The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: News

  • The People vs Rick Toledo

    By Barley Lewis-Mccabe

    Since March, suspended senior and high-profile student activist Rick Toledo has been fighting two battles. One with University Administration over his academic future, and the other with the Humboldt County District Attorney over a 10-second, non-violent altercation with an Administrator.

    On Feb 27, Cal Poly Humboldt students, and community members, staged a 14-hour sit-in in Nelson Hall East. Protesters demanded the university divest from mutual funds associated with Israel and the military-industrial complex, and advocate for Teamsters Local 2010 – a union representing skilled-trades workers across the CSU system – in their ongoing labor dispute and for no students to face disciplinary charges stemming from involvement in a protest that prior week. Students quickly held a support rally outside the building; supporters would smuggle in supplies for the protestors inside Goodwin Forum.

    Associate Director of the Gutswurrak Student Activities Center Michael Moore was standing at the entrance to Goodwin Forum to try to prevent students from entering. Three protestors walked up to the door with brown shopping bags full of food and water when Moore approached them and tried to stop them from getting inside. Toledo stood in front of Moore with his arms angled down and to the side and said, 

    “Don’t worry he won’t do anything.” 

    The six words Toledo said to the protestors became the justification for Toledo’s felony conspiracy charge.

    Moore was uninjured, but in his declaration for a workplace violence restraining order, wrote: “I am reasonably concerned for my safety… given that Mr. Toledo so brazenly assaulted me in broad daylight, in front of so many people.”

    Moore later called the UPD non-emergency line to report false imprisonment, assault and battery. Moore connected with Officer Bridgette Faulk – who began and ended her investigation by interviewing Moore over the phone. 

    On Friday, March 6 at 1 a.m. Toledo was arrested by UPD at his home and released on bail the following Sunday morning. On March 19 UPD carried out a search warrant seizing Toledo’s electronic devices to search for evidence of him communicating with other protestors. UPD was searching for evidence of trespassing, vandalism, assault and battery or any further indication of conspiracy via Toledo directly discussing his interaction with Michael Moore.

    Toledo’s defense attorney Matthew Kellegrew argues that due to the non-violent nature of the incident, Toledo’s felony charges were the result of flawed police work. 

    “Toledo’s alleged act of battery/false imprisonment was brief and maintained no injuries to either party. The alleged contact between the parties was incidental in nature… [Faulk] erroneously identified this act as a felony when, by its own description, it is a misdemeanor,”  Kellegrew said. 

    The defense further argues that since the conspiracy charge was dropped and the original felony charges lack justification, the university should return Toledo’s property.

    “It simply cannot be reasonable as a matter of public policy, that an officer with less than one year of experience and with no meaningful training beyond the minimum qualifying standards can identify a complex multi participant criminal conspiracy of the nature described over the phone without asking a single follow up question of the complaining witness that might have supported this theory or conducting any further investigation of any kind,” Kellegrew said.

    The prosecution argues that Kellegrew’s requests “conflate distinct remedies and standards, misstates the governing framework, and falls on factual premises.”

    When asked for comment, Faulk deferred to university Marketing and Communications, News and Information Director Aileen Yoo said, “The case is in the DA’s hands and the university doesn’t have anything further to add.”

    The Lumberjack was unsuccessful in reaching Moore or Deputy Attorney General Dave Watson. 

    Toledo will have a Jury trial on Monday, Aug 31. 

    Barley is the opinionated opinion editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu

  • Evening Transit in Jeopardy as University Questions HTA Contract

    Evening Transit in Jeopardy as University Questions HTA Contract

    Will Bishop

    As students return to campus and switch gears into the school year, their needs are many. Some may feel plagued with academic anxiety and the stress of adapting to a new social environment. Not all student needs are universal; however, there is one daily concern for every student. Getting from point A to B. 

    Since 2023, Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) has provided full operational costs for the Green and Gold lines — a supplementary service meant to reduce wait times for Humboldt Transit Authority’s (HTA) existing Gold line; as well as the Red and Yellow lines. The following provide the area’s main source of evening transit. According to a publicly available report sent to the HTA Board of Directors on Aug 5 by HTA General Manager Katie Collender, CPH leadership has decided to cease the funding stream, with operations ending this fall. Director of News & Information at CPH Aileen Yoo confirmed the end of Green and Gold in an email sent on Aug 24, but claimed that the Red and Yellow lines would remain operational.

     During an Associated Students meeting on Aug 25, campus officials contradicted much of the information dispersed the day prior. Stating that the Red and Yellow lines will be cut as well, with evening service being added to the Orange line. Admin further claims that this decision was recommended by the HTA itself. The Hinarr Hu Moulik shuttle service — also said to be protected in Yoo’s email, is on the chopping block, with operations ending in December.

    According to Yoo, low ridership on the Green and Gold was an issue HTA had brought up in 2025. “Despite the recommendation, the University decided to keep the service for an additional year to see if there were changes, but we continued to see low ridership.”

    Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities Colin Fiske stated that these routes still served a valuable need. “What it did do — even though it sort of replicated the route- is it effectively increased the frequency of buses going between Valley West and campus, and so that does make it more convenient to ride the bus.”

    The HTA report stated, “On June 16, 2026, representatives from CPH contacted HTA to set up a meeting to discuss their contract. At this meeting, HTA was notified that due to budgetary constraints, they did not plan to continue any of their public transit services.” 

    With some lines being sunsetted and others potentially in limbo, CPH’s commitment to public transit is undergoing some scrutiny. 

    “I think that the University has, frankly, always looked towards parking first as a solution rather than encouraging public transit, or biking, or walking. They certainly have some programs to encourage those things, but they have never received the same kind of resources,” said Fiske. 

    Yoo rebuked the notion that changes to transit represent any ideological shift.

    “Improving parking capacity doesn’t mean the University is moving away from public transit. The University recognized that in our polytechnic expansion planning and incorporated additional parking into infrastructure projects that are already underway,” said Yoo.

    Fiske believes that financial support for the transit is still vital for CPH.  

    “This is an important commitment, and in the scope of the university’s budget it’s not that much money. The university has a budget that’s roughly twenty times the size of the transit agency’s budget. So it’s a lot more money for HTA than it is for the university. I think it’s well worth that commitment, and that more could and should be done to direct resources towards transit and provide support for students, as well as staff and faculty, using transit to meet the sustainability goals and the accessibility goals,” said Fiske.

    According to Yoo, CPH’s total public transit operational costs last year were approximately $1,119,980; this tally includes the lines mentioned here, in addition to the Hinarr Hu Moulik shuttle service, and the Jackpass service — which offers free swipes to students. On Aug 17, CPH posted a 5.1% increase in their budget for 2026-27, claiming a total of $184.3 million. The transit contract as previously established would cost about .6% of their overall budget. Based on the HTA’s preliminary budget for the same fiscal year — excluding CPH’s potential funding- they will be operating with $17,393,553 in resources.

    Will Bishop is a Cal Poly Humboldt journalism major. He is prone to writing essays about things that bother him and fictional works about things that also bother him, but in different ways. A highly bothered individual and a lover of cinema, music, large trees and rocks. He can often be found in the woods, dancing to bring down the sky.

  • UPD Bytes

    Compiled by Bodhi Haugen

    This information is from Cal Poly Humboldt Police Department daily media logs. These reports are edited for clarity.

    Thursday, April 23

    10:53 p.m. – Suspicious Circumstances

    A caller reported a beeping brown box labeled John Deere or Antennex near the College Creek soccer field gate.

    11:43 p.m. – Animal Call

    A missing black tabby cat with short hair slipped out of the Residence Hall dorm and is at-large.

    Friday, April 24

    9:53 p.m. – Disturbance

    A potentially intoxicated suspect came to return a book at a Bookstore near the plaza, but when he couldn’t, he became upset, threw the book at the caller, yelled and walked out. 

    Saturday, April 25

    6:31 p.m. – Traffic Accident, Non-Injury

    Hit-and-run near Creekview Residence Halls on Granite Avenue. The damage was not reported as permanent.

    Sunday, April 26

    12:58 a.m. – Medical Aid

    An ambulance was requested for a student with potential alcohol poisoning. The caller was transferred to Cal Disposition.

    Monday, April 27

    9:17 a.m. – Suspicious Circumstances

    A suspicious male in a limo was following a woman while she was walking outside of campus.

  • Printing a new Perspective: A Nicole Kita Feature Story

    Printing a new Perspective: A Nicole Kita Feature Story

    By Bodhi Haugen

    Engulfed by layers of ink and the symbolic storytelling of audiobooks, Nicole Kita creates her prints one press at a time. Kita is a lecturer at both Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods.

    She expresses herself across a wide range of media, including ceramics, drawing, painting, installation and, her favorite: Printmaking. For her, art is both a process of learning and a way of connecting with others and herself.

    Kita was born in Ontario, Canada, but later moved to Florida around the age of eight where she spent the remainder of her youth. As a child, she wanted to be an artist, but faced resistance at home.

    “My parents really don’t appreciate the arts and didn’t want me to go into any kind of art field. They’re just very worried, of course, about financial stability for their children, and I wasn’t allowed to take any art classes until I was a senior in high school,” Kita said. “I feel like I got a late start in a lot of ways, but I think it helped change their mind a little bit after doing a portfolio review with a local college that essentially offered me a full scholarship.”

