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Dec. 9, 2013
www.csulauniversitytimes.com
C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y, L O S A N G E L E S
Issue 204.11
What do students want in a library? pg 3
NELSON MANDELA
EPIC Success pg 2
2013 in Music pg 4
EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. EDUCATION IS Mandela’s Legacy pg 5 THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD.
Customer or Employee? pg 7
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University Times
Dec. 9, 2013
Give a Little, Take a Little CAMPUS
Reyna J. Hernandez Contributer Thanksgiving may be over and done with but the holidays still remain. There is not a more perfect time to spread that good old fashioned holiday cheer! And, what better way than to give to those who are in need this time of year? Last month, the University Times published a story based on EPIC’s Toy and Food Drive. The article was intended to help raise awareness, recruit volunteers, and help with both toy and food donations. The EPIC office was happy to report that the 42nd Annual Toy and Food Drive has been going better than expected. Johanna Esparza, EPIC’s Special Projects Coordinator, says, “We are ahead of our schedule. Everything has been going great!” The EPIC staff shared a little history about the program and gave an insight as to how it all got started and evolved over the years. “The EPIC Annual Toy and Food Drive was started in 1971 by CSULA EPIC students. This year EPIC will be providing holiday gift boxes to more than 75 low income families in the Los Angeles area, in coordination with 15 non-profit community partner agencies who work with African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino, and Native American communities. Last year the program collected thousands of toys and food thanks to the donations and support of CSULA students, staff and faculty. The toys and food were distributed to hundreds of children and adults from families selected by participating agencies.” So far, EPIC has finished constructing, wrapping, and distributing boxes with the help of all of their volunteers. Staying on top of their schedule has also helped a lot. Victoria Mosqueda says, “This year we strive to collect as much in a shorter period of time.” The donations have been coming in to the EPIC office with the help of our fellow CSULA students, staff, and faculty. Volunteers have been working hard to sort the toys and food and keep up with the inventory. On Friday, November 15, 2013, fellow Eagles gathered in the Golden Eagle Ballroom in celebration of the retirement of Jorge Uranga, the EPIC Director. After working for the EPIC Program for twenty-five years, Uranga left the EPIC office but
was very happy about all of the great experiences he enjoyed throughout his years. In the invitation to his retirement dinner, Jorge Uranga wrote, “You are the reason that great things happen at CSULA and I sincerely appreciate your support of EPIC and our work with students, staff, faculty, and our community partners.” In an attempt to help gain more donations due to the fact that EPIC lost their support from Toys for Tots this year, Uranga went on to ask his guests to “… please bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child that we will include as part of our annual Toy and Food Drive.” The guests arrived with endless toys for kids of all ages and canned foods for the families. The EPIC staff is more than happy with the generous outcome and the amount of donations that they received. The Raffle and Caroling Volunteers and staff will join together on Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th to sing Christmas Carols across our CSULA campus. The carolers will be singing in different offices from 10:00 and to 12:00pm. In addition from singing, the group will also be selling raffle tickets, donated by our campus’s Hermanos Unidos de CSULA. The raffle tickets will be sold for one dollar each or ten dollars for a bundle. The money raised from selling these tickets will be used to buy additional toys and food. EPIC’s personal goal is to sell at least three thousand raffle tickets. The raffle itself will take place in the EPIC office on Friday, December 13 at 3:00pm. The winners of the prices will be announced during that time. The winner does not need to be present and will be contacted at a later time. The prices for the raffle ticket winners are – First place – Hotel accommodations for 2 guests and 2 children in selected cities, valued at $560, donated by CSULA Federal Credit Union. Second Place – 4 tickets to any 2014 Sparks regular season home game and a $25 gift certificate to Cheesecake Factory. Third Place – 2 Disneyland Admission Tickets, donated by ASI. Fourth Place – Pirate Dinner Adventure for two.
