The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: Humboldt

  • Why Do I Do This to Myself?

    Why Do I Do This to Myself?

    By Keziah Rutschow

    Here’s the thing: beyond paying rent and tuition, the stress we put ourselves under to juggle every opportunity in our lives isn’t necessary. Every addition added to your schedule is a choice.

    Personally, I could’ve gone down easier routes to help pay for things. Yet I keep choosing the more interesting, time-consuming options because, if you are anything like me, you may have a terrible case of FOMO (which I likely inherited from my mom).

    I struggle to understand why I put so much on my plate. I bet a lot of you ask yourself the same question while walking to a lab, heading to a second job, or starting your day at the crack of dawn. You are not alone. But if you feel pressured to add one more thing to your plate, let me tell you what I learned after two years of recurring pressure as a student: it’s not social media telling me to do this or a classmate mentioning their cool summer internship; it’s me.

    I came into college as a student-athlete expecting to be busy, but not nearly as busy as I am now. Living on 5 a.m. practices and seven hours of sleep, on a good day. I learned to work smarter, not harder. I became best friends with good ol’ time management. Yet no amount of scheduled Google Calendar hangouts and practice times makes these things any less tiring.

    At the end of my first year, I added a paid job on top of athletics and a full course load. I had an amazing opportunity that I felt like I couldn’t give up. By sophomore year, I chose a minor after my advisors steered me away from double majoring. Then I took a second position with way more hours. Student-athlete, hopefully double major in progress, fifteen paid hours weekly, and a social life with many people I love. Even listing it out exhausts me. 

    Saying yes to every opportunity thrown at you is difficult to manage. You must ask yourself if the exhaustion, resume, money, etc. is worth it. If you say yes, it is worth it; all I ask is that you treat rest not as something you have to earn, but as something necessary.

    Stressful periods are normal and okay, but what matters is framing self-care as something that isn’t optional, it can’t just be a one-time spa day. It’s reflecting on what genuinely recharges you and then carving out intentional time the same way you’d carve out time for class or a shift. For me, it looks like leaving an unreasonable amount of time to get ready in the morning, or a nap at 5 p.m. even when there are class readings left undone. Even asking a professor for an extension because you need the day for something other than school, unapologetically.

    If you couldn’t finish class readings and you’re stuck eating PB&J’s because meal prep doesn’t exist. That’s not failure; sometimes that’s how the cookie crumbles, as my boss says. 

    Keziah is the science editor with an interest in crime & justice and politics

  • Power-washing drone takes flight!

    Power-washing drone takes flight!

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    On Sept. 3 Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) tested a space-age way to clean our buildings, a power washing drone piloted by a window washer standing safely on the ground. The drone was first used at Behavioral Social Sciences (BSS), one of the dirtiest buildings at our university. 

    Mathematics department chair Tyler Evans has been in BSS since it opened in 2007, and has never seen the windows get cleaned. 

    “That’s not to say they haven’t been doing it, just that I’ve never seen anybody washing the windows,” said Evans.

    Due to BSS’s unique position, washing the windows has been an uphill battle. Trees and hillsides prevent window washers from being able to safely clean the north and south windows, the Native American Forum building is also in the way of the north side. The west and east buildings could be cleaned by hand, but the equipment that would bring a worker safely to the windows would cost $15,000 a month to rent.

    The drone shoots a blast of water mixed with a cleaning solution to get the gunk off of the windows without ever touching them. While no detergent was used in the recent test, CPH said that they would use an environmentally safe, biodegradable cleaning solution. 

    The University did its test with Lucid, an AI robotics company specializing in autonomous construction robots, but primarily cleaning robots. Interim Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Travis Fleming said that the drone wouldn’t be replacing a traditional window washer; it would only be another tool at their disposal.

    “We were just looking at ways in which we can support our staff to do something safe, safer, than being up high in the air, [something] less strenuous on their bodies,” Fleming said. “We’re trying to uncover every rock to see what our options are to be able to help support the campus and keep our buildings clean.”

    Some students think the new technology is a good use of resources, but feel like a drone popping up during your study session could be a bit frightening.

    “If we can’t get people up there and the windows are fucking disgusting I don’t see a problem with it,” said Miles Agathen, sophomore elementary education major. “If someone doesn’t know what’s happening or they’re not actively washing the windows I can see how they would be freaked out.”

    The University is aware that not all students may be as enthusiastic about window washing drones.

    “[We recognize] that there is a lot of discomfort with drone technology being used in a college campus,” Fleming said. “Before any decision would be made — whether we’re hiring a company with a drone or purchasing a drone ourselves — we would be willing to listen to all those concerns and try to make people feel more comfortable with the decision like that.”

    The University has not yet decided if they will implement the drone, either by buying one and cleaning the windows in-house or working with a company specializing in drone washing. 

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

  • Fall welcomes extra feathered friends

    Fall welcomes extra feathered friends

    By Sadie Shields

    As summer fades into fall, locals around Arcata and Eureka can spot a variety of local birds flying through the area. From shorebirds along Humboldt Bay, to birds in the marshes and the Community Forest, September offers a great time to get outside to look and learn about the local bird life. 

    Birds are everywhere, they fly around, migrate, and only come out at certain times of the day. They are a vital part of the environment. 

