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NIVERSITY IMES
Dec. 8, 2014
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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
INSIDE: ‘Throw ’em back,
LA ONDA: Niños Migrantes En la frontera PG 6
Students step on stage for the public speaking showcase PG 3
Billie jean king still widely unknown on campus PG 7
EXPLOring mexican culture through csula's Mariachi PG 2
FYE and the autry explore family trees PG 7
Holiday shopping guide PG 4
Ethical ways to wear fur for the winter PG 8
till I lose count’
Issue 207.11
Cal State L.A. Students
Protest Eric Garner Ruling
As finals approach and we start living on energy drinks, what we ignore is that these cans contain much more than a temporary energy boost. Guadalupe Garcia
Contributor Need an extra boost? Picking up an energy drink has been a common reality for many college students. Coffee won’t be cutting it in the days of projects and finals. The truth is that nothing good is inside these energy drinks. Many students consume these beverages, whether it’s for late night studying or mixing it with alcoholic drinks at social gatherings. Tony Guardado, a freshmen and Sociology major, says he began taking these drinks since high school, “I use them to keep me awake during homework or for studying.” When it comes to finals Guardado seems compelled to drink some in case he needs an extra boost and stated, “It’s definitely an option I consider.” There’s been an increasing demand for highly caffeinated ‘energy’ drinks, which include global brands like Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar. According to data from the market research firm, Euromonitor, this industry has grown from a $3.8 billion business in 1999 to a $27.5 billion industry last year. David Sandoval, student brand manager for Red Bull, says that the consumption of energy drinks will be highly craved by students during finals week. He explained, “They’re looking for something that will help them maintain focus and keep their energy at a high. It will vitalize the body and mind for the sleepless nights involving studying from dusk till dawn.” The reality is that these drinks can pose a real problem just to about anyone who drinks them. The reason is that the main ingredient located in these drinks is caffeine, which can range from 75 milligrams to over 200 milligrams per serving. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant with the ability to raise heart rate, blood pressure, and even seizures or death. According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, energy drinks usually contain taurine and caffeine as
their main pharmacological ingredients. The amount of caffeine is up to three times higher than in other caffeinated beverages like coffee or cola. Luis Gonzales, Communications major, has experienced the side effects these energy drinks can have on your body. He says, “Once, I laid down after taking one of these drinks. Soon after, I just began to feel jittery and nauseous.” He used to drink them to help him stay up, study or work out. Now that he’s aware of the consequences, he doesn’t drink them as often. Sandoval says students will be drained from the late night studying and these drinks will seem like an easy solution. “Pressure from finals makes the necessity for energy. During times like this, students are more likely to accept a Red Bull to help them stay awake. Having a cold Red Bull will improve their endurance, alertness, concentration and reaction speed during [finals],” he added. Now, not all college students consume energy drinks for late night cramming, others actually mix them with alcoholic beverages. Another study that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, says the practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol has been linked to consistent high multitudes of alcohol per drinking session, and it notes that individuals who combine them underestimate their true level of impairment. This notion is labeled as ‘wide awake drunkenness’ and can lead to engagement of risky behavior. When energy drinks are mixed with alcoholic beverages, the caffeine in these drinks can disguise the depressant effects of alcohol. By masking the effects, co-ingestion of the drink can result in an increase in alcohol consumption, alcohol related complications and trauma. Other side effects of mixing energy drinks with alcoholic beverages include: dehydration because the caffeine in energy drinks is a diuretic, it forces the excretion of bodily waters. Dehydration can hinder your body’s
Protest | Photo By Marilu Bustamante
Marilu Bustamante
Contributor The words “I can’t breathe” echoed throughout the Main Walkway at Cal State L.A. on Thursday, December 4th. Student protesters came together in response to the ruling of the Eric Garner case. Garner was killed by a police officer in July 2014. The video footage of the incident was released and went viral. Garner was heard repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe,” as he was being held in a chokehold. On Wednesday, December 3rd, a grand jury in New York City declined to indict the officer responsible for Garner’s death. Troubled by these results, students on campus gathered together in front of the Golden Eagle Statue and spoke out in solidarity with the perceived injustice. Latin American Studies major, Zamaria Xoemz said, “My brothers and sisters are being murdered and there will be no justice for as long as we live in a society that is for profit and not for [the] people.” Xoemz told a story of how her parents brought her in diapers across the border to escape poverty, fear, and violence. She later cried, “Now I have to look at my mom and say, guess what? They’re killing us on this side of ability to metabolize alcohol and will increase the toxicity. Thus, the hangover that inevitably will come the following day will be worse. Individual responses will vary among every individual after consumption of these drinks and should be treated carefully. The drinks are typically associated with stimulating properties that can increase heart rate and blood pressure, dehydrate the body, and like other stimulants prevent sleep. On
occasional
use
energy
the border too, what’s happening in Mexico is not just happening in Mexico its happening here.” Students of color make up the majority of Cal State L.A. and protester Kenya Williams said, “The faces that you see time and time again that get jammed up by the system look like you and I.” Williams spoke about micro-aggressions. “Do you know how many people come up to me on a daily basis and say ‘you are so articulate’, you see racism is so covert that they don’t even realize they’ve just looked at me and said ‘you have a black face, I don’t expect you to be intelligent’.” Students cheered, chanted, and cried. In an effort to encourage students to speak out and keep protesting, Williams said, “If we fight within those systems and we keep coming together like this we can change those systems and we can eradicate marginalization and most of all we get to continue living.” More protests will be held on Thursdays in front of the bookstore and Golden Eagle Statue. As Garner’s last words, “I can’t breathe,” continue to ring out all over the nation, Xoemz directed a question to the student body saying, “[Today] may be your last time or your last day. I ask you what would you say if this was your last breath?”
drinks are not necessarily bad for you but students shouldn’t seem them as ‘natural alternatives’ either. Claims that these energy drinks make such as, ‘improved performance and concentration’ can be misleading. Energy drinks have not been found to cause any serious side effects as of now, when used in moderation. However, when they become a staple in your everyday routine, they can open the door to a host of negative effects. Students might want to take a second before they pick up a Red Bull for that late night study jam.
