Today, celebrating freedom has become synonymous with violence and hate. Because neither in school, in a church, a bar, nor even on an independence parade is one free. Photo Credit: Brian Meller This summer had multiple gatherings and festivities planned such as Pride and 4th of July parades. Pride 2022 has been celebrated worldwide in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Communities and allies come together to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in their cities with the objective to be visible and proud to the public. Amongst the hate and homophobia in society, the LGBTQIA+ community still has the courage to show up every year to come together and celebrate their … [Read more...] about The plight of our freedom: Neither the Church, the School, nor even an Independence Celebration parade can claim safety?
Features
Defying the odd: How my life changed the ‘Not Possible’ to ‘Possible’ 
I remember the first day of my educational journey, it began at Ridge Crest Elementary school where I would be challenged. I was placed in a Special Ed class for individuals with disabilities. I spent five years in the same class. My placement in this class was predicated upon me having a disability and an Individualized Educational plan (IEP). The IEP included specific goals that my parents set for me to accomplish throughout my educational career. LaShane Nicole Overstreet was born to the parents of Ronald and Sharon Overstreet twenty-five years ago on October 30th, 1996. Little did her parents know her journey would begin with being diagnosed with Spina … [Read more...] about Defying the odd: How my life changed the ‘Not Possible’ to ‘Possible’ 
Damn COVID! I missed out on my University experience!
Here at CSUSB there has been nothing but great flexibility and effort into the push of getting students to continue their academic journey during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a recent graduate I am here to express the experiences gained and missed throughout my undergraduate since enrolling here at CSUSB. I’ve come from a background transferring from a community college, into CSUSB in the Spring of 2021. This was right at the beginning of the global pandemic a few months in. Having to quarantine, it was difficult to adjust in my first semester being a transfer student. Especially coming into the University without any knowledge of where anything is around or what resources to find. Having … [Read more...] about Damn COVID! I missed out on my University experience!
Why Generation Z is Boycotting Elvis
Elvis Presley, “King of Rock and Roll,” left an astounding impression on millions even long after his death. Elvis is admired worldwide and considered a legend in the music industry still to this day. In wake of his new biopic Elvis, starring Austin Butler, many truths are beginning to unfold about his life behind the stage. As the promotion of the movie continued, many Generation Z youths began to dig deeper into Elvis’ history and their findings have led them to began boycotting the movie Tik Tok’s influence on Elvis As more Generation Z youths began researching Elvis’ life they began to create and upload posts unto Tik Tok to speak on their findings and bring awareness to … [Read more...] about Why Generation Z is Boycotting Elvis
Same Old Tools for the New Problem: How Appeasement is not a Solution to the Russian-Ukraine War
Starting March of 1937 up until 1939 Hitler began his conquest to take back land that was taken from Germany during the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I. The Allies response to these recent invasions of neutral countries was to implement a policy known as appeasement to avoid war. Essentially appeasement is a negotiation tactic to try to avoid escalation of tensions and war. This policy ultimately failed and was one of the leading causes as to why Hitler was able to gain so much ground in Europe and inevitably cause World War II. This key cause of World War II is very important to remember especially today because as the saying goes “history repeats itself.” That … [Read more...] about Same Old Tools for the New Problem: How Appeasement is not a Solution to the Russian-Ukraine War
Motherhood as a full-time student
At CSUSB, 63% of students are female. However, how many of those 12,167 students are also balancing motherhood? Alexis McCool, a 20 year-old sociology major, gives insight on being a full-time mom and full-time student. “It has been hard for me to adjust, but having a support system and knowing that I have people to help me has been a big help with adjusting back into school,” said McCool. Raising a child while attending college can be both a struggle and an incredible motivator. One thing for sure is that it’s a challenge, but it's a challenge that many mothers take to achieve their goals and provide their children with a better future. As a new mother to a baby boy, McCool … [Read more...] about Motherhood as a full-time student
Advising services guides student career choices through the pandemic
The advising and academic department continues to find ways to keep students motivated by meeting and assisting students online. According to Matt Markin, the Academic Advisor and Graduation Pledge Coordinator for Undergraduate Studies, the department's mission is simple. Markin shared, "The mission statement of Advising and Academic Services is that we provide guidance to undergraduate students throughout their academic journey by assisting them in making informed decisions that support their academic, personal, and career goals." John Noriega, MPA, is another Academic Advisor who informs students of the department's services. "We offer academic advising to all undergraduate students, … [Read more...] about Advising services guides student career choices through the pandemic
Into the mind of a student activist
Kameron Pyant, a fifth year English major, has been working for the Cross Cultural Center (CCC) since the fall of 2016, which was his freshman year. He has hosted a plethora of events for the CCC such as "Speak yo Truth” and “Unapologetically Black." Pyant has also organized a couple protests this past summer in the wake of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor's deaths. Q: What got you interested in activism? A: The abundance of social injustices inflicted upon Black, Indigenous, and people of color is what drives me to be a persistent activist, being that we still are and always have been fighting for freedom, equity, and equality. We must stay adamant regarding this fight because … [Read more...] about Into the mind of a student activist
CSUSB peer mentoring programs are just a click away
Staying at home and social distancing does not have to be done alone. As we continue navigating the world in a pandemic, some of us may need some academic assistance or human interaction. The peer mentoring programs at CSUSB are in full swing to help students find their ways through these uncertain times. Barbara Herrera, a Student Mentoring Program Coordinator, gives us a glimpse of how the program has evolved into virtual mentoring. Herrera talks about the four types of mentoring programs that serve the CSUSB students. Herrera says, “This fall has been kind of challenging with incoming freshman and transfer students because they are coming in from a virtual platform, and we are … [Read more...] about CSUSB peer mentoring programs are just a click away
Students learn to cope with online midterms
Midterms are some of the most chaotic and stressful time for any student. Over the years, students have had to find ways that work for them to get the best grade they can on a hefty test or project, typically scheduled around week five of each term. Due to the pandemic and shift to online setting this quarter, midterms are being handled differently for current students. With the stay at home order, online classes have reshaped how students have to learn, manage their time and communicate with their professors and classmates. It has changed the way students study and many have never taken an online class before. For this Spring quarter, students have been affected by COVID-19 and … [Read more...] about Students learn to cope with online midterms