At five years old, looking in the mirror was how we made sure there wasn’t any mud on our jeans. Now, looking in the mirror is our way of comparing ourselves to unrealistic societal beauty standards, and obsessing over our body’s imperfections.

Asian LGBTQ advocate, bodybuilder, fitness writer, and thought leader are just some of the identities that Amazin LeThi showcased to Sonoma State students last Tuesday night. LeThi spoke about her journey in becoming a global activist for social justice and gender equality in sports.

Sonoma State students are anxiously awaiting more updates from the university in regards to plans to return in person for the Fall 2021 semester. Before decisions have been formally made, departments on campus are providing students with the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight on the projects that are in the works for next semester.

President Biden has announced that all American adults will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by April 19 due to rising cases and new variants spreading. This date is two weeks earlier than May 1, the original date by which Biden planned to make adults eligible.

After over a year into the pandemic, everyone is accustomed to limited forms of social interaction. Zoom calls have become the new normal, and Americans are used to this new way of life.

Earlier this year, Tik Tok announced in a press release that the company will be releasing two new features to their content creation app in order to promote kindness and decrease cyberbullying throughout their platform.

Last Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new set of recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals moving forward into the pandemic. In a press release, the CDC outlined changes in activities that vaccinated people may participate in, hoping to create the first step of many toward returning to normalcy.

Students may feel that resources are out of touch and that they are isolated from peers and faculty, so PostSecretU is working to change that. PostSecretU is providing a safe place for students to share experiences so that they do not feel alone. The forum’s goal is to connect students who may be going through the same struggles.

Even in a virtual world, some Sonoma State traditions remain as strong as ever. This past weekend, students invited their parents, siblings, and grandparents to Family Weekend. Family Weekend was full of fun events for all age groups and family dynamics, and welcomed students’ families to Sonoma State’s sense of community.

In the past year, our college life has gone almost entirely virtual, making it much harder for students to stay in touch with campus resources. To counteract this disconnect, Sonoma State’s departments are having to be creative with the tools that they are giving students to create interaction and engagement.

With hope for change in the future, California State University International Program (CSUIP) and National Student Exchange (NSE) applications are now open. Both programs’ goal is to provide the experience of a lifetime for students, while also giving a clear understanding of financial obligations and educational expectations.

The importance of getting involved in a virtual world is at an all-time high with the announcement of virtual learning for the Spring 2021 term. Clubs and organizations are continuing to be creative by using online platforms to broadcast their messages to Sonoma State students.