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Sept. 28, 2015
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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
Issue 210.1
CFA fights for a higher faculty raise CSU management declines CFA’s raise proposal of 5% just one day after top CSU executives were approved for a 2% raise. Cheyenne Elizondo Contributor
In July, Cal State University presidents, executives, and faculty were approved by Cal State’s management for a 2% salary raise. The California Faculty Association (CFA), which represents more than 25,000 CSU faculty members, have been proposing a 5% salary raise for the 2015-2016 school year. But just one day after the 2% offer was made, the CFA Bargaining Team met in Long Beach to continue the proposal of a 5% salary raise and was declined. Dr. Molly Talcott, CFA Secretary and President of Los Angeles CFA Chapter bargaining team, said, “We are in negotiation but stalled, and we are in that process called ‘impasse’ because we cannot agree on what the faculty deserves in terms of a raise going forward for next year.” Talcott stresses that students are a priority, but while the number of students and administrators increase, the faculty keeps decreasing. “That obviously affects the students because you may have a professor that you loved and that you try to find in a year or two to write you a letter of recommendation and they’re gone because they want to be hired on a full time, permanent, or tenure job,” Talcott said. Faculty
INSIDE: LA ONDA: PRIMER FALLO A FAVOR DE BOLIVIA PG 10
“CFA activists march toward the State Capitol on April 7, 2015. " Photo courtesy | Calfac.org
members may not be there from one quarter to the next, and some are on one to three year contracts. Executives can make about $400,000 a year and with a 2% increase they will get $8,000 more, while faculty, who can make about $40,000 a year, will get $800 more with a 2% increase. CFA is not only asking for a 5% General Salary Increase (GSI) for faculty, but also a 2.65% Service Salary Increase (SSI) for eligible faculty members on the lower end of the salary scale.
Governor Jerry Brown approved an additional $97 million for the CSU budget for the 2015-2016 academic year and $11 million will be going toward the hiring of tenure track faculty. According to calstate.edu, “We are doing our best to improve compensation for all employees while working within our fiscal means and sustaining our commitment to other missioncritical priorities that support student success.” Out of their total operating budget, 59% goes toward compensation
and benefits, and 41% is used to provide a good learning environment for students. They also point out that they have invested $129.6 million in compensation, with $65.2 million being used for faculty. This year alone they have $65.5 million to put toward a 2% compensation for all CSU employees. Talcott says CFA will keep fighting for a 5% salary increase and they will even take it to a strike if necessary. “We can engage in a strike, go ahead and shut down the universities
around the CSU,” Talcott said. “That’s kind of where we are headed if they don’t make a better decision.” Currently the process is in an impasse and will then go to mediation. The next CFA rally will be held at Cal State LA on October 21st with Kathy Sheffield, lead negotiator for the CFA bargaining team; Jen Eagan, CFA president; Lil Taiz, past CFA president; and Talcott.
STUDENT PUBLISHES SENTIMENTAL BOOK OF POETRY
CAL STATE LA REBRANDS WITH A NEW SCHOOL LOGO
YOUR FALL 2015 FASHION GUIDE IS HERE
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University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
Cal State LA student publishes book of poetry Matthew Mejia will be balancing both a book tour and his academics this fall quarter. Jake Kozak Contributor
Matthew Mejia, a senior at Cal State LA recently became a published author. Double Bridge Publishing released his first book of poetry, theFEEL, this summer and Mejia is planning a west coast book tour this fall. Mejia began writing poetry as a teenager when he found artwork in the back of a CD, discovering freelance visual artist and unique poet Alex Pardee. Mejia says that Pardee’s writing was different than anything he’d experienced up to that point. “It didn’t sound like poems I had read before. I just started writing after that -- it did something to my brain.” Though Mejia is an English major graduating in Winter 2016, he did not start his academic career in writing. “First, my major was art. I was a painter. Then I
was into sports a lot, then it was architecture, and then it was writing,” Mejia said. “I still try to keep in touch with my musical and artistic roots. I try to listen to different music and write from there.”
Much of the inspiration of Mejia’s poetry stems from his early childhood. “Until I was 22, I was super angry about everything from my childhood,” he said. “I decided to confront my fears and do everything that always scared me.” As a result, his long-term girlfriend left him. “I felt all alone. The one person who was supposed to know me, the only person I opened up with, decided to bounce,” Mejia said. Instead of letting the breakup deter him from his path of self-improvement, he went to a therapist for a few sessions, which spurred him to work on his poetry in earnest. He continued working on his poetry while attending East Los Angeles College, and finally finished the manuscript after a difficult, but inspiring, process of reviewing and editing. Mejia explained the creation of the final book saying, “It took a
while to put everything together because I had to go back and read what I wrote from years ago. I was like ‘Ugh, this is so depressing! That’s not me anymore!’ I’ll read it sometimes, and I’ll see that I made it. I beat what I thought I couldn’t beat.” He submitted his completed manuscript to as many publishers as possible, but it still took a long time before he received an acceptance letter. “Of course they said no,” said Mejia. He suggests that the publishing process is inherently stacked against emerging artists, saying, “Most people don’t like to take chances on nobodies, but you can’t be a somebody until someone takes a chance on you.” Mejia offers the following advice to struggling artists: “Just keep doing it. There’s going to be obstacles and little bumps, but I think when you look back, you look at how you overcame the hard part to get to where you are instead of saying ‘Oh yeah, that was easy,’ because if it was easy, who cares?” When asked about his future, Mejia explained that he’s ultimately interested in becoming an English professor, but still has ambitions for putting out two
Cal State LA to not accept undergraduates winter and spring quarter
Photo by Cheyenne Elizondo
In preparation of the quarter to semester conversion, the school is not accepting undergrads for Winter and Spring 2016. Cheyenne Elizondo Contributor Cal State LA is converting from the quarter system to the semester system in Fall 2016. That seems a long time from now, but actions to support the change have already been set into motion.
