By Ryan Diaz
The former Campus Apartments were plagued with mold last semester, leading to their demolition in July. This left many Cal Poly Humboldt students questioning what will take its place. 

Last summer, demolition began on campus apartments after repeated reports of mold from residents. This vibrant space was once filled with 37 varieties of trees, the former ceramics and sculpture labs and campus apartments. What remains now is an empty landscape that was formerly full of life.

Interim Vice President of Administration and Finance Michael Fisher oversees the responsible use of physical and human resources to support students and their educational experience, including this project. 

“The rehabilitation effort will include native and wild landscapes, with plans to add green space and seating for the community at the top of the hill,” Fisher said. “Some of the redwoods that were removed will be reused on the hillside as part of a regenerative native landscape, while others will be milled locally for use in small campus projects such as benches and site elements.” 

Fisher also said that the hillside rehabilitation will be completed before the end of the fall 2025 semester. 

“Longer term, the areas that were previously home to the ceramics and sculpture labs will be the site of the new Housing, Dining and Health building, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2027 and be completed in 2029,” Fisher said. 

Students and staff can expect to see these changes in our near future with the expansion of the campus over the next several years. 
Ryan Diaz is a senior at Cal Poly Humboldt and is a second-semester reporter who has an ambition to work in the public relations field after graduation. He is also a DJ on 105.1 FM KRFH, hosting a weekly show on Thursday from 7-8 P.M.

By Ursula Newman
Fire personnel responded to a report of smoke near Granite Avenue in the Arcata Community Forest on Thursday, Sept. 4. The initial response was a single engine for a smoke check, but as more smoke was observed, additional resources were requested. The response took around five hours from notification to completion, with the fire covering just over a quarter of an acre. 

Arcata and University Police assisted in locating the smoke, which led to a full response involving all on-duty engines and mutual aid partners in the area. CAL FIRE sent an engine crew from Trinidad and a hand crew from Fortuna to assist. Humboldt Bay Fire and Blue Lake Fire also provided aid to cover the district while the fire was being managed.

The fire was in brush and timber, spreading slowly over a couple of hours. The exact cause remains unknown.

Arcata Fire Chief Chris Emmons said an encampment site was found along the edge of the fire.

“If I had to speculate, it looked like it very well could have been like an encampment fire left unattended that spread over a few hours,” Emmons said. “I couldn’t say 100%, but that’s the only source of ignition I could find in the area.”

Andrew Ramirez arrived on the scene from Fortuna as part of CAL FIRE’s hand crew. 

“We established a fire line all around the perimeter of the fire,” Ramirez said. “We made sure that there was nothing sticking over the line that could potentially catch fire and spread over. There were one or two larger redwood trees that were caught in the fray that got burnt up about halfway up their trunks.”

In the following days, Arcata Fire continued to monitor the area.

“Our crews went back for the next couple of days to check and see if there’s anything within the containment lines that was popping up, like we call it, ‘checking for smokes,’” Emmons said.

Emmons views the incident as a reminder of the importance of early reporting and community vigilance.

“With the right conditions, fires can spread and cause significant damage. So if [you] see something, certainly call us,” Emmons said. “You’re not going to get in trouble for it. We would much rather come and find something small, than not get notified and have to use more of our resources on something that’s larger.”

 Ursula Newman is a journalism major, Lumberjack social media manager and Humboldt local. You can find her all over the county doing all kinds of things, and talking to all sorts of people.

By  Sadie Shields

In addition to the Hinarr Hu Moulik (HHM) dorms’ required meal plans and relatively pricey housing, residents commuting by car will be required to purchase a single pass, choosing between parking closer to the dorms, or parking at school. 

According to Humboldt’s Official Parking Permit and Fees Information, “HHM permits are not valid for parking on the main campus during weekdays. However, HHM residents can park on the main campus from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.”  

Students who bought a parking permit for HHM cannot buy the parking permit for campus and can only park at school after hours. Those who desire to go to school and park on school grounds will need to pay for the daily parking pass. 

“Students will need to choose one type of permit,” Humboldt Communications Specialist Melissa L. Hutsell said. “A Hinarr Hu Moulik permit allows you to park in the Hinarr Hu Moulik residence hall lot, while a main campus resident permit allows you to park in resident lots on campus. You cannot hold both permits, and a single permit does not allow parking in both locations.” 

Hutsell also mentioned that students who did not purchase an HHM parking permit in time were put on a waitlist. Waitlisted students are not allowed to park in the HHM lot unless a space becomes available and they are offered a permit. Waitlisted students are still able to purchase a main campus resident permit and use the shuttle service to commute to and from the campus.

Shiloh Litke, a junior communications major, talked about the difficulties of parking on campus and the cost she pays for daily parking.

“Any time I pay for campus parking, it is around two to four dollars,” Litke said. “I wish it was free for students. People who paid for the passes are still unable to find parking, so they have to pay for the daily parking at the meters.”

According to Humboldt’s official website, general parking for fall and spring can cost up to 315 dollars. This amounts to a daily expense of three dollars and 50 cents, almost 20 dollars a week for a full-time student.  

Those who desire to go to school and park on school grounds will need to pay for the daily parking pass. For students who have purchased a parking pass at HHM, there are residential streets and metered parking available. Alternative methods of travel include public transportation or by foot.

Sadie is a junior Communications Major, Journalism minor at Cal Poly Humboldt who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports or wildlife journalist, and a slight interest in breaking news. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu

By Jasmin Shirazian

An account on TikTok by the username @cphpisser has spent the past several days uploading videos to the platform that suggest a person urinating in different parts of campus. In one video, the user secretly films from the bushes and captures a group of unknowing students on the Redwood Bowl field in the background of the act. 

The anonymous user has remained faceless and the videos only show a stream of liquid in various common areas, such as the steps of Founders Hall. Public comments on the videos vary from disgust to disbelief. One commenter said the videos breach the line of consent. 

“Disregarding people who are bringing up that they feel uncomfortable with the video being up as overly sensitive is perpetuating a culture of ignoring consent,” user @momoneymoproblems003 said. “If you want to pee around campus and take videos, that’s gross, but please don’t include people who did not consent to being in a video of this nature in them.” 

A specific post has caused discomfort and unease for viewers. The unknown subject started the video by zooming in on a women’s campus sports team, and carried on to show a stream of liquid aimed at the bushes directly in front of them. This was in an area where they could see the team, but could not be seen directly by players. 

