As the 2021-22 academic year comes to an end, so does the leadership term of Minnesota Student Association (MSA) President Abdulaziz Mohamed and Vice President Samiat Ajibola.

The pair sat down one last time to talk to the Minnesota Daily about what they have accomplished this year, what they are proud of and what they will remember going forward.

Give me the highlights of what you accomplished this year.

Mohamed: “We have found this to be a very successful year for our student advocacy. We awarded over $40,000 in grants to student organizations. We passed over 19 resolutions and statements of support through our Forum body. We got the Mobile Market on campus, and we’re tackling transit equity through the universal transit pass. The student referendum passed with over 95% approval for a $15 minimum wage. Sami and I set out some lofty goals based on the platforms for our campaign and listening to student groups, and I’d like to think we did a pretty good job.”

Ajibola: “We did a lot of work on making MSA a more inclusive place to be. We reconstructed our first-year program, where instead of it being a process you apply for, we selected everyone. Our sexual assault task force passed a resolution on having more transparency in the process of victim survivors getting more academic accommodations. We also did our “You Are Not Alone” campaign, which was a benefit concert for the Aurora Center and raised almost $1,500. A lot of work cannot be done in one year sadly because there’s so much that happens, so we have carried over a lot of work that is going into the next presidential team.”

Personally, what is the MSA goal you are the most proud of accomplishing this year?

Mohamed: “I would say it would be rolling out the Mobile Market on campus. In our campaign, we talked about food insecurity rates on campus. We brainstormed a lot of ideas on how we could slow down those rates and the Mobile Market was something we didn’t anticipate to be done this year, but I’m happy to say that it was. I’m immensely proud of the food insecurity work we were able to largely do in our organization. More specifically, it was the Mobile Market, but largely it was food insecurity advocacy in MSA.”

Ajibola: “I am so proud of how much work we’ve done outward facing this year. A lot of times, MSA’s work is very internal, but this year we’ve turned to partner with our student body on a lot of campaigns. We partnered with so many people at the University and got to hear them speak on what they are passionate about, and that was beautiful to see. We were able to put our practices into what we were doing and have it not only affect students in the organizations but students everywhere.”

What lesson can you take away from being in the leadership position of MSA?

Mohamed: “There’s a lot of lessons that still need to be learned, but to make sure that you can build meaningful relationships with the people in your life. I think that MSA is a very big organization with a lot of different students and often times it can be very difficult to sit down and speak with each student, not only to hear about their story but to what drove them to be a part of the organization and what drove them to be a University of Minnesota student. I think there are so many stories with students, so just making sure you’re taking the time to build meaningful and intentional relationships is something that I was able to learn in this role and [am] still learning to this day.”

Ajibola: “Sometimes there can be this pressure, like ‘It’s my goal to get all these things done; it’s my goal to advocate for students,’ but there’s just so much to do. I learned that it’s okay to take it one step at a time; it’s okay if you don’t complete every single goal or didn’t make every single student feel accepted. It’s a long battle that cannot be won in a couple of months and that’s something I’ve had to learn how to deal with. There’s so many people who come into this organization, into this role, and have to leave, like I think I’m one of the first vice presidents that hasn’t left the organization in a really long time, and that says a lot to how much work has to go into this. I have to remind myself that it’s okay to not get everything done. We have to put ourselves first because we’re all students first at the end of the day.”

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Local Utah musician Addison Grace played a string of sold-out shows on their first-ever tour with indie singer-songwriter Cavetown. Grace went from bedroom melodies and YouTube videos to a large following across platforms and stages flooded with light and amassed with crowds.

The Rise of Addison Grace

Grace kickstarted their musical career after uploading videos of themself singing and playing ukulele to YouTube several years ago. In 2020, Grace released their first single “Sugar Rush” and was signed to Warner’s Level Music after developing a professional relationship with singer-songwriter Robin Daniel Skinner, better known as musician Cavetown.