    Humboldt Bay provides an important rest stop for birds traveling through the Pacific Flyway, a major migration path that stretches along the West Coast. During this time of year, birders can find species like black-bellied plovers, greater yellowlegs, long-billed dowitchers, western sandpipers and marbled godwits, around Humboldt Bay, spotted on the Friends of the Dunes Beach and near Trinity.

    The Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary is a prime spot to spot birds while walking the beautiful trails. The marsh’s ponds, mudflats and surrounding vegetation provide different habitats for birds throughout the year. For those looking toward the water, great blue herons, great egrets, double-crested cormorants and brown pelicans can be seen around Humboldt Bay. Birding provides an opportunity to slow down, breathe, and enjoy nature. 

    Cal Poly Humboldt’s Birding Club, which meets on Fridays in Fisheries 258, offers a great opportunity to learn more about birding and listening to the calls around you. They are also a great way to meet new people and learn from peers. Beginning birders do not need expensive equipment — scopes, cameras, or watch lists. A pair of binoculars and Merlin Bird ID on your phone for bird calls is truly all you need to begin this adventure. Whether you decide to journey to the shoreline for a migrating shorebird or stay near campus to watch hummingbirds right in your backyard. Birding lets you explore the amazing environment around our seasonal home. 

    Sadie is a reporter with an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. Reach her at sls331@humboldt.edu.

  • Lumbersnack: Pizza lover 

    Lumbersnack: Pizza lover 

    By Alba Galvan

    As a pizza lover and busy student, I frequently need a pick-me-up, but I don’t like the pizza the school offers us; it always looks like it’s been sitting out far too long for comfort. After looking up ways to make easy on-the-go pizza snacks, I stumbled upon rice cake pizza. 

    I enjoy eating rice cakes, and the different flavors allow me to make different types of snacks, but making a pizza as a snack had never occurred to me until I laid my hands on the beautiful creation of Tomato and Basil rice cakes.

    Ingredients: 

    2 Rice cakes — I recommend the Lightly Salted or Tomato and Basil 

    2 tablespoons marinara sauce 

    1/4 cup shredded cheese — I use mozzarella, but feel free to use your favorite 

    6-8 pepperoni slices (optional) 

    Step #1: 

    Preheat your oven or air fryer to 375 and place 2 rice cakes on a baking sheet. 

    Step #2: 

    On one side of the rice cakes, cover each with a layer of marinara sauce. 

    Step #3: 

    Distribute the 1/4 cup of shredded cheese between both rice cakes over the sauce. 

    Step #4: 

    Place toppings over the cheese — this is optional. I like adding pepperoni, or you can add slices of ham and pineapple for Hawaiian rice cake pizza too. This recipe allows you to really make it your own, so add your favorite toppings! 

    Step #5:

    Cook rice cakes in an air fryer or oven for 5-7 minutes. 

    Step #6:

    Enjoy! 

    Alba Galvan is a junior journalism major and opinion editor for the Lumberjack. She enjoys listening to people’s opinions with an open mind. You can reach her at agg83@humboldt.edu. 

  • Humboldt ranked as a top rural college in America

    Humboldt ranked as a top rural college in America

    Bodhi Haugen

    On Aug. 30, Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) received an award for serving rural students and having one of the highest graduation rates in Washington Monthly’s Best Colleges for Rural America. CPH was awarded eighth place out of 100 schools this year. The Washington Monthly is one of the few outlets that specifically ranks rural schools in America, considering all economic classes and GPAs.

    Humboldt County is considered a non-metro area, meaning a region that lies outside the boundaries of a large city and contains no continuous urban city center with 50,000 or more residents. The Washington Monthly considers higher education, like CPH, as pillars of local tax bases, essential infrastructure for rural communities and anchors of civic life.

    Gillen Tener Martin in the Washington Monthly Best Colleges for Rural America said, “To get on the list, colleges must be located in rural areas and not be highly selective in their admissions policies. To do well on the list, they need to recruit and graduate large numbers of in-state students of modest means with degrees that earn higher salaries than would be predicted given the students’ demographics,” Tener Martin said. “Colleges get extra credit if they grant large numbers of degrees in fields that are in high demand but low supply in rural areas—like teaching, nursing, engineering, agriculture and natural resources management—and if their graduates stay in the state rather than taking their skills, and the tax dollars that paid for them, elsewhere.”

    Alex Rossi, a freshman in forest hydrology, has lived in Humboldt since his freshman year of high school and has preferred it over their previous home.

    “Fresno is a one and a half million person beige suburb, 110 degrees in the summer, yeah, the air always smells like smoke, and here is pretty much as far from that as you can get. The air is always clean. There’s green everywhere. Kind of feels like you’re in the redwoods even when you’re on campus,” Rossi said.

    Sean Harwood, an energy systems engineering major, came to Humboldt from Concord, CA.

    “I spent a few years in community college. I was participating in their engineering technology program before I moved up here. I had the choice between here and Bakersfield. Glad I chose what I did. Harwood said. “I do appreciate the additional amenities, the library especially, and the free bus services I enjoy. That’s something we didn’t really have at our community college.” 

