The Runner 2-24-2016 by CSUB Runner

February 24, 2016

California State University, Bakersfield Vol. 41, No. 15

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No place like home CSUB’s Homecoming week festivities under way By Javier Valdes Assistant News Editor Homecoming at CSU Bakersfield is more than just dances, Homecoming courts and sports. It’s an invitation for alumni to return to their alma mater and join CSUB in a week’s worth of spirit, while engaging current students in a celebration of the CSUB campus. Assistant Director for Campus Programming Emily Poole explained what Homecoming is, for students that are unfamiliar with homecoming week and what it means for CSUB. “Homecoming is a week of activities where we engage our campus community, celebrate different activities…and invite our alumni and our campus community back to the campus to share in the celebration of their alma mater,” said Poole. Homecoming at CSUB is different from the typical high school homecoming where schools surround their festivities around a school football game, which typically includes floats and a school rally. CSUB does keep many of essential Homecoming week traditions such as spirit days, a Homecoming court, a Homecoming dance that follows the big game, and of course the alumni. CSUB’s Alumni Association is in charge or reaching out to CSUB alumni and invites them back to the campus to participate in the activities scheduled for the week. CSUB’s Campus Programming office is also working with other departments on campus to invite back other past alumni. “This year we are doing a special partnership with athletics,” said Poole. “They’re inviting all of the athletes who graduated in the fives, so 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015… we are inviting them back to the campus and we are going to have some special programming with them.” Another way that the CSUB campus and the collaborating Homecoming committee is

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Candidates To find out who the candidates are and why they are running for each title, go to pages 2 and 3.

Events Read up on Monday’s National Rec Day and check out our Pro & Con on Homecoming, go to page 4 and 5.

Homecoming game Find out how the men’s basketball team is looking heading into its big game against Grand Canyon, go to page 6.

Alejandra Flores/The Runner

Campus Programming Coordinator Hilda Nieblas shows off the Homecoming sashes for the nominees.

reaching out to alumni is by having a Rising Runner ceremony where one person from each school on campus who has graduated within the last 10 years is nominated by a faculty member and invited back and recognized as a “Rising Runner.”

a home away from home,” said Poole. “They spend a lot of time here on campus, maybe just as much as they spend at home. So, ‘it’s good to be home’ is our statement saying come back, and it’s good to be back at CSUB.” Something that is new and

“The best events that we have on campus are events that are collaborations, and Homecoming is a huge collaboration between many different departments on campus.”

Hilda Nieblas, Campus Programming Coordinator “A Rising Runner is someone who is doing great things in the community, somebody who has excelled in their career or personally,” said Poole. This year’s Homecoming theme is “It’s good to be home.” The theme was created with the aim to have alumni come home to CSUB. “CSUB is for a lot of students,

Alejandra Flores/The Runner

Homecoming maid nominee Melissa Lovera plays corn hole at the SRC’s National Rec Day on Monday.

convenient for CSUB students is that for the first time students can vote for their Homecoming court online via the RunnerSync application. Although paper voting will still be available at the Student Union, the opportunity to be able to vote from home and instead of coming to the Student Union is expected to be more convenient for students, expressed Poole. In addition to the activities happening throughout Homecoming week, there are designated spirit days for both CSUB and Antelope Valley campus. CSUB’s spirit days will be all day from Feb. 25-26. Campus Programming Coordinator Hilda Nieblas explained the role of the spirit scouts that will be going around campus for spirit days. “We try to foster student spirit by having campus spirit days,” said Nieblas. “We will go around with a cart searching for students wearing blue, gold, or anything CSUB, and we will give you a foam finger, or other different prizes.” The Homecoming court will consist of 28 candidates who will be competing for the

Karina Diaz/The Runner

SRC Facilities and Member Services Coordinator Trae Mathews bounces the volleyball off his head at the National Rec Day on Monday.

positions of maid and squire for freshmen, duchess and duke for sophomores, princess and prince for juniors and queen and king for seniors. The Homecoming court candidate announcement, where the two finalists for king and queen and the Homecoming court winners will be revealed, will take place on Thursday Feb. 25. The Homecoming king and

queen will be crowned at the Homecoming CSUB men’s basketball game vs. Grand Canyon University, on Saturday Feb. 27. The game will be followed by an “Alice in Wonderland” themed dance at the DoubleTree Hotel, located at 3100 Camino Del Rio Ct. Tickets cost $10 for students and $15 for guests.