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University Times
Dec. 8, 2014
Mariachi en Cal State L.A.
The Appeal of Taking Kinesiology Classes What Makes Them so Popular Take a closer
Sometimes you need to unwind or take yourself on an adventure. Why not try a Kinesiology class? Carolyn Kan
Contributor
As a graduating senior, it suddenly dawned on me that I have never participated in any kinesiology courses offered here at Cal State L.A. Heavily loaded with graduate school applications and meeting graduation requirements, I thought having an outlet to relieve stress and staying active seemed like a good idea. Hence, I decided to enroll in Introductory Tennis (KIN 102-F). Abbreviated as KIN, kinesiology classes have always been incredibly popular among students, and rightfully so. This quarter, more than a thousand students have enrolled in one of 41 KIN course sections. Lower-level kinesiology courses (KIN 101-103) encompass a wide variety of choices, ranging from yoga to track-and-field and basketball and even archery. Their huge variety appeals to a wide range of students. Danielle Soucy, 25, had taken yoga in Winter 2014 and aerobics the following spring. When asked why she decided to take a second KIN course, she responded, “I had a good experience with yoga, and I like trying something different! It is also a healthy way of staying active while in school.” In fact, one of the main reasons why students enroll in KIN courses is their class formats. Scheduled for fifty minutes a day for two days a week, these classes offer short yet intensive learning periods designed to balance both physical endurance and skill learning. In my current tennis course, for example, it first starts with a warmup, then either a drill or review from the last session, followed by a group activity or game set. Their short time periods allow students to not feel overwhelmed by a lot of ex-
ercise at once, yet still be able to demonstrate how the sport works. For others, enrolling in KIN classes gives them an opportunity to learn a sport or activity that they would not have the chance to learn otherwise. Another student Danielle Soibelman, 18, took gymnastics in spring 2014. She commented that it was a fun experience, and it not only gave her the physical activity she missed from her previous school, but also the chance to learn various moves and test her flexibility. Another student, Mayra Montoya, 22, took tennis this fall quarter, as she wanted to “know the rules, skills, and how to put what she learned into practical application.” She commented that it provided her a learning opportunity to play a completely new sport, something she would not be able to do without group or private lessons elsewhere. Among all the students interviewed, the overarching reason for taking KIN classes was how it provided a disciplined method to stay active whilst keeping afloat on other coursework. By adhering to a consistent time schedule every few days to not worry about anything else but just learn and play a sport, it allows the body to unwind and relieve stress, even only for fifty minutes a day. Of course, there are other ways to keep fit besides taking KIN classes. The Xtreme Fitness Center located in the Student Union offers services from Monday to Thursday, from 7a.m to 9:30p.m, and on Friday, from 7a.m. to 9p.m., wherein various classes and equipment are available to the general student population. Cal State L.A. is also home to many sports teams, so for those of you with a passion and skill for a particular sport, definitely consider getting yourself involved. All in all, college is a learning experience. Why not enhance your college experience and try something you have never done before? I know I did by enrolling in my first-ever KIN course this quarter. Not only have I been more active than ever, I can now consider myself a tennis player, albeit an amateur one. Nonetheless, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
look into Mexican culture through music and an inspiring performance.
Julian Garcia Contributor
Whether it is cramming for finals, late night paper writing sessions or booking flights back home the holidays feels like students just can’t seem to find something to get their minds off things. On Thursday, December 4th, students had the chance to attend a Mariachi concert held at the State Playhouse. Lead by Director Cynthia Reifler Flores, the campus Golden Eagle Mariachi, or Mariachi Aguila de Oro, played Mariachi classics ranging from "La Calandria" to "Camino Real de Colima." Concertgoer and Engineering student Cindy Anaya said, “This concert was a really cool
Photo Courtesy | www.calstatela.edu
way to see and hear something different. I don’t speak Spanish but I still felt like I understood the music being played.”
students here at campus being Latino, I think it’s important to show off the beauty of our culture,” said Galvan.
Trumpet player, Rene Galvan, who has been with the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagle Mariachi since 2010 said, “I started playing Mariachi music in high school and little by little I started to fall in love with the music being played and the lyrics being sung. Once I heard that there was a Mariachi ensemble here at Cal State L.A. I had to be a part of it.”
Concertgoer Raphael Rosas said, “I feel that students truly missed out on something really fun today. The band really put on a great show and it was good for me to take a break from studying.”
