UCR police officers executed a search warrant Friday after finding “evidence of a weapon” on campus. The school did not reveal the identity of the resident under investigation, but claimed the student has left and won’t be returning until an administrative hearing.

“A search of a room in the North District residential apartments revealed an assault rifle registered to a student, ammunition, five high-capacity magazines, and hand-drawn images in a journal depicting a violent act,” the school said in a statement.

It is against the school’s policy to possess, use, or manufacture a firearm. This student was not arrested according to UCR police records, but the case was given to the Riverside County District Attorney who could possibly file charges.

According to the school, this was not the result of “any recent campus events” which is likely a reference to the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests. The subsequent encampment was shut down Friday as a result of a deal that included the discontinuation of study abroad programs in Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Additionally, a student task force will soon oversee the management of investments “in a manner that will be financially and ethically sound for the university with consideration to the companies involved in arms manufacturing and delivery.”

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RIVERSIDE, CA — Students at UC Riverside established an encampment in the middle of campus to protest Israel’s actions in Gaza, joining nearly a dozen universities across California and numerous nationwide to demand the school end “all investments and endowments” benefiting the Jewish state.

“We are joining the student movement, the student Intifada,” according to an unnamed spokeswoman for Students for Justice in Palestine, UCR chapter. “We are not leaving this encampment day and night until the university complies and meets with us to discuss our demands.”

The encampment was set up Monday, with several dozen tents placed on the green adjacent to the campus Bell Tower, recognized as the center of UCR.

Campus administrators did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The specific number of students participating in the peaceful campus demonstration could not be confirmed. On Wednesday, a group of students staged a midday walkout from classes and held a rally at the tower, chanting “Israel is a racist state!” and “Free, free, free Palestine!”

There was no obvious law enforcement presence, and no campus buildings appeared to be obstructed.

The “demands” issued by the SJP UCR chapter included “a full transparent disclosure of all investments and endowments in weapons manufactures and the Israeli genocidal machine,” as well as a “full divestment from weapons manufacturers and any corporations that either fund or profit off the genocidal machine.”

The SJP-UCR representative noted there is no “standing university in Gaza” due to the unabated bombing campaign since early October conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces using U.S.-supplied drones and fighter-bombers.

The chapter spokeswoman alleged American “universities are complicit in the genocide,” and the protests at UCR and other campuses are intended to “condemn war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

Messages taped to the large UCR sign underneath the Bell Tower included “Stop the U.S.-funded Genocide” “End the Occupation Now” and “Ceasefire Now!”

Estimates on the number of campuses where anti-war movements have surfaced over the last month vary, but according to the nonprofit National Students for Justice in Palestine, “solidarity encampments” numbered just over 70 as of May 1.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the International Committee of Red Cross-affiliated Palestine Red Crescent Society, nearly 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza — over 14,500 of them children — since the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas incursion into Israel, culminating in the IDF’s invasion of the Gaza Strip.

The number of injuries is in excess of 77,000, according to published reports.

Israel’s official casualty rate for the duration of hostilities is 8,730, of which just over 1,000 have been fatalities.

Along with universities, hospitals, refugee camps and residential complexes in Gaza have been targeted, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, according to reports from the region.

Human Rights Watch has alleged Israel “is using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in the Gaza Strip,” and according to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the humanitarian crisis caused by the bombardments on the Strip’s infrastructure has resulted in almost 500,000 “displaced persons” requiring shelter and other assistance.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday that of the 97 reporters killed in hostilities since early October, 92 have been Palestinian. Others have been assaulted, injured and arrested.

The CPJ said the current “war … has led to the deadliest period for journalists since we began gathering data in 1992.”

Aid workers have also been killed. The United Nations has estimated the number at 220, including seven World Central Kitchen volunteers whose vehicle took a direct hit on April 1 during an IDF drone strike on a convoy.

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Although the construction is needed, it can be inconvenient for those affected or displaced by it

Amaray Alvarez | Contributed

UC Riverside, like other college campuses, is constantly changing. Construction may seem to be never ending, yet it is necessary for universities to grow and repair outdated structures. Although the construction is needed, it can be inconvenient for those affected or displaced by it. With several UCR campus projects currently ongoing, some students have expressed concern about how the construction is negatively impacting them.

