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December 5, 2016
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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
Student sought for pulling false fire alarm Gerardo Amezquita Editor In-Chief University authorities are looking for a male student who allegedly set off a false fire alarm in the Music building on Nov. 10 around 1:30 P.M., according to a statement by Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Rick Wall.
Emilio Flores
Mayor of Los Angeles Eric Garcetti (left) meets with President Covino (right) in the Student Union
Mayor Eric Garcetti and University “team up” for youth leadership summit Alicia Moss Advertising Assistant On Friday morning, Cal State LA hosted the Central American Youth Leadership Conference – an event organized by Homies Unidos that provided workshops and access to services for over 300 youths and their families.
students ran from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and began with a welcome and inauguration which was attended by both Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Cal State LA President William A. Covino. Both the Mayor’s Office and the University “teamed up” to help hold this Homies Unidos conference, according to Cal State LA’s Facebook page.
The conference for high school
Issue 213.16
Homies Unidos “works to end violence and promote peace in our communities by empowering youth and their families to become advocates for social justice rather than agents of self-destruction. [They] offer an alternative vision to incarceration, deportation, and repressive and ineffective zero-tolerance ‘gang abatement’ and ‘band-aid’ social service strategies,” as stated (Continued to Page 11)
A faculty member captured a photograph of the man as he walked through the halls of the Music Building during the anti-Trump student protest and walkout on Nov. 10, which briefly closed the westbound 10 Freeway because students walked down the overpass on Campus Road into rush hour traffic. “I understand you’re upset about an election but placing another person in danger, especially a person who may have voted the same way you did, is not acceptable,” said Chief Wall. “I understand the reason to try to force people to come out but the problem with pulling a fire alarm is that it is a public safety issue.” Chief Wall said that the male student faces the possibility of criminal charges depending on the city attorney’s discretion and a judicial affairs hearing by the University.
Under California Penal Code 148.4, any person who tampers with or breaks a fire alarm or fire protection equipment, triggers a false fire alarm, or makes a false report of a fire and does so knowingly and maliciously can be prosecuted. The offense is a misdemeanor where the highest penalty can be up to 1 year in county jail, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both. T h e Student Chief Wall C o n d u c t Office, the entity responsible for investigating reports of violations to the Student Conduct Code, will set a formal disciplinary hearing to determine the appropriate sanctions, which could potentially range from disciplinary probation to suspension or expulsion, according to the guide provided on their website. Cal State LA
Due to the ongoing investigation status, a photograph will be made available on our website as soon as the Public Safety Department releases it. The University authorities are seeking the student body’s help to identify the student. (Continued to Page 10)
Taking “skrrt” too literally Carlos Gomez Web Editor On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to an accident on campus around 12 P.M. near the University-Student Union. The incident involved Cal State LA student Matt Lopez, who was driving his motorcycle on campus. According to Robert Lopez, executive director of the department of communications and public affairs, “The motorcycle accident, which occurred in the afternoon on Nov. 29, was the result of speeding.
The driver lost control as he accelerated after the stop sign and hit the curb.”
status. “My motorcycle hit an oil slick and I ended up breaking my shin”
by the University Times, students expressed concern over their safety around this crosswalk.
Oscar Alanis, senior broadcast journalism major, witnessed the aftermath of the accident. “I noticed a couple ambulances and fire trucks. When I looked closer I saw a man with a neck brace laying against a rail, being attended by a couple paramedics. Lying to the right was his motorcycle.”
With one account contradicting the other, it will be difficult to provide the true nature of the cause of the accident. Nonetheless, the student was injured, but made it out with his life. Robert Lopez stated that after LAFD responded and treated the student, “he was transported to the hospital.”
However, Robert Lopez assures students that there should be no concern. “Officers from the Department of Public Safety routinely monitor this area to ensure that drivers follow the speed limit and do not endanger pedestrians. Safety is the top priority.”
This occurrence happened in close proximity to the U-SU crosswalk that goes to the Television, Film and Media building, what students refer to “The Hill.” In a previous article
Matt Lopez is a frequent contributor to the University Times, a member of Golden Eagle Radio, as well as Young Americans for Freedom.
Through further investigation, the name of the student was revealed when he contacted his friends through text to inform them of the incident and his
FEATURE
NEWS Page 9 -Cal State La's Secret Santa
J. Aaron Delgado
Matt Lopez
NEWS Page 7 --
Exploring the case to legalize prostitution
Page 12 --
Criminal Justice majors share their views on police shootings
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University Times
December 5, 2016
A real fluff piece Mind Matters welcomes back therapy animals just in time for finals Janice Peregrina Staff Reporter Finals week in the new semester system is sure to feel like dangerous uncharted waters to many students. With tension and pro-
crastination running high, it’s always a blessing when the campus provides outlets for those negative feelings of frustration. The reintroduction of the wildly popular Break 4 Paws event, where students can interact with lovable therapy animals, was a welcome addition to lessen exam stress at semester’s end on Tuesday afternoon.
The Mind Matters program partnered with the nonprofit group Love on 4 Paws to bring four volunteer animals to the Main Walkway to interact with students in between classes. Love on 4 Paws is a volunteer organization based in Los Angeles that is “committed to making a positive difference for those in need through animal assisted therapy,” according to their website. Along
Janice Peregrina
Yurushi Fox was one of the many therapy pets present
with school campuses, these lovely people also bring these therapy animals to hospitals and clinics to comfort those who are anxious and to generally brighten their days. Three therapy dogs -- and one therapy cat --- were definitely brightening the days of the students who came to see them. Students squealed in delight, snapchatted them to friends, and generally showered them in love and affection. It was apparent that these animals were having a positive and de-stressing effect on the student body, as smiles abounded. “I liked Mr. Scruffles the best,” said Brenda, after visiting the pets with her friends. “His head was so soft.” Mr. Scruffles is a calm, seven-year-old Yorkshire terrier mix. His owner Delilah was supervising her other dog Yurushi Fox right next to him. Yurushi is a newer therapy dog, who finished his training in July after being rescued just a year ago. Therapy animal training mainly calls for the animal to have a “good temperament” and to be “good with kids and other animals,” according to a volunteer from Love on 4 Paws. After an animal is screened and passes those factors, it must go through obedience training so that it is comfortable around new people and new surroundings.
NEWS The therapy cat, a green-eyed beauty named Summer, was a little nervous and shaky being outside on the big university campus, because according to her volunteer, she is used to being indoors in hospitals. However, she remained calm and allowed students to pet and interact with her. One of the more senior volunteer therapy dog, an eight-yearold black Labrador named Windy, was dressed in an adorable snowman costume and was definitely the most active dog of the bunch. She repeatedly licked faces and even “spoke,” much to the delight of her admirers. Windy has been a therapy dog since she was two years old. It was heartening to see that the volunteers were having as much fun as students. Windy’s volunteer talked about how she enjoyed coming to Cal State LA and other university campuses, as she “remembered how stressful college can be.” All the volunteers graciously answered questions students asked and helped pose the animals for pictures, as well as letting students hand the animals treats. Overall, the event had a calm and cute atmosphere and was well manned by the Mind Matters staff. For more information on Love on 4 Paws, visit their website at loveon4paws.org.