The duo collaborated to produce “Sugar Rush,” releasing “Honeysuckle” and “Why I Overthink” shortly after. Grace’s recent release, “I Wanna Be A Boy,” was announced shortly after the singer came out as non-binary. This declaration of queerness cemented Grace’s standing in the music industry as an out LGBTQ+ artist whose sound and subject matter strike a chord with their listeners.

On the track, Grace sings, “’Cause I’ve grown sick of staring hours in the mirror / Molding cheekbones hope a new face could appear / I’ll break and bend my spine / If it’d make you say you’re mine / You’re mine / You’re mine.” This song has given LGBTQ+ fans of Grace’s music something to relate to. This is an especially significant achievement due to the number of transgender and non-binary artists such as Grace and Cavetown who work hard to get the recognition that they deserve as musicians. The relative degree of mainstream success enjoyed by Grace and Cavetown seems to be an indicator that there is indeed space in the industry for LGBTQ+ artists who aren’t afraid to share their music with others.

Their touring debut in support of Cavetown comes almost two years after signing with Level Music. Several of the shows sold out and Grace has been documenting the experience of meeting fans and playing on stage via their Instagram and other social media channels, posting clips of songs discussing some of the meanings with their large following. They also share things about their non-binary identity and create memes about being queer.

Gracefully Gifted

Cavetown and Grace share similar stories and similar sounds that compliment one another beautifully. Both originated as musicians who recorded in their bedrooms and both share identities under the transgender umbrella. Their respective talent and combinations of soft melodies create a brand of dreamy melodic pop that haunts. 

The growth shown by Grace in just a few years leaves remarkably bright promise for the young musician’s future. They’ve continued to produce and share honest and open music, content and conversations that bring a sense of community to their platforms and performances. Grace’s story is an inspiring tale of creative perseverance. An artist who went from bedroom covers of The Beatles to playing their original music for crowds, they bring to light the possibilities of what can happen when creatives engage with others and showcase their art. 

w.fuller@dailyutahchronicle.com

@whit_fuller_

The post Addison Grace Is a Local Queer Musician Whose Voice Is Stronger Than Ever appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

Poetic Pontification: On poetic community

Berkeley has been home to many poets in the past, and today is no different. This week, Melina sits down with Taylor Stoneman, a poet from Arizona, who found Berkeley to be the perfect place for her poetry to flourish.

The Daily Californian

ADVERTISEMENT FROM OUR SPONSOR: Programming supported by Metro Transit. With unlimited rides, your U-Pass gets you to the concert, class and more with a simple tap of your U-Pass onboard buses and light rails. Visit metrotransit.org/umn for more information. 

INTRO MUSIC

SAM MOSER: Hi everyone, my name is Sam Moser and you’re listening to “In The Know,” a podcast by The Minnesota Daily. Together, we’ll be exploring the University of Minnesota’s students and communities with each episode.

In this episode, we will be highlighting the fourth-year University of Minnesota student Sonu Lane, and her journey to becoming one of the nine fashion designers that featured their collection at Coalesce, a Premiere AAPI fashion show. The Minnesota Fashion Week event took place on April 30 at Allianz Field in St. Paul. Lane is being recognized in this way as she wraps up her senior year at the U. We will hear from Lane herself as well as her models, former apparel design professor and the event organizer as they describe what makes her fashion line individualistic and unique. 

Before the event, The Daily sat down with Lane to explain what an attendee can expect to see at Coalesce.

SONU LANE: This fashion show really showcases all the AAPI designers and each designer is so unique, they also have their own references about their own culture. So I’m really excited for it.

MOSER: According to the fashion event producer, Moa Xiong, Coalesce is an Asian American and Pacific Islander event conceptualized in the fall of 2021 to highlight creativity in the Asian American community, and it is not limited to apparel design.

MOA XIONG: We’re just super super excited because we have such an amazing cast of creatives. And it goes from everywhere, from designers, to artists to DJs, to our photographers, videographers, everybody that’s a part of this. They’re just so amazingly talented. And they’re all from our AAPI community here in the Twin Cities.

MOSER: According to Lane, networking is vital in the world of fashion, and she says it’s nice for creators to be recognized by the entire community for that reason.