Mariachi music is not only a fun genre of music to listen too, but it is also a representation of an entire culture. “Ever since I started playing Mariachi music, I have felt closer to my heritage and my culture. With a good size of the
At the end of the concert Director Flores said, “Mariachi Aguila de Oro is open to any student that wants to play Mariachi music. We have open auditions every quarter. Even if you don’t play an instrument, we’ll find you something.” For more information on the Golden Eagle Mariachi visit: https://www.facebook.com/ csula.mariachi
University Times
Dec. 8, 2014
UN I V E R S I T Y T IMES
Distributor Carol Venegas
Editor-in-Chief Yzzy Gonzalez
Staff Reporters Gerardo Amezquita Angeline Bernabe
Managing Editor Timmy Truong Production Manager Taylor Preza
Columnist Roxana Hernandez Contributors Marilu Bustamante Jennifer Carrillo Pablo De La Hoya Guadalupe Garcia Julian Garcia Tania Garcia Patrick Gonzaga Alejandro Gonzalez Carolyn Kan Willie Svendblad Kelly Tran
Web Editor Carol Venegas Copy Editors Gerardo Amezquita Nidhin Patel Carol Venegas Business/Advertising Manager Jim Munson Faculty Advisor Suzanne Regan Journalism 391 Professor Josef Sawyer
Photographers Marilu Bustamante Pablo De La Hoya
All opinions and letters in the University Times represent the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the UT or the university. Letters to the editor should include an address, telephone number and identification. Letters may be edited for grammar and length. University Times display and classified advertising should not be construed as the endorsement or investigation of commercial enterprises of ventures. University Times reserves the right to reject any advertising. University Times is published every Monday. Copyright 2014 University Times. All Rights Reserved. Cal State University, Los Angeles 5151 State University Dr. - KH C3098 LA, Ca, 90032 Office 323.343.4215 Advertising 323.343.4270
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Public Speaking Showcase Saves Best for Last
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Students stand out in the art of Public Speaking. Pablo De La Hoya Contributor As the fall quarter comes to a conclusion, 1,100 students in COMM 150, Public Speaking, have one thing in mind and it’s their end of the quarter showcase. The showcase gives students the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of people, often times never before speaking in such a big crowd. Tracey Ng, a previous finalist and winner of the Public Speaking Showcase advises all students to partake. However, fellow classmates must vote the students to represent their class. Ng, now a member of the speech and debate team, further mentions how the showcase opened many doors for her on campus. This quarter there were seven finalists speaking on topics from gun laws to drunk driving. Brandon Paguio gave his persuasive speech on the effects of drunk driving. However, he had a very unique twist, using a poem to transition from point to point. The poem was a story of a young teen that was killed in an accident after a party. The poem was for his mom and revealed the devastating truths behind such accidents. The teen killed
Photos By Pablo De La Hoya
in the accident wasn’t drunk but the other driver was. Robert Black is Paguio’s professor and explained, “Brandon had an eagerness to participate and learn from the start of class, and through his three primary speech assignments, he honed his use of structure and language to express himself more clearly and creatively.” Paguio showed he came a long way as he finished in fourth place at finals. Finishing in first place was Guadalupe Neri speaking on gun laws and focusing on preventing crime. In her speech Neri emphasized the need
for background checks in the country. However, she also pointed to the possibility of just making firearms illegal, only to quickly shut it down and pointing to how violence will only increase. As the showcase came to a conclusion, students cheered as all the professors were acknowledged. Robert Black adds, “I am proud of all of the students who participated in the showcase, and especially those who spoke in the final round before a larger audience than I have ever had--and they should be proud of their accomplishment as well.”
#QforA #CollegeLyfeEdition Q: What strategies would you recommend for organizations within our campus to interact with each other?
Para La Onda: Jefes de Redacción:
Xanni Valentin Chavira
Editores:
Meliza Guzman Mindy Galindo Sergio Soto
Gerente de publicidad:
Martha J. Orellana
Consejero de la Facultad:
Pablo Baler
A: Think of organizations on campus in a business aspect. The most cordial move is extending a greeting, as far as a first contact, upon awareness of the other organization, such as a card or introducing yourself at school functions. If you’re a small organization, don’t be intimidated to make the first move, regardless of time the org has been established, the size, or the purpose of its creation. If you’re a part of a big organization, it is easier to take it a step further and invite or co-host functions with other organizations. Secondly, after first contact has been made, it’s proper to keep consistent communication with each other, possibly through small gestures such as thoughtful holiday cards and supporting each other’s community events. On the same token, always ensure you keep a balance with the amount of networking you do with each organization and the amount done within your immediate group. Lastly, networking doesn’t ever end so try to think of a way your organization can keep track of names with faces. Treat everyone with respect regardless of where they are from, and always keep your eye out for new faces. Email Tania Garcia your Q for A at: advice.universitytimes@gmail.com
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University Times
Happy Holidays
Holiday Gift Shopping List-Guide The ultimate gift guide for everyone on your list, all under $40. Jennifer Carrillo Contributor
Photo Courtesy | Statement Necklace nomorerack.com $15
com ($19).
Gift shopping can be difficult for some. Here is a list of great gifts everyone will love. The best part – they are all under $40!
For your friend who loves everything girly and cute, a Chloé mini perfume duo, Sephora ($15), is sure to be a charmer.
Gift shopping for men is not as hard as you may think. You can never go wrong with cool electronics, comfy clothes or unique ‘manly’ gifts. Here is a list of items:
For the friend who is always cold, keep her warm with chic scarves and beanies under $20 at Zara.
For that tech savvy friend, who can’t live without their phone or laptop, a micro duo USB flash drive would be perfect. This allows him to move information from his phone to his laptop and vice versa. Kingston Datatraveler micro Duo USB Flash drive is available on Amazon ($15.95). A unique wooden iPhone dock would be helpful to that friend who needs to get organized in life. It can be found on Jigsaw Furnishings’ Esty page, titled Catchall iPhone 6 Dock ($38). Cozy PJs are a perfect fit for that friend who sleeps in his underwear, starting at $16.99 at Target. Other Bro-friendly gifts are: · High-tech George Foreman Grill at $24.95 · Movie Night Kit (Movie Tickets with candy and popcorn) · Gift Cards to favorite stores or restaurants As for your girlfriends or BFFs, girls can be picky but with a little research you can really surprise her on how well you know her. Here are some gifts that look more expensive than what you spent. For that friend who loves to party, help her get ready with a glam kit from Tarte Thoughtful Treasures Deluxe, at Ulta.
