The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet
Mercy Sosa

Mercy Sosa, news editor

Mercy Sosa is the news editor for The State Hornet. She is a sophomore who joined the State Hornet in spring 2020 as a politics beat writer. She moved from San Diego to Sacramento where she covered the 2020 midterm elections and a Pete Buttigieg town hall.
All content by Mercy Sosa
San Francisco State University student Toshiar Green addresses a crowd at a Black Lives Matter rally at the California State Capitol steps in Sacramento, California on Friday, March 23, 2018. Sac State students reveal how police brutality and the massive media coverage reporting it has impacted and affected their mental health. Photo in background taken by Emily Rabasto. Graphic created in Canva.

[Photo] Black Sac State community, therapist discuss psychological impacts of police brutality

June 7, 2021
Sacramento State’s Division of Inclusive Excellence announced that Sac State students, employees, faculty and administration are allowed to choose their gender pronouns that are displayed on their Student Center and profile pages. The State Hornet compiled this FAQ about pronouns and LGBTQ+ inclusivity at Sac State. (Photo by Kayleen Carter.)

[Photo] FAQ: How to add your pronouns to your Student Center

May 19, 2021
Sacramento State defines the HyFlex modality as a course format that combines face-to-face and online learning on their website. The website states that each class session or learning activity is offered in-person, synchronously online and asynchronously online.

[Photo] FAQ: HyFlex and HerkyFlex, what’s the difference?

May 18, 2021
John Johnson, Sacramento State’s director of inclusive excellence learning, will be leaving the university on June 11. Johnson’s departure marks the third time this semester that a Black administrator has left Sac State. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State. Graphic made in Canva.

[Photo] Sac State director of inclusive excellence learning departing university

May 18, 2021
Nursing students at Sacramento State sent a letter addressed to Sac State President Robert Nelsen on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, asking for the university to pay for their summer tuition for classes the cohort was previously unable to take due to COVID-19. In order to take the courses this summer, each student will have to pay $1,850 in tuition “out of our own pockets,” the students wrote. Graphic created in Canva.

[Photo] Nursing students urge Sac State to cover tuition for classes missed in pandemic

May 14, 2021
William “Skip” Bishop and Melinda Wilson Ramey will serve as interim vice presidents for Sacramento State’s Division of Inclusive Excellence, according to a SacSend email sent by Sac State President Robert Nelsen on Friday, May 14, 2021. This announcement came two weeks after Nelsen announced current Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Diana Tate Vermeire is leaving the university as of May 21. Photos courtesy of Sacramento State. Graphic made in Canva.

[Photo] Nelsen chooses interim vice presidents to lead Division of Inclusive Excellence

May 14, 2021
Sacramento State is searching for the next chief of police after current chief Mark Iwasa announced his retirement. Vice President for Administration Jonathan Bowman said the search committee hopes to make a decision by the end of the spring semester or at the end of this coming summer.

[Photo] Sac State’s police chief search continues amid criticism of recruiting firm

May 5, 2021
Sacramento State's only Black professor in the college of business administration, David Moore (left), and political science professor Robert Oden (right) speak at a teach-in on systemic racism in higher education for the California Faculty Association on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. At the virtual event, Oden said President Robert Nelsen was negligent in not sanctioning the professor, Sanjay Varshney, for what he did to David Moore. Screenshot taken via Zoom.

Professor calls for President Nelsen’s resignation amid systemic racism at Sac State

April 30, 2021
Sacramento State released their official reopening schedule for fall 2021 via a SacSend email by President Robert Nelsen on Monday. According to the schedule, all those returning to campus must be approved through OnBase and have an approved safety plan. Graphic created in Canva/Photo by Shaun Holkko.

[Photo] 54% of Sac State classes scheduled to have in-person components

April 26, 2021
(File photo) Rachel McMichael, nurse practitioner at the WELL, verifies the identity of Rica Co, second semester nursing student, before injecting her with the COVID-19 vaccine in the Brown Bag room in the Union on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. The State Hornet spoke to several students about the decision made by the California State University system to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students, staff and faculty in fall 2021.

Sac State students react to CSU decision to require COVID-19 vaccine

April 23, 2021
(Clockwise from top left) Sarah Miller, Robert Wiemer, Erin Wardle and Gao Thao share their thoughts on returning to in-person classes at Sacramento State in fall 2021. Sac State students should expect to take in-person classes in the fall, according to Provost Steve Perez. Photos taken via Zoom by Michael Eskridge.

