Daily 49er, May 3, 2018

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH

VOL. LXVIX, ISSUE 77 | MAY 3, 2018

49er

D EVENT

DSS honors its best An award and recognition ceremony was held Wednesday honoring its graduating students and faculty.

By Hunter Lee Photo Editor

Hunter Lee | Daily 49er

DURING her first few months at Cal State Long Beach, Flores started dating a man she met in a school club. After a period of dating, the relationship turned physically abusive. Flores was raped and beaten by her boyfriend for three and a half years and kept it a secret from her family and friends.

Flores found herself riding a downward spiral into depression — she couldn’t eat or

Graduating seniors who have been involved with Disabled Student Services were honored for their accomplishments Wednesday as the program recognized notable students and scholarship recipients.

DSS at Cal State Long Beach held its annual Awards and Recognition Reception in The Pointe in the Walter Pyramid on Wednesday afternoon, where students, family and staff were invited to celebrate everyone involved with the organization.

Founded in 1973, the program saw its highest amount of graduates this semester with over 400 students completing their time at CSULB. After this semester’s commencement, the university will have reached 10,000 students that have graduated through the program since it was established.

For many students with disabilities, DSS has been a lifesaving program that has aided and accommodated them with tutors, resources and extended time for school work.

Gibson Reedy, a senior film and electronic arts major, recalled his fears of managing school work after moving from Oregon to Long Beach.

“I was worried I’d fall behind [in classes] because I don’t work as fast as other students,” Reedy said. “But I always felt like I had this support system, that no matter what happens I’d [have] everything I need to make sure I get the most of my education. The center was here for me.”

The event began with opening remarks from Director of Disabled Student Services, David Sanfilippo.

see GAMER, page 4

see GRADS, page 2

Lourdes Flores poses with two gaming controllers in the central quad. Through her leadership, the CSULB Esports Association has become inclusive of all types of gaming.

PROFILE

TAKING CONTROL After facing physical and emotional trauma, Lourdes Flores reclaimed her life through her passion for gaming and the CSULB Esports Association.

By Hunter Lee Photo Editor

L

Disclaimer: This following story contains mentions of sexual and physical abuse.

ourdes

“Luly”

Flores peered out of the window from her hospital bed six years ago to see the

bright blue tip of the Walter Pyramid. She burst into tears, wondering if she would ever get her life back.

Flores endured physical and sexual abuse from her boyfriend in her time at the university, which lead to a six-month hospitalization for severe depression and a two-year hiatus from school.

The 27-year-old is now the president of the CSULB Esports Association, leading the club in a new direction in the age of a rising gamer culture.

From a young age, the Long Beach native had the drive and motivation necessary to attain her goals as she rose to the top of her classes in middle school and high school — leaving behind the several clubs she pioneered which would last long after she graduated.

After a two-year absence and many moments of her life lost, Flores returned to the university in 2014 to find herself in a strange and foreign place where everyone she remembered had moved on without her. The friends she once had, had long since graduated which left her with a feeling of emptiness.

“I felt like Fry from ‘Futurama,’” Flores said. “It’s like I woke up one day and everyone I knew was gone.”

In 2016, Flores began to get more involved with the Esports Association, where she quickly established herself as a valuable asset and was elected president of the club for the fall 2017 year. There was no shortage of ideas she had planned for the organiza-

“

It’s like I woke up one day and everyone I knew was gone.”

Lourdes “Luly” Flores, CSULB Esports Association president

tion and quickly modeled her life around improving it.

“She works so hard to make things enjoyable for the members,” said long-time friend and club member David Villatoro. “Sometimes I worry she works herself too hard, but if she stops working then she slips backs into that sadness she had felt for so long.”

“I was so numb”

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM

SENATE

Environmental students unite to stop resolution ASI receives pushback from students as they fight to keep a commissioner position.

By Lorraine Debbas Staff Writer

The gallery was packed with environmental students at this week’s Associated Students Inc. meeting as the senate discussed their new resolution to remove the commissioner for environmental justice.

