VOL 119, Issue 9—Nov. 11, 2021

SF FOGHORN
EST. 1903
05
SFFOGHORN.COM
FOGPOD
NEWS
The Black Student Union
holds its second annual
town hall meeting.
@SFFOGHORN
THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
THURSDAY, NOV. 11 2021 • VOL. 119, ISSUE 09
SCENE OPINION SPORTS
Kasamahan’s annual talent
University ranks above
06
show fundraiser brings
10 average in civic engagement 12
creativity and karate to
the undercaf.
and voter registration.
The USF men’s and
women’s basketball teams
begin their seasons with
a twist.
RENOVATIONS BECOME REALITY
Athletics Department and School of Engineering
Get New Spaces
READ ON PAGE 03
USF is nearing full completion of new spaces at Harney Science Center and the Sobrato Center. ALL PHOTOS BY BEAU TATTERSALL/SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN

02
THURSDAY
NOV. 11
2021
STAFF
SUBMISSION POLICY
The San Francisco Foghorn is the
official student newspaper of the
University of San Francisco and is
sponsored by the Associated Students
of the University of San Francisco
(ASUSF).
The thoughts and opinions expressed
herein are those of the individual writers
and do not necessarily reflect those
of the Foghorn staff, the administration,
the faculty, staff or the students
of the University of San Francisco.
Contents of each issue are the sole
responsibilities of the editors.
An All-American
Publication
ad maiorem dei
gloriam
The San Francisco Foghorn is free of
charge, one copy per reader. To purchase
additional copies for $1, please
visit our office.
Advertising matter printed herein is
solely for informational purposes.
Such printing is not to be construed
as written or implied sponsorship
or endorsement of such commercial
enterprises or ventures by the San
Francisco Foghorn.
©MMIV-MMV, San Francisco Foghorn.
All rights reserved. No material
SAN FRANCISCO
FOGHORN
Freedom and Fairness
415.422.5444
sffoghorn.com
Editor in Chief
LUCIA VERZOLA
editorinchief@sffoghorn.com
News Editor
MIGUEL ARCAYENA
news@sffoghorn.com
Opinion Editor
ZOE BINDER
opinion@sffoghorn.com
Scene Editor
CALLIE FAUSEY
scene@sffoghorn.com
Sports Editor
MAGGIE ALDRICH
sports@sffoghorn.com
Photography Editor
BEAU TATTERSALL
photo@sffoghorn.com
General Reporter
ANNIKA DAHLBERG
reporter1@sffoghorn.com
General Reporter
MEGAN ROBERTSON
reporter2@sffoghorn.com
Managing Editor
JAMES SALAZAR
managing@sffoghorn.com
Copy Editor
NORA WARD
copy@sffoghorn.com
Layout Editor
DOMINIQUE CADENAS CALVO
layout@sffoghorn.com
Layout Editor
LOUISE DE OLIVEIRA
layout2@sffoghorn.com
Social Media Manager
SAMANTHA BERLANGA
socialmedia@sffoghorn.com
Online Editor
CLAIRE JACOBS
online@sffoghorn.com
Advisor
TERESA MOORE
2130 FULTON STREET, UC #417
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94117
printed herein may be reproduced
without prior permission of the Editor
in Chief.
Columns for the Opinion section
and Letters to the Editor are gladly
accepted from students, faculty, staff
and alumni.
All materials must be signed and
include your printed name, university
status (class standing or title), address,
and telephone number for verification.
Anonymous submissions are not
published.
We reserve the right to edit materials
submitted. All submissions become the
property of the San Francisco Foghorn.
Columns of not more than 900 words
should be submitted by 5 p.m. on the
Wednesday before publication.
Letters of 500 words or less should
be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Friday
before publication.
Staff editorials are written by the
Foghorn editorial staff and represent a
group consensus.
The San Francisco Foghorn Opinion
page is a forum for the free, fair and
civil exchange of ideas. Contributors’
opinions are not meant to reflect
the views of the Foghorn staff or the
University of San Francisco.
STAFF EDITORIAL
COP26 SERVES AS A REMINDER OF
OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
Following a year of historic weather events
across the globe, the 2021 United Nations Climate
Conference, or COP26, began on Oct. 31,
bringing together world leaders, environmental
advocates, and key players in the fossil fuel industry
to negotiate the planet’s future. The event,
which is still in progress and taking place in
Glasgow, Scotland, ends on Nov. 12. Our staff
reflected on the ongoing results of the conference
and on the role we all play in working to mitigate
the effects of climate change.
Nations attending this year’s climate conference
are already making promises to protect vital
aspects of the environment, such as forests. So far,
over 100 world leaders have vowed to end deforestation
and begin to reverse its adverse effects
by 2030. Efforts will include directing funding
toward developing countries to restore damaged
land, tackling wildfires, and supporting indigenous
communities. Some countries also committed
to removing deforestation from the global
trade of food and other products like palm oil
and cocoa. This marks the first official deal made
during the conference, with countries like Brazil,
where stretches of the Amazon rainforest have
been clear-cut, signing on to cooperate.
Other results include a pledge by 45 nations
to shift to sustainable methods of conducting
agriculture and a promise made by 95 companies,
including the World Bank, to become more
“Nature Positive” by 2030. The “Nature Positive”
sentiment has major companies agreeing to work
on the affordability and attractiveness of sustainability.
While these promises sound hopeful, we
want our leaders’ promises to live beyond the
summit. Without the cooperation of major industries
and fossil fuel companies, which are
responsible for most of the earth’s global carbon
emissions, governments can make little progress
in fighting to keep a habitable planet.
The pledge by 95 companies to become
“Nature Positive” does not match the urgency of
the environmental crisis in the slightest. Having
companies agree to begin to make sustainability
attractive in the business world seems like a baby
step in place of what should be a massive leap.
Equally as alarming is the fact that 503 attendees
of the conference have been identified as fossil
fuel lobbyists. We assert that conversations about
ending fossil fuel consumption cannot reach fruition
with fossil fuel lobbyists present as some participants
might operate with ulterior motives that
benefit their agendas.
Though we cannot directly influence the
outcomes of this global event, COP26 brings up
urgent conversations around climate change that
need to be had on a local level, starting with our
University.
