The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Category: Opinion

  • Recycling isn’t working

    Recycling isn’t working

    Recycling is not as sustainable as you might think. It has become a wasteful movement that was beneficial during the early stages of the environmental movement. Now the cost outweighs the satisfaction we get out of recycling.

    “Recycling has been relentlessly promoted as a goal in and of itself: an unalloyed public good and private virtue that is indoctrinated in students from kindergarten through college,” wrote John Tierney, journalist and self-described “contrarian” for the New York Times. “As a result, otherwise well-informed and educated people have no idea of the relative costs and benefits.”

    To put it in another way, most recycling advocates are unaware of the cost of transportation, labor and production of renewable materials that ultimately defeats the purpose of saving the planet.

    Recyclers are validated by the collective consciousness of fellow believers. They don’t realize the wastefulness that occurs after rolling the recycling bin to the curb. Why did things get worse? The short answer is the success of an ongoing marketing campaign that resonates with a growing population of millennials and aging liberals.

    Since the advent of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” idea, recycling received the most attention. Why? Because there’s barely any money in reducing or reusing. If you think about it, recycling starts its capitalistic cycle from our wallets to the bins or recycling centers, then to the manufacturing plants, the businesses and back to burning a hole in our pockets.

    So, there you have it, reduce consumption and reuse your renewable materials. Buy used products and learn how to repair them if they break. Borrow, rent or share if you can. The point is to reduce the disadvantages of recycling that is practiced by too many people and apply smarter solutions to climate change. If enough of us consume less and reuse more, the act of recycling can reclaim its integrity. It’s all about balance.

     

     

     

  • Beat the gun

    Beat the gun

    People lose sight of the bigger picture when mass shootings occur.

    Gun owners and non-owners sound off their views on the internet to a great extent with little to no common ground. If we were to look at a Venn diagram between the two groups, mutual understanding would barely overlap. Further, conspiracies about multiple shooters in Las Vegas or debating about what is statistically the worst mass shooting in U.S. history is pointless. Let’s focus on the fact that dozens of people got murdered by a domestic terrorist who managed to smuggle an armory of military-style rifles into his hotel room.

    Our opinions are divided about banning guns versus preserving the right to keep and bare arms. Politicians understand this dichotomy well and use public opinion to leverage their gun policies. The fruitless arguments stop over a short period of time and we fall back to a desensitized state. Sure enough, another mass shooting breaks out and gun control becomes the hot topic of discussion again.

    Nothing effective is being done about gun violence when we offer our warmest condolences or disagree with each other on social media. Real change comes from taking action. Stricter gun laws won’t eradicate violence, but the permissive policies we have now aren’t stopping our mass shootings epidemic.

    “It’s important to note that people’s beliefs about the causes of mass shootings are one thing; the reality can be quite another,” said Tania Lombrozo, contributor to Cosmos and Culture NPR blog. “Policies should be informed by what we know about what actually does and doesn’t reduce gun violence, not by surveys of what people believe.”

    Gun owners and non-owners should engage with policy makers starting in their community. Attend town hall meetings and speak up. If each city takes persistent action to change gun laws, our nation may have a better chance of reducing mass shootings. We are the constituents of real change.

  • North Korea = no worry

    North Korea = no worry

    By | Philip Santos

    Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un should be best friends. When I read about escalating tensions between Trump and Kim, I can’t help but see two short, chubby kids fighting over who gets to play in the sandbox. The sandbox tale typically ends with a long-lasting friendship after two people discover how much they have in common. Trump and Kim both employ inflammatory statements, exaggerate oppositional views, resort to strong arm tactics and utilize name calling on a regular basis. This is why U.S. relations with North Korea have become so frightening. We have two similar archetypes locked into a childish war of words, which is precisely why we don’t need to go bunker shopping just yet.

    North Korea agreed to abandon “all nuclear weapons and existing programs” in 2005 during what was called the “six-party talks.” Clearly, that didn’t happen, but it shows us that the polar extreme of today’s situation wasn’t so long ago. More recently in 2015, North Korea agreed to suspend nuclear testing in return for the cessation of the annual U.S.-South Korea joint-military exercises. The U.S. rejected that offer. The takeaway from this is that North Korea has come to the table before, and I think that will continue to be the case.

    What has pushed North Korea away from the negotiating table and into the war room is what we see Trump doing today: name calling and ridiculing. Former president Bush labeled North Korea as part of the “axis of evil,” The Interview portrayed the plotted assassination of Kim and now Trump has gone and said we would “totally destroy” North Korea. These events prompted displays of aggression by North Korea, ranging from withdrawal from disarmament talks to testing missiles. The common theme amongst these events is that they were reactionary and some might even say defensive. The U.S. has “totally destroyed” North Korea once before during the Korean War.

    Curtis LeMay, head of the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command during the conflict, would later boast in an article from the Guardian that the U.S. bombing campaign killed about 20% of the population.

    “We went over there and fought the war and eventually burned down every town in North Korea,” LeMay said.

    When the President trumpets about “totally destroying” North Korea, he’s rubbing the pain of history into a wound that hasn’t ever healed. If Trump can keep a lid on statements like that, we’ll be just fine.

    I feel a bit crazy for thinking this, but I think North Korea’s actions are somewhat rational. First consider that, as previously mentioned, the U.S. has demolished North Korea before. The track record since then doesn’t get any better – U.S. weapons have become more powerful and plentiful as a result of endless decades of war. Secondly, the U.S. has a long history of foreign intervention, even when there weren’t necessarily direct threats. I have a book called Killing Hope by William Blum that examines every U.S. Military and CIA intervention since World War II. It was printed in 1995 and has a chapter for each country the U.S. has intervened in. There are 55 chapters. Kim isn’t irrational for being weary of the U.S. His hostility makes a lot of sense. I find these indicators of ration as reasons for relief, because I think Kim understands that any attack on his part would result in the destruction of his country. For that reason, I don’t see him authorizing an attack on foreign countries.