Dec. 8, 2014
Other gifts she’ll enjoy are:
Be a Smart Shopper Even if you missed Cyber Monday and Black Friday, here’s how you can do holiday shopping on a budget. Patrick Gonzaga Contributor
The holidays are upon us and so is the time of exchanging gifts. The search begins to purchase the perfect gift for friends, family members and even something to reward yourself. That we often tend to forget is that ‘perfect’ gifts don’t always have to be expensive. All you need is to look for them at the right places and the right time.
The online market and · Mani and Pedi gift certifi walk-in-retailers have very cate competitive prices to attract · Fashion Jewelry (i.e. state new and loyal customers. ment necklaces, earrings, There are tricks that you can bangles) use for both, which could save · Gift cards to favorite you time and money. stores or restaurants Moms and grandmothers usually love anything, as they are happy just knowing that they were thought of. With that being said, put some effort and still get her something nice. Keep grandma’s toes toasty with faux fur slippers, WalMart ($9.98). A dainty purse in your mom’s favorite color will surely delight her, starting at $25 at Macy’s. As for dads and grandpas, something entertaining is the way to go. For dads known to be ‘Mr. Fix-it’, a multipurpose handy man’s toolkit equipped with a hammer, saw, wire cutter, can be found on Orvis.com ($35). Keep grandpas classy with a personalized monogram tiepin, moonandlola.com ($38). Christmas shopping doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. With a little research, gift shopping will pay off. Leave family and friends impressed and I hope following these recommendations will go a long way for your holiday shopping. Have a happy holidays!
Let’s start with some quick tips: Use your Cal State L.A. email address to register at Amazon.com and access student prime subscription for 6 months. Amazon Prime gives student subscribers an instant access to movies, music and free 2-day shipping of any purchased amount on all items sold by Amazon and Amazon Warehouse. Even at the end of the free period, you have the option to pay only half-price on Prime for the next 4 years. Another effective step towards becoming a savvy shopper is downloading the Camelizer App on your browser to see the pricing trends on Amazon, Best Buy and Newegg to ensure that you’re making the best of your online shopping experience. If you are more of a walk-in retail person, many stores like Target and Fry’s offer ‘Price Matching.’ What it means in a nutshell is that if you like the price online but want to buy it in person at your trusted store, they will actually sell you at the ‘matched’ price as the online offer. All you need to do is ask if the site for the price matching service is honored at
the store. Also, if you are truly adamant about shopping at a store, give retailmenot.com a look. The site offers printable coupons, and even alerts you of coupons to certain places. You can download the app to your mobile and have the barcode scanned during checkout. Retailmenot also supports online purchases, so when appropriate, find the right sales and apply the promo code during check out. Though just like anywhere else, promotional items and discounts cannot be combined. For your local area, look into sites like groupon.com and livingsocial.com. Log in, sign up and download the app on your phone to see the deals and discounts around your area. Have the barcode or the print out ready before you leave, and make sure to read the limitations on the purchase. Casual shoppers that would just like to take a look around for anything that may interest them, or just searching for the
right deal may find sites like woot.com, 1sale.com, dailysteals.com or nomorerack.com attractive. These sites are constantly sending out newsletters of impressive deals on their sites. If you think that their prices are too good to be true, the only thing that should not be bought from these sites is their jewelry. Everything else from the site, like electronics, hardware, etc. is legitimate and of lasting quality. For PC gamers, Origin or Steam sales are not the only source for discounted and bundled games. Two places to look for PC game sales are in sites like HumbleBundle.com and BundleStars.com. Bundle Stars have more simultaneous games sold while Humble Bundle lets you choose your price and gives a portion to charity. So, now that you are a little more educated about online and in-store shopping, go have fun and treat yourself! Again, shopping can be more fun if you know where and how to look for the best deals.
University Times
Dec. 8, 2014
Top 5 Places to Explore in L.A. this Winter Break:
Avoid binge watching Netflix and becoming a couch potato! Check out these L.A. based activities! Kelly Tran
Contributor 1. The L.A. Zoo Nights tradition is returning after a five years hiatus. Perfect for the whole family, this experience is jam-packed with a spectacular lights extravaganza. Admission for
this event can be as low as $8 per person if purchased online for their ‘OnlineOnly Early Bird Special.’ Information about event and tickets can be found here: www.lazoolights.org
2. Visit the L.A. Kings Ice Rink at L.A. Live for only $15 admission, including skate rentals. It is one of the newer, hipper places to be during this winter break. One can’t miss out on a fun night of ice skating with your pals under beautifully lit trees and L.E.D lit buildings in the heart of Downtown L.A. Right in between Nokia Live, across from Staples Center. This will be the one event that is
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The winter break is approaching and as much as we want to cuddle up on our bed to watch Netflix, it is only appropriate we go through finals. Yes, that time is upon us once again, when we cram 12 weeks’ worth of study into one week of stressed effort and caffeine fueled learning. But don’t fret! Here are some basic tips to regain your stability along with the help of campus activities you may have not heard about. It is no secret that getting the right amount of sleep goes a long way. In fact, a UCLA study founded that replacing sleep with cramming may prove to be counterproductive to pass your examinations. Students who study the night before without getting precise sleep were less likely to remember the material than their other peers who got a few ZZZs in before. So if you are deter-
Lunch Monday–Friday, 11:00am-2:00pm Breakfast 7:30am–10:00am Call (323) 343-6777 to place orders to go. Breakfast Burritos, Fresh Brewed Coffee Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, Danish and Muffins
Visit the new University Café Located at Salazar Hall Sandwiches, Salads, Burritos, Coffee and more!
Monday–Thursday, 7:30am-2:30pm
definitely fun for all ages. Remember to show up early on weekends to avoid long lines and an overcrowded ice skating rink.
