Representing yourself can be challenging, but it’s also empowering. When you represent yourself in court, you reduce the financial burden of legal fees, and more importantly, you keep control of your case. But self-representation comes with risks. You may overlook important details or fail to articulate your position clearly. Many people who represent themselves in court end up losing their case because they didn’t know what was going on or just didn’t understand the attorney’s advice. It’s not easy to have an attorney as a friend rather than an adversary, but if you trust them and feel comfortable asking them questions, having an attorney as a friend can be extremely beneficial. Your attorney will help guide you through the process of representing yourself and give you advice and guidance along the way so that you don’t make any mistakes that could hurt your case or provide insight into how to word things in a document or deposition in order to best defend your point of view.

How Often Should I Hear From my Attorney?

This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on the specific situation and the relationship between the attorney and client. Generally speaking, however, you should expect to hear from your attorney at least once a month, and preferably more often if there are active legal proceedings underway. If you haven’t heard from your attorney in a while, it’s always best to reach out and check in to see what’s going on.

What’s The Difference Between Self-Representation And Pro Se Representation?

Self-Representation vs. Pro Se Representation

Self-representation is the process of representing yourself in court without an attorney. A person who represents himself in court is called a “pro see litigant, and he or she must represent himself/herself completely and completely alone. An attorney can assist a pro se litigant by answering questions, explaining the court process, and assisting with document preparation. However, the pro se litigant can’t be represented by an attorney during trial proceedings. The judge will not allow a pro se litigant to have an attorney present at trial unless it is determined that the client cannot adequately represent him/herself in court.

Benefits of Representing Yourself

The biggest benefit of representing yourself in court is that you save money on legal fees for representation for your case. If you are concerned about finding an experienced lawyer to handle your case, consider hiring a lawyer at no cost through LegalZoom. LegalZoom offers you access to hundreds of experienced attorneys across the United States who will help you resolve your legal issue for free or at very little cost if you are willing to pay for their time and assistance after your case has been resolved.

Drawbacks of Representing Yourself

If you represent yourself in court without an attorney, there are several potential drawbacks that could affect your outcome: You may make mistakes during trial proceedings that could result in negative consequences for your case; You may not be able to understand the court system and process; You may not be able to effectively communicate with the judge, jury, or opposing counsel; and You may not be able to adequately represent yourself in court.

The Difference Between a Lawyer and an Attorney

An attorney is a lawyer who has been granted permission by the court to represent a client in legal matters. An attorney has extensive experience in handling cases like yours and will be able to explain the court process in detail, including how your case will proceed during trial proceedings. An attorney can also assist you in preparing documents for your case such as letters, pleadings, motions, etc., but cannot serve as your legal representative during trial proceedings.”

Why Should You Hire An Attorney To Help With Your Case?

1. Experience

An attorney has been practicing law for many years and has the knowledge and experience to handle your case. An attorney will be able to explain the court process and procedures in detail, making it easier for you to understand and participate in your own case.

2. Fees

An attorney charges a flat fee or hourly rate that is based on the complexity of your case. An attorney can also charge a contingency fee if he/she wins your case at trial. This means that if you do not prevail, you will only pay the attorney a certain percentage of the award or judgment amount that you receive from the court as compensation for his/her services and expenses incurred in handling your case.”

3. Representation at Trial

An attorney can serve as your legal representative during trial proceedings, which means he/she will be able to assist you in presenting evidence, cross-examining witnesses on behalf of you, arguing motions (such as requests for dismissal), etc., but cannot represent you during trial proceedings.”

4. Representation After Trial Court Proceedings Have Ended”

An attorney can continue to represent you after trial proceedings have ended. For example, if you are unsuccessful in a trial, an attorney can assist you with gathering and preparing evidence for an appeal or a motion to dismiss.”

5. Representation During All Court Proceedings”

An attorney can represent you during all court proceedings, including the pretrial hearings, discovery stage, and trial proceedings. This means that an attorney can assist you with presenting evidence and monitoring the progress of your case. An attorney may also be able to represent you during all post-trial stages. This includes filing a motion to reconsider the trial court’s decision on your case (such as requesting dismissal), seeking a new trial date or setting aside the judgment/award of the court for one reason or another; and seeking relief from judgment/award such as obtaining payment from insurance companies.”

6. Representing You After You’ve Won Your Case in Court”

If your case is successful at trial, an attorney may be able to help you obtain reimbursement for your legal expenses incurred in handling your case (such as expert witness fees, court reporter fees, etc.)”