    The Washington Monthly recognizes that rural colleges commonly experience lower admissions which leads to shrinking tuition revenue, downsizing in staff and less amenities. One of their goals for this ranking is to address the fact that the current higher education system is broken, but that this list can help make the system worth fixing for future leaders.

    Bodhi is a reporter and news editor for the Lumberjack. You can reach him at bgh27@humboldt.edu

  • Fiber arts fair interweaves community  

    Fiber arts fair interweaves community  

    By Sadie Shields

      Vibrant colors, natural fibers and the chatter of people catching up like old friends brought the Arcata Community Center to life at the 36th Natural Fiber Fair from Sept. 12-13.

    After walking through the packed parking lot toward the venue, visitors were greeted at the door by three of Blackberry Fields Alpaca Farms alpacas. The space was filled with booths featuring crafts of all kinds and fiber artists putting their hands to the spindle. If you choose to venture close enough to watch the process, you can smell lavender from custom pouches and alpaca wool.

    For some of the crafty crafters, beginning a new fiber art piece comes with mixed emotions of excitement and frustration, ending in sweet satisfaction of seeing their finished project come together. 

    “Starting a project is usually equal parts exciting and intimidating,” Clair Voigtlander, the Redwood Empire Quilters Guild Opportunity Quilt Chairperson said. “Then towards the end I’m like, well , that did not turn out the way I wanted, but next time it will be better and I learned a lot along the way.” 

    Walking through the corridors to such a creative space, learning about new crafts and speaking to vendors and artists gives a sense of creativity and yearn to learn yourself.While fiber arts does take some time to master, the basics can be learned quickly. Knitting and crocheting were recommended by Voigtlander as beginner friendly options, especially for college students who may have limited space or equipment. 

    Jo Kuzelka ran the used equipment booth during the fair and does fiber art herself in her free time.  According to Kuzelka, repetitive movements can help some people with focus, like a sort of fidget, while also fabricating a handmade project they can wear with pride. The biggest challenge for beginners is often time and coordination. 

    “Knitting or crocheting [is] kind of your starter … it’s a gateway craft, ” Kuzelka said.

    Sustainability is one of the main reasons why attendees and artists choose natural fibers. Cotton, hemp, linen and wool were among some of the materials that people used for their spinning, felting, needling and knitting crafts at the fair. With so much natural fiber that can be found around you, crafting with natural fibers allows you to avoid some of the environmental concerns associated with synthetic fibers. 

    “If I can do it myself, I would like to do it myself,” Voigtlander said. 

    Molly Quinones, one of the owners of the Blackberry Fields Alpaca Farm based in Eureka said natural materials are part of the artistic experience. Aside from that, Quinones said that using natural fibers is beneficial in other ways. 

    “With the alpacas we have no carbon footprint. It’s all usable,” Quinones said. “All of the fiber is for something. It’s better for the earth, it’s better for the skin and the animals get a good life.”

    Also present at the fair was the Humboldt Handweavers and Spinners Guild, the main sponsor of the fair. The guild provides prospective fiber artists a space to begin their spooling journey into the craft. Beginners can attend meetings, learn from experienced artists and borrow equipment before purchasing their own.

    The fair presented fiber arts as accessible to anyone willing to try something new, and fostered an environment for experienced fiber artists to connect with each other through a shared love for handmade fibers. Quinones believes creativity doesn’t have to come naturally for someone to become involved in crafting.

    “Everybody’s crafty,” Quinones said. “All you have to do is like something that you see, and you can do it.”

    Sadie is a reporter with an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. Reach her at sls331@humboldt.edu.

  • Drop into Drop-in sports on campus

    Drop into Drop-in sports on campus

    By Marielle Winuk

    Cal Poly Humboldt Recreation Department offers a variety of drop-in sports for students. This month they’re featuring volleyball, basketball, badminton, softball, trivia nights and flag football. Karen Recino is the program assistant and overlooks intramurals, drop-in sports and skate nights. Drop-in sports are an easy way to relieve stress, get some exercise and make new friends.

    “I believe coming out and playing sports is just such a great stress reliever for any of your school — like, your assignments, presentations, or especially when finals time comes around,” Recino said, “It’s just a way to come out and enjoy and have fun with friends.”

    At drop-in volleyball, Elle Morris played in a game of five-on-five. It was her first time there and she enjoyed having the opportunity to play volleyball. 

    “I haven’t really been able to do volleyball since high school. So I thought it’d be a good way to get back into it,” Morris said. 

    In Morris’s opinion drop-in volleyball represented the highs of the sport without all the toxicity.

    “It’s the best part of volleyball or sports, in my opinion, which is, the game and the companionship without so much competition that it’s, like, too much.”

    They will transition into intramural sports in October where students and community members will create teams and compete once a week. There will be a final tournament for all the teams to compete in as well. 

    Marielle is the layout editor with an interest in sports and elections. Contact her at mmw146@humboldt.edu.

  • UPD Bytes

    UPD Bytes

    Compiled by Bodhi Haugen

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

    Thursday, Sept. 10

    11:34 p.m. – Welfare Check

    Reports of flooding from the ceiling due to a person showering on the floor above them in the Del Norte dorms.

    4:27 p.m. – Safety Hazard

    Somebody was working on their vehicle and spilling oil in the parking lot at the Hinarr Hu Moulik dorm.