[Photo] ‘Excited to go back’: Sac State students weigh in on fall 2021 teaching modalities

April 22, 2021
(File photo) Austin Friedheim, nursing student at Sacramento State, fills the needle up with the COVID-19 vaccine to inject patients in the Brown Bag room in the Union on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. The California State University system will require faculty, staff and students who will be accessing campus facilities in fall 2021 to receive the COVID-19 vaccination after the Food and Drug administration gives approval, according to an email announcement by the CSU on Thursday.

CSU to require COVID-19 vaccination for fall 2021 semester

April 22, 2021
Robert Gonzalez stands next to a t-shirt seller at a gas station during a George Floyd Protest in Fontana, California on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Gonzalez said he was shocked by the results of the Derek Chauvin trial. Background photos taken by Ian Ratliff (left) and Sara Nevis (right).

[Photo] ‘Justice is being served’: Sac State students react to Derek Chauvin verdict

April 21, 2021
PODCAST: La salud mental de estudiantes y las elecciones de ASI

PODCAST: La salud mental de estudiantes y las elecciones de ASI

April 14, 2021
Assistant professor and registered nurse Stephanie Landers was among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine Brown Bag room in the Union on Jan. 28, 2021. Sacramento State students have begun to receive email invitations to be vaccinated for COVID-19 at the university’s vaccination site in the University Union, according to Sac State officials. 

COVID-19 vaccinations for Sac State students begins on campus Wednesday

April 13, 2021
Sacramento State’s Associated Students, Inc. will be holding elections for positions on its 2021-2022 Board of Directors starting Wednesday morning. Voting will take place on the ASI website.

[Photo] Sac State ASI elections for 2021-2022 Board of Directors starting Wednesday

April 6, 2021
Sacramento State Police Chief Mark Iwasa has announced he will retire from Sac State in the summer. Iwasa has worked at Sac State for 10 years. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State.

Sac State Police Chief Mark Iwasa announces retirement

March 23, 2021
PODCAST: Breaking Down the Walls: Future of ‘The Bachelor’ amid racism in franchise

PODCAST: Breaking Down the Walls: Future of ‘The Bachelor’ amid racism in franchise

March 19, 2021
Lorenzo Smith, the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, delivers his keynote speech at Women's Shadow Day on March 2, 2018. Sac State provost Steve Perez announced Smith will leave the university after the spring semester on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Sac State dean of engineering and computer science will depart after the spring semester

March 18, 2021
A year after the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of campus, Sacramento State students reflect on their mental health journey and reveal their experiences with mental health. Graphic created in Canva.

[Photo] Isolation and grief: Sac State students cope with declining mental health during pandemic

April 5, 2021
Sacramento State could hold classes with at least 50% capacity in the fall 2021 semester Provost Steve Perez said in the faculty senate meeting Thursday, March 18, 2021. The Provost cited the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease director Anthony Fauci behind the reason Sac State could have a higher capacity in its classes come August. Background photo by Rahul Lal. Graphic created in Canva.

Sac State students should expect to return to campus in fall 2021, provost says

March 15, 2021
Kizzie Anderson sits in a park watching her children play on Wednesday, March 3, 2021. Anderson said she was homeless in 2019 and 2020, staying at a women’s shelter until she could afford to move into a home of her own. Photo taken by Robert J Hansen.

[Photo] Sacramento community shares experiences with homelessness, ways to help

March 15, 2021
PODCAST: Breaking Down the Walls: Looking back on a year of COVID-19

PODCAST: Breaking Down the Walls: Looking back on a year of COVID-19

March 12, 2021
Mary Maguire will serve as Sacramento State's interim dean of the College of Health and Human Services, according to a SacSend email sent by Provost Steve Perez on Monday, March 8, 2021. Maguire will replace Robin Carter, who retired Feb. 8. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State’s website.

Sac State announces new interim dean of Health and Human Services

March 8, 2021
Sacramento State holds a CARmencement graduation ceremony in the illustration above. The celebration will take place on Friday, May 21, 2021 for student graduates of 2020 and 2021. Graphic created in Canva.

[Photo] FAQ: Everything you need to know about CARmencement

March 6, 2021
California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro said he anticipates at least 50% of classes across the CSU system will be in-person this fall semester at a news conference on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021. Graphic made in Canva.

[Photo] EDITORIAL: CSU backtracking on in-person instruction is nothing short of betrayal

February 10, 2021
Montana Grizzlies guard Cameron Parker (11) attempts a layup over Sacramento State Hornets forward Samaad Hector (0) during the second half during the conference game at the Nest at Sac State Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021. Hector said he got sick and is awaiting COVID-19 test results.