Commenters vocalized their distaste for the actions of the poster, with a few stating that the videos border the line of sexual assault. A user by the name @barelylucidlibra, said, “Okay, now it’s getting sexual assualt-y [sic]… purposefully watching people and peeing while they don’t know you’re watching is giving non-consensual voyeurism.” 

While the videos and the username imply that the user is urinating throughout campus, a few commenters speculate that they are instead spraying a bottle filled with liquid. The most recent video from the user shows them in the quad, an area of campus that is surrounded by security cameras, leading some commenters to believe that the poster would be unable to get away with public urination and indecency. 

This appears to be a trend throughout the country, with similar accounts emerging at other universities. San Diego State University has @SDSUpisser, University of Missouri has @mizzou.pisser0, Pittsburgh State University, Ohio University — an ever-growing list of participation in a trend seemingly centered around public urination. 

The Lumberjack reached out to the account, who replied, “Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.”  

University spokesperson Director of News and Information Aileen Yoo said they were unaware of the actions of the individual. The Lumberjack reached out for further comment, but did not receive a response at time of publication.

Jasmin Shirazian is the award-winning, curly-headed managing and copy editor of The Lumberjack. Her beats range from breaking news to covering local performances. In her free time, she enjoys leaving the country and spending time with her cat. Inquiries can be sent to js760@humboldt.edu.

By Jess Carey and Julia Kelm

As one steps through the large glass double doors of freshly remodeled Jenkins Hall, they are greeted by a branded H. rug and the potent chemical smell of the future. The building is now home to Cal Poly Humboldt’s ceramics and sculpture programs. With the help of 12 million dollars, it was transformed from an abandoned warehouse into a state-of-the-art sculptor’s paradise.

Jenkins Hall has replaced the previous studio, affectionately referred to as The Laundry, which was demolished alongside the Campus Apartments over the summer. 

The Laundry was an eclectic space infused with a D.I.Y spirit, having housed the ceramics and sculpture programs since 1969. Handmade tiles covered walls and floors, paintings hung from the rafters and bookshelves overflowed with sculpture magazines and reference books. Drips of glaze, paint and slip coated the sinking concrete floors. 

Leah Dunn, a studio art and art education major, attended classes at the Laundry when it was still operational.

 “It felt well-loved, and I could tell that it had been a creative home for a lot of artists that were creating art long before I got there,” Dunn said.

Despite being beautiful and well-loved, it was always intended to be a temporary home, and as such there were limits on what the space could accommodate. Sculpture professor Sondra Schwetman taught classes in the old building for 20 years. She said that the building had been charming — but also cramped and dirty, and students had issues keeping projects clean. 

“There was a lot of elbow bumping in the Laundry,” Schwetman said. 

She explained that the lab has new and improved tools and an expanded floorplan including a separate woodshop and metal shop as well as a forge. 

“We are so much improved from being in the Laundry. We are just really excited for the potential,” Schwetman said. “I do think that for our students that experienced the other place, that this seems really clean.”

Schwetman also plans to install photos and memorabilia from the Laundry as a display inside the new building. 

Despite the many upgrades, students who are taking classes in Jenkins Hall say that it feels like things were not laid out as well as they could have been. 

“There are two sinks, which get crowded pretty fast,” Dunn said. “And then [there’s] a giant sink-like thing in the corner that would be so helpful, but we aren’t allowed to use it.”

Senior fine arts major Trinity Altemueller said that some students have experienced frustration with the new building. 

“It’s like an art studio that was designed by scientists,” Altemueller said. “It feels like a lab. It’s so sterile.”

The harsh industrial vibe of the new studio is certainly a contrast to the Laundry’s wonky charm. Piles of cardboard boxes and empty offices are noticeable. Bare concrete walls have exposed metal bits sticking out and wood shards, evident of a freshly-completed and perhaps somewhat rushed construction job. Creating here may be awkward for some until the Humboldtian creative spirit has enough time to warm up the atmosphere. 

“A couple classmates were talking about wanting to add murals and stuff to make it feel less like a prison and more like our creative home,” Dunn said. 

The Laundry was a misfit studio for a misfit art department, and a reminder of a particular period of creative explosion in Humboldt that has now come and gone. As for this generation of artists, sculptors and potters, there is a new canvas to paint or piece to throw. Jenkins Hall has more resources and amenities for current and future students to continue to create exceptional work — although it came with the loss of a treasured part of campus history. 

Art Department Chair Nicole Hill said that the university’s efforts to provide a new space for artists is symbolic of art’s place in the university’s future. 

“It’s a sign of big commitment from the university and the California State System as a whole in the arts in our region,” Hill said. 

She added that any problems associated with the transition have easy fixes. 

“There are growing pains, things that happen anytime you move,” Hill said. 

Art students continue to adjust to the space as a new chapter of local art history begins. While the Laundry will be missed, Jenkins Hall has the potential to become a vibrant hub for creativity on campus. 

Jess Carey is a senior studying botany with a journalism minor. Their writing branches interdisciplinary interests in science, music, and arts.

Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for 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 want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu 

Kpop Demon Hunters hit some good notes, but didn’t really stick the landing.

By Julia Kelm
KPop Demon Hunters (2025) is Netflix’s newest money-maker, which hit streaming platforms on June 20. The plot centers around Kpop group “Huntr/x,” and its members Rumi, Mira and Zoey who actually come from a long line of singing demon hunters. 

However, the three girls are faced with their biggest challenge yet, as a group of demons disguised as a boy band try to steal their fans and take over the world.

The animated film is produced by Sony, which is noticeable with the quality of the animation. Sony is known for its sorta choppy, comic book-esque animation style that was noteworthy in their recent animated works like Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse and The Mitchells vs. the Machines. It’s a shame that this film didn’t have a proper theatrical release, as a film of this quality would have been much more enjoyable in a theater.

Overall, I would say this movie was a good time, but not noteworthy in the long-run. The story is fine, but it was just missing a lot that would’ve taken it to another level. 

For instance, early on it’s revealed that Rumi is also part demon. Her father was supposedly a demon, but as an orphan, Rumi’s demonic origins aren’t expanded upon much.

In addition, the main demon boy Jinu, is revealed to have an interesting backstory as well and has a semi-romantic thing with Rumi. Both of which go nowhere.

Rumi’s friendship with the other two girls, Mira and Zoey, is also severely underdeveloped. This was disappointing, since one of the major themes the film seemed to be pushing was female friendship. 

The lack of development in aspects of this film may be due to unconfirmed suspicions that the film was originally supposed to be a TV series. Another disappointment, because I think I may have enjoyed this more if it had more time to tell its story. 

Lastly the music, although decent, left little to be desired. I asked someone with more knowledge about music for their opinion on KPop Demon Hunters. 

