C A L I F O R N I A INDEX
C alendar & B riefs O p i n i o n S ports
Titan
S T A T E
2 4 6
The
Daily
U N I V E R S I T Y ,
F U L L E R T O N INSIDE
BASEBALL: Mo goes despite broken nose. See Sports, page 6.
T U E S D AY
VOLUME 66, ISSUE 46
M AY 1 2 , 1 9 9 8
O’Brien killer sentenced to 50 years to life
n CONVICTION : Gilbert
Acosta is sentenced for the 1997 murder of CSUF student Kyle O’Brien. By JULIE HARDEN Daily Titan Staff Writer
Nearly nine months after the slaying of Cal State Fullerton student Kyle O’Brien, his murderer, Gilbert Acosta, was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison. Acosta, handcuffed and wearing his orange jail jumpsuit, sat motion-
Weekday graduation gets mixed reaction
less on Friday as Judge J. Ryan ordered him to serve the maximum sentence allowed for the first degree murder, robbery, burglary and assault with a firearm that took place last summer. Acosta, a 21-year-old with gold dental work on his front teeth, crossed paths with Sears security guards O’Brien and fellow CSUF student Randall DePue on Aug. 15, 1997. During a struggle, Acosta shot both men in the Mall of Orange parking lot following a botched shoplifting attempt. O’Brien, the Associated Students
vice president of finance, died en route to a local hospital after being shot in the chest and leg. DePue, a business major, was shot in the wrist. Acosta’s father, Alfonso, rested his head in his hands throughout the 20 minute sentencing procedure that included a tearful statement from Donna O’Brien, Kyle’s mother. “How do I begin to explain the unbearable pain of losing a child?” she said. “This murder shattered our lives. Having a child taken in such a brutal manner left an ache in our hearts that will never end.” O’Brien reminisced about Kyle’s
life, including her son’s decision to pay for his last year of college with his own money earned from working. “Just a week before his death, he was so excited because he had just wrote the check for his fall tuition,” she said. “That check was returned to us.” O’Brien spent much of her statement comparing decisions made by those involved in the case. “We all make choices. We made the choice to raise Kyle with love, nurture him, and teach him right
see ACOSTA/
Going up?
By CINDY JIMENEZ Daily Titan Staff Writer
By LAURIE SCHULTZ Daily Titan Staff Writer
Graduation ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton students in the School of Communications and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences will be held on a Monday this year and next year. Next year, all CSUF students will graduate on a weekday as part of an experimental phase, said Mary Jo Medyn, secretary for Academic Affairs. An ad hoc committee decided to hold graduation ceremonies for one of the schools on a weekday this year when they were determining the academic calendar in December 1996. The committee consisted of the Academic Senate, a representative of the Associated Students, the council of deans and the president’s advisory board.
“Students come to my office to complain. They ask ‘Why are we graduating on a Monday night?’”
—Ronald Hughes, chair of the Sociology Department
WILLIAM VASTA/Daily Titan
Roy Romero, an elevator service mechanic from Nova Elevators, repairs an elevator after it was reported to be shaking in the Visual Arts Building yesterday afternoon.
Finals—whatever gets you by n EDUCATION : Students
use a variety of methods to make up for a semester of slacking. By Jennifer Jones College Press Service
Even though the coffee flowed until the wee hours of the morning and you pored over borrowed notes and old tests, that 7 a.m. alarm sets your heart racing. Your palms are sweaty and breath heavy - not because the test is scheduled to begin in mere minutes, but because you can’t find your ... Lucky pencil.
Students rely on a variety of goodluck charms and rituals to help them make it through exams. With finals week hitting campuses across the nation, talismen everywhere are putting in some heavy-duty overtime. “I have an inspirational picture on my desk (and) wear dark green sweat pants and animal slippers,” said Kathryn Marcotte, a 19 year-old student at Glendale Community College in Arizona. Then there’s Sara Lang, a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, who needs an extra bag to haul around her good-luck charms. Lang feels lucky when she has her statue of Buddha, a gold
cross, crystals, a special penny and a favorite perfume handy - trinkets she often doles out to classmates who have fogotten their own. Lang said she also makes it a point to wear a “killer outfit” on test days. “If you fail, at least you look good,” she said Ben Niolet, a junior at the University of Alabama, said his studying rituals include not studying at all. “If you’re going to fail anyway, there’s no point to it,” he said. “After (coming to that conclusion), I just pray.” Psychologists say that for the most part, charms and rituals are harm-
Copyright ©1998, Daily Titan
see FINALS/
room of Judge J. Ryan • March 5—Closing arguments end • March 6—Jury deliberated approximately four hours before convicting Acosta of first degree murder, two counts of robbery, two counts of assault with a firearm, a count of burglary and a count of great bodily injury • May 8—Acosta receives maximum sentence of 50 years to life
Summer school breaks the bank
sion fees may cost some students a needed class; university officials say a lack of state funding raises prices.
rial Day pushes graduation ceremonies for Communications and Humanities to a Monday.