Since the start of this school year, the University
has vocalized its commitment to combating
climate change in various ways, mainly
through widespread discussion. For example,
this semester, the Honors College is focusing on
the theme of “Voices for Environmental Justice,”
hosting interdisciplinary student-faculty panels
that are open to all students. Thacher Gallery’s
current exhibit, “All that you touch: art and ecology”
also centralizes environmental themes.
Other tangible changes include Bon Appetit’s
operations as the company now offers sustainably
farmed meats and produce in all University
cafes. Options like “mindful meats,” organic,
non-GMO, project verified, pasture-raised beef,
are being offered from Marin Sun Farms. The
menus also have vegan and vegetarian alternatives
to meat-heavy meals, and these options allow students
to make conscious choices about their diet
and their connection to the environment.
Additionally, the University has promoted
campus resources like the USF community garden,
where students, especially those with food
insecurity, can be provided fresh food for free.
This space promotes sustainable agriculture at
USF and gives students a way to directly interact
with food at its source.
Compostable boxes and utensils used in
University cafes are also a significant step towards
sustainability since it is estimated only six percent
of university campuses compost. However,
despite the signage on trash bins all over campus,
we feel that students remain largely uninterested
in how to properly separate their trash, with recycling
rooms in residence halls often overflowing
with uncrushed cardboard boxes, food scraps
in the recycling bins, and plastic mixed in with
compostables.
We believe that the University sufficiently
promotes a sustainable and environmentally
conscious mentality. However, we find that more
work can be done to highlight the efforts and resources
put forth by the Office of Sustainability.
Events like trivia nights, DIY interactive activities,
and documentary showings are held weekly
but the lack of advertising hurts attendance. The
University should loosen its physical poster restriction
and advertise these events in newsletters
to create greater awareness and increase student
attendance.
That being said, while appreciating the work
the University has done to promote sustainability,
students also need to avoid complacency and
embrace the opportunities provided to us to live
a sustainable lifestyle while on campus. For instance,
making the effort to eat in the cafeteria
and use a reusable plate rather than paying for a
to-go box is an accessible step that is right at our
fingertips, yet many ignore it.
Being proud of our University for its sustainability
efforts while also demanding more
requires self-accountability. With increased participation
in sustainability efforts on campus, we
can confront the enormous challenge of climate
change knowing we are contributing to effective
solutions in the ways we can.
For more information on USF’s sustainability
efforts and up to date events offered for students, follow
@sustainabilityusfca on Instagram.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

RENOVATIONS BECOME REALITY • Front Page
ANNIKA DAHLBERG
Staff Writer
New club level seating inside the War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center opened to guests on Nov.
9, while a hall of fame museum dedicated to social justice remains under construction. PHOTO BY BEAU
TATTERSALL/SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN
03
After years of construction halted by the pandemic, the University
has new spaces for students to visit as two donor-sponsored
projects are moving toward completion.
Opening its doors just in time for the college basketball season,
the Sobrato Center is a new space on the West side of the
War Memorial Gym that faces the University Center and will
function as the gym's new main entrance for athletics and other
events. During home games for women’s volleyball and men’s
and women’s basketball, the space functions as a VIP area for
guests. When not in use during game days, the space can be used
by students and staff as a work space, lecture room, study space,
and more. The space features TVs, projectors, and speakers that
can be used by visitors. The design includes polished concrete
and open painted ceilings as a cost-saving measure and features
counters made from the recycled wood of the gym’s old bleachers
that were removed during construction. This space leads into
the new premium seating area for games and features cushioned
reclining chairs. Soon, the entrance to the space will feature an
interactive basketball-themed water feature. The project was
sponsored by the Sobrato family, who donated a historic $15
million gift in 2016 to launch the renovation project.
Athletic Director Joan McDermott sees the renovation as
a way to integrate the athletics department with the USF community,
utilizing a shared space. “We really wanted to kind of
be the center of campus in many ways. That's why we have that
new entrance. I think it really draws students to the building,”
McDermott said. “We don't want Athletics just to be this little
group of students over here in the corner. It's important that we
are involved with the University community as a whole. This is
our way of inviting the campus community into the building to
utilize it.”
War Memorial's old entrance on Golden Gate Avenue is
being turned into a Social Justice Hall of Fame that will tie moments
in the University athletics’ history with the school’s social
justice initiatives. “We'll start the social justice museum, and
we're going to thread that through the building. We're going
to have different places in the building where the story is told,”
McDermott said. “Whether it's the 1951 Dons football team, or
the ‘55 and ‘56 men's basketball teams, we are trying to tie it in
over the years.”
Elsewhere on campus, the Innovation Hive in Harney Science
Center is now open, which provides two spaces for students
to work. One space, situated at the building’s main entrance, is
open for all and provides seating and whiteboards students can
use for studying. The second space is located behind the public
area. This space is for the new school of engineering students
to design and build model prototypes and projects. The section
features machinery including a laser cutter, 3D printers, drill
presses, industrial printers, and lockers for students to store their
designs. The space was a gift to the School of Engineering in
celebration of the new engineering program.
Director of Engineering Laboratories Sean Olson has played
a vital role in getting the space ready for students. “My excitement
for the Hive gets all wrapped up in my excitement for having
students back on campus. My role has been to consolidate
two main goals and share these needs with facilities who have
been coordinating with the architects and construction for the
design and build of the new lab,” Olson said.
“My first role has been working with Dr. Julia Thompson,
the faculty director of the hive, to look at how and with what
equipment project classes will be taught in the Hive. The second
is planning out how the Hive will be used by engineering and the
rest of campus outside of the engineering project classes.”
The new workspace, which used to be office space, is projected
to be ready for classes in January 2022.
NEWS
James Salazar contributed to the reporting of this article.
The space will be exclusively used by the new School of Engineering. PHOTO BY BEAU TATTERSALL/SAN
FRANCISCO FOGHORN

04
THURSDAY
NOV. 11
2021
TITLE IX OFFICE POLICIES STRIVE
‘TO GO BEYOND FOR EVERYONE’
NEWS
MEGAN ROBERTSON
Staff Writer
Following allegations of a prevalent culture of sexual violence within
USF’s men’s soccer, the University’s Title IX office and its practices have become
a frequent topic of conversation regarding how the school handles instances
of sexual abuse.