    Saturday, Sept. 12

    10:51 p.m. – Suspicious Person

    Reports of three suspicious people, with one on a bike, going through bags near the Forbes gym elevator. Officers arrived and learned they were just putting air in the tire.

    9:34 a.m. – Animal Call

    Officers found abandoned puppies, which were found to be okay.

    Sunday, Sept. 13

    11:02 p.m. – Welfare Check

    Mother requested a welfare check for her son after spending four hours trying to reach him.

    8:38 p.m. – Miscellaneous Service

    A caller reported that their outlet wasn’t working in their room.

    Monday, Sept. 14

    1:20 p.m. – Theft

    Someone attempted to steal a kayak over the weekend. The pedals were stolen, and the kayak was found leaning against a fence at the Aquatic Bay Center.

  • Lumberjack Home Games Week of 9/16

    Lumberjack Home Games Week of 9/16

    Compiled by Marielle Winuk

    Sept. 18

    Men’s Soccer

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Menlo

    Location: College Creek Field 

    Time: 12 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 18

    Women’s Soccer

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Menlo

    Location: College Creek Field 

    Time: 3 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 18

    Sept. 20 

    Men’s Soccer 

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Cal State East Bay 

    Location: College Creek Field 

    Time: 11 a.m.

    Date: Sept. 20

    Women’s Soccer

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Cal State East Bay

    Location: College Creek Field 

    Time: 2 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 20

  • Rumba Madre, Fuck yeah

    Rumba Madre, Fuck yeah

    By Winter Music

    While punks, goths, band members and regular people crowded around Moss Oak Commons, everyone knew this show wouldn’t be just like any other punk show. Being one of the first events of the school year, old friends and new students alike agreed that mariachi punk was something we had to see. 

    The Rumba Madre is a multicultural mariachi/punk band consisting of members from California, Spain, Puerto Rico and Nashville. Despite popping a tire on their way from San Francisco, they were able to play their set on Aug. 27 at Moss Oak Commons. 

    That setback filled the crowd and band with determination, leading to an explosive show with crowdsurfing, moshing and a fantastic community atmosphere. In classic punk fashion, The Rumba Madre can’t truly decide on a genre, so they take influences from flamenco, latinx, urban, celtic and punk.

    “That’s probably the best genre of music, when you get two different genres and put them together,” Something Wicked bassist, Peter Ramos said. “The Rumba Madre? They do that really well.”

    Among t-shirts, mugs and lighters, there was one item rarely seen sold at punk shows. SPANISH PUNK, SCREAMING FOR DEMOCRACY IN A POSTDICTORIAL STATE, a book written by lead singer and guitarist for The Rumba Madre, David Vila Diéguez, was for sale at the merch table.

     

    “In that book, I studied the influence of Spanish punk on the way people thought politically and how they saw themselves politically in Spain right after the end of the dictatorship in 1975,” Diéguez said. “So basically: How did punk influence the way people act and live politically?”

     A World Languages and Cultures Professor at Cal State Monterey Bay selling books might not fit classic punk aesthetic, but the music, history, radical politics and hard moshing serves as a reminder that academia and punk rock can and should coexist.

    “I believe that we have to think about education, not just in terms of being in university, we have to go beyond the classroom,” Diéguez said “It’s very important that what happens in the classroom of the university, we take outside and bring to places like this.” 

    Diéguez said that because many people can’t afford college, it’s important to take these conversations out of the classroom and into the community. Everyone deserves to be a part of conversations surrounding racism, sexism, colonisation; Everyone deserves a chance to learn, grow and expand their knowledge. 

    “Everyone that goes to university, you take that with pride and you share it,” said Diéguez.

    Winter is an English major and copy editor with an interest in covering local community events mostly focusing on music and art

  • High goals for women’s soccer last season with head coach Grant Landy

    High goals for women’s soccer last season with head coach Grant Landy

    By Marielle Winuk 

    After a historic season, Cal Poly Humboldt women’s soccer is looking to continue its success this season,which will also mark the final year with head coach Grant Landy. 

    Landy took over the program in 2019 and has spent the last 30 years coaching soccer. After all those years, Landy has decided to move back home to Oregon with his family. 

    The Lumberjacks hosted the Humboldt Kickoff Classic tournament from Aug. 27-29. The Jacks won their first game of the tournament against Central Washington on Aug. 27 and lost their second game against Concordia University Irvine on Aug. 29.

    The tournament gave the Lumberjacks an early opportunity to test themselves against different opponents before beginning their California Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) play. The CCAA conference is made of 14 teams in division two. The team has four more preseason games before they start CCAA play.

    “We talked about the non-conference [games] just being a time to learn about ourselves,” Landy said. 

    Preseason games will be less about the results and more about figuring out what the team needs to improve. 

    “You just gotta manage the end of the game,” Landy said. “We went up twice against a really good team on our home field, and we got to see those games out.” 

    Against Concordia Irvine, the Lumberjacks took the lead twice but were unable to close out the game. The Lumberjacks were ranked second in the CCAA coaches’ preseason poll, putting high expectations on the team as it looks to build on last season’s success. 

    Marielle is the layout editor and can be reached at mmw146@humboldt.edu. 