    Kita completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Florida in 2004. She worked as an elementary school art teacher before moving to Boston, landing a job as a printmaking technician at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts.

    “I’ve been really fortunate with a lot of opportunities,” Kita said. “But, things got pretty rocky after grad school.”

    Making a career-defining decision, Kita chose to leave her teaching job and move to Chicago during the Great Recession in 2009, a time when it was more difficult than ever to find work.

    “I was in a really good job at the time, but I had left because I wanted to move to Chicago,” Kita said. “It was just in the transition where I was not aware of what was fully happening in just the financial world.” 

    She eventually found work in a commercial screen-printing studio called Crosshair Chicago, where she developed skills that would later shape her artistic practice. But, after a snowy April in Chicago, Kita was ready for a change and moved to Humboldt County in 2013.

    In Humboldt, Kita spent nine years working at The Studio, a nonprofit organization in Eureka that supports artists with disabilities. Her experience at The Studio played a crucial role in how she approaches art.

    “I think artwork is very hard work, but working with all the artists at The Studio helped re-establish and reinvigorate that people are finding joy and therapy in making art, and it doesn’t have to be so mentally taxing at every juncture,” Kita said. 

    Kita later transitioned toward a community-based arts and cultural organization, the Ink People in Eureka.

    Kita’s style has been ever-changing. She previously worked more figuratively and with geometric shapes, but has recently focused on animal portraits. While working on a pig portrait, she listened to audiobooks such as Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm, drawing literary connections to her work. Audiobooks play a vital role in her process, allowing her to focus and learn while she creates.

    A recurring design in Kita’s portfolio is a bear paw shape, inspired by an artist residency she attended in Ohio. She enjoys creating work with a visual language that holds meaning.

    Kylie Anderson, an environmental studies major and art minor at Cal Poly Humboldt, has taken Kita’s classes before.

    “Kita has been an incredible instructor and guide for me throughout my years in the printmaking studio,” Anderson said. “She is such a wealth of knowledge, and I’m very grateful to have had her as a teacher for as long as I have.”

    Sadi Finch, a studio art major at Humboldt, has had the opportunity to work as a teacher’s assistant for Kita.

    “I’ve gotten to work with and get to know Kita over the past few semesters. Her passion and keen attention to this fine art practice is contagious,” Finch said. “It’s inspiring to have an instructor who encourages compositional thought, is energetic about learning new processes, and is unabashed to share and show what they are excited about.”

    Kita encourages students to take advantage of art classes at Humboldt, regardless of their major.

    “I think it’s such an important part of your educational development to start thinking with these creative practices,” Kita said.

    For Kita, art is not just a career; it’s been a journey shaped by risks, valuable lessons and community. Through her work and teaching, she invites others to discover that same sense of possibility.

    Bodhi Haugen is a journalism major and writer for the Lumberjack at CalPoly Humboldt. Bodhis on KRFH and enjoys reading, writing, photography, and art. You can reach him at bgh27@humboldt.edu.

  • Where the water bottles at?

    Where the water bottles at?

    By Jacqueline Zuniga

    Students who have ever purchased anything from the vending machines on campus may have noticed that there are no water bottles being sold.

     The university began phasing out plastic water bottles in 2011 after students ran a successful environmental campaign. According to Melissa Hutsell, Communications Specialist for Marketing and Communications at Cal Poly Humboldt, students participated in a grassroots initiative called Take Back the Tap, which pushed campus leaders to eliminate the use of plastic water bottles. This made Cal Poly Humboldt one of the first public universities in the nation to do so. In 2018, the California State University system adopted a policy to eliminate the sale of plastic bottles, straws and bags across all of its campuses. With the phasing out of bottles, the installation of water bottle filling stations increased.

    “Before this, the university sold as many as 80,000 single-use plastic water bottles annually,” Hutsell said. “The goal was always to make water more accessible to students by encouraging reusable containers for free water filling.” 

    The university has received recognition for reducing plastic use and was awarded a Plastics Reduction Partner certification from the National Wildlife Federation in 2024. Additionally, the Post Landfill Action Network recognized the university with a bronze Zero Waste Certification, ranking it third out of the top 10 Zero-Waste campuses in 2023. 

    Waterfill stations are located throughout campus, and more are being added as facilities staff work to upgrade drinking fountains over the next two years. For students without reusable bottles, free water bottles are sometimes given away at campus events by teams such as Housing and Residential Life and Dining Services. Reusable bottles are also sold at campus retail locations. The university’s new water bottle policy seems to be receiving positive feedback from the campus community. 

    “Generally, we’ve found that most people have expressed gratitude and inspiration, stating that they appreciate this effort and are excited by these kinds of initiatives from the university,” Hutsell said. 

    While the university reports positive feedback, some students don’t have many positive things to say about the policy. Ava Hernandez, a second year student, states that the lack of bottled water can be frustrating.

    “I think it’s kind of annoying that they’re not in the vending machines, especially when I used to live on campus,” Hernandez said. “I know that water from the fountains isn’t always the cleanest, and buying something like a Brita isn’t the most affordable option for some people. I wish water were available to buy in vending machines.” 

    Katelyn Lemos, a second-year psychology student, thinks that because of how much she has to walk, there should be more water.

    “I feel like there should be vending machines with water on campus, especially with the amount of stairs and hills everywhere,” Lemos said.

    Stores on campus, like The Depot, College Creek Market Place and The Cupboard do have aluminum and glass bottles as options, though they can be out of the way for some students.

    “I do think metal water bottles are a good alternative,” Hernandez said.

    Lemos, on the other hand, believes the restriction to reusables is still a step too far.

    “I think the aluminum waters are okay. I understand it’s for recycling, but they make the water taste like pennies,” Lemos said. 

    As the university continues to emphasize sustainability and reduce plastic use, the absence of water bottles in vending machines remains a topic of debate among students. 

    Jacqueline is a journalism major, a news manager for KRFH and she aspires to be a sports journalist one day

  • DA Pursuing 3 Misdemeanors Against Student Organizer

    DA Pursuing 3 Misdemeanors Against Student Organizer

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    The tan hallway of the Eureka Courthouse was filled to near-maximum capacity. The air was warm from breath and the benches filled with people in Keffiyahs or newly printed shirts detailing Cal Poly Humboldt’s (CPH) investments related to Israeli military. Some held signs in their laps or leaned against the wall, anxious to get into the court. 

    “There are a lot of us who know Rick and support Rick because we care about him as a friend, and there are a lot of people who are experiencing the same thing, either themselves or their friends across the country.” Humboldt 5051 chapter president and College of the Redwoods political science student AJ said. 

    Because of the sizable crowd, entry was limited to 25 people, and the bailiff warned people that signs, hats and phones were not permitted inside.

    Final semester graduate student at CPH, and the subject facing trial, Rick Toledo stood expressionless by the door. He was nearly unrecognizable with a short haircut and dapper suit as opposed to a tan jacket, jeans and shaggy hair. He idly talked to supporters, but spoke much softer than usual. 

    David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, a non-profit organization focused on education around First Amendment rights, commented on the nature of Toledo’s arrest.

    “Sit-ins and occupations are time-honored means of protest and I respect that,” Loy said. “The whole theory of civil disobedience is that one disobeys the law for a higher moral purpose, but there’s not necessarily a right to do so without any legal consequence whatsoever.”

    On Monday, April 20, the Humboldt County District Attorney (DA) announced that they would be pursuing charges of assault, battery and false imprisonment on Toledo over an altercation with Associate Director of the Student Activities Center Michael Moore during the Feb. 27 sit-in at Goodwin Forum. 

    During the sit-in, administrators were asked to guard the entrances to limit further entry into Nelson Hall West. Around 1:20 p.m., Toledo approached Moore and made a ‘T’ with his arms, backing Moore against a wall to allow for protestors to bring food and water into the building. Moore was uninjured but the petition for a workplace restraining order against Toledo details that Moore felt fearful and anxious. 

    The Lumberjack reached out to Marketing and Communications, as well as Moore, for comment. Communications Specialist Melissa Hutsell said they were unable to facilitate an interview, and Moore did not respond to our email as of publication. 

    Toledo was arrested for felony charges of assault, battery, false imprisonment and conspiracy on March 6, but the DA did not file conspiracy charges and is not pursuing felony charges. In a declaration written in support of Toledo’ s restraining order filed on March 3, Interim Dean of Students Ravin Craig said the university is seeking to expel him. Toledo has an ongoing conduct case to determine his future at the university. Though he is able to appeal Toledo feels like the odds could be stacked against him.

    Moore’s workplace restraining order against Rick Toledo was dismissed 3 weeks after it was filed. Legal representatives were able to come to an agreement that Toledo would continue to stay away from Moore, and wouldn’t pursue legal action over the altercation directly.

    “I’ve said this before, I don’t know Michael Moore,” Toledo said. “I don’t have this man’s phone number, I don’t bear any resentment towards him, I don’t know his address. So it was very easy for me to say, ‘Yes, I’m not gonna go near him.’” 

    After about 10 minutes in the courtroom, Toledo and his supporters filed out back into the hallway and descended the stairs. Toledo, avoiding the crowd, stepped into a cramped elevator.