The resolution called for the removal of the commissioner who advises the ASI president’s on environmental issues. The position was one of the newer roles presented in last year’s ASI reorganization.

Yasmin Elasmar, co-author of the resolution and chief of diversity officer, emphasized that environmental sustainability organization Sustain U does the same work as the commissioner for environmental justice and the two entities overlap.

Elasmar said the commissioner for environmental justice is limited in their power.

“I don’t think the position is being used to the best of its ability,” Elasmar said. “That disrupts the effectiveness of the entire board.”

The motion failed to pass the resolution for its third reading 2-11-7.

The meeting kicked off with the current commissioner for environmental justice affairs, Lamiya Hoque, who claimed that she was not made aware of the resolution.

She also is an assistant on the Sustain U team.

“My position at Sustain U is completely different from the environment justice commissioner,” said Hoque. “We all each individually do work together, but we all have our own mission.”

Her colleagues in the organization also spoke against the resolution in hopes of changing the senate’s mind.

“President Jane Conoley just finished approving the new presidential commission,” said Adeline Morley, president of the student sustainability coalition. “They have the environmental justice commissioner as a voting member, so if you take that role away, who is going to represent ASI on that commission?”

After listening to the students’ concerns, the senators held a second reading of the resolution.

ASI president Joe Nino was asked if the commissioner for en-

vironmental justice did less work than the other commissioners. He quickly shut the argument down, emphasizing that the resolution had nothing to do with the commissioner, but only the position.

“This is just a reorganizational reevaluation,” Nino said. “The duties in that position are being done by other entities that also report to me. We are all being funded by student fees, so are we being fiscally responsible?”

ASI Executive Director Richard Haller pitched in with the argument that environmental justice is different than environmental sustainability.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, environmental justice is the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the devel-

opment, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Sustainability, according to the agency, isn’t a part of their mission, but is a guiding influence for the environmental movement.

Haller added that Hoque is the commissioner of environmental justice, but was doing sustainability work.

“I’m not advocating one or the other, but if we have a commissioner for environmental justice, isn’t that where the commissioner’s focus should be?” Haller said.

Hoque argued that the environmental progress in student government would be hindered with the removal of her position.

“We can’t run around having a bunch of generalists in government, we need a specialist,” Hoque said. “It’s just one less voice advocating for the environment.”

GRADS

continued from page 1

“We really do recognize the partnership and the collaboration that we have across the campus and community,” Sanfilippo said. “And when I talk about this, I’m talking about the faculty and staff and administrators that we work with everyday.”

Following the opening remarks, staff and faculty members were recognized for their contributions to the program and its students including Roberto Alcaraz, a professor in the theater department, who received the Outstanding Faculty Award.

“For me, it’s been a wonderful opportunity to revisit my dedication to social justice,” Alcaraz said. “Dedication to an inclusive classroom and to keep my class an open space and do so in a creative way.”

Sanfilippo, who is retiring after 40 years of service, recognized Keith Garvey, who has been involved with the program for 21 years. Garvey will be graduating this spring with a bachelors in mechanical engineering.

Garvey, who is unable to articulate his words clearly, asked Sanfilippo to help deliver his speech.

“One thing I learned from Dave, my brother — my dad, is that you can’t let [what others say] define who you are,” Garvey said. “You have to know who you are.”

The event concluded with a video collage of past graduates from the program and students graduating this spring, as well as a send off for Sanfilippo.

“In high school and middle school, most of us were embarrassed of our disabilities,” Reedy said. “Through the DSS, we walk around school with our heads high and smiles on our faces.”

Sabrina Flores | Daily 49er

Melissa Burdi, a member of Support for WorkAbility, poses to take a polaroid picture with Keith Garvey, a graduating mechanical engineer major receiving an award at the DSS ceremony. Garvey has been a student enrolled in the DSS program for over 21 years.