see CEREMONY/
• Aug. 15, 1997—O’Brien and DePue shot while working as Sears security guards at Mall of Orange • Aug. 17—Acosta arrested in South Gate by the Orange Police Department • Aug. 19—Capital murder charges filed against Acosta • Sept. 5—Acosta enters a not guilty plea to all charges • Feb. 23, 1998—Trial begins in Orange County Superior Court-
n EXPENSES : Summer ses-
n COMMENCEMENT : Memo-
The Memorial Day holiday pushed the graduation ceremonies back to Monday, according to Carole Jones in the Registrar’s Office. Because of the holiday, finals could not begin until Tuesday and could not end until Friday night. The committee customarily allows three days for the ceremonies after finals end, hence Monday graduation. The School of Humanities has the largest number of people graduating of all the schools. Angela Della Volpe, associate dean and professor of linguistics, said potentially 1,700 graduates could take part in the ceremonies Monday night. Ramona Rose, an English major, is one of the students who will take part in this school’s graduation ceremony. “I’ve been attending school parttime for the last 13 years and I insist that the people who gave me emotional support be there Monday night,” Rose said. “There are not a lot of places to go to celebrate on a Monday night and I don’t like imposing on people to be there, party with me and get up Tuesday morning for
Timeline of a trial
Convenience comes at a high cost. Taking one class during summer school can cost a student $217 a unit. Why is it that students have to pay more money to spend their summers in the classroom? “Instructor time is what drives the cost up,” said Extended Education Dean Harry Norman. Three types of classes are offered in the summer: lab, lecture and supervised. Supervised classes include internships, independent field and individual study. Depending on the type of class, fees can range from $137 for a one-unit lecture class to a five-unit lab class costing $852. A full-time professor earns $5,040 for teaching a three-unit summer class with 25 students. However, no matter what the size of the class, instructors are usually paid the highest scale for teaching in the summer, Norman said. If the class generates $10,275 in registration fees, the remaining $5,235 is used to pay a litany of fees including mandatory CSU system costs, enrollment costs and establish student records (about $30 per student), Norman said. Another reason for the high cost of classes is that the classes are solely self-supporting. The state provides no funding during the summer and the university actually must pay overhead costs to the state to use the campus facilities. State support is based on an academic year, generally mid-August or September through May on CSU campuses, said Ed McAleer, CSU dean for Extended Education. This schedule does not include summer school. McAleer said constrained resources are a major concern. “If the state had more money it might invest more in higher education,” he said. The high cost is evident in classes such as General Chemistry 120B, a
Is the Bard too
five-unit lab class. Norman said an instructor teaching a lab class is paid twice the teaching load than other instructors who are paid based on a uniform formula established by the CSU system. Chemistry instructor Pat Wegner said the registration fee barely covers the cost of teaching the course because of the lack of state-supplemented funds. He said it is not economically feasible to run the lab priced as a lecture class. Although the General Chemistry class is the most expensive class offered in the summer, it also has the highest enrollment. One of the reasons it is so popular is that many of the students enrolled are not CSUF students, but students who attend other private universities where the cost for this course is even higher than at CSUF. A lot of pre-medical students take the class because it is more cost-effective to take it here instead of universities like USC, Wegner said. The chemistry class is convenient to take during the summer, but Wegner strongly urges CSUF students to consider all their options. Summer school provides a chance to get the class out of the way or try to get caught up, but Wegner said students should consider the high cost. CSU students would have to have compelling reasons to spend that kind of money, he said. During the regular school year, the cost of the chemistry class would be included in a part-time 0-6 units fee of $619.50. “The $619.50 is the resident fee for 0-6 units regardless if it is a lab class or not,” cashier Joyce Jones said. The fee not only includes the cost of the class but mandatory student fees and auxiliary fees determined by each campus. Despite the self-supporting status of summer classes, Communications Department Internship Coordinator Carolyn Johnson is concerned about the rising costs to communication students who need to take the Mass Media Internship class during the summer. Johnson said the cost has slowly risen, reaching a high of $525 this summer. Johnson said summer is an important time to make visits to internship
see SUMMER/
Parents of high school students should have been prepared for
the Theatre
Department’s
portrayal of
See Opinion, page 4.
Shakespeare’s
classic tragedy.
page
Daily
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2 n NEWS
two
A GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING
BRIEFS
TOAP talent show
Teaching Ombudsman Action Program will be presenting the “Extremely Talented Talent Show.” The show will display a diversity of cultural song and dance. Students will share dance rituals from their ethnic backgrounds. Lyrics of songs may tell the history of their native country. Each performance will enlighten those present with the importance of celebrating and understanding the differences we each possess. The talent show will be open to students, faculty and the community on Friday at noon in University Hall room 123. TOAP’s staff and students will share lunch and art forms. TOAP focuses on bridging the gaps between minority groups on campus. The academic program aids students in assimilating to the university lifestyle: studying, time-mangement, developing friendships, learning communication with professors and campus involvement.
Brea’s new farmers market Brea’s Certified Farmers Market blooms on Thursday. The spring brings fresh produce: ripe strawberries, sweet melon, juicy oranges and a variety of vegatables. Exotic items in the family of plants, flowers and honey will tantalize your taste buds and refresh your senses. The farmers pass out recipes and tips on eating, canning and serving their products. The market will be held every Thursday, rain on shine, all year from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the parking lot of Brea Community Center.