Moon-lit Breakfast Center for Student Involvement hosts the annual evening breakfast for students. Marcela Valdivia Staff Reporter Cal State LA hosted another successful Moonlight Breakfast with a packed house at the Golden Eagle Ballroom on Wednesday evening. “Moonlight breakfast is a really good idea and I'm glad our campus is keeping it up,” said Kyle Bernardino, communication major. A long line of students waited at the University-Student Union to obtain their tickets for the Moonlight Breakfast. The magical night counted with free food, live music, a photo booth, and free cups bearing our campus’ logo. Faculty served students egg, bacon, waffles, biscuits, coffee, and orange juice. “It was an amazing way to celebrate the end of the stressful semester all while preparing for finals and a nice break from all of our crazy lives. Food, staff, and entertainment were spectacular,” said Michelle Quan, management major. Most students believed this was the perfect way to relieve some stress before finals as thousands of students finish their adaptation
from the quarter to semester conversion. “This is a very intriguing event that helps in creating a comfortable and stress relieving event for students. It would be great if there are more events like these throughout the semester,” said Jesse Quintanilla, communication major. At the end of the night, students went home satisfied with the event. Copious students walked out of the Golden Eagle Ballroom meeting new people and creating new friendships. “I really like that our University introduced this moonlight breakfast activity for the students because it basically allows us to stop worrying about finals and release some stress with good music and of course if you have a full belly you have a happy heart, so basically that is already a plus for us as students,” said Eduardo Rojas, communication major. “I'm been to moonlight breakfast in the previous years and it has always been really nice and there has always been a lot of social interaction.” The late-night breakfast was from 8 P.M. to 10 P.M. for students with a valid student ID. The next Moonlight Breakfast will occur at the end of the Spring semester for students to enjoy a wonderful night once again. Hollywood Photobooth
Cal State LA Students pose in a photobooth at moonlight breakfast
3 NEWS
University Times
December 5, 2016
Cal State LA researchers made SAE International on energy management system Electrified and thrilled for Clean and Sustainable Energy Marrian Zhou Managing Editor Climate change has gotten everybody on edge in recent years, with the fluctuating temperatures across the world and the latest announcement of Donald Trump as President of the United States. To levitate the problem, Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) are highly recommended for consumers. However, with the expensive costs of the HEVs and EVs, as well as their battery replacements, it is difficult to convince the consumers to commit to the down payment. Dr. Masood Shahverdi and Khashayar Olia from Cal State LA cooperated with Michael Mazzola and Abdelwahed Sherif from Mississippi State University to design an Energy Management System (EMS) with Model Predictive Control-based (MPC) al-
gorithm for a special type of Electric Heavy-duty trucks to control the amount of electricity being purchased from the grid and attempt to provide a longer life for battery system. Their research paper was published on SAE International, the prestigious Society for Automotive Engineers with more than 127,000 members worldwide.
mer student of Dr. Shahverdi, he works for Transpower--a company that offers “advanced clean transportation and energy storage systems in San Diego. They design different class of full electric heavy-duty trucks, such as Drayage trucks, school buses, yard tractors and so on.“ We were inspired with one of
the project and decided to design a new EMS to not only attempt to provide a longer life for battery but also offer low electricity consumption,” according to Dr. Shahverdi. With that inspiration, the group thrived to find “the best scientific way to implement it in real environment,” said Olia. Based on
“High purchase prices along with long payback times act as major barriers for HEVs customers,” said Olia. “The two major life and operating cost of the HEVs are electricity price and battery replacement cost which play a significant role in choosing a HEV. HEV owners needs to pay relatively high value for electricity and/or battery replacement over the vehicle life. So, in order to reduce the cost of electricity purchased by customers and to try to conserve the on-board battery system.” The joint research group was inspired by one of Olia’s projects at his workplace. Olia was a for-
Cal State LA
Massod Shahverdi
Khashayar Olia
a paper they submitted to IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC) 2016, they worked on this topic for over a year. When asked what they see in the future of energy management, they both expressed that the demands of HEVs will increase and more efficient EMS will be necessary. “As we move forward, the more advanced EMS is designed to lower the electricity cost, to elongate the battery life and to boost the performance. So we'll definitely be seeing more advanced EMSs in automotive industries and we hope that by developing our EMS, it will find its place among the future automotive technologies.” Currently, the group is attempting to improve the system performance and publish it in a peer-reviewed journal article. They have just submitted a digest to ITEC 2017 on an application of MPC on Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles.
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December 5, 2016
University Times
The verdict on semester Students weigh in on the semester System thus far Alina Ogle Contributor
The struggle is real. Whether you love or loath the change to the semester system, after 15 weeks of classes, the finish line is in sight. The conversion to the semester system has been now been tried and tested and one thing is certain: it is here to stay.
For those students who were used to the quarter system, it is not uncommon to hear the moans and groans of longing for the days of the short quarter system. “My brain feels like mush. It’s taking everything to get through the last few weeks,” said senior Alex Finley. “The only good thing is a long winter break. That’s what keeps me going,” he added. Students often cited that the
UN I V E R S I T Y T IMES
Editor-in-Chief Gerardo Amezquita Managing Editor Marrian Zhou
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quarter system was better for grades because you would have three quarters to know where you would stand with grades, allowing more time to redeem yourself if you were failing. Still, students complained the quarter system was too fast paced. Navigating the new system was a challenge for both students and faculty. It was common to hear from professors that either they tried to fit too much material in, or they went through all the material too quickly. Adjustments to course syllabi were not out of the norm. “I’ve had several professors revise their syllabus a few times. It kind of made it even more important to go to class, just to
make sure you didn’t miss any important changes,” said senior Marianna Zohrabian. There are pros and cons to each of the different systems simply comes down to preference and for those who don’t know the difference, it’s just another semester at school. When asked how she felt about the semester system, freshman Sheila Chan said, “I came from semesters in high school so it all seems normal to me. We didn’t get as long as a winter break either, so I’m not complaining,” later adding, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so over this semester like everyone else.” Some students favored the
NEWS shorter class sessions and longer program time. Other students said they enjoyed the semester system because they were able to network better with their peers and professors since they would be in the classes for a longer period than the quarter. “I was able to take more classes than I normally do in quarters. I liked it because I was able to knock out more of my requirements due to scheduling,” said junior Owen Ruiz. “Yeah, it’s longer but I’d rather have shorter classes.” Change isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always go smoothly, but at least this adjustment ends with a five-week break.