Under ‘Admissions and Recruitment,’ the school website states that only select programs will be accepted for the Winter 2016 quarter (no undergrads), while for Spring, the University will not be accepting anyone. Brandon Hernandez, Mechanical Engineer major, will be a sophomore this fall
at Cal State LA, and will still be an undergraduate student by Fall 2016. “I think the semester conversion is a good idea because it gives students more time to learn the material within the class,” Hernandez said. “I think it is unfair that undergrads are not able to enroll because they will not be able to get any classes and will need to wait longer to enroll in our school.” Vincent Lopez, Director of Admissions, says that the reason Cal State LA is not accepting applications from undergraduates for both terms is due to the
Matthew Mejia | Photo by Jake Kozak
Photo courtesy | Double Bridge Publishing
more books--a novel and then finish his publishing career by writing a second book of poetry. He thinks that balancing his school with his book tour schedule will not be difficult because the pub-
lishing company is aware of the importance of his academics.
preparation conversion.
resources on the current students that will be going through the shift, rather than the process of enrolling new ones.
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the
semester
With a higher enrollment in the Fall, Lopez wants to be able to accomadate all students. “We want to make sure our effort is to facilitate our currently enrolled students,” he said. Lopez explains that their staff, including the Admissions office, Financial Aid office, and the Registrar’s office are very much involved in the work of the semester conversion, and therefore needs to focus their
By not accepting undergrads for both terms, “It will let us do the work that it is going to take to successfully move into that conversion,” Lopez said. The campus community can only imagine how intensive and lengthy the process can be to change an school entire system from one to another.
University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
OP-ED
UN IIMVEESR S I T Y T
Staff Reporters Angeline Bernabe Hannah Jacobsen
Editor-in-Chief Yzzy Gonzalez Managing Editor Gerardo Amezquita
Fashion Reporter Row
Production Manager Taylor Preza
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In defense of change
Contributors Samantha Barnes Cal State LA Athletics Jonathan Cotto Cheyenne Elizondo Jake Kozak
Web Editor Pablo De La Hoya Copy Editor Nico Triunfante Business/ Advertising Mangager Jim Munson
Photographers Jonathan Cotto Pablo De La Hoya Darryl Dennis Jake Kozak Nico Triunfante
Faculty Advisor Suzanne Regan
Graphic Designer Pablo De La Hoya
Journalism 391 Professor Josef Sawyer Distributors Pablo De La Hoya Taylor Preza
Photo courtesy | http://secularist10.hubpages.com
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 2015 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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Para La Onda: Jefa de Redacción:
Xanni Valentin Chavira
Editores: Graciela López Martha J. Orellana Gerente de publicidad:
Martha J. Orellana
Consejero de la Facultad:
Pablo Baler
This generation's lead towards a more unified and open-minded society. Hannah Jacobsen Staff Reporter
contract, made to shut off all further enlightenment from the human race, is absolutely null and void … An age cannot bind itself and ordain to put the succeeding one to such a condition that it cannot extend its knowledge, purify itself of errors, and progress in general enlightenment. That would be a crime against human nature, the proper destination of which lies precisely in this progress.”
In 1784, Immanuel Kant – a widely known and still-inspiring philosopher submitted an essay on progress and enlightenment to a Berlin newspaper. In it were numerous statements which bear a striking resemblance to arguments that our nation has gone through this very summer: the nationalization of gay marriage, the raising awareness for existing racial inequalities, and the many protests against our change in national values that have been brought up by county clerks and even presidential nominees.
of knowledge extension and error purging, a time where the general population is beginning to understand each human’s right to love, and each human’s right to exist in equality, no matter the color of their skin or the gender and sexuality that they choose to be. I find this beautiful.
“Would not a society of clergymen… be justified in obligating itself by oath to a certain unchangeable symbol in order to enjoy an unceasing guardianship over each of its members? I answer that this is altogether impossible. Such a
However, many in our country are still left clinging to old standards of values, treating their mindsets as “unchangeable symbol[s]” that must exist in order to guard them from harm in this scary and unstable world. This is understandable. Changing
This age is a major time
ourselves means admitting to wrongdoing in the past and admitting to flaws in our own mentality and actions. It is hard to turn any part of us into a villain. With that said, this insistence to hold on to the previous status quo leaves us with hateful and ignorant communities: The dredges of the Ku Klux Klan who shower hatred onto any person who is not white, straight, and Christian. Extremist supporters of Donald Trump who want to shuttle the Latino/a community out of a country that is meant to be a beautiful mixing pot of colors and cultures. The Westboro Baptist Church members, who barricade themselves against the rest of the world out of fear and hatred for progress.
"An age cannot bind itself and ordain to put the succeeding one to such a condition that it cannot extend its knowledge, purify itself of errors, and progress in general enlightenment." -Immanuel Kant
It is necessary to make progress. It is necessary to live in a world that is constantly questioning and righting wrongs. It is necessary to try to give the present and the successive generations a society where love overpowers the hate. I believe that our slowly developing ability to embrace different races, genders, and sexualities as an “us” rather than an “other” is a sign that we are entering a new and wonderful time of enlightenment.
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University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
The state of the CSU: money, labor battles, and its student impact An overview of what will affect the students at every CSU in the 201516 academic year.
a ten year period, the ratio of state to tuition and fee funding went from an 80-20 split to a 50-50 split in 2011-12. At its worst, the CSU state general fund appropriation was reduced by one-third, or 1 billion dollars.”
Hannah Jacobsen Contributor
This gap in funding left a significant hole that remains a problem to this day, though the governor has reinvested in California colleges with his multi-year budget plan.
On Friday, September 18th, representatives of the California State University (CSU) system held a live student media web conference to discuss the 201516 CSU budget plans, preliminary ideas for the 2016-17 support budget, current labor disputes, and the Student Involvement and Representation Fee, which will be taking effect this quarter.
The current backlog of facility and infrastructure maintenance adds up to an estimated $2.5 billion. CSU faculty have expressed anger over what they believe to be insubstantial paychecks. Many newly graduated high school students are not able to attend a California State University due to populations that are already bursting at the seams.
One of the major points of the CSU Budget Overview was the existing impact of the recession on the CSU support budget provided by the state. This insight was provided by Ryan Storm, CSU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Budget.