  • Ukraine is Better Off Without America 

    Ukraine is Better Off Without America 

    By Tatiana H Moore

    The United States of America is no longer a valuable ally, and we need to stop pretending that it is. Not that I needed to go to Ukraine to find myself with this opinion, but I did. I just got back from a three month stint in Ukraine where after visiting family, I volunteered and also worked at a summer camp for children of affected families. My relationship with Ukraine is more than just ancestral. I speak the language, I advocate, I get involved, and I even work for a Ukrainian American Non Government Organization (NGO).

     I never thought I would advocate for the US to leave Ukraine alone. For years, the U.S has touted itself as Ukraine’s greatest ally in the fight against Russia, but I disagree. The meetings with Putin, diminishing Financial aid packages, and hemming and hawing on air defense have only served to center the U.S in a conflict that Ukraine should be central to. American officials continue to position Washington as a necessary middleman between Kyiv and Moscow, while Ukraine is left having to respond to proposals that directly affect its territory and sovereignty. A country that believes the best solution for Ukraine is to cede territory and withdraw its EU application is no ally of Ukraine. 

    The U.S. needs to understand that Ukraine is not a chessboard for American foreign policy. The U.S. has every right to decide how it spends American money and what role it wants to play internationally, but what it does not have is the moral authority to decide what Ukrainians should sacrifice for peace. In my humble opinion, Ukraine is better off without the U.S. 

    There is an uncomfortable history with America’s relationship to Ukraine that I rarely hear discussed. In 1994, Ukraine agreed to surrender its nuclear arsenal, an arsenal that made it the third-largest nuclear power in the world at the time. In return, Ukraine joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and received security assurances from the United States, explicitly affirming respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and existing borders. This deal was made by the United States and helped create the conditions Ukraine finds itself in today. The U.S. has a responsibility to remember this history and more importantly, to uphold the promises made, but that hope has long been lost ever since the U.S. sat by and watched the annexation of Crimea in 2014. 

    The U.S has played a major role in supporting Ukraine, particularly through military and financial assistance, and while I do believe this support has been important, the time has come for America to bow out. Europe’s role has grown substantially as U.S support has declined. Europe has provided military aid, financial support, humanitarian aid, refugee support and training of Ukrainian soldiers. If Europe, a continent directly threatened by Russian aggression, can increasingly shoulder the responsibility of supporting Ukraine. Why does Washington still need to position itself as the indispensable leader of Ukraine’s future? 

    Tatiana H Moore is a senior journalism major and a reporter/writer with LJ thm18@humboldt.edu

  • Same Ol’ Bonfire, Different Kinda Buzz: A Sobering Night at Moonstone Beach

    Same Ol’ Bonfire, Different Kinda Buzz: A Sobering Night at Moonstone Beach

    By Tatiana Moore

    Bonfires at Moonstone Beach are a cornerstone of freshman year. Blackouts, questionable decisions and, on occasion, police shutdowns. But at this particular fire pit, a different kind of night is unfolding, where the strongest thing being poured here is some ice cold, cold brews.

    Fran, Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) student and event coordinator for The Queer Dimension group proudly tote around her “no AI used” poster outlining just what this is all about. The Queer Dimension group serves to provide a space for LGBTQIA+ people and allies alike, to gather, socialize and build community together away from alcohol or other mind-altering substances.

     “Humboldt may not be known as the party school,” Fran said. “But drinking and smoking weed are definitely a big part of the culture here and that can be unhealthy and dangerous for people.” 

    For students surrounded by a culture where drinking can feel like an expected part of college life, events like this offer an alternative to that narrative. There’s no pressure to explain why someone isn’t drinking. There are no awkward questions about what’s in their cup and no expectation that having fun requires being under the influence. 

    Whether someone is in recovery, struggling with addiction or are just pursuing a sober straight edge lifestyle, community groups like this can be instrumental in making sobriety feel less isolating. For Tony, a sober senior at CPH, that choice is something to be proud of. 

    “I don’t feel embarrassed or hide the fact that I’m sober,” Tony said. “It’s a choice I’m happy with and I’ve found a special community in that space.” 

    As the sun disappears into the sea, and the fire starts raging, the scene is familiar. Young people gathered around a bonfire, laughing, getting marshmallows ready and passing drinks. The only difference is what’s in those cups. 

    Names have been changed to protect anonymity. If you or someone you know struggles with substance use call 988 for support. 

    Tatiana H Moore is a reporter/writer thm18@humboldt.edu

  • Student drivers return to Arcata roads

    Student drivers return to Arcata roads

    By Tara Linderborg-Cordry

    Every year around the end of August, Humboldt County is flooded with students eager to continue their education. During this time, locals express their concerns about students’ driving skills. Many students find that Arcata’s one way streets pose a significant learning curve, and feel they must adapt to the new driving conditions. 

    Students have many ways of getting to campus, with commuters coming from nearby towns like Eureka or Mckinleyville. However, the 2025-2026 survey at Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) found that only about 27% of students reported driving to campus alone. The university actively promotes other forms of transportation with programs like Jack Pass, providing free access to public transportation for students. Higher volume of traffic might also play a role in the number of incidents. The Federal Highway administration found that intersections with higher traffic volumes usually experience more collisions than those with less traffic.

