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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

Justine Chahal

Justine Chahal, news reporter

(she/her)

Justine Chahal is a staff writer who joined The State Hornet in fall 2022. She is a fourth-year journalism major who transferred from San Joaquin Delta College.
All content by Justine Chahal
Amador Hall’s sign contains labels for departments found in the hall on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. Sacramento State Professor Rashad Baadqir is being accused of unethical academic practices after offering monetary extra credit fall 2022.

Ethnic studies professor faces allegations of unethical practice, offered monetary extra credit

Students claim to have bought grades from softball fundraiser
Jasmine Ascencio and Justine Chahal
May 10, 2023
An ethnic studies professor’s softball pizza fundraiser allowed students to buy extra credit. The professor is now facing allegations of unfair practice.
Students march together at the Take Back the Night event starting in the Library Quad at Sacramento State Wednesday, April 26, 2023. The event is put on annually to support survivors of sexual assault.

‘We have to take back Sac State’: Survivors march across campus

Students advocate for change sexual assault awareness
Justine Chahal
April 27, 2023
Students talk about their experiences as survivors and marched against sexual violence.
Sandra Pantoja, a fourth-year history major, sits between Tahoe Hall and The WELL Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Pantoja said she always carries her belongings with her so they won’t get stolen.

Understanding, preventing theft on campus

Sac State PD: Bikes among most commonly stolen items at Sac State
Justine Chahal
April 27, 2023
Sac State PD provides theft prevention tips and students share how they keep their items safe on campus.
Blue emergency phone located near the University Union Friday, March 17, 2023. These emergency phones connect directly to Sac State's police department to reduce response time and increase campus safety, said Deputy Chief Christina Lofthouse.

Blue emergency towers: Students call for awareness and accessibility

Emergency blue boxes spread across campus directly call police
Justine Chahal
April 11, 2023
Sac State PD monitored blue light towers provide campus goers an emergency service to allow anybody to receive assistance during an emergency. Students call for transparency and education on how to use them.
Students making bracelets at a table run by student volunteers in the Library Quad Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The Office for Equal Opportunity held a tabling event which will continue  every Tuesday through the end of the month to celebrate Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Day of Action educates students on Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sac State kicks off the first annual event with activities in Library Quad
Justine Chahal
April 5, 2023
The Office For Equal Opportunity held activities in the Library Quad to spread awareness of sexual assault and share knowledge on sexual violence prevention.
Dr. Mia Settles-Tidwell, vice president and chief diversity officer for the Division of Inclusive Excellence, gave opening remarks at the Anti-racism & Inclusive Campus Plan symposium in the University Union Tuesday, March 28, 2023. She urged attendees to engage in learning and discovery at the event in an effort to develop solutions to problems affecting marginalized groups on campus.

Sac State discusses racism, explores inclusive learning at campus symposium

Students and faculty offer solutions to support marginalized communities
Justine Chahal and Cristian Gonzalez
March 29, 2023
The event allowed students to attend educational workshops to promote inclusivity.
(L-R): Rita Gallardo Good, Denyne Colburn, Jared Giarrusso-Khlok and Mary Meuel, all spoke in several candidate forums for Senior Associate Vice President for the Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy from March 14-17. The new Vice President will be in charge of maintaining relationships between Sacramento State and government agencies. (Photos courtesy of LinkedIn, Graphic in Canva by Emma Hall).

Sac State in search of new Vice President for Public Affairs and Advocacy

Candidates discuss how they would prioritize campus needs
Justine Chahal and Peyton Sorosinski
March 17, 2023
Sac State is looking to hire a new Senior Associate Vice President for Public Affairs and Advocacy. The four candidates spoke during open forums to discuss possible plans.
 The WEAVE headquarters located in Midtown on March 14, 2023. With Sacramento State hiring a second advocate, the current advocate will work remotely in Midtown while the new advocate works on campus.

Sac State hires second confidential advocate for sexual assault support

Major changes being made to WEAVE this semester
Justine Chahal
March 16, 2023
WEAVE hired a new confidential advocate specialized in supporting survivors at Sac State.
BREAKING: Sexual assault reported near Klamath Hall

BREAKING: Sexual assault reported near Klamath Hall

Alleged rape occurred at Sac State in February
Justine Chahal
March 14, 2023
Klamath Hall is a co-ed residence hall for first-year students.

[Video] State Hornet broadcast: Strife in campus life

February 22, 2023
This week’s broadcast covers the campus safety march on Thursday and last week’s abortion protest. We also spoke to political science major Michael Lee-Chang, a first-year student who helped arrange last semester’s sexual assault town hall.
Members of the National Society of Black Engineers during a club meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. NSBE is a networking opportunity for Black Engineering students, according to its members.