    “They definitely felt the pressure,” Toledo said. “They won’t drop the charges without pressure. The fact that they didn’t let signs in and the fact that they freaked out about the amount of people shows that they’re feeling the pressure.”

    Barley is the good-timing Editor In Chief of The Lumberjack, as well as a jack of all trades news writer. Contact him for any reason at bl258@humboldt.edu

  • UPD BYTE

    Compiled by Ariana Wilson and Nico Patakidis

    Tuesday, April 7

    12:44 p.m. – Animal Call

    The reporting party stated that a large dog bit the reporting party’s coworker about 20 minutes prior to the call. Medical assistance was declined by the subject.

    Wednesday April 8

    11:36 a.m. – Emergency Elevator Button

    A 911 call was reported from the elevator at the natural resources building.

    2:31 p.m. – Patrol Check 

    A male subject was reported walking around the Jolly Giant Commons parking lot with a large metal pole. An officer patrolled the area and found the subject locking his vehicle on CCTV, not as reported.

    Thursday April 9

    10:31 a.m. – Welfare Check

    Subject climbing a tree near the Art fire lane. The reporting party is concerned for their safety and requests an officer to check.

    Saturday, April 11

    12:11 a.m. – Outside Assist – APD

    Officers enroute to assist Arcata Police Department (APD) at the Arcata Theater Lounge with the subject being detained by security after attempting to rush the entrance of the building.

    3:17 p.m. – Outside assist – APD

    A farmers market vendor locked their keys in their vehicle and the vehicle was blocking the roadway. APD requested assistance unlocking the vehicle and was unable to provide assistance. 

    Sunday, April 12

    6:42 a.m. – Miscellaneous Service

    A reporting party called to request assistance from Facilities Management to get a key card reader on the door at college creek fixed so the coaches can access the coach locker room. The reporting party stated he requested assistance on April 10 and it does not appear to have been handled.

    Monday, April 13

    10:12 a.m. – Drug Activity

    Report of a black bag filled with drug paraphernalia was left at Sun Valley Bulb Farms by a transient who was escorted off the property approximately 45 minutes ago.

    2:00 p.m. – Trespassing

    Reporting party reports that an unauthorized subject was on the Sun Valley Bulb Farm property, inside the fence closer to the gate by the solar panels. Subjects were advised that they were in violation of criminal trespassing.

  • Humboldt rowers paddle fast and fight back!

    Humboldt rowers paddle fast and fight back!

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    A rowing fan only needs two things to appreciate the sport: a good jacket and a better imagination. Early in the morning, a hefty crowd gathered at the finish line to await the bombastic conclusion to an action packed race they’d only heard about up to this point. Dozens of people stood locked in suspense, comforted by an assumption that their beloved Lumberjacks were at the front of the brigade. 

    “It’s a really great way to start my morning every single day,” sophomore Lily Storseth said. “I love going out and getting to see the sunrise. There’s something just super cool about being out here with the strongest group of women I know and pushing ourselves together.”  

    At 8 a.m., under a blanket of thick cloud cover and above cold water, the men’s varsity rowing club took to the bay for the first race in the Blue Heron Regatta. Early on, the Jacks held a strong lead as they stayed true to their namesake and chopped through the water four oars at a time, cutting through the competition until they won in an unsurprising — but no less enjoyable — finish. 

    Afterwards, the Jacks women’s NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division 2 varsity team faced Division 1 team Saint Mary’s College out of Moraga, Calif., in a match that would not be forgotten. As the boats crested into view, the audience could see a Saint Mary’s boat begin to swerve into other lanes. 

    “It was a little bit chaotic, because we had six boats and some of them were kind of drifting into our lane,” sophomore and second semester rower Emily O’Keefe said. “That kind of messed us up a little bit, and it wasn’t perfect. But, I think our rowing was the best it could be and I feel really good about that.”

    Nevertheless, the Jacks zig-zag across the water brought them a victory in a close race. The crowd was especially unified and had a consistent routine when it came to cheering. When the race began 2000 feet down the bay, people were obviously energized, but commotion turned to scattered claps until they eventually returned to ambient conversation — but suddenly,  everyone went silent. The crowd could see them. Rapidly approaching the finish line, a green and gold torpedo glided through the water with a precision that can only come from exuberant passion and the skill to back it up. 

    The Jacks delivered strong performances throughout the regatta. While they may not have been at the top of the podium, they were the snarky puppy biting the heels of a D1 school, never letting any of the other racers get too comfortable. 

    “We were able to build a gap to the boat behind us and stick as close as we can to the boat in the front,” junior coxswain Elise Evans said. “And I didn’t crash, so I call that a success. Especially considering the competition here and how hard we competed in each and every race, I think we did amazing.”

    Barley is the opinion editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

  • University steering towards community resilience 

    University steering towards community resilience 

    By Nico Patakidis

    Formed in the fall 2025 semester, Community Resilience Steering Group (CRSG) has provided presentations across campus to inform students, faculty and staff about what procedures the university will follow if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were to come onto campus.

    What is CRSG?

    CRSG was formulated at the request of the University Senate to have a larger team that could prepare for, and respond accordingly to, potential ICE activity on campus. In a special Associated Students (A.S.) meeting held on April 1, Division of Enrollment Management & Student Success Vice President and CRSG member Chrissy Holliday discussed in detail what the University response to ICE presence would look like in different scenarios and how students can respond themselves. 

    In the presentation to A.S., Holliday discussed two kinds of responses that CRSG would take, formal and informal. Formal responses to ICE activity include actions that are based in California State University (CSU) policy and California law. 

    “The university self-selected to create a group to help build a larger scaffold of initiatives to bolster our work,” Acting Vice President for Administration & Finance and CRSG member Mike Fisher said. “[CRSG works] particularly around preparation and response, but during an event is really what’s part of CSU policy, state law and some other things.”

    Informal responses are the actions CRSG will take to connect with the community, and make others aware of what procedures would be followed. CRSG has been meeting with groups such as university housing staff, the Dreamer Center and A.S. in order to get feedback from the campus community. 

    “We’re trying to capture the audiences that are very different across campus and pull them into this important work in a more cohesive way,” Fisher said. 

    What if ICE comes on campus?

    ICE is not permitted entry to any buildings on campus as they are considered private, which Holliday said includes residence halls and the library. ICE may only enter private spaces on campus if they have the correct judicial warrant — not an administrative warrant. A judicial warrant that would allow entry must be signed by a judge, whereas an administrative warrant is signed by an employee of the federal government. CRSG has staff who are trained to verify these warrants before ICE can take any further action. Should ICE enter any private spaces, Holliday said that members of CRSG and UPD would arrive to remove them, although it may not be immediate and could take time. Additionally, any action that ICE takes in a private space without the correct JUMP warrant is illegal. While ICE does not have access to private spaces such as buildings on campus, they may still walk around campus pathways, sidewalks, the main quad and art quad. 

    “We’re notified, we respond immediately, we intercept, we create time and space,” Fisher said. “We need to follow the law as an institution in the state of California… to create time and space is to allow for our community to react appropriately, to allow them time to make an informed decision about what they would need to do to protect themselves.” 

    Holliday said that there are other scenarios in which ICE may come to campus for reasons other than immigration enforcement. This can include activity related to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, administrative matters such as reviewing visas or career fairs. In this case, the university would notify the campus ahead of time. Holliday also said that in the unlikely event that ICE attends a career fair the university is not allowed to prohibit them, but would notify campus ahead of time. In any other case that ICE is on campus, planned or not, the university would first verify ICE presence and then send notifications via text and email. 

    Should anyone on campus be approached by ICE or see them on campus, CRSG encourages that person to call Interim AVP and Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Caisse at (707) 826-4501 or UPD at (707) 826-5555 immediately and not engage. Holliday said that CRSG does not want anyone to worry about facing charges and to allow the designated staff from CRSG handle any interactions with ICE.

    “Our intent is to follow the law and to do what needs to be done…” Holliday said. “I don’t think we have any way of knowing what would happen in the moment. What we can do is try to limit who on campus feels the weight of that by saying, ‘Here are the people who are interacting’.”

    Warrants and Subpoenas

    CRSG has staff that are trained to understand warrants and verify whether or not it is the correct warrant that would grant ICE entry into private spaces. Staff are also trained to verify subpoenas that would provide access to student or staff records. However, even if ICE provides a correct warrant, they will not be granted immediate access to private spaces or records. Following verification, CRSG would notify the campus community of this information. 

    Will UPD enforce immigration law?

    Under California State Code SB-54, state, local and school law enforcement may not enforce immigration law or assist in enforcement. University Police Department (UPD), as well as Arcata Police Department, can not investigate, detain or arrest any person due to their immigration status. Anyone approached by ICE is encouraged by CRSG to contact UPD and Human Resources and let them handle any further interactions. 

    What if a campus community member needs legal aid?

    Currently, CRSG does not offer any legal resources. Holliday instead said that the CSU has been in partnership since 2019 with The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), an organization that provides a variety of immigration related legal services and support for undocumented students. Holliday said that in the case someone in the campus community is involved in immigration activity, CHIRLA is a resource that can provide legal support.