LANE: This is a premiere AAPI fashion show. So it’s all new designers, it’s a whole new community. They’re going to take a lot away, just simply like, through the designs that they see, or the designers that they talk to, or even the food that they eat at this event.

MOSER: Lane defined her line as a collection of interchangeable garments.

LANE: Within these garments, I’ve incorporated textiles that are really really known in India. So the fabric that I’m using is called bandhani, which is a tie dye technique used in India. And it’s intricate work, but the turnout is beautiful.

MOSER: She placed an emphasis on creating modern silhouettes for her line as well.

LANE: It’s not just for Indian people, it’s for the people who are interested in Indian fashion, who want to, you know, wear it proudly, but also want to know more about it. So again, using those modern silhouettes, but mixing that culture in through textiles.

MOSER: Coalesce is Lane’s first fashion show, and according to Lane, she knows little about the process. Lane sees Coalesce as a great learning opportunity.

And she wasn’t going through the process alone. According to one of her models, third-year apparel design student Cindy Leewood, Lane often bounces her ideas off of her peers. 

CINDY LEEWOOD: When I had a fashion show, she was also helping me do that. And so for this, like a fashion show if she has some questions or like, has some like fit issues, we would talk about it and I would help her.

MOSER: Another of Lane’s models, fourth-year apparel design student Summer Vue, is happy to be involved in this event for Lane as well.

SUMMER VUE: She had asked if I wanted to model for her because she did want to keep it to friends or people that she knew really well rather than looking for, like professional models, which I thought was really nice. And I think it’s just like a really exciting opportunity for the both of us in terms of her designing. And then also for all of us to be able to walk for her and to also to show her designs off as well.

MOSER: Lane was pleasantly surprised when a Fashion Week ambassador took note of her work during her senior thesis showcase in the fall of 2021.

LANE: I was just shocked, because they had recognized it, and the fact that they ended up, you know, networking with other people, and they’re like, hey, this designer is really cool. She has a really unique line. And it ties with her culture and her background.

MOSER: Lane welcomed the opportunity to showcase her line, but she recognized the level of commitment it would take. 

LANE: I was like, wow, I just finished one thing, do I really start another thing? But I think it was just really exciting. Because this was my, you know, again, my way to show what my designs are.

MOSER: One of Lane’s favorite outfits from her collection included a teal top with a cropped-up square neck made of raw silk coupled with a patterned miniskirt. 

LANE: Somehow in the light, there’s like some reflection on just, it reflects as if it’s a different color, like green or even a little tint of gold. And then within that top, I also sewed on a small leaf embellishments to create, you know, add a little bit of texture to the top. And then to match with it was the mini skirt that I created with the bandhani textile, which was also embroidered with gold thread.

MOSER: Lane also described some of the details on the miniskirt.

LANE: And it had little mirrors on it. And again, that, you know, the mirror work was so beautiful. And this miniskirt also had a little like thigh slit. So when the model was walking, you know, she felt more comfortable and able to move.

MOSER: Expression of Lane’s individuality and Indian identity is extremely important to her methodology. 

LANE: This collection is really inspired by my culture, and just influences of my background and who I am.

MOSER: Lane was able to speak with the Daily once more after the event to further discuss how her Indian culture played a role in the conception of her fashion line. Lane is from the city Pune in the state of Maharashtra, but she likes to draw influences from across India for her work.

LANE: A lot of my ties are through just learning about it through history books, and doing my own research on India, and it’s textiles. But I think that’s just again, like a start for me to connect and network and create those ties, even with actual people, even professors who have more knowledge on the Indian culture and fashion.

MOSER: Lane views fashion as an opportunity to empower oneself through embracing their culture.

LANE: It’s often not taught in school. We’re all from different communities, or countries and different areas on the Earth. And I feel like, often it’s either misinterpreted, or it’s not even mentioned. And so this is a way for me, myself, to present it in a really cool way too. Because who doesn’t like fashion?

MOSER: She said that every culture offers its own unique interpretation of textile design, and it’s something that she gives great consideration while creating her line.

