The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Day: April 17, 2024

  • Navigating my ADHD

    By Mia Costales

    If someone had asked me four years ago if I thought there was a possibility I had ADHD, I probably would’ve laughed in their face. Not to toot my own horn, but throughout my childhood and teenage years, I was an exceptionally good student and excelled in both academic and extracurricular activities. I was a straight-A student, played in the symphony and chamber orchestras, wrote for my school’s paper, and graduated with honors. I’ve also always been an extremely quiet and reserved person which, in turn, usually granted me the “old soul” title by the many teachers and adults in my life.

    By no means did I display the classic ADHD symptoms that most people think of when they hear those four letters; constant fidgeting and excessive movement, impulsivity or general hyperactivity. 

    So you can imagine my surprise when I failed out of college in the spring semester of my freshman year and was soon after diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there are two types of ADHD: inattention and hyperactivity.

    In my case, symptoms of inattentive ADHD looked like having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, difficulty listening when being spoken to directly, forgetfulness and disorganization. Hyperactivity is generally the more well-known type, consisting of symptoms such as not being able to sit still or being described as constantly on the go. It is also important to note that some people can display symptoms of both types of ADHD, effectively having a combination of inattention and hyperactivity. 

    After getting this diagnosis, I was able to look back on my past behaviors and come to terms with this new knowledge. I was also lucky enough to have a great support system of people who were willing to help me get back on track and continue my schooling. Leaving Humboldt after my freshman year was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I ended up moving back home, where I got a full time job waiting tables and took online classes at the local community college.

    Per my mom’s request, I also started focusing on bettering my mental health, which meant attending therapy sessions and starting on medications. Learning that I have ADHD definitely came with its setbacks, but it was ultimately the catalyst for getting me back up to Humboldt and adopting a healthier and more productive mindset. Growing up, I couldn’t help but notice feeling weird or different from a lot of my peers, and this feeling really alienated me.

    Now that I am older and better able to understand why I felt this way, I am one step closer to processing these feelings for what they truly were. While getting a proper diagnosis is obviously not the end-all be-all for many, it can definitely give comfort to people who have felt some sort of otherness their whole lives, and maybe even help them realize that they aren’t alone in their feelings. 

  • I am on a cocktail of drugs at all times

    By Savana Robinson

    I am on a cocktail of drugs at all times, and a new flavor was recently added to the mix. Meet methylphenidate, also known as Ritalin: the stimulant used to treat ADHD. There’s only one problem, but it’s a big one. Having bipolar I and schizophrenia, taking this medication puts me at risk for having a manic episode.

    Besides Ritalin, I take three medications: Vraylar, Vistaril, and Wellbutrin. They all work well together. Vraylar keeps me at a good baseline, Wellbutrin helps keep the lows from being too dramatic, and Vistaril helps keep my paranoia from spiking. Adding this new medication is supposed to help me stay focused on tasks for longer periods of time. To me, this sounds like the perfect plan. I’ve got something to keep me stable, something to keep me happy, something to keep me calm and now, something to keep me focused.

    So far, it’s working out well. I still struggle to get started with tasks but once I get going, it’s easier to keep up the momentum and not get distracted. I’ve only had a couple of moments where I’ve needed to be mindful of how fast I’m talking, but I haven’t had any other symptoms of oncoming mania.

    Other than my medication, my support system is my biggest helper. I have a great team of people who care about me and know when I’m not myself. If I’m ever not acting like myself, they tell me and I can do something about it. 

    I do want to leave you with one thing. Medication is not a cure; think of it as a tool. It can help you achieve your goals, but only if used correctly.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt softball team accomplishes five game win streak after Strikeout game

    Cal Poly Humboldt softball team accomplishes five game win streak after Strikeout game

    By Alex Anderson

    Cal Poly Humboldt softball faced Chico in a double header on April 16. The double header was part of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Strikeout Cancer day. The Jacks wore special strikeout cancer uniforms to raise awareness for various types of cancer.

    A softball player walks up to the plate holding a metal bat, wearing a green helmet with a green and yellow H logo, and a white shirt with the words "Strikeout Cancer."
    Humboldt’s Vanessa Saltos walking up to the plate against Chico. Photo by Alex Anderson.