How Can An Attorney Help You Represent Yourself?

• An attorney can help you in your representation if he/she is willing to do so.
• An attorney may be able to assist you with preparing for your case but cannot represent you at trial.
• An attorney can assist you in presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses on your behalf, but cannot represent you during trial proceedings.”
• An attorney can assist you in obtaining a favorable judgment/award at trial, but cannot represent you after the trial court has rendered a verdict.”
• An attorney can assist you in obtaining reimbursement for legal expenses incurred in handling your case (such as expert witness fees, court reporter fees, etc.), but cannot represent you during post-trial stages of your case.”

How Can An Attorney Help You With Discovery?

• An attorney can assist you in obtaining documents that are relevant to your case. For example, an attorney can request the documents from a person who may have them and get them to the attorney.
• An attorney can assist you in obtaining information on witnesses and other evidence that is relevant to your case.”
• An attorney can assist you in requesting copies of reports, statements and other documents that may be relevant to your case.”
• An attorney can assist you with preparing for court appearances, but cannot represent you at trial.”
• An attorney can assist you with presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses on your behalf, but cannot represent you during trial proceedings.”
• An attorney can assist you with obtaining a favorable judgment/award at trial, but cannot represent you after the trial court has rendered a verdict.”
• An attorney can assist you with obtaining reimbursement for legal expenses incurred in handling your case (such as expert witness fees, court reporter fees, etc.), but cannot represent you during post-trial stages of your case.”

How Can An Attorney Help During Depositions?

• An attorney can assist you with preparing for and attending a deposition.
• An attorney can assist you in presenting evidence and cross-examining witnesses on your behalf, but cannot represent you during trial proceedings.”
• An attorney can assist you in obtaining a favorable judgment/award at trial, but cannot represent you after the trial court has rendered a verdict.”
• An attorney can assist you with obtaining reimbursement for legal expenses incurred in handling your case (such as expert witness fees, court reporter fees, etc.), but cannot represent you during post-trial stages of your case.”

When Should You Fire Your Attorney?

• Firing your attorney after a trial is underway may leave you without representation at a critical stage of your case.
• Firing your attorney before the outcome of your case is certain may leave you with an incomplete decision and will be costly to you.
• Firing your attorney before the trial is over may leave you without representation in the post-trial stages of your case.
• Firing your attorney before the trial is complete may leave you without representation in the resolution of any appeals that may be necessary.”
• Firing your attorney before you have completed the trial may leave you with an incomplete decision and will be costly to you.”

Conclusion

Legal cases can be incredibly stressful, so having someone on your side who knows the ins and outs of the court system can be extremely helpful. If you decide to represent yourself in court, it would be beneficial to have an attorney on your side to help you navigate the process and win your case. An attorney will know what evidence and information is necessary to win your case, they will be able to write discovery requests for you, they will help you prepare for your case, and most importantly, they will help you understand the legal issues in your case.

Simple reliance on gun laws is not enough

Cynthia Shi/Staff

In the 146 days that have passed since the start of 2022, there have been nearly 200 mass shootings, 27 of which occurred at schools. Just this week, there were three shootings on minority communities, the most recent being the horrific school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that took the lives of two educators and 19 children.

In keeping with the rest of the nation, instances of gun violence are unfortunately common within the Berkeley community. In 2020, Berkeley had 41 confirmed instances of gunfire, leading to multiple fatalities, with one victim being a UC Berkeley student. There have already been 20 confirmed shootings this year, leading to numerous injuries. This past semester, campus was forced to go into lockdown after receiving a shooting threat. 

For years now, legislators around the country have been working to improve gun laws; yet deaths by gun violence continue to increase at an alarming rate. This has raised the question of whether diverting some of our attention to alternative solutions, rather than wholehearted reliance on gun control laws, is necessary.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers at Stanford University’s school of medicine, many mass shooters in the United States suffered from untreated mental illnesses at the time of their crime. This discovery highlights the importance of following America’s gun violence issue to its root — by addressing mental health problems early on and providing adequate support and resources throughout a person’s life. 

Currently, average American cities have reported allocating 20% to 45% of their discretionary funds to the police in the name of preventing such violence. However, if even a fraction of this large sum of money is allocated to preventing the violence from occurring in the first place, such well-funded police forces would not be as necessary. That money could instead be directed towards implementing proper mental health programs and protocols at schools, where every person, regardless of social background or financial status, is expected to attend and can gain easy, effective access. 