    “There are state and CSU-sponsored resources that we can tap into because of our affiliations, and that is where I think the power lies with our students, faculty and staff being supported by the university directly,” Fisher said.

    Addressing demands for a sanctuary campus

    During the two occupations on campus this semester, protestors demanded that the university implement a sanctuary campus policy. Since 2017, Arcata has been declared a sanctuary city. Fisher said that the university and CRSG have been following the generally-accepted guidelines for what sanctuary cities are despite the university not being officially declared a sanctuary campus. 

    “The use of the term ‘sanctuary’ in this political climate can have adverse affects,” Fisher said. “But we’re doing all the protections that the sanctuary title would carry with it… that’s why sanctuary is, in this political climate, problematic for our vulnerable communities, not the university.”

    Holliday said that she feels the work CRSG is doing is bigger than what a sanctuary campus would be, because the university would not be acting individually and would instead be backed by state law and CSU policy, which she believes offers a broader depth of protection. Along with demands for a sanctuary campus, protestors advocated for the university to offer legal resources to members of campus that may need it.  

    “I think all of the things people are wanting us to say we will and won’t do are exactly what we’ve said,” Holliday said. “We want to make sure that anything we’re doing is adding value and not duplicating.”

    El Centro Coordinator and CRSG member Brenda Perez, one of the advocates and leaders of the sanctuary county campaign, said she will always defend the importance of declaring spaces as safe sanctuaries for Indigenous migrant communities. However, she still respects the perspectives of other CRSG members and believes it’s important to listen to experiences from those who have been on other universities campuses where ICE has been present. Perez said she believes that when the campus is ready to become a sanctuary, the community will know — but it is a process. 

    “Students should know that through their everyday actions, they are the ones who create sanctuary,” Perez said. “There is a difference between a title or a legal designation, and daily practice. Sanctuary must be something we live collectively, every day.”

    How will CRSG continue?

    At the moment, CRSG is only a steering group, which is a group meant to oversee a specific project or initiative, without plans to solidify the group as its own committee. However, Fisher said that the group has been discussing potential professional development opportunities through training student mentors in CRSG procedures. CRSG is still developing and seeking feedback on how to better support the community from groups across campus.

    “We hope that this initial momentum will be operationalized for a long run,” Fisher said. “This will always be something that we want to do as a university.”

    Nico is the photo editor with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. In his free time he enjoys hanging out and having fun with his friends. Reach him at np211@humboldt.edu.

  • CPH Foundation ignores its policy by indirectly investing in oil and defense

    CPH Foundation ignores its policy by indirectly investing in oil and defense

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    This semester, student protestors occupied two different buildings on two separate occasions with an identical trio of demands each time. The first was for the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation to fully divest from companies associated with Israel, or the U.S. military industrial complex. The Foundation is a board of fiduciaries who invest donations they receive on behalf of donors for the sake of funding student services, primarily scholarships. 

    The Cal Poly Humboldt website details the university’s Socially and Environmentally Responsible Investment Offset Policy (SEROP) and how the Foundation tries to follow it.

    “The Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation continues to abstain from any direct investment in Concerning Sectors (including fossil fuels) and to cut indirect mutual fund investments in Concerning Sectors…,” the policy reads. “Furthermore, the Foundation has expanded its definition of socially concerning sectors to include aerospace and defense…” 

    The Foundation follows an Environmentally and Socially Responsible (ESR) investment policy, meaning it prioritizes investments in companies that follow their ESR guidelines and intends to reach 100% ESR investment. The Foundation is currently invested in 3 mutual funds with ESR policies that also hold stock in companies with defense contracts: Calvert International Equity,  Kennedy Capital and Touchstone Non-Us Equity – which also has stock in fossil fuel company Shell Plc. 

    The Foundation doesn’t invest in stocks directly, but rather in 10 mutual funds, which are bundles of stocks sold as one package. The Foundation receives guidance from the Portland-based investment advice firm RVK. Similar to the Foundation’s ESR metric, RVK also has environmentally-responsible investment criteria, but declined to comment when Lumberjack reporters asked how they define a socially-responsible investment.

    “There’s not a standard that companies have to meet to call themselves ESR mutual funds. They have their own philosophy on that piece of it,” said Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation Executive Director Steve Karp.

    Karp elaborated on how out of over 6000 mutual funds, roughly 280 have ESR policies. 

    “It is absolutely impossible, right?” Karp said. “So, if some have Shell in there — I’m not saying that’s not true — then they try their best to keep no oil stocks in there.” 

    The Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation is unable to buy individual stocks, due to the time commitment and expertise required to manage stocks. Mutual fund managers manage each stock individually and adjust what stocks they own, and how much daily to ensure a high return on investment for their customers. Because mutual funds are so large, no individual investor can tell the fund not to buy a certain stock — the foundation either buys the package or they don’t. 

    Currently 72% of the Foundation’s investments are accepted by its ESR policy, with a possible maximum of 83%. The remaining 17% are placed in organizations that are not ESR eligible, such as real estate or government bonds. 

    “We are trying to close that gap. I promise you that, but we also have to return on investment,” Karp said. “And so we’re now down to where we’re doing little increments, but we look at it constantly.” 

    Some students feel frustrated with the Foundation’s slow pace in divesting. 

    “They say that they’re going to divest from [defense companies]. It still hasn’t happened yet,” said Humboldt Youth Democratic Socialists of America Vice-President James Menendez.  “I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. I want to trust their word because in the end, I don’t hate anyone. We’re all here together… so, if they say they’re going to divest, I believe that they’re going to, but it hasn’t happened yet.”

    Barley is the opinionated opinion editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

  • Financial aid changes for students

    Financial aid changes for students

    By Bodhi Haugen

    A recently passed federal law referred to by some institutions as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed on July 4, 2025, and will bring significant changes to financial aid and loans for current and future students at Cal Poly Humboldt. 

    Some of these changes went into effect immediately, while others are scheduled to begin in the following months.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: 2026-27 Changes to Federal Financial Aid article from Washington State University says that beginning July 1, 2026, if students are enrolled in less than 12 units, annual loan limits will be proportionately reduced for students accordingly. New borrowers enrolled in less than full-time will only be able to take loans proportional to their current credit load, with a requirement of at least half-time enrollment. If a student is taking six units in a semester, the student will be eligible 50% less in loan funding. 

    The Federal Student Aid Changes from the OBBBA by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration (NASFAA) says that Graduate PLUS loans will no longer be available starting July 1, 2026, which will primarily affect graduate students. Students may be eligible for an exception if the borrower has a federal direct loan made before July 1, 2026.

    Pell Grant eligibility will also change on July 1, 2026. The NASFAA says that under current rules, total financial aid cannot exceed a student’s cost of attendance. The proposed changes would further restrict Pell Grant eligibility for students whose aid already meets or exceeds that limit. Previously, students have been able to be fully funded by scholarships and receive the Pell Grant on top of their full cost of attendance. According to NASFAA, students whose Student Aid Index (SAI) is at least twice the amount of the current Pell Grants maximum of $7,395 will no longer be eligible. 

    Current undergraduate students at Cal Poly Humboldt who are enrolled in half-time or receiving various scholarships may be impacted in the following months. Current graduate students and parents are also at risk of foreseeable changes to loan restrictions.

    Changes to student loan repayment, the federal direct loan program, need analysis for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), grants and much more have been included in the final version of the bill that was signed into law. More information about these alterations can be found at nasfaa.org and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities at naicu.edu.

    Bodhi Haugen is a journalism major and writer for the Lumberjack at Cal Poly Humboldt. Bodhi is on KRFH and enjoys  reading, writing, photography, and art. You can reach him at bgh27@humboldt.edu.

  • Strays in Arcata

    Strays in Arcata

    By Nick Escalada

    The tranquil uptown neighborhoods of Arcata are frequented by many a wild animal, but among their most notorious visitors are feral cats. Cats are incidentally a tidy, low-maintenance pet popular among Cal Poly Humboldt students, who sometimes find themselves unable to care for their felines after they transfer or graduate. The Humboldt County Animal Shelter takes in cats who are too young or vulnerable for the streets.

    “So, you’re just starting college, you’re independent for the first time and you want to get your own pet under your name,” Rachel Norton, legal office assistant at the shelter, said. “You know, that’s great. I did the same thing when I was 22 — I had two dogs, and it was really hard.”

    In Norton’s experience, younger people often underestimate the weight of taking on a responsibility like pet adoption. Even relatively self-reliant animals like cats can bear complications that demand the care and resources one might associate with parenthood.

    “You could get taken advantage of financially, or you can end up with a pet that is not as medically or physically sound as it was advertised,” Norton said. “If you look deep inside and you’re like, ‘Yes, I can have this pet, I can financially provide,’ that includes if anything medical comes up. And sometimes, medical things will come up. A cat will get unexpectedly sick or unexpectedly injured. So, you need to be prepared to maybe spend between $200 and $2,000 at the vet if it comes up.”

    Animal control avoids picking up mature cats who don’t need medical attention, as they’re more likely to be eventually euthanized than adopted. Leaving them without spaying or neutering is when problems arise. Gestation in mother cats only takes six months, and their litters can reproduce themselves a mere eight weeks after.