“[When] Rumi and Jinu meet up and Rumi starts singing ‘Free,’ I just think it needs a little more build up,” said Hayden Hilscher, a theater and music minor at Cal Poly Humboldt. “Both because the emotional beats feel a little rushed, and to make the song feel earned or justified to start at the moment it does.” 

I agree. The music was good, it just felt a little out of place at times. I think this could’ve been improved if the film decided to take a more traditional musical approach.

Overall, if you didn’t stream KPop Demon Hunters over the break, I would give it a shot if it interests you. Feel free to email me a complaint if you disagree.

Julia is a journalism major, and is the life and arts editor for 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 want her to review, email her at jk328@humboldt.edu.

By Serah Blackstone-Fredericks

Since Humboldt State University’s transition to Cal Poly Humboldt in 2022, the school has offered additional majors, with plans for a total of ten new programs by 2029. The newly added leadership studies, geared towards upper division transfer students, will be held fully online and supports an increase of the student population and adult learners returning to school. 

The new B.A. in critical agriculture studies & agroecology highlights creative career paths — such as a fiber and plant dye artist — while reflecting Humboldt’s choose-your-own-adventure spirit. After all, it’s the breathtaking landscape and peaceful coastline that invokes a certain magic, drawing many students to our campus. 

Lilly Snibley, a wildlife major, shared that after multiple transfers, she was finally able to find her people in a nature-oriented community after attending a few colleges and not having positive experiences. 

“Humboldt’s very welcoming, very low-key –– it’s a lot quieter,” Snibley said. “It feels very down-to-earth.”

Amid these exciting new programs, campus facilities are also undergoing major transformations. The ceramics building has been demolished to make more space for housing, and per Mike Fisher via Redwood News, this will be the last major project in a new era of change towards the Cal Poly Humboldt designation.

The uninhabitable campus apartments were demolished over the summer, with construction of a student health building commencing. Hinarr Hu Moulik — the new campus dorms off St. Louis Road — are officially open, adding housing for up to 964 additional students and are almost 90% occupied. 

The current 6,182 student population is rapidly growing, with hopes that additional programs and funding will expand the school’s capacity to 8,500. This fall saw a 9% increase in the transfer student population and the transfer student welcome dinner was noticeably larger than in spring.

As the CSU target is 6,347, the goal is that 165 more students will enroll. With Humboldt’s draws — smaller class sizes, a more personable approach to academia, excellent faculty and strong student services — many hope that word will spread. Jordyn Jones, a psychology M.A. student shared her reasons for attending.

“What drew me here was the ocean and the trees,” Jones said. “The campus is beautiful. I really wanted to do my masters in person and this was the closest one.”

Thankfully, housing is now being addressed after poor planning left many students struggling to complete their degrees. Jones shared some of her inconveniences, which include parking challenges due to being a commuter student.

As many who live here are aware, housing can be a major challenge at Cal Poly Humboldt and hopefully, the new dorms will add a bit of relief to the housing insecurity and homelessness that is a part of a larger problem within California universities. With almost 70% of students reporting that they reside off-campus, housing has been a point of contention, affecting both students and the local community.  For incoming transfer students, these changes signal a campus in transition — growing programs, improving housing, and offering an intimate learning environment in one of California’s most unique regions.

Serah Blackstone-Fredericks is a cross-disciplinary anthropology major, minoring in arts in health and narrative medicine. A writer, musician, and mother, she weaves together her studies with creative practices like gardening, cooking, fermenting, and natural dye experiments. Her work explores the ways culture, storytelling, and connection shape how we live and heal. Feel free to connect with her at sb625@humboldt.edu

By Barley Lewis-McCabe and Nico Patakidis

The Big Beautiful Bill serves as one of the largest and most impactful acts of the Trump administrations and includes hundreds of changes to policy from radical tax cuts to clean energy reduction. 

Healthcare:

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes a $28.4 billion cut for federal medicaid funding in California, which could leave 3.4 million Californians without healthcare. Medicaid provides a significant source of income for rural hospitals by covering patients that wouldn’t otherwise have access to healthcare. As of July 2025, over 300 rural hospitals across America are at immediate risk of closure, one of those being Mad River Community Hospital in Humboldt County. The increase in uninsured patients due to Medicaid cuts could increase the ongoing problem of rural hospital closure. 

Snap:

The OBBBA will cut federal funding to Snap programs by $186 billion over 10 years. Previously, administrative costs for Snap programs were funded 50/50 by state and federal governments. Moving forward state governments will have to provide 75% of administrative funding. OBBBA also enacts work requirements to receive Snap benefits. The bill states that able-bodied adults are mandated to work for 20-80 hours a month. This includes community service, training and unpaid labor as well as jobs. Previous waivers for veterans, unhoused people, and former foster children have been eliminated. 

When approached for comment on how the Big Beautiful Bill could affect Oh Snap on campus, Cal Poly Humboldt Communications Specialist Melissa L. Hutsell said, “At Cal Poly Humboldt, we know that access to healthy food is essential for student success. While the full impact of federal cuts is still uncertain, we remain committed to advocating for resources that help students meet their basic needs so they can focus on their education.”

Student Loans:

Along with the changes made to the different student loan repayment plans, the OBBBA has also introduced modified borrowing limits for new loans starting July 1, 2026. Graduate students are currently being allowed to borrow up to the amount that is needed for their graduate programs, capped at $138,500. Once the new limits go into effect, graduate students will only be able to borrow a lifetime amount of $100,000. The OBBA sets a new lifetime limit for the combined loans of undergrad and graduate loans at $257,500. New loan limits are also being set for those enrolled in the Parent PLUS program, at $20,000 a year and $65,000 a year. 

Barley is the photo 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 a sophomore journalism major with an interest in covering local government and political affairs. In his free time he enjoys hanging out and can be reached at np211@humboldt.edu.

By Nick Escalada

EDIT: Parts of this story were edited for clarity.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a bureaucracy that has gone largely undiscussed in the public sphere until the start of Donald Trump’s second presidential term. Over the past year, the agency has been hard at work delivering on the president’s promise of deporting undocumented immigrants in the United States en masse.

This initiative has sparked an unprecedented level of controversy and outrage across the nation, with individuals seen unwillingly collected by masked agents in unmarked vehicles. Many have likened this to kidnapping, and major cities like Los Angeles have seen large-scale protests with violent police retaliation.

Rather than strict documentation status, ICE often selects their targets based on whether or not they are Latin American, which appeases Republican voter concerns on southern border security. With a largely LA-native student body and a rapidly growing Latino population of nearly 30% (according to IPEDS in fall 2024), Cal Poly Humboldt finds itself in a vulnerable position.