Of course, this is not to say that mental health is the sole trigger for these heinous crimes. It is important to acknowledge, however, that it has been a contributor to many of the cases because even despite this understanding, the necessary resources and programs to alleviate such issues are incredibly underfunded or outright non-existent at many California K-12 schools so far. 

UC Berkeley, among other well-funded high education institutions, has some programs and organizations in place to address student needs, including 24/7 counseling and psychological services and general resources for coping with trauma and grief. While this creates a foundation, campus should create resources more specific to trauma and grief in reaction to national-scale events such as gun violence. 

It is only with the proper mental health support in each period surrounding gun violence — before, during and after such events — that we can hope to find some alleviation of the current epidemic.  

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board as written by the summer 2022 opinion editor, Manya Zhao.

The Daily Californian

Oxford College plans to use the residential modular units (the Mods) for an additional year. 

The Mods were introduced in fall 2021 as a temporary solution to address over enrollment at Oxford. First-year enrollment increased from 492 in 2020-21 to 593 students in 2021-22, a 20.5% increase. Sullivan noted the importance of keeping it temporary and balancing out the classes to prevent over enrollment. According to Director of Residential Education and Services Phillip Sullivan, the school will remove the Mods when they no longer need it for residential purposes. 

“In order to get us back to that number where we were prior to this academic year, at some point we will balance out the numbers to where we will have a smaller class,” Sullivan said.

(Kelly Zhuang/OxSGA Desk)

In an email reply on April 21 to The Wheel, the enrollment services said they currently have no comment regarding the solution to the increased enrollment.

There are two modular housing structures with 42 to 44 single rooms each. All rooms are suite-style, each containing one bed and a shared bathroom connected to another room. The structures are located in the parking lot behind Haygood Hall and the Oxford Student Center. Rooms are about seven feet in length/width by 11 feet in length/width. Singles in Murdy Residence Hall are 13 feet in length by 11 feet, 8 inches in width. 

The Mods also have a third structure with a common space, small study lounges and an office for the Residence Life Coordinator. 

Students have mixed reactions to living in the Mods. Although the spring-start student Anthony Liu (23Ox) indicated he wants a roommate in the housing application, he was assigned to the Mods. He said it was hard to interact with other students because he did not have a roommate. 

“While it has been nice to have my own bathroom and space, I want to live with an actual roommate and meet more people around my dorms,” Liu said.

(Kelly Zhuang/OxSGA Desk)

Sullivan said that the Mods are on the west part of campus so that there are an equal number of residence halls on each side of Oxford.

“I get why people are wondering why it is over here in the west side,” Sullivan said. “I think it just plays into that concept of having an equal number of residence halls on both sides of campus.”

According to the Inside Oxford webpage, the cost of living at the Mods is $4,627 per semester, which is the same cost as a double. Single rooms in other residence halls are more expensive, costing $4,977 per semester. 

Kevin Zhang (21Ox, 24C), who signed up to live in the Mods during his sophomore year, said the Mods were not as good as he hoped.

“The walls could be thicker like the other dorms,” Zhang (21Ox) said. “The rooms are already smaller than the other dorms so it could be more soundproof.” 

While students have mixed reactions to the Mods, Sullivan said some students had previously and are currently asking to live in the Mods.

The post Oxford’s modular housing to remain for additional year appeared first on The Emory Wheel.

Cindy Muñoz/The Cougar

The sun is shining and the weather is clear which means summer is finally here. It is time to reward yourself after a year’s worth of hard work and commitment. Throughout Houston, there are numerous opportunities and ways to have fun while saving money.

For example, try visiting the James Turrells’ Twilight Epiphany installation where you can witness the sunrise and sunset for free. The structure turns a mundane natural phenomena into an awe-inducing spectacle. 

Several museums in Houston also offer discounts and even free visits on certain days. The Contemporary Art Museum, the Houston Center for Photography, the Jung Center and more offer free admission. Other museums like The Health Museum, Holocaust Museum and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum have free admissions on Thursday.

If you are looking for a relaxing day try strolling through the city’s many graffiti galleries. Houston is home to a plethora of talented artists. Most of their work can be appreciated using the Houston Mural Map. 

If you’re looking for a natural getaway, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is a 155-acre of green space that is free to the public every day of the week. With five miles of trails and different gardens to enjoy, the Arboretum is perfect for a bit of exercise or a relaxing picnic.