    So why all the showmanship then? Well, the kid throwing a tantrum wants to be heard. Having nuclear power means you have more to say at the table and it might be the only way for North Korea. It may be savvy of U.S. to take North Korea out of corner time, sit down with them to hear their side and maybe even apologize for the hurt that’s been done. But can you see Trump, a man who still eats well done steaks swimming in ketchup, changing his nature to make this possible? I think he’s a playground bully who’d rather see the sandbox filled than change or apologize – and that is what we need to be afraid of.

     

  • Where’s our legal protection?

    Where’s our legal protection?

    By | Reza Sadeghzadeh

    There is a health center on campus for students, but there is no place on campus for students to go to when they have a legal issue.

    So many students have to deal with greedy landlords, careless employers and lousy customer service. If that’s not enough, some students are now facing racist immigration policies.

    We are here to receive a higher education and hopefully be able to build a career from the experiences we gain.

    Instead, some of us have to deal with external forces like housing and employment that spoil our learning ability.

    There is no plausible reason for a student to be homeless and the University ought to find the root of this problem. More likely than not, homeless students are financially capable of paying rent, but landlords discriminate against some applicants.

    The prejudice doesn’t stop there. It’s not just issues in our community, but throughout our nation. Our government’s approach towards immigration is not only racist, but it is also detrimental to our University due to our lack of diversity.

    We as a University must act now!

    One of our most powerful preemptive recourses in dealing with these external forces is establishing a legal center. We need a place on campus ready to help students with their legal issues so they can worry less and focus more on their academia.

    We live in an isolated area with limited legal services and it would cost students an arm and a leg to seek legal counseling.

    Luckily, there are some compassionate attorneys in our community who are willing to help. But it is our responsibility to create an organization so we can have access to legal services.

    The creation of a legal center should be one of the main goals of Associated Students and it is a bit disappointing that we have not created a mechanism that provides legal remedies for those in need.

    The time is now! We must act immediately to create a legal center for the sake of student success.

     

  • Drink smart

    Drink smart

    If we’re going out for drinks, we need to follow some rules for our own good. All work and no play makes a Lumberjack dull. Okay, that’s not exactly how the saying goes, but the truth is many people want to get buzzed after a long week. The major downside to this reality is that trouble usually follows where drunkards go. Petty fights, alcohol poisonings and sexual assaults are some of the ramifications of irresponsible partying.

    Some of the ways people de-stress are exercising, playing video games or binge-watching shows on Netflix. The list goes on, but drinking alcohol remains one of the most popular ways to take a load off. This ritual isn’t going to stop, especially for college students. As long as we go out to bars or parties, the odds of putting ourselves in precarious situations are high. So, we present to you practical guidelines to protect yourself.

    First of all, don’t drink on an empty stomach. You’re more likely to wind up blacked out, in jail or the hospital by avoiding this step.

    Drink in moderation and know your limits. In other words, listen to your body. If you’re tipsy, it’s probably in your best interest to take a break and hydrate than giving in to more booze.

    Be mindful of leaving your drink unattended, because they might get drugged. This applies especially to those who believe that placing a coaster over their glass will prevent any harm.

    Establish a buddy system with trustworthy friends and try to stick together. If you stray from your friends, don’t go home with someone you don’t know. Remember that the bartender or bouncer’s job is to help their patrons, so don’t hesitate to ask for help.

     

     

     

     

  • Word on the street: Trump’s response to Las Vegas shooting

    Word on the street: Trump’s response to Las Vegas shooting

    Thirty-two floors above the crowd, a shooter opened fire on thousands of people gathered for the Route 91 country festival in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, Oct. 2 Paddock killed approximately 59 people and injured at least 520. Paddock was a Caucasian male and a retired accountant living in Mesquite, Nevada.

    President Donald Trump responded to the casualty on Monday morning. Instead of addressing the reoccurring issue and the nation’s problem with gun laws, Trump said “we are all looking for some light in the darkness. The answers do not come easy.”

    Additionally, Trump has been less than sympathetic towards the United States territory of Puerto Rico, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Maria. Since then, Trump has continuously denied any problems with Puerto Rico relief efforts, as many parts of the island still remain without running water, gasoline or basic necessities. Trump recently visited Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

    In the wake of a crisis, the President’s response is crucial. Whether President Trump responded accordingly is debatable, however. We asked Humboldt State University students what they thought of Trump’s response.

    Question: “What do you think of Trump’s reaction to the Las Vegas shooting on and his plan to visit Las Vegas on Wednesday?”

    “He has left Puerto Rico as they are and put them on the back burner. I don’t think visiting is what he needs to be focusing on, when he has taken as much money from the NRA as he has, that’s where he needs to be looking for a change.” – Macy Suchan, 21, Communication, Senior

    LN_Shooting_MacySuchan.JPG
    Macy Suchan, 23-year-old senior at HSU stands in front of the half-staff flag on Oct.2 2017. Photo credit: Lora Neshovska

    “I don’t like his demagogic use of Twitter instead of another media outlet. The shooter was portrayed as many other white perpetrators in the news, a ‘lone wolf.’” – Quinn Bornemann, 21, English, Senior

    LN_SHooting_Wren_Broekema.jpg
    Wren Broekeama, a 22-year-old graduate student majoring in Academic Research says Trump showed the ability to respond quickly but only in chosen instances. Photo credit: Lora Neshovska

    “This showed his ability to respond with swiftness, he just chooses not to respond to other disasters, which is not presidential at all.” – Wren Broekema, 22, Academic Research, Graduate Student

    “I think he’s so quick to respond because he wants to justify the action, the keep the “American” image. It’s like anyone who isn’t white is bad and whoever is white is justifiable.”- Romero Perez, 20, Environmental Resources Engineering, Sophomore

    “It bothers me that the media is not referring to this white male as a terrorist.” Kammi Loyd, 18, Psychology, Sophomore

    LN_Shooting_FranciscaCrutchfield.JPG
    Education graduate student, Francisca Crutchfield says Trump has lots of financial and corporate power in Las Vegas, a possible reason he was so quick to respond to the Oct. 2 fatality. Photo credit: Lora Neshovska

    “I can assume Trump has a lot of corporate and financial connections and power in Las Vegas. This is a pretty direct issue, unlike the hurricanes that involve a lot of problem-solving so it’s an issue that he can touch on without getting too involved with.” – Francisca Crutchfield, 27, Education, Graduate Student

  • Get your facts straight

    By | Matthew Hable

    You, the reader, have a moral responsibility to verify the truth when it comes to news. Fake news is everywhere and much of it has to do with the fact that the average person can be a journalist these days. Millions of bloggers and social media users distribute biased, inaccurate and partial information. Add bipartisan news organizations to the mix and we have ourselves a flood of conflicting information inundating our lives every day.

