Tuesday, Volume 154 April 7, 2020 No. 29

SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934 WWW.SJSUNEWS.COM/SPARTAN_DAILY COVID-19 CSU system adapts to change

By Christian Trujano NEWS EDITOR White said the CSU system artificial barriers to hurt the remaining two or three cannot use state funds to students in the short term, or months of this fiscal year.” pay those students under in the long term,” White said. During a livestream an auxiliary company or a Despite the dearth of There’s no entitlement, An uncertain future interview on CalMatters company established by a hands-on activities during there is no free lunch here, White said that CSU college journalism network parent company to conduct a the online transition of campuses must be prepared Thursday, California State particular line of business. CSU classes, White urged we’re all going to be hurt for the possibility of the University Chancellor He added that the students and faculty in some degree fi nancially pandemic continuing during Timothy White explained how CSU Office of General members to adapt. fall semester. he plans to approach changes Counsel is working to get “When you use here. Timothy White “It would be foolish not California State University in funding, employment and resources out of the federal technology, sometimes then Chancellor to be considering in the fall, academics caused by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and with the checkbox it doesn’t that we’re going to continue coronavirus pandemic. Economic Security Act by take you 30 minutes to have students can still design whole issue around tuition, being in a largely virtual going directly to the auxiliary a discussion, you only take rockets digitally. going forward, or we have to state, it’d be better to plan Student employees companies and assisting three or four or five minutes “I think we’re going to see get much smaller.” in that direction,” he said. White said students them in supporting student to have that discussion,” an absolute proliferation, “This unmitigated “I’m planning to be highly employed by the CSU are employees. he said. and much of this I think disaster will change all our dependent on the virtual either working remotely or The CARES Act would He also said that any will be done by our students, assumptions for the budget experience, if not totally receiving paid leave. provide grants or loans for engagement, whether that’s in creating simulated next year,” White said. “It dependent on it.” Student employees who these auxiliaries depending setting up more contact experiences that are so real,” would be malpractice for us For students graduating are not working will receive on the amount of employees hours or interacting with White said. to spend our reserves today who are scared to enter an payments for the weeks they they have, White said. students virtually, goes a with all of the uncertainties economy that may very well missed up until April 5, “The devil is going to be in long way. Budget drain facing us today.” be in a tailspin when they White said. the details,” he said. However, he White said no matter He mentioned that graduate, White said to try But student employees acknowledged that some the drastic changes to the possibility of losing and persevere and don’t lose under subcontractors have Credit/No Credit and classes can’t easily make CSU’s budget because of enrollment may play a huge sight of that college degree. been getting laid off or online classes that transition. the COVID-19 pandemic, factor in any budget changes, “Plan on a little bit of had hours cut without any White said the “If you are an astrophysics he does not intend to and that people have to pain, but don’t give up on the financial aid from the CSUs. CSU system is giving greater major and you’re in your raise tuition. realize the universities still goals,” White said. Students working flexibility for universities senior capstone class and He’s banking on state have employees, benefits and He added that no matter under Chartwells Higher to decide whether the project is to build a appropriation funds coming mortgage payments. what the state of the economy Education Dining Services they want to provide a rocket and shoot it off out to the CSU. “We are dipping into our is, no one can take away the on campus were laid off Credit/No Credit option in the desert up to 10,000 “If the state is unable to do reserves,” White said. “It isn’t value of a college degree. without compensation, like San Jose State did. feet – that’s pretty difficult to that, then it totally changes even out of the question that according to previous Spartan “I’m pleased about that do virtually,” White said. the conversation,” he said. we may be challenged by our Follow Christian on Twitter Daily reporting. because I don’t want these But he added that “We have to reopen that general fund support during @ChristianTruja2 A.S. election debate moved to online format