In addition, one of the most popular parks to visit in Houston is Discovery Green. Spread out on its vibrant green grass, or take a seat under a group of tall sturdy trees. This park offers free wifi, shady areas, public art, a variety of seating, and large landscapes of green space.

Looking for a good place to explore, and maybe do a little shopping? The Downtown Tunnels have you covered. The tunnels are a six-mile area that spans for 95 blocks and features both restaurants and shops that lie 20 feet underground. 

For a gathering of friends or family, mini-golf is a fun and cheap activity. A variety of options are available like Speedy’s Fast Track and US Golf and Games. Similarly, Discovery Green offers a variety of activities such as fitness classes, outdoor movies, festivals and games for friends and families.

For college students, the Alley Theatre offers discounted tickets for $16. The brand new and remodeled theater is full of spectacular shows and plays that are worth it. Furthermore, college students can get $10 rush tickets to specific Houston Ballet performances when they buy tickets 90 minutes before show time. 

Lastly, for a summer evening, outdoor or drive-in movies are recommended. Theaters include the Showboat Drive-in Theater, the Rooftop Cinema Club and the MoonStruck Drive-In.

arts@thedailycougar.com

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“Affordable summer activities available for UH students” was originally posted on The Cougar

1st case of monkeypox confirmed in Sacramento County, California

Allie Caulfield/Creative Commons

Photo by Allie Caulfield under CC BY 2.0 The first case of monkeypox in California has been detected in Sacramento County.

The Centers for Disease Control, or CDC, confirmed the first case of monkeypox in the state of California on Thursday in Sacramento County.

As of press time, monkeypox has been detected in eight states, totaling 10 cases, according to the CDC website. While case count is still low, the CDC recommends individuals with consistent symptoms, who are also recent travelers returning from West Africa or any nation with reported cases, seek medical attention.

There already exists a vaccine for monkeypox for which the CDC is recommending certain individuals to receive. Individuals include providers who administer the vaccine, medical personnel who treat individuals who have contracted the disease and researchers or laboratory personnel who may handle the disease.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, the vaccine is a “second generation” smallpox vaccine as monkeypox and smallpox are members of the same genus, Orthopoxvirus.

“CDC is urging healthcare providers in the U.S. to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox,” reads the CDC’s monkeypox dashboard. “CDC is working with state and local health officials to identify people who may have been in contact with individuals who have tested positive for monkeypox, so they can monitor their health.”

Matt Brown is the executive news editor. Contact him at mattbrown@dailycal.org, and follow him on Twitter at @maattttbrown.

The Daily Californian

Five books to add to your reading list this summer

Ryder Mawby/File

With summer in full swing, you may be looking for something to fill the boredom time off can bring. What better way to spend the next few months than reading a few novels? Here’s The Daily Clog’s list of books to add to your reading this season!

“The Love Hypothesis” by Ali Hazelwood

This cute romance novel is a perfect read to kick off your summer. Olive Smith is a busy third-year Ph.D. candidate who has no interest in romantic relationships. However, with the constant prodding of her love life, she lies to her friend about being in a relationship. While Smith hoped this would get her friend off her back, it ends up creating an interesting plot. After her friend’s demand for proof, Olive has no choice but to engage in a fake relationship with a young and uptight professor. This plan of placating a friend soon gets a little too close to real love. Full of nerdy banter and main characters you come to love, this is a sweet novel you have to read.

“A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow” by Laura Taylor Namey

As a young adult romance set in the United Kingdom during the summer, “A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow” is another book that is perfect for your reading list. Protagonist Reyes has a lot on her plate — especially as she loses loved ones, friends and family all in the span of a few weeks. It’s for these reasons that her parents decide to send her to England for the summer. Here, she meets Orion Maxwell, who she slowly falls in love with. Besides the main romantic storyline, the author addresses difficult topics like grief and mental health realistically. Although the novel starts off as a little bit of a downer, readers get to see Reyes grow as a person, which makes for a worthwhile read.

“Malibu Rising” by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taking place in 1983, this novel focuses on four famous siblings. Over the course of an epic party, the reader soon learns about their different life stages. A few examples include divorce, dating and a profuse amount of secrets. By the end of the party, their mansion will be up in flames — but not before the family’s secrets rise to the surface. This riveting novel is perfect for those who want to read something other than a summer romance!