    The Society of Professional Journalists says that an ethical journalist “strives to ensure the free exchange of information… is accurate, fair and thorough.”

    A good journalist aims to report objective information that has been carefully verified. Readers should do the same. If you dig deep enough, you’re likely to discover that the source of a story has media bias. By understanding the motive behind the story, the reader can make a better decision about sharing information. To put it another way, don’t immediately accept news for its face value.

    It’s also worth mentioning that objectivity does not necessarily mean taking a neutral stance.

    “Because the journalist must make decisions, he or she is not and cannot be objective. But journalistic methods are objective,” said Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, authors of “The Elements of Journalism.”

    Verifying the truth is one way to combat fake news. Go over the Code of Ethics on the Society of Professional Journalists website to gain a better understanding of ethical journalism.

    “The first task of the new journalist/sense maker is to verify what information is reliable and then order it so people can grasp it efficiently,” said Kovach and Rosenstiel. Our responsibility is “to provide citizens with the tools they need to extract knowledge for themselves from the undifferentiated flood or rumor, propaganda, gossip, fact, assertion and allegation the communications system now produces.”

  • Lucky just won’t cut it

    Lucky just won’t cut it

    By | Phillip Santos

    I want to be a Snowflake, not a Lumberjack! Imagine the announcer’s voice rolling over the Redwood Bowl, “And here comes the Humboldt State Snowflakes!” What a better mascot to represent Humboldt State. It’s better than a term used by conservatives to make fun of us sensitive liberals. If you think this is absurd, then we need to talk about Lucky the Lumberjack.

    Almost 60 years ago the Lumberjack was selected as HSU’s mascot. It made sense historically as logging was still a major practice in the area. Times have changed and Lucky the Lumberjack just doesn’t make sense anymore. It’s time to pick another mascot. Electing a new mascot could be a move towards strengthening HSU’s message of environmental responsibility and promoting gender inclusion. It would also be a fun opportunity to keep Humboldt State relevant to contemporary times.

    When I see Lucky the Lumberjack, I see the legacy of lumberjacks. Lucky represents the unchecked destruction wrought by the timber boom. Most of the area around us was once a redwood forest. What we know as the Arcata Community Forest is what was allowed to grow back. Enshrining the legacy of lumberjacks by having it as a mascot directly counters the sentiment of environmental stewardship that HSU represents. If you think the image of a lumberjack is flexible, I challenge you to imagine Lucky the Lumberjack chaining himself to a tree to keep it from being cut down. It just doesn’t work; it’s comical.

    Lucky the Lumberjack is a presumably buff and bearded white man, but I have a question. What do you call a female lumberjack? The lack of an answer to this question shows us that Lucky the Lumberjack promotes the classic white male archetype. In a society which seems to be promoting gender inclusion and deconstruction of patriarchy and toxic masculinity, Lucky the Lumberjack needs to go because he reinforces all of those things.

    Finally, let’s talk about why this would be fun. Electing a new mascot would be an exciting way to update the relevance of HSU’s mascot. I am not saying that history doesn’t matter, but rather emphasizing that it’s perfectly fine to move away from reinforcing a history (through our mascot) that is destructive and undesirable. We are not confined to the past.

    It’s funny to think about us as the HSU Snowflakes, but what’s wrong with funny? Think of the endless possibilities that could become our mascot: a cannabis plant, an oyster or a space cat. You get the idea! If you have an idea for a new mascot, let us know at thejack@humboldt.edu and we’ll put together an online poll. Vote Snowflakes!

     

  • Let’s talk about gender pronouns

    The transgender community has more important things to worry about than correcting common misconceptions about their personal identity. Violent hate crimes and discrimination in healthcare and employment are just a few examples of the problems transgender people face. If you want to be an ally to transgender people, start by using their preferred pronouns.

    If you want to ask which pronouns people prefer, “don’t ask questions out of nowhere,” said Kai Lassen, a 21-year-old Theatre Arts student at HSU.

    The better thing to do is to listen. If they don’t reveal their pronouns and the topic of conversation is not relevant to gender identity, there’s no point in asking.

    A well-intentioned mistake people often make is assuming that all transgender women prefer the pronouns “she,” “her” or “hers.” The same assumption applies to transgender men for “he,” “his” or “him.” Some transgender men and women prefer the singular “they,” “them” or “theirs.”

    “If you’re unsure… it’s polite to use ‘they’ or ‘them’ than to hazard a guess and being rude,” said Wren Broekema, a 22-year-old Psychology student at HSU.

    Also, if a trans person corrects your assumption about their identity, don’t take it personally. Remember that their identity is more important than your ego.

    It’s also worth noting that not all transgender people are comfortable with disclosing their gender identity. If necessary, ask them which pronouns they prefer to use in private.

    Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) says that publicly “outing” a transgender person can have a negative impact on their “… jobs, housing, friends, or even their lives when other people find out about their gender history.”

    On a final note, your friends are more than just their gender. You wouldn’t introduce a friend to someone by mentioning their ethnicity. You would just say their name. You also wouldn’t say things like “my best friend is [fill in ethnicity].” That would make you smug, not holier-than-thou. The same idea applies to introducing or referencing transgender people.

  • California Cap and Trade: Climate Problems Solved?

    By | Ciara Emery

    As hundreds of bills sit on Governor Jerry Brown’s Desk for signature at the end of this legislative session, a cap and trade extension prevails as a win…for some.

    A ten-year extension to California’s landmark carbon market was approved in the middle of July this year—four years after its initial passage in 2013.

