ISSUE 12 FINAL

SF FOGHORN
EST. 1903
NEWS
03
Update on
Basketball
Lawsuit.
READ ON PAGE 7
SFFOGHORN.COM
SCENE
06
Putting art on an
altar at Thacher
Gallery.
Malachi Duckworth (left) was
steppin’ out in their Adidas
Sambas. Photo by Kaleb Martinez/
SF Foghorn
Ivy Saunders accessorized her look
with silver rings from Hot Topic, and
wore a moon-shaped amethyst
necklace. Photo by Samantha Avila
Griffin/ SF Foghorn
@SFFOGHORN
08
THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024 • VOL. 121, ISSUE 12
OPINION
FOGPOD
What’s the deal
with the Stanley
Quencher?
Daniela Jarratte’s The
Velvet Underground tee
shows the album’s cover
art. Photo by Samantha Avila
Griffin/ SF Foghorn
SPORTS
12
Sophia Hansen went
with the “school-girl”
aesthetic, popularized
by the 1995
film Clueless. Photo by
Veston Smith/ SF Foghorn
USF Roundnet
Club shows a new
way to play.
STRUTTING
INTO SPRING
SEMESTER
Students show off their back to school style

02 03
THURSDAY
FEB. 1
2024
STAFF
Editor in Chief
MEGAN ROBERTSON
mrrobertson2@dons.usfca.edu
News Editor
NIKI SEDAGHAT
nisedaghat@dons.usfca.edu
Opinion Editor
CHISOM OKORAFOR
cokorafor@dons.usfca.edu
Scene Editor
INÉS VENTURA
ipventura@dons.usfca.edu
Sports Editor
CHASE DARDEN
cbdarden@dons.usfca.edu
Photography Editor
SAMANTHA AVILA GRIFFIN
svavilagriffin@dons.usfca.edu
General Reporter
PHEBE BRIDGES
pjbridges@dons.usfca.edu
General Reporter
ELINA GRAHAM
emgraham@dons.usfca.edu
415.422.5444
sffoghorn.com
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STAFF EDITORIAL
STUDENTS SHOULD GET
INVOVED WITH USF’S
CURRICULUM REDESIGN
The Undergraduate Core Curriculum
Redesign Task Force sent
out a survey to students on Jan. 23
asking for their input on upcoming
redesigns to the core curriculum, expected
to launch in the fall semester
of 2025.
The Foghorn commends the
University for its efforts to receive
student input on such an important
subject. Students should be aware of
the efforts the University is making
to deliver the full value of the education
they pay for. As stakeholders,
students should involve themselves in
these processes.
The Redesign Task Force is part
of a broader university-wide effort
from the Office of the President to
revitalize USF. In 2022, USF launched
its five-year plan aimed at positioning
the university to adequately prepare
students to take on the rapidly changing
world. This effort is coordinated
by the Strategic Plan Advisory Council
(SPAC), a representative group
that “includes faculty, librarians,
staff, and students.” According to
the USF website, “the strategic plan
articulates a vision for USF as deeply
engaged in transformative social and
environmental justice, responding
thoughtfully and courageously to the
multiple crises of this moment, and
advancing a vision of a more just, sustainable
future.”
Underneath SPAC are several
“Working Groups,” each charged
with ensuring a specific part of USF
is ready for the future. For example,
Working Group 2 is charged to “invest
in and promote the scholarly,
creative, and community-focused endeavors
that advance justice and address
the pressing challenges of our
time.” Working Group 4 is focussed
on leveraging USF’s partnerships and
public outreach to increase school
visibility.
Working Group 1 is aimed at reimagining
Jesuit education, and while
that includes many things, one of the
objectives is to “revise USF’s curricula.”
As students may know, USF core
curriculum includes a variety of subjects
making up a liberal education:
communication, mathematics and
the sciences, humanities, philosophy,
theology and religious studies, ethics,
social sciences, and visual and performing
arts.
In the survey, one of the questions
asked was, “What skills and
competencies are essential for a USF
graduate to have acquired?” Though
there were many options available,
the Foghorn believes that in the age
of both increased access to knowledge,
but also the rapid proliferation
of critical misinformation, information
literacy is a critical skill that USF
students must learn to be effective
global citizens. Developing this skill
must be a focal point of the core curriculum.
The content of the core curriculum
isn’t the only thing up for redesign.
The survey also asked students
which classroom activities
best promote learning. While each
method of organizing classes, from
lecture-based to small group-centric
has its benefits, the Foghorn believes
USF’s discussion-based classes are
conducive to the kind of social-justice
oriented learning the school
strives for.
As USF embarks on this five-year
plan, students play a crucial role in
assisting the University to prepare us,
and the students who will follow us,
for the future. While the Foghorn has
highlighted certain skills and formats
we would like the University to emphasize,
it is important that students
across campus express their voices.
The redesign of the core curriculum
is one of many avenues to make yourselves
heard.