“Hello (From Here)” by Chandler Baker and Wesley King

This young adult romance novel is set in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It puts an emphasis on some of the issues the reader may have experienced while tying love into the mix. Max and Jonah have to learn to balance their typical teenage crush for each other on top of differences in class, privilege and mental health. For those looking for a more serious summer read, this is perfect for you. As a content warning, however, this novel does mention instances of depression and losing a loved one due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

“People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

This contemporary novel focuses on two best friends named Poppy and Alex. The story centers on them and their annual summer vacations spent together. This, of course, was before their break up. Trying to salvage their friendship, Poppy asks Alex to go on one last summer vacation. This cute romance novel is another perfect read to add to your list this summer!

Hopefully you can kick off your summer with some of these intriguing reads!

Contact Samantha Herrera at sherrera@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

To understand the new smart watched and other pro devices of recent focus, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation.

Apple’s Watch records exercise, tracks our moves throughout the day, assesses the amount of time we are stood up and reminds us to get up and move around if we have been sat for too long – let’s not forget Tim Cook’s “sitting is the new factor” line.

Diana saves Steve Trevor who has crashed on Themyscira. He warns her of the great war, World War I, raging across the globe. Wonder Woman joins him in the world of man.

Diana was also joined on the show by her brother Jonathan Dior.

Before you click away, disappointed that I brought up something as practical and boring as time management, hear me out. My intent is not to crush your spirits.

You Truly Believed In Justice

The average U.S. iPhone owner uses 1-2 gigabytes of LTE data per month, according to some studies. That data comes at an energy cost that’s opaque, because we can’t see it directly.

It’s quite the statement to make, and one that requires some thought. Wonder Woman is essentially saying that if your core beliefs are shaken by a personal experience.

Also Read: Journey of Diana Prince into the Wonder Woman Empire

To its detractors, love at first sight must be an illusion – the wrong term for what is simply infatuation, or a way to sugarcoat lust.

• Take a social media hiatus. According to a recent survey from Everyday Health, 60 to 70 percent of young adults say they check their social media platforms at least daily. Why not dial that back for the holidays?
• Stick to your new routine. It’s tempting to shake up your typical schedule when the holidays come around, but women’s health expert and BINTO founder Suzie Welsh emphasizes the importance of routine amid the revelry.
• Be intentional about fitness. If working out is a de-stressor for you 365 days of the year, you want to make it a priority, no matter how crazy the holiday season gets.

The truth, of course, is that these people have been lying to you all along.

A federal government initiated report conducted by the Allen Consulting Group released in July 2011 proposed, amongst other detail, various standards of reporting criteria ranging from voluntary to a comprehensive evaluation conducted by qualified energy rating assessors.

What One Does With The Truth

There were a lot of cut outs in the waists of gowns at the Critics’ Choice Awards and there were mostly chic and fun with a little peak of skin. This is not a little peak.

They will all come together to decide the winner of the prize, which was won last year by British menswear designer Grace Wales Bonner. The successful candidate will be given a $300,000 grant and year-long business mentorship, helping them to develop every area of their brand.

Coverage: 50 Ways to Wear a Hat

We like the idea of a long top over pants – it’s nervy – but the combo of no straps, very long layers of ruffling and her cleavage looking smashed the latest records.

This is reflected in the basic idea to Kate Ballis’ photo series Beaches Above. By shooting the world from a bird’s eye. Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way.

Facebook has been less active than Google on the public relations front, but has joined its lobbying efforts – going as far as hiring experienced lobbyists who know Prime Minister Scott Morrison personally.

1. There is always the New Project, the New Opportunity.

Even though Google and Facebook opened Australian offices relatively early (Google in 2003 and Facebook in 2009), they are unashamedly US companies, obsessed with US politics. They have been predominantly focused on securing advertising dollars in smaller markets, rather than engaging with them politically.

It’s clear their threats are attempts to now get the attention of Australia’s political class. And if the platforms follow through.

This is reflected in the basic idea to Kate Ballis’ photo series Beaches Above. By shooting the world from a bird’s eye. Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about learning.

2. To be successful, follow your passion and see where it leads you.

Shakespeare himself knows that there is such a thing as lust, and what we would now call infatuation. He’s no fool. People who exhibit the perfectionism are fearful of failure.

Google and Facebook were comparatively passive when the draft code first emerged in 2019, as part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Digital Platforms Inquiry. Providing advance notice of any changes.