Men’s basketball game canceled as player awaits COVID-19 test results

February 5, 2021
Sacramento State endured an outage for anyone who attempted a new connection to My Sac State accounts due to a configuration mistake by the university’s cloud service provider Wednesday, according to Interim Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mark Hendricks. Graphic made in Canva.

90-minute ‘My Sac State’ outage not a result of the wind or weather

January 28, 2021
Sacramento State students walking on campus by Mendocino Hall in September 2019. The California State University system’s chancellor Joseph Castro reaffirmed that the CSU plans to return to a majority in-person instruction for fall 2021 at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday.

CSU plans for in-person classes in fall 2021

January 26, 2021
The Ernest E. Tschannen complex took out $18 million from Sac State's general reserve fund. The 2019-2020 budget shows a lack of funding for urgent campus needs. Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen spoke about the administration of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine on campus and the university’s budget Thursday at his livestreamed spring address.

Pfizer vaccine expected to arrive this week at Sac State, Nelsen says

January 21, 2021
The early move-outs prompted by the coronavirus leave the Riverview Hall plaza empty aside from two people pushing a wheeled moving cart on March 18, 2020. President Nelsen said 10% of residence hall students per week will undergo random COVID-19 surveillance tests in his spring address Thursday, and Vice President of Student Affairs Ed Mills said it will be voluntary.

Sac State residents will not be tested for COVID-19 weekly

January 20, 2021
Arath Chavez, a Sacramento State men’s soccer player, died Tuesday in a motorcycle accident, according to Sac State men's soccer head coach Mike Linenberger. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State's media relations office.

Sacramento State men’s soccer player dies in motorcycle accident

January 14, 2021

Sac State responds to pro-Trump extremists storming the U.S. Capitol

January 7, 2021
PODCAST SPOTLIGHT: Legal advocate explains the situation for DACA and Dreamers

PODCAST SPOTLIGHT: Legal advocate explains the situation for DACA and Dreamers

December 17, 2020
PODCAST SPOTLIGHT: Defensor legal explica la situación de DACA y Dreamers

PODCAST SPOTLIGHT: Defensor legal explica la situación de DACA y Dreamers

December 17, 2020
The current spring break schedule for the spring 2021 semester will remain unchanged and occur from March 22-28, according to a SacSend email from Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen. Photo in background via Canva.

[Photo] Sac State announces no changes to spring break following discussion around its cancellation

December 15, 2020
The Sacramento State Police Department continues to operate on campus despite the campus closure due to COVID-19. The police department’s current budget is estimated to be $6.6 million, according to Rose McAuliffe, associate vice president of budget planning and administration.

[Photo] Sac State Police Department continues operations during campus closure with $6.6 million budget

December 10, 2020
Graphic by Mercy Sosa

[Photo] Students clash with professors violating Sac State policy restricting webcam requirements

December 9, 2020

2 campus dining food service employees test positive for COVID-19

November 21, 2020
Vice President of Finance Prabhjyot Shinh said that due to the lack of travel this year, the university's travel funds are not being utilized in Sac State's ASI meeting Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 via Zoom. The Board of Directors discussed multiple ways to help students during the virtual semester, including its support for students to receive a credit/no credit option for their grades.

Sac State ASI in favor of credit/no credit option

November 19, 2020
Lisa Dalton, ASI's executive and board associate, and Lexie Tesch, a civic engagement coordinator for ASI's Office of Governmental Affairs, discuss their roles in ASI's 2020 Buzz the Ballot campaign. ASI registered 1,767 students to vote in the 2020 election through its campaign, coming in third place in the statewide Ballot Bowl. Photos taken via Zoom by Jenna Cooper. Promotional graphics provided by ASI.

[Photo] ASI registers 1,767 students to vote in Buzz the Ballot campaign

November 19, 2020
Cara Shuman decided to dedicate her senior project to mental health awareness along with five classmates. The group is hosting a virtual event on Wednesday, Nov. 18 to talk about tips for mental wellness and services available at Sac State. Screenshot taken by Estefany Nuñez via Zoom. Graphic in the background courtesy of Strength In Numbers CSUS.

[Photo] Sac State students coordinate mental health talk for senior project

November 17, 2020
A Sacramento State student was the victim of extortion via email by an unidentified foreign group, according to the Sacramento State Police Department. The crime was reported to Sac State PD Oct. 22.