The homecoming week festivities have been put together by the homecoming committee, in collaboration between different departments at CSUB. “The best events that we have on campus are events that are collaborations,” said Nieblas. “And homecoming is a huge collaboration between many different departments on campus.”

Candidates

February 24, 2016

~CSUB royalty~ Alejandra Flores/The Runner

Homecoming candidates for the upcoming elections pose Monday with CSUB President Dr. Horace Mitchell (far left) and CSUB Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Thomas Wallace (far right). The candidates led students, faculty, staff and alumni in a campus cleanup meant to keep the CSUB campus clean and beautiful. The campus cleanup was followed by an introduction of the Homecoming court in a kickoff barbecue at the patio outside the Student Union.

Jacqueline Deniz Senior

Alejandra Santiago Senior

Nayeli Sanchez Senior

Jasmin Lopez Senior

“I am running for Homecoming queen because I just want the chance to continue to build positive memories of my time here at CSUB. So I would really appreciate any support. Thank you all for all of your votes. Thank you!”

“You guys are going to see the ballot and vote for who you want, so vote for me because I already told my mom I won so you don’t want to disappoint her! So vote Alejandra!”

I’m running because I want to acknowledge all that we’ve done here on campus and I think it would be a great opportunity to just give back by acknowledging all of the hard work that we’ve done.

Dakota Bolinger Senior

Keren Martin Senior

I’ve just been very dedicated to this school and I just felt like I wanted to represent it. So vote for me, Keren Martin, and I hope to get your support.”

Nicholas Cortez Sophomore

Graham C Wheat Junior

“I wanted to run just to be able to participate more on campus before I graduate from the nursing program. And some of the stuff I participate in... I really appreciate the support.”

“I thought it would be better just to speak to you guys candidly, student to student. I love CSUB and I am so proud to call all of you people here my peers and I just want to be a good ambassador for our school.”

Staff member Graham C Wheat writes about his experience running for Homecoming, see page 5.

“I‘m running because I’m not really involved on campus, but the reason why I ran is so I can be more involved. So I saw that running for Homecoming would be like my stepping stone for getting more involved on campus. I’ll just keep it like that. Vote for me. We’re all Runners. ”

The rest of the Homecoming Court candidates continued on page 3

THE RUNNER Volume 41, Issue 15 The Runner California State University, Bakersfield 9001 Stockdale Hwy. Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099 Telephone: 661-654-2165 Email: therunner.online@ gmail.com therunneronline.com

editorial staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Esteban Ramirez

NEWS EDITOR Patricia Rocha

FEATURES EDITOR Graham C Wheat

OPINIONS EDITOR Katie Aubin

SPORTS EDITOR Joe Macias

PHOTO EDITOR AJ Alvarado

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Maria Rodriguez

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Javier Valdes, Annie Russell, Karina Diaz and Julie M. Perez

Send letters to therunner.online@ gmail.com. All letters must be signed and verified and be no more than 300 words in length. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

AD MANAGER

DISCLAIMERS

ASSISTANT EDITORS

Andrea Flores aflores62@csub.edu

ADVISER

Jennifer Burger

jburger1@csub.edu

ABOUT

The Runner is a laboratory newspaper published weekly, in conjuction with the Communications Department at California State University, Bakersfield.

Views and opinions expressed in The Runner are not necessarily those of the editors, staff or the Communications Department. The stafff of The Runner reserves the right to refuse or omit any advertising or material which advocates illegal activity, or which may be considered libelous, irresponsible or tasteless.