The festive market will provide music special events and entertainment for the community to enjoy. Free giveaways, prize drawing and tasters will be available for family fun. City officials and Southland representatives will be on hand to celebrate the festivities and answer questions.
All Night Study program The Titan Student Union will be open 24 hours during finals week to help students prepare for upcoming spring semester finals. The “All Night Study” program has been around for more than 10 years in the TSU. The program will begin May 18 and run through 11 p.m. on May 29. During this time, several lounges and study areas will be available for individuals as well as study groups to work on projects and prepare for finals. The Information and Service Desk, the Mainframe computer lounge and the Games and Recreation area will also extend their hours for late-night customers. For more information contact Titan Student Union’s assistant director for operations, Kurt Borsting, at 278-7719.
Find out how to get jobs after graduation All those interested in public relations are invited to the last PRSSA speaker meeting today at 7 p.m. in Titan Student Union Gabrielino Room with Chip Shafer of Shafer Public Relations. He will be discussing “Jobs After Graduation.” For more information call Sandy, (909) 394-1834 or Mia (714) 590-2260.
Daily
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The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Tuesday through Friday. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. The mail subscription price is $45 per semester, $65 per year, payable to the Daily Titan, Humanities 211, CSUF, Fullerton, CA 92834.
May 12, 1998
TUESDAY
CALENDAR OF EVENTS The changing field of insurance will be the subject of a talk by Michael D. Curtius, president of Mercury Insurance Group headquarted in Brea, today from 1-2:15 p.m. in Titan Student Union. For more information contact Weili Lu, lecturer in finance and center director, at 278-3679, or Pamela McLaren in Public Affairs at 278-4852. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Darrell Issa will speak Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Titan Student Union Portola Pavilion A. Admission is free. “Becoming Mexican American in the 1990’s” is the subject of a lecture by George J. Sanchez, associate professor of history, today at 11:30 a.m. in Titan Student Union’s Portola Pavilion C. The lecture is spon-
sored by the American Studies Department and Department of Associations Council. Associated Students Productions presents the Supersuckers Wednesday at noon at Becker Ampitheater. The CSUF Accounting Society, a 190-member student organization, is holding its semi-annual awards banquet on Thursday in the Fullerton Marriot Hotel Grand Ball Room. For more information contact the Department of Accounting at 278-3420. Associated Students Productions presents Tito & Tarantula Thursday at noon in the Pub. Admission is free. A faculty/artist recital with
violinist Earnest Salem and pianist Cynthia Williams will be held on Friday at 8 p.m. in Little Theatre. Tickets are available at the Performing Arts Center box office for $8, or $5 with Titan ID. All tickets at the door are $8. For more information contact Elizabeth Champion at 278-3371. A guitar ensemble by David Grimes will be held in Little Theatre on Friday, May 22 at 8 p.m. The program includes a variety of duets, trios and quartets as well as works from the full guitar orchestra. Admission is $8, or $5 with advance Titan discount. The Pacific Symphony Institute Orchestra will hold a concert May 24, at 4 p.m. in Little Theatre. The concert
will be conducted by Elizabeth Stoyanovich and John Alexander. Admission is $13 ($7 with advance Titan discount). The Pirates of Penzance storm the stage of the Curtis Theatre through May 24. Evening performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. A matinee performance will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $13-$17 for adults; $11-$15 for seniors; and $7-$9 for children. The Curtis Theatre is located at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center. State Senator Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward), candidate for Attorney General, will speak Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in Titan Student Union Portola Pavilion C. Admission is free.
Free personal Web sites, Linux and more Cyberspeak
Steve Muise
F
ree Web space? You don’t need to pay outrageous fees, a membership, or an account. Several companies are starting to host Web sites for free. Geocities.com will give you 6 megabytes for free, and they also have Web page building tutorials for newbies plus all the free software tools necessary to build a site. They’ll even help promote the
site with search engines on the Web. All this, and all you have to do is let them put an advertising banner on your page—a small price to pay for a fully functional Web site free of charge. The only downside is the names they give for Web sites are cryptic—a series of words and slashes with a 4-digit number at the end. This can be hard to remember and difficult to find for potential employers or friends. Another alternative is www.Web4 free.com. They offer 10 megs and give you a more logical address for your Web site. In fact they even let you pick your own name. So the address to your Web site would read www.web4free.com/“yourname.”
P O L I C E BLOTTER MAY 5 • Property was reported stolen during the Antique Roundup on Sunday. The items were returned to the owner. MAY 6 • A student reported a theft of cash from the Men’s Locker Room. MAY 7 • Adam Johnson was cited for having a blood alcohol level of .01 percent or greater with implied consent. • Eric Wang was cited for
driving while under the influence. MAY 8 • Sy Scheinberg reported vandalism in Humanities 810N. • Nancy Stover reported a theft from PE 217A. MAY 9 • A non-injury traffic collision in Lot E was reported by Brandon Gordin. MAY 10 • James Macfalane was cited and released for drunk driving.