[Photo] Sac State student victim of email extortion by unidentified foreign group

November 16, 2020

Pro-Trump protesters and counter-protesters clash outside Capitol

November 15, 2020
Hornet Stadium on Oct. 6, 2020. A Sacramento State football player has tested for COVID-19 causing him and 13 other players to be placed in quarantine. Assistant Athletic Director Brian Berger said the players are no longer in quarantine.

Sac State football player tests positive for COVID-19

November 13, 2020
Sacramento State’s Student Social Justice and Equity Council held a student forum to start a conversation about police brutality and to share student perspectives, experiences and thoughts concerning police violence Monday, Nov. 9 via Zoom. Screenshots taken by Gerardo Zavala via Zoom.

[Photo] Sac State students discuss the impact of police brutality on their communities

November 9, 2020
Sacramento State's Vice President of Student Affairs Edward Mills said, “It may take us a few more days, maybe even through the weekend, before anything is really finalized.

[Photo] Sac State counselors discuss how to cope with a post-election environment

November 5, 2020
Sacramento State's Martin Luther King Jr. Center outreach coordinator Kaifa Yates said, “I voted for everything else but the president.” The Martin Luther King Jr. center held a voter dialogue that focused on the election and its impact on the Black community Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. via Zoom. Screenshots taken by Gerardo Zavala via Zoom.

[Photo] Presidential dissatisfaction and election anxiety key topics of MLK Center’s voter dialogue

November 5, 2020
Sacramento State hosted a panel discussing the election with Rita Gallardo Good, Dr. Kimberly Nalder and Andres Guerra Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. The panel discussed the impacts of the presidential election as well as California propositions. Screenshot via Zoom taken by Colby Case.

[Photo] Sac State hosts panel discussing 2020 election results and impacts

November 4, 2020
Rachel Renee, local Christian singer and song-writer, performs for dozens on the front lawn of the California State Capitol on Nov. 3, 2020. Sacramento State’s Division of Student Affairs is hosting a series of post-election day events beginning Wednesday Nov. 4, 2020 according to an email sent to students and faculty. Background photo taken by Patrick Posuniak.

[Photo] Post-election events planned for Sac State students this week

November 4, 2020
PODCAST: Election Day coverage, an inside look at Open Mind Night at Taylor’d Mind Studios

PODCAST: Election Day coverage, an inside look at Open Mind Night at Taylor’d Mind Studios

November 2, 2020
Voters fill out their ballots in the voting center in Sacramento State's Modoc Hall on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2018. Sacramento State’s Modoc Hall and 65 more Vote Center locations will open across Sacramento County on Halloween Saturday Oct. 31, 2020. Photo in the background taken by Eucario Calderon.

[Photo] MAP: 66 Sacramento County voting centers open Saturday, including at Sac State

October 31, 2020
ASI Meet_

[Photo] ASI communicates student priorities to faculty in meet-and-greet

October 26, 2020
A car pulls into The Crossings apartment complex on Ramona Avenue in Sacramento, California, Monday, Oct. 26, 2020. Sacramento PD were notified of a bomb threat against The Crossings at 1:40 p.m., and nothing was found, according to Officer Karl Chan.

Former resident makes bomb threat against The Crossings

October 26, 2020
Measure B on Sacramento’s Ballot this year, also called the Independent Redistricting Timeline Exception, focuses on the timeline of redistricting that the city follows after receiving population data from the 2020 census.

[Photo] FAQ: All about Measure B on Sacramento’s ballot

October 22, 2020
Labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta speaks during a campaign rally with former President Bill Clinton on March 20, 2016 at Central High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Huerta spoke on voting, the national census and anti-racism at a virtual event hosted by Sacramento State's Serna Center Friday.

Civil rights icon Dolores Huerta urges students to vote, condemns racism

October 9, 2020
The American River Courtyard from above at Sacramento State Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. Eight Sac State students were quarantined in the American River Courtyard residence hall in the first month of the semester, according to Sac State Student Affairs officials.

8 Sac State students quarantined in American River Courtyard in first month of school

October 7, 2020
The Early Exit Program will offer severance pay to employees who voluntarily resign, a “critical way to avoid layoffs and furloughs that may result from the budget crisis caused by COVID-19,” according to Sac State President Robert Nelsen. Photo via Canva.

Sac State will pay employees up to $70K — to quit

September 10, 2020
Sac State President Robert S. Nelsen addresses the audience on the efforts on the university's behalf on handling COVID-19 at the University Union on Wednesday, March 4. On Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, Nelsen gave a livestreamed fall address where he spoke about an anti-racism plan for campus and budget concerns.