Resources available to students during finals Cross Cultural Center ‘s survival guide Sylvia Valdez Intern
Has the stress kicked in yet, or has the holiday spirit sugar coated for what’s about to come? Finals week is among us. Deadlines need to be met, Powerpoints need to be presented, and essays need to be rushed. Some people go for walks, some people scream at the top of their lungs, and then the few who binge watch on Netflix instead of studying. Whatever the case may be, here are some resources you may use during this dire time. Fredrick Smith, a charming and joyous fellow, sat down to talk about some of the great resources they offer students for finals week.
during difficult times. As many of you know, finals week will put your multitasking abilities to the max. When as how many finals he had take this term, Tony Tang, a senior, proclaimed “Four!” Tang, along with a few members with from the Asian Pacific Islanders Student Resource Center, expressed their concerns for finals week. On average, they’re taking 3-5 finals. When asked how they plan on preparing for finals, Minh Triet, the group’s youth leader and community organizer, answered “Late night study sessions at coffee shops.” He jokingly added Boba cafes. Another helpful resource the CCC provides is study space, computers, microwaves and refrigerators, and a small library
collection of books, journals, magazines, and website listings. Fall 2016 is the first semester term, breaking from a record long quarter system. When asked them if the conversion had any effect on them, Triet passionately nodded before I could finish the sentence; he knew exactly where I was going. “It’s caused a lot of stress, with work and planning ahead.” Whatever your methods of studying are, be it visiting the Cross Cultural Center in the University-Student Union or cramming sessions at your local Starbucks, may the curve be ever in your favor. Finals week hours for the CCC will be Monday through Thursday from 8 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Smith is responsible for the four campus resources located at the Cross Cultural Center (CCC), which include: Asian Pacific Islanders, Pan African, Chicano, Gender and Sexuality. For finals week, Smith mentioned that coffee, along with fresh fruit and granola bars, will be provided for students who use the facilities to study, in an event called “CCC Finals Week, Study Hours, and Study Assistance.” Smith’s goal is to provide mounts of support for students
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5 NEWS
University Times
December 5, 2016
Dreamer students ponder the future in the face of a Trump administration How Trump’s policies will affect the Dreamers students at Cal State LA Ani Nalbandian Staff Reporter With President-elect Trump set to begin his term in January, many undocumented students on campus will have more to worry about over the next four years than the average American citizen. The Cal State LA Dreamers students are woven into the fabric of the University, which is why both President William Covino and Chancellor Timothy White have made strong statements against the regression of immigration policies that could negatively affect students. Covino expressed his concerns for students through a campus wide email, “Our position is clear: Cal State LA will not enter into agreements with state or local law enforcement agencies, Homeland Security, or any other federal department, for the enforcement of federal immigration law. Our University Department of Public Safety will not honor immigration hold requests, and our officers will not contact, detain, question or arrest individuals solely on the basis of being – or suspected of being – a person who lacks documentation.” Trump’s campaign promises to deport all 11 million undocumented people living in the United States and would include many Cal State LA students who have been living here their entire lives. Rocio Diaz of the Glazer Family Dreamers Resource Center at Cal State LA explained, “the day after Trump won was a very emotional day. I have to be role model at the Dreamers Resource Center and can’t let students see me worry. We hold in our pain and move forward by working to protect and inform our students.” The Dreamers students at Cal State LA are undocumented students who meet certain criteria such as completing a California high school education and currently seeking citizenship status. They are eligible for private scholarships funded through the University, state financial aid, university grants and fee waivers. Catherine, only wanting to reveal her first name, an undocumented sophomore at Cal State LA recounted, “I was in high school when the Dream Act was being passed and joined student activists on May Day to pass out information about the law to the community at the marches.” Diaz and the Dreamers Resource Center have “… set up multiple ‘Know Your Rights’ Workshops in order to help students emotionally cope with the transition to a Trump
Student Dreamers socializing in the Glazer Family Dreamers Resource Center Administration. We are also collaborating with the Health Center to offer emotional counseling to Dreamers students.” There are certain protections currently in place for undocumented students like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), however Trump has promised to repeal the law, which would leave many of Cal State LA students without protection from deportation. DACA protections are only extended to persons who arrived to the U.S. at an early age. You must apply for the protection every two years and pay $500 for renewal.
Cal State LA has been historically in favor of equality and opportunity for undocumented students going all the way back to the 1968 East LA Walkouts. Led by Wilson High School, five thousand students including several from Cal State LA, demanded equality within the educational system and successfully communicated their demands to the Board of Education. Nearly 50 years later, undocumented students are facing an even harsher fate than sub-par educational standards.
immigration status prevents them from planning their futures too far in advance. Jose Guevara of the Dreamers Resource Center made clear his frustration, stating “it’s unfortunate to see Dreamers students struggling to create a future for themselves while other students live by philosophies such as ‘C’s get degrees.’” “In America we cannot become citizens by merit, but we can by marriage,” Guevara said. Both
Guevara and Diaz explained their disappointment in the immigration system that rewards people for getting married, but not for dedicating their lives to the improvement of their country and community.” If you would like more information regarding the event, please visit the Glazer Family Dreamers Resource Center located in the Student Affairs Building, Room 214.
Although Dreamers students have the support of Cal State LA, they continue to face challenges in the working world. Their Borrow up to
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6
December 5, 2016
University Times
FEATURE
What rating do professors give RateMyProfessors? Cal State LA professors give their take on the popular student rating website.
Mimi Li
Staff Reporter Student evaluations have changed over the years, but RateMyProfessors.com, a student rating site for professors in schools in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, has stayed in place since its founding in 1999.
The website offers students multiple ways to assess their professors. Students provide a rating from 1 to 5, and provide a brief description for their rating. They can select tabs for their ratings to let other students know about the course. These tabs include “lecture heavy,” “extra credit,” and “tough grader,” with some focusing on a professor’s personality such as “inspirational” and “gives good feedback.” Cal State LA professors were asked about their general thoughts about the site, and what advantages or disadvantages the site had. Computer Science professor
Russell Abbott did not see anything positive about the type of ratings system the website had to offer, nor was he “a fan of student evaluations in general.” In fact, he never looks at the website.
at the website for at least four years. While Valgeirsson personally does not find the site useful, he states that it could be helpful for students in terms of avoiding certain professors.
“There's nothing wrong with students talking to each other about their experiences with different professors, but that's a lot different from claiming to produce a ‘rating’ of any sort,” said Abbott. “The fact is, we don't know what makes a good instructor. No one should claim that they do.”
“I suppose it can be useful for students in terms of navigating level of work in various classes and see if there are repeated negative comments about a professor, especially regarding how they treat students,” says Valgeirsson.