Since spring 2020, the office has implemented changes in policy and programs,
including more prevention education for new students and athletic
teams, improved student task forces, and increased community involvement.
Title IX itself is a federal civil rights law that was passed in 1972, ensuring
protections against sex-based discrimination in education programs and
activities that receive federal financial assistance. According to their mission
statement, USF’s Title IX office deals with all reports of sexual misconduct
experienced by the campus community.
In April, the office hired Katrina “Trina” Garry as the new deputy Title
IX coordinator. Jess Varga, the Title IX Coordinator, controls most of the
administrative tasks in the office, such as maintaining data and coordinating
logistics of formal grievance processes while Garry was hired to be “out in the
community, helping train our student leaders,” she said.
According to Varga, Garry’s hiring by the selection committee “was resounding
and unanimous.”
Garry previously worked at Yale University for three years, where she
headed their consent programs. She also worked in Yale’s Office of Gender
and Campus Culture and the Alcohol and Other Drugs Harm Reduction Initiative.
“From my experience working at Yale, supporting students and thinking
about survivorship, I definitely am excited to be supporting survivors here and
creating more opportunities for students to get involved,” Garry said.
Garry is the point person for the office’s new Resources, Education, Prevention
and Support (REPS) committee. This program, formerly a general
Title IX committee, was created with aid from ASUSF Senate with a goal of
eradicating sexual violence on the Hilltop. The committee of 11 students hosts
events and workshops with various community groups to increase prevention
education. With the REPS committee, “we’re trying to close the gap on student
activism and opportunities for engagement,” Garry said.
Garry’s hiring was directly related to the sexual abuse allegations and
subsequent investigation surrounding the USF men’s soccer team. She was
aware of the issue and excited to bring her experience as a former collegiate
level athlete to the table as the point person between the athletics department
and the Title IX office.
Garry’s prevention plan does not stop with sports, however. “I am really
excited to help create formative changes to our preventative education strategy,
across campus, not just with student athletes,” she said. “That started this
year with our orientation, the change in its modality.”
This past August, students attending first and second-year orientations
worked in small groups, facilitated by student orientation leaders, to discuss
reactions to real scenarios of sexual misconduct. This was another change from
the Title IX office, as they moved away from the large, lecture-style discussions
of previous years.
“I thought going through the scenarios was effective,” said Celeste Baird,
a sophomore international studies major. “Having something where students
could think about what they should do, instead of just being talked at.”
Garry also led a first-year discussion of “So, You Want to Talk About
Race” by Ijeoma Oluo, something which she said she was thrilled to do, with
anti-racism work being important to her.
“You can’t do sexual violence prevention and response work witthout
considering intersectionality,” she said. “BIPOC and LGBTQ+ students are
dispraportionatley affected by sexual violence.”
As someone who “cherishes student activism,” Garry had the opportunity
to work with Varga, Vice Provost Julie Orio, and Dean of Students Shannon
Gary to coordinate the University’s response to demands from It’s On USFCA
and the University’s handling of sexual abuse on campus.
The responses combined “things that we’re already doing, and where we
want to see ourselves go in the future, opening the door to allow for continual
feedback and engagement,” Varga said.
Varga said that all the replies were believed to be tangible and reachable.
“I didn’t want any of those responses to be false promises,” she said. “We don’t
want to just meet benchmarks, we want to go beyond for everyone.”
Community involvement in sexual violence prevention is of great importance
to both Varga and Garry. “While Jess and I are working at it from an
institutional level, there are small ways that we can all get involved in this kind
of work,” Garry said.
“We care about our community,” Varga said. “That’s always centered at
the forefront of what we’re doing.”
The Title IX office can be reached titleIX@usfca.edu and the REPS committee
can be contacted @USFCA_REPS on Instagram.
Megan Robertson is a sophomore media studies and performing arts & social
justice double major. She can be reached at mrrobertson2@dons.usfca.edu or on
Instagram @megrrobertson
USF’s Title IX Coordinator Jess Varga. PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF MARKETING &
COMMUNICATIONS
Title IX Deputy Coordinator Trina Garry. PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF MARKETING &
COMMUNICATIONS

BLACK STUDENT UNION HOLDS SECOND ANNUAL
TOWN HALL MEETING
TALEAH JOHNSON
Contributing Writer
05
The Black Student Union (BSU) held a town
hall to amplify members’ opinions and concerns
about various aspects and departments that affect
the lives of USF students. Held on Nov. 3, D’Vine
Riley, president of the BSU, called its second annual
meeting a “brave space where we can challenge each
other in a loving way.”
Riley began the event with a statement of intent
and poetry reading of Valerie Kaur’s “See No
Stranger.” She then called forward Black representatives
from various departments. These individuals
introduced themselves and their departments to
new members of the community and gave updates
on existing and future developments that may directly
affect students at USF.
Secretary of BSU Amida Nigena and Director
of Publicity De’Jena McClean led a community discussion
on residential life. The two most repeated
issues were Black students feeling uncomfortable
in USF dorms and a lack of transparency regarding
reporting Residential Advisors (RAs) for microaggressions.
On the topic of discomfort and microaggressions
in the dorms, one student in a living learning
community commented on his feelings regarding
leaving the safety of his community hall to attend
classes on a daily basis. “As soon as I leave, it’s all
eyes on me again,” he said. Other students outside
of living learning communities repeated how isolated
they felt on their own floors and the many small
ways they are reminded of their differences from
their peers. From overhearing alienating conservations
about Black culture from non-Black students
to witnessing inappropriate posters on personal residence
dorm doors, students shared the multiple
ways they have struggled in having USF feel like
home.
Students also shared what they believed to be
a lack of transparency regarding reports to SHaRE
about RAs and other members of USF’s residential
community. Students were not only frustrated that
they were not communicated with about the end
result of their reports but that they weren’t involved
in the restorative process. One student argued that
“we shouldn’t be making complaints one day and
then not seeing change a month later.”