LANE: It’s super important to me that we just talk about it. I’m open to having even people come up and ask me what is this design? Or what is this fabric? And why did you choose it this way, instead of you know the Western way?

MOSER: According to Xiong, Lane’s emphasis on and dedication to her Indian identity made her an appealing candidate to be selected as a designer. Lane said that she was directly inspired by the colors of India.

LANE: Their colors are super, super vibrant, they’re often inspired by, you know, the natural environment within India or like, just a lot of the art, even the architecture too. So, wherever I create something I often love the colors, I often try to make it as vibrant as I can. 

MOSER: Lane’s connection to India also influenced her choice of textiles.

LANE: In my collection, I did use some bandhani textile with embroidered work on it, and again bandhani tie dye technique that they use within textiles. So, you know, again, with my style, I am curating more toward modern because it’s, it’s kind of, you know, I’m in that environment and people like more than modern fashion, but how do you like, you know, teach about culture within that?

MOSER: Vue also appreciates Lane’s culturally influenced approach to fashion.

VUE: I also admired that she pulls her Indian culture into her work as well because I think that’s really important to showcase as a person of color, especially in this industry because It’s not necessarily the most diverse.

MOSER: Her peers definitely appreciate her ability to create one-of-a-kind pieces, and Xiong expressed high praise for Lane’s work and individuality.

XIONG: As a student designer, you’re coming in with some veteran designers who have been doing this for years. And like you still stayed really true to your designs. You’re not easily influenced, which I feel like in this industry can happen really easily as like a young designer or just anybody who’s coming in as a young creative. 

MOSER: According to Xiong, it is the fit that makes her garments stand out.

XIONG: She also has a great eye of making her garments fit, you know, really nicely. And it’s, that’s, that’s, I think, like one of the big things, I love fashion and I’m really short. And so I’m constantly looking for things that you know, will fit my body and my height and everything like that. And I felt like everything that she made for her models, like they were just like, so perfectly done.

MOSER: Leewood claims she wouldn’t mind wearing Lane’s line for everyday life.

LEEWOOD: I could relate to what they have to say about Sonu’s garments, like, she makes them fit very well. You feel very confident in your outfits. That’s how I feel about my outfit. Like, I feel very confident about it, because I, I just know I look good in it.

MOSER: Vue often works alongside Lane in and outside of class, and finds her work ethic contagious.

VUE: She is an extremely, extremely hardworking person. And like, that’s not even in terms of like school just outside of school as well. Like, I feel like she’s always doing work. And it’s really inspiring, because it’s like, ah, like, you kind of see her do stuff and you’re like, Man, I feel like I should be doing stuff. You know, it’s kind of like that kind of energy. And she’s also very giving and caring. She always wants to help other people, which is really nice. And I admire that a lot about her.

MOSER: One of Lane’s apparel design professors at the U, Lindsey Strange, also had this to say about Lane.

LINDSEY STRANGE: She’s really eager to always push herself, which really stands out about her. She’s always looking for feedback and wanting to improve and I’ve always really appreciated that about her as a student.

MOSER: According to Lane, she sees no value in following the footsteps of somebody else. Lane said she initially wanted to emulate her classmates and peers, but eventually began to embrace her own individuality which has led to greater happiness, a deeper sense of pride and better creative output overall.

LANE: When I started incorporating more and more of what I loved and what I liked, that’s when I got better. So just like sticking to your guts, and just, being different.

MOSER: She hopes that this event can inspire and empower local creatives to manifest their own sense of confidence. According to Lane, seeing her work presented in such a professional way had  an inspiring impact.

LANE: I think, you know, just seeing it, just seeing that, like, oh, my gosh, I made this. I think that’s probably just the most rewarding part.

MOSER: Lane was able to briefly summarize what this opportunity means to her.

LANE: Overall, I’m excited about the show, I’m excited about representing the Indian community through fashion. It’s new, it’s different, but it’s an exciting way to present who I am. 

MOSER: As we come to a close, The Daily would like to thank Mao Xiong, Cindy Leewood, Summer Vue, Lindsey Strange and Sonu Lane for taking the time to share their thoughts with us. 