Eucalyptus Walk, the path between the Barn and Rivera Library, has been closed since December and is expected to reopen in May. Daneca Stevens, a project manager with Planning, Design and Construction stated that this pathway is one of the older ones on campus and has areas of broken concrete. Eucalyptus Walk has had minor repairs in previous years, but this is the first full replacement project.

The closure of this path, however, has since caused some students trouble in terms of accessibility when walking to and from Lot 30.

“They blocked off a whole section near Watkins … If you were already walking on that side, then you have to cross all the way across the grass area,” explained 3rd-year mechanical engineering major Zain Khan.

“Why do I have to walk all the way around to get to Lot 30 if I’m already by the Bell Tower? It reminds me of my first year when almost half the campus was under construction,” Khan continued.

The walk to Lot 30 is lengthy, and this closure, which will help in the long run, is currently making the trip longer for students who are questioning why the construction needed to take place during the academic year instead of during the summer.

The Eucalyptus Walk replacement is not the only project affecting students. The construction of the new health and counseling center broke ground in February at the site of Lot 21. The new building caused the size of Lot 21 to decrease by half thus reducing the amount of parking spots available to on-campus residents.

Parking access is already a concern of many students who struggle to find a parking space even while having a parking permit. The new health building being built on part of Lot 21 only increases the struggle students face when parking on campus.

Although this construction is bringing undesirable consequences for some students, UCR was recently recognized for two of its previous construction projects. This February, the campus was recognized by the city of Riverside’s annual beautification awards. Plant Research 1, a high-tech plant research space, won first place for Sustainable Design and Innovation. Glen Mor 2 Student Housing took first place for Maintenance of Existing Facilities and Landscaping.

While the current projects are providing the UCR community with more services and accessibility, the process can be lengthy and upset students who are disrupted by the construction and may have graduated by the time they are completed. Better communication or ways to counterbalance the negative effects of these projects would help students feel involved in the process and alleviate some of their concerns.

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“Don’t expect much,” said Comedy Closet President Siah Salazar, who entered his first year at UC Riverside noticing the campus was lacking a place to refine his background in stand-up comedy. Being a freshman posed significant obstacles to start up the club, but capturing the opportunity, the Comedy Closet has been recognized as an on-campus organization running meetings every Thursday at Boyce Hall 1471 since November 2021.

The name Comedy Closet, coined by first-year secretary Citlali Gomez, is a play on the phrase “Coming out of the closet.” Aside from giving the club a light-hearted feel, it represents an overlooked truth that comedy is for everybody and that everyone has the potential to hone the craft. The organization conducts comedy workshops during meetings with a couple main focuses: Stand-up Comedy and Improv.

Stand-up comedy is about precise writing, storytelling and holding the art of joke-writing to a T. In complete contrast, perhaps, improv is about winging it on the spot and letting your imagination out of its cage.

Nonetheless, both realms are unique forms of self-expression that relay jovial messages to an audience that may or may not resonate with the performer’s consciousness.

“Comedy is a way of thinking and viewing the world. You have to be brave to put yourself out there and perform front and center on a stage.”

Towards the end of each quarter, the Comedy Closet hosts a showcase to feature club members, eager to display their acts cultivated over the quarter. Each performer is granted a 5-minute slot within a 2 hour show period. In addition, the organization invites out local Riverside comics to attend, perform, and give talking points. Last winter’s showcase saw the attendance of Dick Salas and Corey Baldwin.

President Siah Salazar holds great pride in how the organization has progressed. His favorite aspect is being able to watch those who’ve never attempted it before, be good at it. There is a special feeling of bringing a crowd together and sharing laughter drawn by each member’s individual wisdom. Over 40 people were in attendance in last quarter’s showcase.

The Comedy Closet’s is hosting an open mic at the Getaway Cafe this Thursday, April 7 at 8:00pm.

Nathaniel Nasongkhla | Contributed

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The cute animals can be seen roaming around our school in hordes, especially around the new student on-campus apartments at North District. The donkeys are mainly located near the abandoned parking lot behind North District, where they are seen feeding in the grassy areas. They are also often seen strolling around the streets where people take the opportunity to roll down their car windows and greet the animals.