Likewise, Sociology professor Gunnar Valgeirsson hasn’t looked
Political science professor Taylor Dark does not mind the website, stating that it could be useful for students looking for opinions
from other students in a way that is a publicly accessible. All three professors agree that the website has issues in sample size, for it only accounts for students who feel strongly enough to give feedback for or against a professor. “One problem with sites like RateMyProfessors is probably that the number of people who rate any one professor is too small to provide a representative sample,” says Abbott. The people most likely to write something on those sites are people who have strong positive or negative feelings. But those may not be representative of most students.” Sociology professor Dr. Liam Leonard believes that the site has potential for its platform for student expression. He points out that an improvement could be made by providing a balance of opinions by asking students to provide positive feedback as well as suggestions for change. Leonard concluded his comments by emphasizing the permanence of what is posted on the internet and reminding us that professors are more than what select students post about them.
RateMyProfessors.com
Students commonly use the popular website "Rate My Professor" to gain information about proffesors based on reviews from students
Understanding the ins and outs of renting
Kyle Frizol Intern
Throughout the country, thousands of properties are rented to individuals of all backgrounds and financial statuses. With strict agreement plans and lease rules, renters have little room to negotiate, and must take the contract issued at the time of renting word-for-word, or risk paying any number of fees, penalties, and even risk eviction. However, rental agreements and contracts often contain pages of otherwise dull legal jargon that is not relevant to the majority of individuals. Thus, it's rather easy to forget the rights that the renter has in the process. As college students, the thought of owning a property is nothing more than that; a goal for the future. For those that do not live with their parents, their options become limited to either dorming on campus, or renting a room or even a full house alongside friends. Regardless, the financial requirements to successfully rent a place to live for the semester is quite high, even by Los Angeles's hefty real estate standards.
“The disadvantages are once something is put online it seems permanent, when it could be a passing view or remark,” says Leonard. “The post of instructor is a profession which involves many areas such as research and administration which may be unseen to the student posting, and so it is an incomplete overview, which often seems to be a kneejerk reaction to a disappointing grade! Students might be better off spending their time preparing for exams and assignments.”
Regarding renters’ rights Even when successfully finding a place to rent and getting to the point of signing the leasing contract, many renters remain unknowing to the rights that they in fact possess once they sign a binding contract. These rights, specifically known as renter’s rights, are federally enforced and protect renters from the off chance of being wrongfully taken advantage of by a landlord. Whether dealing with a landlord that is charging high late fees, requires many months of deposit, or is pressuring the renter to move out before their scheduled move-out date, the importance of renter’s rights is paramount when it comes to successfully navigating the world of housing. In California, state court rulings enforce that landlords cannot charge more than 5-10 percent of rent in late fees. Based on this information, it is important for renters to address this, and other specifics, at the time of contract signing. If the renter does not address these types of details, then they will be forced to follow whatever rule, albeit lawful, that the landlord puts into place over the course of the lease agreement. Thus, it’s of the utmost importance for renters to be actively aware and conscious of the con-
tract that they are signing.
allotted time passes.
Furthermore, when it comes to the initial deposit to rent the property, the vast majority of landlords require a security deposit of between two and three months of rent to secure the notion that the renter intends on paying their rent and maintaining the agreement through the entirety of its predetermined duration. Included is the credit approval that is often required, which ensures the renter is good at paying their bills and will be both a reliable and safe person to rent the property to. In regards to the communication between renter and landlord, it's important for the renter to be aware of the inherent risks a landlord takes on by providing their property for months on end.
Once a renter has finished the lease, their direct deposit will be returned to them, that is if there is no damage done to the property that did not exist before their residence. However, if the renter damaged the property and did not repair it themselves under consent of the landlord, the amount of damage will be taken from their security deposit, in much the same fashion as a hotel deposit. Otherwise, it is the landlord’s responsibility to return the security deposit in no more than 21-days.
When it comes to accessing the property, renters should be aware that the landlord must provide at least a 24-hour notice before entering the property. This entails repairs, tours given to future tenants, and reports of questionable activity. However, when it comes time for a tenant to move-out, landlords are required to provide a full 48-hours for renters to prepare for inspection. Without proper notice, renters have the right to refuse access to the property unless an emergency occurs or the
When it comes to increasing rent, the lease agreement becomes even more important. If expressed in the contract that rent may or may not increase during the lease, then the landlord has free reign to do as they please. However, there are a few stipulations. If the landlord decides to increase rent, they must provide 30 days’ notice for an increase less than 10 percent of the total rent, and provide 60 days for any increase above 10 percent. This is especially important in month to month lease agreements where the renter will have to come up with more money as the lease continues. Lastly, it's important to note
that all of rights that the landlord possesses is found within the lease agreement. This includes raises in rent, details regarding payment, and stipulations such as the presence of pets, maximum number of tenants, and specific quiet hours. For renters, it's paramount to understand these rules, as they will differ from property to property. Thus, reading the fine print and asking specific questions can mean the difference between signing a restraining and stressful lease, and signing one where both parties have reached a fair agreement of expectations and desires. Ultimately, the responsibility of finding a property to rent and live in is held in the hands of the renter. Though there are in fact laws that protect the renter from a malicious landlord, the simple reality still remains that the property they are renting is not theirs, but simply an allotment of resources on a limited time schedule. Therefore, the expectations and rules that come with the property and found in the lease agreement should be known before making the final binding decision. If not, renters will find themselves with a rough few months ahead. The details are in the fine print.
7 FEATURE
December 5, 2016
University Times
The case to legalize prostitution Weed yes, sex work no; exploring the next frontier for vices
adults. Though Australia may be up for the change, it’s a bag of mixed emotions on Cal State LA’s campus. “It’s disgusting,” Britney Alvarado, a sophomore, said. “It’s not something that anyone should be proud to do.” Freshman Grace Peterson also commented on subject, saying “It’s not something that I would ever do, I think it’s sad that anyone would consider doing it, but if they want to I think it’s their right. And who knows maybe it would make it safer for them.”