Information about event can be found here: www. lalive.com/events/la-live/ detail/la-kings-holiday-icerink-2014 3. CHILL: Ice Kingdom at The Queen Mary provides an experience for those of us who normally don’t get the chance to experience an ‘iced out’ winter in California. This event held at The Queen Mary in Long Beach is open to all ages. Prices vary on different days and nights, but start as low as $20. Activities include: mined to pull an all-nighter, common sense proposes you get some more snooze done. If you do not know how much sleep to get, a recommended dose of 8 to 9 hours of sleep is suggested by the National Sleep Foundation. Nevertheless, if you need to catch up on some extra sleep some students fall asleep in their desk in the Library basement. During finals many students will get an early morning exam date and you might ask ‘What were these people thinking when coming up with this schedule?’ There is nothing you can do besides accept it. Assuming you took the previous advice, you got the right amount of sleep so getting up won’t be a problem. However, there is one more thing you can do to boost your productiveness—breakfast. Eating a nutritious breakfast before a test will surely enhance your energy level to support your effective performance once that examination comes rolling your way. Avoid the vending machines and their fatty, sugary contents; as a substitute, seek a delicious and healthy alternative in the University Café, University Club, Golden Eagle Express, and the Metro Express. Most imperative of all for your overall health is exercise. Go to the Xtreme Fitness Center to take a little break from tough reading. You can walk on the treadmill or bike while reading your textbook if you are that committed. The gym is located in the basement area of the University-Student Union (U-SU) and don’t forget to take a towel for admission. What happens when you’ve
ice tubing and ice-skating while being enclosed in an enchanting man-made ice kingdom. Tickets and information about event can be found here:www.queenmary.com/ events/chill/ice-kingdom 4. The 105th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade of Lights is only something a California resident can experience during the middle of December. Bundle up with the family and sail on a holiday lights cruise to experience the opportunity of being wowed by all the creative lights that float on the boats docked all along Newport Beach’s port. Reservations and information can be found here: www. christmasboatparade.com just had enough of the day? When you ‘can’t even’ with school? Here is a solution. The campus has introduced a new meditation room for that much needed rest. All you have to do is take a trip to the Monterey Park Room on the third floor of the U-SU and enjoy taking in a deep, succulent breath with quiet reflection to alleviate your anxiety levels. The reflection room is always open for students, but no food is allowed! Procrastination is like a Biblical sacrament every student practices faithfully. However, this is not the time because you probably have procrastinated the whole quarter and are stuck cramming at 2a.m. (Even though you were supposed to be asleep if you want to recollect all that material you studied for!) Time management is a chief element to succeeding in your academics. Ask any smart kid in class, he/she will tell you that they do not waste time with distractions. The message to take into account is to plan beforehand and eliminate all possible distractions (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube). This is no time to update your status to “hard at work” with a smiley face, posting a picture of you with textbooks, tweeting out, or watching silly cat videos. Now let’s imagine that when it comes to studying, all you can do is react like Spongebob Squarepants when he had to write an essay response to ‘What I learned in boating school is?’. The result? A decorative inscribed ‘The’. A classic episode with a special lesson— don’t stay up late to do a final paper. Instead, to avoid your ADHD led diversions use a
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5. The 94th Annual Christmas Tree Lane of Altadena is a free exhibit provided by the friendly residents of Altadena. Provided by the members of the Christmas Tree Lane Association, you get the chance to walk through a neighborhood of homes that are glamorously decorated by homeowners who invest thousands of dollars to adorn Christmas lights. This brilliantly decorated neighborhood is one to experience during the holidays, so take advantage of this display located right in between Santa Rose and Maripose in the city of Altadena. Information and directions can be found here: www. christmastreelane.net
handy tool to keep you awake, alert, and most importantly, busy. The website writeordie. com describes their task as an “[aim] to eliminate writer’s block by providing consequences for procrastination and rewards for accomplishment.” The widget is enjoyable to use and very effective. The app works best when you have to write an essay, but don’t want to get sidetracked, so it gives a target word count or else a consequence comes up to force you back to work. Throughout finals week the Cross Cultural Center, located on the 2nd floor of the U-SU, will concentrate on assisting students prepare for examinations. They will provide light refreshments to pump up those neurons, study space, and a knowledgeable tutoring team ready at your disposal. Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities to get the best chance of passing. Further tip box: 1. Free scantrons and blue books in U-SU; however, you can only get 2 at a time. 2. Available study space in basement of Library throughout the week. Plus, the library has extended hours during the week. 3. Form study groups to enhance the learning potential. 4. Look up the exact date and time for your examinations that way you don’t get stuck with unexpected traffic. 5. Anticipate crowding in the library for computers and printers. 6. Whether the Library is closed or all the computers are taken, go to the SIM LAB where it’s open 24/7.