CITY COUNCIL STAGGERS TATTOO PARLORS AND EXTENDS STYROFOAM BAN

By Carlos Villicana Special Projects Editor

Fast and empty are the words which best describe Tuesday’s meeting of the Long Beach City Council, an affair which lasted less than an hour and lacked the presence of Mayor Robert Garcia. All nine council members were present in City Hall and unanimously voted in favor of all items on the agenda, which included the following: • Require a distance of 700 feet to separate tattoo parlors from each other and primary or secondary schools. This item will be read a final time at the city council’s next regular meeting.

• To support the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Drug Take Back Day events, which aim to provide a method for anonymously disposing prescription drugs.

• Authorize the City Manager to: —make an agreement to receive $30,000 from the California Green Business Network, meant to implement a Green Business Certification Program.

—modify a contract with Garden Grove based R.J. Daum Construction Company, which was hired to complete improvements to Parking

Structure A of the Long Beach Airport.

—make an agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District for the 2018 Summer Food Service Program’s food preparation. The amount given to the program is to not exceed $317,000.

• Added non-recyclable and non-compostable material to the styrofoam ban in Long Beach restaurants.

NEWS 3

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 DAILY49ER.COM | CITYD49ER@GMAIL.COM TREND

Don’t take the money With hefty price tags on some facultywritten books, students feel ripped off, but professors argue that most of the profits goes to publishers.

By Sarah Vehrs and Medina Kabir Staff Writers

When Perlie Yang began her junior year at Cal State Long Beach, she was required to buy a particularly expensive textbook — which was written by her professor.

Educators who write their own textbooks don’t garner the best reaction from students like Yang, who are required to buy their professor’s books — especially when the books are priced high.

“It kind of makes the teacher look like he’s taking advantage of his students,” said Yang, a junior economics major who paid $169 for an engineering book.

Students and faculty may be on different pages when it comes to paying for textbooks written by professors. At the sight of such a hefty price tag, students tend to automatically assume that these proceeds go to the authors. However, faculty members said that publishers control the price of books, and are the ones who receive the bulk of the proceeds, not the authors.

According to Douglas Domingo-Foraste, a professor of classics at the university, most professors write textbooks because they are unhappy with the coverage of the material in their subject. He also said professors receive minimal royalties from textbook sales.

“I have a book that is widely used around the country and about every five years or so I assign it as the text for our course Greek 405, Attic Orators,” Domingo-Foraste said. “It costs approximately $15. Every year from all the sales, I make about $50.”

Oumar Kamara, an international business senior, encountered the same professor as Yang and was required the $169 engineering textbook.

“I honestly thought it was ridiculous, especially because the book was way too expensive,” Kamara said. “Most importantly, he provided a [correction] sheet and expected us to catch the errors in it, so I didn’t buy the book.”

According to the university’s

provost Brian Jersky, professors generally keep the royalties they receive from textbooks they write, after publishing costs. There is no ethical agreement or policy that professors sign before assigning one of their own books. However, textbooks are normally chosen by department faculty committees, rather than professors.

Domingo-Foraste also said that tenure could be a big motivation for professors to write their own books. However, if they were to self-publish online or assign their books to a class, it wouldn’t help them get tenure.

“Publishing a book with a reputable publisher would help one get tenure,” Domingo-Foraste said.

The Cal State Chancellor’s Office is currently developing a policy on “intellectual property” that will apply across the Cal State system, Jersky said. The American Association of University Professors acknowledges that professors have the right to select their own material, but should consider quality, cost and availability.

“Because professors are encouraged to publish the results of their research, they should certainly be free to require their own students to read what they have written,” according to the association’s website.

The AAUP also calls upon faculty members to “avoid any exploitation of students,” and cites that several professional organizations have adopted policies to prevent professors from ethical dilemmas.

“The American Political Science Association, in its code of professional ethics, states that ‘teachers have an ethical obligation to choose materials for student use without respect to personal or collective gain,’” according to their website.

Glen Broom, a retired professor from San Diego State University wrote six editions of the textbook, “Effective Public Relations” over the past 28 years. According to Broom, this was the first textbook that made it possible for public relations to be taught at a university.