    “One female cat can generate hundreds of kittens in one year because they can become fertile at four months old, or sometimes even earlier depending on that cat,” Norton said. “So, she has babies, those babies have babies four months later, and so on and so forth.”

    Norton believes that all cats are better off spending their entire lives indoors. After all, nearly every hazard, disease and violent encounter that afflicts a pet occurs outside the house.

    “They are getting into cat fights, they are transmitting illnesses, they are getting injuries,” Norton said. “I talked to someone last week whose cat came home with injuries, and suddenly it didn’t have an eye and its leg was in half.”

    The center is able to provide deworming and every essential feline vaccine except for rabies, but they do not accept surrendered animals from owners. Take a feral cat to a local rescue if it needs fixing or has medical or behavioral issues — but first, double-check that it doesn’t belong to a neighbor.

    There are, however, circumstances where owners are left with no choice other than to part ways with their companions. If you don’t know another family to entrust them with, refrain from the inhumane and illegal practice of pet abandonment and instead leave them in the care of one of the animal rescues recommended by the shelter. These include the Sequoia Humane Society, Miranda’s Rescue, Companion Animal Foundation, Humboldt Animal Rescue Team (HART), Sierra Pacific Furbabies, NorCal Pet Supply and Bless the Beasts of Humboldt County.

    “Sometimes, life happens,” Norton said. “If you absolutely have to rehome your cat, [these organizations] can all help with finding placement or, sometimes, owner surrenders.”

    Nick is the news editor at The Lumberjack, and studies wildlife and journalism with the goal of spreading his love of nature through media. Chat with him at ne53@humboldt.edu!

  • Women’s basketball finishes a historic season & men’s basketball receives NCAA Tournament bid 

    Women’s basketball finishes a historic season & men’s basketball receives NCAA Tournament bid 

    by Alexis Blue

    After a first round bye and automatic advance into the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament semifinal as the No. 2 seed, Humboldt’s women’s basketball tipped off against the No. 3 California State University, Los Angeles in Pomona, Calif. on March 6. The Jacks battled back-and-forth with the Los Angeles Golden Eagles for a spot in the championship as Lumberjacks Jordyn Smith and Shade Satica poured points on the board. Smith recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Satica scored 15 points with seven rebounds and three steals. 

    Despite a hard fought battle, the Jacks fell 87-55 to the Golden Eagles, concluding their 2026 season after a fantastic run. Though they fell short of the championship, Humboldt women’s basketball’s standout season included five student-athletes earning 2025-26 All-CCAA Team. Satica earned CCAA Defensive Player of the Year, CCAA Newcomer of the Year and was named to the All-CCAA First Team; Smith earned CCAA Freshman of the Year and was named to the All-CCAA First Team; and Riley Sanz, Sienna Cherwinski and Jada Barnes all received All-CCAA Honorable Mention. At the Tournament, Sanz was also awarded the CCAA Elite 13 Award —  an award presented to student-athletes based on their academic and athletic achievements. Three out of five of the CCAA major award winners are Humboldt’s very own. 

    Men’s basketball took to the court March 5 in Pomona, Calif., where they played against the No. 6 seed California State University, San Marcos, in the quarterfinal of the CCAA Tournament. Their third match-up against the San Marcos this season and the second in less than a week, the Lumberjacks came prepared and comfortably earned a 62-52 victory over San Marcos to advance to the CCAA semifinals on March 6. 

    The Lumberjacks returned to the court again on March 6 where they faced the No. 2 seed and CCAA Tournament defending champions, California State University, Dominguez Hills for the semifinal. The Jacks and Dominguez Hills Toros shared an intense performance with 15 lead changes, all within three points in the last five minutes and into overtime. With three seconds left on the clock in regulation, the Jacks led 66-64 — until two free throws from the Toros sent the game into overtime. In the overtime period, Lumberjack Tyriq McNeal tipped the scales in Humboldt’s favor with a 76-75 lead and final score. 

    Senior center Shakir Odunewu’s career-high performance and outstanding offensive effort also helped lead the Jacks to victory. Odunewu dropped 34 points, going 16-for-20 on the free-throw line, had 12 rebounds and his eighth double-double of the season. Accounting for almost half of Humboldt’s points, Odunewu helped his team secure a spot in the CCAA Tournament Championship game for the first time since 2016.

    On Saturday, March 7, the Jacks competed against No. 1 seed and undefeated California State University, East Bay. With five ties and eight lead changes, the Jacks competed with one of the top teams in the country before they fell 80-63 to the East Bay Pioneers in the CCAA Tournament Championship.  

    After three strong performances on the court in the Tournament, Lumberjacks Odunewu and Zaveion Bineyard were named to the CCAA All-Tournament Team. Additionally, Bineyard received First Team All-CCAA recognition, and Rob Jenkins and Odunewu garnered All-CCAA Second Team recognition. Humboldt guard Brandon Bento-Jackson was also awarded the CCAA Elite 13 Award.

    On Sunday night, March 8, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Men’s Basketball Selection Show revealed that Cal Poly Humboldt’s men’s basketball season isn’t over. Humboldt received a bid from the NCAA and secured a spot as the No. 8 seed in the 2026 NCAA West Regional Tournament. The Jacks will go toe-to-toe once again with the No. 1 seed and CCAA Tournament Champions East Bay on March 13 in Hayward, Calif. 

    Additional sports highlights: 

    Men’s Track & Field

    At the Sam Adams Combined Events at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), decathletes Bryce Pearson and Collin Friedman got National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II provisional marks with their performances. Competing in ten separate events, both athletes recorded a top-5 performance in Humboldt history. Joseph Gonzalez set a new school record in shot put with 16.35m at the Kim Duyst Invitational in Turlock.

    Women’s Track & Field

    Decathlete Cocome McKamey placed fifth in the heptathlon at the Sam Adams Combined Events at UCSB, earning an NCAA Division II provisional mark. McKamey received second in 100-meter hurdles with a 14.85 and high jump of 1.60m. At the Kim Duyst Invitational, Freshman Caitlyn Dougherty ran a #4 all-time mark in the 100m (12.18) and #3 all time mark in the 200m (24.51)

    Rowing

    Women’s rowing was unanimously selected as the 2026 Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women’s Rowing Preseason Favorite, as well as ranked No. 2 in the national Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Division II Preseason Poll. Lumberjacks Royce Ankel and Ellie Walters were named to the CRCA Watch List. 

    Triathlon

    Women’s triathlon competed in the Clermont Draft Legal Challenge on Feb. 28 in Clermont, Fla. In a mixed field of Division I and Division II teams, the Jacks placed fifth overall and third amongst DII. Top performances were from Poppy Edge, who finished in 15th overall, Anna Hanstveit in 17th overall and Emma Hanstveit in 18th. `

    Alexis Blue is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt, majoring in journalism – public relations and minoring in writing. In her free time, you’ll probably find her drinking coffee, watching sunsets, collecting shells on the beach and playing soccer. 

  • Sports Schedule

    Sports Schedule

  • Student Organizer Rick Toledo Released on $25,000 bail

    Student Organizer Rick Toledo Released on $25,000 bail

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    It was 1:00 a.m. on March 6 of his final semester at Cal Poly Humboldt, and graduate student Rick Toledo was sleeping calmly in bed with his cats.

    “There were really loud bangs on my door, and I just knew right away,” Toledo said. “It’s gonna be University Police, isn’t it?” 

    Toledo walked to the stairs of his apartment and asked the University Police Department (UPD) officers if they had a warrant. They did, and Toledo subsequently walked outside and surrendered.

    “They ended up grabbing me and treating me like I was some kind of terrorist at first,” Toledo said.
“They ripped my clothes and handcuffed me, all [that] fun stuff.” 

    He was taken to the UPD station, then to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on four felony charges: criminal conspiracy, false imprisonment, battery and assault. He was arrested on a Ramey warrant, which can be used by the police to hold someone for up to 48 hours before charges have been issued from the district attorney’s office. The 48-hour holding period does not apply to weekends.

    On Sunday morning, Toledo was released after posting $25,000 bail. That afternoon, he exited the jail to a small group of friends and colleagues who took him home. Before he left jail an employee asked him for a favor. 

     ‘Can you tell everyone that you’re free now? We haven’t been able to use our phones for days,’ Toledo said. He then explained that the call in campaign to advocate for his release was so widespread that it clogged the jail’s phone lines.

    After his arrest, Toledo’s mother and sister reached out to community activists and worked on a large outreach campaign to raise money for his legal fund, as well as awareness for his arrest. 

    “My brother is not a bad person. He does a lot to help and it really caught me off guard that he was in there,” Nicole Toledo, said. “We love him so much. He is such an amazing brother and an amazing person in general. All he cares about is helping people and doing good in this world. We’re very supportive of him.”

    The Cal Poly Humboldt chapter of Students For a Democratic Society worked with other SDS national, and the other chapters across America to garner public support for Toledo and to get people to call into the DA’s office to demand his immediate release. 

    “All of the national SDS stands in solidarity with Rick. We helped get him out of jail in the first case and we’ll continue to advocate to get these bogus charges dropped.” National SDS President Erin Boyle said.

    “Jail’s jail, you know,” Toledo said. “I watched the paint dry, I found some books that I could read. You know, it’s jail, you eat the slop. When I was in there, I was just thinking about what I was gonna do when I got out, to kind of fight against the school for what they had done to me.” 