Forget Your Fears and Worries

Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way. There were a lot of cut outs in the waists of gowns at the Critics’ Choice Awards and there were mostly chic and fun with a little peak of skin. The contrast in these stories help to highlight what we’ve learned:

• Light comes from all sorts of randomness void.
• It’s a blessing, but also a terrible defect sensational.
• Smart phones are a massive energy drain.
• Buy SmartMag for your successful site.

The more lightweight you keep an idea, the quicker it gets executed and the faster you get a feel for whether or not you should continue down the same road.

We’d love to show you how to make a great living as a writer. Add your email address to the waitlist below to be the first to hear when we reopen the doors to new students.

Courtesy UH Cougar Medics

As many students already know, navigating UH’s sprawling campus can be quite the endeavor. A reflection of the city it calls home, the University is a chaotic pastiche of Houston’s tangled freeway system.

This layout presents challenges for students and faculty alike, but most importantly it makes it difficult for emergency responders to reach people in need, says Meenakshi Karthik, a junior studying nutrition and vice president of internal affairs for UH Cougar Medics.

“Around UH, the Houston fire department has one of the longer response times in the city,” said Karthik. “It can be difficult for emergency responders to reach students sometimes. Our campus isn’t laid out in a way that’s very conducive to ambulances and fire trucks.”

That’s why Meenakshi, along with a group of several other students, are seeking to form a student-run EMS service on campus.

The organization, dubbed UH Cougar Medics, would serve to bridge the gap between an injury or accident occurring, and emergency personnel arriving on the scene. Aside from tending to life-threatening injuries, such as arterial bleeding, the organization’s main goal is to provide a sort of guide for emergency personnel to a student’s location.

“A lot of times what happens is, after an incident occurs, UHPD will be dispatched to the scene,” Karthik said. “Once they arrive and confirm that someone is in need of medical help, they usually just call EMS/HFD. This wastes valuable time that could be used to save someone’s life.”

In order to provide this potentially life-saving service on campus, the org will need two things: administrative approval and EMS certifications for all their members, both of which are easier said than done, says biochemistry senior and external affairs vice president Nga Thai.

“We’re still working on getting all of our current members EMS certified,” said Thai. “It can be difficult to manage while also being a student. It’s about two months of training including both class room material as well as hands-on learning in a clinical setting.”

Aside from the time investment, there’s also the cost. With prices for EMS certification being around $1,500, many students are turned off by the price alone. This is part of the reason the organization is seeking recognition from the University, as funding could potentially eliminate, or at least off set the financial barrier to entry.

There are other concerns, as the administration is a little wary of sending students to the scene of a potentially life-threatening injury, Thai said.

“We’re definitely dealing with a little uncertainty on behalf of UH officials,” Thai said. “We’re working on showing them the benefits of having a student-run EMS service.”

One of the biggest benefits, Thai said, is that the organization would provide the service entirely free of charge to UH students. Thai added that with prices as high as $1,000 and added fees for mileage, an ambulance ride could push the shoe-string budget of a student to the breaking point.

UH Cougar Medics wouldn’t be the first student-run EMS service either. With similar organizations operating on both the UT Dallas and Rice University campuses, there’s no reason UH can’t provide a similar service to its students, Thai said.

news@thedailycougar.com

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“UH Cougar Medics seek approval for student-run EMS service” was originally posted on The Cougar

‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’ balances lush modernity with nostalgic charm

Focus Features/Courtesy

4178_D054_01693-01700_RCC
(l-r.) Harry Hadden-Paton stars as Bertie Pelham, Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith, Tuppence Middleton as Lucy Smith and Allen Leech as Tom Branson in DOWNTON ABBEY: A New Era, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Ben Blackall / ©2022 Focus Features LLC

Grade: 4.0/5.0

“Downton Abbey” is no stranger to the long-standing clash between tradition and change. Over the course of six television seasons and a film, the widely acclaimed historical drama followed the aristocratic Crawley family and its steadfast servants as they navigated rapid political, economic and social developments in early 20th-century Britain. 

Set in 1928, the franchise’s latest installment, “Downton Abbey: A New Era,” follows a similar pattern, introducing impending change on the horizons of the eponymous estate. For a franchise as established and cherished as “Downton Abbey,” the suggestion of a new era presents a myriad of daunting challenges — balancing an ensemble cast of fan favorites, integrating unfamiliar faces and evolving to modern demands.

However, “A New Era” manages to skillfully neutralize the discordance between the old and the new. Together, screenwriter and creator Julian Fellowes and director Simon Curtis construct a narrative that is thrilling enough to intrigue first-time viewers but nostalgic enough to satisfy the franchise’s most staunch enthusiasts.