The Web4free site is much newer and they don’t seem to be offering as much in the way of tutorials and training, but that stuff is just as easy to find elsewhere on the Net. ver heard of Linux? It is taking the computing industry by a very slow-moving storm. Linux is a derivative of Unix and probably one of the best multi-tasking operating systems ever made (excluding of course Linux’s father, Unix). To add icing to the cake, it’s free. Linux is a giveaway. Don’t think though, that just because it is free, that it is some cheap, glitchy litle program. This is a knockout operating system. New applications are being ported for it faster than the users can keep up.
E
Corel just announced it is going to release applications for the Linux OS. The popularity has jumped dramatically ever since people found out that the special effects for the movie “Titanic” were done on a system running on Linux. It used to be the choice of hackers and crackers, because it could easily fool a corporate network computer into thinking it was another Unix server trying to access information, not some kid sitting in his garage with a 386 computer and a modem. Nowadays, it is becoming very chic in the Internet community to build your own “Linux box.” If you want more information on this oper-
see CYBER/
Daily
Titan
The May 12, 1998
ACOSTA • from
page 1
from wrong. He chose to attend California State University, Fullerton and this year he was to graduate with honors with a degree in anthropology,” she said. “He won’t. “Gilbert Acosta chose a career of crime,” she continued. “He chose to carry a gun, draw the gun and pull the trigger four times. He chose to leave the scene after shooting one man and killing another. These were horrible choices. “Gilbert Acosta stole more than a paint sprayer or a gift certificate. He stole our son’s life, a good, meaningful life,” she added. “He stole a brother and good friend to so many.” Judge Ryan described Acosta’s actions as callous and rooted to a
TUESDAY
methamphetamine addiction. “There is no question that the theft was planned. It was his second or third theft that day,” he said. “He was a very busy man.” Ryan also addressed Acosta’s reasoning for carrying the .25-caliber, semiautomatic handgun. During the trial, Acosta said he carried a gun for protection ever since he was shot in the ankle during a drive-by shooting in 1995. Ryan told Acosta, however, “There was only one reason for carrying the weapon and that was to escape getting caught. The argument that he carried it for protection doesn’t hold water whatsoever,” Ryan said. “It’s just logically inconsistent.” Ryan also ordered Acosta to pay a direct restitution of $2,000 for O’Brien’s burial costs plus an additional $7,000 for the nature of the
FINALS • from
page 1
less. They typically develop after people associate the presence of two or more objects with a happy outcome—a special pair of boxer shorts and athletic success (Michael Jordan reportedly dons underwear bearing the University of North Carolina’s logo before every game he plays), or a favorite pen that typically brings home good grades in English. “If we look at society at a broader level, we’ll see charms and rituals everywhere,” said Gary Harper, an assistant professor of psychology at DePaul University in Chicago. “If a bell rings, we do one thing. If it rings again, we may do something else. “Charms and rituals help us maintain a feeling of order and control,” he added. “They’re especially important during times of high stress—and tests are usually those high-anxiety times when students feel most out of control.” But as with many things in life, the use of charms and rituals can be taken to unhealthy extremes, Harper said. “Physiological responses—sweaty palms and racing hearts—can be signs that psychological problems
NEWS n
illustration by College Press Service
have developed,” he said. “When a person has a panic attack or misses an exam because they believe they couldn’t pass without having that lucky pencil, they are at a point that
crime. Both fines will be deducted from his prison pay because, as Ryan told the convicted murderer, “I don’t think you will ever get out.” The judge ended the proceeding with a simple statement to Acosta: “Good luck to you, sir.” Outside the 11th floor courtroom, both attorneys noted their approval with the decision. “I’m very pleased with the sentence and Judge Ryan,” Deputy District Attorney Lew Rosenblum said. “We felt a crime like this deserved the most significant punishment.” Public Defender Ron Klar said, “With murder cases, you don’t expect the maximum sentence but you do expect a severe sentence.” After his client’s conviction on March 6, Klar estimated a lesser sentence, saying, “The first degree murder charge carries a sentence of 25 requires psychological intervention. “A lot of people with obsessivecompulsive disorder say they don’t even realize they’re doing the things they do,” he continued. “They often say they can’t stop themselves.” That is fortunately not the case for most college students, he quickly added. “I don’t have any rituals or superstitions,” said Amanda Clower, a 19year-old student at Glendale Community College, “but I should probably get some.” Campus Correspondents Robby Messer of Glendale Community College and Sam Kusic of the University of Pittsburgh contributed to this story.
years to life, . . . with the enhancements we’re probably looking more at 35 to 40 years to life.” Despite his miscalculation, Klar said, “We are still pleased the we saved him from life in prison without the possibility of parole,” alluding to the jury’s decision against the special circumstance charge of a murder committed during the commission of a burglary. “That was our ‘victory.’” Throughout the ordeal, Acosta’s father defended his son’s character. “My son is not a killer,” Alfonso Acosta, 36, said after his son’s conviction. He maintained it was the struggle, not his son’s malicious intentions, that caused the gun to go off. Acosta will be in his 60s before he is eligible for a parole hearing—he must serve approximately 85 percent of his 50 year prison sentence.
