The Current: Mid-Quarter Check-In!

NEWS UPDATES

• After a four-year lawsuit, UCSD has finally settled with The Koala, a satirical student newspaper that prides itself in its “lack of censorship.” In 2015, The Koala published a highly controversial article that included racial slurs, causing Associated Students of UCSD to vote to defund all student media two days later. UCSD has paid approximately $800,000 in legal fees and reimbursements to settle the lawsuit, and The Koala now has discretion to decide what its next steps are as an eligible student organization for funding.

• UCSD was recently awarded two grants totalling $700,000 to improve faculty diversity. The first grant of $500,000 will be allocated to hiring 10-12 new faculty members devoted to researching communities of color and mentoring UCSD students. The second grant of $200,000 will promote faculty retention of underrepresented communities and provide coaching as well as coalition building.

• Early in October, students and faculty gathered on and around campus to organize a series of protests centered around removing all police from UC campuses. The movement is known as the Cops Off Campus Campaign, and its main goal is to abolish all police departments across the UC system by Fall 2021.

On The Flip Side 

OPINION:

• Arts and Culture Assistant Editor Kiyahna Brown’s column The Sauce has come out with its second piece! Brown writes about ways for Black students to get involved on campus in her latest articles, “Hi, My Name is…”
• In the second installment of my column Ellamentally Yours, I share my personal experience going to therapy and how it has helped me face myself and my mental health symptoms. Through this process, I was able to understand the scope of my disorders and how to live with them.

ARTS AND CULTURE:

• Dirty Birds is finally here! After waiting two years for the famed wing spot to open, I made the trip with former Managing Editor Ethan Coston and we enjoyed fresh wings in the former Round Table Pizza location. Check out the review here.

• Other People Magazine is the first literary magazine at UCSD. Founded in November 2019, its goal is to serve as a creative outlet for both students and alumni alike. The magazine was founded by Literature + Writing majors, but students across disciplines are encouraged to submit pieces. Read the spotlight here to learn more about how you can get involved if you are interested! 

What are some other ways you can get involved this quarter? I’ve compiled a list of community happenings you can check out if you’re looking for something to explore!

• APIMEDA Community Forum

  • The Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Desi American Programs and Services holds weekly informal forums for students to drop in and discuss topics in a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Weekly on Wednesdays at 12pm.

• Black Women’s Collective

  • This event is biweekly on Thursdays from 3:30-5 p.m. It is held by Dr. Cat Thompson and participants hold conversations about their experiences as Black women. To join, contact Dr. Thompson.

• Mindful Thursdays

  • Every Thursday from 3-4 p.m., Dr. Tyler Hatchel holds Mindful Thursdays. This workshop serves as an introduction to mindfulness, with group discussions and formal and informal practices. Here is the link to join: https://ucsd.zoom.us/j/98165877130

• Coping during COVID

  • Every Monday at 1 p.m., Dr. Carly Knauf holds a workshop to give students a safe space to discuss stress management and well-being, particularly in the COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s going on outside of campus? Here’s what’s been keeping us current. 

• San Diego has been moved back to the most restrictive purple tier after COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased. Beginning Saturday, November 14, restrictions will be set in place again, such as indoor dining closures.

• Following the official announcement of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 elections, he has announced that his new White House Chief of Staff will be Ron Klain, who served as one of his top campaign advisers.

• After pharmaceutical company Pfizer announced that its Phase III trials for the coronavirus vaccine were 90% effective, the European Union has bought 300 million doses of the vaccine. The FDA has also issued an emergency approval to the drug.

Content Copyright © 2016-2019 The Triton. The Triton is not in anyway affiliated with UC San Diego and the opinions expressed therein are not the overall public opinions of UCSD, ASUCSD, or our staff. Materials produced by The Triton do not reflect the views of the Regents of the University of California and the Regents do not endorse, warrant, or otherwise take responsibility for said content. Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Triton Editorial Board.

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