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University Times
Dec. 8, 2014
Caras inocentes en la frontera La triste realidad que afecta a muchos niños migrantes Por Nancy Aguilar
Una conferencia virtual con el escritor Eduardo Lalo Simone lo lleva al premio Rómulo Gallegos 2013 Por Mindy Galindo El miércoles pasado, estudiantes de literatura en español, de CSULA tuvieron el honor de entrevistar al escritor portorriqueño Eduardo Lalo, quien los recibió desde su estudio en Puerto Rico vía Skype. El objetivo de este encuentro fue el de ampliar las perspectivas de los estudiantes en materia literaria, a través del análisis de la novela Simone, con la que el autor obtuvo el premio Rómulo Gallegos. La sesión de preguntas y respuestas se diversificó en el marco de la literatura contemporánea, con temas que se abordan en su novela como: la invisibilidad, la recepción de los portorriqueños ante la noticia del premio Rómulo Gallegos, la literatura como profesión o hobbie, y el método que utiliza Eduardo Lalo en su escritura. Respecto a la invisibilidad como tema, el escritor señaló que al retomarla en la novela Simone, hace referencia a la ley colonial que no le da existencia legal a Puerto Rico. Menciona que la conquista imposibilita la oportunidad a los pueblos de auto representación tanto en lo social como en lo político. Cabe recordar que Puerto rico ha sido conquistado dos veces, una por España y la más reciente, por los Estados Unidos. Agregó que “Puerto rico vio la globalización antes que nadie y en ese sentido
ha mostrado una enorme capacidad de resistencia y ha sobrevivido a ella”. Se le inquirió si la literatura era para él una profesión o un hobby, a lo que Eduardo Lalo respondió que más que una distracción o un ocupación, era una disciplina. Comparó a ésta con las artes marciales, donde se requiere el mayor esfuerzo y dedicación para alcanzar sus objetivos, en este caso, lograr una literatura de calidad. Para ello, puso como ejemplo a España, donde la depredación de la literatura adquiere un carácter nocivo, porque los escritores luchan por tener su libro del año y producen sólo literatura comercial, algo así como un “fast escritura” o un “fast food”, agregó. Para Lalo lo más importante es la improvisación, es el método que emplea al crear su literatura. Añade que una palabra, un hecho o una frase, son material a desarrollar sin saber hasta dónde se llegará. “Escribo en una forma libre y sin meterme al rigor del ensayo académico… sin saber siquiera qué género será”. Ante la pregunta de cómo los Portorriqueños habían reaccionado con la obtención del premio Rómulo Gallegos, El escritor señaló que la importancia simbólica del premio, “nos ha puesto, hasta cierto punto, en el foco. No sólo en referencia a mí, sino a toda la literatura del Caribe, por ejemplo, se va a celebrar un congreso en Reims, Francia, sobre la literatura del Caribe y en él, Puerto Rico adquiere un protagonismo mayor”.
Fotografía | Daisy Fuentes
La inmigración de niños centroamericanos es cada vez más frecuente. Hay personas que consideran esta ola de menores como una crisis humanitaria, mientras que para otros representa un peligro hacia el país y la sociedad. De acuerdo con un estudio realizado por la Agencia de las Naciones Unidas, ACNUR, la cantidad de niños detenidos por inmigración que están llegando de Guatemala, Honduras y El Salvador subió de 4, 059 a 21, 537. Estos números reflejan el incremento desde el año 2011 hasta el 2013. Actualmente, en lo que va del año son 68,541 menores que han sido detenidos. Para muchos ciudadanos americanos lo indignante de este caso es la irresponsabilidad de los padres de familia, ya que están enviando a sus hijos solos. Sin embargo, la realidad es otra. Estos niños están tratando de obtener una vida mejor, huyendo de la violencia que los acosa en su país de origen. Varios estudiantes de la Universidad Estatal de California en Los Ángeles llegaron a este país a temprana edad y con una historia similar;
Fotografía | Crédito: mexico.cnn.com/media/2014/09/23
este es el caso de Karina López, estudiante de psicología “Mis padres me trajeron a este país cuando tenía cinco años, me da pesar saber lo que está pasando en la frontera con estos niños. Pero a la misma vez entiendo el sacrificio que hacen sus padres”. Estos niños han llamado la atención al punto de que se realizaron varias protestas a favor y en contra para otorgarles o negarles la oportunidad de entrar al país. Algunas de éstas se llevaron a cabo en la ciudad de Murrieta California, donde artistas como Lupillo Rivera se presentaron para mostrar su defensa a favor de estas criaturas inocentes. “No son criminales, simplemente buscan una vida mejor”, recalcó Mario Guerra, estudiante de políticas internacionales. Ya son varias las ciudades de California que se oponen a abrir sus puertas para albergar a estos pequeños. La más reciente fue la ciudad de Escondido donde el concejo
Pasa a mejor vida un inmortal ¡Oh! ¿Y ahora, quién podrá que existen en América Latina y penetraron en el gusto de los defenderme? Por Manrique Ramírez El 28 de noviembre, a los 85 años de edad, falleció el gran comediante mexicano Roberto Gómez Bolaños, mejor conocido como Chespirito. Su muerte representa una pérdida invaluable para la industria del entretenimiento, ya que como guionista, actor, comediante, director de cine y de televisión, así como de dramaturgo, compositor y autor , proyectó una nueva visión de la comedia televisiva en cuanto a su esencia limpia e inocente . Con ello encontró eco, tanto en los niños como en los adultos, mismos que se incorporaron como televidentes de sus programas por millones, no sólo en América Latina, sino en muchos países del mundo. Sus personajes lograron reflejar la cultura latinoamericana dentro de un marco de marginación, hacinados en una vecindad, que se identificaron por su similitud con otros prototipos de pobreza
televidentes, sobre todo de habla hispana. Sus caracteres como el Chavo del Ocho, el Chapulín Colorado, Don Ramón y la Chilindrina, muestran los apuros de la clase pobre que tiene que hacer peripecias para sobrevivir. La actuación de los mismos, muchas veces, a través de la ironía, de la sátira o de la mofa, nos mostraban el universo y la brecha que existe entre los que tienen todo y los que nada tienen. Su estilo guarda cierto parecido al teatro épico de Bertolt Brecht, en donde el distanciamiento o extrañamiento es parte de una propuesta dramatúrgica. En el teatro épico, los actores interpretan a sus personajes de manera convincente sin tratar de persuadir ni a la audiencia ni a ellos mismos, de que son en realidad los personajes que interpretan. En ello, adultos hacen el papel de niños. Otros personajes de la creación de Gómez Bolaños, eran prototipos que se manifestaban
votó 4-1 en contra para abrir un centro de detención, el cual hubiese refugiado a niños migrantes entre las edades de 6 a 17 años que entraron a este país solos. Varias organizaciones no lucrativas como CARECEN, ASOSAL, CHIRLA se han unido con una sola voz para brindarles apoyo moral y legal. Así mismo, en las redes sociales, inmigrantes de varios países están utilizando las frases de #Soyinmigrante #niñosinmigrantes #theyarechildren #EstamosConLosNiños para mostrar su solidaridad a estos niños que buscan reunirse con sus familias. La inmigración de estos niños no va a cesar de un día para otro, por eso es necesario crear consciencia sobre este suceso que nos inquieta a todos. Como sociedad debemos solidarizarnos con estos niños y brindar nuestro apoyo para que no sean separados de sus familias. Los niños son el futuro del mundo y hay que cuidarlos. al margen de la sociedad o que tenían algún defecto en su personalidad. El Chapulín Colorado representa una sátira de los superhéroes en los cómics. En realidad, el Capulín, es un antihéroe de tipo quijotesco que muestra a la sociedad moderna. Con su frase célebre, “¡Síganme los buenos!”, su escudo de corazón y su arma, el chipote chillón, hería momentáneamente pero no mataba. Roberto Gómez bolaños aportó personajes que han perdurado y espero perdurarán en el gusto iberoamericano por muchas generaciones. Es nuestra tarea como pueblo colectivo, no dejar que pasen al olvido. El chavo del ocho y El chapulín colorado al igual que los demás personajes de Chespirito se deben valorar como una joya cultural y deben permanecer vivos para siempre.