SUMMER • from
page 1
sites, making it necessary to hire two or three extra faculty to do the visits. The status of the faculty can contribute to the cost of the class. Many of the faculty hired during the summer are tenured, which tends to drive up the cost, Johnson said. Communications major Nick Brennan said he was shocked when he found out how much the summer internship class cost. Brennan needs to take the class this summer to get credit for his internship, but said his parents will pay for the class. “I think the price of the internship class is ridiculous,” communica-
Rosenblum said this case illustrated “the good and the bad in the world all in one.” He contrasted the two, describing O’Brien as a “promising young man,” Acosta a “high school dropout” and user of various drugs. “Talk about diverseness,” Rosenblum said in March. “These two men took different paths in life. The defendant was greedy and didn’t want to work so he stole, while Kyle O’Brien was working his way through school making what, six or seven dollars an hour, to be killed while doing his job.” Contributions to the Kyle S. O’Brien Memorial Scholarship Fund continue to be accepted at CSUF, P.O. Box 6828, Fullerton, CA 928346828.
tions major Edgar Torres said of the $525 fee. He was planning to take the class, but after he found out how expensive it was he decided to wait. “I’ll take it in the fall or spring,” he said. Sudents receiving financial aid must use funds awarded to them during the regular school year if they want to take summer classes. “There are no separate funds available for summer school,” Financial Aid receptionist Yvonne Moar said. She said to save money, students should consider taking summer classes at community colleges.
3
CYBER • from
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ating system and how it compares to others, go to www.Redhat.com. They are the official clearinghouse for all things Linux. hinking of upgrading your slow modem? If you’re going to buy a modem, get one with “shotgun” capabilities. “Shotgunning” is adding two modems together to increase the speed of your connection. So if you have a 33.6 KBPS now and you were to buy a 56 KBPS that had shotgun capabilities, the two modems together could get you downloading at up to 89 KBPS. To do this you must have two phone lines and your Internet Service Provider must allow you to log on twice. Diamond Multimedia is the big pusher of this new technology, but others are jumping on the bandwagon. Look for this new trick to speed up your connection without having to splurge for an ISDN line and modem. Of course if you want to really move online and your cable company gives access to the Internet, then use that. Cables are quite a bit faster and not that much more expensive, especially if you already have cable.
T
4 n NEWS
Daily
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TUESDAY
April 7, 1998
Daily
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The May 12, 1998
TUESDAY
CEREMONY • from
NEWS n
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work.” One advantage she does see to holding ceremonies on a weekday is the lack of excuses families and friends have for why they are unable to attend them. Thomas Cardona, a graduating history major, said he could live with the ceremonies being held Monday. “It sucks because we should graduate on a Friday or Saturday. I plan to celebrate the Saturday before. It’s cheap but it’s better than waiting a
week.” Communications major Veronica Duran bemoaned the new date. She said many of her family and friends are unable to attend her graduation because they work on Monday. She said, “It’s ridiculous to have it (the ceremony) on Monday. On Friday, we could go out all night to celebrate, but instead we have to get up at 6 a.m. to work. We can’t hang out or party.” Kristi Knoppe, a soon-to-be advertising graduate, said her friends plan to take a day off work to attend her graduation ceremony. She said, “Having (the ceremony)
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“It’s ridiculous to have (the ceremony) on Monday. On Friday, we could go out all night to celebrate, but instead we have to get up at 6 a.m. to work. We can’t hang out or party.” —Veronica Duran, Communications major
on Monday is like we have to be there. Because it’s Monday, it’s like work.”
Ronald Hughes, chair of the Sociology Department, said many of the students in the department are not satisfied with the time of their graduation and he said he agrees that it is an awkward time. He said, “Students come to my office to complain. They ask ‘Why are we graduating on a Monday night?’” Wendell Crow and Ed Trotter, communications professors who plan to attend the ceremony, said they do not have a negative reaction to the time of the ceremony. Trotter said it was hard to find a time that would suit everyone.
Tom Clammer, the associate vice president for academic programs, helped determine the date of this ceremony almost two years ago. He said, “Students’ opinions on the time of commencement have a major impact on the time scheduled. Unfortunately, the time is scheduled two years in advance and the changes people ask for are often implemented long after they graduate.”
He said many colleges and universities near CSUF hold mid-week graduation ceremonies. Those students who are not happy about the weekday graduation may have been thankful for something else which he others also decided when forming the last academic calendar: last semester’s week-long Thanksgiving vacation.