The donkeys have become UCR’s newest lovable animals on campus that can brighten anyone’s day, especially after enduring a long week of exams. To continue the spotting of these donkeys around UCR, we should take careful consideration of the treatment of these animals. It’s our responsibility to protect these animals that are trying to live their peaceful lives around our vast campus. To keep the donkeys out of harm’s way, students at UCR and the Riverside residents should take caution and treat these animals with kindness and respect. Just two weeks ago, four donkeys were unfortunately killed after a car collided with them. The devastating accident took place around Box Springs near Day Street and the 60 highway onramp, according to the @donkeysatucr Instagram account. Police officials were immediately called to report the incident.

There was one survivor, Baby Jordan, who was immediately rushed to the Social Equine Hospital for medical treatment. Doctors found that his X-rays had shown that he had been recently shot in the leg as well. Baby Jordan is, fortunately, recovering as many people donated to help provide him with milk and hay for a fast recovery. DonkeyLand is a nonprofit organization located in Colton, California. It is dedicated to saving and protecting the lives of donkeys so people can understand the value that these animals possess. Their Facebook page also lists the available numbers to call in case anyone confronts an emergency where a donkey is in need of help. You can visit their Facebook page for more information and to also make donations for donkeys in need. Their most recent post details another incident where a baby burro was found stuck in someone’s barbed-wire fence on Nov. 1. The baby, who is currently unnamed, was fortunately saved and is in need of donations to acquire milk and money for a visitation to the doctor. If you’d like to help out, feel free to send donations to save this baby burro.

It is truly devastating to hear about these tragedies, but it is heartwarming to see the Riverside community coming together to support both of these baby burros. Even if they are just donkeys, they are still precious animals that are protected and watched over by Riverside residents, namely, UCR students.

Whenever you spot a donkey on campus, whether it be at North District or on the streets, always make sure to respect the animal’s space. Donkeys are known to be gentle animals who are actually quite intelligent and know how to handle situations that may be fearsome. Generally speaking, the donkeys at UCR are quiet animals who mind their own business with their fellow companions.

The donkeys seem rather approachable when it comes to interacting with people. They are kind animals that we should continue to look after so that they feel safe on our campus. I would have never imagined donkeys roaming UCR’s grounds when I first came to campus, but they have become an everyday topic of conversation wherever I go. Due to their popularity increasing, it wouldn’t be surprising if sales for fresh produce rise. People who run across them will often offer treats, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, helping to create a bond with one another.

Many have had the opportunity to take selfies with these donkeys as well. The Instagram page has made sure to post daily content of these animals, with many posts including students feeding the donkeys or taking videos of them. It is a great way to show how to safely interact with these animals without coming off as dangerous to them. The official page also allows students to send in their favorite donkey posts for a chance to be featured on the account’s page.

Make sure to respect these animals when coming into contact with them. If you have a nice treat for them, don’t be afraid to offer it! Becoming friends with these donkeys can create a wholesome environment on campus and even feel therapeutic during stressful times. The donkeys at UCR are our friends, and they deserve to feel safe on our campus that they have chosen to roam around. Remember to treat them with kindness!

Brenda Jovel | Contributed

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Overview of University of California at Riverside (UCR)

Situated 50 miles east of Los Angeles, the University of California, Riverside is a public institution with a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the UCR Highlanders play in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 23,922 (20,581 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 46 percent male/54 percent female
• 98 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $13,827 (in-state); $42,819 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,436
• Room and Board: $16,485
• Other Expenses: $4,016
• Total Cost: $35,764 (in-state); $64,756 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 87 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 83 percent
  • Loans: 51 percent
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $18,277
  • Loans: $5,590

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; and Engineering

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 89 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 16 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 55 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 75 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of University of California at Riverside (UCR) Admissions

The University of California, Riverside, which accepts approximately half of applicants, has a selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data             

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, UC Riverside had an acceptance rate of 51%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 51 students gained admission, making UC Riverside’s admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 92% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most UC Riverside’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT.  50% of admitted students scored between 560 and 650 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% score under 560 and 25% scored over 650. 50% of students scored between 550 and 680 on the math part, while 25% scored under 550, and 25% scored over 680. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1330 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UC Riverside.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 42% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most UC Riverside’s students fall within the top 31% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to UC Riverside received a cumulative ACT score between 23 and 29, while 25% scored over 29, and 25% scored under 23.