February 24, 2016

Candidates CAPTION CONTEST

~CSUB Royalty~

Melissa Lovera Freshman

“I believe you should vote for me because it would be an honor to represent the freshmen class here at CSUB. I love being on campus, I wish to be more involved with the campus and campus life...Vote for me!”

Viviane Ferrel Freshman

Monica Aguilera Freshman

“...[What] I can bring to this campus is being involved. By being a helping hand and a friendly face, people can approach and rely on... if they have a sticky conflict or just need a listening ear when they need it most. What matters to me the most is being there for others, not only when they need it, but just being a great friend and doing something so simple as just putting a smile on their face and making their day.”

Some candidates for Homecoming Court were not available to give a speech or be photographed due to scheduling.

“...I’ll tell you guys why I wanted to run. In high school, I always wanted to run for Homecoming, formal or prom, but I never had the guts to do it because I wasn’t really popular or anything...I decided to run... because it is something that I wanted to do. I might not win, or be at the top, but at least I’m trying for it because I’m not going to live college with regrets or anything. So yeah, thank you.”

Freshman Maid: Susan Masrroquin Freshman Squire: Deon Danehy, Elijah Mitchell Sophomore Duchess: Courtney Ludford, Jessica Forrestor Junior Princess: Stephanie Hurtado, Deborah Kang, Krista Ann Tomlinson Senior King: Michael Lovato Senior Queen: Deslyn Joseph, Alyssa McCaskell

Karina Diaz/The Runner

Trae Matthews bounces an oversized volleyball off his head during National Rec Day on Monday.

CAPTION THIS! Go to The Runner’s Facebook and Instagram pages and submit your own caption for this photo with #TheRunnerContest. The winner will receive a $25 gift card to Johnny Garlic’s. Deadline is noon Friday, Feb. 26.

CAMPUS

Old Homecomings remembered By Abigail Youngblood Archivist Homecoming offers a time to celebrate, be festive, and reminisce as students past and present come together to celebrate their school. CSU Bakersfield once again celebrates all week and ends, of course, with the Homecoming dance on the night of Feb. 27. As past and present winners,

students, and alumni attend this week’s events it is certain they will find a sense of school spirit, and an excitement that carries on throughout the week and into the final celebration. CSUB student Nelly Moreno said that while she is not going to Homecoming this year she would like to attend as an alumna. The response was the same for student Nicole Sarmiente, who is not attending this year,

but who said she would like to come back, “A year or so after I graduate.” “I guess depending on how good or bad it is will decide if I come back,” said Susan Heredia, an 18 year-old liberal studies major, who will be attending homecoming at CSUB for the first time this year. Homecoming has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century, and it has remained a

staple event for many schools including CSUB. Something that has made Homecoming such a rich tradition is that it is rooted in complete school spirit and includes both current students and alumni. Everyone comes together to cheer on the school’s team, vote for king and queen, and generally have fun. Homecoming week offers a chance for students to unify and be a part

of the school and community that surrounds them. As time goes on, the tradition of Homecoming holds tight as students celebrate their school and each other. This event allows for creating positive and lasting memories of your college experience, and is a tradition that builds community and comradery that lasts through history. “Inside, the Homecoming

looked much like last year’s, even down to the casino games, which seem to have become a staple of CSUB events,” said Nathan Campbell a previous Runner staff member who wrote an article on Homecoming in 2009, the same year he was nominated for king. For the 2009 sold-out Homecoming, the awards for king and queen went to Jamaal Tolbert and Wendy Martinez.

Campus

February 24, 2016

NATIONAL REC DAY

SRC celebrates Homecoming week By Rose Ayala Reporter The homecoming dance is just around the corner and the entire CSU Bakersfield campus is prepared to spread school spirit this week. The Student Recreation Center joined in the festivities and kicked off homecoming week this Monday, Feb. 22 in front of the Student Union. They celebrated National Recreational Day by organizing a fun event filled with games and activities for students to enjoy. “The Rec Center organized this event in conjunction with homecoming activities, so we are kind of kicking off everything for homecoming,” said Student Manager of Marketing for the SRC Nico Salun.