Peyton Leone, the communications and research manager at Centro del Pueblo — an organization dedicated to supporting Latiné and Indigenous migrants in Humboldt County — shared how the resource center keeps track of ICE raids for those concerned in the area.

“We have responders that are ready to take a call and then others that are willing to investigate anything that’s happening,” Leone said. “Anytime that ICE is up here, we want to know about it, we want to have it documented and we want to make sure that everyone’s aware.” 

According to Centro del Pueblo, two incidents in Humboldt have been confirmed as visits from ICE this year, with another recent report under review. Unidentified agents appeared at a local business asking for an employee, who they were unable to find. Agents were also seen at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility requesting to pick up a detained person.

“The Latino community in Humboldt has been here for a long time. There’s folks that have been here for 40 years and have generations up in Humboldt,” Leone said. “Right now, we’re just constantly making sure that folks are having their needs met.”

Although ICE has not yet been reported on campus, potential targets at the university include F-1 student visa holders and students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. Leone shared federal and local legislation that protects non-citizen students and their families from deportation.

“There is a sanctuary law in Humboldt,” Leone said. “It’s called Measure K or Humboldt Sanctuary Law, and that pretty much prevents local law enforcement and ICE from communicating outside of circumstances where there’s things like murder, human trafficking or serious felonies.”

A component of Measure K allows parents detained by ICE to sign an affidavit that dictates where their children are sent. Beyond their preventative resources, Centro del Pueblo offers contingency plans in cases where deportation is unavoidable.

“What we do at Centro del Pueblo is connect families with a notary that can, at a very low price, make sure that families do have that plan in place,” Leone said. “Otherwise, children could be sent to different parts of the state, like Child Protective Services or different organizations that take people’s kids. We don’t want any family separated in Humboldt.”

Even if you’re unable to receive aid from external groups, the best way to prepare for an encounter with ICE is to know your rights. Federal statutes have granted protections to all human beings on U.S. soil since the country’s inception and agents rely on their targets’ legal blind spots to carry out deportations.

“The Constitution applies to everybody living in the United States, regardless of immigration status,” Leone said. “You have the right to remain silent; that’s your First Amendment. Fourth Amendment […] you don’t have to let the police search you or your house without a warrant. Those are the things that we try to encourage people to remember.”

For a comprehensive list of immigration-related protections, request a “red card” from Centro del Pueblo or directly from the Immigration Legal Resource Center’s website. If you spot suspicious activity that may involve ICE or are being pursued by agents, call Centro del Pueblo’s Rapid Response hotline at 707-200-8091.

Nick is the News Editor at The Lumberjack, and studies wildlife and journalism with the goal of spreading his love of nature through media. A famous recluse, he is rarely seen at social functions, but you might dig him up in an SAC lounge beanbag chair. Chat with him at ne53@humboldt.edu!

Compiled by Ariana Wilson

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

Sunday, April 20

4:49 p.m. – Medical Aid

The Reporting Party states his friend ingested something, unknown if it was marijuana. The subject is a 20-year-old male with a dry throat. An officer and medical responded and the subject was not transported.

Monday, April 21

3:09 p.m. – Suspicious Person

Report of a male subject who appears to be under the influence and laying down on the ground outside of Van Duzer Theater. Subject is a 70-year-old white man with gray hair, last seen wearing a purple t-shirt and jeans. An officer responded and interviewed the subject.

Wednesday, April 23

2:38 p.m. – Vandalism

Report of graffiti on the north elevator at Jolly Giant Commons, “FUCK BMER7” etched on the right side.

Thursday, April 24

5:50 p.m. – Suspicious Circumstances

RA reports they found two concerning notes on the room door of a Redwood Residence Hall, threatening the residents. Residential Learning Communities spoke to the residents of the room.

Monday, April 28

6:08 p.m. – Suspicious Circumstances

Report of three subjects next to the ravine on the Jolly Giant Trail with airsoft guns, wearing all black clothing and vests. The Reporting Party states that they were on her property and APD was notified.

Tuesday, April 29

3:55 p.m. – Non-Injury Traffic Accident

Vehicle vs golf cart, no injuries.

Wednesday, April 30

12:28 p.m. – Animal Call

The Reporting Party was walking past the College Creek Marketplace and was bitten by a dog. The owner was on scene when the incident occurred.

Thursday, May 1

11:46 a.m. – Miscellaneous

The Reporting Party overheard their roommate in Cypress calling them names and talking bad about them. RP would like to speak to an officer regarding the roommate issue.

By Barley Lewis-McCabe

About two dozen people dressed in red marched through campus and sang traditional Indigenous songs. Some held signs and others were drumming with the spirits  — all demanded change. The march was held on May 5, the national Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) day of awareness. It began and ended at the Brero House, went through the SAC quad and down LK Wood Boulevard. 

“We have a crisis in our Indigenous communities of women, children, men, elders, [and] Two-Spirit people going missing,” Student organizer Covin Sigala said. “That’s causing harm. It’s not a recent event — it’s been going on since colonization began.” 

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, one in three Native women will be assaulted in their lifetimes. On some reservations women are murdered at a rate 10 times above the national average.

“We’re walking for awareness,” Maudesty Merino, one of the organizers for the event, said. “[We] walk to carry their spirits and walk with them. We’re also raising awareness for the Violence Against Women Act.” 

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a law that addresses sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and dating violence directed towards women. The VAWA has several special provisions for Indigenous women due to disproportionate rates of abuse on reservations, as well as hesitation from the federal government to prosecute these cases due to jurisdiction disputes.  

The VAWA has had five amendments addressing violence against Indigenous women since it was enacted in 1994. One amendment from 2013 affirmed Tribal courts’ right to prosecute non-Indigenous peoples who commit these crimes on reservations. 

The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 reauthorizes VAWA grants-which go towards strengthening the courts’ capabilities to prosecute offenders, and survivor support networks. It also calls for the end of impunity against people who come onto reservations and commit sexual crimes. It also addresses the need to support Native Alaskan Tribes who were previously excluded.

“Even with these acts and laws over the years we continue to see more and more missing and murdered Indigenous peoples,” said tribal forestry student Evauna Grant. “The injustice of our people goes unnoticed and is a main reason why we do the awareness march.”

A marcher described the march as a day to honor lost community members with song, to carry the spirits with them and bring those energies out; they discussed how everyone has a song to sing. Some of the songs were passed down from generation to generation, and some were just simply from the person’s heart.