Matt Lopez Contributor
Prostitution, as the saying goes, is one of the world’s oldest professions. In the early 1910s, the Department of Justice conducted a census of 310 cities in 26 states to tally the number of prostitutes in the U.S. At the time, the American population consisted of 22 million women ages fifteen to forty-four. If the DOJ numbers are to be believed, 1 of every 110 women in that age range was a prostitute. But most prostitutes, about 85 percent, were in their 20s. In that age range, 1 out of every 50 American women was a prostitute. Why was such a taboo profession so appealing to young women at the time? Well in the early 1800s and early 1900s it was typical for a woman who worked in a brothel to make anywhere from 25,000 thousand to 400,000 dollars at today’s value in comparison to a woman who worked with her hands as a shopkeeper, who made 6 dollars a week or about 6,000 Dollars. And surprisingly some brothels even provided healthcare, food, and a decent education for its workers and a form of protection. But as the years past the liberalization of sexual mores meant that men no longer found a need to pay for sex as frequently. In fact, it has been noted that 20 percent of American men born between 1933 and 1942 had their first sexual encounter with a prostitute, as opposed to today. Though the demand for prostitution has decreased over the years and the wages for most prostitutes is nothing in comparison to what it once was, there are still many women and some men
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Prostitution, falling under sex work, remains illegal in majority of the United States who make their living through the cludes prostitution, pornography, tive government of New South sexual use of their body. In fact, and sexual performance done in Wales, Australia’s most populous in some places around the world exchange for any item of value state, decided not to regulate that the term prostitute has been left like money, food, shelter, and state’s previously legalized sex behind and replaced with the sometimes even drugs. The obvi- industry. Jules Kim, the CEO of term “sex worker.” The change to ous difference between the two is Scarlet Alliance, the Australian a less pejorative term is warrant- consent. Sex Workers Association, greeted ed by a shift in attitudes toward the news with relief, saying that No one wants to legalize coer- decriminalization delivered “outsex workers that contributed to Amnesty International’s decision cion, violence, or fraud in the sex standing outcomes for sex workin May to urge governments to industry, or the use of sex workers ers’ health and safety.” repeal laws criminalizing the ex- who are not adults. But some orchange of sex for money by con- ganizations campaigning against The Sex Workers Outreach senting adults. trafficking have come to an un- Project agreed that decriminalderstanding that when sex work ization led to better health for sex Amnesty International’s appeal is illegal, it is much riskier for sex workers, and enabled them to be was met by a storm of opposition workers to complain to the au- covered by the standard features – some of it from people who ev- thorities when they are enslaved, of the labor market, including inidently failed to distinguish be- beaten, or cheated. surance, occupational health and tween the sex industry as a whole safety programs, and rules of fair and human trafficking that, in For that reason, the Internation- trading. A majority of Australians many countries, is a tragic part al Secretariat of the Global Alli- now live in states that have legalof it. To be clear, sex trafficking ance Against Traffic in Women ized or decriminalized sex work. occurs when someone uses force, applauded Amnesty International This is consistent with the growfraud, or coercion to cause a com- for supporting decriminalization. ing recognition in recent years mercial sex act with an adult or And in the same month that de- that the state should be extremely causes a minor to commit a com- criminalization became Amnes- reluctant to criminalize activities mercial sex act. Sex-work in- ty’s official policy, the conserva- freely entered into by consenting
Another argument for the repeal of restrictive legislation is the practical benefits, in addition to extending individual liberty. In Colorado, the desire to tax the marijuana industry was a major motivation for legalization. And the original impetus for the legalization of the sex industry in New South Wales was an inquiry into police corruption that showed that the sex industry was a major source of police bribes. Legalization ended that in a single stroke. Though less risk and a healthier work environment through legalization sounds great, opponents of it believe the research says otherwise. They claim that countries that have legalized or decriminalized commercial sex often experience a surge in human trafficking, pimping, and other related crimes. That regulated prostitution only increases the size of the overall market for commercial sex, which benefits criminal enterprises that profit from sex trafficking. With conflicting research on the subject one student put it best, “How about instead of legalizing prostitution so those who have no other means to make money can, we work on creating a job market that provides enough well-paying jobs so that people would never have to consider becoming a prostitute.”
Mugabe might go Zimbab-away
President of ZImbabwe hints at retirement amidst political chaos
connection in that region of Africa, and expressed his thoughts on the social media fueled protest movement.
Ricky Rodas Copy Editor
This past month Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, hinted at retirement, saying in a key speech to senior government officials and police leaders, “If I am failing, let me know. I will go.” This news comes after a year of Zimbabweans rallying against Mugabe, who has ruled the country since its independence over 36 years ago. At 92 years of age, Mugabe has stayed in power through silencing and suppressing opposition via unscrupulous tactics; he was accused by many of voter fraud after winning the 2002 election against former Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Protesters are mobilizing through social media, utilizing smartphones to film weekly protests on the streets of the capital city Hirare, according to an CNN
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Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, hints on Retirement Online. In a video, a protester dressed in bright red is seen standing on the steps of a courthouse, turning briefly to gaze at the riot police encompassing him. After raising his arms, they beat him with their batons. In July, protesters also organized a countrywide shutdown using the hashtag #zimshutdown, as reported by BBC News and Global Voices affiliate Advox. Activists used a variety of hashtags on Twitter, Facebook,
and the messaging platform Whatsapp to organize and generate support. The “shutdown” was a boycott of work, shopping and public institutions, which left streets, shops, banks and malls deserted in Harare. According to Advox, “The country has been in a currency crisis since 2009 and unemployment is estimated at 80 or 90 percent.” Beryl Bellman, Cal State LA communications professor, was involved in establishing internet
“I received funding from a computer corporation here [in the United States]... in order to get our American Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Sciences working with the African Academy of Sciences in Kenya to turn that network into a storm forward ISON network into an internet; part of that was involved in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, so that’s when I visited Zimbabwe,” Bellman said. “I think social media is a powerful force, it’s like you can’t stop it once it starts; in countries that do [utilize social media] progress happens.” He also commented on the overseeing of the social media platforms in Zimbabwe, saying, “I think it’s a matter of who has the control, who maintains the control of the social media networks, because you can have social media networks… I think it’s going to be highly incumbent upon the people who really care - the NGO’s, government groups,
the UN, organizations of African states to really play a role in trying to de-unify the people.” Tensions have been bubbling since April, when citizens began voicing their frustrations online. According to an article written by The Guardian, the catalyst was Zimbabwean pastor Evan Mawrire’s video rant about his economic struggles using the hashtag #thisflag. Thousands of Zimbabweans followed Mawrire’s example, tweeting their grievances to Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party, known for its “intolerance of dissent”; in 2013, Okay Machisa, director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), was arrested and charged with publishing falsehoods, fraud and forgery after allegedly conducting illegal voter registration. While many Zimbabweans have suffered financially, mentally, and physically under Mugabe’s regime, this online movement has spurred many into action. This act of civil and social media defiance could result in Magube’s decision to step down and admit that the country is entering a period he described as a “regime change.”