UPDATE ON LAWSUIT AGAINST
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH
NIKI SEDAGHAT & MEGAN ROBERTSON
Staff Writers
The University of San Francisco and the Athletics Department
are still in the throes of the Marta Galic et al vs. Molly Goodenbour et
al case. Former USF Women’s Basketball players Marta and her twin
sister, Marija Galic, initially filed a lawsuit against women’s basketball
coach Molly Goodenbour and the University of San Francisco in June
of 2021 due to what they alleged in the lawsuit as Goodenbour’s “archaic
and abusive conduct.”
For the past three years, the University, the Galic twins and Goodenbour
have been in a legal standoff. In November of last year, the San
Francisco Superior Court entered their final judgment on the lawsuit, ​
reflecting that Marija Galic won her claims — totalling $250,000 —
while Marta Galic lost.
A hearing will take place on Feb. 2 in which both USF and the
A motion for a new trial for Marta Galic (pictured above) filed by Randolph Gaw was overturned.
Photo courtesy of Chris Leung/Dons Athletics.
Galic twins will petition for funds reflecting the costs from the trial.
This hearing comes at the same time as Marija Galic undergoes a
related petition through the appellate court to reinstate the original
punitive damages awarded on July 20, 2023. The original $750,000,
awarded by a jury at the San Francisco County Superior Court, was
reduced on Sep. 21, 2023 after USF’s motion to vacate the $500,000 in
punitive damages was granted.
On Nov. 20, the Galics’ legal council, Randolph Gaw, appealed
USF’s motion to vacate. The Foghorn spoke with Gaw to investigate
the current state of the motion to appeal.
“Following the trial, the University was able to get the punitive
damages portion of the verdict vacated,” Gaw said. “They haven’t challenged
…the compensatory damages and liability.”
The Foghorn requested an interview with the University of San
Francisco’s outside legal counsel, Micheal and Ross Vartain, and a direct
comment from Coach Molly Goodenbour.
When contacted, USF’s spokesperson Kellie Samson
offered the following statement in lieu of a direct
interview. “The University of San Francisco is pleased
the Superior Court of San Francisco ruled in favor of
USF,” she stated. “We are also pleased that the Court
denied the plaintiff’s motion for a new trial. As we await
the final judgement by the court, USF remains committed
to supporting Coach Goodenbour and the women’s
basketball team.”
In the Foghorn’s conversation with Gaw, he recounted
key moments from the trial process. “I was
very touched by how [Marija Galic] was brave and willing
to share the darkest memories of her life,” he said.
Gaw noted that during pre-trial preparations, there
were incidents that were too painful for Marija Galic
to recount. “There were experiences that she related
to the jury that all of us heard for the first time,” Gaw
said. “She dug in and brought it out, and re-lived some
of those moments, which was very painful for her to go
through again.”
The allegations of abuse cannot be confirmed or
denied by the Foghorn. The jury sided with Galic following
her testimony.
“To hear from a disinterested jury, people who have
no stake whatsoever, who their job is to find the truth,
and they found in her favor that she was right, that the
University and Ms. Goodenbour had done inappropriate
things to her, unlawful things,” Gaw said.
“I handle business disputes so I’ve won verdicts of
multi-million dollars,” Gaw said. “That is completely
different, as rewarding as that is and arguably, in the legal
world, that’d be considered more important, than a
$750,000 jury verdict. But, this was rewarding in a way
that none of those can ever match.”
For further information, refer to the Foghorn’s May
2022 in depth coverage of the lawsuit filing. The court
documents are available for access on the online edition
of this article. The Foghorn will continue to report on
breaking developments as this case continues.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Managing Editor:
Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, News
Editor: Niki Sedaghat
NEWS

04 05
THURSDAY
FEB. 1
2024
THE FOGHORN’S GUIDE
TO PRIMARY PROPOSITIONS
NIKI SEDAGHAT
Staff Writer
On Mar. 5, San Francisco voters will be presented with a series of local ballot measures. The Foghorn has compiled a simplified guide of
the ballot propositions for the 2024 primary elections. Propositions A-F include possible policy changes ranging from affordable housing to
developments in education. All information about the propositions has been sourced from the San Francisco Department of Elections Voter
Information Pamphlet.
Proposition A: Affordable Housing Bonds
Breed, pictured above, wrote in her statement: “I must uphold the safety and cohesion of San Francisco. The anti-semitism in our City is real and dangerous.”
Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons.
A
Proposition A would enable the city of San Francisco to use a general obligation loan of up to $300 million to be
applied towards affordable housing efforts for low-income households, senior housing, and workforce housing.
If passed, a majority of the funds would be directed towards new rental housing, while the remaining funds would
be directed towards existing housing, and efforts to provide housing for individuals who have experienced “trauma
related to homelessness,” according to the San Francisco Ballot Simplification Committee. Prop A has the possibility
to fall back on tenants, as landlords would be allowed to tack potential property tax increases on their rent.