President Nelsen talks Sac State anti-racism plan, budget cuts at virtual fall address

September 3, 2020
Sac State displays signs saying face coverings are required as the air quality worsens on campus Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. The portable, foldable A frame signs are what the cyclists say they used to perform tricks in Guy West Plaza at Sacramento State on the night of June 4.

President Nelsen ceases campus operations through Sunday citing poor air quality

August 20, 2020

El canciller de Cal State responde preguntas de los estudiantes sobre el regreso a clases en vivo miércoles

August 19, 2020

CSU Chancellor to answer students’ back-to-school questions live Wednesday

August 18, 2020
‘It is nice to have somebody who actually cares’: Andrew Stoner wins ‘Best Zoom Professor’

‘It is nice to have somebody who actually cares’: Andrew Stoner wins ‘Best Zoom Professor’

May 4, 2020
INFOGRAPHIC: How to return Hornet Bookstore rentals amid COVID-19

INFOGRAPHIC: How to return Hornet Bookstore rentals amid COVID-19

April 28, 2020
Como inmigrantes indocumentados pueden recibir asistencia financiera en California

Como inmigrantes indocumentados pueden recibir asistencia financiera en California

April 21, 2020
How undocumented immigrants can receive financial assistance in California

How undocumented immigrants can receive financial assistance in California

April 21, 2020
Cely Smart, Sac State's chief of staff for the president's office, gives a presentation on virtual commencement at an ASI board meeting via Zoom Wednesday. Virtual commencement was announced Thursday.

[Photo] Sac State to hold virtual commencement for class of 2020

April 16, 2020
Sac State’s Associated Students Inc., Vice President of University Affairs Noah Marty is running for president uncontested. Marty and other candidates running for ASI board positions are using Instagram to connect to students and try to gain their votes.

Sac State ASI candidates campaign online amid COVID-19 pandemic

April 13, 2020

CSU chancellor says on-campus fees will continue, student employees to receive administrative leave

April 2, 2020
Screenshot via Instagram and YouTube. Sacramento State’s Associated Students Inc. board members seek to encourage students to participate in the census via social media platforms such as Instagram.

Sac State ASI seeks student census participation online amid COVID-19 restrictions

April 1, 2020
Census Day is observed nationally April 1. The State Hornet has put together an FAQ for commonly asked questions about the census

[Photo] FAQ: What is the U.S. Census? Should you participate?

March 28, 2020
The CSU Board of Trustees held an open meeting through a livestream Tuesday discussing the acquisition of property for an off-campus academic resource center to be established in Placer County. The board voted unanimously to establish the Sacramento State Placer Center.

CSU Board of Trustees approves Sac State Placer Center

March 24, 2020
Ad for Sac State's Associated Students Inc. elections coming up on April 15 and 16 outside of the University Union.

Sac State ASI President, VP to keep over $35,000 in scholarships following resignations

March 19, 2020
FAQ: How do I know if I have COVID-19? What steps should I take to prevent the spread?

FAQ: How do I know if I have COVID-19? What steps should I take to prevent the spread?

March 18, 2020
A member of the National Brown Berets stands on the North Steps of the State Capitol on Saturday, March 7, as she listens to speaker Josie Morales talk about the struggles of the women from the East Los Angeles societal chain.

Sacramento community celebrates International Women’s Day 2020

March 7, 2020
A check-in counselor at Modoc Hall assists voters for Super Tuesday at Sac State on Tuesday, March 3.

Sac State students participate in Super Tuesday by voting on campus

March 3, 2020
Sac State President Robert Nelsen talks about AB 1460 to members of the Faculty Senate and demonstrators in the Green & Gold Room in Sac State's University Union Feb. 27. Sacramento State students will receive up to $850 in direct payments for COVID-19 pandemic assistance, Sac State President Robert Nelsen said in a SacSend email Thursday.

Sac State president announces no campus closure despite Sacramento coronavirus patient

February 29, 2020
A man suspected of displaying a hunting knife and warning two students at Sac State to watch their surroundings. The Sacramento Police Department released this photo Thursday in search of the suspect.

Sac State students report man displaying hunting knife on campus Wednesday

February 27, 2020
Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks in front of a crowd of supporters in Cesar Chavez Plaza in Downtown Sacramento Friday, Feb. 14.

[Photo] Pete Buttigieg holds Sacramento Town Hall, addresses foreign and racial injustice

February 15, 2020
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