Although the majority of students agreed with
the sentiment of more transparency, Assistant Dean
of Students and Director of Community Living Dr.
Aja Holmes disclosed that the end result of a report
against a student becomes a part of that student’s file
and to release any information from that file would
result in a breach of the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Holmes and the attendees agreed to a possible
confirmation email solution where those who filed
the complaints would receive some sort of notification
that SHaRE looked into their complaint and
took the appropriate actions to resolve it.
Black RAs also shared their apprehensions toward
calling Public Safety on their residents. They
want to restructure their relationships with residents
to correct potential power imbalances. One RA in
attendance called for implementing an unarmed
taskforce to handle nonviolent transgressions like
on campus drug use and mental health emergencies
arguing that “guns aren’t necessary for a community
like ours.” Holmes reminded the RA that they can
Among the administrators that spoke at the town hall is the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Community Living, Dr. Aja
Holmes. PHOTO BY BAILEY STEADMAN/SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN
specify that they need the assistance of unarmed officers
but did offer to consider the RA’s proposal.
Program Assistant and Secretary of the Progressive
Policing Committee Advisory Board (PPCAB)
Kahanu Salavea and Black Achievement Success
and Engagement (BASE) seat Shiara Coleman introduced
their goal to have PPCAB act as a liaison
for students and staff to talk to Public Safety. Salavea
and Coleman displayed the Public Safety Community
Comment Form where members of the USF
community can submit comments or concerns
about Public Safety and its officers.
Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor April
Al-Shamma disclosed the work Public Safety officers
have been doing to combat possible racial bias
in their duties. The officers have been undergoing
training that tackles racism, racial justice, and policing
in higher education institutions. Additionally,
officers and the USF community have been participating
in listening circles where community members
and officers alike can discuss their own relationships
to and opinions about policing.
BASE Administrative Intern Monzerrad Fierro
reminded the town hall attendees that BASE aims
to “holistically” help Black students by “aiding and
empower[ing]” them. Aside from a living learning
community, BASE also has resources like the Black
Scholars Scholarship that provides free tuition to a
select number of incoming freshmen, and a Black
Resource Center, which hosts a variety of programming
for undergraduate and graduate students. As
Fierro summarized, “BASE is your base, your home,
your core.”
Holmes also spoke about her goals of supporting
all USF students, regardless of their on-campus
or off-campus residency through “edutainment”, a
mixture of entertaining but educational programming.
Aside from aiding students through the transition
from residency halls to apartment life,there is
also a push for expanding the USF food pantry and
a search for a new space that best suits the pantry’s
demand. Collymore brought up a possible collaboration
with Counseling and Psychological Service
(CAPS) for biweekly workshops catered towards
Black and first-generation students .
Shannon Gary, the assistant vice president of
student life gave important updates on the continuing
search for a new Black CAPS counselor Gary
reassured town hall attendees that a position has
been officially posted and that the listing specifically
states that the University is searching for a Black
counselor who will work with Black students.
Gary noted that issues like the cost of living
in San Francisco as well as the lack of Black people
in the city may be standing in the way of possible
applicants. To the dismay of some attendees, CAPS
is only searching for one Black counselor despite the
growing number of Black students at USF. Additionally,
Gary mentioned a proposal where an agency
would provide counseling when CAPS appointments
are fully booked.
Pamela Balls Organista, the senior vice provost
for equity, inclusion, and faculty excellence, spoke
on retention for Black faculty and staff at the University,ensuring
that the end goal of hiring Black
staff and faculty will be “to recruit but also to retain.”
NEWS

06
THURSDAY
NOV. 11
2021
KASAMAHAN’S GBM JAM BRINGS STUDENT TALENT
TO THE UNDERCAF IN HONOR OF LOST MEMBER
SCENE
ELEANOR MENDOZA
Contributing Writer
The basement cafe, also known as the undercaf, in the University Center
is not often filled with screaming cheers, singalongs, and waving phone flashlights,
but this is what students encountered on the night of Nov. 4. Kasamahan,
the University’s Filipinx-American student organization, hosted GBM
Jam, their annual Glioblastoma (GBM) research fundraiser talent show, and
the talent showed up. The performances ran the gamut, from karate to spoken
poetry. Raffle tickets were sold, and prizes included a variety of gift baskets,
filled with everything from snacks to a cast iron skillet and Kasamahan merch.
The undercaf overflowed with Kasamahan members, far too many to be
accommodated by the chairs that were set up. Every single performance electrified
the audience, and those who could not snag a seat danced nearly the
whole night. However, performing artists weren’t the only ones who showed
up. Three tables were papered with drawings, paintings, prints, and collages
from USF students Andre Canta, Madeline Morales, Brynn Bangit, and Adrian
Silagan. Kesem and Hui O’Hawai’i, two related clubs at USF, made appearances
as well. Kesem, a support system for children of people with cancer,
was represented at a table manned by Kesem representative Megan Fabriquer.
Kesem holds a week-long summer camp, where, according to Fabriquer, kids
have the “space to relate to each other and just be kids.” Hui O’Hawai’i, USF’s
Hawaiian culture organization, had a table that included information about
their upcoming events like their annual lu’au.
In 2016, Kasamahan member Chris “Benjo” Carandang lost his life to a
glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Kasamahan rallied around him and his
family, hosting a talent show to raise money to help with the medical bills. The
show became an annual tradition, and the money raised from the event now
goes to GBM research.
For performer Angelene Carranceja, a USF senior and karate black belt,
all the chairs had to be pushed to the back. Carranceja soared around the
room, expertly performing aerial moves complete with swinging nunchucks.
Though she has not practiced much in the past few years, Carranceja said she
grew up practicing in her uncle’s dojo alongside her siblings and later taught
at that same dojo. She has competed on both the national and international
level, and earned a spot on the U.S. Team for the World Karate Commission
in 2019. The GBM Jam has always held a lot of meaning for Carranceja. “Everybody
still comes together,” Carranceja said. “Even though he passed away,
we still remember [him], not just to mourn but to do good.”