Opinion
Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Schools overreact to Shakespeare
O
Annette Wells
h Shakespeare, Oh Shakespeare: why art thou so sexual in content? Doth thou not know the 90’s aren’t a time of open-mindedness? Doth thou not know thy can offend someone with thy rhyme? The other day I picked up my Orange County Register and read an article. I became very disturbed about the content. It seems that some parents and teachers in our neighboring commu-
nities didn’t enjoy taking their students and kids to Cal State Fullerton’s version of Shakespeare’s most popular play, “Romeo and Juliet.” Not because they didn’t like the performance by the actors in general, but because they didn’t like the explicit sexual nature of the actors in the play. I’m no expert on literature nor am I an expert on Shakespearean plays. What I am an expert in is reading, and when I read R&J for the first time, even at 15 I found Shakespeare referring to something sexual throughout the entire play. Granted, it took me several readings before
I recognized what he was saying, but my high school freshman English teacher highlighted all that I had missed. So I was shocked to see in the Orange County Register’s article a Troy High School English teacher referring to the CSUF version as R-rated. When I first read the play, it was the first time I had ever read about anyone being kissed. I had already seen it on television but never read about it in books. I was a freshman in high school before I first saw a televised version of R&J. I remember it because it showed Juliet’s breast and it showed the two lovers in bed together. It was quite apparent that they were nude. Did this bother me? No. Did it affect my life? No. But my teacher explained the play’s bawdiness to the class before she showed it, and she
Romeo and Juliet
also said that in Shakespeare’s time, the audience, the cast members, and Shakespeare himself may have been performing sexual acts throughout the play. The point I’m trying to make is that the teachers and parents have a valid argument in saying the version was bawdy, but at the same time, the play, as a whole, is meant to be bawdy. In fact, if you ask many English professors who teach Shakespeare today, nine out of ten would probably say the version was weak, with respect to bawdiness, compared to other versions. So to those parents and teachers who have found our version of R&J too sexually explicit, I only have one suggestion for you: do not take your 15-year-olds to see Hamlet. In my book, suicide and falling in love with your own mother are far worse than sexually-explicit activities.
ANNETTE WELLS is a Daily Titan assistant news editor.
Have some respect for your neighborhood police
W
Melissa Morris
e zipped down the streets and flew around the corners, chasing a regular nutball, and when we finally caught up with him there were six black-and-whites parked in various positions. The man who’d lost his marbles was locked in and not going anywhere. It turned out the young man who fled police
had mental problems and had stopped taking his medication. By the time it was all over, I wondered how police officers prevented themselves from taking downers after such pursuits. I mean, it’s so exciting you’re heart is literally jumping out of your chest. A lot or nothing can happen in one night. You just never know. It’s no wonder people with huge egos and over-bearing personalities go into this field. At least that’s what I thought until five hours on a ride-along taught me otherwise. When I accompanied Officer Gerry Sowards on a ride-along in late April, I half or maybe even whole-heartedly, expected to encounter a Narcissus. Even Adrian, Sowards zone partner, lacked what just about everyone makes fun of, the, “Hey, I’m a cop” attitude. I was overwhelmed by the niceness and modesty of everyone I met at the department that night and spoke to on the phone the following day. I was
also a little perplexed. I mean, we’ve all met cops before, and, well, you know... I thought I knew, too. Then you have those “learning experiences.” Ya know, the kind that show you that everybody is just another person not much different than yourself. Then I felt like a jerk. A jerk for having made assumptions about people I didn’t know well or at all. So I thought, hmm... how can I make myself feel better? Write. That’s what I decided to do. The more I talked to Sowards, I found out how real he was and how real other officers were. Many didn’t become officers because they wanted to prove to the world what big shots they were. My goodness, every call can be dangerous and the possibility of dying in the line-of-duty is real. These people have families, too. Even the ride-along program can be a little dangerous for officers. The department has participated in the ride-along program for over 12 years.
The program is not a requirement, it’s a public service. In fact, a lot of departments have done away with the program for various reasons and officer safety has always been a concern. Officer Flynn-Becerra showed concern about the fact that officers carry guns in their vehicles, guns that are situated right between the officer and the ride-along, guns that could under the wrong circumstances be used against the officer. “We’ve had people who are a little bit wacky,” FlynnBecerra said. It’s more than a great service to have officers patrol our streets, it’s almost Jesus-like: people willing to give their life in place of yours if necessary. That’s amazing and not at all expectant of a pig.
MELISSA MORRIS is a Daily Titan staff writer.
EDITORIAL POLICY Columns are the personal opinion of the authors. They do not reflect the views of the Daily Titan or CSU Fullerton faculty, staff or student body. Editorials are the opinion of the Executive Board. Letters should not exceed 350 words, and must include the author’s legal name, major, class standing or staff position (if any), and a phone number. Letters are subject to editing and may be omitted at the discretion of the editor. Send letters to: Letters to the Editor The Daily Titan 800 North State College Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92834 Or e-mail us at: dailytitan@yahoo.com
Sports
Tuesday, May 12, 1998
Benito Flores (11-0, 3.36)
Weekend Scoreboard
Baseball wins two of three at Santa Barbara. —see page 6
Erasmo Ramirez (9-5, 3.54) Adam Johnson (1-2, 3.37) 8 Saves
A look at Titan pitching versus this year’s opponents.