    California’s carbon market consists of caps on carbon emissions to certain sectors of the economy and includes the ability to trade allowances to meet emissions targets. These targets get smaller every year.

    The idea is simple: industries and businesses that remain under their emissions limits will be awarded with extra income from the sale of their extra allowances. Industries that are not under their emissions limits will be penalized with the extra costs of their pollution.

    This market-method of climate change mitigation is a bipartisan step forward on the path towards sustainability—with a few hiccups that is.

    While several assembly Republicans in California voted for the measure, it was far from bipartisan. No more than one month after the vote, Republicans ousted the Assembly Republican Caucus Leader, Chad Mayes, in an upset party vote. His discretion? Allowing eight caucus members to side with Democrats in favor of the measure.

    Republicans argue that concessions such as these allow Democratic legislators off the hook on tough votes. Three Democrats, including Assemblyman Mark Stone who represents the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, were able to vote no and avoid any wrath from tough districts.

    Republicans would also like to fall in line with national GOP stances and oppose the measure for its seemingly anti-business policies and tax-like features.

    While this debate rages on the right, the same amount of conflict has risen on the left.

    Environmental justice advocates largely find this extension a loss for low-income communities and communities of color. These communities are overwhelmingly more impacted by pollution from the sale of extra allowances than more affluent communities in California.

    While several initiatives attempt to respond to this inequality (AB 617 also passed this session, which attempts to address issues of air quality), large scale problems persist.

    California is continuously hailed as a national leader for Climate Change policy. In many cases, we act with fervor where others do not. But we still have significant conflicts to grapple with.

    California Republicans must figure out which side of history their party wants to stand on. Democrats need to commit to environmental justice concerns. The climate should not be better for some, it needs to be better for all.

  • An alumnus perspective on being Lumberjack football player

    An alumnus perspective on being Lumberjack football player

    Over the last few weeks, a lot of rumor, fear and misinformation have been circling about the possible loss of Lumberjack football next year. As a 40 year old alumnus and former football player, I felt it is important to share my perspective on what it meant to be a student athlete, and more importantly, a student athlete at Humboldt. I speak from my perspective, however I would imagine many other guys feel the same way. I think this is important for three main reasons.

    First, to let the administration know how much that Redwood surrounded stadium and campus means to all of the alumni. Secondly, to offer perspective to the student body and community who may not be football fans. Finally and most importantly, to publicly ask for answers from the administration that is making this decision.

    All alumni have different levels of involvement with the program. My personal involvement is of course as a fan, but also as a booster. I have always tried to support the program when I can and always will. I proudly share my alma mater in my living room with my 6 year old son just about every Saturday in the fall. So at 40 years of age, with kids, wife, a demanding career, why such a die-hard connection? The answer is simple; pride and connection. I am proud of where I went to school, I am proud to have worn Humboldt State on my chest for 21 Saturdays, I am proud of the work I put in with Drew to prepare myself, I am proud to share my university with my children. Most importantly, I am connected. I am connected to men who did the same thing as I. I am connected to these men for life. I am connected to men from Compton, Santa Rosa, San Diego, Hawthorne, Eureka, and Reno. I am connected to men from a myriad of backgrounds that I would have never known had it not been for football. I now realize this is what matters. Yes, winning games is important and feels great. As you get older, what will become more important are the relationships you have built. One thing is certain, as a student athlete you will build relationships with people from backgrounds you would otherwise never be connected to. As a professional in a highly-competitive field that has made a great impact on my life for the better, I have been outside of my comfort-zone. I am able to appreciate other world perspectives. I have shared in different peoples life experiences. I don’t want that valuable opportunity erased from campus.

    So with such positive experiences why is there talk of cutting football? We are being told budget. Well, according to the research study commissioned by the school, cutting football would not relieve the budget issues. Why are athletics not budgeted out of the general fund? We are being told enrollment is down. Why are there 1,500 applications not being looked at? By no means do I claim to be a CSU budget expert, none of us are. So why isn’t the administration having a public forum to discuss the possible loss of an obviously beloved part of the community? Are they looking at better ways to budget? Are we actively seeking out corporate sponsorships? Can athletics do a better job of reaching out to alumni? Why is attendance at football games being underreported? These are all great questions. Why are there no answers? I don’t have the answers, unfortunately those that do remain silent or give noncommittal statements. I would like something from the AD and President as to what the plan is. Is the plan to cut the program and they’re too cowardly to admit it now? Are they looking at ways to budget correctly? I don’t know, we don’t know, I am frightened they may not know.

    I am not a professional writer, I am not a seasoned College administrator, I am a former mediocre college athlete who loves his Green and Gold brothers, and loves his University. My goal in writing this is to try and let those understand the importance my college experience has played in my live. Learning how to compete, how to work, coping with failure, instilling empathy for different life experiences. All of these things have made me a better person. College is about academics but it is also about learning to be a better person. I ask you to evaluate the importance of football not on your love for the game but on your appreciation for the importance of connection. I ask that all my brothers, the community, boosters, students, stand up and speak and fight any attempt to erase this program. I ask the administration to communicate with us. Involve us in the process, let us help, we want to fight with you not against you.

    Respectfully,

    Jarrod Klein

    Class of 2000

    GO JACKS!!!!!

  • Not going down without a fight!

    I hope that this letter reaches all of my former Humboldt State teammates, former Jacks that have worn the Green and Gold and all of the Lumberjack supporters out there. I will be sending this letter on to Dr. Lisa Rossbacher along with the rest of the leaders on the HSU campus and in the CSU. Football won’t be cut from Humboldt State without a fight.

    This past week some awful news, news that many inside the Humboldt State Athletic Department and University have known about and anticipated for years, was released. Instead of the focus being on the Humboldt State football team going on the road and taking down the No. 8 team in the country, rival Azusa Pacific, it was on whether there will be a football program in two short months. The outcry and response from the news that I have seen through multiple news outlets will hopefully force the administration to pause and think again before they make this decision.