“A New Era” opens with a sprawling, exuberant montage of the beloved cast attending a wedding ceremony. Amid celebratory photographs, a whimsical rendition of John Lunn’s soaring musical theme engulfs the film’s initial moments in equal parts rousing anticipation and wistful intimacy.

To maintain thematic equilibrium amid an extensive ensemble of individuals, each with their own intricate backstories, the film bifurcates into two major plotlines. To investigate the summer villa mysteriously inherited by the Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith), the majority of the Downton residents travel to the south of France — the first time the family collectively goes abroad in the franchise’s history. 

Closer to home, Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery), the willful captain of the Downton ship, desperately searches for a way to keep the slowly deteriorating family mansion afloat. As a solution, she allows a generously paying film company to use the Abbey as a location for the Hollywood production “The Gambler,” much to the chagrin of traditionalists such as Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) and the ever-proper former butler Carson (Jim Carter).

Remaining true to its title, the film sumptuously showcases the Crawleys’ unfamiliar experience with international travel, as the family must adjust to the heat produced by France’s balmy climate as well as the villa’s current residents — namely, the inhospitable Madame Montmirail (Nathalie Baye). “A New Era” also grounds itself in historical modernity by exploring the evolution from silent movies to “talkies” that occurred in late 1920s showbusiness. Admittedly, the plot is strikingly similar to that of “Singin’ in the Rain.” 

The film’s refreshing creative vision is further supplemented by charming performances from never-before-seen showbiz characters, who revitalize the halls of the Yorkshire mansion with expeditious zeal. From the delightfully suave director Jack Barber (Hugh Dancy) to movie stars such as the haughty Myrna Dalgleish (Laura Haddock) and easygoing Guy Dexter (Dominic West), “A New Era” is infused with just enough invigorating new blood to prevent plot lines from growing stagnant.

Even as “A New Era” hints at change on multiple levels, beneath its maudlin and deliciously opulent exterior, the film is, at its core, an exploration of the profoundly touching relationships that transcend the practices dictated by social class. 

As they traverse uncharted territories both in England and abroad, beloved characters receive a moment to shine in their own spotlights regardless of socioeconomic status — from the modern-minded Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) to the former footman Mr. Molesley (Kevin Doyle). This is perhaps the film’s greatest strength, but it is also its greatest weakness. In its attempt to entwine countless subplots and cater to the sweeping demands of a devoted fanbase, “A New Era” occasionally truncates plot points, leaving machinations underdeveloped or resolving issues with unnatural simplicity. 

Save a few glazed-over storylines, “Downton Abbey: A New Era” is an overall triumph. As the Downton residents are ushered to the cusp of the 1930s, audiences are escorted into a world that promises extravagance, exhilaration and emotion, even if only for two hours.

Contact Anne Vertin at avertin@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

The week of May 29 to June 5 marks Pride Week in Utah. This year, the Utah Pride Center expects to have the largest festival and parade in 30 years. Leading up to their three main events on June 4 and 5, there are 11 other events people can participate in. 

“Over the last three years that we haven’t been able to do this, it has been a challenge to know how many people out there support the LGBTQ+ community, to know who our allies are … It’s easy to feel alone in times where we can’t gather,” said Kevin Randall, the communications manager of the UPC. “So now that we’re able to do this, I think people are just really thirsty for it.”

Gathering Again, Proudly

Pride Week is occurring just a few months after the Utah legislature overrode Gov. Cox’s veto of H.B. 11, which would ban transgender girls from participating in sports aligning with their gender identity, and weeks after it was revealed the United States Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade.

One event of Pride Week is an LGBTQ+ film screening put on by the UPC, where participants can watch “Changing the Game,” a film about transgender inclusion in sports, for free at the Salt Lake City Library. 

Randall said this film is ever important in Utah in 2022 because it has been difficult for transgender youth to hear their rights debated constantly. 

“Knowing some of these youth myself, personally, it’s been difficult to hear their stories — in fact, one kid I know had to leave school on the day that the legislature overturned the governor’s veto on H.B.11,” Randall said. “He said he just couldn’t be in school anymore.”

On the first day of June, which marks 23 years since Pride Month was officially recognized by the U.S. Government, the pride flag will be raised at the Salt Lake City and County Building to commemorate the month. This also marks the first day of the UPC’s Pride Story Garden Exhibit, which will be at the library atrium for 17 days. The exhibit attempts to share LGBTQIA+ histories, stories and communities with attendees. 