And to all listeners, thank you for tuning in. We’ll see you next time. I’m Sam Moser and this, is In The Know.

Cal baseball, Stanford to square off in penultimate Pac-12 series

Theo Wyss-Flamm/Senior Staff

A colossal task awaits Cal baseball this weekend. The Bears will be on the road and approximately nine games back from an at-large bid to regionals with nine games left on their schedule. To make the challenge even harder, they will face No. 11 Stanford in what will be their penultimate conference series before the Pac-12 tournament begins on May 25.

Cal knows what it’s up against this weekend, but head coach Mike Neu spoke stoically after shutting out San Jose State 10-0 this past Tuesday.

“It’s a Pac-12 team — every series is a difficult series,” said Neu. “We’re just going to prepare the same way and go play our game. If we play well, we have a chance to do well.”

It may be bravado, or a Cal coach unwilling to sing Stanford’s praises. Either way, Neu’s confidence is admirable, especially considering how well the Cardinal has played at Sunken Diamond in Palo Alto this season.

Stanford is .500 in away games this season but is 14-5 at home after winning its last five games played in Palo Alto. A long road stretch that lasted the final two weeks of April saw the Cardinal win a three-game series over No. 12 UCLA and tie two series against Grand Canyon and San Diego State. In its long-awaited return home this past Tuesday, Stanford beat UC Davis 16-6.

Despite being significantly worse on the road than at home this year, the Cardinal was unranked at this time last month. Its recent two-week road trip saw Stanford fly up the rankings to No. 11, just in time to host the Bears.

If that’s not scary enough for Cal fans, Stanford’s dominant win over the Aggies on Tuesday saw the Cardinal hit a season-high five home runs and score another season-high 16 runs. Stanford has been one of the best pitching teams in the conference all season, allowing the third fewest runs among all Pac-12 teams, so this late-season renaissance of its offense might make the Cardinal unstoppable through the final stretch of the season.

Stanford’s reinvigorated offense should be especially concerning for the Bears, whose bullpen has been their weakest link this year. Case in point, Cal allowed 23 runs through its three-game series against No. 25 Oregon last week. Even in their 9-8 win over the Ducks this past Sunday, their sole win in the series, the Bears’ Christian Becerra and Josh White allowed a combined three runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Just as it has all season, Cal will likely have to rely on its hitting to slug out a series win this weekend. Junior first baseman Nathan Martorella was extraordinary for the Bears throughout the month of April, hitting .431 through 72 at bats for 24 RBI. Martorella, along with shortstop Keshawn Ogans, who is batting .322 on the season, as well as deep-ball machine and outfielder Dylan Beavers (15 home runs) have led the Bears on offense and oftentimes made up for sub-par pitching.

A combined four-hit shutout against the Spartans this past Tuesday was an anomaly, but a most welcome one for Neu and the Cal pitchers. Reliever Tucker Bougie, who pitched 2 ⅓ scoreless innings in relief of starter Ian May, earned the win.

At 7 p.m. Friday, the Cardinal will throw the first pitch of the series. Even though Cal’s postseason chances are slim, a series win on the road over a ranked Stanford team would at the very least be a moral victory, one they could carry into the conference tournament later this month and use to mount an improbable run at a Regionals berth.

William Cooke covers baseball. Contact him at wcooke@dailycal.org.

The Daily Californian

The 51st senate of the Associated Students of Colorado State University held an emergency session May 4 to hear the bill “Approval of the FY23 Student Fee Package.” 2021-22 Vice President Merry Gebretsadik presented the bill, and the 51st senate voted to pass it. 

After the passing of the bill, the gavel was passed from Jackson Hunter to Nicholas DeSalvo. The 52nd senate began with the swearing in of senators and associate senators.

The 52nd senate then moved on to the ratification and elections of officers, beginning with the chief justice-elect, Marcus Zacarias. Zacarias is a political science major and legal studies minor and previously served as an associate justice.

“His understanding for this system I think is truly unique, and it’s a skill set that will serve him very well in this role,” said Christian Dykson, former president.