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December 5, 2016
University Times
ARTE Y LITERATURA
Soñado en blanco y negro Los sueños y el arte Por Eduardo Ramos
NOTICIAS RECIENTES
El mundo del fútbol está de luto
El equipo Chapecoense de Brasil sufrió un accidente aéreo dejando 75 muertos Por Marcela Valdivia
El pasado 29 de noviembre, el mundo del fútbol recibió una trágica noticia, un avión donde viajaba el equipo Chapecoense de Brasil sufrió un accidente aéreo en Medellín, Colombia. El accidente dejó un total de 75 muertos. Entre las personas que fallecieron había miembros de la tripulación, jugadores del equipo, el entrenador, el presidente, integrantes de la comisión técnica, dirigentes, invitados y prensa. Sólo 6 sobrevivieron al trágico accidente aéreo. El equipo de fútbol iba rumbo a Colombia para enfrentar por primera vez al Atlético Nacional en la final de la Copa Sudamericana. Sin embargo, el avión reportó problemas eléctricos y cayó en una zona montañosa. La noticia causó una revolución en las redes sociales cuando salieron a la luz vídeos previos al accidente. El jugador Filipe José Machado había subido un video a Snapchat antes de
despegar. El video mostraba a todos los futbolistas contentos y emocionados por el viaje rumbo a Colombia. Otro jugador de Chapecoense compartió un video en sus redes sociales de cuando recibió la noticia que iba ser papá. Estos vídeos conmovieron a los fanáticos del fútbol y a la comunidad entera. A consecuencia de lo ocurrido, equipos alrededor del mundo se ha unido para mostrar su solidaridad al equipo brasileño. Antes de que comiencen los partidos de fútbol, todos guardan un minuto de silencio en memoria de las víctimas. Además, la taquilla recaudada en el clásico español entre el Real Madrid y Barcelona será donada al equipo de Chapecoense. También, estadios de fútbol y edificios emblemáticos como la Torre Eiffel se iluminaron de color verde en señal de luto por el equipo. Por el momento se ha suspendido el partido de la final de la Copa Sudamericana; sin embargo, el Atlético Nacional pidió que el titulo sea otorgado al equipo Chapecoense.
El tema de los sueños es muy complejo y hay quienes aseguran que existe una conexión directa entre los sueños y la vida personal. Para algunos, pueden ser mensajes ocultos de algún ser superior o de alguien que desde la otra vida los cuida. Para otros, los sueños representan los deseos y miedos; pero también hay quienes opinan que no significan nada. Lo cierto es que los sueños pueden ser tan fascinantes como intrigantes. Expertos en el tema aseguran que encontrar el vínculo entre los sueños y la realidad es trabajo
de cada individuo; y que aunque haya algunos símbolos comunes a todas las personas, cada uno construye su propio universo mental a lo largo de la vida. De ahí, que los deseos y temores pueden cobrar miles de formas en los sueños. Muy pocas veces, quienes relatan sus sueños se detienen a apreciar el color de los mismos, o determinar si sueñan en blanco y negro. Las situaciones, los lugares, los personajes, todo construye el ambiente del sueño. Para el artista Izzy Huesca, un dibujante de comics, soñar en blanco y negro significó la oportunidad de desarrollar su talento como dibujante y de poder hacer lo que muchos desearían, representar algo de sus sueños en
Izzy tiene bien claro cuál es vínculo entre sus sueños y su vida personal. El mes pasado condujo una exposición de algunos de sus dibujos en grafito más sobresalientes y significativos para él. En ellos se pueden apreciar figuras monstruosas, personas desfiguradas o mutantes, guerreros anómalos entre otros espectros que él mismo asegura son una copia exacta de lo que ve en sus sueños. Al preguntarle que explicación le daba a sus creaciones, respondió que posiblemente tenían que ver con una etapa de su juventud en la que presenció actos de violencia cuando era empleado en una estación de gasolina. “Fue entonces cuando dejé volar mi imaginación. Empecé a dibujar cosas más oscuras. Aparecen como ellos quieren ser vistos. Yo simplemente soy como su títere.” Sin embargo, él asegura que no siente temor alguno por sonar seres de oscuridad y cosas por el estilo, al contrario, dice que desea soñar más seguido.
Fotografía. Crédito: izzydeatharchives.com
Randy Jurado Ertll, activista y escritor salvadoreño Promotor de valores históricos y sociales de la comunidad centroamericana
a la comunidad latinoamericana, principalmente salvadoreña, de la importancia de conocer sus orígenes y vivir en armonía con los demás grupos sociales con los que interactúa diariamente.
Por Claudia Landeros
Su inquietud por conocer más e involucrarse en movimientos sociales comenzó firmemente cuando cursaba los primeros años de universidad. De ahí ha seguido un camino que le ha permitido continuar abogando por la justicia social, por los derechos de los inmigrantes y por la protección del medio ambiente.
El pasado viernes, 2 de diciembre, se celebró en Cal State LA, la conferencia de liderazgo de la juventud centroamericana. Es un evento dirigido a jóvenes de preparatoria del condado de Los Ángeles y tiene la finalidad de orientar a los estudiantes sobre los derechos y las oportunidades que tienen en este país sin importar su estatus migratorio. En el marco de este evento, se presentó Randy Jurado Ertll, un joven profesor de nivel secundaria y escritor de origen salvadoreño que tiene la misión personal de concientizar
De estar en contacto con todas estas vivencias de su gente, a Jurado Ertll le surge la idea de escribir un libro que muestre todas esas historias a las que estaba expuesto. En entrevista con él, señala que no hay suficiente literatura sobre la
historia salvadoreña como lo hay de otros grupos y considera que la literatura es una herramienta muy valiosa para que, sobre todo, los niños y jóvenes en las escuelas tengan acceso a conocer sus raíces. “Es importante que los estudiantes tengan acceso a conocer sus propias historias” comenta el autor. A través de la literatura y de lo expresado por el escritor en la entrevista, se percibe un sentimiento nacionalista muy fuerte y un interés por promover, no solo el hábito de la lectura, sino crear conciencia y conocimiento en la comunidad salvadoreña sobre sus orígenes. A la fecha, Jurado Ertll tiene cuatro publicaciones: Esperanza en tiempos de oscuridad: experiencia de un salvadoreño americano, The Life of an Activist in the Frontlines 24/7, La vida y los tiempos del Cipitío y In the Struggle Chronicles. En ellos aborda diferentes temáticas relacionadas con la vida diaria, la historia de su pueblo, la sociedad y la política. El autor resalta la importancia de hacer libros interesantes para los estudiantes. Considera que la poca literatura existente es aburrida. Sugiere que los distritos escolares y las universidades deben incluir programas y libros que hablen más sobre la historia salvadoreña y centroamericana en general y que sean atractivos para los alumnos.
