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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Lizzie Helmer
Kylie Taylor is graduating this week with a degree in economics and a minor in math and statistics. She will be attending the University of Texas in Austin next year to pursue a masters degree in economics. Photo credit: Image courtesy of Kylie Taylor

The CSU versus the American Dream

Lizzie Helmer
May 16, 2018

Chico State student finds “rags to riches” isn’t as realistic for low-income California State University students.Senior Kylie Taylor is one of the four students receiving honors in the...

This chart is based on estimates from Chico State's Financial Aid and Scholarship office. Without factoring in financial aid, the average total cost of a degree for an in-state student is about $90,000

Chico State degree costs about $90,000

Lizzie Helmer
May 8, 2018

This chart is based on estimates from Chico State's Financial Aid and Scholarship office. Without factoring in financial aid, the average total cost of a degree for an in-state student is about $90,000

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez signed copies of his new book "We Rise" after Wednesday's talk.

Environmental activist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez speaks at the BMU

Lizzie Helmer
April 17, 2018

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez stepped up to the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium stage and immediately started rapping. The rap lasted under two minutes but incorporated three languages and the overarching message...

Local political candidates and  Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson sit on the panel at the March For Our Lives Chico town hall.

Student activists host town hall to discuss gun violence

Lizzie Helmer
April 10, 2018

March For Our Lives Chico put on a town hall Saturday at the El Rey theater that featured multiple congressional candidates and community leaders. Lizzie Helmer can be reached at [email protected] or @lizziehelmer on...

Mimi Baez speaks to Basement Talk attendees about how she hopes administrators, as well as students, will join future talks. Photo credit: Lizzie Helmer

New speaking series addresses life lessons

Lizzie Helmer
April 2, 2018

Love, relationships, spirituality, honesty, success and fear. These topics and more were covered in Basement Talks, a new speaking series created by the Student Philanthropy Council. The first 'talk' was...

Chico State students march toward Kendall Hall to protest gun violence

Students protest gun violence

Alex Grant, Natalie Hanson, Kendall George and Lizzie Helmer can be reached at [email protected] or @theorion_news on Twitter.

Kailyn Erb stands next to a section of the planned march route on Broadway Street. Photo credit: Lizzie Helmer

Local students organize Walkout protest

Lizzie Helmer
March 12, 2018

After 17 people were killed in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, student survivors called for a national walkout and protest to happen. Two local students are taking action...

Judy Cline declines Joe's Bar GHB rumor. Photo credit: Courtesy of Enloe Medical Center

Enloe denies “date-rape” statistic in Facebook post

Lizzie Helmer
March 6, 2018

In a Facebook post on Feb. 20, Joe’s Bar stated Enloe Medical Center had reported 10 cases of the “date rape” drug GHB in the past two months. Representatives from Enloe Medical Center said they...

Ultimaker 3 Extended 3-D printer printing a fish model Photo credit: Alex Grant

New Meriam Library Makerspace sends student projects to another dimension

Lizzie Helmer
February 21, 2018

A vinyl cutter, 3-D printers, a sewing machine and five high powered computers are now available to all Chico State students thanks to a new Makerspace that opened in Meriam Library Feb 6.Patrick Newell,...

The fencing will be up in front of Bell Memorial Union until the statue's unveiling on April 19 Photo credit: Lizzie Helmer

New Wildcat statue funded exclusively from donations

Lizzie Helmer
February 14, 2018

A new Wildcat statue is coming to Chico State and it’s funded in a way that’s the first of its kind. The about $145,000 necessary for the project came from a collaborative donations effort...

Alisha Sharma is ready to take on new position but still remains focused on past and current goals Photo credit: Kate Angeles

New student body president puts teamwork first

Lizzie Helmer
January 30, 2018

Over winter break, Dylan Gray resigned from his position as Associated Student president. In an email sent out to the entire student body, Executive Vice President Alisha Sharma said Gray left to focus...