The 2015-16 budget plan and the preliminary support budget plan for 2016-17 aims to repair some problems by increasing enrollment growth and adding additional courses, funding student success and completion of initiatives that aim to increase graduation rates, and slowly repairing aging infrastructure.
While the support budget for 2015-16 is a whopping $5.1 billion, this amount still covers only 55% of funding sources for the 15-16 academic year. “It is very dramatic,” Storm said. “Over
One lingering problem in these plans involve faculty salaries. Laurie Weidner, CSU Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, spoke on the current status of
King Hall renovation for Fall quarter
Including a reinforced roof in preparation for El Niño and an opening of new cafe. Jonathan Cotto Contributor
Over the summer, Cal State LA has been undergoing a lot of construction around campus. As the parking lot construction has reached completion, construction workers have taken down scaffolding and shoots, as they prepare to finish what appears to be the installation of new roofing for King Hall. The University Times spoke with Michael Rodriguez, Assistant Director of Facilities. “The roofing construction over the D wing at King Hall has been in the talks for the last 2 to 3 months,” Rodriguez said, “that particular part of the roof has been causing many of the leaks; the roof was failing.” The construction over King Hall’s D wing can be divided into three phases: installation of new roofing, the removal of ‘old dead units’ that have not been operating and weather proofing. The expected completion for this project is September 28th, which will run a couple of days into the Fall quarter, but will not
Photo by Pablo De La Hoya
interfere with the flow of students entering and exiting the building. Recently, King Hall experienced some major leaks from a rainstorm. Nonetheless, the repairs will prepare students for the ongoing rumors of El Niño. Recent reports have been made prognosticating an outlook for this winter. This winter will call for a dry North and a very wet South, placing Southern California in a 40% probability of increased precipitation than normal. Whether El Niño will strike or not, it is assuring to see that our students at Cal State LA will be left dry, and with no leaks as we prepare to start the 2015-2016 academic year. In addition, Rodriguez says that King Hall will be opening up a café that will be in full operation by the beginning of the Fall Quarter. The café will be located in front of the south-side elevators. In keeping up with the technological advances and modernities that can be found in other buildings around campus, King Hall will also be installing “Smart Classrooms” and study rooms. Room 1006 will be the location to feature new lighting and a new electrical infrastructure.
bargaining between the CSU and the California Faculty Association (CFA). Though the CSU and the CFA signed a three-year contract in 2014-15, there was a provision that allowed a reopening of salary negotiations, which were reopened last spring. The CSU and CFA bargaining teams are currently in mediation, with their next meeting scheduled for October, after they were unable to reach a compromise during the summer. Why is reaching a bargain so difficult? While CSU proposed a 2% salary increase, the CFA is proposing a 5% salary increase for all faculty, plus a 1.2% increase in salary service increases. The CSU proposal would cost $32.8 million while the CFA proposal would cost $101.7 million, excluding the additional compensation required for all labors groups with a “me-too” clause in their contract. “Every one percent salary increase costs the CSU $16.5 million dollars,” Weidner said. “We have a limited budget. This money could fund 16,800 new students, 16,000 new class sessions, or the hiring of 1,000 more tenure track faculty.” CFA representatives were not present to state their own case. While the faculty lacked representation, the student voice was present in Cal State Fullerton student
Graphic by Pablo De La Hoya
Kelsey Brewer, a member of the California State Student Association (CSSA) and CSU Student Trustee. “The CSSA provide that backbone of ‘here’s what to think’ based on the information that individual campuses give us,” Brewer said. Brewer explained a new fee that will be put into effect this quarter. While the sound of more student fees puts many college students on edge, SIRF is a $2 per-term voluntary fee that has a huge impact on the structure of CSSA, allowing them to form an independent organization rather than relying on the Chancellor’s office and fundraising for funding. “CSSA is, at its core, an advocacy aspect of the CSU. This fee allows additional student leaders to advocate in Sacramento and Washington D.C.,” Brewer said. “It also helps us to be independent.” The University Times will continue to provide a source for updates and further details on the funding issues that will affect the structure and future of Cal State LA throughout the year.
University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
New year, new logo With the new branding underway comes a brand new logo for Cal State LA. Pablo De La Hoya Web Editor
Cal State LA’s unveiling of the new logo received a lot of feedback from students on both sides of the spectrum. However, most saw the logo at face value. The logo is supposed to represent the campus, and does it through creative symbolism. According to a video from the University, the main message encompassing the new logo states, “We are Los Angeles.” This is a bold statement, but in many ways it is true. This logo represents Cal State LA as a blossoming campus, something we have seen with the announcement of the new campus in Downtown Los Angeles. The video explains this logo to be more than just a logo, but more as “a symbol of what we believe, who we are, and how we view ourselves.”
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The Golden Eagle has also received a facelift with one key feature standing out. There is a trident depicted on the head of the eagle, paying homage the past mascot of Cal State LA--the Diablos. The eye of the eagle is now facing up looking to the future expressing the success of students. Furthermore, the feathers underneath take the shape of fire signifying “the fire within all of our students to reach unlimited potential.” With Cal State LA recently being ranked as the one of the top ten regional schools in the country this rebranding came at a perfect time. However, not all students took to liking the logo right away. Noel Orozco, fourth year in Computer Information Systems, states, “The new school logo makes me feel classy yet uncomfortable. The downtown skyline pays homage for being the only state university located in the city of Los Angeles with their newly added downtown campus gives it a nostalgic touch. As well as a slight touch of black and gold showing off our Golden Eagle pride and incorporating the clean sharp lines gives it the perfect touch of class.”
Graphic by Pablo De La Hoya
The “uncomfortable” aspect comes when looking at the big empty spaces created by the buildings being aligned further right. Many students agree with Noel in the new clean look of the logo. But the big empty spaces leave students wanting more.
think the shield represents honor and glory in a way, like a knight.” Explaining that the city shows the future of Cal State LA with the new campus. David likes the idea of the shield as it symbolizes for him, “successful, intelligent, and humble people.”