Poets at the event shared stories of immigration in prose. Senior Brynn
Bangit kicked off the night with a reading of her poem, “A letter to my immigrant
parents.” Junior Jewel Yee used the spoken word to pay tribute to
her ancestors and highlight the experiences of children of immigrants in the
United States. She finished with the line, “I am my ancestors’ wildest dreams
and their dream was to rest, so I will rest.”
Musicians prompted the crowd to light up the room with waving phone
flashlights and sing along, their voices echoing throughout the undercaf. Kiara
Dioquino brought tears to attendees eyes as she performed an emotional rendition
of her grandparents’ favorite Tagalog song about everlasting love, “Minsan
Lang Kitang Iibigin '' by Ariel Rivera. Other musicians went with more
lighthearted performances, such as Keren Oczon, who sang a hilarious original
song on ukulele. Following Oczon, Kasamahan’s Cultural Director Sly Pellas,
a senior communications major, led the Kasamahan dance troupe to the floor.
The barefoot troupe entered the space dressed in maxi skirts that flowed
with their movements. They performed two traditional dances: Pandango
Oasiwas (Pandanggo translates to “Fandango with the Light” in English, as
the dance is traditionally performed with oil lamps), a celebratory folk dance
originating in Lingayen, the capital of Pangasinan. After a wardrobe change,
they transitioned to the dance Itik Itik (Itik in Tagalog means "duck"), which
the group choreographed themselves but is based off of a dance that originated
in Surigao del Norte.
The talent show boasted one common thread that tied the evening together:
community. Each performer spoke at one point or another about how
meaningful it was to have the Kasamahan community supporting them.
The Kasamahan Dance Troupe performs the dance “Itik Itik '' in the undercaf. PHOTO BY KATARINA CACARNAKIS / SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN

STUDENT ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
ELIM UTTERBACK, SKETCH ARTIST
07
SOPHIA MCCRACKIN
Contributing Writer
Elim Utterback, a sophomore fine arts major, has an
imaginative style that people can recognize just by looking
at him. It is not just his painted sweatpants and laid-back
demeanor. Utterback, a sketch artist, oozes creativity.
Art has always been a part of Utterback’s life. When
asked to recall his early works, Utterback thought back to
being just two or three-years-old and drawing “potato people''
on each page of his dad's yellow legal pad. Utterback’s
art has come a long way since those first potato sketches.
Much of his artwork is done in pencil, though he is always
exploring new mediums.
Today, Utterback’s work combines elements of social
justice with psychedelic style. His piece titled “Manifest Reality,”
depicts a woman in a futuristic space suit holding what
one can only assume is a sci-fi space laser, standing before an
alien wasteland.
Kerra Hendrickson, Utterback’s classmate, describes
him as one of the “most aesthetic people she’s ever known.”
“He’s not only an artist,” Hendrickson said. “He considers
philosophy and people's placement in society. He takes almost
anything and applies it to creativity.”
Utterback grew up moving all over the country, but he
says the time he spent in Hawaii influenced his art the most.
He explains that in Hawaiian culture, it is common to express
emotion that opens up pathways for art of all kinds.
In addition to sketching, painting, and working with oil
pastels, Utterback also produces music, plays the cello and
guitar, and makes clothes.
“Now, I love oil pastels and s— that
just throws down a lot of color,” Utterback
said. This is no surprise, given that Utterback
identified French cartoonist Jean
Giraud as his muse. Giraud, who often
went by the alias “Mœbius,” illustrated
the “Silver Surfer’ comic with Stan Lee in
the late 90’s and was best known for his
cowboy cartoon “Blueberry.” While Giraud’s
influence is evident in Utterback’s
work, Utterback displays an undeniable
amount of originality. His art includes
sci-fi inspired landscapes and figures that
invite viewers to a turbulent, intergalactic
realm, but his sketchbook also reveals faces
emerging from bewildering scrawls of color.
There are figures with their eyes closed,
as though they have just ended an exhausting
day, and others full of anticipation, as
though they are hanging onto someone’s
every word.
Utterback’s attention to detail and
his pursuit of beauty is evident in all his
work. Utterback says that while he’d love
to support himself with his art, it isn’t his
primary motivation. “I would be so limited,
even if I loved [my work],” he said “I
would like creative things I do to help others,
this is a global community… I would
like to create something that is definitively Sketches by Elim Utterback feature sci-fi themes and faces emerging from the page. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELIM UTTERBACK
good.”
SCENE

08
THURSDAY
NOV. 11
2021
GARDENING FOR THE SOUL
OPINION
PHOTO BY ZOE BINDER/ SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN
SAM BERTHIAUME is
a senior environmental
science major.
Gardening is more than just planting seeds
and pulling weeds; it is nourishment for the mind
and body. It is a place of growth, community, and
pride. The people you meet, the knowledge you
gather, and the experiences of both successes and
failures provide a special bond between yourself
and your crop.
Gardening has different meanings for everyone.
I began my gardening journey indoors with
a passion for houseplants that grew into an obsession.
Like any good hobby, I felt the need for
its expansion. While registering for classes last fall,
I stumbled across the course, Urban Agriculture
Spring. After learning more about the course, I
was excited to get to work in the USF garden and
expand my knowledge on all things plants.
When I first started gardening, I felt overwhelmed with all the particulars
like which tools to use, and which steps go into planting. How do I plant? Am
I watering too much or too little? I quickly learned that gardening comes from
the heart. There truly isn’t a wrong way to do it. Your garden becomes a representation
of who you are. The tools and knowledge help sculpt your vision of the
soil you till. Of course, understanding some basics like how to germinate seeds
and properly plant a newly sprouted seed are important, but with some basic
knowledge, the garden is your canvas.
Taking Urban Agriculture was a great first step in starting my gardening
journey. I learned everything I needed to know to start my own garden including
how to plant, weed, make compost, germinate seeds, graft trees, install drip
irrigation, create herbal tinctures, and more. For myself and those with similar
mindsets, it is comforting to know that as long as we are passionate and determined,
we will not fail. Gardening gives me that sense of satisfaction, and it is a
great outdoor activity where I can meet new people and destress from the rigors
of the day. Not to mention that I get to do this in the beautiful USF garden.