EPIC’s Event Calendar NOW – Friday, December 16: Collect donations of new and used toys in a good condition and non-perishable/canned foods. Bring them to EPIC office or drop them off at collection boxes throughout the campus. NOW – Wednesday, December 13 – EPIC will be selling raffle tickets. Student volunteers will assist in selling tickets. All donations will go towards the purchasing of additional toys and food for the families. Thursday, December 5 – Friday, December 6 – Caroling will be taking place in different offices around campus, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Monday, December 16 – Pick up donation boxes from offices and departments throughout the campus. Monday, December 16 – Tuesday, December 17 – Keep an inventory of the donated toys and food after having sorted them out for the families. The sorting will take place in the PE Building in Room 123.
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Tuesday, December 17 – Shop for additional toys and food.
Liliana Arrazcaeta
Wednesday, December 18 – Thursday, December 19 – Agencies will pick up donations on campus, while the other donations will be delivered to the remaining agencies.
Carol Venegas
The EPIC Office encourages everyone to stop by the office for any continuous volunteer opportunities. For any additional information please contact Sandra Diaz or Johanna Esparza, the EPIC Special Projects Coordinators, at (323) 343-3380 or epic@cslanet.calstatela.edu. Year after year, the EPIC office continues to give back to the many communities near the greater Los Angeles area. Community service is something that is engraved into EPIC’s mission statement. They work hard to promote community service and help Eagles realize that they are much more than they can see. There are many volunteer opportunities and numerous events that they host that can lead students to become responsible, productive, and engaged. The time to volunteer and donate is today! Stop by the EPIC Office or donate at any of their donation boxes. Any help can make a huge difference. Help the EPIC team spread the holiday cheer by giving.
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Carol Venegas Copy Editors Angeline Bernabe Carol Venegas
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Contributors Gerardo Amerquita Angeline Bernabe Reyna J. Hernandez Paige Miller Charlotte Nevarez Emilce Peralta Christine Tran Aaron Wilson
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Jim Munson
Timmy Truong Cartoonist Tammy Nguyen
Faculty Advisor
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Aaron Bautista
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University Times
Dec. 9, 2013
Release of CSULA Annual Safety Report CAMPUS
Aaron Wilson Contributer Cal State L.A Department of Public Safety just released its 2013 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This current report covers all on campus and off campus issues, statistics, policies, and available services. Interim Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police’s John Hernandez explains that the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report was created to show how much they cared about the well-being and safety of all of CSULA’s visitors, faculty, staff, and students. The public safety mission
statement in the Safety Report states, “The Department of Public Safety protects persons and property y providing essential and professional law enforcement and public safety services, while promoting community involvement and assistance. The overall goal of the agency is to provide the safest possible environment for the students, faculty, staff, and visitors at the University.” The preparation of the Safety Report is based off of the required collections and annually published statistics of particular crimes that take place on campus, off campus, public property, and crimes recorded
by the CSA (campus security authority). All crimes recorded statistically must comply with the crime reporting system of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Clery Act. These stats are complied and presented on page 7 of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report. The Department of Public Safety has a University Police Department that was national accredited this August and has 21 police officers that patrol the campus by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, and by other marked vehicles. These officers patrol 24 hours and seven days a week. The department
also has a student-based police program called the Eagle Patrol. The Eagle Patrol does campus-building checks and has a free Escorting Service that can be used by any person who needs it while on campus. If interested in learning more information about the escort service, please call (323) 3433700. Victims’ rights and the illegal drugs and alcohol policies can be found in the Safety Report with the health risks and disciplinary actions of being caught with these items. Other things that can be found are policies on campus hate crimes, violence, convicted
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sexual offenders, and student housing fire safety or missing person reports. The annual report encourages the reporting of crimes, medical emergencies, fires, voluntary confidential reporting, and anonymous crime reporting. When reporting a crime or emergency, make sure to include what happened, when did it happen, where did it happen, who was involved and possibly why. The annual booklet can be can be found online at www. calstatela.edu/Univ/police/ or you can request a copy by contacting their office at (323) 343-3700.