The look of the shield creates an uncertain look, many trying to decide if it is a shield or something else. David Rodriguez, a senior in Civil Engineering, explains, “I
With these ideas in mind there was an element of the logo many have not seen, there is a break in the top right and bottom left corner. This piece of the logo
represents the past of Cal State LA from the bottom left to the future at the top right. The way the buildings are added also create a raising the bar situation which explains the growth of the campus. Despite the positive and negative feedback, the new logo does have a deeper meaning that represents the best aspects of Cal State LA.
6 A closer look at disabilities University Times
Sept.28, 2015
An interview with OSD Interim Director sheds light on the topic of disabilities. Samantha Barnes Contributor
When you think of a person with a disability, what is the first image that comes to mind? Most often one envisions a person with physical limitations, possibly helpless, or confined to a wheelchair, with little to no variance. However, the reality of a disability doesn’t have a ‘look,’ and often, one’s perceived notion might not make that distinction. Disabilities come in various forms, for example, learning disabilities, physical limitations, chronic illness, or autism just to name a few. The University Times had the opportunity to sit down with the Office for Students with Disabilities Interim Director Gonzalo Centeno to explore more on the topic and how this office better serves the disabled student population of Cal State LA. Q. What do you feel like are some of the perceived notions of what it ‘looks’ like to be disabled? A. There was a magazine called Mainstream Magazine, I remember reading a long time ago when I first began my academic career at Cal State LA. There was an article entitled “Where Do People with Disabilities Stand?” and it read people with disabilities are often looked at using two extremes; one being the poor pitiful person with a disability, and the other extreme is the “pain in the butt” kind of disabled person. People with disabilities are rarely looked in the middle. I have a disability, it’s an evident disability, people can see it, and people can interpret it, and decide if it is something that they want to approach or not. I welcome people to ask me questions about my disability, as well as the hand brace that I wear on my right hand. For me it is important that people know who I am and what I am all about. It is too important for people to know that underneath it all, I am still a person and I am still Gonzalo.
Graphic by slapix.com
Q. What are some of the services that the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) offers for students with disabilities? A. The OSD offers services to students with diverse disabilities that ensure that they have equal participation. We offer services to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to services that any other university student has access to. In essence, the services that we provide place our students on an equal playing field as their peers. These services can range from test taking accommodations, priority registration, to also providing note takers and sign language interpreters and real-time captions. We also have accessible technology such as screen readers for blind students. We also have software for students who may have learning disabilities, which can read textbooks out loud and define definitions. Students can utilize all of these free services in any access lab in the university.
Q: If a student thinks he or she may have a disability but have not been diagnosed, can they come to OSD?
Q. How do you feel stereotypes of what disabilities ‘look’ like are formulated? A. I believe these stereotypes are formulated by misconceptions and some of the myths that are often ingrained in us growing up, from our parents or from our friends. These misconceptions of disabled people are often repeated and that is how they grow; however they are often distorted. I think that when we learn about disabilities, our entire perception changes.
A: Absolutely. A student who thinks he/she has a disability can come to OSD and we will conduct an intake assessment as well as an interview. If an additional assessment is needed, we will issue a referral to the student.
Q: How many students does OSD serve? A: We serve approximately 800-900 students per quarter.
Q: How does this office handle disclosure of student disability with the school or faculty? A. We never disclose a student’s disability or diagnosis to anyone outside of OSD, unless a student authorizes the office to release this information using a hand written consent. Professors are notified of students who use these accommodations. When a student registers for classes, they are able to access online their accommodations and an automated email upon registration is sent out to the faculty member. Professors receive an email naming the student as well as their arranged accommodations but not their disability. It’s called the notification for academic support services.
Q. What are some things you feel like the campus can improve to better serve the disabled student population? A. Well, there is always room for growth and the OSD has a great relationship with many entities in the University.
We are continuously working to improve the services for students with disabilities. We work with the student government, we work quite a bit with the UniversityStudent Union, and we work tremendously and have a great relationship with faculty. I believe that little by little we are helping people understand what it means to have a disability and what the services mean for their students. In terms of what we can do to improve services, I think that keeping a great length of communication open, and continuously maintaining the dialogue with our office and the students is vital. I also think that we do learn a lot from each other and that’s important as well. This past spring we had 176 graduates who were registered with our office, our goal is to continue to thrive. As a community, it is important to be educated on different types of disabilities. Being knowledgeable, understanding, and acknowledging the work of disabled individuals debunks the myths and stereotypes. Cal State LA offers a space for disabled students to feel comfortable, and receive the tools they need to thrive academically inside and outside of this campus. OSD ties the bridge for disabled students and faculty members to work together simultaneously.
Sept. 28, 2015
University Times
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University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
Five Essentials For Your Fall Look Fall is here and it keeps getting better with new and chic essentials to elevate your look. Row
Fashion Reporter Happy September, Cal State LA students! We’re back for Fall 2015/2016 school year and I want to make sure you look your best while strutting down campus with a flawless flare. I know we’re in the middle of Spring Fashion Weeks and we can’t wait to get our hands on amazing silhouettes from our favorite fashion houses and designers, but you have to get your fall wardrobe on check. Now is our chance to grab pieces that we were inspired by all fashion shows. Below we have a list of must haves that need to be in your closet for this fall.
1. Leather Weather Boots Even though summer has ended, I know most of you cannot wait to start layering up and wearing your leather items. The hottest item on your list are your leather boots/booties. Leather has always been stylish and chic, and they go perfect with anything from pants, tights, skirts, denim, shorts, etc.
2. Face Coverin’ Sunnies Big ol’ sunglasses are versatile. They work well on your good days and bad days of school. Slap on a black pair to go with any outfit, or you can wear them on your bad, all nighter, no makeup on, type of days. Either way, you will give off a chic and mysterious look. 3. Knee Length Coat You’ve got to have a long coat, and I’m telling you this now so you can be prepared for the end of fall and the beginning of winter. Don’t wait to buy one, because all the good coats will be gone. You can layer up or layer down, depending on the type of look you’re looking for; it goes great with everything.