    When asked for comment, CPH Communications Specialist Iridian Casarez  said that the university is unable to comment on specific student conduct cases. Toledo is still suspended from the university.

    Toledo told a Lumberjack reporter that in spite of the arrest he has no plans to change course with his activism. Additionally he speculated on the root cause of the extensive charges levied against him.

    “It’s not from a place of strength that they’ve attacked me.
It’s from a place of weakness,” Toledo said. “This is their attempt to finally silence the dissent, and any time that you have this kind of harsh response, it actually tends to create more unrest, and it tends to create more people opposed to you, and more support for the people you’re trying to crush. And I think that they’ve made just a terrible decision here.”

    Barley is the good-timing Editor In Chief of The Lumberjack, as well as a jack of all trades news writer. Contact him for any reason at bl258@humboldt.edu

  • 101 Express

    101 Express

    By Jacqueline Zuniga

    This past fall semester, Cal Poly Humboldt opened up the Hinarr Hu Moulik dorms across the highway. With the complex came a new market, the 101 Express, which aims to offer residents food and everyday essentials at their convenience. 

    The market is there to provide for the current 500 students who live at Hinarr Hu Moulik. This fall, resident sizes are expected to double. The market currently offers ready-to-eat food, soft drinks, household items, and personal care items. Enterprise Services, which oversees Dining, Bookstores, Children’s Center, Student Activities & Events has worked with housing to make the 101 Express accessible to students.

    “We want the 101 Express to be a great place for students to find good food, beverages, snacks, and supplies,”  Senior Executive Director for Enterprise Services Todd Larsen said. 

    The 101 Express’s hours vary throughout the week. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The university is considering the future of 24-hour self-checkout availability, but it’s still in the works because it requires a guarantee of no theft. 

    “That would allow residents to key in with their mobile key or fob after hours,” Larsen said

    With a new self-checkout machine, provided by Mashgin, customers can easily check out with signed credit cards, c-points, and meal-plan tenders. The machine is currently up and running, so customers can use self-checkout. One of these Mashgin machines costs about $1,000 a month just to operate. Places like Circle K, Shell, and AmPm are using this machine to make checking out faster. According to Mashgin’s website, the whole process should take about 5 seconds to complete. 

    The opening of the 101 Express was a big investment for Cal Poly Humboldt. Like any other dining outlet on campus, the 101 Express is funded through student meal plans, retail and catering sales. In 2021, Humboldt collaborated with Chartwells Higher Education to transform the on-campus dining experience. Chartwell operates the 101 Express along with other campus dining locations. 

    “The project cost to build and outfit the 101 Express was about $4 million, funded from Dining’s operational fund,” Larsen said. “They take on the operational costs, so we’re not involved in that.” 

    Looking ahead, the 101 Express has some plans to add new features for students’ convenience. They also plan on adding in bike tire repair kits and accessories, given all the student bikes at the dorms. They want to add a make-your-own ramen station, more tables and chairs, as well as more grab-n-go options. 

    Students can share their ideas or comments to help improve the 101 Express. Feedback sessions will be held on March 4 in the Mad River Room, Jolly Giant Commons 324. You can sign up for a slot to provide feedback and participants are given $20 dining coupons in return. You can also use the Text Us and Contact Us feedback methods, which include methods of communication with 101 Express.

    Additionally, there are Dining Advisory Committee meetings each semester to gather feedback. 

    “Or just chat with any of our dining team about ideas and suggestions,” Larsen said. 

    Jacqueline is a journalism major, a news manager for KRFH and she aspires to be a sports journalist one day

  • Second Siemens Hall occupation successful, and in record time!

    Second Siemens Hall occupation successful, and in record time!

    What was the brief, second Siemens Hall encampment?

    Demands were met, police were not

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    Names of protestors have been redacted to protect student safety.

    Advocates lined the yellow hallway to the absent president’s office with signs in their laps and surgical masks covering their faces. They sat under bulletin boards, handmade peaceful sentiments written on the wall in chalk, and Palestine’s flag on Friday, Feb. 20 as a cloud of tension emanated from the crowd, sweating under layers of protection from the Humboldt winter and the dangers that could come from being identified. They had three demands: Cal Poly Humboldt’s total divestment from military contracts, a formal non-compliance policy with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and for the university to advocate for the full implementation of the Teamsters’ demands, which were outlined in last week’s strike. 

    “We’ve been asking for this, we’ve had meetings, and nothing has been put through,” a protester said to Associate Dean of Students Heather Honig. “We’ve been waiting, we’ve been patient, we’ve been nice — the only time when things actually change is when we escalate.” 

    The protestors entered the building around 1 p.m. after previously gathering at the Josiah Lawson memorial and marching through campus. At 1:20 p.m., Vice President Mike Fisher entered to talk with the protesters and remained until the end of the occupation. They swiftly began a conversation in which protestors calmly stated their demands and asserted that they wouldn’t leave until they were met. Fisher claimed he would be handling the discussion in place of President Carvajal, who was unavailable due to a current meeting with an Indigenous American group.

    Fisher explained the limitations of what he would be able to do immediately. The protestors began calling for him to make a public statement, and in response, Fisher promised to continue working with students and campus advocacy groups on the demands. A representative of the protestors said they would see what the group thought, but first outlined an additional demand.

    “We have one more thing that obviously we’re not leaving without: no consequences for the students that showed up today,” a representative of the group said. “We are here to fight back against genocide and against fascism. This is a fucking First Ammendment right.”

    “I understand that, I do,” Fisher said. “It’s not even in my capacity to do that, but I will use my influence to make sure I can work towards that end.” 

    The student representatives left to discuss. They soon sent Rick Toledo, organizer with Students for a Democratic Society to mediate discussions between Fisher and group representatives. Toledo explained that they would only leave with a guarantee that no students who attended the protest would be faced with conduct charges, and that the administration would commit to meet with the group and work on the issues. Fisher agreed to meet, and said that the decision on conduct charges would fall to Carvajal and Vice President of Student Affairs Chrissy Holiday, both of whom were unavailable. At the request of the group, Fisher sent a message to President Carvajal informing him of the students’ demands and suggested potential conduct charges be dropped. 

    With demands still unsatisfied, the parties were at an impasse and tension heightened as students began to worry about their safety. Fisher said they wouldn’t have to worry about that, but several of the field medics in the group were preparing for a worst-case scenario.. 

    A protestor approached Fisher to try and have a different kind of conversation.

    “We know that it’s difficult navigating the systems you’re navigating, and all of the higher-ups and higher-ups and higher and higher-ups,” The protestor said. “It’s tough, probably, being up here with all these people — we’re not against you.” 

    “I understand it’s frustrating,” Fisher said.“And I’m sorry I can’t do anymore than I’ve already offered.” 

    “It’s ok, thank you for being here and not running away,” the protestor said. 

    A separate student representative continued the conversation, explaining their frustration with administration’s lack of progress nearly two years after the April 2024 Siemens Hall occupation. Plans were ultimately made for a public forum where students could discuss the issues with Fisher directly, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27 at 8 a.m.. Content with the progress they’d made, the students peacefully returned to the cold, sun-baked campus at 2:30 p.m., leaving the building with more than they entered with.

    Barley is the opinion editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

  • Hamnet is an intentional look into grief through art

    Hamnet is an intentional look into grief through art

    Reel Talk with Julia

    Hamnet is a film directed by Oscar-winner and 2026 nominee, Chloé Zhao, and is an adaptation of a bestselling book of the same name by Maggie O’Farrell. The story entails a fictionalized account of the real-life death of William Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son, Hamnet, and how the tragedy influenced the writing of his famous play, Hamlet.

    I watched this movie in my usual stomping grounds, Arcata’s Minor Theater. In my recent years of watching and reviewing films on a semi-regular basis, I can say with almost certainty that Hamnet is one of the most intentional and technically perfect films I have seen in a while. Not one scene felt unnecessary; every minute felt carefully and artfully arranged. A breath of fresh air, especially in a world of three-hour runtimes that now seem more like unpolished drafts in comparison. 

    Jessie Buckley is remarkable in this, and she is my personal vote for Best Actress this Oscar season. Buckley portrays Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife. In this role, she plays a strong woman in a way that isn’t often represented or applauded in the media. Typically, the strong woman trope is represented in her physical attributes, making them more masculine than maintaining feminine strength. Agnes, however, shows strength in her resilience in the face of intense grief and the sacrifices that she makes for her family. Although I could not directly relate to her, I admired her ability to remain true to herself no matter what.

    The young actor Jacobi Jupe — who plays Hamnet — and his older brother, Noah Jupe — who plays Hamlet — later in the film in a play. To clarify, there is a play within the film, which could be a bit confusing. The actors’ relationship was excellent and represented that intentionality I mentioned earlier. In this role, Jacobi represents childlike invincibility; that sense of ease and bravery most of us had before realizing that the world is dangerous. You rarely see such memorable emotion from a child actor, so I applaud Jacobi and hope he goes on to be the next McKenna Grace. 

    Shakespeare — played by Paul Mescal — writes Hamlet as his way to process the grief of losing his son. The character of Hamlet is, of course, based on Shakespeare’s son; a story within a story told through the play of Hamlet. 