When assigning this book, which he said was considered “the bible of public relations,” Broom assured his students that he chose not to keep the royalties.

“On the first day of class, I announced that the book I assigned, which I am co-author of, is the leading textbook in the field and the only core book that I found that could fit what I thought was the right approach to PR,” Broom

20% OFF PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES

Photo Illustration by Sabrina Flores | Daily 49er

Students often spend a hefty amount on textbooks annually, including, but not limited to, books written by their professors.

said. “I told the students to not worry that they’re paying me for the book because I return all royalties from San Diego State to the school’s [Public Relations Student Society of America].”

According to Broom, most textbook authors only receive five to 10 percent of the royalties, and the publisher keeps the rest. In some cases, professors may receive a grant from a publisher, such as Pearson, to write a book.

In this case, the author may make contracts that keep them from receiving royalties until at least 5,000 copies are sold.

Domingo-Foraste said he tries to keep the cost of materials for his class under $100, and leaves a copy of his assigned books on reserve in the library for students to rent for free. However, he recognizes that if a full-time student is taking five classes that require $100 books, then cost of university materials still remains an issue.

“The fault lies with the publishers,” Domingo-Foraste said. “Old editions go out of print quickly and the publishers add stuff you don’t need, like color pictures, just to jack up the price.”

He also said that certain publishers have started to monopolize certain fields.

“We who teach beginning languages are almost forced to use Pearson,” Domingo-Foraste said.

“I suppose it’s not Pearson’s fault we live under capitalism and it wants to maximize profit. But it can be irritating that the competition that is supposed to restrain prices doesn’t exist.”

Broom states that he has witnessed the price of textbooks go up frequently and consistently.

Representatives for Pearson did not provide comment despite repeated attempts.

An article by U.S. News and World Report stated that “the National Association of College Stores no longer receives information from the publishers about where textbook money goes,” but in 2008 they did provide a cost

breakdown.

Engineering Professor Reza Toossi said that he co-wrote a textbook that is being taught in over 20 other universities across the country. CSULB students get a 25 percent discount compared to students in other universities.

“The book is considered one of the best ever written on the subject, as being reviewed by numerous peers,” Toossi said. “The practice of professors using their own textbooks is universally accepted and encouraged everywhere. After all, why would a professor write a textbook if he or she wouldn’t think that this was the best resource for the students?”

4 ARTS & LIFE

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 DAILY49ER.COM | ARTSNLIFED49ER@GMAIL.COM

Lourdes Flores looks over the CSULB Esports Association display case in the University Student Union.

GAMER

continued from page 1

sleep for over a month. After having a bad reaction to a prescribed mood altering antidepressant, her parents rushed her to the hospital where Flores was so weak, she had to relearn how to walk and eat.

Due to memory loss from various medications, Flores clarified that specific details were difficult to accurately recall.

She was kept in the A Wing of the Long Beach Community Hospital for an extended period of time, where the medical staff forced medication on her. Should she refuse, Flores was threatened to be transferred to the B Wing, where mentally unstable patients were kept.

“I would cry, just wanting my normal life back,” Flores said. “I would cry behind that window looking at that tip [of the pyramid] just wishing I had my life back and just praying and hoping for the day that I graduate.”

Through her entire hospital stay, Flores remained in a relationship with the man who abused her. After she was released, she returned home to her family to recuperate.

“It was difficult to go back to my room, I couldn’t figure out why but it was terrifying,” Flores said.

While resting in her bed, her boyfriend came over for the first time since she had been in the hospital.

Angry over her absence, he ridiculed her and put his hands around her throat, threatening to take her life.