4. Get High Waisted The high waisted trend is definitely here to stay, and based on Fall Fashion Week, the designers agree. It produces a slim and sexy look that enhances the look of your legs to look long and lean. Grab some high waisted denim, leggings, and pants and you’ll be set.
5. Daring Denim If you haven’t noticed, there is denim everywhere.The denim trend is back for Fall 2015 and it couldn’t look any more sexier. The beauty of this amazing silhouette is that you can dress up or down with it. I think you need at least one denim dress and overalls for the season.
University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
Rebuilding Journalism New Associate Chair of Journalism holds promise for a bright future in journalism at Cal State LA. Angeline Bernabe Staff Reporter
It’s the beginning of an exciting era for journalism students on campus. In recent news, Professor Jon Beaupre, an acclaimed journalist and professor at Cal State LA, was chosen to be the new Associate Chair of Journalism. The position is a new addition to the department of Television, Film, and Media Studies (TVF), and was created by the program’s Department Chair, Dr. John Ramirez. The Associate Chair of Journalism’s job will be a spokesperson for journalism, and work with other journalism faculty to strengthen the discipline. The new position will help identify journalism as a department in the long run. But, over the years, Ramirez has observed a growth in student interest toward journalism through organizations like Golden Eagle Radio and the University Times. Without a key individual representing journalism, it’s been difficult for students to access resources.
Currently, Broadcast Journalism is an option housed under the Television, Film, and Media Studies department. With the growing number of students who are majoring in Television, Film, and Media Studies, Ramirez believes that it’s important more than ever to have someone representing student journalists, and found Professor Beaupre to be most fitting for the task. “Historically, journalism has not been given the fair shake in the program because the sexy part of the program is filmmaking and T.V.,” Ramirez said. “I’ve worked with Professor Beaupre these many years, and he was interested and very enthusiastic about helping to take on that function.” Beaupre, who has a remarkable resume as a radio producer and reporter, is looking forward to working with student journalists on campus and fellow journalism faculty. “As faculty, we have to provide guidance and direction as best we can,” Beaupre said. Among his many plans, the first item on his agenda is to create a network for student journalists called, “Golden Eagle Journalists.” The organization will be a source of professional advancement for students to help them reach their goals. In addition to that, Beaupre would like to take student journalists on trips around the world to places like Mexico City, Asia, and South America to meet with other journalists in
Photo By Nico Triunfante
television, radio, and print. He also has plans to incorporate technology into the program and have students use it more frequently, ultimately to keep up with what journalists are using out on the field. He explains, “We’ll figure out the technology fast and how to operate them and what they do… we want students
CSSA approves new optional student fee New fee this Fall quarter is intended to help give students a stronger voice. Pablo De La Hoya Web Editor
New fees are never something students look forward to. However, for those not ready to pay more, this one is voluntary. W
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The Student Involvement and Representation Fee, otherwise known as SIRF, sets out to help students have a say on tuition, financial aid, student services, course availability, and academic advising. This new fee is for ASI, which oversees this money through the California State Student Association (CSSA). CSSA works to give students a voice at the university system, state, and federal level.
In addition, the fee is set out to help create more opportunities for
students to acquire relevant career skills, apply for scholarships, participate in internships, and advocate on issues that are important to the students. This information is available to everyone through your Golden Eagle Territory (GET) account. Anthony Arellano, a senior in Television, Film, and Media stated, “I saw the fee on my GET and was confused about it. I was made aware that it’s optional through the school-related FAQ Facebook pages.”Although he
to use technology.” Furthermore, Beaupre’s vision for journalism as an Associate Chair can ultimately help determine where journalism at Cal State LA will be in five or ten years. Dr. Ramirez, who has watched journalism grow over the years, would like journalism to
expects the fee to help students, he did not know what its exact purpose was. Danielle Soibelman, Communications/Geography double major in her third year, explained that she did know about the fee, but also did not understand what it is for. “This fee seems like a good idea for those interested in student involvement; however, GET does not make it explicitly clear that it is optional, which likely peeves students,” Soibelman said. “The two dollars aren’t worth the hassle to some people.” Soibelman explains, that though the fee sets out to help students, they may still be reluctant if it doesn’t apply to them.
break away from the Television, Film, and Media Studies umbrella in the future. “I would like to see journalism be it’s own entity due to it having less resources, attention, and visibility,” Ramirez said. He believes that having Beaupre as the Associate Chair is the first step toward that vision.
After Arellano read the information he responded. “I think that’s definitely a good idea to fund these resources and opportunities, I was reluctant to fund something I wasn’t made aware of, but now I would be fine with paying the $2 optional fee.” In order to opt out of the fee all you need to do is visit GET, and then go to account inquiry. Once you have found the fee you can select the “opt out” button to avoid paying. It is recommended by the Financial Aid Office that you opt out of the payment by October 14th.
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Sept. 28, 2015
NOTICIAS DE LATINOAMÉRICA
“Lamento boliviano” Bolivia y Chile se disputan la zona con salida al mar Por Martha J. Orellana
Terror en Siria
POLÍTICA
Miles de sirios huyendo de sus tierras Fotografía | Crédito: ecuanime.es
Millones de sirios en busca de refugio Por Graciela López Siria sufre una crisis aterradora a causa de la guerra civil que comenzó hace casi cuatro años. La situación empeoró el pasado verano cuando la cifra de muertos aumentó de manera drástica. Millones de personas han pedido asilo político principalmente a diversos países europeos, incluyendo a Francia, Alemania, España y Macedonia. Estados Unidos, por su parte, anunció que podría ofrecer asilo a diez mil ciudadanos sirios, además ofrecería una ayuda monetaria de cuatrocientos millones de dólares. No todos los ciudadanos de esta patria que piden asilo político son aceptados por otros países debido a que no hay suficientes fondos para tragedias como esta. España, por ejemplo, ha rechazado más de la mitad de peticiones de protección internacional de acuerdo a El Informador. La cifra de muertos ascendió
a cerca de doscientos mil, por lo cual hay fotografías circulando en Internet que muestran el desolador panorama del actual país sirio. La fotografía que más impactó al mundo fue la de Aylan Kurdi, un niño sirio de tres años, que fue encontrado muerto en una playa de Turquía al tratar de huir de su país. Dicha imagen conmovió al mundo entero y causó que se hicieran distintas versiones de la misma para concientizar a la humanidad de lo que está pasando en esa nación de Asia occidental. A diario se escuchan casos desalentadores de la violencia que se encuentra en cada rincón de Siria. Personas de todas las edades han sido víctimas de ataques y amenazas por parte de los grupos islámicos que aterrorizan a la población. A causa de esto, miles de ciudadanos se desplazan para salir lo más pronto posible de territorio sirio en busca de un lugar más seguro. Estos grupos acampan en su recorrido y llegan a nuevas comunidades con la esperanza de ser aceptados para así vivir en paz.