NEWS
PHEBE BRIDGES
Staff Writer
MAYOR LONDON BREED CONDEMNS
CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTION
This past month, San Francisco became the largest city in the U.S.
to enact a cease-fire resolution for Gaza, according to KQED. On Jan.
9, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 to pass a resolution
calling for a sustained cease-fire in Gaza. Some items the resolution
also called for included: humanitarian aid to be sent to the region, the
release of hostages, and the condemnation of antisemitic, anti-Palestinian
and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks.
Mayor London Breed condemned the resolution and refused to
sign it. On Jan. 19, she released a statement addressing her refusal.
According to Breed, since the resolution’s passing, San Francisco
“has been angrier, more divided, and less safe.” She did not go as far
to veto the resolution, citing concerns that, if she did, “it would likely
lead to yet more divisive, harmful hearings,” which would “fan even
more antisemetic acts.”
Breed’s statement has sparked student conversation on the Hilltop.
Sadiya Kazani, a senior history major, said, “I think Mayor London
Breed’s description of what’s going on, and the protests as just
division and hatred in San Francisco is not accurate at all.”
San Francisco has now joined cities like Detroit, Oakland, and
Atlanta that have passed cease-fire resolutions. These resolutions are
signs of support that are not legally binding.
“I know that cease-fire resolutions… don’t do too much in effect,”
Kazani said. “But, I think they’re still pretty useful in showing the federal
government that the people of the U.S. support cease-fire overall.”
Claire Mattingly, a junior history major with a Jewish-studies minor
said, “It’s a disappointing choice that she made not to sign it.”
“I feel like there’s not even that much that a resolution in San
Francisco can even achieve nationally, so it’s confusing to me why you
wouldn’t just sign on,” Mattingly continued. “[The refusal] just feels so
political, it doesn’t make sense to me.”
James Taylor, a USF politics professor, said, “Mayor London Breed
recently rejected peace, even while she led the City’s celebration of
Martin Luther King Jr., a symbol of nonviolence and the Beloved Community.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ call for a cease-fire is
symbolic. It has no sanction or teeth.”
In her statement, Breed denounced the decision of the board to
introduce and pass the resolution. “The Board of Supervisors should
never have put our city in this position,” according to Breed’s statement.
“We should be coming together, supporting each other, seeking
the cohesion at home that we hope for abroad. The board has done the
opposite, and I worry their irresponsibility will continue,” said Breed.
In her statement, she said that she was heartbroken, “for the people
of Gaza, the victims of this war on all sides, and their relatives and
friends around the world.”
The first version of the resolution was introduced on Dec. 5, 2023
by two Jewish members of the Board of Supervisors, Dean Preston and
co-sponsor Supervisor Hillary Ronen.
“I am engaging very thoughtfully in a conflict fueled by my and
my constituents’ tax dollars. And this conflict is deeply rooted in my
personal life and my identity,” said Ronen. “The world must finally
stand up and demand a lasting peace for Israel and Palestine.”
Despite the mayor’s refusal to sign the resolution, Preston told the
San Francisco Chronicle he was happy about the lack of veto, and was
proud that the Board of Supervisors were “officially on record for a
cease-fire, humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages.”
According to Al Jazeera’s live Israel-Gaza war tracker as of Jan.
28, at least 26,422 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, with another
65,087 or more injured. In Israel, approximately 1,139 people have
died, and at least 8,730 have been injured.
To read a USF student’s op-ed response to Mayor London Breed’s
condemnation, turn to page 9.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Managing Editor: Jordan Premmer,
Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, News Editor: Niki Sedaghat
C
D
F
Proposition C: Real Estate Transfer Tax Exemption
and Office Space Allocation
Proposition C would create a tax exemption for buildings converted from commercial to residential use.
If passed, the transfer tax exemption would be granted for a collective 5 million square feet of property in
San Francisco, as long as permission is granted to the property owner prior to January 1, 2030. Additionally,
Prop. C would allow the Board of Supervisors to create changes to the transfer tax without voter approval,
with the exception of transfer tax increases. If Prop. C passes, the City of San Francisco would be able to use former
commercial spaces for development – such as many of the Financial District’s abandoned office buildings.
Prop D: Changes to Local Ethics Laws
Proposition D would instill more ethical practices and guidelines for San Francisco City officers and workers. This
includes expanding the list of gifts that are unacceptable for City employees or officers to accept, and adjusting policies
defining bribery to include the acceptance of anything of value for themselves or a third party. If passed, new
guidelines would be added for City employees that require department heads to report gifts received within their departments,
provide stronger rules regarding prohibited nonwork activities, as well as strengthen rules about disclosing
personal, professional and business relationships. Prop. D would require all city employees with decision-making power
to complete annual ethics training. The passing of this proposition would make it so any further changes to City
ethics laws will require voter approval or supermajority votes from both the Board and the City Ethics Commission.