7.78 436
Titan strikeouts
338
opponent strikeouts
47
home runs given up
74
opponent home runs given up
honored as top female, male student-athletes of the year. By ERIN WHITESIDE
Daily Titan Sports Editor
P rowess
4.01
Titan team ERA
opponent ERA
n AWARD: Maty, DyReyes
Pitching
TreShawn Banford sets a new school record in the triple jump. —see page7
The Titan pitching staff, which is rated one of the top 15 staffs in the nation, is helping lead the Titans back to the top. By BRIAN DIERIEX
Daily Titan Sports Photo Editor Pitching has given the Titans an edge nearly all season, and it certainly will be a key for them in the postseason. The Cal State Fullerton pitching staff’s ERA of 4.01 is the best in the Big West and in the top 15 in the country. It has helped contribute to the team’s 42-13 record. It also has Titan Head Coach George Horton remembering back to a staff that won the College World Series in 1995. “I think it’s potentially as good any complete staff that we’ve had since ‘95,” Horton said. “We had Ted Silva who his big year for us, and Benito Flores is the closest thing we have to that.” The 95 team allowed only 294 runs that season and Ted Silva was 18-1. This year the Titans have given up 295 runs and Benito Flores is a perfect 11-0 on the season. However, as last season ended, the piching outlook looked bleak, as the Titans were forced to deal with a depleted staff. The team lost Matt Wise (5-8, 3.50) and Mike Greenlee (5-1, 3.38 and 7 saves) to graduation. Brandon Duckworth (8-1, 4.93), Brian Tokarse (103, 4.01) and John Alkire (3-5, 6.54) left for the minor
Athletes’ academic success honored
leagues after their junior seasons. The team had only two returning pitchers in Scott Hild and Mike Garner. But the addition of two senior transfers from Cal State Northridge in Flores and Erasmo Ramirez have solidified the staff. “When you get guys like Flores and Ramirez, it helps you right off the bat,” pitching coach Dave Serrano said. “We knew they would be solid. They helped with our depth problem and our freshmen have coat-tailed off their success.” Along with Flores and Ramirez, redshirting senior Hild added the leadership for a young pitching staff. “Even though Scott Hild is sitting out this year I think he has helped in a lot of ways with his maturity and experience of being in this program,” Serrano said. “He didn’t have to pitch an inning or get a win for us and he’s helped our team this year.” Serrano went out and recruited six freshman to fill the holes left in pitching staff. They are a combined 124 and have 14 of the 15 Titan saves. Not only have the freshmen pitched well, but half of them are southpaws. The team only had only one lefthander last year, Garner. Adam Johnson highlights the fresman class with seven saves, a 3.37 ERA and 55 K’s in 34 2/3 innings.
“I think the the team feels confident when he comes into the game,” Serrano said. He’s a dominating closer and it would be surprising if he doesn’t do the job.” Johnson has been invited to the USA Baseball tryouts in the summer. “It’s a great honor for him and our program,” Serrano said. “If he performs like he has for us he should make the team.” Johnson started the season on the bench because he was recovering from a back injury. He ran into trouble against Long Beach State in late March, but has managed to return to form. Freshman Kirk Saarloos’ two starts are the only by a right handed pitcher for the team all season. He traveled a bumpy road most of the the season, but has recently settled into a groove. “He has been throwing well ever since his last start against Long Beach State,” Serrano said. “His relief performances have continued to get better and better. “He’s jumping ahead and throwing strikes, which is an asset for any pitcher but especially him because he does not have dominating stuff, but he has quality stuff. I think strike one has turned the corner for him.” Another freshman, Jon Smith, had been sidelined wih a sore shoulder since March 7. He made his return
see PITCHING/ 8
In the Titan Pavilion Monday night, Cal State Fullerton’s student-athletes gathered for an awards ceremony that is helping to erase the “dumb jock” stereotype. Around 275 athletes, faculty, parents and friends came to the Academic Recognition Dinner which honored the academic achievements of Titan student-athletes. Big West Scholars, individual team scholar-athletes and graduating seniors were all recognized at the event. In addition, Joseph Cummings, the athletic team physician, was honored as faculty member of the year. It is an emotional event, and Christine McCarthy, assistant athletic director and head of academic services said she is always proud to see the accomplishments of the athletes that she has worked with over the course of their careers. “To me, it is why I do my job,” McCarthy said. “It is always a fun evening. We took a group picture of the graduating seniors and I think, ‘Oh my goodness, it’s over already.’ “ The 275 guests in attendance is by far the largest turnout for the event, which has been going on for six years, McCarthy said. Previously it was held at the Mariott Hotel on campus, but the banquet area only holds 215 people. Honored at the banquet were 75 graduating athletes and athletic trainers, 52 Big West Conference Scholar-Athletes and CSUF Scholar-Trainers, 11 freshmen (who earned a 3.5 or higher GPA) along with a scholar-athlete from each team. Gymnast Katy Maty received female scholar-athlete of the year honors, and wrestler Jonathan Dyreyes was honored on the men’s side. McCarthy, who announced the Big West Scholar-Athletes, said the ceremony hits home, as she has worked closely with most of the student-athlete’s she recognized. “To be honest, I always cry at least once every year,” she said. “I have the honor of calling up the Big West Scholars and the graduating seniors. I know everybody’s story and it is hard to tell everybody’s stories.” Also in attendance were Athletic Directory John Easterbrook and Associate Athletic Director Dr. Maryalyce Jeremiah and the University Executive Vice President Dr. Judith Anderson.
