The 27th Anniversary of the Festival of Lights Switch-On Ceremony took place on November 29, 2019, located on Mission Inn and Orange St. in the City of Riverside. The Festival started at 12 p.m. and lasted until 10:00 p.m every night. The opening ceremony was from 4:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and featured more than five million lights at The Mission Inn and a fireworks display. Visiting the Festival of Lights has been a yearly tradition for many families, including students here on campus. Hundreds of people gather to see the amazing show as a way of celebrating the holidays. "I have been going for about three years now and I am definitely going this year again," CSUSB student Priscilla … [Read more...] about Festival of Lights kicks off
Community
Can CSUSB theater pique your interest?
Interested in on campus entertainment? Many CSUSB departments are hosting events around campus right now, but perhaps one of the most popular as of late is the plays and performances being hosted by the Theater Arts department and collection of performers involved with the department. They provide great productions and forms of entertainment to all of us on campus as well as the public surrounding our campus. Department Chair and Director of the campus Theatre Arts Terry Smith said, "We have a small theater and it requires us to be very innovative about how we design our productions." He explained how the audience sees people on 3 sides of the stage, but that the actors perform with … [Read more...] about Can CSUSB theater pique your interest?
Communications students break down exclusion in youth cycling for the Fall Quarter
From the first week of the fall quarter, a class of fourteen students worked to promote inclusion, diversity, and equity for youth cycling by partnering with a farmer Level 1 USA Cycling coach, Sean Wilson, Ph.D., to create a six-week public relations campaign that would further Wilson's vision. The students came from Communications 442 PR Campaign course and began the grueling task of launching Youth Cycling Association (YCA) from the ground up. YCA was nothing but an idea at the beginning with no social media, no website, and no real concrete presence on the internet. Wilson is a professor teaching at Loma Linda University and has little to no background in public relations. Where he … [Read more...] about Communications students break down exclusion in youth cycling for the Fall Quarter
Financial trials of first-generation students
CSUSB hosted a week-long event to celebrate “National First-Generation College Celebration” for first-generation students by including events that provided adulthood tips and financial management advice. Many of the students spoke about financial struggles as well as academic struggles throughout their first year of college. Victoria Argot, Student Assistance in Learning (SAIL) counselor, also a first-generation student, spoke about her financial struggles as an undergrad. “I think my experiences mirrors a lot of my students, a lot of times you come from a household where finances are very tight,” said Argot. “You as a student are also providing to that mean, the income for that … [Read more...] about Financial trials of first-generation students
SMSU expansion
The 90-million-dollar expansion of the San Manuel Student Union (SMSU) construction promises new activities and student spaces by August of 2021. The amenities and resources included in the plan of the new SMSU are based on student opinions gathered in person and via surveys. The expansion of the SMSU includes a new three-story building directly across from the current student union building. There will be a pub with outdoor seating, game room, eight-lane bowling alley, dining and lounge space, and a new bookstore on the first floor. The second and third floors will have a multi-purpose conference center, offices for the Associated Students Inc., student government, cultural … [Read more...] about SMSU expansion
123 Farm Olive Festival
123 Farm is an organic farm at Highland Springs Ranch & Inn in Cherry Valley, CA, that has been established since 1854. The farm creates its own organic products, raises livestock, offers school field trips/programs, and hosts several seasonal events. During the Fall season, they offer the Olive Festival and the Pumpkin Patch on selected weekends. The weekends this year were October 18-20 and 25-27. The Olive Festival is an event where the farm celebrates the olive fruit and shares its health benefits. The crop of olives on the farm is harvested in October every year by staff and local volunteers. The olives are pressed the day after harvesting. The farm has over 750 olive … [Read more...] about 123 Farm Olive Festival
Hate crimes: a trend on the rise
There is a trend of hate crimes on the rise in U.S. cities with many groups of marginalized people being targeted. On November 6, 2019, a presentation was held on campus about the trend of hate crimes on the rise, according to a study done by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. The presentation was organized by one of the authors of the hate crime study, Brian Levin, a professor of criminal justice at CSUSB. Levin has also written various articles and journals on the subjects of hate crimes and extremism and has even testified before both houses of Congress on the subjects. The presentation given showcased former FBI agent Cynthia Deitle, who served as a member of the … [Read more...] about Hate crimes: a trend on the rise
Bringing a Palestinian refugee camp reality to CSUSB
On November 13, the Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (CIMES) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) hosted a special screening of the award-winning animated film, The Tower, along with a question and answer period with its Norwegian director, Mats Grorud. This event was originally scheduled for October 31 including a live Q&A session with the director, but due to the power outage was canceled. The CIMES director, Dr. Ahlam Muhtaseb, also a professor of communications studies at CSUSB, found a way to make this screening and Q&A happen via Zoom, since Grorud had gone back to his home in Norway. Grorud's mother grew up in Lebanon, so as a small … [Read more...] about Bringing a Palestinian refugee camp reality to CSUSB
Over 110 students recognized in first ever Fall Latino Graduation Ceremony
Known as a Hispanic-Serving Institute, CSUSB has opened more doors for Latinx recognition by hosting a recognition ceremony for recent graduates. On Thursday, November 21, the first Fall Latino Graduate Recognition Ceremony took place on campus in the Santos Manuel Student Union. A total of 113 students participated in the ceremony and were accompanied by their loved ones to celebrate their accomplishments. “We are promoting equity and diversity in higher education," stated Valentina Felix, member of Association of Latino Faculty, Staff, and Students (ALFSS) on how President Morales is a perfect example for the Latinx community on campus. The officials of the ceremony gave … [Read more...] about Over 110 students recognized in first ever Fall Latino Graduation Ceremony
State 60 weekend closures and the impact on local businesses
As we head toward the end of November, we are nearing the completion of the 17-week closures of State 60 (alternating between Eastbound and Westbound sides) due to the replacement of deteriorated pavement over an 18-mile stretch. If you actively drive the Inland Empire freeway system, more than likely you’ve encountered the challenges of working around the “60 Swarm" as it has been coined by Caltrans. The 60 Swarm affects the weekend traffic on the 60 freeway between Riverside and Ontario – a highly traveled freeway system with many businesses along this route. "The swarm is the compilation of multiple projects taking place over the same time over the next two-and-a-half, to … [Read more...] about State 60 weekend closures and the impact on local businesses