    First, to be clear, there is not a financial problem at Humboldt State, there is a leadership problem, starting at the top. Having known about the financial shortfall that was coming when the current President took the job, she has only let it grow and has lacked the decisive decision-making that is required of the position. HSU spent tens-of-thousands of dollars to bring in a consulting firm to help advise her in the process of finding solutions to the current financial problem which she COMPLETELY THREW OUT and ignored. She has also postponed making a decision several times which has continued to let the deficit grow.

    The President said a year ago that the “Humboldt State University strategic plan is focused on four key areas: supporting student success, providing a welcoming environment for our diverse community, ensuring that we have the resources needed to fulfill our educational mission, and expanding partnerships, both on- and off-campus.” In what ways will cutting the most successful program on campus be beneficial in serving your strategic plan?

    How is cutting athletic programs, specifically football, in line with your strategic plan for the University, which INCLUDES athletics. Getting rid of football is harming students and their pursuit of receiving a degree. It gets rid of the diversity that our University desperately needs that football provides and also will damage partnerships and relationships that have been cultivated over the past decades. There are countless donors and supporters that support the Athletic programs because of the impact sports has on student-athletes.

    Coming from a small town in North Bend, Washington, Humboldt State football helped build me into the man I am today. The relationships I made, the people I met, the lessons I learned are all 100 percent attributed to the Humboldt State football program. Coming from a high school that lacked diversity, I was thrown a major curve ball when I arrived in 2011 to a locker room that had players from every corner of the west coast. Oakland, Sacramento, Rocklin, San Diego, Poway, Compton, Los Angeles, you name it. I was able to meet, bond, connect, and work with individuals that I can now call my teammates and brothers FOR LIFE even though we all came from entirely different backgrounds. We all shared a common goal. No where else on campus does a group of students come together like they do in college athletics.

    A current report states that there are only 281 (3.41 percent) Black or African American students at Humboldt State University. How are you promoting diversity when a high number of these students are involved with college athletics? There is no question that this group is under-served and not represented properly at Humboldt State and in our community. How is cutting Humboldt State football and athletic teams helping with your strategic plan in promoting diversity when it does the complete opposite?

    Most importantly through this ugly situation, what about the kids? What about the coaches that may lose their jobs and their families? Announcing this decision in November will only allow students one month to find new homes before the start of the spring semester as they will no longer be able to pursue their goals and passion in college athletics at Humboldt State. You are in a position to SERVE our students. Announcing this decision in November may be what’s best for you and your colleagues, but don’t forget WHY you have a job and WHO’S best interest you should be considering. The fact that this news broke in the middle of another historical football season at HSU is beyond inappropriate and unprofessional.

    I have seen the number of “around 200-250 students” will transfer from the University if football is dropped. I believe that number is a low estimate as that is only the number of student-athletes that will be leaving. This does not include the other students at Humboldt that came because of football and the other athletic programs as they wanted to be a part of the special community too. With struggling enrollment that is showing no signs of improving, how is getting RID of more students going to help? The athletic teams continue to fill their rosters to the maximum number, what good is it to get rid of the schools best recruiters?

    What about Arcata and Humboldt County? Only five times a year do 7,000 and more people come together in the community and it is on Saturday nights in the Redwood Bowl. What will Homecoming weekend be like without football? What purpose will the weekend serve if it is not highlighted by a football game in the Redwood Bowl? The sense of community and togetherness that the football program and Humboldt athletics brings can not and should not be underestimated. It should also be noted the potential financial impact that HSU athletics and the football program has for the community, what about the local businesses?

    When you add the tens of thousands of dollars spent on the Strategic Edge Report, the hundreds of thousands of dollars missing from IRA fees of the “missing” students that were projected to be attending the University, and another $58,000 in the form of a cancelled Pepsi sponsorship, you have have over $250,000. Yes, with the major financial hole, the leaders on campus elected to not renew a sponsorship which had totaled $58,000.

    Seeing the overwhelming support for the program on social media has been special, but changes will have to come from within the University. Just this past spring, all of the Athletic programs were asked to raise money and as football raised over $100,000 which went directly toward athletic scholarships. Football raised their money and a portion of it even went to other teams.

    Before you think about cutting the football program, think about the long-lasting impact it will have on YOUR students, coaches, administrators, community members, local business owners and alumni. Cutting the football program will set the University back years and hundreds-of-thousands of more dollars. Taking the easy way out by simply cutting the “biggest” budget item is lazy, irresponsible and won’t be tolerated. The impact the HSU football program had on myself and so many others including your current student-athletes is irreplaceable and a better solution needs to be found.

    – Taylor Mitchell, Former HSU Football Player

  • Don’t be a creep

    Don’t be a creep

    Grabbing or groping a person without their consent are desperate acts of perversion. The same goes for ogling at someone’s body for too long or texting unsolicited photos. While they may not seem like a big deal, you’re ruining someone’s day to say the least. There is no excuse for sexual harassment.

    Contrary to the sexual harassment case that was reported to the University Police Department this month, many survivors choose not to speak up, especially survivors of rape.

    Allie Jones, 20, is majoring in geography and journalism at HSU. She was harassed and assaulted twice last semester by two different men, both on and off campus. The worst incident involved stalking and attempted rape.

    It took Jones almost a month before calling UPD, yet she disguised her report with hypothetical questions about how to deal with sexual assault. Jones did not get help that day. In fact, she didn’t want help.

    “I realized that I didn’t want to talk about it,” said Jones. “I didn’t want to rehash it… you just want some normalcy, because you just want to move on.”

    Before long, Jones opened up to her friends and accepted their emotional support. She also signed up for Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) and credits them for partial recovery.

    Sergeant Janelle Jackson of UPD handles cases of sexual misconduct. She says that sexual harassment is “a burden to hold in.”

    Survivors who don’t speak up are suppressing trauma that may lead to long-term consequences of phobias and chronic stress. If many stories go untold, sexual harassment wins. Speak up in numbers and let your voices be heard.

    If you feel inclined to speak up, there are resources available to you, including North Coast Rape Crisis Team (NCRCT), Sexual Assault Prevention Committee (SAPC) and Campus Assistance Response and Education (CARE).