    Arcata went from 25 traffic-related victims killed or injured in 2021 to 45 in 2023, an 80% increase in two years according to data from the California Office of Traffic Safety. There’s significant overlap between areas identified as safety priorities by the city and routes frequently used by students. The report focuses on areas needing safety improvements, including bike lane and crosswalk enhancements. These include busy streets such as L.K. Wood Boulevard and 11th Street. Around the same time, CPH enrollment increased by around 4%. However, this statistic began during the Covid-19 pandemic, consequently both university enrollment and transportation have changed. 

    Lt. Keith Altizer with the Arcata Police Department says that there is an increase in people and cars on the road when students arrive. He warns that you should always watch for bicyclists and pedestrians when driving and never assume someone can see you. He emphasizes that driving experience is important, and many students are relatively new drivers. Arcata’s one-way roads and confusing traffic directions may be risk factors for students new to the area. 

    Altizer said, “Distracted driving —whether it be cell phones, eating, or changing radio stations — increases the potential for a collision” and urges students to exercise caution on the roads.

    Arcata local Brendan Benas has lived in Arcata for over 14 years and thinks that students may not be the only problem. While he said that newer drivers do often cause problems, he thinks older drivers can be equally as problematic. 

    Senior psychology major Skylar Rawitch, said that the one-way streets were particularly confusing when she first arrived in Humboldt. She noted that she’s seen more bad drivers on the road since freshmen arrived on campus. 

    “You don’t have to be an asshole when you drive here,” said Rawitch.

    Tara Linderborg-Cordry is a Junior and Journalism student at Cal Poly Humboldt. She is interested in Political and Healthcare communications and hopes to pursue a career in Public Relations. She can be reached at trl39@humboldt.edu.

  • Sports Schedule Week of 9/02

    Complied by Marielle Winuk

    Sept. 3

    Women’s Volleyball

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Northwest Nazarene

    Location: Lumberjack Arena

    Time: 4:00 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 3

    Sept. 4 

    Women’s Volleyball 

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Dominican

    Location: Lumberjack Arena 

    Time: 5:00 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 4

    Sept. 5

    Women’s Volleyball

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Jessup 

    Location: Lumberjack Arena 

    Time: 3:00 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 5

    Sept. 10

    Women’s Soccer

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. UCCS

    Location: College Creek Field 

    Time: 3:00 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 10

    Women’s Volleyball

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Stanislaus State 

    Location: Lumberjack Arena 

    Time: 5:00 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 10


    Sept. 12

    Women’s Volleyball 

    Cal Poly Humboldt vs. Chico State 

    Location: Lumberjack Arena 

    Time: 1:00 p.m.

    Date: Sept. 12

  • Humboldt’s giant change to the cupboard: SNAP benefits

    Humboldt’s giant change to the cupboard: SNAP benefits

    Bodhi Haugen

    Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) sent out an email on Aug. 2, letting students know that the Giant’s Cupboard will begin accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. With many students facing financial difficulties, expanded on-campus payment options encourage students to eat regularly and stay fueled throughout the day.

    CPH said in the email that they are working on accepting SNAP at the College Creek Marketplace. Applications have also been submitted for the 101 Express Cafe and Market at the Hinarr Hu Moulik housing complex.

    The Giant’s Cupboard is open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. Because the Giant’s Cupboard opens in the evening, expanding SNAP acceptance to additional locations will improve student access to food throughout the day.

    Sarandon Kamrud, a senior and kinesiology major at CPH says she wasn’t going to the Giant’s Cupboard at all but is compelled to go more because her SNAP benefits are accepted there.

    Sebastian James, a sophomore communications major at CPH, uses the Giant’s Cupboard daily.

    “I go to the Cupboard probably every day, to be honest,” James said. “The accessibility to come any time of the day, especially late at night to get a snack, because the dining hall is closed early on certain days.”

    Jonathan Dutra, a junior psychology major at CPH, emphasized the importance of expanding access to SNAP benefits for students who previously could not use them on campus and looks forward to more locations doing the same.

    “I think it’s great. I think that it’s very important for people to be using their EBT benefits at a place, specifically in college, where everybody needs a little help,” Dutra said.

    One of CPH’s goals is to make food more accessible. If students are interested in applying for SNAP benefits, they can do so through the CalFresh website. Students can also receive help with the application by emailing OhSnap! for an appointment.

    Bodhi is a reporter and news editor for the Lumberjack. You can reach him at bgh27@humboldt.edu

  • UPD Byte

    UPD Byte

    Compiled by Bodhi Haugen

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

    Wednesday, Aug. 26

    7:28 p.m. – Drug Activity

    Reports of 7 people smoking marijuana on Granite Ave. near the bridge and forest entrance. When officers arrived, nobody was actively smoking.

    3:01 p.m. – Suspicious Circumstances

    Two older males were seen looking at someone’s daughter. This was the second time they were seen looking that day.

    Thursday, Aug. 27

    11:38 p.m. – Patrol Check

    Caller reported movement inside Pepperwood Hall as well as lights turning on and off. The building should have been unoccupied and nobody was found inside.

