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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

Vu Chau, Author

All content by Vu Chau
Bay Area-based Varden Labs brought the all-electric, self-driving shuttle for a two-day demo at Sacramento State in March 2016. The shuttle can seat up to four passengers — including a backup driver — and uses motion sensors to detect surrounding traffic on campus.

UTAPS plans to bring self-driving electric shuttle to Sac State

Rin Carbin and Vu Chau
December 5, 2017

The commute to and from Sacramento State may become much more cutting-edge as University Transportation and Parking Services (UTAPS) is looking into bringing a self-driving electric shuttle to campus. The...

Actor Kevin Spacey was accused of making a sexual advance toward Anthony Rapp in 1986 when Rapp was 14 years old.

OPINION: Kevin Spacey’s mistimed sexual advance apology-slash-coming out statement is not enough

Vu Chau
October 30, 2017

It was just inexcusable for Kevin Spacey, an accomplished actor and artist for whom most of the world cheers, to come out as a gay man in his apology to fellow actor Anthony Rapp, after being accused of...

#SacStateSays: Should undocumented residents be given a path to citizenship?

#SacStateSays: Should undocumented residents be given a path to citizenship?

Vu Chau
October 4, 2017

Nearly 800,000 young undocumented immigrants in the United States today receive work permits and deportation relief via the Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We decided to ask students...

#SacStateSays: What is your impression of Greek life on campus?

#SacStateSays: What is your impression of Greek life on campus?

Vu Chau
September 20, 2017

Nearly 5 percent of Sacramento State's student body are members of a Greek organization. Nearly 100 percent of students have to walk through all the recruiting chapters the first week of school. We asked...

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, left, and Congresswoman Doris Matsui, right, deliver separate speeches urging Congress to pass the Dream Act during a news conference in the University Union Redwood Room Monday.

Nancy Pelosi, Doris Matsui, local public officials call for Dream Act passage at Sac State conference

Claire Morgan and Vu Chau
September 19, 2017

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Doris Matsui joined a group of local legislators and Sacramento State leaders for a news conference Monday urging Congress to pass the Dream Act. Pelosi...

Graduates stand during the spring 2016 commencement ceremony at the Golden 1 Center in May.

‘Finish in Four’ turns 1: Has it been effective?

Vu Chau
September 13, 2017

Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen said in his fall address Aug. 24 that the Finish in Four initiative has positively affected the university’s graduation rates despite the program having only...

7 products you never knew you needed this semester

7 products you never knew you needed this semester

Vu Chau
September 7, 2017

College isn’t all about learning new things, meeting new friends and making long-lasting memories. It’s also about the process of getting ready to push yourself through those next few months of stressful...

The University Union embraces the chaos of construction and uses it as a theme to this year's 18th annual Phlagleblast open house on Sept. 6.

[Photo] Phlagleblast celebrates 18th year with construction-themed open house

Sharlene Phou
September 3, 2017

The University Union embraces the chaos of construction and uses it as a theme to this year's 18th annual Phlagleblast open house on Sept. 6.

Graduates during Spring 2017 Commencement Ceremony at Golden 1 Center

CSU aims to increase graduation rate by removing remedial courses

Vu Chau
August 30, 2017

The California State University system plans to eliminate all math and English placement exams along with remedial courses by fall 2018 in an executive order issued on Aug. 2. The Executive Order 1110,...

Physics student and volunteer Leah Weston help attendees use the welding lens at the solar eclipse viewing party at the American River levee across from Hornet Bookstore on Monday.

Hundreds gather for Sac State eclipse viewing party

Vu Chau
August 21, 2017

Hundreds of people gathered on the American River levee across Sacramento State's Hornet Bookstore for a solar eclipse viewing party Monday. The event, which started at 9 a.m. and ended around 10:30...

(Graphic by Vu Chau)

Bento Box voted ‘Best Restaurant Near Campus’ at Sac State

Vu Chau
May 11, 2017

Click here for full results. The campus has spoken. Bento Box was voted by The State Hornet’s readers as the best restaurant near campus, beating out Boudin SF, Sushi Hook, Fahrenheit 250 and Barwest. The...

(Illustration by Barbara Harvey)

Student-athletes, expert discuss LGBT issues faced in athletics

Vu Chau
April 13, 2017

When Abby Wambach leapt over the crowd to kiss her wife after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup against Japan in 2015, the world was treated to a moment rarely seen in athletics. For some fans, the...

(Photo by Barbara Harvey)

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: First season a testament to show’s longevity

Vu Chau
March 23, 2017

My back is sore and my eyes are dry, trying their hardest to stay open at 5 a.m. on Thursday as I was more than five episodes into the first season of Grey’s Anatomy. The nine-episode first season...

(Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Everyone is a little mad on ‘Mad Men’

Vu Chau
March 22, 2017

Watching Mad Men was like stepping into another world — a world where cigarette scent is overpowering, women are viewed as amusement for men and people who aren’t white Americans live and work in their...

(Photo by Barbara Harvey)

Television touchdown: ‘Friday Night Lights’ shines

Vu Chau
March 21, 2017

For the longest time, I hesitated to start watching Friday Night Lights because of its football-heavy storyline, despite knowing of the show’s numerous accolades and praises during its five-season run. Now...

(Photo by Barbara Harvey)

OPINION: ‘How I Met Your Mother’: Are we sure it isn’t ‘Friends’?

Vu Chau
March 20, 2017

There are multiple ways college students can spend their spring breaks. For some, it’s all about living up to their “life is a beach” attitude and hitting up Cabo, Mexico, Hawaii or any nearby beaches....

(Photos by Vu Chau)

#SacStateSays: How big of a problem do you think homelessness is among students?

Vu Chau
March 9, 2017

According to a 2016 study, between 8 and 12 percent of all CSU students are experiencing homeless and about 25 percent deal with food insecurity. We decided to ask Sacramento State students on how big...

Top to bottom: Pierre Balthazar, Christopher Vaeches and Anne Fuller (Photos by various photographers. Illustration by Sebastian Cambrey)

Sac State Says: Craziest Business Pitches

Vu Chau
March 5, 2017

What are the craziest ideas that Sac State students have pitched to you or consulted with you on in the past? Pierre Balthazard Dean of the College of Business Administration “There aren’t...

Untitled - Shaun Burner and Franceska Gamez (Photo by Sami Soto)

Gallery: Temporary exhibit ArtStreet spotlights Sacramento’s art scene

Vu Chau
February 13, 2017

Original works of more than 100 artists are being shown to the public at the temporary exhibit ArtStreet in Sacramento. ArtStreet was crowdfunded via a Kickstarter campaign in 2016 by M5Arts — the masterminds...

The wooden swastika-shaped bench painted with red, white and blue stripes was displayed at the abandoned warehouse on First Avenue — the location of ArtStreet — before being removed by the event coordinators.
(Photo courtesy of Heston Hurley)

Alum’s swastika sculpture benched from ArtStreet extravaganza

Vu Chau
February 7, 2017

When artist Heston Hurley arrived at the abandoned warehouse on First Avenue to attend to his swastika-shaped bench installed for the pop-up ArtStreet exhibit on Friday, he was asked to leave by an event...

The Library installs 49 permanent sets of tables and chairs in the breezeway in December 2016. (Photo by Matthew Dyer)

Take a seat on new breezeway furniture, Sac State

Vu Chau
January 24, 2017

If you haven’t already noticed, the University Library breezeway was transformed over the winter break. A total of 49 sets of tables, chairs and benches were installed last December in a space that...

Students protest in the Library Quad following the election of Donald J. Trump as president of the United States on Nov. 9, 2016. (Photo by Barbara Harvey)

STORIFY: Sac State reacts to Trump upset victory

Vu Chau
November 9, 2016

[View the story "#SacStateOnTrump - Sacramento State's reactions to President-elect Donald Trump's victory" on Storify]

(Photo Illustration by Vu Chau and Barbara Harvey)

Take this quiz: ARE YOU AN INFORMED VOTER?

Vu Chau
November 2, 2016

Loading... Questions created by Vu Chau and John Ferrannini

Artist Bryan Valenzuela installs his first sculpture “Multitudes Converge” by using 400 glass globes and 109 steel rods to depict the convergence of the Sacramento and American rivers.
(Courtesy of Joan Cusick Photography)

Alum’s art in new Golden 1 Center inspired by local rivers

Vu Chau
October 19, 2016

[su_carousel source="media: 30457,30458,30456,30453,30466,30464,30455" limit="98" link="image" width="1040" height="640" items="1"] When it was announced in early 2015 that an $8 million sculpture called...

Sisters of Sigma Theta Psi stand behind a table to fundraise for breast cancer awareness outside the LIbrary on Oct. 13.
(Photo by Brian Ingebretsen)

Greek organizations helps fundraise for city’s annual breast cancer walk

Vu Chau
October 15, 2016

Sacramento State’s Greek organizations such as Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Chi Omega will join the rest of the city of Sacramento at Sunday’s 20th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in front...

Photo Courtesy of The University Union

Taste the rainbow at Phlagleblast 2016

Vu Chau
September 6, 2016

The University Union will be decorated in all shades of the rainbow on Sept. 7 to commence its 17th annual Phlagleblast open-house celebration in the theme of "A Burst of Color," which welcomes students...

Former President Bill Clinton speaks at Sac State's University Union Ballroom to give attendees reasons why they should vote for his wife Hillary Clinton, Monday, May 23.