Proposition F: Illegal Substance Dependence Screening
and Treatment for Recipients of City Public Assistance
The passing of Prop. F will require adult recipients of County Adult Assistance Programs who are suspected of drug
dependence to enroll in treatment in order to continue to receive benefits.
NEWS

06 07
THURSDAY
FEB. 1
2024
SCENE
HEART,
BODY,
AND SOUL
“Offerings Somatic”
on Display at Thacher
Gallery
PHEBE BRIDGES
Staff Writer
Write down a heartbreak, big or small. Put the paper in the bowl
of water, take a deep breath, listen to the soundscape of rainfall, broken
up by gently plucked strings and speech. Watch your heartbreak
dissolve. In her installation, artist Chris Evans invites us to heal and
reflect by providing an altar “to create a therapeutic moment through
an evocative and collaborative ritual,” as written on the wall sign
alongside her piece, “Transmuting Heartbreak.”
Thacher Gallery’s current exhibition, “Offerings Somatic — the
body as a substance of ritual,” features Evans’ interactive installation
along with the work of artists Evelyn Leder, Tossie Long, and Midori.
Somatic, meaning related to the body, refers to the usage of the body
in the artists’ works. The collection is a multi-sensory experience that
incorporates audio, video, and performance elements.
“Offerings Somatic,” which opened Nov. 30, 2023, was curated by
USF’s Curatorial Practicum class throughout the fall 2023 semester,
led by USF Professor Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen. While Evans’ artistic
offering relates to matters of the heart, each of the four Bay Area
artists featured in the exhibition explore themes surrounding rituals
and bodies — their own and others.
For Grammy-nominated artist Tossie Long, her featured works
center the experiences of Black communities, particularly those who,
according to the installation placard, have been “displaced due to ongoing
gentrification and systematic removal from their homes.” One
of her most striking pieces titled “Listen to the Robes | voices” features
Baptist church choir robes suspended from the ceiling. According to
MacFadyen, the majority of the featured churches still exist, “but their
choirs have suffered from extreme attrition as the Black population
rapidly declines [in San Francisco.]” Past the suspended robes stands
a collection of items from the displayed churches and communities,
preserving their experiences and
history. Encased in glass boxes are
photos accompanied by a variety of
personal belongings — a splayed out
wallet, a “How-to-do-It House Wiring
Guide,” and a recipe book. These
items were contributed by Long and
two Baptist churches, among others.
Centered in the Gallery, Midori’s
large performance art piece was created
on-site at the exhibition’s opening.
This piece was made with internationally
recognized suspension
artist and frequent collaborator Samar,
who is seen in the videographed
performance piece. Samar, bound
Chris Evans, whose work is featured above, is a member of Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen’s group, A Simple Collective, which,
according to MacFadyen’s portfolio, is “an organization dedicated to fostering creative independence for professionals, and
professional independence for creatives.” Photo by Phebe Bridges/SF Foghorn
with tree limbs and leaves, was doused with ink, and from there created
additional pieces through the impressions the body ink would
leave on a large canvas. In her work, Midori frequently includes an
“innovative use of rope,” not as bondage, “but as a medium resonating
with folk and craft,” as described in her artist statement.
Also in the gallery is “The Parts” by Evelyn Leder. With illuminated
body parts contrasting a black background, pieces of “The Parts”
can be displayed in any order. Here, a picture of a torso is lined up
with a different person’s legs, and someone’s back and arms appear
where the legs of another person should be.
MacFadyen worked closely with their class to come up with the
current display.“[Leder] said they didn’t want to have anything to do
with the actual selection or orientation or anything,” said MacFadyen.
“That’s the whole point, allowing the folks who are either purchasing
or curating the works to be able to play with them, almost like puzzle
pieces.”
“Offerings Somatic” is on display until Feb. 18 with a pop-up event
happening on Feb. 15 from 11:45am-12:45pm. According to Gallery
Director Glori Simmons, the event centers Black art and encourages
Black students, staff, and faculty to bring their own work. The theme is
“Being Black at USF,” and Tossie Long will attend.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel,
Managing Editor: Jordan Premmer, Scene Editor: Inés Ventura
Midori, whose work is featured above, often collaborates with Samar. In
2013, one of their projects titled “Bridge of Mud & Feathers,” debuted in
Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo by Phebe Bridges/SF Foghorn
Tossie Long, whose work is featured left, contributed to the album “Rise
Shine #Woke” by the Alphabet Rockers, which was nominated in 2018 for
the Best Children’s Album Grammy. Photo by Phebe Bridges/SF Foghorn
CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE
LEILAH BROWN
Staff Writer
You look good, you feel good. And for the first week of the semester
filled with icebreakers, first impressions and syllabi reviews, it
seems as if feeling good is critical to a successful first week. Science
backs this up — the psychological term for this concept is “enclothed
cognition.” There is a field of research dedicated to how the clothes
you wear impact your psychological processes, meaning a reasonable
first step to feeling good is looking good. The Foghorn went around
campus to ask students to describe their first week fashion choices.