“I was so numb to what he was beknownst to her at the time, Flores saying I was just over it,” Flores began to break down. said. “I thought if he wanted to kill After days of wondering what me, then go ahead.” caused her outburst, memories From that moment, Flores put from her childhood began to reher foot down and told her parents surface. From ages four to 13, she about the violence she faced and had been continuously molested by ended the relationship with him three of her family members. through text. He texted back, “have “To this day I still sleep in the a good life.” same room that I was molested in Desperate to get her life back since I was four,” Flores said. “And on track, Flores began researching that’s when I realized why my room the medication she had been given has always been such a bittersweet during her hospital stay. She had place.” received 15 types of psychotropic drugs, five of which are linked to “‘luma’ means to illuminate” memory loss. Flores began to piece together why AFTER she she had huge was released I would cry behind chunks of from the hosthat window lookher memory pital, Flores ing at that tip [of missing over still struggled the last two to move past the pyramid] just wishing I had years. her traumatic my life back and just praying Upon her experiences, and hoping for the day that I return to so she looked graduate.” school, Flores to the stack of struggled to video games in keep up in her her room. She Lourdes “Luly” Flores, classes, havremembered CSULB Esports Association ing to relearn her love for president to study due gaming, a hobto her shortby she’d long term memory forgotten, and loss. Through the Disabled Student began the healing process through Services, she found the accommothe characters and stories in her fadations she needed with her studvorite games. ies.

“I really related to Lara Croft, While facing difficulties to ineven if we had endured different tegrate herself back into normal kinds of suffering. Her story just relife, she came to a dark realization ally stuck with me and how strong about the root of her depression. she was through it all,” Flores said.

During a class on human sexuality, Although Flores had spent her the topic of abuse and molestation life aspiring to become a marine was brought up and for reasons unbiologist, she came to the realiza-

“

Hunter Lee | Daily 49er

tion that her passion lay with video games. She made the decision to switch her major to business marketing, so she could begin her road toward a career centered around gaming.

“It took a lot of strength to get through what she went through,” said Alex Flores, her older brother.

“She took it the other way and started exercising and really just changing her whole life around. She took something she really enjoyed and turned it into a career.”

Flores began to make a name for herself through her presence on a popular game streaming service called Twitch. She has accumulated over 600 subscribers, under the name “Electriluma.”

“The ‘electri’ comes from lightning, which often scares people, but in a happier sense it can be seen as something that lights up the darkness,” Flores said. “And the ‘luma’ means to illuminate. It’s just taking something negative and turning it into a positive.”

While attending the fall Week of Welcome, Flores stumbled upon the Esports Association on campus.

Looking for an outlet, she decided to get involved with the club in her freetime.

“It’s just beyond words” OVER the last two years, the club has become her family, with Flores committing any free time she had to improving the lives of her club members. see GAMER, page 5

ARTS & LIFE 5

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 DAILY49ER.COM | ARTSNLIFED49ER@GMAIL.COM

GAMER

Flores said. “And if they misbehave I threaten to whip out the chanclas.”

As her time at the university comes to a close, Flores stresses that she did not accomplish all she wanted to for the club in the short time she spent as president. However, other members are forever grateful with the turn around they’ve seen with her in charge.

Following graduation, Flores has been invited for a post-graduate internship position with Nintendo where she plans to continue her passion in video games.

“I know graduation means a lot for everybody,” Flores said.

“But to me it means that much and more. I still think back to that time in the hospital staring at the pyramid wondering if I’d ever get to this point and to see it actually happening — it’s just beyond words.”

continued from page 4

Flores has added a more diverse genre of games to play, which increased enrollment for the club and garnered sponsorship from the school to participate in competitive gaming tournaments. In the last month, Flores has also introduced official gaming jerseys for team members to wear during competitions.

“Every time I call her, she’s on her way to a meeting or a competition or something,” Alex said.

“She’s just always on the go.”

With so many members younger than the 27-year-old president, Flores often sees herself as a mother-figure to the club. “[The members] will always joke around and call me mom,”

This Summer See You at the

COAST!

This Summer See You at

Hunter Lee | Daily 49er

Lourdes Flores holds a Nintendo GameCube controller while playing “Tomb Raider.” Lara Croft is one of her favorite video game icons because of her drive to overcome the odds.