    The first game against Chico began at 11 a.m. and started off quickly, with the Jacks getting out to an early lead. Jacks scored seven runs in the first inning and kept the momentum going. 

    Humboldt’s pitcher Gaige Garcia applied the pressure against Chico, making it difficult for Chico to get any hits off. By the fourth inning, the Jacks still maintained a 7-0 lead. Humboldt’s first base player Katlyn Gifford smashed a homerun into left field at the bottom of the fourth inning. 

    The Jacks kept pace throughout the bottom of the fourth inning, adding two RBI’s to the scoreboard. The Jacks held off any response from Chico in the top of the fifth inning, final score 10-0, Jacks.

    Two softball players high-five one another with both hands, both wearing white shirts and softball mitts on their left hands.
    Humboldt short stop Shelby Shanks (left) and 2nd base player Vanessa Saltos (right) hyping each other up for the upcoming inning against Chico. Photo by Alex Anderson.

    The opening inning of game two saw the Jacks getting out to another early lead with four runs. The Jacks kept the pressure on and Chico was unable to score a run until the fifth inning. Chico started to build some momentum, scoring two runs in the fifth inning and a third run in the sixth. The Jacks quickly answered back by scoring two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Final score 7-3, Jacks. 

    After the April 16 double header, the Jacks are on a five game win streak and are undefeated against Chico after four matchups. The Jacks now have an overall record of 22-19 for the season. 

    A softball player wearing a green helmet runs smiles while running towards the home plate. To their left, several of their teammates raise their hands and cheer in congratulations.
    Humboldt first base player getting greeted by the team at home plate after hitting a home run against Chico. Photo by Alex Anderson.
  • Northern tribal artwork gets the spotlight at the Wa Hinthil Come North Group Exhibition

    Northern tribal artwork gets the spotlight at the Wa Hinthil Come North Group Exhibition

    By Christina Mehr

    The Wa Hinthil Come North Group Exhibition was curated by Meyo Marrufo. The exhibit is located in the Goudi’ni Native American Arts Gallery at Cal Poly Humboldt and runs through March 28 through May 11.

    The Wa Hinthil Come North Exhibition expands on the curatorial work of Maruffo, who began working for her tribe as a cultural resource assistant in the environmental department. Currently, Marrufo is an Environmental Director for another Pomo tribe in Central California. Their work has been showcased at the Mendocino Art Museum, Grace Hudson Museum and Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. 

    Featuring a group of 11 artists curated by Meyo Marrufo, Wa Hinthil Come North focuses on Pomo worldview through visual language and storytelling. Wa Hinthil stands for “the People” in the Pomo language, and this specific exhibition is a cultural exchange into our local northern tribal lands. Presenting regalia, digital media, photography, basketry, painting and more, this exhibition expands on the curatorial and artwork of Maruffo. 

    If you want to check out the artwork, the gallery is open to in-person viewing four days a week, and presented virtually at art.humboldt.edu/galleries. They welcome visitors to their in-person viewing hours at the Goudi’ni Gallery. Please contact the Gallery Director at rbg@humboldt.edu, or call 707-826-3629 for more information or to set up a private viewing. 

  • Larry the gardening specialist: a hidden hero

    Larry the gardening specialist: a hidden hero

    By Noah Pond

    Imagine being on your hands and knees all day, planting wild strawberries during the unpredictable Humboldt winter. It’s one of those days where the torrential downpour feels neverending, but at least you’re suited up in full rain gear so you’re dry. Until you reach in your pocket to find your phone had been bathing in a pocket puddle all day.

    This is a familiar situation for Cal Poly Humboldt’s Gardening Specialist Larry Nichols. Gardening has always been a hobby of his and it has kept him on campus for ten years.

    “Ever since I was a little kid, yard work was my favorite chore around the house,” Nichols said. “I’ve been here on campus for about ten years and before that, I had a local landscaping business for about 15 years.”

    Nichols is one of four gardening specialists here at Cal Poly Humboldt. They have the 144 acres of campus divided up into sections that they are in charge of taking care of.

    “I think I have the coolest area,” Nichols said. “I’m responsible for all of Founders and Van Matre Hall, and all through the sciences and a whole bunch of athletics. I have a super cool mix of some of the oldest, original landscapes on campus. I have the oldest rhododendrons on campus and I have some forest in my area, and some of the newest landscape that’s been redesigned and reinstalled in the last 10 years. So, I have this huge spectrum of things to concern.”