La Onda hace una cordial invitación a todos los estudiantes de español que deseen publicar artículos, noticias, anuncios o cualquier otro escrito sobre temas relevantes para la comunidad estudiantil. Nuestro objetivo es mantener informados a los alumnos de esta universidad y nuestra misión es conservar el legado de nuestra página periodística en español con la participación de ustedes. Nota: tener trabajos publicados no solo le ayudará a reforzar su español, sino también a construir un curriculum más fuerte. Además, si está trabajando en su licenciatura, puede agregar sus publicaciones y crear un portafolio más convincente.
Con bailes, gritos y lágrimas de júbilo celebraron los bolivianos el primer fallo a favor de Bolivia que emitió la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ), La Haya. En el 2013, el presidente boliviano Evo Morales, demandó a Chile ante la CIJ exigiendo la zona que perdió con salida al mar a finales del siglo XIX. En la Guerra del Pacífico Bolivia perdió el Departamento de Atacama (zona junto al Mar Pacífico). Desde entonces, los bolivianos han quedado sin un terreno propio con acceso al océano, situación que ha complicado los procesos de comercio y transportación del país. Este caso se debate en las cortes y se considera que su solución tomará mucho más tiempo a pesar de que el Tribunal Internacional de Justicia de la ONU declaró poder solucionar esta demanda. Chile cree que una decisión a favor de esta demanda entorpecería el Pacto de Bogotá y el Tratado Americano de Soluciones Pacíficas.
Bolivianos festejando el primer fallo a favor de su país Fotografía | Crédito:http://boliviaexigesumar.blogspot.com
En este momento, ambos países se preparan para una nueva defensa en la que se expondrán tanto la petición boliviana como la negación de este derecho por parte de Chile. Se espera que los jueces encargados del caso decidan si Chile tendrá que negociar con Bolivia el derecho de salida al Pacífico.
esta cifra aumentará.
A pesar de que Bolivia ha tenido libre tránsito de personas y para mercancía, no tiene control del territorio y esto obliga a los bolivianos a pagar costos por el paso y por sus transportaciones.
De acuerdo a los representantes chilenos, el convenio está por escrito y “nada de lo que alegue La Paz puede afectar ese texto y por eso el CIJ no es el foro adecuado para ver este caso”. Mientras tanto, Bolivia argumenta que ellos no intentan modificar el Tratado sino que Chile reconozca su negativa “a negociar de buena fe un acuerdo diferente”.
Como señaló Isabel Ferrer en un artículo publicado esta semana en El País, “Bolivia exporta anualmente 1,6 millones de toneladas de materias primas a través de los puertos chilenos”. Se predice que de ganar la demanda,
Aunque Chile mostraba voluntad a dar acceso de salida a su vecino, Bolivia está decidida a recuperar la zona perdida con salida al mar. No obstante, Chile sostiene que este caso está solucionado desde 1904 con el tratado que aún sigue vigente.
LITERATURA
Adiós a Carmen Balcells “Mamá Grande del ‘boom’ latinoamericano” Por Mindy E. Galindo De acuerdo a informes del Ministerio de Cultura Española, el pasado 21 de septiembre falleció la destacada agente literaria Carmen Balcells en Barcelona a la edad de 85 años. Balcells, fue agente literaria de escritores del “boom” latinoamericano, entre ellos seis galardonados con el premio Nobel de Literatura y otros autores españoles. Tras la fundación de su agencia literaria en 1956, Balcells administró los derechos de autor de grandes escritores tales como el colombiano Gabriel García Márquez, el peruano Mario Vargas Llosa y el chileno Pablo Neruda. El gobierno español otorgó a Balcells la Medalla de Oro
De izquierda a derecha: Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Edwards, Mario Vargas Llosa, José Donoso y Muñoz Suay en casa de Carmen Balcells,--1974. Fotografía | Crédito: http://www.tvn-2.com
al Mérito de las Bellas Artes en el 2000. Durante los últimos cincuenta años colaboró muy de cerca con más de doscientos autores españoles y latinoamericanos. Muchos de ellos obtuvieron galardones literarios en ambos extremos del Atlántico. Vargas Llosa expresó al diario El País que “Carmen Balcells revolucionó la vida cultural
española al cambiar drásticamente las relaciones entre los editores y autores de nuestra lengua”. “Gracias a ella los escritores de la lengua española comenzamos a firmar contratos dignos y a ver nuestros derechos respetados”, agregó el escritor. Descanse en paz quien hizo posible el boom literario latinoamericano.