OCC has the classes you want Save Time, Save Money

COAST!

OCC Course

OCC has the classes you want! Save Time, Save Money!

Transfers to CSULB as:

ANTH

A100

Cultural Anthropology

ANTH

120

Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

ASTR

A100

Introduction to Astronomy

ASTR

100

Astronomy

BIOL

A221

Anatomy-Physiology

BIOL

205

Human Biology

CHEM

A110

Introduction to Chemistry*

CHEM

100

Chemistry and Today’s World

CMST

A100

Interpersonal Communication

COMM

110

Interpersonal Communication

CMST

A110

Public Speaking

COMM

130

Essential Public Speaking

CMST

A220 Essentials of Argumentation

COMM

131

Essentials of Argumentation

ECON

A170

Microeconomics*

ECON

101

Principles of Microeconomics

ECON

A175

Macroeconomics*

ECON

100

Principles of Macroeconomics

ENGL

A101

Critical Thinking/Rdg/ Wrtg/Lit *

ENGL

180

Appreciation of Literature

FILM

A100

Hist & Apprec of Cinema

FEA

205

Film History

FN

A170

Nutrition

NUTR

132

Introductory Nutrition

HIST

A170

Historty of U.S. to 1876

HIST

172

Early U.S History

HIST

A175

History of U.S. Since 1876

HIST

173

Recent U.S History

MUS

A100

Hist & Appreciation of Music

MUS

190

Listener's Approach to Music

PHIL

A120

Ethics

PHIL

160

Introductory Ethics

PSYC

A250 Psychobiology

PSY

241

Psychobiology

HMDV

A180

CDFS

111

Prschool Child

Child Growth & Development

PSCI

A180

American Government

POSC

100

Introduction to American Government

SOC

A100

Introduction to Sociology

SOC

100

Principles of Sociology

ITAL

A185

Elem Italian 2 *

ITAL

101B

Fund. Of Italian

FREN

A180

Elementary French 1

FREN

101

Fund. Of French

SPAN

A185

Elementary Spanish 2*

SPAN

101B

Fund. Of Spanish

*Prerequisites Students currently enrolled at a four year institution, who plan to enroll in a summer course at OCC MUST receive permisssion from their four year institution counselor/ advisor. The four year institution counselor/advisor will deteremine how the couse will be applied to student degree.

Summer Session begins June 11th

Take transferable courses this summer in 4-8 weeks at Orange Coast College

Apply now at Apply

www.orangecoastcollege.edu www.orangecoastcollege.edu

Only $ per un 46 it!

6 OPINIONS

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 DAILY49ER.COM | OPEDD49ER@GMAIL.COM

COMMENCEMENT

Graduation is a mix of feelings and fees With questionable grad charges and inflated pricing on ceremony regalia, CSULB gets the last laugh.

By Amanda Recio Social Media Editor

O

f all the unnecessary charges I’ve incurred during my time at Cal State Long Beach, none have compared to one I paid last semester during the application process for graduation.

It was then that my heart sank, as I realized the university imposes a mandatory fee of $45 just to let them know that I will be completing the necessary 120 units of coursework to bring my college career to an end.

As if the anxiety of ending an 18-year relationship with academia wasn’t enough to deter students from commencement ceremonies, our hard work is rewarded with more fees that don’t seem to have any real benefit to our educational advancement.

Ask any representative from the Enrollment Services office at Brotman Hall and they will all tell you the same thing: the $45 fee is used to “finalize the graduation process and verify requirements.”

Students who work diligently for so long to pay for their college degrees should not be rewarded with even more fees to complete it. It’s like making a home-cooked meal and then paying to eat it.

On top of the initial fee to apply for graduation, students then have to worry about commencement regalia, and the costs keep stacking Students who wish to get a cap and gown must rent it from the university bookstore with packages starting at $39.99 and going up to $300. Then

Photo Illustration | Daily 49er

Some students may struggle with covering their daily expenses, especially with the fees and additional costs that come with preparing for graduation.

comes the tassel, cord and all the walk across the stage and look out to material things that make up the pica sea of your peers is an experience turesque vision we all have of college most only have once, if at all. graduation when we are children.