The marchers chanted and sang under the shade of a tree along LK Wood Boulevard. At one point when they stopped, the wind rattled the trees and released a flock of chirping birds. The songs shook the Earth with resounding passion. After finding a caterpillar on one of the singers’ hats, someone shouted something very apt.

“We’re waking up a lot of spirits today.” 

Barley isn’t just the grooviest guy around, he’s also an untraditional reporter, photographer, and — of course the photo editor!

Yurok MMIP Tip Line: 1-833-YRK-MMIP 

Hoopa Tribe MMIW (530) 625-4261

Compiled by Griffin Mancuso

Last year on April 22, dozens of Cal Poly Humboldt students and community members occupied Siemens Hall in support of Palestine for eight days. These eight days resulted in a notable shift in opinion about administration and perspectives on campus activism. The following took place during this occupation.

April 22, 2024

A group of students organized a sit-in in Siemens Hall at 4 p.m. — they brought games, books and art supplies and planned to host a Seder.

At 4:15 p.m., UPD entered the building and asked the students to leave. The students continued to protest and UPD evacuated non-participants out of the building. The students began to lock doors and entrances to the building, except for the door leading to the quad. They constructed barricades in front of doors with chairs, desks and other items in Siemens Hall. 

At 5:00 p.m., officers arrived in riot gear and attempted to remove the protestors from the building. The scene drew hundreds of spectators and people started joining in the protest. An alert was initially sent out at 5:57 p.m. of the university closing Siemens Hall for the night, but that status changed to the entire campus being closed until April 24, 2024 by 8:53 p.m. By 10:50 p.m., law enforcement left the area and the protesters inside the building opened the doors. Dozens of outside protestors flooded into the building.

April 23, 2024

Students and community members continued to occupy Siemens Hall and the surrounding area, including the Gutswurrak Student Activity Center (GSAC) quad. Signs and chalk decorations covered the area, and several local bands performed in front of the GSAC. The protestors released a set of demands to the university calling for them to:

-Disclose all ties to Israel

-Cut all ties to Israeli universities

-Divert from companies with ties to Israel

-Drop all charges against protestors and cease the use of law enforcement against them

-Publicly call for a ceasefire and end to the occupation of Palestine

Students, faculty and community members delivered supplies to the protestors in Siemens Hall and a Mutual Aid Kitchen was set up in front of the Siemens Hall main entrance.

April 24, 2024

From 12 to 4 p.m., the California Faculty Association (CFA) hosted a teach-in in the GSAC quad where multiple faculty members spoke and led workshops for an audience of students, faculty and community members.

At 2:12 p.m., a Humboldt Alert was sent out over email announcing the campus to be closed through April 28, 2024.

April 25, 2024

An open forum was hosted between protestors and Provost Jenn Capps and Dean of Students Mitch Mitchell at 4 p.m. in the Goodwin Forum of Nelson Hall. Other admin, such as Dean Jeff Crane, also made appearances. 

The University Senate released a Sense of the Faculty Resolution on a Vote of No Confidence in President Tom Jackson, citing Jackson and former Chief of Staff Mark Johnson’s mishandling of the protest and inappropriate use of law enforcement resulting in the injury of students and faculty.

April 26, 2024

At 10:28 a.m., the university released an email response to the protestors’ demands and distributed physical copies of the response on campus. In the email, the university reported that they have no direct ties to Israeli universities and they would continue to uphold the Time, Place and Manner Policy and enforce consequences for violations of university policy and laws. The university also stated that they don’t have any direct investments in defense companies or securities issued by Israeli companies, organizations or defense firms.

“Our estimates put the potential indirect investment in the areas that are asked about at less than 1% of the investment portfolio of more than $51 million,” the email read.

At 12:28 p.m., the university sent out a Humboldt Alert announcing the closure of campus for the rest of the semester and the continuation of remote work and instruction.

At 1:49 p.m., the university sent an email to the campus body opening a check-out option for protestors from 2 to 4 p.m., presenting an option to vacate campus without immediate arrest.

“Voluntary participation in this check-out process WILL be considered as a mitigating factor in University conduct processes and may reduce the severity of sanctions imposed,” the email read.

At 5:20 p.m., protestors opened one of the entrances to Siemens Hall to allow the public to walk inside and document the state of the building.

The same day, the University Senate published a Sense of the Senate Resolution On A Call for a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza.

At 6:20 p.m., a local rabbi along with students and community members welcomed Shabbat in the GSAC quad in solidarity with the protestors.

April 27, 2024

The university sent out a Humboldt Alert announcing the hard closure of campus at 12:35 p.m., specifying that individuals are prohibited from entering or being on campus without authorization from the UPD. At 1:45 p.m., construction workers placed cement blockades at three main entry points to campus, including the Library Circle.

At 6:30 p.m., protestors and community members hosted a group march and protest, starting at the Arcata Plaza and ending at the Library Circle cement blockades. 

April 29, 2024

At 2:15 p.m., the CFA organized a march from the Arcata Plaza to the Library Circle, then ended at the lawn in front of the main Cal Poly Humboldt sign off of 14th St. 

Another march from the plaza to the Library Circle happened at 7 p.m., with a Seder being hosted for a group of around 200 people. The group slowly dwindled over time, but protestors remained in the area until around 4 a.m.

At 10 p.m., two UPD officers started driving a police vehicle up to the main barricades set up by protestors near the campus library and the GSAC quad. The vehicle played a recorded message from Chief of University Police Peter Cress announcing the protest as an unlawful assembly. The message warned protestors that they had 15 minutes to disperse or risk being faced with rubber bullets and chemical agents. The message continued to play at each of the barricades for around 5 hours.

April 30, 2024

At 2:50 a.m., hundreds of officers in riot gear from agencies in Humboldt County to San Francisco and Redding began breaking down barricades and entering the occupied area. A group of protestors sat in a circle in the quad with their arms linked together. Officers gradually closed in on the area and some began arresting protestors in the circle. 32 protesters were arrested, including a faculty member and a journalist.

A Humboldt Alert was sent out at 3:00 a.m. ordering students living on campus to shelter-in-place.

Those detained were processed for arrest in front of Gist Hall and sent on buses and vans to the county jail in Eureka.

A Humboldt Alert was sent out by 6:56 a.m. declaring that law enforcement secured the campus and order had been restored to Cal Poly Humboldt. A few protestors were charged, and many were released around 12 p.m.