By Eduardo Teixeira support candidates virtually through Zoom,” SENIOR STAFF WRITER Quiambao said. As of Monday, there are 19 students San Jose State’s Associated Students elections currently running for A.S. positions, seven of will proceed on schedule, despite the shelter- whom are running unopposed. in-place order setback, according to Chief An election shifting entirely online Election Officer Cynthia Fernandez-Rios. brought another level of uncertainty to Although all on-campus events were anticipated voter turnout. canceled because of the coronavirus crisis, In 2019, voter turnout was 9.45% but this the voting period will still take place between year the goal is to bump that number up to at April 13 and April 16. least 10%, Fernandez-Rios said. “Before COVID-19, we were on schedule,” “Given the current circumstances, the Fernandez-Rios said in an email to the Spartan voter turnout is unpredicted but we remain Daily. “Now that everything has transitioned hopeful since all students are checking emails online, we continue to be on schedule after a more often for their classes than before,” lot of discussion regarding how to proceed.” she said. The election process normally consists of Students can vote through the four major in-person events: Elections Kick A.S. website on computers or smartphones. Off, Meet the Candidates, the Debates and the Social work senior Jose Mayorga said in a Election Results Party. message to the Spartan Daily that he is not The first two events were canceled and planning on voting in the upcoming election, JOHANNA MARTIN | SPARTAN DAILY ARCHIVES transformed into social media events for the citing his workload and inability to meet and Management information systems senior Flor Sario makes a point during the candidates to share their platforms. interact with the candidates face to face as the Spring 2019 A.S. elections debate. This year, Sario is running for A.S. controller. “For Elections Kick Off, we switched main reasons for his decision. it to an Instagram photo campaign,” “Not having actual interaction is a huge and the rest of the budget is being put into the A.S. recommends that candidates assist in Leadership and Government Coordinator factor as to why I wouldn’t vote at this time,” A.S. budget reserves. this effort by posting the elections on their Samantha Quiambao said. “In that photo Mayorga said. “But I would vote when there These prizes are part of a publicity push respective social media accounts. campaign, candidates sent in their name, are less restrictions preventing [meeting the that A.S. feels is necessary, given that students “We know that students are constantly major and what change they want to see at candidates at] gatherings or events.” are no longer attending classes on campus, online using social media and now are SJSU. Then we use our Instagram platform The shift has also changed how the current Quiambao said. checking their emails more often due to their to showcase all the candidates.” election budget will be spent. “We are definitely trying to publicize classes being online,” Fernandez-Rios said. The debate will be held via Zoom on “Many expenses have decreased,” elections in new and different ways than done “We anticipate that the communication about April 13 and will be moderated by the Spartan Fernandez-Rios said. “Purchasing food for the in the past,” Quiambao said. “That includes elections and from candidates will increase.” Daily. The Election Results Party is still events, printing Voter Information Guides and fun giveaways for our social media contests, scheduled for April 16, and is anticipated to banners are a few of the biggest expenses that utilizing the SAMMY app more than before take place online through Zoom. we are no longer inducing.” and reaching out to campus partners to “We are still looking at logistics for [the Instead, Associated Students allocated also publicize to their respective networks Follow Eduardo on Twitter Election Results Party] and how we will $2,000 for prizes to incentivize student voters, and communities.” @eduardo_teix97 sjsunews.com/spartan_daily 2 TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BRICKER’S BOPS Thundercat packs host of artists onto new album