The event ran from 11 a.m. to noon and provided students with incentive to join in the fun by handing out T-shirts to anyone who participated. “The goal for the students is just to learn a little bit more about the (SRC). Rec Day is a national thing for universities all over, so we are just here celebrating recreation, fitness, wellness, everything that we stand for,” said Communications, Special Programs, and Student Development Coordinator Mariah Schultz. “We have our different program areas out here, we have some tents set up so you can see our outdoor adventures program we are doing a Zumba class in the lawn for our fitness and group exercise classes and we have our corn hole and giant

volleyball.” Both students and SRC staff members alike had a good time enjoying the pleasant warm weather and getting together to embrace fitness. “Today is definitely a success,” said intramural official for the SRC Christopher Galafate, who is also a sophomore in the engineering sciences major. “There is a lot of people participating and it is really fun for the staff and for the students.” “It’s a way for students to get more involved with the campus life, I just see a lot of students just come and go to class, with this they have some time to play and socialize with other students,” said senior child adolescent and family studies major Elizabeth Alaniz.

Karina Diaz/The Runner

A group of students participating in Zumba at National Recreational Day on Monday, Feb. 22

THE RUNNER

Student paper wins awards By Adriana Ruvalcaba Copy Editor CSU Bakersfield’s The Runner newspaper won six awards at this year’s Associated Collegiate Press’ Midwinter National College Journalism Convention held in Los Angeles on Feb. 18-21. CSUB competed with over 80 other schools from across the nation. Photo Editor AJ Alvarado won first place for Best Sports Photo from The Runner’s Oct. 28, 2015 edition. Other awards included third places in Best Photo Series, Best Sports Story, and Best Special Issue for the newspaper’s 40th Anniversary edition from last Feb. 18.

The Runner also received Honorable Mentions for Best Website and Best Arts and Entertainment Story by former Feature Story Editor Shelby Parker. The Runner’s Editor-in-Chief Esteban Ramirez wrote the winning sports story “From humble beginnings To all-time scorer,” from Jan. 29, 2015. “I feel like it’s really great. Last year we were only nominated for two. This year to be nominated for six is an honor. And with AJ’s first place, it’s amazing,” said Ramirez. The highlight of the evening was Alvarado’s first place sports photo. “It was cool to get recognized for doing your work,” said Alvarado. “All

those long hours on The Runner…for free.” Unlike his third place win for Best Photo Series from 2015’s Stampede Days Rodeo, he said the sports photo featuring the CSUB women’s volleyball team celebrating their victory was what he was waiting for. “It wasn’t one of those right placeright time (moments)…I was looking for that shot. That’s what I was going for,” said Alvarado. The Runner newspaper also won seventh place for Best Website For A Small School for ACP Best of Show awards ceremony held at the end of the convention.

AJ Alvarado/The Runner

The Runner’s Photo Editor AJ Alvarado won first place for Best Sports Photo at the ACP Midwinter National College Journalism Convention.

BRIEFS

Ethics team makes top 8; deadline approaches The CSU Bakersfield Ethics Bowl team continued to garner honors at Saturday’s 20th Intercollegiate National Championship in Reston, Va. CSUB made it to the top eight schools in the United States and were also finalists for the Ladenson Award, which is given to the team that embodies the spirit of the Ethics Bowl. The ethics bowl team consists of senior philosophy major Erin Barker,

senior physics and math major Josh Lofy, senior philosophy major Travis Rosenlieb and senior philosophy and political science major Pedro Naveiras. CSUB beat Colorado College of the Mines (Golden, Col.) and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (St. Mary’s, Ind.) in the first two rounds and then tied with Lynchburg College, which is in Lynchburg, Va. CSUB advanced to the quar-

terfinals where they fell in a hard fought round to the U.S. Naval Academy. — Esteban Ramirez Scholarship Deadline Approaches The priority filing deadline for the CSU Bakersfield scholarship application is March 2. Students are encouraged to go online to csub.academicworks. com to fill out the scholarship

application before this date. There are 86 scholarship opportunities on this site alone. Students need their NetID to sign in and from there they can fill out the general application. The application asks about student’s educational and demographical background. Students will also be asked to submit at least two reference letters. —Gina Butler