Black engineering students create a space for themselves at Sac State

NSBE members speak on their struggles to pursue their passion.
Justine Chahal
February 21, 2023
The National Society of Black Engineers allows students to find a community in a predominately non-black field. The organization strives to boost student confidence.
Third-year political science major Jennifer Galinato addresses President Robert Nelsen over lack of administrative action against sexual assaults on campus in front of The WELL Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023. Galinato is one of three student speakers at the Student March Against Sexual Violence who denounced the sexual assaults that happened last fall.

‘I don’t want to be fearful’: Sac State students march against sexual violence

Attendees demand change across a dark campus
Justine Chahal
February 17, 2023
A march against sexual assault and violence organized by the Sac State College Democrats was held on campus Thursday. Students spoke about their frustrations with campus safety and shared their hopes for the future.

[Video] State Hornet Broadcast: Sac State celebrates Lunar New Year and mourners remember Tyre Nichols at candlelit vigil

February 6, 2023
Welcome back to campus Sac State. Catch up with the APIDA Center’s Lunar New Year paint night, the opening of the ‘Cloth as Community’ gallery in the library and Tyre Nichols’ candlelit vigil in North Sacramento.
Eureka Hall at night with recently enhanced lighting on Jan. 31, 2022. Lighting has been added and upgraded around Eureka Hall as a result of the newly released campus safety plan, according to President Robert Nelsen.

Sac State releases action plan to improve public safety

Students concerned about how long tasks will take
Justine Chahal
February 3, 2023
Sac State’s campus safety plan was created with student concerns in mind. However, students are bothered by how little of a change they have actually seen.
A Sacramento resident and friend of Tyre Nichols kneels down in front of a heart made of candles during a vigil in North Natomas Monday, Jan 30, 2023. Nichols’ death has resulted in protests regarding police brutality nationwide.

Mourning family, friends hold candlelight vigil for late Tyre Nichols

A remembrance of life and a look to the future
Justine Chahal and Alyssa Branum
January 31, 2023
A candlelight vigil was held for Tyre Nichols at Regency Parkway. Nichols’s family and friends spoke about his life and their desire for change.
A luz de los varios asaltos sexuales que han ocurrido este semestre , El Avispon del Estado compiló esta lista con las preguntas frecuentes con respecto a recursos disponibles para los estudiantes en el campus, incluyendo servicios de WEAVE. Desde septiembre, varias ocasiones de agresión sexual han ocurrido en y cerca de Sac State.

Preguntas frecuentes: Lo que hay que saber sobre los servicios de agresión sexual de Sac State

Justine Chahal and Idaly Valencia
January 31, 2023
Lea más aquí sobre cómo presentar una denuncia y cómo recibir otros recursos.
Alexis Jiménez, una estudiante de antropología, se dirige al panel de administradores en relación a las recientes agresiones sexuales en el campus y áreas cercanas en el cuarto Redwood del edificio ‘The Unión’ el jueves 17 de noviembre del 2022. Jiménez expresó sus críticas sobre cómo se han manejado las agresiones sexuales durante un foro comunitario organizado por líderes estudiantiles.

‘Realmente se está empezando a sentir que nadie está seguro aquí’: Los estudiantes de Sac State demandan acción en ayuntamiento

Un foro dirigido por estudiantes fue la respuesta a múltiples casos de agresión sexual en el campus y sus alrededores.
Una discusión organizada por estudiantes fue ocasionada en el edificio ‘The Unión’ en Sacramento State el 17 de Noviembre con respecto a los incidentes de agresión sexual en el campus y areas sercanas estre semestre.
Derrold Barry, a first-year educational leadership and policy studies graduate student, and fifth-year criminal justice major Rashad Azim stand in front of the Project Rebound office located in Lassen Hall Thursday, Dec. 12, 2022. The program assists students previously affected by the criminal justice system.

Dismantling roadblocks: program provides second chance for previously incarcerated students

Project Rebound was established at Sac State in 2016
Justine Chahal, news staffer
December 19, 2022
Sac State’s Project Rebound program helps formerly incarcerated students not only financially and academically, but provides a community for them as well.
In light of the recent incidents of sexual assaults this semester, The State Hornet has a FAQ to answer questions about what services are available to students on-campus, including services from WEAVE. Since September, there have been multiple sexual assaults on and off campus. (Graphic made in Canva by Justine Chahal.)