Talk About Revamping the Library CAMPUS
Angeline Bernabe Contributer When first impressions of the library come to mind, opinions usually sound like this. The library is old, it does not have enough space for students to work, and it does not have enough of the right books as resources. Agreeably, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library is one of the most visited buildings on campus. Because of this, many students have had their fair share of complaints of our campus library. On Monday, December 2nd, a meeting with A.S.I. members , students, and Southern Oregon University (SOU)’s Library Dean Paul Adalian was held in the Administration
Building to discuss the kind of library students would like to have at CSULA. Adalian, who became SOU’s Library Dean in 2009, has helped create a student-centered environment at SOU’s library by developing 24-hour study periods during finals week, art exhibits, and concerts during lunchtime (just to name a few). Because of his phenomenal work at SOU and knowledge in Library Science (which he earned a Masters Degree in from Syracuse University), Adalian was asked by the provost on our campus to take a look at the library and get an opinion on what to do with it after word got out that President Covino wanted to revitalize the library.
Although plans of any sort to renovate the JFK library is a long way away, Adalian wanted to meet with students and learn about what they’d like in a future library. Some of the long-term goals that were posed by students included the physical structure of the building. A.S.I.’s Vice President for Finance, Alixx Alcazar said that there isn’t enough space and questioned how we could “restructure the library to create more space.” After walking around our library and making specific
observations about the many rooms our library has, Adalian’s solution to the limited amount of space in the library was to “turn small rooms into study rooms… There’s no place in the building where there is a lot of space.” In addition, he’d like to make it easier for students in the future to be able to reserve study rooms. Haley Flores, a fellow CSULA student, had a bigger vision in terms of the structure of the library. Flores, who visited other college campuses like UC San Diego and said that she’d like our library to look
similar. Specifically, she “appreciates their (UCSD’s) kind of windows.” Similarly, A.S.I. Vice President for Academic Governance, Luis Antezana said that he “wants our library to be a pocket of nature” and “wants the library to be a more pleasant place to study.” While changing the windows of the library can’t be done immediately, and considered Flores’ wants of a new physical structure for our library, Adalian suggested Library Revamp continued on page 6
Best Speech Goes To... CAMPUS
Christine Tran Contributer On December 4th 2013, the all COMM 150 class (which consists of over 1,000 students), particpated in the quarterly Public Speaking Showcase. Every quarter, all Communication 150 classes nominate one person in each class who they thought was the best speaker to represent them. From there, the person chosen was told to memorize the persuasive speech they’ve written earlier in the quarter and deliver it in the preliminary rounds at 3:15PM. To make the final selection process faster, multiple rooms held six or so contestants for competition. In these rooms, speakers had to deliver their speech with a student audience and two
judges. Once all contestants were done, the judges tallied their scores and whomever had the highest number of points moved onto the final round. At 4:25 PM, the preliminary rounds were finished and everyone began to get ready for the final round, which was held in the Golden Eagle Ballroom. Inside the ballroom, the audience and contestants were shown names of six contestants that had made it to the final round on a projector screen. This year, Andrea Mendoza, Kyle Ybarrolaza, Victoria Tong, Jorge Sifontes, Christian Ontiveros, and Neill Legaspi were the COMM 150 Public Speaking Showcase’s finalists. Each contestant gave their
persuasive speech in front of over 400 students and administrators. Although all the speeches covered amazing topics, such as legalizing undocumented students and acupuncture as an effective medical treatment, and were delivered quite gracefully and were very persuasive, there was only room for one winner. Kyle Ybarrolaza, who delivered his speech on Feminism in Video Games, won first place in the Public Speaking Showcase and received an automatic “A” on his COMM 150 final. All six final contestants were given plaques recognizing them and their skill of public speaking, along with a book scholarship courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
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Dec. 9, 2013
University Times
Los Angeles Food Fun FOOD
Paige Miller Contributer Many people in Los Angeles are in search of a good time but just don’t know where to find it. If you’re looking for someplace different to dine and have fun, Lotus is your place! Easily missed, yet remarkably different, this diamond in the rough is a creative lounge that offers hookah as well as tasty appetizers. Located near USC, Lotus offers a very relaxed and com-
fortable feel that would make anyone feel at home. This outdoor lounge has a Persian feel with large projectors to allow you to catch any game or show. There are couches/ beds in the lounge to talk freely with guests. The dim lights on the ceiling help create a romantic and engaging atmosphere, which makes it perfect for dates as well as casual outings. The menu is plain and simple, offering a variety of sushi rolls that are moderately priced with excellent service. “Place is great! Even though I work at a hookah lounge, I come
and chill here to get away and relax,” says LA native, Randy Goa. With its unique atmosphere as well as its comfortable-fun environment, Lotus provides an unforgettable experience.