    2026 is the year we got the new Oscar category “Best Casting.” I’m hopeful this award will go to Hamnet, as the choice to have Jacobi’s real-life older brother play Hamlet was legendary. It just adds this layer of purposefulness that tugs at the heartstrings of the viewer as well as the characters on screen.

    This film also struck a personal chord with me, as it deals with grief and how people mourn and move on with life after loss. 

    There’s a specific scene in the film where Hamnet’s twin sister, Judith, goes to her brother, who lies waiting to be buried. She touches him and immediately sobs, exclaiming that the body could not be her brother. 

    I related to that feeling so intensely, and this was the first time I felt my sense of grief reflected in film. It wasn’t that long ago that I was looking across the room at a loved one who passed away. I remember being immobilized, with this echoing thought pounding in my mind, that there was no reason for me to get any closer, because the person I knew wasn’t in the room with me. 

    I wanted to shine a light on grief with this review because it’s such a strange, uncomfortable thing, and it isn’t represented in film nearly as often as it should be for how universal the feeling is. The memory of the real-life Hamnet, who died over 400 years ago, continues to live on in one of the most famous stories of all time. To me, this feels like an important lesson that reminds us why it’s important to remember the people we’ve lost, even when it’s painful. Because when you speak of them, they live again through your memory.

    Julia is a journalism major and the co-EIC of the paper. She loves film and is a regular on Letterboxd. She also enjoys going on walks in the forest and taking pictures to relax. If you have a movie you’d like her to review, please email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

  • A.S. appoints a new Social Justice officer

    A.S. appoints a new Social Justice officer

    by Nico Patakidis

    Associated Students (A.S.) has appointed Monika Mayhan as the new Officer of Social Justice, Equity and Inclusion (OSJEI).

    On Feb. 11, A.S. held their second board meeting of the semester in which Mayhan was voted in to fulfill the vacant position of OSJEI. Mayhan is a first-generation graduate student in the process of earning her masters in business, following her graduation last spring with a B.S. in Business Administration, Accounting. A.S. Executive Director Kendra Higgins expressed confidence in Mayhans ability to act as the OSJEI.

    “Just your experience at Cal Poly Humboldt and the different programs [Mayhan] utilized when [she was] an undergrad, [She] just has such a unique perspective,” Higgins said. “That makes [Mayhan] such a great candidate for this position.”

    Mayhan said to the board that she is looking forward to serving the student body in this new position after previously being involved in Associated Students.

    “I feel like I wanted to spread the word to students about all the wonderful things available to them that maybe they don’t know about,” Mayhan said. “I want everyone to have the equal chance to enjoy this campus community.”

    As a new member of the board of directors, Mayhan said that she will need time to adjust to her new role and responsibilities. The Lumberjack reached out to Mayhan for an interview, however Mayhan postponed until she had completed media training. 

    “I feel that, as a new officer, I am not prepared with all of the knowledge that is required of me given my new position,” Mayhan said over email. “I realized that I have much to assimilate before I can be an authority of my role in this manner.” 

  • Teamsters step up and strike for salary steps

    Teamsters step up and strike for salary steps

    by Barley Lewis-McCabe and Nico Patakidis

    Electricians, plumbers, repair people and mechanics all under the umbrella of the Teamsters union traded their tools for signs and rain ponchos to try and fix something much larger than a clogged toilet. 

    Teamsters Local 2010, the union that represents over 27,000 blue-collar workers across the California State University (CSU) system, began a 4-day unfair labor practices strike on Feb. 17 to protest the CSU’s refusal to pay contractually agreed-upon raises. On Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus, Teamsters were stationed at Granite Ave. and LK Wood Blvd., and in front of the College Creek Marketplace. 

    Teamsters aims to put pressure on the CSU administration to implement a salary steps program, as was outlined in the 2024-25 contract. The contract states that employees will be placed on the next highest salary step to their current pay and then advance two steps — a salary step being an incremental pay rate typically increasing based on years of service. Also outlined in the contract is a Salary Structure Adjustment (SSA), a one-percent increase applied to all steps within a classification.

    “The state legislature wrote the budget and they did it in kind of a weird way, so they believed the budget fully funded the CSU,” said Philip Bradley, Teamsters Unit-6 steward and university locksmith. “A portion of that money was deferred until [this July]… so that’s saying, we’re considering you fully funded, but you’re not actually going to get the money till next year. They have billions in reserve, and that’s billions with a B… according to our researchers, that money is all unrestricted, so it’s a matter of their priorities.” 

    The salary steps program and SSA are contingent on California’s final Budget Act of 2025 containing a new, unallocated, ongoing appropriation to the CSU, not less than $480 million above the final Budget Act of 2023. The CSU claims that this contingency was not met, as the state did not provide the CSU with any new, unallocated, ongoing General Fund appropriations. Additionally, the state deferred $144 million from the 2025-26 budget to 2026-27. While the state offered a zero-interest loan to offset this reduction, the loan must still be repaid in full, and the CSU claims this does not meet the standards required to enact compensation increases. 

    “The CSU is fully honoring all labor agreements that were negotiated and ratified through a collaborative collective bargaining process,” the CSU said in a statement on Budget and Labor Agreements. “CSU is acting in full accordance with the terms of the contracts and remains committed to transparency and honoring the agreements made with its labor partners.” 

    Teamsters feel that the CSU is capable of paying the proposed raises due to the governor’s final budget fully funding the CSU, in part with a $144 million deferred payment. Should the previously mentioned contingencies not be met, the CSU would have no choice but to re-open negotiations with the union, which took place in October. The reopened negotiations were mired with difficulties, and a lack of productivity. In December the Teamsters filed an Unfair Labor Practices claim, and contacted the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB).

    The Teamsters attorneys argue that the CSU violated the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA). The alleged violations include bargaining in bad faith, refusal to bargain and provide a counterproposal, refusal to provide responses to the union’s information requests. Additionally, attorneys found that the CSU is attempting to modify previously settled issues by offering the Teamsters a one-time payment of 3% of their current salaries rather than abiding by the contractual wage raises already agreed upon, claiming that bargaining must be reopened. Attorneys also determined that the CSU’s refusal to pay the raises was a violation of the contract writing. As of now, there has not yet been a hearing to address the Teamsters charges against the CSU.

    Bradley emphasized that the strike is not targeted at Cal Poly Humboldt or its students. Rather, he believes that it’s the only way for the CSU to engage with the Teamsters — because the strike means that the Teamsters will be withholding labor, any maintenance requests that are made, such as broken windows, leaking pipes and fire alarms will be responded to much slower as only the managers will be on duty. However, Bradley said that students should still put in work orders if needed. Additionally, the picket lines that the teamsters form may slow down traffic. Aside from the decreased level of service and additional traffic, Bradley does not anticipate any other setbacks from the strike. Cal Poly Humboldt also does not see any further disruptions. 

    “The University does not anticipate disruptions to student services. We will remain open, and classes will continue as scheduled during any strike activity,” Melissa Hutsell from Marketing and Communication said. “We ask members of our campus community to remain patient and respectful during this time.” 

    The current strike will last until Friday, Feb. 20, unless the Teamsters are able to reach a deal with CSU administrators. It will not last past Friday, and there are not any other planned strikes. However, Bradley did not rule out the possibility of calling another strike if an agreement cannot be reached, or even possibly a joint strike with other CSU unions sometime in late April-May. 

    Jake Wegant, facilities management mechanic and Teamsters Unit-6 steward, took shelter from the pouring rain under the awning of the marketplace.

    “We don’t want to be out here, we want to get back into it and do our jobs… we’re a big cog in this CSU wheel, making sure these buildings are safe and comfortable for students and staff,” Wegant said. “We love this community. None of us want to be out here but we have to fight for what’s right. We’re all energized, we’re pumped and hopefully this works. Hopefully the CSU chancellor gets off her high horse and changes her mind about things.”

    Barley is the opinion editor and an untraditional reporter who focuses on social change and stories with a real human impact. If you’d like to reach him for whatever reason email bl258@humboldt.edu.

    Nico is the photo editor with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. In his free time he enjoys hanging out and having fun with his friends. Reach him at np211@humboldt.edu.

  • Valentine’s Day date ideas from a single man

    Valentine’s Day date ideas from a single man

    by Nick Escalada

    Hey reader! A little osprey told me that you have a special someone to spend Valentine’s Day with. As a terminally single individual, that’s amazing to hear! I’m happy you’re happy!

    To ensure that you two stick together ‘til death do you part, I want to help you treat your honey baby extra right this year. Travelling beautiful Humboldt County these past few moons without a twin flame by my side has given me a lot of hypothetical date ideas I will never manifest. That’s where you come in! Using these first-rate Valentine’s Day plans, you shall realize your partner’s wildest fantasies and become the greatest lover to ever grace this campus.

    Junch/Jinner

    What better way to satisfy your hubby on V-Day than some comfort food at The J, or a taste of their “Latin” alternatives? Oooh, La Cucina, how exotic! Treat them to the same vegetable minestrone they had four hours ago, hand-feed them freezer-burnt broccoli and bathe them in non-existent chocolate milk. Showing restraint on big occasions at ol’ reliable joints like these will show your beloved that you’re financially conscious and ready for something serious.