    Being in Humboldt, the weather is unpredictable from season to season, and this winter hasn’t been any different.

    “This year has been a super wet winter, and there’s stuff we just can’t do — and it’s not because we’re afraid of getting wet, but you can’t mow a lawn while there’s water standing on it,” Nichols said. “There are some lawns we haven’t been able to mow for a couple of months.”

    In recent years, the grounds team has been trying to move away from lawns being the norm and move more towards native plants, plants for pollinators, and climate-adaptive areas in their place. Although a little bit more labor intensive with all the hand weeding and such, the carbon footprint will be vastly improved due to the lack of power tools and synthetic chemicals.

    Being a gardening specialist is not easy work, but what it comes down to for Larry Nichols is appreciation. He appreciates, cares, and loves this campus, so when people stop and take time out of their day to appreciate the work he is doing, it makes it all worth it.

    “People all the time, visitors, students and staff – they notice what we do and they compliment us on it, especially this time of year when the flowers are starting to happen and the magnolias and rhododendrons are looking really great,” Nichols said. “Multiple times a day people will stop me and say, ‘It looks so beautiful around here, thank you.’”

  • Trans acceptance falls short at the Vatican

    Trans acceptance falls short at the Vatican

    By Alexandra Berrocal

    According to AP News, on Monday the Vatican blasted gender-affirming surgeries as against the will of G-d. They are now on par with abortion and physican-assisted suicide in Catholic doctrine. This is a mistake. The document recently released by the Church says that biological sex cannot change, that G-d made the sexes different, and that people shouldn’t tinker with it or play G-d. According to AP, what Pope Francis said is that gender-affirming surgeries threaten the unique dignity of a human being. He distinguishes between gender affirming surgeries and “abnormalities” present at birth or which become present later, which the Church supports medical intervention for.

    Well, if gender affirming surgeries are an affront to human dignity, is dying not an affront to that dignity? According to Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, the suicide rate among trans people is 32% to 50% across the world. Trans people experience bullying, violence, discrimination, being rejected by their kin and friends, harassment from the police and the public, and ill treatment in the health care system. Those are just a few of the problems that trans people face. Rejection of gender affirming care doesn’t help.

    The conservative Catholic church has attempted to be more inclusive of the LGBTQ community in recent years. The conservative church now blesses same-sex couples, or so I hear. This is a step in the right direction. However, this step by the church feels like an attempt by the church to have its cake and eat it too. Some churches are more welcoming than others. This opinion doesn’t represent the more welcoming churches out there. The conservative church wants trans people in their congregations, but at the same time they don’t want them to authentically exist as members of the gender of their heart. You can’t have it both ways. Either you reject trans people, or you accept them for who they are; there really is no middle ground. Expecting them to live and function as members of their birth gender in the church, while tooting your own horn at how accepting you are of trans people, is sickening. It is bigotry, while pretending it is the opposite. Catholicism has to oppose this sort of spirit. It corrodes the dignity of a person, and it corrodes the dignity of the church. The Vatican has to be better than this. The document at least focuses on human dignity. The section on trans people just takes a tragic step backwards.

    Alexandra Berrocal is an asexual Lumberjack reporter that attends Cal Poly Humboldt. She is a Unitarian Universalist. They attend the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship semi-regularly and take inspiration from Buddhism in their religious practice.

  • Mar’s Gaming Garage: Spider-Man 2

    Mar’s Gaming Garage: Spider-Man 2

    By Mario Orozco

    Superheroes and video games are two things widely beloved by many and this week’s game combines the two. “Spider-Man 2” was recommended to me by a forestry major and was a long but delightful gaming experience.

    “Spider-Man 2” is one of, if not the best superhero video game I have ever played. I absolutely loved everything about this game. The first main aspect that I enjoyed was the gameplay. It took the combat and web swinging from the previous Spider-Man games and improved it with new combat and traversal mechanics for each of the playable Spider-Men. Also, the ability to switch between both Peter Parker and Miles Morales kept the game fresh, with each having their own unique style of gameplay.