By John Bricker Aft er releasing two Although his new album Th undercat’s shrill falsetto EXECUTIVE PRODUCER acclaimed solo albums is not quite as musically vocals perfectly complement album review and playing some creative as “Drunk,” his grimy bass lines and Artist: If you’re looking for some incredible features for Th undercat comes through lush production by trip-hop “It Is What It Is” Thundercat dreamy neo-soul and artists like , with plenty of relaxing, legend . fusion with a charming sense and goofy and catchy tunes. About halfway through, Release Date: of humor, no one can satisfy Childish Gambino. Th undercat invites the song transforms into Rating: April 3 you like Th undercat. Stephen Bruner caught previous collaborators a glorious spotlight for  Genre: Released on April 3, his fans’ attention with 2017’s onto the album, and the jazz saxophonist Kamasi R&B/Soul fourth studio album, “It Is “Drunk,” a disorienting trip results bring some fantastic Washington, who belts out a What It Is,” demonstrates through his alcohol-addled chemistry between an fantastic solo over the song’s his seemingly limitless misadventures, delivering eclectic mix of some of the climactic moments. confi dence and charm as a plenty of unforgettable most talented musicians Th is trio of artists is a Over a lush mix of warm bass, meditations on life and singer, songwriter and bassist, bass lines, stunning vocal working today. dream come true to any bright keyboards, soaring death over a psychedelic delivering a solid crop of harmonies and off -kilter On the spacey love contemporary music nerds harp and more beautiful blend of jazz guitar and gorgeous and personal songs. grooves along the way. song “Innerstellar Love,” and the results are just as saxophone from Kamasi bass licks. Th en the track euphoric as expected. Washington, Th undercat shift s tone when he sings, Even more undercuts the sultry “Hey Mac,” and the song unconventional pairings of the instrumental with his dives into an instrumental of featured artists go over fl irtatious lyrics, featuring tribute to the late rapper swimmingly on “It Is What clueless pickup lines like, “I and former-collaborator It Is.” On the mellow and may be covered in cat hair, , building to melancholy track “Fair but I still smell good.” a grand and bittersweet Chance,” Th undercat sets the climax with shrill keys, stage with swirling, bright bustling drums and thickly bass riff s over atmospheric “It Is What layered strings. synth eff ects and lo-fi “It Is What It Is” might beats, before two guest It Is” truly sound like a mess at fi rst, appearances from two very shines when with its list of bizarre diff erent artists: Ty Dolla features and dramatic tonal $ign and Lil B. Surprisingly, Thundercat shift s, but Th undercat’s both deliver bittersweet, is singing and focus on straightforward melodic and dramatic playing songs songwriting, catchy riff s performances, despite and endearing lyrics Lil B’s prolifi c catalogue of so goofy and keep the album engaging outlandish meme rap. earnest that and accessible. Although the strange It may not be as assortment of guest they could only conceptually ambitious or performances is defi nitely come from compositionally strange as one of the album’s selling “Drunk,” but if you need points, “It Is What It Is” truly him. some chill music to raise shines when Th undercat is your spirits while hiding singing and playing songs so from the end of the world, goofy and earnest that they But when he’s not Th undercat’s latest will do could only come from him. indulging in oddball self- the trick. On “Dragonball Durag,” deprecation, Th undercat Bruner plays the role of a sings and plays some Follow John on Twitter love-struck geek, trying pretty confessional and @JohnMichaelBr15 PUBLIC DOMAIN PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS to seduce the target of his powerful songs. Th e title Stephen Lee Bruner, better known as Thundercat, is pictured above performing aff ection by displaying his track opens with Bruner Bricker’s Bops appears at the 2018 Electric Forest Festival with his custom-made MTD electric bass. anime-themed accessories. crooning his bittersweet every Tuesday.

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Register at www.chabotcollege.edu sjsunews.com/spartan_daily LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020 3 Trump incites COVID-19 hoax insanity

Evidence of the Trump impact on rational and intelligent thinking is now a major friend, hospital worker, or a simple bystander MAY have to pay the ultimate price. factor in fighting this virus. “United States” is not how we are acting, largely because Put the eight Republican hold out governors alongside the Senate majority in DC of people who still falsely believe COVID-19 is “a hoax” that “like a miracle will just that voted against impeachment for pure political reasons, and you understand why go away” someday. 2020 is shaping up to be a colossal disaster year never to be forgotten. When the leader of the free world uttered those ignorant words a few weeks back, Teaching “wrong is just wrong” has lost universal value, even when fighting for Trump gave license to insanity beyond any legitimate reasoning. human lives. Today, with 7,000 dead and climbing, many of his powerful followers hold fast in And when a trusted navy ship captain realized he was running out of time and trusting those first instincts of the fearless leader. took steps to save hundreds of souls was fired for going too far with innovative and Today, Trump won’t wear a mask in public, or issue a national directive to shelter heroic action, apparently ‘wrong’ became the ‘new right.’ at home. “It’s the state’s job to do that,” he says, signaling again reluctance to further Then God save us all because “United” States we are no more. hurt the economy or his poll numbers. Even with literally human lives at stake now and by the thousands, he and eight Sincerely, GOP governors defy the urgings of learned individuals, the medical doctors we Bob Rucker teach our kids to respect in a health crisis. So, in effect, we dare the virus to do its SJSU professor of journalism and mass communications worst, and it is. Like the innocent kids in school who get punished for the foolishness of a few, literally everyone else in America now stands to be punished. A family member, Students voice concerns about SJSU refunds

Regarding Parking Refunds: the refund email sent to students stated that refunds would be I believe San Jose State shouldn’t give full refunds on tuition, but I do feel that processed beginning the week that the refund application was submitted. Th is is unfair because online classes cost less than in-person classes, so they should give us a refund I have not been in school since 3/10/20. I should receive a refund beginning from the date in- (in-person minus online) based on how many weeks we have left. person classes were canceled. Th e university also failed to let us know right away where we can receive refunds and provide the link to that. Including that the application fee would be waived. Sincerely, Is the university going to retroactively refund our parking or not? Th is is unfair. Desiree Severance Dietetics senior Sincerely, Paola Santons Public health senior

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