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University Times
Sept. 28, 2015
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Ido Tadmor and Elwira Piorun: Duets An illustrious collaboration held at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. Cheyenne Elizondo Contributor
On Saturday, September 26th, 2015 at 8:30pm, Ido Tadmor and Elwira Piorun returned to the Luckman Theatre at Cal State LA for an extraordinary ballet performance. The ballet, Ido Tadmor & Elwira Piorun, portrayed two lovers as they go through difficulties and growth in their relationship. It was a little over an hour in length and consisted of two acts. Ido Tadmor, a famous performer and choreographer in Israel choreographed the first act titled “Engage.” British choreographer Rachel Erdos choreographed the second act titled “Rust.” Both of these pieces will be a duet performance by Tadmor and Piorun in their stunning collaboration. The narrative of the performance was familiarizing to some. “The story is transferred across the audience through a lot of physical elements,” Tadmor said. “I think it can relate to a lot of stories around the world. The audience can come out with the ability to relate to their own private,
Photo Courtesy | Gadi Dagon
intimate stories to what they are seeing on stage.” Tadmor explains his experience working with the well-known Polish dancer Piorun. He met her 3-and-a-half years ago while he was teaching a class in Warsaw, Poland. “She came to take a class. When I saw her in class I really fell in love with her qualities as a dancer and her inner
and outer beauty,” Tadmor said. “I had actually decided that I would like to dance with her. After class we spoke about it and we decided that we were going to do everything possible to collaborate.” After a few months he invited her to work with him in Israel. Last month, this performance became very successful and they have traveled around the world with these two pieces, and now they are back at
the Luckman after a period of two years. This performance was great way to start off the 2015-16 school year, and there are many more to come! Future events can be viewed on the Luckman website: luckmanarts.org. Tickets for future performances can be purchased via Ticketmaster or the Luckman Theatre box office. Don’t forget your student discount!
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CAL STATE LA SPORTS Golden Eagles' soccer defends division title NCAA Division II West Region Champs reach top national polls. Cal State LA Athletics Contributor
Cal State LA’s men’s soccer team, the defending NCAA Division II West Region champs, has moved back into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Top-25. The Golden Eagles, following shutout wins over Sonoma State and Humboldt State in California Collegiate Athletic Association contests last week, are ranked
25th in the latest national poll released on Tuesday by the NSCAA. Cal State LA (4-0-1, 2-0 CCAA) has won four straight games since a season-opening tie at Western Washington. Cal State LA, which won its second West Region championship in the past four years in 2014, was ranked No. 6 in the nation in the NSCAA’s preseason poll. The Golden Eagles then inexplicably fell out of the national rankings after tying Western Washington, 1-1, and beating Saint Martin’s, 4-0, in a season-opening trip to Washington. The Golden Eagles re-appeared in the national poll this week.
Photo by Darryl Dennis
Seattle Pacific is the highestranked team from the West Region, checking in at No. 3, while Cal State Dominguez Hills
Golden Eagles move into national top-25 poll
Photo by Darryl Dennis
Iona Lofrano takes the Golden Eagles to new heights. Cal State LA Athletics Contributor
For the first time since 2010, Cal State LA’s women’s volleyball has moved into national top-25. The Golden Eagles, who are off to a 10-1 start, are ranked No. 25 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s Top-25 poll released on Monday. Cal State LA is appearing in the national top-25 for the first time since the Golden Eagles were No. 23 on Sept. 27, 2010. The Golden Eagles are in the weekly national top-25 poll for the 175th time, which is 16th among all NCAA Division II programs and second
among all California Collegiate Athletic Association programs. Cal State LA (10-1, 3-0 CCAA) is one of five NCAA Division II West Region programs to be ranked this week. Alaska Anchorage is ranked No. 11, Western Washington is No. 15, Cal State San Bernardino is No. 17 and Point Loma is No. 24. Cal State LA is off to its best start since 2005 when the Golden Eagles won their first 11 matches on their way to a West Region championship. The 2000 team had the best start to a season by winning its first 30 matches before falling in the NCAA playoffs to end its season at 30-1. Two-time All-American Iona Lofrano leads the Golden Eagles and is second in the CCAA with 148 kills and 4.11 kills per set.
Lofrano also leads in points with 158. Junior JamieAnn Bero is second in the conference in hitting percentage at .433 and is third on the team in kills with 87 and second in points with 112.5. She leads the team in blocks with 22. Junior Lauren Gomez is second on the team with 90 kills. Sophomore Kelsey Molnar is fifth in the conference with 336 set assists (9.88 per set) and second on the team in service aces with 12. Junior newcomer Chloe Clancy leads the team with 127 digs. Cal State LA has three tough matches set for this week. The Golden Eagles will host Cal Poly Pomona on Wednesday, be at UC San Diego on Friday and at No. 17 Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday.
is ranked No. 14. Northwest Nazarene checks in at No. 22 and Cal State L.A. is the fourth West Region team to be ranked at No. 25. Cal State LA, which led the nation in save percentage and goals against average in 2014, is No. 4 in the nation so far this year in goals against average at 0.38. The Golden Eagles have allowed two goals in their first five games. Goalkeepers Anthony Perez and Steven Barrera have both played well. They each have one shutout and they also combined for a third shutout in the team’s first five games. The starting backline of Daniel Guzman, Lucas Rio Torto, Samuel Kersh and Kaan Gultoprak has been solid and the Golden Eagles have allowed only 34 shots in five games. Troy Dumlao has scored a team-high three goals, including two against Sonoma State in a 2-0 win last Friday. Herbert Biste
has two goals and Joshua Cortez also has two goals, both scored in a 2-0 win over Humboldt State on Sunday. Marvin Iskra has a team-best three assists and one goal for five points, while Shahin Hemat and Tobias Tobrant have two assists and one goal each. Cal State LA has outscored its competition, 11-2, this season.