Zacarias was ratified and sworn in as chief justice.

“We have in the past faced conflict within the space, so I would like to minimize the conflict in the space.” -Kimberly Carracedo, ASCSU speaker pro tempore

The senate held an election for speaker pro tempore. Noah Burge and Kimberly Carracedo were the two candidates. Burge was a senator for the College of Business.

“I think I’m most qualified because of the impact of organization, financial responsibility and community service,” Burge said. “I think those are the three big points as a business major. … I think it’s a big thing that we’ve seen brought to the position recently, is the aspect of really detailed organization and financial responsibility, making sure that we’re functioning as a senate space.”

Carracedo was a senator for El Centro and is studying political science and international studies. Carracedo spoke about her goals to aid the speaker of the senate and aid senators with legislation and any conflict that may arise.

“We have in the past faced conflict within the space, so I would like to minimize the conflict in the space,” Carracedo said.

Carracedo won the election and was sworn in as speaker pro tempore. Burge was later elected as parliamentarian.

The candidates for recruitment and retention officer were Sabina Gebru and Faraaz Bukhari.

“Outreach is something that I’m good at; I feel that I’m a good communicator,” Gebru said. “I have a lot of outreach already within my community and other communities I’m in close contact with, and I work closely with the (Student Diversity Programs and Services) offices and other organizations across campus.”

Bukhari is studying health and exercise science and is a first-time senator for ASCSU.

“People come with the story,” Bukhari said. “Whether it be long or short, everyone’s had different chapters in their life. And if I can be a part of that, that’s awesome. If I can help move the pages along and show them where their passions lie, I really appreciate doing that in this role.”

ASCSU entered into a discussion and debate period over the candidates. Alex Silverhart expressed concerns that both candidates were not appropriate choices for the position because they were both new to ASCSU. However, Bukhari won the election and was sworn in as recruitment and retention officer.

ASCSU then moved on to ratify the executive cabinet. Many members of the new cabinet spoke about their excitement and the plans they have for their respective jobs in the future.

Haydyn Deason, an ecosystem science and sustainability major, was ratified as the chief of staff.

Benton Roesler was ratified as the director of housing security.

Kenneth Kinneer, a political science major, was ratified as director of environmental affairs. 

Jasen Wahler, a former senator for ASCSU, was ratified as secretary of state.

Faith Largo, a biology major, was ratified as director of campus community.

Charlie Williamson, a theater performance major and former senator, was ratified as director of diversity and inclusion.

Silverhart, a biomedical sciences major, former senator and former Budgetary Affairs Committee chair, was ratified as director of health and wellness.

Grace Crangle will return to her position as director of marketing. Crangle is studying communication studies.

Evan Welch, a political science major and former senator and University Affairs Committee chair, was ratified as director of governmental affairs.

Jillian Cook was ratified as director of finance. Cook is a data science major and agricultural business major who has worked on the Board for Student Organization Funding.

The last member of the executive cabinet was Jose Zermeno, who was ratified as director of traditions and programs. Zermeno is majoring in sociology, criminology and criminal justice.

After ratification of the executive cabinet, ASCSU held elections for committee chairs. Sammy Trout was elected as chair for the University Affairs Committee.

“Everything that affects the student population goes through this committee, and I’m excited to take on this responsibility,” Trout said.

Elizabeth Rencher was elected as chair for the Budgetary Affairs Committee.

“I really am excited to become more involved in ASCSU,” Rencher said.

Ariadne Athey was elected as chair for the Internal Affairs Committee.

“I have the knowledge to run the Internal Affairs Committee in a neutral but beneficial way, but as chair I can share that knowledge,” Athey said.

Later, ASCSU heard legislation for the night, starting with Resolution 5201, “Approval of the 52nd Senate Bylaws.” The resolution will be sent to all three committees.

The next piece of legislation was Bill 5201, “Legislative Job Descriptions.” The bill will be sent to all three committees.