    Print
    Graphic by Michelle Meyers
  • Use it or lose it

    Use it or lose it

    By | Reza Sadeghzadeh

    Why do people have a love and hate relationship with freedom of speech? Well, first of all, everyone enjoys the privilege to express themselves freely. On the other hand, you might come across some “legally hateful” speech. Yes! The law protects hateful speech unless such speech grants a “clear and present danger.” So how do you deal with legally hateful speech?

    You don’t want to condemn hateful speech by restricting the speaker. Instead, it’s more compelling to use more speech to condemn hateful rhetoric. It is unwise to restrict a speaker that is using hateful speech because it makes you look weak.

    It would be wise to use more speech to persuade and enlighten those who use hateful rhetoric. To do this, you must first find out why that individual is using hateful speech. This is the most crucial aspect of using more speech because that’s how you start a healthy dialog. The ability to listen critically is important in this phase of your interaction.

    It’s also important not to interrupt the speaker when finding some points of dispute. Instead, keep in mind what you would refute regarding their rhetorical reasoning to deflate the hate in their speech when it is your time to talk.

    Once you get to know that individual and understand why they use hateful speech, the second phase is explaining why such hateful speech is hurtful and offensive to you. Before you explain your reasoning, it is helpful to briefly introduce yourself. Further, do not be afraid to expose your scars, meaning the struggles you have dealt with throughout your life. People understand what it’s like to struggle, but they might not be aware of your problems. It is important to have this type of dialog so that others know where you are coming from. Ultimately, the process of using more speech would tunefully condemn hateful rhetoric.

    The final step is to establish some commonality with those who use hateful language. This should be easy because humans have so much in common with one another. However, we are unaware of it due to the contemporary state of mass media and modern political rhetoric of “divide and conquer.”

    It’s unfortunate that it takes a major crisis for humans to understand their connection and dependency on each other. We need each other to survive and thrive.

    We do not experience many hateful speeches on our campus, but eventually, we will graduate and become a part of the workforce. Eventually, we will be confronted with hate speech or antithetical ideologies and hopefully, you can use your knowledge to create amicable solutions. Last, I would encourage you to take full advantage of the resources provided by our university to improve your communications skills. Like joining the debate team, student body of government or the university senate.

  • The fight must continue

    The fight must continue

    We need to continue to fight for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. We need to continue to fight for the hundreds of thousands of young people whose lives are in jeopardy. Young people who were brought to this country as infants are now being told that they have to go back to a country they know nothing about.

    Nearly 100 students at HSU are being told that they cannot continue their education because they are not U.S. citizens. They have no choice. Former President Obama said that these young people are American citizens in many ways but one ― on paper.

    Under D.A.C.A., 95 percent of recipients were working or going to school and 54 percent had bought their first car. We cannot let Congress take away the opportunities that D.A.C.A. gives to these young individuals.

    Get involved. M.E.Ch.A., Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, is a great club on campus that’s promotes political involvement and change in their society. M.E.Ch.A. is planning events to continue the fight for D.A.C.A. The Latinx Center for Academic Excellence is a great place to find support for allies and D.A.C.A. recipients. For D.A.C.A. recipients, share your stories. For allies, tell the stories of all those individuals who are a part of D.A.C.A.

    Follow activists groups and organizations on social media. Stay involved. We cannot let Congress take opportunities away from D.A.C.A. individuals.

  • Stick it to the statue!

    Stick it to the statue!

    By | Philip Santos

    Don’t be silly. Smashing a statue will never change the past. What’s done is done; history is history, right? The problem with this sentiment is that which history is history depends on who you ask. If you ask an average citizen why the U.S. dropped two atomic bombs on civilians in Japan, their response would probably be: “To win the war.” Turn to someone else and they might say, “It was to send a message – that we will do this to you if we want to.” Those are two versions of an infamous event that are very different from one another, yet both can be true either separately or simultaneously.

    Statue1_Web.jpg
    The statue of former United States president William McKinley stands in the middle of Arcata Plaza. The statue was erected in 1906 and has been at the center of controversy. Photo credit: Diego Linares

    Statues memorialize people and events which will always remind us that one thing can have a variety of meanings. How do we reconcile the fact that the Founding Fathers are seen primarily as the harbingers of democracy by some, yet are simultaneously documented as perpetrators of genocide? I’m just a simpleton student working on my undergrad, but I think I have an idea: find a way to tell the truth. While truth is complicated, that is no justification for promoting a lie. And most statues are liars. A statue is lying when it’s preserved in a way which forwards a fraction of its historic context. Most statues meet this criteria. So how do we get a statue to tell the truth? We supplement the story by bolstering one-sided narratives with previously erased histories. Where there is a statue of George Washington, let it be known that he was also known as “town destroyer” by the Iroquois Confederacy. Where there is a statue of William McKinley, let it be known that he authorized the annexation of Hawaii, and Guam, and Samoa, and Puerto Rico.

    Statue3_Web.jpg
    The statue of former United States president William McKinley stands in the middle of Arcata Plaza. Photo credit: Diego Linares

    When we take the time to understand that history is complex, it becomes easier to understand the same is true of us. We are complex, more than simple terms like “racist” or “liberal.” Statues are no different, but unlike us they cannot speak for themselves, which is why we need to take the rest of history and stick it to the statue.

  • Frustration is not hostility

    Frustration is not hostility

    By | Reza Sadeghzadeh

    It has been almost five months since the death of David Josiah Lawson. Yet, there are still some controversial questions lingering in the minds of students regarding Arcata’s first responders that handled the emergency call on the morning of April 15. Namely, why did it take so long for the medical responders to show up to the scene?

    As we all know, this horrendous incident took place on Spear Ave., which is right around the corner from Mad River Community Hospital. However, the ambulance arrived on the scene about 25 minutes after the arrival of law enforcement. The justification for the tardiness of the medical responders was based on the alleged hostility of the crowd.

    During Kyle Zoellner’s preliminary hearing, an Arcata police officer said in their testimony that the hostile crowd of students at the time law enforcement arrived was using offensive language such as “fuck the police,” but their claim lacked validity. The words used by some of the individuals at the time did not provoke any threatening actions towards the police officers and their colleagues. Thus, they misread the frustration and worry of the students as hostility. Even though I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Arcata Police Department, I would argue that on the morning of April 15, some of the police officers forgot their top priority, that is to serve and protect the ones in need.