Many students support participaThe picture of graduation we see in tion in commencement as it serves as television shows a visual repreand movies sentation of the ...paying for comgrowing up will effort they put have us believe into their acamencement regathat it is all demic careers, lia could possibly lighthearted fun. or for the family mean not having enough money What the movies and friends who for groceries this week or not don’t tell us is supported being able to pay your cellphone that paying for them through commencement the four or bill on time.” regalia could more years of possibly mean hard work and not having enough money for grocersacrifice. ies this week or not being able to pay Whatever the reason may be, your cellphone bill on time. there is no denying that our students Of course, the perks of participatdeserve their 15 minutes of fame, but ing in commencement ceremonies why does it have to be so expensive? are obvious. That iconic moment you Perhaps if the university were more

“

Daily 49er Miranda Andrade-Ceja Editor-in-Chief eicd49er@gmail.com

transparent about what the mandatory fee goes to, I would feel better about giving them even more money.

Furthermore, if our university’s financial aid were able to waive the graduation fee the same way they do for some student’s college applications, students might feel like the university is acting in their best interest.

Because there is an apparent amount of disregard for students’ financial situations, it makes our last few experiences with the university an unpleasant experience.

My advice to all graduating seniors: get a used or borrowed cap and gown and don’t forget to smile for the camera; I’m sure the university’s contracted professional photo company will be happy to overcharge you for slightly awkward pictures of you up on stage.

Editorial Office Phone (562) 985-8000 Fax (562) 985-7994

1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-201 Long Beach, CA 90840-4601

News Editor Kat Schuster cityd49er@gmail.com

Advertising and Public Relations Adviser Jennifer Newton (562) 985-5736

Design Adviser Gary Metzker Content Adviser Barbara Kingsley-Wilson

Multimedia Managing Editor Photo Editor Design Editor Arts and Life Editor Samantha Diaz Social Media Editor artsnlifed49er@gmail.com Copy Editor Exec. Video Editor Sports Editor Christian Gonzales Special Projects Editor sportsd49er@gmail.com

Robert Yagake Hunter Lee Jade Inglada Amanda Recio Nicole Fish Adriana Ramirez Carlos Villicana

Business Office

Phone (562) 985-8001 Fax (562) 985-1740 1250 Bellflower Blvd., LA4-203A Long Beach, CA 90840-4601

Senior News Assistant Assistant News Editor Assistant Arts & Life Editor Assistant Photo Editor Assistant Design Editor Assistant Sports Editor

James Chow Sarah Vehrs Shyanne Riberal-Norton Sabrina Flores Drew Mametsuka Kevin Colindres

Opinions Editor Daniel Green opedd49er@gmail.com

Editorials: All opinions expressed in the columns, letters and cartoons in this issue are those of the writers or artists.

The opinions of the Daily 49er are expressed only in unsigned editorials and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the journalism department or the views of all staff members. All such editorials are written by the editorial board of the Daily 49er.

Letters Policy: All letters and e-mail must bear the phone number of the writer and must be no more than 300 words. The Daily 49er reserves the right to edit letters for publication in regard to space.

SPORTS 7

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018 DAILY49ER.COM | SPORTSD49ER@GMAIL.COM PROFILE

One last shot for this senior

Bjarne Huus embarks on his final tournament run.

By Zackery Handy Staff Writer

In front of a Walter Pyramid crowd of over 2,200, Long Beach State senior outside hitter Bjarne Huus would rise up and unleash a 60 mph rocket from his right arm. The serve would dive down the left sideline, landing just inside the line for an ace and giving the 49ers set point. This brought the fans to their feet, and they were ready for Huus to finish the job.

For Huus, it was a chance at redemption. Just one week prior, Long Beach suffered its first loss of the season to the same Hawaii team it was now facing in the Big West Tournament Final.