February 24, 2016

RUNNER ON THE STREET

Opinions 5

By Garrett Willis / Photos by Karina Diaz

This week The Runner asked, “Is Homecoming appropriate for a college campus?” Ariana Barka, Human Biology

Carmen Lozano, Psychology

“I think having Homecoming is appropriate because I didn’t have that experience in high school.”

“I think it’s a better way to meet people. People like to dance and socialize, so it’s easier to meet new people.”

Frank Stone, Petroleum Engineering

Paul Holden, Computer Science

“A lot of people have been talking about it being weird, since we don’t have a football team. But, I mean, nah, I don’t think it’s inappropriate.”

“I don’t know the historical significance of Homecoming, but I don’t see any problem with it.”

SPIRIT

Homecoming week pros and cons

Biggest night of the year An archaic ritual to forget By Chris Mateo Distribution Manager Homecoming is the one time of the school year when there is so much excitement. People organize themselves to help support each other win Homecoming king or Homecoming queen. We put so much effort and energy into an all week event that it is inevitable to enjoy it and have fun. So many activities are put into motion, like the campus cleanup, the kickoff barbecue, the Homecoming game, and the Homecoming dance. Some of us prepare with anticipation and plan from what shoes to wear to what we are going to eat and do that whole day. This all leads up to the Homecoming dance. It is an opportunity to look good and to put your best dance moves forward. We dress in our best and we take our friends and loved ones to dance the night away. I think that it is especially exciting to be able to find out what the theme of the dance will be. It’s exciting because

then you get to envision the dance and guess what type of activities or decorations that the dance will have. I always tend to envision myself in the environment and that is how I am able to plan what I am going to wear. The night of Homecoming is electric and it is the one night out of the year that everyone dresses nicely and has genuine fun. I think that Homecoming has received this unfortunate reputation of being a judgmental and conceded event. I see it as the one-night people can be themselves and have a night where they will not be judged because everyone looks amazing. Then when all of it is done there will be fun pictures that will remind you of one of the best nights of your college years. When the dance is over, you and your friends can cap off the night with a food run or a few drinks. Homecoming is a night where anyone can have fun, and it is one of the biggest events for the school year, so why not immerse yourself and enjoy the ride?

By Graham C Wheat Features Editor

To see more of our thoughts on the Homecoming debate, check out this week’s staff editorial at TheRunnerOnline.com

Homecoming is redundant, ridiculous, and most definitely not necessary at a college campus of any size. The archaic rituals of a popularity contest have no place in a learning environment; the ruse of being geared toward campus inclusion is an affront to students who want a quality education. Popularity contests have no place in what students at CSUB achieve Greek life routinely dominates homecoming proceedings and elections. These groups support and bolster their sorority and fraternity brothers and sisters with mutual reciprocation of votes. This skewed process leads to an unrepresentative demographic of people who are voted into homecoming royalty. If our homecoming royalty aren’t representative of the campus, then there is a disservice to our peers and classmates. The notion that some type of campus “royalty” improves the

students and school is asinine. For full disclosure, I am running for junior class prince, and as the only candidate running in that position, my winning is mostly assured. And that is part of the problem. If it wasn’t for the fact that no other candidates are running for this position, I would have no chance of possibly winning, short of a guerilla marketing campaign and air dropping cookies throughout campus with a little “Vote for Graham” flyer attached. The insular nature of homecoming does not tell a true story of campus. Winning a spot on homecoming is not what is of the most concern, but rather it is what those who are not part of homecoming festivities represent. A majority of campus is left out in the cold and under-represented, or not represented at all, and the spirit that this event proclaims to encourage is gifted only to a select few. We as a campus need to encourage more involvement from our less-represented factions of campus.