“We want people to know what the story is,” Randall said. “We want people to know how much people have fought for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today, rights and freedoms that actually could be rolled back if we’re not careful.”  

Through its activities ranging from youth pride to 21+ events at clubs and various free opportunities, the UPC is trying to have an all-inclusive Pride Week, Randall explained. 

“We just want everyone to come and enjoy it, just to be there, be together and also take pride in contributing to the Utah Pride Center itself,” he said. 

According to Randall, all money raised through their Pride Week events directly supports the UPC efforts, including mental health and wellness programs.

“Having the Pride Festival back and seeing the community support, it makes us feel even more confident that we can continue those services and support our community,” he said. 

The UPC festival will be two days, starting on June 4, with more than 60,000 people expected to attend. There will be food trucks and exhibitor booths. The following day, June 5, marks the end of Pride Week, where participants in the Utah Pride Parade can march to the second day of the festival. 

The University of Utah will have a walking delegation in the Pride Parade, supported by the LGBT Resource Center on campus, among other collaborators. 

Clare Lemke, the director of the LGBT center, said the U is a sponsor of the 2022 Utah Pride Fest. 

“It’s a way for the university to show its commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ community members and also for the commitment for advocating for equity for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff,” Lemke said. 

Lemke encourages people to look into pride celebrations happening in other areas of Utah as well for the rest of June. 

“So really, what pride means, is different LGBTQIA+ communities making this celebration and also this observance of people’s activism and people’s refusal to be silenced or to be invisible, really honoring the communities that they’re in through their local celebrations and what it looks like for them to celebrate pride in their spaces,” Lemke said. 

Queer Liberation and Revolutionary Spirit 

Ermiya Fanaeian, the founder of Armed Queers Salt Lake City, said pride should be centered in its radical roots. The first pride parade happened in 1970, one year after the Stonewall Riots, where individuals protested police raids of the Stonewall Inn, a club and place of refuge for New York’s gay community. 

This fight against police brutality, according to Fanaeian, is often forgotten in the corporate attempt to honor LGBTQ+ histories. 

“Over the years, nonprofits that have taken on the LGBT struggle, have done so in ways that have been incredibly capitalistic and filled with corporate-centered greed, instead of our radical roots,” she said. 

Fanaeian will be speaking at Salt Lake Community Mutual Aid’s Pride Without Police event on June 10 — this event advocates for queer liberation rather than assimilation and the revolutionary spirit characterizing pride movements historically. 

“Unlike the rainbow capitalists who actively invite cops into queer spaces, we stand with great revolutionaries like Marsha P, Sylvia Rivera, and Harry Hay in recognizing that the police state has always been and will always be an enemy of the queer liberation movement,” the group’s Instagram post read. 

The UPC Pride Festival and Parade will have police presence. Randall said they will serve as escorts and security. 

“We have chosen to include the police in this festival but we also empathize with people who struggle with that, because in the past, police have harmed our community, and we understand that,” he said. “But we, as of today, have a good relationship with the police department, and want to maintain that, we want to have an all-inclusive festival for everyone, and that includes law enforcement.” 

According to Fanaeian, the Pride Without Police event is essential to “honor the true anti-capitalist, anti-police, radical, revolutionary roots of the queer and trans struggle.” 

Armed Queers is a socialist group fighting for communal defense of the queer community. This, Fanaeian said, is necessary, because the police do not protect them. 

“I will be talking about the need for queer and trans people to arm ourselves in the moment of hostility and the moment of political tensions growing against us and really defer [to] communal defense and communal protection of one another,” she said. 

In addition to celebrating pride’s radical roots and anti-police history, Fanaeian said pride represents liberation. 

“It’s a time to really grow that organizing in ways that we aren’t able to grow in maybe other times of the year,” she said. “It’s about growing the struggle and growing our movements.”

The event will have speeches from queer organizers, free food, music and dancing. Independent queer artists can direct message the SLCMA’s Instagram to table at the event. 

Fanaeian said pride is not for corporations, so instead they should realize how they have contributed to the need for pride celebrations in the first place. 

“[Corporations] need to allow for their queer and trans workers to unionize and to be able to stand up against many of the oppressive ways that they treat them,” she said. “I think they need to recognize that they are the reason behind much oppression and exploitation against us.”

k.silverstein@dailyutahchronicle.com

@chronykayleigh

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