Daniella Jarratte, a sophomore communications major, said they
typically rewear their favorite jeans and t-shirt, “but I love for the first
week of school to wear my best outfits…I always wear band tees and
things, and I was listening to The Velvet Underground this morning,
and I honestly forgot I had the t-shirt in my drawer, so I was like ‘I’m
gonna wear this’.”
Kamila Portero, a first-year politics major said that her goal for
the day “was to dress cute for my first full day of classes.”
First-year psychology major Ivy Saunders said that she has “many
different styles.” She displayed her versatility, contrasting a fairy-esque
black dress layered with a white corset and black platform boots.
“I love big chunky boots. I’m not that short, but I just love the look of
chunky shoes,” she said.
Expression through fashion can provide a way to stand out. Katherine
Anthony, a junior computer science major said that the reason
she dresses in lots of color and creativity is because “as a computer science
major I want to take up space as a woman.” Anthony paired her
bold look with a pair of dangling cheese-and-cracker earrings, adding
some playfulness and an idea for a post-class snack.
Courtney Reaves, a senior psychology major said, “I just painted
my nails blue, so I went with a shirt that has a little bit of blue on it,”
referencing her Care-Bear shirt.
Family inspires one student’s style. Zack Willson, a first-year design
major said he has always been inspired by “my dad’s old style. I
don’t like his new style, though,” he said with a laugh. Willson dresseddown
his dad’s old brown button-down with baggy jeans and thrifted
‘90s Skechers, completing his old school skater vibe.
Aziza Rabah is looking
too cool for school with
his 70’s style sunglasses,
reminiscent of artist John
Lennon’s iconic look.
Photo by Veston Smith/ SF
Foghorn
Courtney Reeves’ outfit
was a collaboration
with her dog Uzi, who
left dirty paw prints on
her crisp white pants.
Photo by Samantha Avila
Griffin/ SF Foghorn
We’ll see if the campus continues as a runway for students through
the rest of the semester.
Inés Ventura contributed to the reporting of this story.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel,
Managing Editor: Jordan Premmer, Scene Editor, Inés Ventura
Maya Mendoza kept her
look comfy with a pair of
gray tall Uggs, which have
been making a comeback
with the resurgence of the
“Y2k” fashion aesthetic.
Photo by Veston Smith/SF Foghorn
SCENE

08 09
THURSDAY
FEB. 1
2024
OPINION
WHAT’S THE HYPE WITH STANLEY CUPS?
ELINA GRAHAM is a junior
media studies major.
I am tired of social media
influencers telling me to buy
TikTok’s product of the month. This
time, it’s the Stanley Quencher Cup.
Content about it seems impossible to
ignore, from an instance of a woman
arrested for allegedly stealing $2,500
worth of Quenchers to shoppers
racing through Target to grab the
latest version — an event which was
filmed and racked up 34.2 million
views on TikTok. With actions like
these, you’d think the cup was gold
plated. Is this product really worth
engaging in such extreme behaviors?
Is it worth $35-45, or more on resell
sites for sold out colors, if you already
have a perfectly usable water bottle?
For me, the answer to both is
a resounding no. The trend of buying multiple in different colors to
use as accessories is tone-deaf and against the point of owning this
reusable product. It blows my mind to imagine people paying almost
10 times the original prices on eBay for a limited edition cup — this
“Pink Pearlescent” Quencher sold for $375 last week after receiving
59 bids.
According to CNBC, Stanley’s annual sales in 2023 were upwards
of $750 million, a significant increase from just four years ago, when
they were approximately $70 million. Stanley’s current president,
Terrence Reilly, hired in 2020, helped usher in that increase. Reilly
previously worked in marketing for Crocs, where he helped flip the
shoe’s once unfashionable image. Now at Stanley,
he is working similar marketing magic.
When Stanley was founded in 1913, their brand
focused on making dishware for outdoorsmen. The
brand rose to prominence in the past few months
not for their campware, but because they targeted
a new demographic: affluent young and middle
aged women. When the Quencher was featured
on a mom-focused blog, the Buy Guide which
has 180,000 Instagram followers, Stanley was in.
Mommy bloggers and lifestyle influencers like
Emma Chamberlain made the product a hit.
The Quencher is a perfect example of marketing
a product as the key to achieving a certain
lifestyle aesthetic. Carrying a water bottle lets you
emulate someone who takes pilates and drinks
kale smoothies, the picture of superior wellness.
The Quencher’s price tag also makes it exclusive.
By walking around with one in a limited edition
color, you’re telling the world that you’re wealthy,
you’re healthy, and you’re in the know. It’s similar
to wearing Lululemon leggings instead of off-brand
leggings. The appeal isn’t the functionality of the
item, it’s the luxury associated with the brand that
gives an elevated social status to the wearer. The
term conspicuous consumption, coined in 1899 by
American sociologist Thorstein Veblen, describes
this phenomenon in which consumers value excess
status symbols over practicality.