Bill Clinton speaks at Sacramento State to rally support for Hillary’s presidential bid

Vu Chau
May 24, 2016

Former President Bill Clinton made a campaign stop at Sacramento State’s University Union Ballroom on Monday, May 23 as part of his California trip to fundraise and promote his wife’s, Secretary...

City of Trees Brass Band brings New Orleans funky jazz to Nooner concert

Vu Chau
May 5, 2016

Sacramento State felt like the streets of New Orleans for 50 minutes on Wednesday afternoon when second-line jazz group City of Trees Brass Band was invited to perform at the last Nooner concert of...

The City of Trees Brass Band performs a mixture of New Orleans funk and West Coast contemporary in Old Sacrament, Saturday, March 26. The band will be performing the last Nooner concert of the spring semester, which will be hosted by UNIQUE Programs in the University Union Serna Plaza, Wednesday, May 4.

City of Trees Brass Band brings sass to jazz

Vu Chau
May 3, 2016

For being only four years old, City of Trees Brass Band has already garnered widespread attention across Sacramento for being able to infuse the local music scene with its mixture of traditional New...

Epsilona brings individualistic style to Nooner concert

Vu Chau
April 27, 2016

A change of venue from the outdoor University Union Serna Plaza to the indoor Redwood Room drew in a large crowd Wednesday, April 27 to watch this week’s Nooner performer, Epsilona, jam it out on...

Cory Phillips, Carlos Gutierrez, Minh le, Nick Bretz and Chandler Hale of Epsilona outside the AIRC building at Sacramento State on April 16.

Epsilona loves being one of a kind

Vu Chau
April 25, 2016

When in search of an apartment to rent on Craigslist in 2015, Nick Bretz stumbled upon a listing from Minh Le and Chandler Hale. After moving in, the three realized that there was one bigger connection...

Former Nigerian President’s media spokesman met with local LGBT community leader

Vu Chau
April 24, 2016

Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan cancelled his Sacramento State appearance at the 25th annual Peace Awards Dinner and Dance due to a sudden illness on Friday, April 22 and was replaced by...

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former president of Nigeria, in Switzerland for the 2013 meeting of the World Economic Forum. 

Former Nigerian president cancels Sac State appearance

Vu Chau
April 22, 2016

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who was scheduled to speak at a conference's awards ceremony at Sacramento State this Saturday, has cancelled due to health reasons. According to Ernest...

Sac State squirrels generating tweets

Vu Chau
April 22, 2016

A Sacramento State freshman is giving a voice to all squirrels on campus through a Twitter account. @CSUS_Squirrel’s creator, who asked to keep his true identity anonymous to maintain the squirrels'...

PointDexter gives rock and roll a saxophone twist at Nooner

Vu Chau
April 21, 2016

Even if a large and lively crowd did not exist at this week’s Nooner concert, four self-proclaimed nerds from PointDexter still gave a unique rock performance. Formed in 2007, PointDexter is a...

21B loves rock and roll and knows how to show it at Nooner concert

Vu Chau
April 14, 2016

Universally, music never fails to wake up emotions for people of all ages and sizes. This perception was ever more evident at this week’s Nooner concert, when the tunes of a local rock band made...

University Unions celebrates 40 with a bang

Vu Chau
April 14, 2016

The University Union at Sacramento State will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with the campus community and the general public by hosting a series of entertainment events on Thursday, April 14. The...

Student artists awarded with cash and recognitions at 2016 Student Purchase Award reception

Vu Chau
April 8, 2016

The University Union Art Gallery hosted a casual ceremony Thursday night to celebrate the 41st annual Student Purchase Awards competition and to give out prizes to four Sacramento State student artists...

Lights and Sirens rocks hard on sunny stage at Nooner concert

Vu Chau
April 6, 2016

For the first time this semester, UNIQUE Programs hosted one of its series of weekly Nooner concerts at the stage outside the University Union and Serna Plaza on Wednesday, April 6. The change of...

Fire department responds to incident at Hornet Bookstore

Fire department responds to incident at Hornet Bookstore

Vu Chau
April 1, 2016

Sacramento State police and the city’s fire department responded to an incident that occurred at the Hornet Bookstore between 2 and 3 p.m. on Friday. The Sacramento Fire Department reported that...

Members of the local hip-hop group Live Manikins after their concert at the Nooner in the University Union Redwood Room on Wednesday, March 30.

Live Manikins magnetizes audience with its unique hip-hop style

Vu Chau
March 30, 2016

When this week’s Nooner performers began their set today, the audience did not even fill half of the size of the University Union Redwood Room. However, by the end of their first song, the crowd...