“This is the perfect place for great food and great conversation,” says frequent customer, Kiona Stowers. Who doesn’t like great tasting fondue with an interacting social atmosphere?
Located just north of CSULA, The Melting Pot in Old town Pasadena is a fun restaurant that provides a unique interactive dining experience.
Looking for a nice sight? Dinner at the Getty center offers one of the best views in Los Angeles. Not only is it located at the famous Getty Museum, it also provides an amazing outdoor scenery as well as great constant service. With variety of entrees to choose from, this place is ideal for any celebration.
The Melting Pot offers the option to customize your fondue experience, with your choice of entrees. This upscale restaurant offers the perfect atmosphere for dates as well as important dinners.
you can take a stroll through the garden and the museum that will truly take your breath away. From the fantastic entrée’s (although small, but filling) to their panoramic city view, the Getty provides a great atmosphere as well as a food escape. With many restaurants in Los Angeles to choose from, it is hard to find the true “diamonds” of the city. With an open mind and food exploration, you will soon unlock the fun in food!
After taking in the views,
Best Albums of 2013 ENTERTAINMENT Christine Tran Contributer
Jared Leto, lead singer of 30 Seconds to Mars, once said, “Music is subjective to everyone’s unique experience.” Another year is coming to an end and that means another year of amazing and not-so-amazing music. From top 40 artists to some you may have never heard of, here are my favorite album releases of 2013. You should give a listen to (if you haven’t already) to these albums and trust me, if we had more time, there would be more like a hundred instead of fifteen. Vampire Weekend: Modern Vampires of the City Amping up their lyrically abilities in their junior album, the members of Vampire Weekend bring out their best. Having a more darker and deeper meaning in songs like, “Hudson” and “Ya Hey,” Vampire Weekend has clearly given this album their all. *Listen to “Step” Bastille: Bad Blood Being a band that only formed in 2010, Bastille knows how to pack a punch with their music. This band has music for everyone, from energetic numbers to soft melodies when you sleep. Although this album as a whole may be a bit much for some, as individuals, these songs are quite amazing. *Listen to “Flaws” Justin Timberlake: 20/20 Experience
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He’s back and came with vengeance to show listeners! Fortunately, JT did not loose his edge. In this album, Timberlake was able to combine together the last 40 years of pop, soul, and R&B perfectly in each song. With amazing transitions song to song, you don’t want this album to end. *Listen to “Pusher Love Girl” Daughter: If You Leave If You Leave is a debut album for those who are into the mellow, focused music. With lyrics that will pull some strings in your heart and music that will put you to a deep peaceful sleep, Daughter is a band you should keep an eye on. *Listen to “Youth” The Neighborhood: I Love You. There is a lot more to this band than just, “Sweater Weather.” This album gives listeners a taste of what The Neighborhood is able to bring a debut album. When you give them a bit of slack since they’re still trying to find their sound and style, this album creative. *Listen to “Let It Go” The National: Trouble Will Find Me Whereas other bands, they save stronger songs and singles to put in the middle, The National often starts off their albums with stronger songs that stay strong until the very end. Changing from loud and deep rock anthems to slower and emotional pensive songs, it works. *Listen to “I Should Live In Salt”
