius desk in the Student Resource Building and ask for hunt for that bobcat that was prowling campus NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21 Jerry. He’ll give you the secret CLAS menu, and last year, and the raccoons undoubtedly got to you can figure it out from there. your spilled leftovers long before the cops did. Now that you’ve tried your one marijuana, let me “Women in Music Pt. III” by Haim PEYTON STOTELMYRE / DAILY NEXUS take it one step farther. If you’re the entrepreneurial type, I’d recommend CLAS’ tutoring groups on AJ biology, chemistry and economics for some great I once let my tortoise play in the Advice Columnist inspiration to one day start your own pot farm. You ocean. However, he refused to touch the can even take advantage of the drop-in sessions water, even though tortoises are natural on language and writing to have a qualified tutor swimmers. What is wrong with my How many cans of yerba mate can proofread your promotional materials for your tortoise? cAPricOrN I safely chug in one go before I can no new, highly regarded business. DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19 longer feel my own pulse and can read CLAS also offers resources on time management I’m no zoologist, but it sounds like you’ve got people’s minds? and student employment opportunities, which a classic case of TWA (Tortoise Water Aversion) “Black Is King” by Beyoncé I believe will lead you to the highest degree of on your hands. I would recommend a course of I don’t know if this is just me, but that’s precisely success in both your academic and psychedelic exposure therapy for your little shelled friend, how I feel after just one poorly timed yerb. pursuits. starting with simply holding him near a running I had never tried canned yerba mate before tap and gradually increasing exposure until he’ll coming to UC Santa Barbara, and that minty happily splash around in the bathtub. Over time, he deliciousness changed my life forever. Nothing may be willing to try the ocean again, but patience delights me more than the unnerved glances of my A senior told me back in fall that the is key. There’s no way to force your tortoise to classmates when I crack open a fresh yerb at an UC Police Department (UCPD) has a embrace his “nature.” AquArius 8 a.m. section. Luckily, there’s no shortage of the secret vomit investigations unit (he called There is also the possibility that your pet does JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18 drink on campus. From vending machines to free them the “Puke Police”), where detectives not even know what a tortoise is meant to do, due Associated Students Program Board giveaways to would sample vomit and bodily fluids to a lack of interaction with other members of his the full pallets of the stuff sold in the Tenaya Market left on the street, DNA test the samples, species. If this seems to be the case, I’d say bring "What Could Possibly Go Wrong" by & Eatery, you’ll have countless opportunities to identify the person and then have the your tortoise down to the pond in Storke Plaza Dominic Fike experiment with your own caffeine tolerance here district attorney file charges against the and encourage him to mingle with the turtles that in Gaucholand. perpetrator for misdemeanor littering. I live there in blissful harmony with the koi fish HOWEVER, I feel that the normalization of accidentally vomited my entire Smirnoff and CALPIRG tablers. Perhaps he’ll even catch a caffeine addiction, especially for overworked and Ice and remnants of beef stroganoff on glimpse of the famed man-sized turtle associated already stressed college students, is an insidious Del Playa last weekend. How long does with that particular student group. Beware, though, PiscEs aspect of our college culture. I’m sure you the investigation usually take before I get for once exposed, he may not want to leave that FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20 already know of the possible health risks of over- found out? And will UCSB find out about paradise. caffeination, but what bothers me the most is how the charges? caffeinated drinks, especially yerba mate, are often Got questions for AJ? Send them in to "Ho, Why Is You Here?" by Flo Milli overpriced and come with wasteful packaging. Is So, knowing the state of our criminal justice [email protected] with the subject “Ask all of this really worth it for a temporary buzz? system and the reputation of the UCPD, I have AJ.” HOWEVER (part 2), if you’re looking for VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE OPINION PAGE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE DAILY NEXUS OR UCSB. OPINIONS ARE SUBMITTED PRIMARILY BY STUDENTS.