For further information about the pro-Palestine protest and occupation in April 2024, visit our full comprehensive timeline on our website:

Cal Poly Humboldt Pro-Palestine Occupation and Protest Timeline

By Eli Farrington and Noah Pond

Antonio Jordan’s passion for aviation started early in life, fueled by a lofty childhood dream — a dream shared by countless children across the world, but only pursued by a select few once they reach adulthood: flying.

“Honestly, the main thing is that I always wanted to fly. I would see people flying whether they’re superheroes or whatnot on TV and I was like, ‘Damn, I can’t do that,’ but flying planes is kind of the closest we can get to that,” Jordan said at Airport Day, an event hosted by the Aviation Club at Samoa Field Airport on Saturday, April 26. The event showcased multiple aircrafts and companies in the field of aviation and aeronautical technologies, and highlighted the resources and opportunities offered by the Aviation Club.

Jordan is a freshman environmental science and management major and the Aviation Club’s treasurer. He dealt with all of the expenses of the Airport Day event, which was overseen by David Marshall, a computer science lecturer and the club’s advisor.

Before Marshall advised the Aviation Club, he was the advisor to the PC Gaming Club. He wanted the PC Gaming Club to do something for the entire community — something beyond video games. 

“I told the students in that club that [they] need to do something that impacts the whole campus, and they decided to build a flight simulator,” Marshall said. “And so, there was a flight simulator at the library for three years and it was based on gaming [equipment] — it was plastic pedals, plastic everything.”

It wasn’t until years later that Marshall was contacted by a former Humboldt State University journalism student, Meg Godlewski class of ‘87, about getting a new simulator that was Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified. As an editor for FLYING Magazine, Godlewski presented an opportunity to take the aviation club to new heights. 

“[Godlewski] was doing a story for a flight magazine and was in the offices of a company called Precision Flight Controls, and they’re in Sacramento,” Marshall said. “It just so happened that the president’s phone rang, and the very wealthy gentleman who flies his own planes said, ‘I’m getting a new airplane, build me a new simulator. I want to give away the one I have.’” 

Godlewski got in contact with Marshall and asked him if the aviation club wanted the simulator, to which Marshall replied with a resounding yes. The simulator that Godlewski donated is an advanced aviation training device (AATD), which retails for about $140,000. Renting an AATD would usually cost around $50-$100 an hour, but Cal Poly Humboldt students get to use it for free. 

Marshall co-owns two planes with C.D. Hoyle, a fellow Cal Poly Humboldt professor in the physics department. The pair were originally introduced to each other by a certified flight instructor. They purchased their first plane back in 2008 and their second in 2013. 

“We started out as co-workers on campus and became buddies through plane ownership,” Hoyle said.  

Hoyle got his pilot’s license at 18, and has been flying for over 30 years. He loves flying for both the convenience and the understanding of weather patterns that he has learned over the years. 

“I like how it makes you kind of in tune with the weather,” Hoyle said. “There’s this aspect of flying where if you’re preparing for a flight, you have to be constantly in tune with what’s happening with the environment around you.” 

Unfortunately, the weather was not in the aviation club’s favor on Airport day, as a combination of rain and low-hanging fog prevented anyone from taking off or landing. Hoyle explained that a lack of visibility, coupled with the fact that Samoa Field Airport doesn’t have air traffic control, caused the event to have a smaller turnout than expected. Had the event taken place on a clear day, the airport would have seen dozens of model and full size planes taking off and landing. Despite the bad weather, the event was still a hit. 

Aviation club president Lee Donohue was disappointed with the harsh conditions, but didn’t let the rain dampen his good mood. As club president, it is Donohue’s job to preside over meetings and help organize events like Airport Day. This year, he was able to assemble a group of volunteers and tech companies to table at the event. 

“We’ve asked a lot of organizations to come in and volunteer their time and efforts to showcase how they’re involved with the community,” Donohue said. “Some of it is involved directly with aviation, some isn’t. A lot of it is showcasing emerging technologies and people’s connections to aviation, whether that be with fixed wing aircraft or with paragliders and drones. I think it’s just really cool that we were able to pull this off and show off the technology.”

Airport Day played host to a number of guests and volunteers, including a handful of aeronautics companies, Humboldt County Sheriff Bomb Disposal Squad and Cal Poly Humboldt’s very own Marching Lumberjacks.  

“I think it’s a unique event where you have this mosaic of people who came and are passionate about the technology they use to help serve the community and, you know, explore their own hobbies and passions,” Donohue said. 

Donohue is not a pilot yet, but his goal is to use the tools provided by the aviation club to eventually get a license. For him, campus resources like the on campus flight simulator bring him one step closer to a seat in the cockpit. He plans to take advantage of all the resources he can, and learn to fly before he graduates. 

One aviation club member who goes above and beyond when it comes to flying is Kendra Char. Char is a junior marine biology major and student pilot, and just two weeks ago, she soloed an airplane for her first time — a huge milestone in her flight training. 

“[Soloing] is going up in the aircraft by yourself … I flew a Piper Cherokee 140,” Char said. “It’s a lot of work to get to that point, and it built my self confidence. It’s scary at first — it’s weird — but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

The FAA requires 40 hours of flight time for a private pilot’s license, and 10 of them have to be solo. Char has completed about 35 training hours, and is now in the process of completing 10 solo hours before getting her license. She eventually wants to turn her passion for flying into a career and work for an airline, but for now she’s enjoying the fruits of her labor, about to pay off.

“I love the freedom of it,” Char said. “I’ve flown over campus a couple times, and it seems so small when I’m up there. At its core, flying is freedom from the ground. You get so much of a new perspective on everything from flying… I joined the aviation club because flying is something I love, and I want to share my love and experiences with other people who also love aviation.” 

Eli Farrington is a junior journalism major working as the opinion editor for the Lumberjack. Noah Pond is a junior journalism major working as the managing editor. Together, they work around the clock, uncovering secrecies, solving mysteries, and leaving no stone unturned.

By Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal

This past month, students from Cal Poly Humboldt’s political science department attended two international Model United Nations conferences. The National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in New York, the largest and most iconic of the Model UN, is open to over 5,000 students from around the globe. Students and faculty then rushed back to the west coast as the Model United Nations of the Far West (MUNFW) conference took place in San Francisco the following weekend, inviting over 400 students from the western U.S. and The Philippines. 

Our school’s team, representing the country of South Sudan, brought back an honorable mention award from NMUN-NY. 

Our school’s team representing Egypt won an award for outstanding delegation in San Francisco. Additionally, student Amanda Cawthron was chosen as a lead author in the best resolution and Kiera Sladen was named best delegate within her committee.

Political science sophomores and Model UN members Ruth Worthington and Kiera Sladen shared their takeaways from their first time attending the iconic, back-to-back, bi-coastal conferences. 