Kanye West: Yeezus Yeezus was another album many were anticipating this year and West did not disappoint. With a mixture of genres like rock, punk, new wave and yes, hip-hop, this album has enough curve balls to keep you on your toes from start to finish sonically and lyrically. West does not stray away from his roots when writing about his struggles in his lyrics Photo courtesy of www.wepluggoodmusic.com and saying everything on his new music but it was worth Although this self-titled almind. the wait. With their signature bum may be their first, the *Listen to “New Slaves” sound and talent on giving lis- 1975 is a band that knows Jay-Z: Magna Carta Holy teners a ton of feels, they were exactly what they’re doing. spot on with this album. With amazing transitions and Grail *Listen to “Super Soaker” a style so different, this album is more like a story with a start With a 12th studio album, Lorde: Pure Heroine and an end. Jay-Z keeps the new record *Listen to “Sex” safe but brings in artists like Being only seventeen, Lorde Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, has a lot to offer to the music One Direction: Midnight Pharrell Williams, and Frank world. Pure Heroine is an al- Memories Ocean. This album is similar bum that gives listeners a peak to Watch The Throne but still at how versatile Lorde’s vocal Many of you will groan saya great listen. and writing ability is. With a ing, “Ugh not them” but hear *Listen to “Picasso Baby” deep bass and programmed me out. Being a third album, loops, this album can be com- Midnight Memories clearly Arctic Monkeys: AM pared to bands like the XX shows the growth of this band. If you want to walk around with Lorde following a hype With the members taking the creative process more onto campus like a badass, this al- trail similar to Lana Del Ray. *Listen to “A World Alone their own hands, it is clear the bum is for you. With AM being music and lyrics have matured their 5th album, Arctic MonHaim: Days Are Gone along with them. keys reminds us that are not *Listen to “Happily” beginners in the music scene. Originally from the LA area, This album is not one to be messed with due to the heavy Haim is a band that makes this The Head and the Heart: drum and bass, and lyrical city proud. Days Are Gone is Let’s Be Still genius and lead singer, Alex the sister trio’s debut album and they started with a good The Head and the Heart is Turner. *Listen to “Do I Wanna start. From happy upbeat an indie folk band that knows songs that make you want to how to write their music. EvKnow?” dance to more serious tunes ident in their sophomore alKings Of Leon: Mechanical that clearly show what these bum, this band is able to write girls are capable of, this album instrumental melodies and Bull is by far one of my top from three-part harmonies that flow extremely well. Let’s Be Still This is an album fans of this year. *Listen to “The Wire” has a song relatable for everyKings of Leon have been waitone on this album. ing for. It may have taken this The 1975: the 1975 *Listen to “Shake” band three years to release
University Times
Dec. 9, 2013
In Memory of Nelson Mandela NEWS
Charlottle Nevarez Contributer
“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.” This quote by Nelson Mandela will always remind us as students, and human beings, to do what’s morally right and stay informed. Mandela passed away at the age of 95, on the evening
of December 5th, in the company of his family. South Africa was and still is heartbroken over their loss of their past leader, remembering Mandela as a prominent political activist. Mandela protested apartheid, a former South African policy of segregation and discrimination based on race, against the increasingly popular African National Congress in 1962. Because of his activism, Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years before being released in 1990. In May of 1994, South Africa elected Mandela as their first Black South African President, a historical election marred with little violence. It was during Mandela’s presidency
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that his long awaited autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom” was published. As president, Mandela fought to establish racial equality and ultimately passed two acts, the Land Restitution Act and the Employment Equity Act, while forming a Government of National Unity. A lover of life, Mandela also set out to help South Africa shine even in his retirement. Mandela was awared numerous times during his lifetime, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending apartheid. Mandela’s official memorial service will be held in Johannesburg on the 10th of December 2013 before being buried in his hometown of Qunu.