FAQ: What to know about Sac State’s sexual assault services

Justine Chahal
November 18, 2022
Read more here on how to file a report and how to receive other resources.
Alexis Jimenez, an anthropology student, addressing the panel of administrators regarding the recent sexual assaults on and near campus in the Redwood Room of the University Union on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022. Jimenez voiced her criticisms about how the sexual assaults have been handled during a community forum organized by student leaders.

‘It is really starting to feel like no one is safe here’: Sac State students demand action at town hall

The student-led forum was in response to several sexual assaults on and near campus
Student leadership hosts forum in the University Union to discuss recent sexual assaults on and around campus.
Second-year economics major Jonathan Santiago stands outside Mendocino Hall on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Santiago had worked as a migrant field worker for a summer like his mother but is now focused on his college education.

‘It’s my roots’: former migrant field worker becomes college student

Jonathan Santiago honors his family through education
Justine Chahal, news staffer
November 16, 2022
Second-year economics major Jonathan Santiago had done migrant fieldwork prior to coming to Sac State. Now, he’s focused on obtaining a higher education to honor his family’s struggles.
 A voting poll center was hosted on campus at the Welcome Center on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Anybody registered to vote in Sacramento County, including students and faculty, was able to drop their ballot off or cast their vote at the center. Graphic created in Canva.

Student voters stress the importance of Midterm Elections

Sac State hosts polling center on Election Day
Alyssa Branum and Justine Chahal
November 9, 2022
Sac State held a voting poll center on Election Day at the Welcome Center. A look at issues student voters are passionate about.
President Robert Nelsen (right) and his wife Jody (left) sitting at Hornet Stadium during Sac State homecoming football game against Northern Arizona University on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Nelsen, who announced his retirement in a video featuring him and his wife, said that nobody should serve in his position for longer than eight years.

‘It’s time to hang ‘em up’: President Nelsen’s descent into retirement

Student’s expectations for the future of Sac State
President Robert S. Nelsen retires from his role at Sac State after seven years. Students share their reactions to his departure and their hopes for how they want the next president to be.
Third-year computer science major Evan Cammack eats food from Panda Express in The University Union on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Many students eat unhealthy foods while studying for exams on campus.

Fuel for the brain: The struggle with nutritional health

What students can eat to be ready to take their exams
Justine Chahal, news staffer
October 27, 2022
Some students are not eating healthy foods during midterms. The struggle of not eating well during this time can negatively impact mental and physical health.
Third-year political science major Lupita Rios sits on-campus on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. The recent incidents of sexual assault and battery over the past month have made Rios hesitant to make use of services on campus that she has in the past.

Students concerned about safety following sexual assaults at Sac State

Three cases have occurred on campus this semester
Justine Chahal and Jacob Peterson
October 20, 2022
After the recent sexual assault and battery cases, students said they do not feel safe being on campus. Sac State has emergency resources available, but some students feel that these services could be better.
(L-R) Christopher Towler, Rose Soza War Soldier, Timothy Fong and Secretary of State Shirley Weber were sitting in Hinde Auditorium on Sept. 28, 2022 during the Voting Rights Town Hall. The panel discussed topics such as the history of voting and the importance of understanding voting as not only a right, but a responsibility.

Secretary of State educates students on voter suppression

Shirley Weber and doctoral panel discuss voting responsibility
Justine Chahal
September 29, 2022
The dangers of voter suppression. Secretary of State Shirley Weber visits the university to spread information on voting and encourage students to cast their ballots.
Sacramento State students, staff and faculty gather in the main quad on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the university’s founding. The campus community convenes in the grass to take the annual Swarm photo.

The diamond anniversary: Sac State celebrates 75 years

The campus community gathers for the milestone
Justine Chahal
September 22, 2022
Sac State celebrated its 75th diamond anniversary with entertainment, food and by taking the annual Swarm photo.
Third-year business administration major Felipe Carrillo stands in front of the Welcome Center on Sept. 16. The Welcome Center will have a voting center available from Nov. 5 through Election Day Nov. 8.

Preparing Sac State students to vote in the upcoming midterm election

What students need to know before hitting the polls
Justine Chahal
September 19, 2022
Sacramento State provides resources for students in preparation for the upcoming election. What students need to know about voting this fall.
Third-year photography student Cait Nelson reads in her American River Courtyard dorm on Sept. 14, 2022. Some waitlisted students remain in study lounges while awaiting a dorm to become available, but there are limited lounges.

Sac State students remain on housing waitlists longer than anticipated

Higher enrollment has led to residence halls exceeding housing capacities.
Justine Chahal
September 16, 2022
Sac State students remain on housing waitlists longer than anticipated due to a surge in enrollment for the Fall semester.
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