    8:02 p.m. – Unknown Problem

    Caller reported smoke coming from Pepperwood Hall, the caller was unsure if it was smoke or steam. When on the scene, it was determined to be steam.

    Saturday, Aug. 29

    1:00 a.m. – Patrol Check

    Reports of someone urinating from the second floor balcony of Harry Griffith Hall at night. 

    Sunday, Aug. 30

    7:53 p.m. – Patrol Check

    Reports of a campfire started in the Arcata Community Forest on East Park Rd.

  • Once the Clock Starts, There is no Time Out

    Once the Clock Starts, There is no Time Out

    By Alba Galvan

    After months of speculation, College Athletes were granted 5 year eligibility, eliminating all redshirt waivers. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), that governs college athletics divisions 1 and 2 have changed their eligibility rules. Student-athletes are now automatically on a five-year clock once they start college or turn 19 as of Aug. 5, 2026. 

    Before, schools were able to apply for NCAA redshirt waivers that helped student-athletes recover a lost season of competition after sitting out due to either medical hardships, a season of competition, or delayed enrollment extensions. With the new changes in the NCAA, redshirt waivers will be permanently eliminated after Aug. 31 for fall sports, and Sept. 30 for spring sports. An athlete’s five-years now runs uninterrupted regardless of injury or non-participation. 

    Amanda Nelson, deputy athletics director and senior women’s sports administrator, shares how Cal Poly Humboldt has limited scholarships, and teams have a set budget where they distribute that for student-athletes to build the best teams. With students now having access to a fifth year to play sports, this could make less space for incoming students to get a scholarship. 

    “Similar to COVID, we saw the same thing where students stayed an extra year, and so there’s this lag; there are just less spots in college athletics,” Nelson said. “I mean, that’s really how this is going to boil down. There’s going to be less positions in the country in college athletics. It’s more competitive.”

    Under the new NCAA five-year eligibility rule, student-athletes have the opportunity to extend their college careers by pacing their undergraduate bachelor’s degree or enrolling in a one-year graduation program. Academic advisors for student-athletes Daniel Gallardo and Brian Bianucci recommend that student-athletes initially plan for four years, to allow them the flexibility for potential extensions. 

    “Plan for four years, and then it’s easier to stretch it out than it is to try to recondense. If you start off with a five-year plan, because some of them want to do it,” Gallardo said. “Then something happens physically and it changes, or they realize like four years is all I want to do, things like that.” 

    Mia Roberts, a senior business marketing major, has debated going back to school for a fifth year after hearing about the new NCAA rules change. Roberts missed some of her season because of an injury and did not file for a redshirt waiver.   

    “I should have graduated in three years, but I extended it out to four because I want to be here for the four years of eligibility,” Roberts said. “So now that my degree is pretty stretched, I can go into the MBA program. It’s like a one-calendar-year program, so I’ll have classes in the summer, fall and spring. I’d get it done in my fifth year, so I’d be able to use my fifth year and get a master’s in that time frame, so it’s kind of convenient for me.”

    With deadlines closing in, the Cal Poly Humboldt athletic department is helping coaches and athletes adjust to the new NCAA changes while trying to get waivers in by the cutoff dates. 

    “The NCAA is shifting a lot right now, so we’re seeing a lot of confusion out there. Our student-athletes are amazing, and they’re listening, and they’re learning, and they’re trying to navigate through this, which is no small thing,” Nelson said. “I’m incredibly impressed at what they’re doing and advocating for themselves. It’s definitely going to change how a lot of things function, we’re all here for it as we learn about it.” 

    Alba Galvan is a junior journalism major and opinion editor for the Lumberjack. She enjoys listening to people’s opinions with an open mind. You can reach her at agg83@humboldt.edu.

  • What is an El Niño and how can we stay safe?

    What is an El Niño and how can we stay safe?

    By Sadie Shields

    El Niño may mean little boy, but it’s anything but a tiny weather occurrence. El Niño occurs when the temperature of the pacific ocean becomes warmer than average, adding more precipitation into the air creating larger storms. El Niño can happen year round but it’s more noticeable in the later seasons.

    While Humboldt County is known for rain, these storms are quite strong and create safety concerns, especially since we live so close to the coast. Safety is one of the most important aspects people should consider before and when the storms do hit. Being prepared can help people know what to do during dangerous weather and also prevent people from putting themselves in unsafe situations.

    Humboldt Weather Station Lead Meteorologist Matthew Kidwel said El Niño’s happens when, “A specific area in the equatorial Pacific warms up and then changes the weather patterns out in the central pacific, which also translates to a changing weather pattern in Northern America, ” Kidwel said. “Instead of the normal, more typical storm track that goes through Northern California or the Pacific Northwest, it will push the storm track farther south, which can bring warmer storms.”

     Sasha Tcholakov, a senior in psychology, feels highly unprepared for what to do if the storms were to hit.

    “Honestly I have no idea what to do during a major storm, I haven’t gotten much information, from what I’ve seen about resources or local emergency procedures I am not sure what would make me feel more prepared. It’s not like they can gather everyone to do an announcement but at least an email would be nice”.

    Klarissa Uribe, a marine biology senior, suggests ways in which Cal Poly Humboldt can improve on giving information to students. 