    One thing that the community of Arcata needs to be aware of is the decrease in enrollment at HSU, which ultimately affects Humboldt County. I would encourage the city officials to work with the university to create an environment where every student feels safe and receive adequate attention during an emergency. What happened to Josiah is unacceptable and what is even worse is that there have been no official discussions about the faults of the first responders. I advise the university and the community of Arcata to maintain his legacy as an admired student leader who had great intentions. Lastly, my heart and prayers go out to Josiah’s family and friends.

  • Parking & Commuter Services offer solutions to the parking problem

    Parking & Commuter Services offer solutions to the parking problem

    Students, faculty and staff are once again irritated with parking, even with the dip in enrollment this semester. Students who purchased the semester permit for $157.50 or the fall and spring permit for $315.00 are particularly vexed when they can’t make use of it consistently. The fact is Parking and Commuter Services oversells permits. TallChief Comet, Administrator of Parking & Commuter Services, says that when one flow of users hop into their vehicles and vacate space, the next flow of users compete for parking. In other words, the ratio of permits sold balances out with the inevitable schedule turnarounds. Additionally, the chances of developing more parking lots in the future are close to zero. In light of this recurring issue, Parking & Commuter Services encourages alternative modes of transportation to not only lower costs and reduce stress, but to reduce the carbon footprint. Alternatives include the JackPass, which offers free access on the Redwood Transit System, Eureka Transit System and Arcata and Mad River Transit System buses during the fall and spring semesters. Parking and Commuter Services are working with the City of Arcata to implement bike sharing-service Zagster next fall. Also, reconstruction of the G14 and G15 parking lots below the Behavioral and Social Sciences building will slightly increase the number of parking spaces and incorporate “smart” parking technologies to name a few improvements. The smart technology will involve space sensors that will allow permit owners to monitor parking space availability. Reconstruction is expected to start next summer and end before the subsequent fall semester. Vehicle owners who commute to the university within a mile or two of their residence should consider walking to school or taking advantage of said alternative modes of transportation. Participate and reap the rewards of sustainable practices in no time, including the cost of gas. Parking is likely to be an issue for years to come so students, faculty and staff must accept it for what it is and learn to work with the system until further changes can be enforced. In the meantime, there are underused programs available and other sustainable ways to get around town. Use the resources that are available to you. Visit parking.humboldt.edu for more details. Ride on.

     

  • Take a Hike

    Take a Hike

    By | Matthew Hable

    Humboldt County has a reputation for its incredible amount of towering redwood trees and rugged coastal beauty, but these are far from the only nature sights in the county. Many newcomers also discover that Humboldt has even more to offer in the nature department, including lagoons, rivers and marshes.

    Fortunately, much of our environment is easily accessible through scores of trails. Browse through the free AllTrails app and look up either Redwood National and State Parks or Humboldt Redwoods State Park to find numerous options, including Trillium Falls and Bull Creek Flats. Don’t have a car? No problem. The Arcata Community Forest is near the university, with trail access on 14th and Union Street. Another nearby option is the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, which offers about five miles of walking and biking paths. Hop on the bus to Trinidad and hike on Strawberry Rock Trail or Trinidad Head Loop. Humboldt County has a wide variety of options for all different kinds of trails.

    Center Activities lets students take advantage of fun outdoor and recreational activities as well as affordable gear rentals. In fact, Center Activities is offering a guided tour of Arcata Community Forest on Friday, Sept. 8. Visit humboldt.edu/centeractivities or pick up a catalog around campus for full details.

    Hiking is a powerful way to decompress from the the pressures of school and work. We know that digital technologies are woven securely into the fabric of our daily lives and we rely on it to sustain ourselves in the Internet Age. However, connecting with nature provides mental and physical benefits that laptops and smart phones cannot offer. It has the potential to naturally clear the mind, elevate mood, and keep us in shape.

    To put it another way, the key to happiness is to establish a balanced habit of screen time and hitting the trails.

    Renowned naturalist John Muir once said, “Keep close to nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”

    Take advantage of Humboldt’s plentiful outdoor offerings. You will be happy you did.

  • All that glitters is not gold

    All that glitters is not gold

    By | Matthew Hable

    Summer flew by and fall is in the air as we begin to acclimate back to school life. Returning students know the drill while new and transfer students need the time to adjust to unfamiliar environment. To those of us who have lived in the area for at least a semester, we eventually learn that there are significant problems behind the Redwood Curtain that are not deliberately addressed in the, “Why HSU?” package. Specifically issues that frequently occur outside of the university’s bubble.

    Observable examples include the high rate of unsupported mental illness, lack of cultural diversity, drug abuse, bigotry and homelessness. Take a walk down Highway 101 near Old Town Eureka, and all of these misfortunes can probably be spotted in one day. Additionally, the recent unsolved murder of HSU student David Josiah Lawson magnified the racism that exists in our community. In fact, Lost Coast Outpost had to suspend their comment sections in the wake of Lawson’s death due to blatantly racist posts.

    Meheen Ruby, a 25-year-old alumni, recalls the casual racism that she encountered during her time at the university.

    “When I moved to Arcata to go to Humboldt State, I found myself in a mostly positive environment,” said Ruby. “However, I was not expecting some of the negatives of life here. I had a date tell me to my face, ‘People around here only want to date white girls,’ as if he was doing me a favor by showing interest in a brown girl.”

    For obvious reasons, HSU will not reveal such issues in their efforts to recruit new students, but be advised that there is more than meets the eye. To be fair, there are local organizations that tackle these social issues, including the Homeless Student Advocate Alliance, one of several student-led clubs here at the university that help homeless students find housing. However, real social change requires persistence and participation, two qualities that are lacking in the face of apparent hardship. 

  • Put em’ in a cage they say!

    Put em’ in a cage they say!

    By Phillip Santos

    The HSU campus is not a zoo. After attending this university for almost four years I’m inclined to disagree with that statement for a variety of reasons, but those who carry that sentiment have made their voices heard. Last semester the HSU Senate passed a draft resolution banning all animals except service animals from campus buildings. Who does this policy affect? Everyone really, but three groups in particular.