The last piece of legislation was Lex 5201, “ASCSU Constitutional Amendment Act of May 2022,” which seeks to stop the nullification of 50th and 51st senate’s constitutional amendments. The lex will be sent to all three committees.

Jay Pandolfo has been hired as head coach of the Boston University men’s hockey team, the University announced Monday. 

Editor’s Note: Traditionally, graduating seniors working at The Collegian are given the chance to write a farewell note at the end of their tenure at CSU.

It was only about four years ago that I was sitting at a table in the newsroom as an opinion writer listening to my editor teach us all about AP style and writing proper arguments. I remember how small I felt then, too scared to barely say anything at our meetings, intimidated by my editor and the newsroom in general. Back then, I was probably the last person most people thought would ever become editor in chief.

The first thing I ever wrote for The Collegian was a column titled, “Leibee: CSU has gone too far with inclusive language.” I could have never expected the uproar it would bring to campus, the backlash and the support it would receive. I can still remember the day after it was published crying in my dorm, thinking if so many people hated this article and if it brought this much chaos to campus, there was no way I would be allowed to continue working at The Collegian. I later realized articles like that are exactly what The Collegian is for. It is meant to be the voice of students, even the students we don’t all agree with. Most people at The Collegian thought I was going to quit after that article, but the thought of quitting never even crossed my mind. I think it was then that a part of me knew I might one day lead this paper.

“Though I am sad to be leaving The Collegian, I leave knowing it gave me my passion.”

Even after that article, I was still quiet, shy and often afraid to speak my mind. I didn’t like being in the newsroom, and it took me a long time to get comfortable being in the news environment. It wasn’t until I became assistant opinion editor that I started to find my footing, and the other editors made me more comfortable truly embracing my role as a journalist.

Former editors like Jayla Hodge, Leta McWilliams and Abby Vander Graaff taught me everything I know about writing and editing, from pitching a story to finding good sources to fact-checking and AP style to being a good leader and teacher. Everything I know came from the editors before me who paved the way for me to be in the role I am.

When the time came for me to apply to be editor in chief, I knew what needed to be changed. The year leading up to it, I wrote down every thought I had about The Collegian in a notebook, many entries starting with, “If I were editor in chief I would …” Some may have thought taking big steps, like creating a cannabis desk, seemed a little out there, but I never did. All I ever wanted was to have the paper be about students and for students.

As editor in chief I was pushed to my limits sometimes. The student staff around me are passionate people, and my managing editors Serena Bettis and Devin Cornelius challenged me to be a better journalist and editor every day. The constant discussions, arguments and disagreements over every aspect of the paper were never bad things — they just meant we all cared.

Each one of my staff members truly shines in their roles. All of them carry a special talent for what they do, and I am lucky enough to have watched them grow into wonderful, smart, thoughtful editors over the year I’ve lead them. Each of the writers and photographers on this staff has a unique voice and perspective, and I want them to know I applied to be editor in chief with them in my heart. This paper is about the writers, making them good journalists and letting them tell the stories of students.

Though I am sad to be leaving The Collegian, I leave knowing it gave me my passion. It gave me belonging, work ethic, courage and resiliency. I like to think I gave it something too, and I am leaving it a bit better than I found it four years ago.

Katrina Leibee was the editor in chief and can no longer be reached at editor@collegian.com but can be reached on Twitter @katrinaleibee. 

‘End the stigma’: Campus, city talk mental health awareness

Caroline Lobel/Staff

For Mental Health Awareness Month, UC Berkeley organizations and the city of Berkeley are working to increase accessibility to resources and spread awareness about community efforts to uplift mental health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, sparking conversations about resource accessibility and destigmatization among UC Berkeley health services, student-led organizations and the city of Berkeley.

Campus spokesperson Tami Cate emphasized University Health Services’ efforts this month to promote the multitude of resources for mental health and wellbeing on campus.

“Mental Health Awareness month also coincides with RRR and finals week, so we are hoping these reminders and resources reach students who might be feeling a bit overwhelmed as they head into the end of the semester,” Cate said in an email. 

Student-led organizations are also taking initiative this month.