The 23-year-old did not take the loss lightly. After hitting a mere .111 on six kills, Huus shouldered some of the blame and wanted another crack at the Rainbow Warriors. “He was very frustrated with some of the things that he had control over that he didn’t do very well,” head coach Alan Knipe said. “His maturity to come back in and state everything that he wanted to do and to hold himself accountable, that’s a snapshot of the Bjarne that we have had for four years.”

Huus’ career with Long Beach began 2014 when he arrived in sunny Southern California from Foerde, Norway. He ran into a big surprise when stepping into the locker room on his first day.

Expecting a smaller roster, like back home in Europe, he instead saw a locker room full of players.

“In Europe, you usually have 12 to 14 players [on the team], and here you have 22 players that all play at a very high level,” Huss said. “That was new to me.”

His time at Long Beach can be summed up as a roller coaster, with highs of securing a starting position his senior year and lows of injuries and heartbreaking losses. It took Huus three years to become a full-time starter for the 49ers. After senior Ryan Windish suffered a shoulder injury, Haas would take over his position. Over his next two seasons, Huus would make a combined 21 starts for Long Beach, a number he was unsatisfied with, but propelled him to approach his senior season with a goal: win a spot in the starting lineup.

“Coming into the season, you could tell he wanted to remove any doubt,” Knipe said. “You could sense that in every workout, every time we lifted, anytime we had individual sessions, anytime we got a chance to compete, anytime we played someone over him you could sense

Long Beach State outside hitter Bjarne Huus prepares to serve during Tuesday’s practice at the Walter Pyramid.

That moment in the locker room with the guys you have played with for two or three years, that emotional feeling right there is something that hurts. It hurts to think about it right now. Coming back I want to get revenge for all the people that were there with us the last two years that aren’t here now.”

“

Bjarne Huus Outside hitter it in him that he didn’t want to come off the court.”

Huus’ work ethic paid off, starting every game this year and producing career-highs in every category. He finished the regu-

lar season totalling 156 kills, 31 assists, 21 aces, 125 digs and 46 blocks.

Huus is a player with laser focus when he steps onto the court.

He plays with a slight scowl on his face, never getting too high or too low emotionally with every point scored.

“It’s a pleasure playing with him,” freshman middle blocker Simon Anderson said. “He’s really a good guy to lean up against because he is usually so calm in the matches.”

Huus’ focus comes through his experience playing the last two years. Gut wrenching defeats the last two seasons by BYU in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament, still haunt Huus to this day.

“That moment in the locker room with the guys you have played with for two or three years, that emotional feeling right there is something that

hurts,” Huus said. “It hurts to think about it right now. Coming back I want to get revenge for all the people that were there with us the last two years that aren’t here now.”

Huus’ desperation of not having a fourth chance at a title next year has given him an edge, one that he has used to become a leader for his teammates.

“He’s done a great job using our idea of getting one percent or two percent better every day, and knowing that, that will help him achieve the goals he desires,” Knipe said. “He knows he’s going to do it and he has been pushing guys all year to make sure they do it, and I’m sure some of that comes with the pressure of being a senior.”

That feeling has been building inside Huus all year, as he and his teammates now embark on their third Final Four match in three years. For Huus, it’s his last

Christian Gonzales | Daily 49er

chance at being a national champion, the number one goal he set out to accomplish since stepping onto campus.

“I don’t have any other choice.

I am not going to give up, that’s not going to be a choice,” Huus said. “You have your back against the wall, and every time you take one step forward, the wall follows you. I’m not going to get another shot at this, so I really need to value the time I have and make sure I do everything right to make sure I win this championship.”

NCAA FINAL FOUR Long Beach State vs Ohio St. • When: Thursday, 5 p.m.

• Where: Pauley Pavilion • Watch: ncaa.com or ESPNU

8

THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2018

WWW.DAILY49ER.COM

THERE’S A REASON THE BEACH IS ONE OF THE BEST

Phuong Tran Electrical Engineering