The frenzy around Quenchers is unwarranted
when looking at the product’s design. Water bottles
should be durable and leak-proof — reports show
that Quenchers are not— and while different colors
are fun, it’s ultimately nothing special. Quenchers
are going viral largely because the Stanley team
Graphic by Madi Reyes/Graphics Center
knows how to market using social media. Pop musician Olivia Rodrigo
told GQ Magazine, “I was actually TikTok influenced into buying [a
Quencher]. I was like, I need this, it looks like it’s going to change
my life. And it did.” I’m skeptical that it radically took Rodrigo’s life
in a new direction, but her statement shows how powerful social
media is for advertising. It’s unclear if Stanley compensated her for
this promotion but regardless, her 60 million monthly listeners on
Spotify, the majority being young women, are now more likely to buy a
Quencher too. Rodrigo’s statement both perpetuates the consumerist
cycle and also shows how easy it is to fall victim to TikTok’s influence.
Reusable water bottles are actually life changing. They reduce
single use plastic consumption and having one encourages me to stay
hydrated. So if a Quencher is the right bottle for you, buy one! Just
don’t buy 20 in different colors. People filling their cupboards with
Quenchers has completely defeated the purpose of owning a reusable
item. Reilly described the Quencher as “akin to a woman’s handbag
and how a woman might own multiple handbags, and match it to
whatever outfit she was wearing that day.” Consumerism at its finest
— a sustainable product becoming dispensable for profit.
It probably won’t be long before the Quenchers fill Goodwill
shelves. The trend will come and go, similar to the plight of Hydroflasks.
For some, Quenchers already are on their way out, according to some
TikTok tastemakers who predict Owala bottles are the next big thing.
In the end, Quenchers are just another cog in the consumerist
machine that owes its popularity to strategic marketing. To me, they’re
bulky and awkward to carry. The hike to Lone Mountain is hard
enough without adding 40 ounces of water to my load.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel,
Managing Editor: Jordan Premmer, Opinion Editor: Chisom Okorafor
CHISOM OKORAFOR is a
sophomore politics major.
DIVISIVE OR DEMOCRATIC?
Following three months of
enormous pro-Palestine protests,on
Jan. 9, San Francisco became the
largest U.S. city to call for an
immediate and sustained ceasefire
in Gaza, Occupied Palestine.
The Board of Supervisors
resolution calls for “Sustained
Ceasefire in Gaza, Humanitarian
Aid, Release of Hostages, and
Condemning Antisemitic, Anti-
Palestinian, and Islamophobic
Rhetoric and Attacks.” The
legislation was introduced by
District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston,
who is Jewish. After hours of public
comment and revising over the
two-day period, the non-binding
resolution passed in an 8-to-3 vetoproof
majority.
Upon the resolution’s success, City Hall erupted into cheers and
chants. Supervisor Preston noted the unprecedented passion of the
crowd.
However, not all San Franciscans were fans of the legislation. The
Jewish News of Northern California reported that SF Mayor London
Breed faced calls from mainstream Jewish organizations to veto the
resolution. She also received a letter requesting the same from the
mayor of Israeli city Haifa, one of San Francisco’s sister cities which
was ethnically cleansed of nearly 60,000 Palestinians in the 1940’s,
according to Palestine Remembered and Middle East Eye. While
Mayor Breed did not go that far, she did condemn the resolution, and
refused to sign it — a rare move.
This action represents Mayor Breed’s failure to grasp the
importance of such a motion, and it is ultimately another instance of
the mayor departing from the will of the people she claims to represent.
Mayor Breed released a statement on X claiming the legislation
Graphic by Madi Reyes /Graphics Center
Mayor Breed’s Cease-fire Condemnation is Appalling
made the city “angrier, more divided, and less safe.” Breed acknowledges
legitimate concerns from the Jewish community about this
resolution, citing instances of anti-semitic harassment at the hearing.
Antisemitism is completely unacceptable, no matter what. She’s correct
about that. However, it’s hard to see why someone who, according to
their statement, wants to “show that life is sacred,” wouldn’t approve of
San Francisco’s opposition to the indiscriminate killing of about thirty
thousand people, the vast majority being civilians.
Pro-ceasefire organizations, such as the Arab Resource and
Organizing Center, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and
Jewish Voices for Peace, pushed back against the mayor’s rhetoric. The
groups have coalesced to call the statement “inaccurate, racist, and
divisive,” as well as demanding a retraction and apology.
In many ways, they’re right to do so. Mayor Breed’s stance seems
to be exponentially more divisive than the stance of the ceasefire
legislation. In November, Reuters found that nearly 70% of the country
supported a ceasefire in Gaza. That number jumps to 80% among
Democrats, according to Data for Progress. At the council meeting
public comment session, nearly 400 people expressed their support
for the resolution, with only one person speaking in opposition. The
tens of thousands protesting in San Francisco for a ceasefire illustrate
this quite clearly. The Foghorn has previously covered pro-Palestine
protests on campus and statements released by USF’s own community.