    The next aspect of “Spider-Man 2” that I enjoyed was the sheer amount of things that can be done. Both Spider-Men had their own individual sets of missions as well as cooperative missions. This combination made it feel like I was playing two games in one. The game did a great job taking these two individual paths and intertwining them into a cohesive and engaging story. Experiencing the two Spider-Men fight both as a team and as enemies helped take this game to a brand new level. There is even one small portion where you get to play as Venom and basically destroy everything and everyone in your path. 

    The final aspect of “Spider-Man 2” that made the game so great was the story. The storytelling in this game was amazing and it had many emotional moments that hit so hard. The main story of this game was beautiful from both sides with Peter’s story being one filled with pain and heartbreak while Miles’s was more about fully coming into his role as Spider-Man. Another thing that needs mentioning is how the game took some of the old characters from the previous games’ side quests and gave them more depth through new side quests. The side quest about Howard and his pigeons was told so well. It wasn’t another instance of Spider-Man fighting villains, but a heartfelt story about a guy helping a friend. Getting insight into Howard’s life and helping fulfill his final wish before death made me cry upon completion. It says a lot about the quality of “Spider-Man 2” that even just a side quest could cause such a strong emotional response.
    The only negative thing I felt about this game was some of the side quests were slightly repetitive at times. Some of Miles’ side missions, specifically the ones involving his high school, were a little boring, with little to no combat portions. The rest of the repetitive missions often had some kind of fun multi-enemy combat portion, which made them much more enjoyable to play through. 

    “Spider-Man 2” took me a total of 23 hours and 18 minutes to complete all of the main and side missions. It was such a fun experience, and I rate the game a 4.6 out 5. “Spider-Man 2” is definitely worth playing, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who likes open world story games. 

    If you have any games you would like me to review, you can email marsgaminggarage@gmail.com.

  • University to hire fewer tenured professors, reduce student-faculty ratio

    By Dezmond Remington

    Campus may look different this fall semester.

    The CSU system is facing a budget shortfall and Cal Poly Humboldt is no exception. To offset a gap in projected expenses and revenue of about $8.3 million, the University Resource Planning Committee (URPC) announced that methods such as reducing the student-faculty ratio, hiring fewer tenure-track professors, and having fewer classes in lower-demand majors will be implemented. 

    The shortfall has been caused by a combination of things. According to Provost for Academic Affairs Jenn Capps, the main contributor is increases in salaries for CSU employees.

    “What happens in the CSU system is that the salary increases are bargained for through the different unions, and then negotiated and arrived at,” Capps said. “And it isn’t as if the resources to fund that come with both those agreements. [They do] a little bit, but not enough to cover the increases, so we’re left with a gap. So, as you can imagine, you have to figure out with existing resources to cover that.”

    Rising prices of goods and utilities are also contributing to the gap.

    Exactly how big that gap is won’t be known until fall semester, when enrollment numbers are in. The URPC has plans for 3, 5, and 8% reductions. 

    Many of the planned savings are hiring-related. Humboldt has had a student-faculty ratio of about 16-1 since its enrollment dropped from a peak of over 8,000 in the mid-2010s to under 6,000 today, one of the lowest in the CSU system. According to Capps, the number of faculty didn’t drop at the same rate. One of the reduction strategies is to leave some of those positions unfilled when people retire or quit. 

    “I get it,” Capps said. “Folks [say], ‘Well, Jane Smith left, so I want to hire somebody for Jane Smith.’ But when Jane Smith was hired, you had 200 more students in your department. Do you still need [them]? That one-for-one replacement thing just won’t work for us. What ends up happening is that all programs are starved for resources, and that’s not fair to anybody.”

    Some lower-enrollment classes with multiple sections will likely also be canceled. 

    “As students are enrolling for the fall term, are we noticing places where students aren’t enrolling in classes, and should we cut those?” Capps said. “Or do we see places where there’s a waitlist and we should add a section to have flexibility? Sometimes it feels like the students just kind of wait. They don’t feel an urgency to register because they’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll get there, whatever,’ whereas I’m used to campuses where students are like, ‘Oh, what’s the timeframe? I gotta get in there because I won’t get my class.’ So, maybe somewhere in the middle is good. I don’t want people to be totally stressed out, but I want people to register as soon as they can, so that we can get an accurate picture of what students need. And the more everybody waits [until] the last minute, the more difficult it is.”