Road Trip Jams ENTERTAINMENT
Gerardo Amezquita Contributer
Nelson Mandela| Photo courtesy of japantimes.co.jp
Though most of students and faculty are constrained with the stress over finals, we cannot deny the fact that everyone has daydreamed a great deal of time envisioning the splendor of winter break. We desire to go back as living indolently, in our very own version of human hibernation. However, every year students must attempt the trek back to visit their families for the holidays. In my case, I travel to Northern California towards San Jose and this road trip consumes about six to seven hours of my Winter break, depending on traffic. One issue that always irritates me is how the music on the radio tends to get incredibly repetitive and dull. If common sense has anything to say about that, it is agreed that driving and drowsiness are not a good combination for long trips. Therefore, I have made my very own playlist to keep me awake and I strongly recommend playing after the songs on the radio have gotten considerable airtime in your head. The song “Stand Up” by Southern rapper Ludacris featuring Shawnna is an outstanding song to start with because of the catchy chorus followed by a wild beat. This song guarantees you to feel alert because of its heavy rhythm and familiar lyrics about what happens late at night with friends and clubbing. The local indie-alternative band The Mowgli’s have an appealing, upbeat song called “Say It, Just Say It.” The song comes directly from their recent major labeled album Waiting for the Dawn that incorporates their signature effect of infectious tunes with constructive lyrics. This particular song had its heyday back in the 1980’s but it continues to be a true marker of 80’s culture. “The
Reflex” by distinguished English rock band Duran Duran was a true example of dance rock that incorporated a fusion of disco, funk, rock, and pop. The true highlight lies in the call and answer musical technique along with its warbling singing. Hip-hop group Run-D.M.C.’s iconic song “Peter Piper” is a startling, raw song that showcased tongue twisters and familiar nursery rhymes. Simply because of its overpowering beat it deserves to be on anyone’s playlist and to quote the song, “Not lying y’all he’s the best I know and if I lie my nose will grow like a little wooden boy named Pinocchio and you all know how the story goes.” “Bohemian Rhapsody” by English rock band Queen is a must have because there is so much going on with beat, rhythm, and vocals that it hits you like a slap to the face. I cannot understate how stimulating this song is, especially since it has no chorus. The song is split into three parts: a tender ballad, a wild operatic vocal, and an exciting hard rock section. The wonderful collaboration between Cee Lo Green and Danger Mouse birthed a smooth song called “Crazy.” The soul duo managed to capture a fickle audience with a mind-expanding tune along with perceptible vocals by Cee Lo Green. The last song is all a matter of personal preference but I consider it my secret weapon. Whenever I’m on the risky verge of falling asleep I put the song, “Bust a Move” by Young MC. The song has a hip-hop and R&B beat with iconic lyrics that I (guiltily) admit I completely know by memory, but will never sing upon request.
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University Times
Library Revamp Continued From Page 3
something smaller in terms of bringing more light into the library to respond to both comments about the structure of our library. He stressed, “Since it’s pretty dark in the library, tables should be moved closer to windows.” When asked about what students would like inside the library, A.S.I. President, Hector Jacinto posed several requests regarding a visual element of student culture inside the library, a bigger break room, and an extension of library hours.
With his past experience of revitalizing SOU’s library by developing art exhibits, Adalian agreed with Jacinto by saying, “There is nothing that says CSULA,” and suggested that student culture assemble in the library, like “student work projected around the library from different majors to visually display.” In regards to library hours, Jacinto suggested extending library hours because of late night class schedules students take. He states, “Some students end class late and there are no places to study on campus after.”
Dec. 9, 2013 At SOU, Adalian helped develop 24hour study periods during finals week for students. He responded to Jacinto’s comments by suggesting that CSULA’s library do the same during finals week, which could possibly be in development currently. On a much smaller scale, students I’Jazz Brooks and Ozzy Rodriguez stated that more books are needed. Ozzy Rodriguez, who is studying Law, brought up the fact that there aren’t enough books on Law, and if there are, most are out dated. Adalian suggested that our campus use “ebrary,” an online database that could probably help ease the trouble
students have when it comes to research projects that need current content and plenty of content to choose from. Moreover, Adalian’s main comment based on his observations was that the “basic needs are met, but aesthetically, that’s where the needs must be met.” Although our library is on a 5-year cycle of trying to be renovated, it’s important to take into consideration the needs of students and what they would like in their library building. Adalian’s visit was just the first of many steps to take before a complete renovation of the library will be made.
New Year’s Restitution HEALTH David McMillan Contributer
New Year’s Day will mark the beginning of 2014, a new year. The three successive winter holidays radiate a unique personality, each fit to its ordering. First, gather to give thanks with friends and family. Next, show those loved ones your gratitude with gifts. And finally, reflect and get ready to do it all again. New Year’s Eve is the most universally celebrated of these winter holidays, and right before midnight on December 31st the whole world will wait in accord for “the ball to drop.” The day after the biggest party on Earth, it marks the start of something a bit more personal. If New Year’s Eve is known for champagne and glitter, then New Year’s Day is known for hangovers and resolutions. As college students have been shown to be more likely to make New Year’s Resolutions each of us probably has some version of a New Year’s Resolution list in our heads. It’s also likely that the themes of our resolutions overlap. Some resolutions involve adding something to our life, like saving money, finding love, or stating an exercise program. Others involve taking something away, like quitting smoking, drinking less, or losing weight. Regardless of the theme, New Year’s Resolutions are well intentioned, but is this ceremonial attempt at behavior change an effective approach?