“There was a lot of office siren action,”  Sladen said, referring to the “Office Siren” fashion aesthetic adored by Gen-Z that combines 90s and 2000s formal business wear with a sexy and confident feminine energy. 

 “It’s a lot of fun, I think it’s rewarding, it’s worth it. It’s open to not just political science majors, so that’s a plus. It’s definitely beneficial for anyone looking to build skills in public speaking, teamwork, leadership and cooperation, and it’s overall just a fun experience.”

From showing Dr. Zerbe Never have I ever — Gen Z’s favorite on-screen portrayal of Model UN — to appreciating baddies in business casual and sitting in the iconic United Nations General Assembly inside the global headquarters of the United Nations, this trip was one for the books. 

“It was super cool because we went to the actual UN for the closing ceremony, so that was pretty epic,” Worthington said. 

Cal Poly Humboldt has also been selected as the host institution for MUNFW-SF 2027, with Kiera Sladen as Secretary General and Ruth Worthington as Under Secretary General of the conference. 

Over the next year they will decide and plan the theme and select committees for MUNFW-S 2027, where they will then present it to the president and board of the conference, next spring in 2026.

Students interested in joining Model UN must enroll in PSCI 376, a two unit seminar course and one unit PSCI 377 conference lab open to students of any and all majors, political standings and knowledge. Contact polisci@humboldt.edu for more information. 

Kimberly Alexsandra Madrigal is a multimedia journalist who lives for cruising in her ‘05 convertible beetle, lowballing on facebook marketplace, yacht rock and oversharing on the internet. 🙂

By Nick Escalada

Dream vacation spots are a good indicator of personality, but certain locales tend to become common favorites due to their sheer romantic appeal. Fiji might come to mind, or maybe Morocco, the Bahamas, Italy, Humboldt County… wait.

A mild traffic jam occurred in Eureka on Sunday, April 27 as drivers halted in fascination at the colossal cruise liner parked at the humble Schneider Dock. The MS Europa 2, brought forth by German shipping company Hapag Lloyd, made a stop in Humboldt on its 18-day round voyage along the West Coast to Canada from Los Angeles. According to a press release from the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, 370 crewmates and 460 passengers disembarked from the vessel and got a taste of life behind the redwood curtain.

For the short day they spent here, the tourists were offered most of northern Humboldt’s landmark excursions, including walks through Old Town Eureka and Prairie Redwoods State Park, tours of local manufacturers, and kayaking in Trinidad Harbor. In the evening, onlookers from Eureka to the North Jetty caught stellar views of the ship’s departure up the narrow passage to the open ocean.

The Europa 2 will return to Los Angeles on May 1 after stops in Santa Barbara and San Diego. Mass tourism is a rare sight in Humboldt and this luxury liner was met with little apart from excitement and intrigue from locals.

Nick is a sophomore minoring in journalism who reports on happenings of all sorts. As a wildlife major, he enjoys nature-related pieces. On his off days, you can find him taking a hike behind campus or collecting shiny stuff on the beach.

by Ursula Newman

At the start of the spring semester, Cal Poly Humboldt notified the California Faculty Association (CFA) and university community that one department, one major, one minor and one credential program will be discontinued, while one other major will be suspended until further notice. 

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jenn Capps said these changes are attributed to low enrollment and budget constraints. Students within these programs will have a clear path to completion, and there will be no layoffs as a result of these cuts. A total of 56 students are enrolled in these five programs. 

“It’s common for academic institutions to streamline programs by adding, modifying and discontinuing academic offerings,” Capps said. “In our case, discussions of discontinuing or suspending certain programs have been ongoing in the Integrated Curriculum Committee (ICC), a faculty-lead committee of the University Senate, for quite some time and well before our current budget challenges.”

The religious studies department, economics major, German minor and educational leadership credential will be discontinued. The international studies major will be suspended until further notice. As a result of the discontinuation of the religious studies department and major, the history department has updated its offerings to retain the entire religious studies curriculum, and offer a related concentration. With the discontinuation of the economics major, a concentration in economics through the business department will remain along with the economics minor.

Religious studies 

The religious studies department and major will be discontinued and, moving forward, a history of religions concentration will be offered within the history department. Religious Studies Department Chair Sarah Jaye Hart said that although the department is being discontinued, the entire religious studies curriculum will be retained through the history department’s updated courses. According to the university’s enrollment numbers, there were 10 students in the 2024-25 academic year enrolled as religious studies majors.

“Faculty from both the history and the religious studies departments have worked steadily for well over a year now to reshape the history curriculum in ways that meet the cutting edge of both fields and that serve our students,” Hart said.

In the 2025-26 catalog, the history major will have three concentrations — history, history education and history of religions. 

“Through general education courses across the major, students from all majors have the opportunity to take these classes,” Hart said. “The faculty remain committed to teaching them, knowing as we do that an understanding of history and of belief-based traditions, and a commitment to education, are critical to democracy.”

Economics

With the discontinuation of the economics major, Professor Erick Eschker, chair of the department of economics, wanted students to know that they can still study economics. The economics concentration in the business administration bachelor of science degree will remain. A minor in economics will continue to be offered, as well as all of the economics classes required for several other majors. Eschker said that they are still signing up new economics majors. 

“That’s because the process of major discontinuation is uncertain, long and probably won’t be implemented until the 2027-28 catalog,” Eschker said. “Any new economics majors will be able to graduate on time.”

There are 22 students enrolled as economics majors during the 2024-25 academic year. Cal Poly Humboldt is also discussing merging the economics and business departments. However, the process is on pause right now as discussions with the CFA begin.

“The hope is that faculty will become energized, and that new projects and initiatives will develop,” Eschker said.

German minor

With the discontinuation of the German minor, German language courses will no longer be offered at the university. Kate Foley-Beining, a lecturer in the department of world languages and cultures, said she hasn’t taught any German language courses for two years due to enrolled students having already completed those courses. 

The 2024-25 school year only had four students in the German minor, according to the university’s enrollment numbers. Foley-Beining said that the low enrollment could be combated with more recruitment, and has felt that there is not much spirit for increasing the humanities. 

Foley-Beining said that in the midst of the school transitioning to a Cal Poly, there should be more of a focus on STEAM instead of STEM, an acronym which would better serve and include the arts.

“It slowly dawned on me that there would be no more German languages taught at Humboldt University, that’s named for Alexander von Humboldt,” Foley-Beining said.

Educational leadership credential

The educational leadership credential will no longer be offered through the school of education. For the 2024-25 school year, there were nine students enrolled in the credential. 