ASI elections kick off with coffee

Vu Chau
March 30, 2016

The 2016 Associated Students, Inc. elections kick-started with a social event where students were given an opportunity to chat with candidates who are running for office for the 2016-17 school year. One...

Xochitl performing with her band at a Nooner concert on Wednesday, March 16 in the University Union Redwood Room.

Xochitl excites Nooner audience

Vu Chau
March 16, 2016

At this week’s Nooner concert, Xochitl achieved something that most Nooner performers hadn’t before: audience members left the show with the musician’s CD in hand. At the show in the University...

Bay Area-based Varden Labs brought the all-electric, self-driving shuttle for a two-day demo at Sacramento State in March 2016. The shuttle can seat up to four passengers — including a backup driver — and uses motion sensors to detect surrounding traffic on campus.

Driverless shuttle being displayed at Sac State

Vu Chau
March 14, 2016

This week, the Sacramento State campus community will get to ride in a golf cart-sized driverless shuttle between Serna Plaza and the steps in front of the Guy West Bridge on Monday, March 14 and Tuesday,...

Sac State gives notice to Cesar Chavez

Vu Chau
March 10, 2016

Associated Students, Inc.; Serna Center; and the College Assistance Migrant Program have collaborated to host a series of events on Sacramento State campus to commemorate the legacy of labor leader...

Lead vocalists of Joomanji bring UNIQUE style to Nooner

Vu Chau
March 9, 2016

For this week’s Nooner concert, Sacramento State’s UNIQUE Programs invited Los Angeles-based band Joomanji to perform on Wednesday, March 9 in the University Union Redwood Room. Joomanji is...

Photo Credit: Diamond One Photography

An Aztec flower that sings

Vu Chau
March 9, 2016

Xochitl: an Aztec word that means flower and the name of a singer-songwriter who is currently infusing the local music scene with her acoustic pop, folk and jazz tunes. Xochitl is a 23-year-old...

Mona Villamayor performs at Sac State

Vu Chau
March 2, 2016

  Sacramento State’s UNIQUE Program continued its weekly Nooner concert on Wednesday with performances from local singer/songwriter Mona Villamayor and guitarist Andrew Harris. Villamayor,...

Day of the Dead comes early at Sac State

Vu Chau
February 27, 2016

The University Union Gallery is putting an emphasis on the contrast between life and death for its current art exhibition entitled “Sweet Souls Remembered.” This new exhibition features colorful...

Demesha Jackson singing "Sign of Praise" at the Nooner concert in the University Union on Wednesday, Feb. 24. 

UNIQUE brings gospel jam to Sac State

Vu Chau
February 24, 2016

[View the story "UNIQUE brought gospel jam to Sac State" on Storify]

Culture Section

Congresswoman Matsui spoke at Sac State’s first “Distinguished Lecture”

Vu Chau
February 20, 2016

[View the story "Congresswoman Matsui spoke at Sac State's first "Distinguished Lecture" " on Storify]

The cast of "The Vagina Monologues" gets together to celebrate the 15th annual production.

“The Vagina Monologues” empowers women after 15 years of productions

Vu Chau
February 19, 2016

More than 1,400 people filled the University Union Ballroom to watch Sacramento State’s 15th annual production of “The Vagina Monologues” on Thursday, Feb. 18. The Vagina Monologues is a 1996...

Hip-hop DJs introduce Sac State to "turntablism"

Hip-hop DJs introduce Sac State to “turntablism”

Vu Chau
February 17, 2016

[View the story "Hip-hop DJs introduce Sac State to "turntablism" " on Storify]

The cast of "The Vagina Monologues" goes over their lines while waiting to perform on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the Wellness Hub. The event is being held on Thursday, Feb. 18 in the University Union Ballroom at 7:30 p.m.

Power of women celebrated in “The Vagina Monologues”

Vu Chau
February 17, 2016

The Student Health and Counseling Services and UNIQUE Programs will be hosting the 2016 production of “The Vagina Monologues” at the University Union Ballroom on Thursday, Feb. 18. "The Vagina...

Average League poses after their show at Sacramento State's Nooner on Wednesday.

Battle of the Bands winner returns to rock at Nooner

Vu Chau
February 10, 2016

[View the story "Battle of the Bands winner returns to rock at Nooner" on Storify]

Average League talks music

Vu Chau
February 9, 2016

Members of this week’s band at Sacramento State's Nooner, Average League, spoke about the band’s inception, the win at Sac State’s 2015 Battle of the Bands, their debut album and their camaraderie. Average...

Chico artist brings acoustic tunes to Sac State

Vu Chau
February 3, 2016

[View the story "Chico artist brings acoustic tunes to Sac State" on Storify]

Funk comes to Sac State

Vu Chau
January 27, 2016

[View the story "Sac State gets funky and soulful with Brian Chris Rogers" on Storify]

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