    If you have the courage, make a toast to them in front of all the freshmen eating around you. They’ll probably give you a nice nickname for future reference amongst each other, like Romeo or Bella Swan!

    Ocean Skinny-Dip

    A wise man once told me you’ll never truly know someone until you’ve swam with them naked. Who? I forget, but we have the perfect au naturel bathing conditions on the North Coast, and it’s about time you and your better half took advantage of them. 

    Slip into the steamy 50-degree waters of Humboldt’s many beaches — any beach is a nude beach if it’s dark enough —  and yank your ball-and-chain in with you. If they say things like “I can’t see,” or “this feels unsafe without a wetsuit,” pat yourself on the back. You’ve rekindled that early stage of flirtation and playfulness!

    Gift Exchange

    Have you ever proudly handed your sweetheart a thoughtful present for a special day, only to be one-upped by theirs? That’s probably because gift-giving just isn’t your love language. Lucky for you, there are very straightforward, gendered principles that can keep you from spending more hours agonizing at the Bayshore Mall. 

    Anyone with a woman in their life will be warned of the monetary standards they hold their dating partners to. But as the recipient of at least one sensual female glance over his college career, I can tell you that Chrome Hearts and Nobu dinners simply aren’t what the ladies like. They only long for time with their best friend — chocolate. Any brand is sure to get you lucky that night, so pick your favorite from the vending machine. I like Baby Ruth.

    Oh, and men like sneakers and video games. If you’re a secret admirer and have something to offer, shoot me an email and we can talk.

    Surprise Double Date!

    If you’re feeling fancy, you can even plan an actual date for Valentine’s Day ahead of time. What you won’t tell your partner, though, is who will be joining you — your ex! There’s no method to test your bond with your boo more proven than reeling in the one that got away. Letting the two meet is bound to elicit some positive jealousy, reframing your affection as a treasure to be fought for and guarded like the One Ring. All you have to do is sit back and watch the sparks fly.

    I hope this list helps fortify your union with your soulmate ever more. After this Valentine’s Day, I’m sure you’ll be set for a long and serendipitous journey together. Mwahahaha… MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! — 

    Nick is the fat fucking chud News Editor of the Cumberjack, and it’s so over for him. He spends his days watching Linus Tech Tips and eating Hint of Lime Tostitos on his empty twin bed. His mother says she’s proud of him, but if that can’t quell his emptiness, what will? For inquiries email ne53@humboldt.edu.

  • Spending Valentine’s Day in the green and gold

    Spending Valentine’s Day in the green and gold

    by Marielle Winuk

    I’ve woken up in a bed that’s not mine on Valentine’s Day for the past two years. Being on the track and field team, most Valentine’s Days I have woken up in a hotel bed in Michigan and spent the day competing. It’s not uncommon for athletes to compete or travel during holidays. 

    Some athletes are lucky enough to travel with their partner, such as Daniel Shaver on the men’s cross country team.

    Shaver travels with his girlfriend and enjoys the extra time they get to spend together. He and his girlfriend, Charlotte Leonard, are both Humboldt natives who attended Eureka High School and signed to Humboldt together.

    “We get to spend a lot of time together when we travel together,” Shaver said. “We like to watch shows with each other on the bus and I’ll give her a special kiss or something to help her feel good before her race.” 

    Not all student athletes observe Valentine’s Day or other American holidays. Basketball center Shakir Odunewu doesn’t celebrate some traditional American holidays because he didn’t grow up doing so. Odunewu is from Egypt and only celebrates Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr and Thanksgiving. Competing on holidays doesn’t affect his performance, and if anything, playing during Ramadan improves it. 

    “When I fast, I feel like I have more energy when I play,” Odunewu said.

    For many athletes, celebrations are often postponed or adapted around travel schedules, practices and games. Feb. 14 might be spent in a hotel room with teammates instead of at a candlelit dinner, but the meaning of Valentine’s Day is not lost.

    Track and field thrower Isabella Claussen will be competing in Michigan on Valentine’s day and is in a long-distance relationship. If she didn’t travel, her boyfriend considered driving up from Sacramento to Humboldt, but instead they are going to just text and call.

    “I don’t feel like I miss out on anything just because like we’re both really busy people and we both play sports so he’s very understanding of what’s going on this weekend,” Claussen said. “I think our plans are probably just gonna be a call for a little bit or just text, that sort of stuff, but we didn’t really have a whole bunch of stuff planned just because long distance is just kind of that way. We only get to see each other every couple months because of sports scheduling for both of us so smaller ‘holidays’ like these just don’t really work out for the both of us.”

    There are some upsides to celebrating on your own terms. You don’t have to fight other couples for a romantic dinner reservation. You can buy Valentine’s themed decorations and candy at a discounted price. Lastly, you get to celebrate the love of your sport on one day, and the love of your friends, family or partner on another day.

    This Saturday, multiple Humboldt teams will be spending their Valentine’s Day representing the green and gold. Therefore, if you weren’t able to find a romantic dinner reservation or activity, remember — nothing is more romantic than showing up to the Lumberjack arena to watch the men’s and women’s basketball games against San Francisco State this Valentine’s Day. The women’s team plays at 1:00 p.m. and the men’s game will be at 3:00 p.m.. The track and field team will compete at the Grand Valley Two Day Meet in Allendale, Mich.. The softball team will be spending Valentine’s day in Honolulu, Hawaii at Chaminade playing at 4:30 p.m..

  • What students should know about sex

    What students should know about sex

    by Jacqueline Zuniga

    College students experience a host of new freedoms when they leave home for the first time. As many freshmen border the ages of 17 and 18, sex is something they often think about, yet many may not know how to protect themselves. With misinformation they may hear from their friends or awkward conversations they weren’t paying attention to with their parents, they may have some unanswered questions. Cal Poly Humboldt’s Student Health and Wellbeing Services Center (SHWSC) serves to provide students with accurate information, whether it’s via brochure, their website or conversations with a clinical peer health educator. 

    Practicing safe sex is one of the most important ways to stay healthy in college, especially while navigating new experiences and relationships. Using protection such as condoms, dental dams and internal condoms can help reduce risk. Natalie Treacy, Health Educator and Lead for Check It and Peer Health believes that there is no such thing as 100% safe sex, but there are ways to ensure a positive experience for all parties.

    Many things are important when it comes to having sex, like boundaries, consent, expectations and knowing what you want. Communicate what you want and respect yourself and your partners. 

    “Use protection, get tested regularly and understand your contraception options,” Tracey said.

    When it comes to birth control, students may not know that they have multiple options.  The SHWSC has multiple options both hormonal and non-hormonal. They offer birth control pills, Nuva rings, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), Depo-Provera shots and transdermal patches. They also have emergency contraceptives available like Plan B and Ella. You can find them at a health vending machine on campus like at the Depot, Nelson Hall East, The J, HHM and mail room at College Creek for just $11. The center also has condoms, dental dams and underwear that functions as dental dams. Peer Health Educator Thea Lamers, a senior in social work, explained how students can make an appointment with a provider or peer health educator about what’s best for them.

    “If you make an appointment with a clinical parent educator, we can have this whole conversation with you, and then you can make an appointment with a provider, and then just get what you’re looking for,” Lamers said. 

    If a student finds themself in a situation where they have an unintended pregnancy the Health Center also provides medical abortions at a low cost. Lead for Health Education and Clinical Support Services Nira Friedman mentioned how students can talk to medical professionals if that’s something they want to do.

    “We do have information that we can share with people,” Friedman said. “A brochure, talking about a medical provider, talking to a clinical peer educator, they can talk to me as well.”

    A major topic students should really understand is the importance of sexually-transmitted infections (STI) testing. Multiple forms of testing exist at the SHWSC if you think you have been exposed. They have asymptomatic and symptomatic STI testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, trick and urinary tract infections. You can self administer these tests depending on what anatomy you have and what sex you’re having. There’s throat swabs, genital swabs, urine tests and blood tests. 

    “[You should test] anytime you may be at risk, like, had an encounter where you may have contracted an STI,” Lamers said.

    If you have been exposed, the SHWSC can provide antibiotics to help. 

    “You get a prescription through a provider, but also through an appointment of the clinical peer health educator, which is a dose of antibiotics,” Lamers said.

    Providers are able to prescribe Doxypep, an antibiotic that prevents STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP)is a prophylactic medication used to prevent contraction of HIV. Post-exposure Prophylaxis(PEP) is used if you have been exposed to HIV, stopping it from establishing an infection in your body.

    Understanding consent is one of the most important parts when navigating sexual experiences. It’s not just a yes or no, it’s an ongoing agreement that requires communication and respect. Zoë Banks from CHECK IT! says it should be a wholehearted affirmation that is continuous throughout the whole encounter. 

    “At the end of the day, if the vibe isn’t an enthusiastic, ‘hell yes,’ then it’s a no,” Banks said.

    Consent is not only verbal, but physical as well. You can learn a lot about a person’s emotions by observing their body language, so it’s important to take notice. Boundaries can be set in between participating parties about what they are willing to do. Consent is an important factor when it comes to intimacy and should be taken seriously as well as discussed before any sexual encounter. 

    Jacqueline is a journalism major, a news manager for KRFH and she aspires to be a sports journalist one day