Your body will thank you for the freshly grown vegetables and fruits you
harvest in the garden. It is also exciting to take the bounty you have extracted
from your beautifully tilled soil and experiment in the kitchen. Gardening is a
vehicle for a healthier diet and a sense of pride knowing that you created this
diet, literally, from the ground up.
Beyond physical health, gardening can have an incredibly positive influence
on mental health. It is a boundless outlet to release stress and submerge yourself
into a soothing environment. Taking Urban Agriculture classes has helped me
destress, be absent from the chaos that my other classes bring, and recharge my
body, mind, and soul. Whether I am pulling weeds or planting seeds, I always
feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle my next academic obstacle.
Gardening is also a path to connect to Earth and understand nature on a
deeper, more personal level. Feeling the damp, cold soil fall through your fingers,
watching your saplings come to life, and harvesting your creations is a way
to experience the wonders of our planet and we become more mindful when it
comes to how we treat it. Gardening promotes a more sustainable environment
and reminds us that if we all do our part, Earth can provide for generations to
come.
My experience in the garden has also educated me about the issues that our
food system faces. Not only do I now understand how much effort goes into
having a healthy and sustainable garden, but I have the utmost appreciation for
the workers in the farming industry. In the United States, being a farmer for
a big producer is a demanding job accompanied by unjust pay and inequitable
treatment. Through courses like Community Garden Outreach, I gained a
greater understanding of the struggles farmers encounter and I'm determined to
demand change in the industry. By urging us to create more urban gardens and
accessible food, our reliance on big farming can be reduced. The Urban Agriculture
department advocates for the just treatment of workers and believes that all
people should have access to healthy food.
Once I found out that USF offered an urban agriculture minor, I immediately
added it to my coursework. The silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic
for me was discovering gardening when I needed it the most. The pandemic has
been stressful for all students. We had to shift away from campus and our daily
interaction with loved ones and friends. Gardening has become my outlet to just
let go. It has helped my mental health, and I have developed a sense of pride and
passion in connecting with our Earth through its soil. I am now able to grow
my own food, educate others, install drip irrigation, create herbal remedies, and
continue to develop my gardening knowledge. I encourage students who have
space in their curriculum to take a look at the urban agriculture minor and the
classes that are offered to start their gardening journey. Or better yet, stop by the
USF Garden and see for yourself what it means to be a gardener.

MONSOON MEMORIES AND BEYOND
09
NIVEDITA GHOSH is a
junior biology major.
Small droplets of water sparkling like diamonds
on leaves. The strong, therapeutic smell
of wet soil. A cool breeze. These are some of the
defining elements of the rainy season stored in my
treasure trove of memories. The recent historic
rainfall in San Francisco brought back these poignant
flashbacks, and I could not help but go back
to my old routine on rainy days. I sat by the window
with a cup of tea and some snacks while the
rain splashed against the windowpane, forming a
gray-tinted picture of swaying trees and drenched
ground.
Weather conditions, directly or indirectly,
influence our lives profoundly and also decide the
course of our daily lives. This influence brings ups
and downs for everyone, and it's these weather
conditions that keep us connected to nature and motivate us to maintain a harmonious
balance with it as much as possible.
Back in high school, rainy days were filled with jumping in water puddles,
getting our uniforms dirty with mud splashes, and making paper boats
and floating them in the puddles. They were all fun-filled experiences, touched
with childhood enthusiasm. Rains were always a relief as hot weather was dominant
in Kolkata, a city in West Bengal where I lived, and the heavy downpour
brought the much-needed relief from the sweltering heat. The cool breeze and
low temperature after the downpour was much more soothing than sitting in a
room with an air conditioner.
Besides the natural elements of the monsoons, my rainy day memories are
also filled with literature, music, and art. During heavy rain and thunderstorms,
we often had power outages, and the entire household would plunge into darkness.
Immediately, my mother or grandmother lit candles, and we all huddled
around with bowls of rice crispies and fried snacks in our hands, marking the
beginning of a long session of conversations which we call “Adda'' in Bengali.
The main attraction of the event were my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and
parents narrating ghost stories while me and my cousins shivered in fear and
excitement, not letting them pause even at the scariest parts. Apart from stories,
we also had musical sessions where everyone sang their favorite songs or recited
their favorite poems. Rainy days gave us an opportunity to come together as a
family and everyone would pause their duties to sit down and relax together. The
recent downpour gave me an opportunity to relive all these memories.
But all that glitters is not gold. Though the rains are soothing, they also
come with destruction. Flash floods, landslides, and cyclones are just a few natural
disasters that cause havoc and destroy many houses and lives. The memories
of some very destructive cyclones are still fresh in my mind as I remember how
they raged through my city, causing torrential rain for two or more consecutive
days. With climate change becoming more prominent day by day, I cannot help
but feel worried about how natural forces are becoming more destructive than
ever.
For instance, the recent flash floods in Germany clearly show how too
much intervention in the natural ecosystem is making innocent lives pay a hefty
price with destroyed houses and lost lives. Hence, if we all don’t come together
to protect our ecosystem in which we live in synchrony with nature, very soon
memories of jumping into puddles for fun might turn unimaginable.
Weather conditions closely mirror our lives, and each season - summer,
rain, winter, fall, spring - closely resemble our moods. For instance, all of us have
a rich harvest of success in our lives at some point just like the season of spring
and a state of sorrow, loss, or stagnation like the winter season. The interpretation
of each weather condition can be different for everyone. For some, summer
can be a season of joy (especially in the West), while the same summer can be a
source of pain, especially in tropical countries. It varies from person to person
and yet unites us because we experience these weather conditions anywhere and
everywhere. Weather conditions inspire us and sometimes devastate us. But in
the end, they keep us rooted to the earth.
Today we are living in an era characterised by climatic flux more than ever.
Governments are holding climate summits (the ongoing COP26 summit) and
making elaborate promises about plans to reduce climate change. But the beginning
has to happen at the grass root level. Every citizen should make an effort
to help protect the environment. Very small steps such as avoiding littering, not
keeping the water tap open unnecessarily, and planting a tree in the backyard
can be easily done. Every small step counts toward a greener environment and
will help many like me to preserve monsoon memories.