Sports

February 24, 2016

BASEBALL

CSUB wins first series against Matadors

Chris Mateo/The Runner

CSUB junior Cody White congratulates his teammate junior David Metzgar as he is able to make it to first base in the sixth inning.

By Juan Garcia Reporter After losing the second game in the series against CSU Northridge 7-5 Saturday at Hardt Field, the CSU Bakersfield baseball team bounced back on Sunday beating Matadors 5-3 to win the series. “I’m really happy to get the series victory,” Macaluso said to gorunners.com. “All of the games this weekend were battles.” On Sunday, the Roadrunners (21) rallied late in the game as they entered the top of the seventh down, 3-2. However, on the first pitch of the inning, redshirt-junior Dustin Frailey smacked a home run to tie the game. Later in the inning, Carter drove in junior David Metzgar to give the Roadrunners their first lead since the fourth inning. They added another run in the eighth thanks to another solo home run but this time it was from senior Chance Gusbeth. CSUB was able to get a little breathing room for their pitchers and. On Saturday, CSUB fell short in the pitching department, as they were unable to stop CSUN from scoring seven runs on Saturday. “That was a marathon of a game,” said CSUB coach Bob

Macaluso. “We made some mistakes early and we couldn’t get that consistent pitching from one guy to just stop them.” In the fifth inning CSUB got on the scoreboard as junior David Metzgar and junior Max Carter were both walked with bases loaded to even the score at 2-2 “I wasn’t that nervous,” said freshman Andrew Hansen. “I came in prepared and did the best I could.” Hansen was the starting pitcher for the Roadrunners and made his first start as a pitcher for CSUB. Hansen pitched a no-decision and threw failed a pickoff attempt which gave Northridge a 2-0 lead in the fourth. CSUB featured five pitchers throughout the entirety of the game, including freshman Isaiah Moten who debuted his first home game for the Roadrunners. “I’ve been doing it my whole life, nothing new,” said Moten. “It felt good, felt pretty comfortable.” It was a packed house at Hardt Field on Saturday as the number of attendants was 964, the third largest crowd for a season opener, the most being 1075. CSUB will return to Hardt Field to face St. John’s University Feb. 26 at 6 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Icardo likely to sell out once again By Joe Macias Sports Editor In an expected sellout the CSU Bakersfield men’s basketball team will be hosting Grand Canyon University Saturday Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in an effort to gain momentum heading into the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. The WAC Tournament will be from March 9-12 in Las Vegas, N.V. at the Orleans Arena. The Roadrunners’ (19-8, 9-3 WAC) conference losses have all came from either New Mexico State University or Grand Canyon (24-4 16-2 WAC). Grand Canyon has the best overall record in the conference. The Antelopes are led by redshirt-sophomore Joshua Braun who is averaging 17.7 points per game, which is second in the WAC. As a team, Grand Canyon is averaging a league-leading 77.5 points per game. For the Roadrunners, the team has struggled against good teams in the WAC. CSUB is averaging a league worst 65.7 percent from the free-throw line. CSUB senior center Aly Ahmed and senior forward Kevin Mays. Ahmed is aver-

Alejandra Flores/The Runner CSUB junior guard Justin Pride drives past a Utah Valley defender.

aging a team high 14 points per game, good for eighth best in the conference and 6.6 rebounds per game, which is sixth best in the conference. Mays is averaging 12.6 points per game, twelfth best in the conference, and 8.1 rebounds per game, third best in the conference. In the first game the Roadrun-

ners had against Grand Canyon on Jan. 28 the Antelopes led by as much as 14 in the game in a 70-64 win against CSUB. The Roadrunners made a late scoring run towards the end of the game but Grand Canyon scored baskets when it mattered the most. Homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime.

Alejandra Flores/The Runner

CSUB redshirt-junior forward Matt Smith gets his shot contested by Utah Valley sophomore forward Tyler Ott.

ONLINE

To view the story of the CSUB women’s basketball team as it took on undefeated New Mexico State University on Saturday, go to therunneronline.com for the full story.