    Uribe Suggests, “Possibly a what to do/bug out bag or a storm skit guide. This would help not only myself but students who don’t know exactly what to take in an emergency. Evacuation sites could be explained more on where to go in case of a tsunami or major floods.”

    Kidwell also stated some safety tips as El Niño approaches. He advised students to pay attention to the forecast and avoid walking under trees during the windiest parts of the day. He also warns about driving through flood zone areas such as the Arcata Bottoms and near King Salmon.

    “If the water is coming from the ocean during flooding, it can be really bad to drive your car through it,” Kidwell said. “You never want to drive through flooded roads unless you know how deep the water is, and usually you don’t.”

    Sadie is a reporter who has an interest in covering and taking photos for sports and science. She can be reached at sls331@humboldt.edu.

  • Humboldt pins down new wrestling coach

    Humboldt pins down new wrestling coach

    By Marielle Winuk

    Cal Poly Humboldt welcomes Anthony Mancini as the new head wrestling coach. Mancini formerly coached the Gators at San Francisco State University after working as the assistant coach of the Puerto Rico national team at the U23 World Wrestling Championship. He also coached Team Philippines at both the U20 and U23 World Championships. From his international coaching experiences, he learned the importance of staying organized. 

    “There’s a lot of moving parts within a program, whether it’s managing your roster, managing your athletes, or looking at traveling, moving as a team, and being ready to be successful,” Mancini said. 

    If you haven’t been to a Humboldt wrestling match, Mancini describes his athletes as “guys who want to go out and get after it and put on a good show for the fans. And if you’re not familiar with what that would look like, it just means wrestling hard.” 

    Mancini knows there are very few options for wrestlers to go pro. Therefore, his coaching philosophy is centered on personal growth and integrating the skills developed for wrestling into the athletes daily lives. 

    “If we can continue to challenge ourselves to make a hard choice in every aspect of our lives, by the time you get done with your four or five years here, you’re going to be ready to succeed in whatever field you see fit,” Mancini said. 

    Mancini also recognizes the challenges of adapting the athletes to a new program. “Wiith change, there’s always friction,” Mancini said. He is going to rely on previous members of the program like Nathan Aguilar to help integrate the athletes and make the transition smoother. Aguilar wrestled for Humboldt last year and ranked #16 in NCAA DII 141 weight class. Mancini also looks forward to connecting with his athletes on a personal level to help reach their individual goals in the program. 

    To make sure you’re prepared, here are two chants you can pull out at the wrestling match. If the ref puts his fist up, it signals stalling, something you can yell at the match. This means a wrestler is avoiding combat, running away or failing to make an aggressive attempt to score. Secondly, a takedown is worth three points and it’s a wrestling audience favorite to yell three the moment an offensive wrestler brings their opponent down to the mat and gains control. 

    Marielle is the layout editor and a senior with an interest in politics and sports. She can be contacted at mmw146@humboldt.edu

  • Getting Scammed Sucks

    Getting Scammed Sucks

    The state of housing scams in Humboldt County

    By Winter Music

    After two years living on the beautiful Humboldt campus sharing a dorm room with strangers and experiencing back pain from the mattresses, I chose to start looking for off-campus housing. Who would think a cozy town like Arcata would be plagued by scammers? But then again, what else can you expect from random websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Getting bait and switched from a listing on the Humboldt.edu rental listings resources was a different level of upsetting.

    I spent about a month believing that I would soon get my own apartment. Panicked by the thought of losing a good housing opportunity, I forgot to be cautious. I sent the down payment and we scheduled a time to meet when I realized that someone was living in, what I thought was, my apartment. I had a sinking feeling I had taken risks I didn’t need to by sending deposit money before meeting the “landlord” in person. I didn’t make sure that the way I sent money could be cancelled, and I didn’t walk away when I first had doubts. When I went to the house, the “landlord” had dropped off the face of the planet. Suddenly, all the worries and concerns I had started to make more sense. I freaked out when I realized how bad the mistake I had just made was, but the damage had been done. I learned the hard way that small towns like Arcata can scam you just like everywhere else.

    While that website I got scammed on has been removed and replaced by a list of reputable rental companies, it’s important to know that scammers can find their way into places you might not expect. So when you take the leap, and move from campus into your own place, be sure to never send over any money until you’ve been to the location in person, met the landlord and signed documents.

    Winter Music, Copy Editor, wlm38@humboldt.edu

  • The People vs Rick Toledo

    By Barley Lewis-Mccabe

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Friday Night Market

    Friday Night Market

    By Barley Lewis-McCabe

    “There’s nothing to do in Arcata!” 

    To the relief of bored community members and students alike, the Arcata nightlife is receiving a weekly boom for the next three weeks in the Friday Night Market. The plaza will be lined with artist stalls and food trucks alike for an event that brings out the best in our community! The Friday Night Markets will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., the event is free to enter and all ages.

    The first Friday Night Market welcomed back students and celebrated the uniqueness of our community. We even had an appearance from local celebrity and frequent burning man guest, El Pulpo Magnifico, a 28 foot tall kinetic octopus sculpture equipped with fire breathing tentacles! At the first Market on Friday Aug. 21 the plaza was packed with folks living in the moment, celebrating life itself, dancing with a giant octopus and eating delicious food.

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