Sept. 28, 2015
University Times
OP-ED
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The joy of caring less Sometimes valuable lessons come from unexpected places. Jake Kozak Contributor
I was chatting with an older friend about this article, and he asked what I would be writing about. I explained that it would be giving a bit of advice about growing up and emerging as a sexual being. He laughed and said that his advice is simple; no matter what point you are in your life, in five years, you won’t care about everything nearly so much, so just get out there enjoy yourself. In my own life, I find that my friend is right. Things that seemed incredibly important to me just a few years ago seem to matter much less to me now. For example, I was raised in an
extremely religious household, and the concept of sex was utterly taboo. The only time sex was discussed was in church, and they only mentioned it to remind us that if you have sex before marriage, you will go straight to hell. I vividly remember during a youth meeting, they put tape on someone’s arm and pulled it off. Then they passed around the piece of spent tape and showed that it got less sticky each time someone put it on their arm. The message about sex was clear: if you have too many partners, sex won’t be nearly so meaningful. When I was fifteen, I told my boyfriend that I was saving myself for marriage, but just a couple of years after that, this whole idea seemed laughable to me. So what had changed? Well, for starters, I did. This isn’t about me losing my faith or giving into my hormones. No, my decision was based on pure pragmatism. I realized I might never get
married, and I wanted to know what the rest of the population was so excited about. More importantly, I realized that I was more than just a piece of tape losing its stickiness. My sexuality isn’t something that is diminished through use, and sex doesn’t get less momentous with the more partners you’ve had. In some cases, more partners give you more opportunities to learn and grow. Even if I don’t remember my first booty call’s name, I’ll always remember the things he taught me about open communication and generosity. None of this is to say, of course, that you should go out there and have sex with a bunch of partners just because you think it might be a good learning experience. If you don’t want to have sex, then don’t. There’s no reason to plunge into anything that you’re not ready for or force yourself to do something that makes you uncomfortable. A huge part of becoming an awesome person
Photo by Jake Kozak
(and sex partner!) is learning what works best for you and doing it, regardless of what other people might think. I went to a rock concert recently, and there was a man in his sixties in a sea of twenty-somethings, jumping up and down and dancing like there was no tomorrow. He was singing the words to every song and seemed completely immersed in the moment. My first instinct was to think that he was a crazy fool, and that he should act his age. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that he was out to have a good time, just like the rest of us. The difference is that he didn’t care how he looked. I thought about all the times I’ve held back because someone might laugh at me, and thought about how freeing it would be to be old and stop caring what other people
thought. Then again, why wait to get old? I could start right now. I could be present in the moment and dance like a fool without a care for who sees me. My friend is right. In five years, am I going to remember who laughed at me for my crazy dance moves, or am I going to remember being there, feeling the music and being in the moment? At the end of the day, we all have to do what’s best for us. What’s best for me is to care less about the little stuff, and focus on what’s important. Check out the University Center for ways to ensure your sexual experiences are safe, and keep talking with your partner about what you both like. But most of all, as long as you’re safe and doing what makes you happy, that’s what matters.
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Sept. 28, 2015
OP-ED
Understanding racism as a system Understanding racism has a system and the importance of ethnic studies departments in universities. Jonathan Cotto Contributor
Although some of us may not want to see it this way, America is still under racial warfare in many ways. Racial tensions and increasing attacks fueled by racism are constantly occurring across the nation. We see it on television everyday; churches are being set on fire, police brutality, misconduct and shootings are being exposed more now than ever before. In such times, when the American elite such as Steve King, Donald Sterling and Donald Trump are among the many that are blatantly exposing their racism on national television, it just comes as a concern.
Where there was fire ashes remain, and early in the 1950’s, racism was certainly a thriving bonfire. Many would suggest that social, civil and racial injustices have improved and have come a long way. However, embers of those racial fires have been re-ignited and are regaining unprecedented force in the 21st Century. Is racism a system by which our country has operated by for hundreds of years? Racism cannot in fact be categorized as an individual notion, thought or action of discrimination but as a reinforced institution. White supremacy is the belief that whites are superior to those of all other races and should therefore dominate the society. This supremacy is only a myth to some and an actual standing doctrine to others who believe that many of our country’s elites abide by. Regardless of the debate, one thing bears truth and that is history. History has demonstrated that there has always been an oppressor and an oppressed. Power and privilege is what the oppressor has used over
Photo courtesy 1law4all.kiwi.nz
the oppressed in the racial system. In 2012, the topic of an Ethnic Studies ban was circulating in Capitol Hill. The state of Arizona was attempting to rid universities of implementing or continuing Ethnic Studies in their school systems. This was a reflection of our country’s ability to handle a changing demography with political power with no intentions of acknowledging any educational attainment. A broader understanding of yesterday’s and today’s issues is needed to enhance the knowledge required to counteract racism. This is exactly why departments such as Pan-African and Latin American studies are so important. “Racism and white
supremacy is not aboriginal,” Dr. Armstrong, a Pan-African Dept. Professor, said. “In ethnic studies we talk about the social and historical context of racism.” Author, veteran and a race relation specialist Dr. Neely Fuller stated, “If you don’t understand racism/white supremacy everything else that you think you understand will only confuse you”. Racism however, is not only an American system. It is a universal system of thought, language and action; a system of dominance through power. While racial tensions are high in America, it is in fact a global phenomenon bigger than most of us can imagine and requires a
quick solution. In understanding racism as a system, we can have a better understanding as to why certain elite figures such as Trump express the way they do towards other races. Are other Americans who hold elite positions in our society sharing the same sentiment as Trump? Are our country’s leaders putting into work this system of racism through laws and policies? The answers can be daunting and unclear yet it appears we are reliving the history. In order to make sense of all of the racial issues and chaos our world is experiencing we must present the right questions, and the questions will have to come from our youth.
15 THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Sept. 28, 2015
University Times
EVENT CALENDAR MONDAY 28 TUESDAY 29 th
th
Walter Askin Now until October 24 5:00p.m., Luckman Gallery
Walter Askin Now until October 24 5:00p.m., Luckman Gallery
Golden Eagle Week: Carnival 2:00p.m., U-SU Plaza, 1st Floor U-SU
Golden Eagle Week: Pop-Up Picnic 2:00p.m, U-SU Plaza, 1st Floor, U-SU
WEDNESDAY 30th Carnegie Junior Fellows Info Session 3:15p.m. to 4:15p.m., King Hall D145 Golden Eagle Week: Eagle House Blues 6:30p.m., U-SU Plaza, 1st Floor, U-SU
FRIDAY 2nd
THURSDAY 1st Calstatelaut Golden Eagle Week: Spirit Day 2:00p.m., U-SU Plaza, 1st Floor, U-SU
facebook.com/CsulaUT
Cal State L.A. Fight the Ladykiller Codeathon (All day) to Sunday, October 4, 2015 (All day), University-Student Union
Calstatelaut
Summer 2015 Photo Recap
Photo by Jonathan Cotto
Photo by Pablo De La Hoya
Photo courtesy | Cal State LA Public Affairs
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