    The first group is made up of those who have certified service animals. Service animals go through a vigorous training regiment and are considered “working” animals who assist people with disabilities. Various examples include calming individuals with PTSD, alerting others if the owner is having a seizure, etc. Service animals are trained to perform a task specifically related to the disability the owner has.

    IMG_20170831_165334161.jpg
    Michelle Meyers with her seizure alert dog, ” Roody.”

    The second group is made up of the people who have emotional support animals. There are a few distinct differences between emotional support animals and service animals, but I will only outline two. The first is that emotional support animals are intended to help treat persons with psychological and emotional disorders. Whether or not these qualify as legitimate disabilities is something that mainstream society continues to argue about. The second difference is that emotional support animals don’t go through a vigorous training program, they are essentially prescribed by a licensed medical professional as a way to ease the symptoms of the patient’s disorder.

    IMG_20170831_164941367.jpg
    Kimber Nguyen and her emotional support anima, “Duke.”

    The third group is probably the largest of the three. These are the people who bring their pets to class because they can. When a dog jumps up onto a food surface in the Depot or leaves behind a steamy pile of excrement, these are the people that passerbys think of. Based on the comments made during the HSU Senate meeting when this resolution passed, this is the group that is being targeted by the new pet policy.

    The problem with this policy is that it uses broad measures to target a specific group of people and in the process, causes substantial damage to students with real and pressing needs. These are the students who depend on emotional support animals to make it through a tough class, or to even get there in the first place. Companionship is a powerful thing that enables human beings to do incredible things, but it’s at times necessary to achieve the ordinary. Because sometimes the ordinary becomes the impossible, but an impossible that can be diminished by a familiar friend doing what any friend would do, which is to offer support.

    This policy is also cruel towards the emotional support animals themselves. The policy mandates that emotional support animals be caged or kenneled while their owners are in class. Does anyone have class all day? Both the owner and the emotional support animal lose out in this arrangement. But this collateral damage is readily accepted in an environment where members of the HSU campus are tired of dealing with students who have abused the tolerance towards animals on campus.

    One of the worst things about this policy is that it doesn’t have to be crafted this way. Emotional support animals can be allowed in classrooms, and they should be. But the easiest solution to the host of issues that animals on campus have created is the current version of this policy. Supposed “modest revisions” are being made, but I’m skeptical that will amount to more than the correction of a typo.

    The other awful aspect of this policy is the lack of student input. During the HSU Senate meeting when this draft resolution passed, multiple Senate members expressed the need for student input to formulate a better pet policy. When it comes to this policy, it’s not that the HSU Senate isn’t listening, it’s that the student body isn’t talking. Don’t “sit down, be humble” stand up, don’t mumble!

    Through a variety of voices and action, HSU students and staff have created amazing programs and initiatives to address a variety of issues and interests such as : Check It (a nationally renowned movement to eradicate sexual assault and violence), KRFH (a FM college radio station that reels in awards every year), and WRRAP ( a waste reduction program which has reduced waste by 50% since 1996!). There is no reason that animals on campus cannot be met with the same type of creative and effective measures, but there is an explanation as to why that isn’t happening – I’ll let you finish that thought.

  • Unite and strengthen

    Unite and strengthen

    Nazi’s are bad. After recent events in Charlottesville this is something that needs to be reiterated. This isn’t a political attack against the right, this is a statement of fact supported by history. There was an entire war to resist Germany’s Nazi movement. According to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans 416,000 American soldiers died. These Americans did not give their lives to see these same hateful ideals impregnate the American consciousness.

    The very ideals of Nazism and white supremacy go against everything laid out by our forefathers. The Declaration of Independence states that, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” All men and women are created equal, and while the United States has a less than glamorous record of living up to these “unalienable rights,” one thing we will not do is revert to times where less people were in full control of their rights. We have seen great progress in this country and while there is still more work to be done, we will resist any effort to regress.

    This country is at its best when we stand united as 40,000 counter-protesters did in Boston. A sea of people of mixed races, genders, wealth and ideals, stood against an intolerant and radicalized faction of society. The current political climate has created a nation devoid of unity, yet hope flickers when communities come together and put aside their differences to stand arm-in-arm united. You don’t have to love thy neighbor, but you should get to know them. When we are able to create an understanding and connected community we can fight against injustices as a single, powerful voice. We saw this type of organizing at local and national women’s marches in February. There are things you can do every day at Humboldt State and in the surrounding community. Let your voice be heard at local city council meetings. Enter into discussions with your fellow students and community members. Join clubs. Create a better and more united atmosphere within the our community. If we can unite the campus so that we have all the diverse groups on campus standing together, we can become a more positive force for change.

  • Four score and seven years later

    Four score and seven years later

    We need proper advising. Graduation is upon us, yet many students find themselves coming back next semester because they did not receive enough units to complete the graduation requirement. More students are taking more than four years to get their diplomas, and they have to pay even if they only need one or two classes. Freshman are told to take 15 units or more to graduate in four years, an unrealistic pressure to put on an 18-year-old. If you’re living on your own for the first time and taking on a financial burden taking more than 15 units could be too much.  Other students are told to “double-dip” classes. “Double-dipping” is where classes count for two general education classes rather than just one. “Double-dipping” classes leaves a lot more room for students to finish up their major courses. But if some students finish their general education requirements and their major requirements too early they are left with elective credits to make up before meeting the 120 unit cap to graduate and earn their Bachelor’s degree. Some classes are only offered every other semester, and some are offered every two or four years which makes it hard for students to plan their semesters accordingly. This is especially a struggle for transfer students with upper division courses. Transfer students take some upper division courses that they need to take again at HSU. There is a lack of communication with advisors and students. Sometimes advisors are not available to students to discuss their future at HSU. Advisors aren’t fully trained to actually advise students on which classes to take. The university needs to train their staff to the fullest to be able to advise students accordingly. Students should make a four year plan of their classes so they could earn their bachelor’s degree in four years.