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University Times
Dec. 8, 2014
Five Million Dollars Later, Still Unknown At Cal State LA
The UT looks into the influence of Billie Jean King, campus alumni and sports legend. Marilu Bustamante Contributor When 50 Cal State L.A. students were interviewed, 95 percent recognized the names Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali, but
only 15 percent knew Billie Jean King; even fewer knew she’s a former Cal State L.A. alumni. King attended and played tennis for Cal State L.A. from 1961 to 1964 and went on to have a long and successful tennis career. She won 39 grand slam singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, but King is most noted for her match against professional male tennis player, Bobby Riggs. ‘The Battle of the Sexes,’ was a match that caught the attention of the world and was televised for approximately 50 million people. King won and changed the game for professional female athletes everywhere. When it was all said and done, King became the only female athlete on the “100 Most Important American’s of the 20th Century,” according to Life magazine. A list that also includes re-
Finals Frenzy Extravaganza How do you destress for finals? Throw a pie and pet puppies, of course! Willie Svendblad Contributor ‘“OMG, I got cream pied on my face and I liked it! It’s okay, it was for a good cause,” says Melissa Silva, a participant at this year’s ‘Finals Frenzy.’ Finals Frenzy was held for campus students on Thursday, December 4th. The event took place on the Main Walkway and was held by the Greek Program Board through the Center of
Student Involvement.
Arisdelsy Renteria, coordinator of the event said, “Final Frenzy was an event to help students de-stress during finals.” Hosted by CSI, the afternoon included free entertainment, drink, food, and good vibes. The event had a health center booth, where students learned techniques and got advice how to manage stress and meditate before finals. The event also incorporated a new event called, “Pie a Greek.” In order to “Pie a Greek,” students had to donate a can food, toy, or buy a raffle ticket. All proceeds went to families in need. Erica Limas says, “It was weird getting Greek pied in the face for the first time, but my participation helps families in need.”
nowned athletes like: Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Muhammad Ali. Unlike many students, Heather Williams knows Billie Jean King. Williams, a Business Administration major, is the recipient of the Billie Jean King Scholarship. “Without her fighting for women, who knows if we would have ever gotten paid for being women athletes,” Williams said. The scholarship covers housing, food, books, and tuition for Williams. Every year two student-athletes receive the Billie Jean King Scholarship for displaying exceptional work athletically and academically. According to Athletic Director, Dan Bridges, balancing school and practice, while maintaining good grades and setting a good example for other athletes is what it takes to receive the scholarship. Over 17 years, King helped raise over 3 million dollars for the Student Finals Frenzy also featured therapy dogs, hosted by EPIC. “I had a great time petting these fun loving dogs. They were so calm and attentive,” Juan Mendoza said. “I was so stressed about my upcom-
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Athlete Scholarship Fund. In addition, King helped fund many other scholarships in the athletic department. Bridges said, “We wouldn’t be able to support as many student athletes as we do without Billie Jean’s contributions.” Along with scholarship money, King has helped raise over 2 million dollars towards a new tennis center, event center, baseball stadium upgrades, and soccer stadium upgrades. Bridges said, “Her affiliation with CSULA and her willingness to make us one of her top priorities should give everybody at this campus a real sense of pride.” King is still actively involved with the school and giving back. Through the scholarships King has helped fundraise she has inspired and touched students. Williams said, “Being the recipient of this scholarship makes me want to give back because it’s a blessing to have this opportunity. I am finishing school because of her.”
ing classes, the fact that I was able to pet a German Shepard helped calm my nerves and brought relaxation to me,” Martha Gonzalez said. The event had over 60 students in participation.