OPINION
GRAPHIC BY SABRINA LABADLABAD/GRAPHICS CENTER

10
THURSDAY
NOV. 11
2021
USF’S VOTER ENGAGEMENT AND VOTER
PARTICIPATION RATES INCREASE YET AGAIN
OPINION
Despite a global pandemic, USF remains a
heavily civically engaged campus and in 2020, our
voter turnout rate increased by nearly 20% from
previous years largely in part to the student-led
organization USFVotes in partnership with the
Andrew Goodman Foundation (NSLVE). This
data was shared with USFVotes and comes from
the biannual release of the National Study of
Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE)
Campus Report published through the Tufts University
Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life,
KALLIE BARRIE is a which provides colleges and universities information
on their student’s voting habits and builds a
senior politics major.
national database for research on students' political
leaning and engagement in democracy.
As one of two USFVotes Campus Leads, I was able to use this data to
celebrate improvements in voter turnout on our campus as well as address
ways in which we can strive to improve and continue to make voting more
accessible to the USF student
body especially as we prepare a
campus plan for upcoming midterm
elections in 2022.
The report shared with
USFVotes is a cause for celebration,
as the student-led voter
engagement initiative has a close
partnership with the group that
publishes it. Hearing that voter
engagement rates have increased
on USF’s campus is always welcomed
news, but this report also
helps narrow down specific areas
that need improvement so that
everyone can engage in democracy.
There are still large gaps in
voter turnout compared to registration
rates and groups that
are unregistered meaning that
voting accessibility work on our
campus is far from done.
Although 2020 presented
GRAPHIC BY LEO TAFOYA/SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN
challenges, it resulted in making
voting as accessible as ever in terms of wide usage of mail-in ballots and many
states removing the ability to cast an in-person vote. It made voting something
students could do easily between work and classes versus a potential all day
event you have to wait in line for. Furthermore, many politicians promised
ways to address the severe inequalities that were highlighted throughout the
pandemic, so it finally felt like a difference could have been made with a vote,
even though these promises have not been delivered yet as we approach a full
year in office post-election.
As registration is only the first step in exercising civic engagement and
the right to vote, it is pivotal that we make voting as accessible as possible to
those on our campus so our voter participation rates continue to increase as
well. In past election years, USF made classes on election day optional to give
students ample time to vote, but increasing the use of mail-in ballots and drop
boxes throughout our campus would only make voting that much easier. The
increase of accessibility in languages used on ballots is also huge in making
voting more accessible, not just for students but for the entirety of the USF
community.
The NSLVE Report broke down voter turnout by race and ethnicity at
each college or university. At USF, every race and ethnicity’s voting rate increased,
with the most substantial increase being that of Native Hawaiian and
Pacific Islander identified students going from 31% in 2018 to 70% in 2020.
These rates ranged from 49% to 77% from Asian identified students and students
who identify as two or more races respectively. While there was a substantial
increase for every race and ethnicity, there are still eligible students
who are not voting. This gap in voter turnout being so drastic is concerning
and speaks to systemic issues such as voter accessibility and politicians running
on campaigns that may not be inclusive or representative of the needs of
various community members.
It is hard to vote when you feel your vote may not matter or when the
person you are voting for does not actually represent you and the issues you
care about. Lack of representation in politics is a huge issue, and it directly
affects students at our University as well as nationwide. While USFVotes is a
non-partisan political club, we encourage students during election years to
vote for people who are running on policies that align with issues that matter
to them. Though it is important that everyone has the right to vote and voting
is made as accessible as possible, it is understandable that students sometimes
feel defeated and will not exercise that right.
By sex, female identified
students had a 70% voter
participation rate while male
identified students had a rate
of 58%. The NSLVE did not
include data on other gender
identities. This lack of representation
leaves out an extremely
important demographic within
our campus, and I hope that
various identity groups will be
included in the breakdown of
campus engagement in voting
in the future. Strictly keeping
political engagement within the
binary excludes many students
on USF’s campus and prevents
us from analyzing the weight
that people may hold in national
elections based on their
identities.
Finally, the methods USF
students voted by were also reported.
79% of USF students
voted not in-person, meaning by mail or voting early. This rate had a 14%
increase from 2016, likely because of the amount of students from out of state
as well as the role of the pandemic during the 2020 election.
Almost all of the University of San Francisco’s voter engagement rates
increased, and as a University we submitted our institution for the All-In
Campus Challenge for our high rates of civic engagement and voter participation.
USFVotes continues to host registration drives, spread information on
what is on the ballot in upcoming elections, and update the student body on
what is happening on the national level in policies as well as in the local level.
While work on our campus and nationwide is far from done in terms of
making voting as accessible as possible, it is important to continue to celebrate
small wins like increasing our voter participation rate by nearly 20%. In the
meantime, there is a school board recall election on February 15, 2022 in
which non-citizens can vote in San Francisco, a huge victory in terms of local
voter accessibility. As a community, USF can keep up the good work of maintaining
or improving upon our voter participation rates. If you are interested
in joining USFVotes and promoting civic engagement on our campus, you can
follow our Instagram and Twitter, @USFVOTES.

MEN’S SOCCER LOSES LAST HOMESTAND
11
OF THE SEASON
JAMES SALAZAR
Staff Writer
With the college soccer season winding down, the USF men’s soccer
team hosted their final homestand of the season, with both matches ending in
heartbreaking defeat. The Dons faced the Stanford University Cardinal, a Bay
Area neighbor, on Nov. 4, and this marked the third time this season that USF
played a team from the Pac-12 Conference. Both sides were scoreless until the
90th minute of the match, when the Cardinal found the back of the net and
sealed a 0-1 loss for USF.
Offensively, the Dons were kept quiet as the green and gold did not
record their first attempt at a goal until the 18th minute. However, Stanford
kept defender Nathan Simeon’s strike from putting USF on the board. Despite
both teams having opportunities to break the tie within the first 45 minutes,
strong defense on each end of the field meant that the teams were
deadlocked heading into the half.
Forward Nonso Adimabua came out of the locker room with fervor and
attempted his first shot at the 50th minute. However, the Cardinal’s goalkeeper
had Adimabua’s number, and the game remained a scoreless affair. USF
would not get another chance at scoring until the 67th and 70th minute, with
both attempts once again coming from Adimabua. Still, the forward’s strikes
were no match for the Cardinal’s unwavering defense.