Fotografía. Crédito: http://lgdeportiva.lagaceta.com.ar
Contáctanos en:
UT CSULA La Onda
la realidad.
laonda.newspaper@gmail.com LAONDACSULA Fotografía. Crédito: https://twitter.com/randyertll
Cabe mencionar que este joven escritor y activista es miembro de la comunidad de Cal State LA. Está en la recta final del programa de credenciales para profesor. Para más información sobre su obra, pueden visitar su sitio web: http://randyjuradoertll. com
9 NEWS
December 5, 2016
University Times
Cal State LA Federal Credit Union is this year’s Secret Santa The Cal State LA Federal credit union extends their helping hand to students and El Sereno J. Aaron Delgado Photo Editor The Cal State LA Federal Credit Union (FCU) is decking the halls this holiday season with their “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. During campaign, the FCU is extending their helping hand to the campus and surrounding area of El Sereno by playing Secret Santa to randomly selected members and past members who previously held bank accounts to their company. On the first day of Christmas, the FCU gave to Jessica Chavez a new pair of Powerbeats wireless earphones by Dr. Dre. On the second day of Christmas, a loan payment from someone’s account who banks with the FCU was made. On December 5, the FCU reached out to a family in El Sereno in need by providing clothing, shoes, groceries to help them through their financial hardships during the holidays. The first three days of their campaign were big steps toward helping their past and present account members as well as the community. “It’s about being in the holiday spirit,” Dwayne Hines said, the relationship manager of the Cal State LA Federal Credit Union. “Helping out is something that’s big on our radar. The University
has a friend in us.” The FCU is also giving back to Cal State LA students on Tuesday and Thursday this week on campus by showing their moral support during finals week with free coffee and pastries. The goal is to relieve student stress during finals week. The idea for the 12 days of Christmas campaign began just a month prior to starting the operation with the Barrio Action Youth & Family Center, an organization based in El Sereno that helps families in need and provided help to the FCU to identify families that may need additional financial help. Many ideas were brainstormed by how they can give back to their present members, such as randomly making payments to their members’ accounts, and the El Sereno community as well as the zip code area of 90032. Ida Chapko, the CEO of the Cal State LA Federal Credit Union, highly supported the campaign in the ways how the company can greatly contribute to the community by allowing a flexible budget in order to effectively accomplish their goals. The Cal State LA Federal Credit Union plans to keep doing acts of kindness in order to help keep the holiday spirit in the community and intends on bringing back the campaign next year. The campaign will run from December 1 through December 16.
On the first day of Christmas Jessica Chavez won wireless Power Beats
The Calender for 12 days of Xmas from the CSULA Federal Credit Union
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University Times
December 5, 2016
OPINION
Wake up and smell reality Looking at the bright side of the latter half of a terrible year Katelin Peterson Contributor
It’s finals week, and a round of applause is needed. Teachers, students, and faculty, have survived the first semester in the big conversion. Sixteen weeks is here and it’s important to acknowledge all the hard work that has gone into this accomplishment. Not only has this been a semester of learning and challenges, last month was filled with nonstop remarks and articles about our past election on Nov. 8. Sociology major Tim Chen said, “I’ve been trying to still recover from this election.” As difficult as it may be, it is imperative to be aware of the blessings of being an American. With the holidays coming up, friends and family get together to celebrate favored traditions and look back on a year of memories. “My family gets together and celebrates Hanukkah, I look forward to seeing my grandparents each year,” said excited John Lewin, 23. “My family dresses up like elves and deliver gift baskets to families that are in need. It helps lift my spirits each year that I am making a difference,” said business major Christina Lopez.
(Continued from Page 1) The male student poses no danger to the campus community and the Public Safety discourages students from making a private person's arrest, or better known as a citizen’s arrest. “Under California state law, you cannot make an arrest for a misdemeanor that was not committed in your presence,” said Chief Wall, in reference to a citizen’s arrest. If you identify this male student, be sure to contact Public Safety instead. To emphasize the public safety aspect, a disabled student called for help when a false fire alarm was pulled in the Biological Sciences building on the day of the protest. The student was panicked, convinced that actual danger took place. Trapped in the building, the student called emergency dispatch since the building was evacuated by the ringing of the alarm, nobody around was able to help him. One of the staffers from Environmental
Sometimes, it’s hard to remember what’s truly important with constant materialistic distractions. “I struggle with shopaholic tendencies around this time of year, too many emails popping up on my phone every hour, it’s hard to not spend my whole paycheck,” said Samantha Camry, 22. I have been blessed to have two people in my life that have kept me grounded through all of America’s changes, and helped provide me with a different perspective. Heading into finals and then into the holidays I would like to help ease our minds and share some of this perspective. My parents are those two people, and they live in Nairobi, Kenya. Most factory workers in that country work a month straight before receiving a day off. They might receive a dollar a day for fourteen hours of work to provide millions of Americans with a temporary joy of a present for the holidays. Most can agree that our society moves on rather quickly to the next best thing. We are spoiled, whether we want to believe it or not. Whether it’s fashion or technology, most material items are no longer a fad by next year. Our month of joy, not only abuses third world countries but trashes them as well. An hour outside of Nairobi, by a small river, foam eight inches high covers the whole surface. Dead fish float on top, from the pollution that has killed them, as a small starving child is seen pulling fish out of the water so his family does not starve. Our trials are minimal compared to other countries that are scared where their next meal is going to come from. When we get hungry we have so many selections to
Kaelene Peterson
Kenya's environmental pollution diminishes healthy ecosystem standards overwhelm ourselves with, that we have trouble making up our minds. My mother reminded me about how lucky we truly have it. “The election was difficult, but you are able to cope with your opinions and freedom to vent. In third world countries, you put yourself in danger when you speak your mind. Education here in Kenya is few and far between; you are receiving a valuable college education in which you have an opportunity to better yourself. Appreciate the good, and the bad won’t seem so dreadful,” my mother said.
I believe it’s a good reminder for all of us. We need to take pride in our freedom to speak. We may upset someone and have someone un-friend us on Facebook, but our lives are not at stake. In other countries, not just Kenya, your life is at stake if you speak an opposing view from your government. How would it feel to not be allowed to express yourself? On that note, face your final exams with a smile. Remember that you are bettering yourself and your future. Good luck and have a wonderful holiday.
Health and Safety, part of the emergency management, calmed and assisted the distressed student out of the building. No injuries were reported. Gonzalo Centeno, director for the office of students with disabilities, was unaware the incident had occurred. However, he discouraged students of pulling similar stunts in the future citing it as a public safety issue as well. The problem with pulling a false fire alarm is that it diverts emergency resources and time for Public Safety away from real emergencies like what the Public Safety saw with the disabled student and creates unsafe situations to people who panic. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Public Safety Department at 323-343-3700, or if you would like to contribute photographs or videos of other persons who pulled fire alarms on Nov. 10. Congrats Gerardo, Editor in Chief, This isn't a goodbye but a see you later
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December 5, 2016
11 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT University Times
(Continued from Page 1) on the organization's website. The conference is one of the many events that serves to fulfill these strategies.
religion; we don’t discriminate. We are all human beings and we’re all entitled to health care.” All of their services are free, as well.
The conference included a variety of resources for hundreds of students and their families able to attend workshops like: “The Cultural Shock of Central American Youth in Los Angeles” and “Understanding the Benefits of the Legal System,” in addition to musical performances and a community forum. Additionally, there was a resource fair which hosted a number of information booths including law firms like the Immigration Defense Law Center and health services by St. John’s Well Child & Family Center.
A busy attraction was the Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos mobile Prison Project – a program to bring “awareness and outreach to the youth,” as stated by project runner, Roberto Solis.
Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti spoke at the conference to encourage the students to continue their education and to not be afraid of whoever is sitting in the Oval Office, a reference to President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to deport three million undocumented immigrants. Standing beside the Student Union plaza stage, Garcetti said to the dozens of students, “You are not the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today.” Adding, “I will ask you to be strong, humble, have a lot of love and be outstanding so you can go and change the world.” St. John’s Well Child & Family Center was onsite to provide information on health services through programs like the Transgender Health Program, which “is committed to protecting and improving the health of all transgender people in our communities.” Victim advocate Tiana Herrera explains that the Transgender Health Program doesn’t just “focus on just the trans, but we focus on the public… regarding of race, gender, or color or
The mobile prison model is a replica of a prison cell as well as a visiting room and includes actual prison audio to “add to the sensory experience.” Solis, a formerly incarcerated person himself, says he wants visitors “to realize what it is to be locked up behind prison walls.” He goes on to express how he hopes visitors understand that “they have choices, and if they make the wrong choices this is where they’re going to land.”
Cal State LA
Mayor Eric Garcetti (center) poses with Students at the Student Union Plaza
Homies Unidos’s mission is “to defend the inherent right of youth, families and their communities to pursue their dreams and achieve their full potential in a just, safe and healthy society.” The organization presents culturally competent access to alternative education, leadership development, self-esteem building, and health education programs tied to social justice advocacy programs that make a difference in the streets and homes of our community. Through a variety of programs and events including conferences such as this one, they hope to accomplish this mission. For more information about Homies Unidos and the Central American Youth Leadership Conference, visit www. HomiesUnidos.org
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University Times
December 5, 2016
NEWS
Resolute criminal justice majors prepare for careers in the face of increased police shootings In the late 1980s cost-conscious lawmakers divested funding from mental health facilities. Nearly 30 years later, Los Angeles County Jail has now become the largest mental health facility in the country.
Shootings of Police Rise in November Ani Nalbandian
Staff Reporter
Officers are constantly under pressure making split second decisions and when faced with unstable individuals it may be difficult to anticipate what their next move might be.
Eleven police officers were fatally shot in the month of November following a year of tension between civilians and law enforcement, which remains a contentious issue for students on the Cal State LA campus. Some criminal justice majors foresee a future with the police force here in Los Angeles, and even with the current climate, haven’t changed their minds about a career in law enforcement. Anabel Giron, a Cal State LA criminal justice major said, “I can personally say that even though incidents like this are occurring between the civilian population and police officers, it is not causing me to re-think my career choice.” Chief Rick Wall, Director of Cal State LA’s Public Safety Department, commented on the fatal shootings, calling the violence against police officers “cyclical.” Wall joined the Los Angeles Police Department in
Cal State LA Criminal Justice Student Association Club
Members of the Criminal Justice Student Association 1981 at the latter end of the antiVietnam war movement and is familiar with the tension that has recently re-surfaced.
the need for the syncing of the databases of mentally ill individuals on a state and federal level.
With the number of fatal shootings of police officers around the country some have argued that the number of guns is the problem, but Chief Wall disagrees.
“There are laws on the books in every state that prevents gun purchases for individuals who have been committed for hospitalization, for example in California it is called a 5150 hold. The reason certain people on that list continue to have access to guns is because the state database is not synced with the federal database,” said Wall.
“Stop looking at it as a gun issue and start looking at it as a mental health issue,” Wall said. Chief Wall also insisted on
Cal State LA has also faced its own issues with students who needed mental health assistance. Chief Wall described an incident a few years back that mirrors the story and profile of those who have carried out school shootings across the nation. “In 2015, we had an issue with a student who confided in a friend that he was trying to set up an appointment with CAPS [Counseling and Psychological Services] but was unable to. One day he sent her a message indicating he was going to ‘end it all’ and attached the receipt for a handgun,” Wall recounted. The student swiftly called the campus police to notify them of the situation. Wall met with the friend and talked to him about his plan for suicide.
“We put him on a 5150 hold which lasted 72 hours and then the hospital put him on a subsequent 7-day hold,” Wall said. The student is now prohibited from owning or possessing a gun. The student went on to see the student graduate “and that’s a win,” according to the Chief. Sixty-two police officers have been fatally shot in 2016. In the month of November, the following officers were killed in the line of duty: Sergeant Anthony Beminio, Officer Justin Martin, Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, Sergeant Patrick Sondron, Officer Darrin Reed, Deputy Sheriff Daryl Smallwood, Officer Scott Bashioum, Deputy Sherriff Dennis Wallace, Deputy Commander Patrick Thomas Carothers, Detective Benjamin Marconi, Sergeant Collin Rose and Officer Reginald Gutierrez. If you would like to learn more about the failing mental health assistance around the country, you can read an article written by Chief Wall, which can be found at: https://www.policeone.com/ police-trainers/articles/6573615Can-suicide-preventionstop-mass-shootings/?utm_ source=email-to-friend&utm_ medium=email.
Cal State LA foster students take short film to White House
Two Cal State LA students named finalists in the White House South by South Lawn arts festival Anthony Karambelas
Staff Reporter Rolling, slates, action! When a group of foster youth produce a short film, they might expect it to be screened at a local
film festival. But for such a film to end up at the White House, grabbing the attention of the President himself? Well, that’s a whole different story. This past October, three foster teens were named finalists in the 3rd Annual White House Student Film Festival, receiving the opportunity to meet President Barack Obama. The awardees were flown to Washington D.C. to participate in the first-ever White House South by South Lawn arts festival, consisting of panels and
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Left, Jevonne Davis, Middle, Leanne Caldejon, right, Angel Marie Velasquez screenings. The students were originally chosen by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services to work with Kids in the Spotlight (KITS), a nonprofit in Burbank dedicated to teaching filmmaking skills to youth. This past summer, the students worked on their film, entitled “Time for Change.” In it, they act out characters from different time periods, who have gathered at a round table meeting. One student, Leanne Caldejon, plays a stereotypical millennial who is keen on Starbucks and selfies.
Unlike her character, Caldejon endured a rough childhood, being physically and verbally abused by her family, until she ran away at age 14. After living with her foster family for four years, Caldejon moved out because she wanted another foster child to take her place. Throughout high school, Caldejon worked three jobs, participated in seven school clubs, and competed in two Varsity sports. Now, she is double majoring in social work and law at Cal State LA in hopes of becoming a foster youth lawyer. Another student, Angel Marie Velasquez, plays a peasant woman in the film, who yearns
for a better future for her children. Velasquez is also a freshman at Cal State LA, studying to be a filmmaker. With students with this level of fortitude, it was only a matter of time before it was brought to the attention of others at California State University. Professor ChorSwang Ngin of the Anthropology Department, has taught Caldejon this past semester, and after discovering her accomplishments, knew it was a story that had to be told. So here’s to the reluctant heroes. Here’s to the ones who make a difference in this world.