GPA

In 2019, the median 50% of the University of California, Riverside’s incoming class had high school GPAs between 3.66 and 4.09. 25% had a GPA of over 4.09, and 25% had a GPA of under 3.66.  Successful applicants to UC Riverside have A and B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UC Riverside, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If UC Riverside is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Pace University, Florida Gulf Coast University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UC Riverside, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Temple University, Auburn University, University of Arizona, Seton Hall University, University of Houston, San Diego State University, University of Oklahoma

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UC Riverside. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Applying to UC Riverside

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://admissions.ucr.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://admissions.ucr.edu/freshman

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://graduate.ucr.edu/admissions?_ga=2.252848256.88273641.1589574844-1938156510.1589574844

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://gradsis.ucr.edu/gradsis/GSIS_LOGIN.Login_student

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The potential cure Jin discovered is a peptide found in the fruit of greening-tolerant Australian finger limes, which have been consumed by humans for hundreds of years.

Invaio Sciences, Inc., a multi-platform technology company that solves agriculture, nutrition and environmental challenges by unlocking natural systems, has partnered with UCR to advance the peptide research to develop solutions for combating HLB.

During a seminar hosted by Invaio Sciences, experts discussed how they intend to bring this technology to commercialization within three years with the help of their collaborators. The Citrus Research and Development Foundation, Citrus Research Board and Florida Citrus Processors Association are among the collaborators.

Umberto Torresan, senior director of business development at Invaio, says the company is targeting a registered and field-ready solution by early 2023. According to Torresan, the first 200 days will be the most telling on whether this technology will be effective and commercially viable.

Currently, Hamlin and Valencia citrus varieties are planted in the field and being treated with the peptide, and researchers are already seeing promising data. The next step in the process is to receive approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A consultation with the EPA is scheduled for later this month. The final step that would need to be completed within the next 200 days is industrial production of the peptide, making it as affordable as possible for growers.

“We don’t need to wait three years to know if this is going to work,” Torresan says.

Even though some of work has already been completed, there is a lot to be done. Torresan stresses that a majority of the work cannot be done without agreement and support from the industry.

–Ashley Robinson, AgNet Media communications intern

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RIVERSIDE (CNS) – Interventionist strategies for containing the novel coronavirus should involve quarantines, mass testing and related measures for 45 days, or at least three weeks, to put the brakes on viral propagation, according to a newly released study co-authored by a UC Riverside professor.

In a thesis titled “How Long Must Social Distancing Last?,” UCR Anderson School of Business Professor Ashish Sood, along with USC Marshall School of Business Professor Gerard Tellis and Augusta University molecular biology researcher Nitish Sood, reviewed how the 50 American states and 36 countries were managing COVID-19 mitigation.

Based on their analysis, they derived specific metrics to monitor — daily growth rate, and time to double cumulative cases of the virus.

The growth rate refers to a percentage increase in COVID-19 cases daily, while the doubling time represents the number of days for caseloads to double, according to the researchers.

“These simple, intuitive and universal benchmarks give public health officials clear goals to target in managing this pandemic,” Sood said.

“Singapore and South Korea adopted the path of massive test and quarantine,
which seems to be the only successful alternative to costly lockdowns and stay-
at-home orders.”

The professor and his counterparts emphasized that the benchmarks which public health authorities should follow are “moderation,” which occurs when the growth rate slows to below 10% and the doubling time is more than seven days; “control,” when the rate remains below 1% and the doubling time is above 70 days; and “containment,” when the rate holds at or below a tenth of a percent and the doubling time is over 700 days.

“Even though huge differences exist among countries, it’s striking to see so many similarities, from aggressive intervention to moderation, control and containment of the spread of the disease,” Sood said.

The researchers said Singapore’s and South Korea’s aggressive tactics were netting positive results.

“Besides size of country, borders, cultural greetings — bowing versus handshaking and kissing — temperature, humidity and latitude may explain differences (between nations’ successes in containment),” Tellis said.

When aggressive strategies are utilized, moderation in large countries typically materializes in three weeks, with about 30 days for control and 45 days for containment, according to the researchers.

The thesis further highlighted the need for new medicines and technologies to combat COVID-19. They also mentioned that innovations as yet unidentified could be the key to stopping it.

The researchers said California’s stay-at-home and social distancing requirements fall into the “aggressive” category, and they conceded that there are limits to how far the federal and state governments may go in the face of civil rights constraints provided by the U.S. Constitution.

The study can be read in full at https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3562996.

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