cult for us to actually succeed in our annual ritual of self-improvement. As New Year’s Resolutions are self-initiated behavioral changes, it seems that willpower is the major determinant of success. Willpower is conventionally assumed to be an issue of character, and most of us probably think that our self-control would triumph if we only had a bit more discipline. However, research suggests that our universal struggle with willpower might actually have more to do with our brains. The area of the brain largely responsible for willpower (the frontal cortex) is also assigned to other duties such as the busy tasks of keeping us focused and processing short-term memory, as well as the higher-order task of solving abstract problems. As we now process as much information in a day as our ancestors did in a lifetime, the routine mental demands of daily life can tax this part of the brain and willpower can suffer in return (Enriquez 2012).
In 2007, British psychologist Richard Wiseman decided to investigate the success rate of New Year’s Resolutions. Over 3,000 people were divided into groups that received different advice on how to achieve their New Year’s Resolution.
Dr. Baba Shiv from Stanford offers a simple scientific example. In an experiment, undergraduates were divided into two groups. One group was asked to remember a 2 digit number while the other a 7 digit number, then participants in both groups were presented with the option to eat a bowl of fruit or a slice of chocolate cake. The group with the greater “cognitive load” (7 digits) was significantly more likely to choose the chocolate cake. Dr. Shiv explains that the extra numbers distracted the brain’s willpower centers, making it harder to restrain. It would seem then, at least from our brain’s perspective, that the mental demands of daily life make it harder to hear Jiminy Cricket.
At the beginning of the study, over 1,500 participants reported being confident that they would succeed. By the end of the year, less than 400 had actually achieved this predicted success. The 12% success rate, which is similar to that seen in observational (e.g. no advice) New Year’s Resolution studies, might feel familiar (Norcross 1989).
So it turns out that while New Year’s Resolutions might not seem successful, they’re nearly 50% more successful than non-New Year’s resolutions of similar topic (Norcorss 2002). So it’s not New Year’s Resolutions but all types of resolutions that are hard to achieve; and it turns out that adding the “New Year’s” improves success rates.
I’ve been making a yearly resolution since childhood, and can remember only but a handful of my attempts, and even fewer successes. This could pose the question, “why try?” Scientists too have questioned why it seems so diffi-
If we revisit the results of Dr. Wiseman’s experiment, further advice can be found. Ladies who kept their resolutions to themselves and let small slip ups revert them to old habits were less
likely to achieve success, so women can benefit by publicizing their resolution and staying persistent. Gentlemen saw better success when they mapped out specific and measurable “step-by-step mini-goals,” and visualized the benefits they would gain if their goals were achieved. For all New Year’s Resolutioners, Dr. Wiseman suggests that avoiding repeat resolutions, planning ahead, and most importantly focusing on a single resolution can better the chances of reaching the goal. If you had to pick a single resolution, what would it be? As so much of our lives rely on interactions
and relationships with other people, it’s interesting that most people make New Year’s Resolutions that concentrate on themselves (Barna Group 2011). So this year maybe we can all try something different: let’s pick a resolution that’s as beneficial for our friends and family as it is for ourselves. We can use the advice above to make it happen, and everyone will be better for it. But if it doesn’t work out let’s go easy on ourselves, because we live in an environment unfriendly to willpower. And we’ll simply build to our experience and try again… Not next year but next week.