As stated on the educational credential fact sheet on the university website, after earning a bachelor’s degree and passing exams, students must get a teaching credential grounded in field experiences, which allows them to teach. 

The school of education will offer three remaining credential programs, the elementary education, secondary education and special education credentials.

International studies department

The 2024-25 year only had 11 students enrolled in the international studies department, according to the university’s enrollment numbers. Again, low enrollment is credited for the discontinuation and suspension of these programs. The major is set to be suspended, not discontinued.

Capps stated that there are still several options available for students to explore international study and global engagement.

“Some examples include: the International Studies Minor, the Global Studies Concentration in Politics, the International Service Learning Program, study abroad options available in summer and winter breaks, and Anthropology field schools which provide valuable learning and study abroad opportunities,” Capps said.

Conclusion

The university has been intentional in preserving some of the coursework from these discontinued programs, and recognizes the value of these disciplines, according to Capps. She said that it is common for academic institutions to add, modify and discontinue academic offerings to streamline programs and meet student demand. 

“Since 2023 and the university’s transition to a polytechnic, we have launched 12 new degree programs in a broad range of disciplines including Mechanical Engineering, Applied Anthropology and Marine Biology,” Capps said. “We will be launching a number of new programs in 2026 including Applied Humanities, Media Arts, and Health Sciences.” 

Ursula Newman is a journalism major and Humboldt local. You can find her all over town doing all kinds of things, and talking to all sorts of people.

Cal Poly Humboldt continues construction of new dorm buildings

By Andres Felix Romero

Among the gravel, milling construction workers and a small fleet of construction vehicles lies potential for the largest housing project in Cal Poly Humboldt’s history. Currently, the Craftsman Mall dorm buildings and complex lack the color it will have upon completion. One half of the dorms, called Hinarr Hu Moulik — pronounced hee-NOD huh MOO-leek, meaning “Our Home” in the Wiyot language — will be completed and ready for students to move in by the fall semester. As for the other building, major construction, painting and furnishing will be completed in the fall. The building will be ready for students to move in by Spring 2026. 

The dual dorms are among the largest buildings at the university. Each one sits at about the height of the Behavioral Sciences building, which itself stands at five stories tall. The buildings are also being constructed with A-1 materials, which are composed of non-combustible substances. Upon completion of construction, there will be plenty of outdoor space and features including an acre of green space and small hills rolling between the dual dorms, with plenty of outdoor seating. Along with the outdoor space there will be activities, such as basketball hoops, a pickleball court, a ping pong table and a cornhole setup.

As for the inside of the dorms, there will also be recreational options with a multipurpose room for lounging and other events, including a foosball table. The multipurpose room will also have wall-height glass doors that open to the grassy hills for more space. In terms of dining, Craftsman Mall will have a large professional kitchen staffed with cooks to prepare hot and ready meals, as well as meals to order for the campus community. In the same area will be a market similar to The Marketplace for snacks and essentials.

The living dorms themselves will be able to host 1,050 students in apartment-style dorms. Each suite will have four to six residents. The apartments have a modern feel with wood-laminate finish furniture, black leather and green cloth seats, and a dishwasher. These dorms will be reserved for upperclassmen.

There will be a few options for travel between the main campus and the dual dorms. The City of Arcata and Cal Poly Humboldt have partnered to develop the Annie Marie trail, a pathway that leads to Sunset Avenue. The university and the city of Arcata have also been allotted funds to reconstruct the Sunset Ave. overpass to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Those with bicycles will have access to a lot area with 200 spaces that is essentially a giant cage to protect their wheels from theft. The campus’ Green and Gold bus route will also have a stop here, alongside a dedicated shuttle between Craftsman Mall and the main campus that runs every 30 minutes.

One of the leads on this project from Cal Poly Humboldt is Vice President of Finance and Humboldt State alumnus Mike Fisher. Fisher understands the dorm life of a Lumberjack as he lived in the Sunset dorms. He also understands the hesitation the new Craftsman Mall residents may have living a bit of distance from campus, but Fisher hopes that these new dorms can begin a new chapter of Lumberjack residents.

“I know this place will be a community unto itself,” said Fisher. “It will feel like you’re on campus, but also independent.”

Andres Felix Romero is a senior and reporter for The Lumberjack. He is passionate about writing to improve the world around him and can often be found hiking in the woods with his dog, Uichu.

By Nick Escalada

A collection of Arcata residents, HSU alumni and members of Black Humboldt gathered at the community garden El Jardin Sanctuario on Tuesday, April 15, for a candlelight vigil in memory of David Josiah Lawson. The day marked the 8 year anniversary of the Humboldt student’s fatal stabbing at a house party, which the Arcata Police Department recognized to have been mishandled in court by the Humboldt County DA’s office. The city community has remained steadfast in its support of Josiah’s family and their efforts to ensure the still-open case reaches a just conclusion. 

Rosemary Grady, a member of Black Humboldt, Changing Tides and the activist group Justice for Josiah, voiced her motivations behind her work as a community organizer. 

“Of course we want justice. We keep saying that Josiah was lost, but he wasn’t lost. He was stolen, and that deserves justice, and his mother deserves justice,” Grady said. “But the thing that I continue to move forward with is just the fact that we are in community, there are people to share this heaviness with. There are people who are ready to support and continue to show up, so that’s why I continue to show up.”

Lawson’s routine vigils have grown into a powerful point of convention in Arcata such that people who did not know him personally or did not live in Humboldt during his death continue to appear to pay him homage. Kris Coy, who has been involved with Justice for Josiah for most of its existence, expressed appreciation for the growing public support while acknowledging the continued activism needed to see proper change.

“[Josiah’s killing] occurred when I was a student, and it really emboldened me to join the student-led movement at the time and to continue to follow it after I graduated,” Coy said. “I think that giving the spotlight to the people who are actually doing the work is the responsibility of all those people who are here. There’s been hundreds, probably thousands of hours I’ve gone into stuff like this, and props to those who just show up, but the work gets to be done.”

Participants mobilized through town to conclude the vigil by Josiah’s mural across the street from the Cal Poly Humboldt campus. While these events are a strong vessel for further community awareness and healing, their organizers make it clear that efforts for justice are not limited to Lawson’s death anniversary. Justice for Josiah persists in working with city authorities and judiciaries to ensure this case closes with equity and respect.

Nick is a sophomore minoring in journalism who reports on happenings of all sorts. As a wildlife major, he enjoys nature-related pieces. On his off days, you can find him taking a hike behind campus or collecting shiny stuff on the beach.