The ASUC Mental Health Commission held its third annual Mental Health Day on April 28, lining Sproul Plaza with student-led mental health organizations, according to internal director Daniella Ivanir.

Ivanir noted the event’s success in generating volunteer sign-ups and casual conversations, which left students with a better understanding of available resources. Organizations present included The Berkeley Group, the Path to Care Center, Student-to-Student Peer Counseling and Lean On Me at UC Berkeley.

Ivanir also serves as the founder and chief executive of Lean On Me at UC Berkeley, an anonymous 24-hour texting hotline for students. The student-run hotline supplements campus mental health resources using what she claims is a “unique perspective.”

“Our main mission is to lower the barrier of entry to mental health access and make it as approachable as possible in order to destigmatize getting support,” Ivanir said. 

The Muslim Mental Health Initiative at UC Berkeley also offers free, anonymous drop-in consultations to all students regardless of faith, according to its executive director Qazi Ahmad. The organization will host a destressing event May 6 to celebrate Eid al-Fitr.

Additionally, University Health Services provides crisis resources, hotlines and free services to students like Headspace and myStrength, according to Cate. Campus Counseling and Psychological Services also provides drop-in or scheduled counseling sessions.

The city of Berkeley has its own mental health resources available to all community members.

Mayor Jesse Arreguín explained that Berkeley’s Mental Health Division allows the city to customize its resources to meet community needs.

“Berkeley’s mental health has a significant focus on increasing access to mental health services, offering walk-in hours, operating a daytime mental health crisis line, and, for several decades, having a mobile crisis team,” Arreguín said in an email.

Councilmember Sophie Hahn noted that resource accessibility is a major community issue intensified by social isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hahn added that providing resources for unhoused residents and those with mental illnesses is a top priority for Berkeley.

“A good place to start is by making sure we deploy mental health professionals to support people in crisis, to supplement any police response,” Hahn said in an email. “We need to focus on providing meaningful care and end the stigma of mental health.”

Contact Lily Button at lbutton@dailycal.org, and follow her on Twitter at @lilybutton27.

The Daily Californian

I was recently on the Metro green line headed to St. Paul, and what I saw and smelt was beyond disappointing. Metro Transit is a means of transportationthat is utilized by Minnesotans –young and old. The train has made transportation in the Twin Cities much easier for its riders.

But at what cost?

Years ago, before the pandemic, the only complaint I had was the foul smell at the train stations, especially in the downtown area. The inside of the train was bearable and okay to ride, for however long, at the time. Now, however, the odor inside the train is very much unbearable.

The longer the trip, the worse the smell gets. There is trash on the floor. The seats have dried stains on them that at times reek. And if you want to stand for the duration of the trip, it becomes inevitable to hold onto the bars and who knows if the next COVID-19 variant lives on those handles.

I used to love taking buses and trains as it gave me a moment of peace.

There was no need to use my cellphone. The creative side in me came out during those trips. I always carried a book and a pen with me to jot down words of poetry. What used to be my piece of mind turned into a dreadful trip I would rather avoid. I have to breathe through my mouth in hopes not to smell the foul stench assaulting my nose and of all the passengers from every angle. It is as if there is no proper ventilation installed.

The trains are not sanitary. According to the metro council website the trains get sanitized and cleaned during downtimes and sometimes between trips. As a rider, I can say that it doesn’t always feel like that.

In early 2020, the Metropolitan council held a press conference to announce efforts to improve the safety on Twin Cities buses, and I agree that this is also a major concern, but so does public health. We are the public the city is serving yet not doing an adequate job to fulfill its duty.

There is a focus and safety on Metro Transit trains and buses. As much as I appreciate taking our safety seriously, it is equally important to take our health very seriously as well.

People of different ages, backgrounds and medical conditions ride both buses and trains. The unhygenic environment in the stations and from inside the trains and buses can negatively impact the health of riders. The longer the exposure, the more complicated one’s health can get. And this exposure is inevitable as many of us use this mode of transportation on a daily basis to take care of our necessities.

I urge our city to take the health of riders seriously and work to keep trains and buses clean.