If there is a divide, it is between the American political class and the
people.
In fact, an Economist poll found that 50% of Biden voters believe
Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinians. One can assume
this reflects the views of many San Franciscans, as in the 2020
election, 85% of ballots in San Francisco were for Biden. This comes
as the International Court of Justice ruled on Jan. 26 that allegations
of Israel committing a genocide in Gaza are “plausible.” Mayor Breed
refusing to back a ceasefire on what a plurality of her voters believe is a
genocide is alienating at best and morally outrageous at worst.
Backing a ceasefire is the normative position of not just Democrats,
San Franciscans, and Americans, but also the world. Last month, 153
out of 193 countries voted at the United Nations for an immediate
humanitarian ceasefire. It is the position of
the United States, and American politicians
like Mayor Breed, that is polarizing, not the
rest of the world. Sorry, Mayor Breed, but
democracy is not “divisive.”
Breed’s condemnation exposes her as
being out of touch with those she claims to
represent. Though her statement claimed to
want peace,the mayor seems to be unwilling
to take any steps to materially demonstrate
that desire. Her stance may be costly in her
upcoming bid for re-election, as the Nation
reports that 60% of Democratic voters
prefer pro-ceasefire politicians.
In her condemnation, Breed said she
“must choose unity.” It seems she would
have preferred if the SF Board of Supervisors
stayed silent and didn’t engage with calls
from the constituency. But at some point,
one must stand for something. The people
of Gaza are undergoing a humanitarian
catastrophe. If San Francisco’s mayor won’t
stand for Palestinians, the rest of the city
will — with or without London Breed.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief
Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, Managing Editor:
Jordan Premmer
OPINION

10 11
THURSDAY
FEB. 1
2024
DONS BASKETBALL HITS MID-SEASON STRIDE
DONS VOLLEYBALL WELCOMES 2024 SIGNEES
SERENA FINNEY
Staff Writer
Following the end of the 2023 women’s volleyball season, USF head
coach Diogo Silva announced the 2024 signing class for the upcoming
season. The Dons welcomed three new members to the team for the fall
of 2024 — Shannon Sheehy, Delaney Ewing, and Shannon Knight.
The Foghorn spoke with Ewing about her commitment to USF.
Ewing is eager to get to the Hilltop after signing her letter of intent
on Jan. 17. She is finishing her final year of high school in Fort Collins,
Colorado, and said she “couldn’t be more excited about moving.”
Coach Silva said, “I have no doubt she is going to succeed. She
knows the lesson of wanting, working hard, and achieving.”
Ewing has been to San Francisco many times, but her most recent
visit sealed the deal for her commitment to USF. She said, “At the time
of my visit the freshman girls were amazing and so welcoming.”
She recalls connecting with sophomore libero Abby Wadas when
she visited the Hilltop. She says “I find it surreal that I am now seen as
a leader. When it feels like just yesterday I was the nervous freshman
walking on.”
Ewing said, “It was the best visit I went on. So special and so
magical in a way.”
The process of commitment for Ewing started in her junior year
of high school. Through the college commitment process, she received
offers from Colorado State University, Colgate College, California
State University, Sacramento, and California State University, Fresno.
For Ewing, “USF always piqued my interest- and it felt good knowing
[Silva] was extremely interested.”
With the guidance of Wadas, Silva, and the entire team, Ewing has
a community awaiting her on the Hilltop.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, Managing Editor:
Jordan Premmer, Sports Editor: Chase Darden
Three new Dons will be making their way onto the court for USF Volleyball in the Fall of 2024. Pictured from left to right: Shannon Knight, Delaney Ewing, Shannon Sheehy.
Photo Courtesy of Dons Athletics.
The Dons are hoping to make a run at March Madness. Pictured from left to right: Ryan Beasley, Josh Kunen, Marcus Williams, Chris Gerlufsen, Stefan Todorovic, and
Malik Thomas. Photo courtesy of Chris M. Leung/Dons Athletics.
THE 49ERS ADVANCE TO SUPER BOWL LVIII
SPORTS
JORDAN MARALIT
Staff Writer
With the West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament approaching,
the Dons Basketball program is gearing up to make a run for the
conference title. Both men’s and women’s basketball kicked off WCC
play since USF left for winter break on Dec. 6.
On Dec. 22, guard Malik Thomas led the Dons men’s team to
victory against Fresno State, scoring 22 points in a game that ended in
a 77-57 victory. In the Jan. 13 home game versus the Portland Pilots,
Thomas gave a 26-point performance, in addition to five rebounds.
On Jan. 18, guard Marcus Williams scored 24 points in addition
to forward Jonathan Mogbo’s 23-point, 11-rebound double-double
giving the Dons a victory against the Loyola Marymount University
(LMU) Lions, ending with a score of 90-76.