With a few ticks left in regulation, the Cardinal scored and subsequently
shut down USF’s final attacking attempt, pushing the Dons’ losing streak to
four games.
USF returned to Negoesco Stadium Nov. 7 for the squad’s final home
game of the season against the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Lions
and, more importantly, Senior Day. Prior to kickoff, seniors Shayan Charalaghi,
Ivo Neto, and Dominic Valdivia were recognized for their contributions
to the team and received their framed jerseys.
The Dons’ fate mirrored their last loss as the Lions scored in the final
three minutes of regulation, handing USF another 0-1 loss.
Both sides were fairly matched in the first half as the Lions recorded eight
shots in comparison to USF’s five shots. Neither squad broke the tie, and the
game was knotted up at the end of the first 45 minutes of action.
The second half of the match told a different story for USF as the Dons
did not get a single scoring opportunity. Alternatively, the Lions rattled off 11
shots in the second half, with their lone goal being scored in the 87th minute
of the match. At the end of full time, USF was outshot by the Lions to the
tune of 5-19.
The Dons’ troubles went beyond scoring as two players were given yellow
cards during the match. The first card was given to midfielder Tamba Di Matti
in the 73rd minute for unsporting behavior, and the second card was given to
Valdivia in the 89th minute for the same offense. USF also found itself in foul
trouble as the team committed 13 through both halves.
USF’s latest loss pushed their losing streak to five games, and the team
holds an overall win-loss-tie record of 2-12-1 with an 0-5-1 record in West
Coast Conference play. USF will wrap up its season Nov. 13 and hit the road
for a game against the University of Portland Pilots. These squads last encountered
each other in April with the game ending in a 0-0 tie.
SPORTS
Defender Kevyn Lo (#21) attempts a steal. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS M. LEUNG/DONS ATHLETICS

12
THURSDAY
NOV. 11
2021
DONS BASKETBALL SEASON COMMENCES
WITH TIPOFF MADNESS
SPORTS
Going by his stage name Lil Bazzy, redshirt senior Khalil Shabazz entertained the crowd at the
close of Tipoff Madness. PHOTO BY JAMES SALAZAR/SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN
JAMES SALAZAR
Staff Writer
What is a guaranteed way to get college students to pack the War Memorial
Gym at the Sobrato Center to commemorate the start of the college
basketball season on a Wednesday night?
A 3-point contest and a slam dunk contest are promising incentives, but
a $1,000 half-court shot contest is even better.
A slew of festivities were on tap for Tipoff Madness, the USF men’s and
women’s basketball programs’ spin on “Midnight Madness,” an event celebrating
the upcoming college basketball season in which a team opens its first
official practice to the public. Held on Nov. 3, Tipoff Madness featured the
aforementioned contests, color guard and spirit squad routines, and a live
performance from Lil Bazzy, otherwise known as redshirt senior guard Khalil
Shabazz.
“This year, especially coming off of COVID, we really wanted to try to
get all the students and the campus energy back to the gym,” said Garrett
Furubayashi, the director of men’s basketball operations. “Last year, we didn't
have any fans in here. So, we just wanted to do something to kind of tip off
the season and get people excited about coming here.”
Ralph Ferrari, special assistant to the men’s basketball team, said that
head coach Todd Golden “came up with the idea” of having Shabazz be the
musical guest. “He mentioned it to Khalil, and Khalil was all about it. It's
great for him. It's great for the students. It's great for the school. I mean, it
feels like we're coming together as a great community right now,” said Ferrari.
This was Shabazz’s first time performing in front of an audience.
Shabazz, who sees rap as a creative outlet, did not start rapping until
the ninth grade, and he finally got the chance to record in a studio during
his freshman year of college. “Growing up, I would always just write rhymes
and just write little raps and stuff in my little notebook. As I got older, I just
found myself really knowing the lyrics to everybody's songs and stuff,” said
Shabazz. He thought that if he knew “everybody else's lyrics, I might as well
Sophomore Ioanna Krimili participates in the women’s 3-point contest. PHOTO BY JAMES
SALAZAR/SAN FRANCISCO FOGHORN
just make my own.”
Sporting a pair of free USF sunglasses that were given to the first 200
students, Lil Bazzy entertained the crowd with songs from his recently released
extended play (EP) “Working With What I Got,” including “1am in
the Trenches” and “Time Away.”
Aside from his performance, Shabazz was equally excited for the halfcourt
shot contest. Ten students tried their luck at taking home a $1,000
check, signed by Golden, but to no avail.
As the player who set a USF single-season record for 3-point goals with
a total of 97, it was only fitting that redshirt sophomore Ioanna Krimili won
the women’s 3-point contest. Krimili, who was named the West Coast Conference’s
(WCC) Newcomer of the Year, is looking forward to building on last
season’s appearance in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
“We have even bigger goals. We want to finish first in the conference this year.
Why not go to the March Madness [tournament]? Everybody's really excited,”
said Krimili. “We are working every day, really hard. We have one goal, to just
win every game and play really good basketball.”
In his first year with the program, junior guard Gabe Stefanini claimed
victory in the men’s 3-point contest. Later that night, graduate student guard
Jamaree Bouyea was crowned the winner of the dunk contest. Bouyea pulled
Emmanuel Nwabueze, a former USF men’s basketball player, out of the
stands. The 6’2” guard then jumped over 6’3” Nwabueze and finished off with
a dunk so dazzling that Bouyea decided to not use the second chance given
to all contestants.
Ferrari is already toying with the idea of making Tipoff Madness an annual
event. “We want to get the students to feel like they're part of the program,”
said Ferrari. “We're ready to take this thing to the next level.”
For Furubayashi, this season will be all about bringing the game day
atmosphere back to the War Memorial Gym at the Sobrato Center. “Last
year was so hard, just being in a dead gym. There was just nothing in there,”
said Furubayashi. “You can only simulate so much crowd noise as opposed to
hearing the actual fans go crazy when they see a cool dunk or someone hits a
three or something like that. So, it's definitely very exciting.”