Students Combine Literature and Their Family Histories First Year Experience teams up with the Autry to learn about their family trees. Angeline Bernabe
Staff Reporter Among the many ways that students at Cal State L.A. are coming together is through the power of literature. Specifically, with the novel, On Gold Mountain, by Lisa See. As an Honors English 101 assignment for Freshmen students, lecturer and faculty coordinator of the First Year Experience Program, Jennifer Hicks, teamed up with the library’s “One Campus, One Book” committee and the Autry National Center to transform a regular assignment into a project exploring the family histories of students. The Autry, which is a museum that focuses on investigating and exploring stories of people of the American West, allowed Hicks and her class to use their resources and enhance their investigation of their own families. Over the span of the fall quarter, students used resources like Autry and ancestry.com to discover how their families began and how they migrated to the American West. In addition, students read Lisa See’s, On Gold Mountain, which is a story of the author’s own
detailed family history, to supplement their discoveries in their final essays. But then, Hicks took it up a notch and for the first time, teamed up with the Autry to have students exhibit their family histories in a pop up gallery in the museum for a day. Hicks explained, “The idea is that the students need to be able to talk about explaining what they’re trying to do, and in terms of teaching writing, learning how to modify something to serve the same purpose in a different way is hard.” Hicks, who also participated with her class to find out her own family history, found the project to be an inspirational one and encourages students to take advantage of resources like the Autry if they have a desire to tell stories or learn about their own. Hicks said that many of her students didn’t know they could educate people about their own stories in that way. She shared, “They’re tied to these incredible, historical stories. Stories of the Iranian revolution, stories of Armenia… so they all have these stories to tell, and I told them that this is their chance to educate people about that.” The exhibit took place at the Autry on Saturday, December 6th. For information about the Autry, please visit theautry.org. To find out more about the Honors College and the First Year Experience Program, visit web.calstatela. edu/academic/honorscollege and www. calstatela.edu/firstyearexperience.
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University Times
Dec. 8, 2014
EVENT Calendar MONDAY 8th
DEC 8th - DEC 14th WEEK ELEVEN
TUESDAY 9th
WEDNESDAY 10th
FINAL EXAMS! All Day
FINAL EXAMS! All Day
CCC Finals week, study hours, study assistance All day until Dec 11, 2nd floor U-SU
CCC Finals week, study hours, study assistance All day until Dec 11, 2nd floor U-SU
FINAL EXAMS BEGIN! All Day CCC Finals week, study hours, study assistance All day until Dec 11, 2nd floor U-SU Orchestra Concert 7:30pm, State Playhouse University Times Volunteer Meeting 3:30pm, King Hall C3098
THURSDAY 11th
SATURDAY 13th LAST DAY OF FINAL EXAMS! All Day
Csula_UT FINAL EXAMS! All Day
facebook.com/CsulaUT
CCC Finals week, study hours, study assistance All day until Dec 11, 2nd floor U-SU
The 5 Golden Rules for Winter Break Try and follow these tips for a stress-free and cheery winter break. Maybe you’ll find yourself doing these things every vacation! Alejandro Gonzalez
Contributor 1. Don’t have a mental breakdown and burn all your school work from fall quarter! Students should review the essays they spent endless hours writing, as well as looking over that hard homework for Chemistry class. They will probably need it for harder classes to come in winter quarter.
3. Don’t run off to the North Pole and join Santa’s work toy crew. Students are encouraged to maintain their brains’ stimulation by reading a good winter book and keeping their lives entertained by literature. That way they won’t become terrified of letters when they come back for winter quarter.
4. Don’t pretend you’re a bear and sleep all winter. The winter break is a good opportunity for students to catch up on unfinished projects. Getting a seasonal job may come in handy to save money for the spring parking permit or those expensive books that probably won’t ever be opened.
2. Don’t try to become the next Paris Hilton of L.A.
5. Put all stressful things on the back burner.
Although it’s highly encouraged for students to engage in extracurricular activities and unwind from the fall quarter, it is also important to get some rest! Winter quarter is just around the corner and walking around as an exhausted zombie is only cool in Halloween.
Enjoy the stress free environment of no midterms, homework or finals. No need to avoid the teacher walking by King Hall whose class you’ve skipped all quarter. No mandatory 10% attendance grade. No Dropbox, Moodle, or Blackboard.
Men’s Basketball Cal State L.A. vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills
5:00pm, Eagles Nest Gym
CsulaUniversityTimes
How Ethical is it to Wear Fashion Fur? Roxana Hernandez Columnist
The holidays have arrived and so has the cold weather. It goes without saying that fur is one of the biggest foundations for style during the chilly seasons. This sinful luxury is definitely one that designers around the world showcase and do not cease to peruse as their wow factor on the runways. This, however, is one of the more controversial topics in the fashion industry. The reason why it is so controversial has a lot to do with the fact that it appeals to the emotions of the human being. It deals with what is right and what is wrong-- Can there be a common ground? Two totally opposing sides trying to meet in the middle is something unheard of when debating about fur in fashion. It may shock you to know that there are possibilities to these opposing sides. So, the question is: Is it unethical to wear fashion fur?
Yes, it is. Up until recent years, the problem with fur has been steadily rising. Many organizations claim that to wear fur is unethical and should be out of the question completely. They argue that people should be more aware of what is happening around the world, and how the products that they purchase are made. Based on the way animals are treated on fur farms, people cannot be serious about wearing fur. Truth is, most people would be disgusted to wear fur after reading and watching what goes on behind the scenes. It is not about survival at this point, it is about knowing you are placing suffering in other beings in order to benefit humans with status and their beauty.
No, it is not. It is a real battle to go against a cause that is filled with pain and suffering, but it has many arguments against why it is unethical to wear fur. With so much to say about the subject it might even make sense to the public. Such arguments lay from fur being durable, recyclable, renewable, earth friendly processed, biodegradable, historically rich, new welfare for animals, and everyone using animal products to use as sustenance. Even Karl Lagerfeld, designer and creative director of Chanel and Fendi, said publicly on BBC news that “in a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and clothes and even handbags, the discussion of fur is childish.”
In efforts to bring consumers to reflect upon their purchases, more and more conversation and action is taken into bringing this mindset. Unfortunately, not many people follow through and think about where their purchases come from. Take a stance and decide for yourself, is wearing fur an ethical decision?