On Jan 4th, Mogbo’s contributions against the University of the
Pacific Tigers led to a Dons overtime victory. He had 30 points, 18
rebounds, three assists, and one block against the Tigers. In a recent
interview with NBC Bay Area, Mogbo described his skill as “very
versatile, offensively and defensively.” He added, “I feel like I can
contribute in every area on the floor and just play hard.”
The men’s basketball team has a 5-2 conference record and a 16-6
record overall. They are currently the No. 4 seed in the conference
standings.
The Dons Women’s Basketball team took a win in the Conference
Opener against the LMU Lions on Jan. 4th, with a 63-38 point victory.
Guard Jasmine Gayles and forward Deborah Dos Santos scored
in double-figures. Dos Santos tallied 14 points to go along with 18
rebounds, marking her eighth double-double of the season. In addition,
Gayles finished with a game-high 20 points.
The Women’s Basketball Team had a comeback win against the
University of the Pacific, with Gayles putting up a career-high 40-point
performance. She became the WCC player of the week for a second
time, with her conference-high 40-point game. Dos Santos posted a
12-point, 13-rebound double-double, marking her 11th of the season.
The women’s basketball team has a 4-3 conference record and
a 8-12 overall record. They are currently the No. 4 seed in the West
Coast Conference.
If the Dons continue to stay on top, they have the opportunity to
continue the pace to get an opening-round bye in the WCC tournament.
The winner of the WCC tournament will be guaranteed a spot in the
NCAA Division 1 March Madness Tournament.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, Managing Editor:
Jordan Premmer, Sports Editor: Chase Darden
CHASE DARDEN
Staff Writer
The San Francisco 49ers punched their ticket to Las Vegas,
following a 34-31 victory over the Detroit Lions in the National
Football Conference (NFC) Championship. The team will take on the
Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.
The 49ers will be making their second Super Bowl appearance
in the last five years. The Chiefs are reigning Super Bowl champions,
and this game will be their fourth appearance in five years. This year’s
Super Bowl will be a rematch of Super Bowl LIV from February 2020,
where the Chiefs beat the 49ers with a score of 31-20.
Although the 49ers were down 24-7 to the Lions at the end of
the first half, they played a strong second half, scoring 27 points. The
49ers’ win secured their Super Bowl spot while also preventing the
Lions from their first Super Bowl in their 94-year history.
The San Francisco Bay Area and the 49er Faithful as a whole will
be gearing up for the big game on Feb. 11, so stay tuned to the Foghorn
for updates regarding the best spots to catch Super Bowl LVIII.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, Managing Editor:
Jordan Premmer, Sports Editor: Chase Darden
The 49ers look to take down the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIIII. Pictured left to right:
Fred Warner, Brock Purdy, Trent Williams, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and
Deebo Samuel. Photo courtesy of @49ers/Instagram
SPORTS

12
THURSDAY
FEB. 1
2024
USF ROUNDNET CLUB MAKES A SPIKE
AMANDA HERNANDEZ
Staff Writer
The USFCA Roundnet Club is a campus
organization founded by students Thompson
Yang, William Durrill and Emmanuel Flores.
Initially meeting for weekly games at Welch
Field, the group became a recognized campus
organization in February of 2023. They are
currently in the California Roundnet Division II
bracket.
The purpose of the game is for two players
to spike a ball on a trampoline in a manner that
the other team can’t return it. The sport is more
commonly known as Spikeball, referencing one of
the nation’s top roundnet manufacturers.
USF’s team plays against other colleges
including California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo, the University of Southern
California, Arizona State University, and more.
They were ranked last place at the start of
fall, and moved up to sixth place by the end of
sectionals last November.
As a first-time club president on campus,
Durrill plans to continue developing the club
with the same vision that Yang, Flores, and
himself started with. Durrill said, “Roundnet is
a club that helps students improve their skills,
create community and have fun with other USF
students. We do more than just play roundnet. We
host dinners, social events, and trips.”
Though Yang served as the club president
when the organization was established, he
stepped down this semester to give his teammate
the opportunity to hold a leadership position.
They currently meet for weekly practices
on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Raymond Kimbrell Park and
Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Welch Field.
Jeslyn Theodore, the Roundnet Club events manager, said, “Ever
since I joined the roundnet club, I’ve been more active. Roundnet
definitely gives that flexibility to practice and have fun, but even
outside of the sport itself, the roundnet community is one of the
funnest groups I’ve encountered here at USF. The togetherness that
the roundnet club creates really leaves a core memory in my college
USF Roundnet club travels around the state competing in tournaments against colleges and universities from
across the country. Photo courtesy of @usfca.roundnet/Instagram.
experience.”
For students interested in joining the club, you can contact the
president at usf.roundnet@gmail.com, message them on Instagram @
usfca.roundnet or stop by one of their practices.
Editor-in-Chief: Megan Robertson, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia Siegel, Managing
Editor: Jordan Premmer, Sports Editor: Chase Darden
SPORTS
The Roundnet club meets for weekly practices on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Raymond Kimbrell Park and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Welch Field.
Photo courtesy of @usfca.roundnet/Instagram.