Dec. 9, 2013
University Times
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Is the Customer Always Right? See What Fellow Golden Eagles Have to Say... OPINION
Emilce Peralta Contributer If you’ve ever worked in retail or anything that deals with customer service, you probably know and constantly are drilled about that one set rule, “The customer is always right.” As an employee, your job is to always seek and cater to the customers. With the most recent holiday shopping, malls are filled with eager buyers and customers will do just about anything to get what they want. However, do they treat the employees well? Many employees would complain that working in
customer service is a drag and difficult at times, but what about employees who work at restaurants or hospitals? What do they think about their patients or customers that come in to their workplace? The UT spoke to a couple of these students who work in these various customer service fields and they surely had stories to tell. Angelica Alvarado, Senior UT: Where do you work, as what, and for how long? Angelica:
I
worked
at
Applebee’s Bar and Grill. I was a host, a bus-girl, and a runner (a runner is the person that takes the food to your table). I worked there for five months. UT: Do you believe the customer is always right? Angelica: No, I don’t. In fact they’re not always right. UT: How did you handle a situation where the customer wasn’t right? Angelica: I’d call the manager. It’s just easier to do that and they train you to do that. UT: Have you ever gotten into a really bad confrontation with a customer? How and why? Angelica: No, I’ve never gotten into a bad confrontation. As a matter of fact, my experience with customers has been pretty pleasant. UT: Have you ever been the “wrong customer?” Angelica: Probably. I’m pretty sure I have. The thing that I have trouble with is that I like to think I’m a good customer service employee so when I run into someone that’s not, I get mad. UT: What’s the most difficult aspect of your job? Angelica: The most difficult aspect of my job is, I would say, having energy after the rush hour of customers because you can have 3 hours where you’re super busy and then the last 2 hours you can’t deal with anyone anymore. Jovita Victoria, Senior
Student Cashier | Photo by Timmy Truong situation where the customer wasn’t right? Jovita: First I try to hear them out, see what it is they’re trying to get and what they’re arguing about. Then I reinstate the policy and reiterate why they can’t get what it is they’re looking for or the deal they’re trying to get. UT: Have you ever gotten into a really bad confrontation with a customer? How and why? Jovita: Yeah, I’m pretty sure. Some pretty bad ones, so bad I can’t remember. One I can recall was when a lady was verbally attacking me personally. UT: Have you ever been that wrong customer? Jovita: No, because of what I’ve experienced but I’m sure I’ve had my moments. UT: What’s the most difficult aspect of your job? Jovita: Just that you have to communicate with so many different people like corporate, management in stores, and if something goes wrong I take the blame. Just communicating with a lot of people. Crystal Mohamed, Senior
UT: Where do you work, as what, and for how long?
UT: Where do you work, as what, and for how long?
Jovita: I work for Kipling. I’m a merchandiser and I’ve been working there for 4 months.
Crystal: I work at a medical clinic as a medical assistant, front and back desk. I’ve been working there for 4 months.
UT: Do you believe the customer is always right?
UT: Do you believe the customer is always right?
Jovita: No because sometimes people try to take advantage of certain promotions and they try to be sneaky to get what they can get.
Crystal: No because working at a medical clinic is different than retail. At a clinic the patient demands a lot. So our hours are from 8:30am10:30am (first shift) so some patients come in at 11 or 12
UT: How did you handle a
and they say they want to see the doctor but he’s not there, they break the system. Some patients also demand shots and they can’t do that. UT: How did you handle a situation where the customer wasn’t right? Crystal: I don’t get mad or yell at them, you just say something nicely, relax, calm down, and know that you’re at work. UT: Have you ever gotten into a really bad confrontation with a customer? How and why? Crystal: No, because every time they start something I calm down and not say anything then walk away then let the office manager deal with it. UT: Have you ever been that wrong customer? Crystal: Yeah, I have for example AT&T. They charged my family more for an Internet upgrade and I told them they were supposed to let us know, I raised my voice but I didn’t curse cause that’s not going to get me anywhere. UT: What’s the most difficult aspect of your job? Crystal: Dealing with customers. Some of the patients are very crazy. Next time you go to the mall, a restaurant, or to pay a bill remember that the people helping you are just doing their job. Also, if you find yourself working in the customer service field and are having a hard time with customers, take a moment to relax and remember what Crystal said, “You’re at work.” Treat people how you would like to be treated.
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Dec. 9, 2013
University Times
Zoey and Annabelle
FUN & GAMES Tammy Nguyen Cartoonist
Things to Know -Quarter break lasts from December 15- January 5 -Campus is closed from from December 23-27th -Writer of the University Hymn, Marian Crowell’s memorial will be held at the Port Hueneme Community Center on Thursday December 12 at 11AM -Have a wonderful Holiday Season Golden Eagles! Have fun and be safe!
CSULA Holiday Spirit
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