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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 Michael Arias
West Coast Swing dancing team, That Chico Team. Photo credit: Michael Arias

Chico dance team hopes to swing their way to first place

Michael Arias
May 20, 2016
Local swing dance team prepares for the year's biggest competition.
Promotional photo from official Facebook page.

Community parties for ‘Purple Rain’

Michael Arias
May 12, 2016
An evening that was anything but a typical night at the movies.
Promotional photo from the official Facebook page.

A night of ‘Purple Rain’

Michael Arias
May 2, 2016
A tribute to Prince
Photo from official Twitter page.

Legendary pop superstar Prince dies at 57

Michael Arias
April 21, 2016
Fans worldwide grieve over the loss of another legendary artist.
Sacramento River, the largest river in California.

Hidden gems to visit when the weather is right

Michael Arias
April 18, 2016

Sacramento River, the largest river in California.

A dog-owner proudly shows off her pug. Photo credit: Miguel Orozco

Raising money for pugs

Michael Arias
April 4, 2016
Chico pug-lovers come together for a paws-itive cause.
Naked Lounge promotional photo. Photo from official Facebook page.

Get your coffee on while you study

Michael Arias
March 31, 2016
Where the Wi-Fi is good and the coffee is even better
Photo from official Facebook page.

Couple film cooking show in home

Michael Arias
March 22, 2016
Power couple has big plans for their -- so far -- little show.
Peter, Paul and Mary was formed in New York City during 1961.Photo from official Facebook page.

‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’: Classic song celebrates anniversary

Michael Arias
March 16, 2016
Famous folk song celebrates its birth date on Wednesday, March 16.
The album cover features a futuristic feel.
Photo from official Facebook page

Pink Floyd album celebrates anniversary

Michael Arias
March 10, 2016
"Dark Side of the Moon" celebrates its release birthday in the United States on Thursday, March 10.
Bikers gather at the starting line for the women's pro race. Photo credit: Megan Moran

Cycling season opener comes to an end

Michael Arias
March 1, 2016
Streets were shut down around Plaza Park on Sunday, Feb. 28 because of the 2016 Chico Stage Races.
Chico Velo Club board members pose before cutting the ribbon for the "Decide and Ride" sculpture at One Mile Park. Photo credit: Michael Arias

Cycling club celebrates artwork at Bidwell Park

Michael Arias
February 27, 2016
The Chico Velo Cycling Club presented their new sculpture, "Decide and Ride," in honor of Ed McLaughlin and the sport of cycling.
Kevin Voeller, junior civil engineering major, shares his thoughts. Photo credit: Miguel Orozco

Biggie, Tupac can rest assured

Michael Arias
February 23, 2016
LAPD homicide detective reveals compelling facts behind the unsolved murders of Tupac Shakur and Christopher "Notorious B.I.G." Wallace in documentary.
David Koates is the director of the newly recognized mechatronic center. Photo credit: Michael Arias

California Mechatronic Center officially recognized at Chico State

Michael Arias
May 11, 2015
After years of not being an official campus organization, the engineering group has received what it has been asking for — a title.
Wildcat Store employees Ruben Ruiz, a first-year sociology major, and Victoria Diaz, a sophomore sociology major, get ready for the end-of-semester book return rush. Photo credit: Michael Arias

Wildcat Store adapts during 1st year of outsourced management

Michael Arias
May 4, 2015
After signing the store over to the private company Follett, concerns surrounding employee benefits, costs and local purchasing were the primary worries.
Kevin Moretti, president of Chico Unified Teachers Association, said the union is happy with the pay-scale adjustment but that cuts in other areas still pose problems. Photo credit: Michael Arias

School board approves teachers union contract

Michael Arias
April 29, 2015
After 15 months of dispute over salaries, Chico Unified School District and the Chico Unified Teachers Association reached an agreement, averting a strike.
Fingerprint scanning for prospective faculty raises concerns

Fingerprint scanning for prospective faculty raises concerns

Michael Arias
April 21, 2015
With a recent change in policy, departments have to pay for criminal background checks for all new faculty members.
Chico State 2015 freshman, Angeles Zinzun-Ochoa poses in the Choose Chico! photo booth. Photo credit: George Johnston

Choose Chico attracts future students and parents at showcase event

Michael Arias
April 12, 2015
Chico State hosts its fifth annual Choose Chico! event for incoming and prospective students.
A University Police officer gives a student a ticket for riding his bike within Chico State's campus core area. Photo credit: Michael Arias

University to roll out less expensive penalties for riding on campus

Michael Arias
April 6, 2015
People cited for using bikes or skateboards in the campus core will soon be able to take an online safety course, pay a reduced fee and have the citation dismissed.
Courtesy of the city of Chico

Police Department struggles to find qualified candidates

Michael Arias
March 31, 2015
With a high number of recruits unable to make it through Butte College's Law Enforcement Academy program, open positions remain unfilled within the department.
New legislation increases access to online classes

New legislation increases access to online classes

Michael Arias
March 26, 2015
California State University students will be able to enroll in any online course offered at other campuses starting with the next academic year.
Chico State adopts new accessibility icon

Chico State adopts new accessibility icon

Michael Arias
March 10, 2015
The university has begun to use a recently redesigned International Symbol of Access that is more active and puts less of an emphasis on the disability.
Language programs adapt to strengthen student success

Language programs adapt to strengthen student success

Michael Arias
March 3, 2015
The international languages, literatures and cultures department has approved changes to the French, German and Spanish majors beginning in fall 2015.
Chico State anthropology professor Melody Yeager has been teaching part time since 2007 and is still working without a long-term contract. Like many of her adjunct colleagues, she also teaches classes at Butte College. Photo credit: Michael Arias

Part-time faculty becoming the norm at Chico State

Michael Arias
February 26, 2015
As the number of tenured staff decreases, adjunct professors now make up the majority of instructors.
Junior business major Nasser Alotaibi is from Saudi Arabia and was saddened by the passing of King Abdullah. Alotaibi said, "King Abdullah treated us as his children. That's how he sent a lot of students to other countries to learn." Photo credit: Salahadin Albutti

Saudi students remember King Abdullah as advocate for education

Michael Arias
February 4, 2015
Following the death of the king of Saudi Arabia on Jan. 23, international students reflect on his legacy.
Kevin Muretti, president of Chico Unified Teachers Association, has been leading the picketing in front of the local schools. Photo credit: Michael Arias

Teachers union fights for pay-scale adjustment from school district

Michael Arias
January 26, 2015
The Chico Unified Teachers Association remains in negotiations with Chico Unified School District regarding wages and benefits.
Chico State senior Michael Belcher fills up his tank at a gas station on Walnut Street. OPEC has not cut back on crude oil production yet so prices have remained low. Photo credit: Gustavo Ornelas

Gas prices continue to decline

Michael Arias
January 20, 2015
Anticipated increases in gas prices because of California's expanded cap-and-trade regulations did not materialize in January.