Win streak, baseball regular season ends n BASEBALL: Titans survive
scare as Erasmo Ramirez suffers a broken nose from an errant throw. By BRIAN DIERIEX
Daily Titan Sports Photo Editor It ended Friday for the Titan baseball team, a 14-game win streak that is. Cal State Fullerton fell one run short of UC Santa Barbara, 10-9, Friday afternoon. “Maybe it was a blessing in disguise,” Titan Head Coach George Horton said. “As a coach you want to win them all, but if we ran this thing out and now it’s a 17-game streak and we go into Big West and you win four more, and now you go to a Regional and start to think about the law of averages.” The No. 8 Titans battled back all day long and socked five home runs in the game. But they could not overcome the troubles they had on the mound. Benito Flores kept the Gauchos off the board until the fourth inning, where he allowed one run. In the fifth inning he allowed four more runs putting UCSB
up 5-3. Setup man Kirk Saarloos and closer Adam Johnson could not subdue the Gaucho attack as they combined to allow five earned runs. “We were continually behind in the count with all the guys that we pitched,” pitching coach Dave Serrano said. “You’re going to make teams good hitting teams if you do that.” That was not the worst of Serrano’s concerns. Before Friday’s game, when the team was warming up, a ball hit Erasmo Ramirez in the face, breaking his nose. Serrano thought he would be unable to make his start on Saturday. But despite the broken nose, the bandaged left-hander took to the mound and baffled the Gaucho batters. “I was determined to pitch,” Ramirez said. “I came back (from the health center) and I told coach if the bleeding stops and I don’t have any headaches I want to pitch.” Ramirez pitched seven inning and allowed one unearned run. CSUF provided him with plenty of offense for him to pick up his ninth win of the season.
Ryan Moore drilled his third home run of the series in the fifth inning. He was 0-for-2 going up to the plate when Horton pulled him aside and talked to him about the situation, and on the first, pitch he hammered his eleventh home run of the season. He went 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored. “I talked to him about how they were pitching him,” Horton said. “I basically gave him two options: I thought the push bunt was there for him, and the other onewas to have him get lined up to hit the ball down the middle because they were pitching him away. I wish I could take credit for it, but it was an accident, that’s how most home runs are. He was lined up to hit the ball up the middle and put a good swing on it and it went over the fence.” Aaron Rowand also helped the Titans offensively and defensively. In the third inning he smacked a double off the center field fence that drove in three runs and gave the Titans a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning with two runners on he made a sliding catch in foul territory and tumbled into the batting cage for the sec-
see BASEBALL/ 8
ERIC SANTUCCI/Daily Titan
UCSB baserunner Justin Gemoll ducks out of the way of the tag of Titan second baseman David Bacani in the third inning of Saturday afternoon’s 11-5 Titan win.
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Banford close to top spot in Big West for triple jump n TRACK: Team competed
in Occidental Invitational with several athletes earning personal bests. By KERRY MURRAY
Daily Titan Assistant Sports Editor TreShawn Banford is inching toward a Big West title—literally inches away from the number one spot in the Big West Conference. On Saturday, Banford set a new Cal State Fullerton record with her 39-3 leap in the triple jump on her first attempt at the Occidental Invitational. Banford, who is currently ranked second in the Big West behind a Utah State athlete, did not even attempt her last three jumps after feeling a pain in her back. “That jump solidifies her second position in the conference,” Titan Head Coach John Elders said. Banford said she came into the meet with her sights set on breaking her previous CSUF record, since her last recordbreaking performance at the Cal/Nevada Championships did not make the books since it was wind-aided. “I’m happy with my performance
right now in the season,” Banford said. “This is one of my best seasons so far and now I know what I’m capable of doing.” Banford said she will most likely take the next few days off of practice and will not compete in the Los Angeles Invitational this Saturday to give her back a break. “Hopefully my back will be fine,” Banford said. “I think I can do just about anything when I set my mind to it and I think I can beat the girl who is ranked ahead of me.” Elders said several other Titan athletes had personal best performances at the Occidental meet. Dominick Sturz earned a personal best and placed second in the men’s high jump with his 6-8 3/4 clearance. Phil Sitner also cut three seconds off his 1500-meter race, running a 3:52.70, a time which Elders said will elevate Sitner in the Big West standings. Sarah MacDougall ran a 4:40.9 in the 1500m and Erin Remy had a seven-second personal best in the 10000m with a time of 10:00.5. “The women’s distance team really had a strong week of training last week and I’m really pleased with their performances,” Elders said.
Helen Kale also earned a personal best in the women’s high jump with her 5-3 clearance. Dave Picha and Nick McMurray had new best times, running 1:54.3 and 1:55.9 respectively in the 800m. Gary Charles missed his 4x100m relay race, causing the team to forfeit, but made it to the meet in time to run his leg in the men’s 4x400m relay. Elders said the team had a mediocre performance. “I think Charles is ready to run in the conference championships,” Elders said. “We’re debating on whether to run him next weekend and give him another race under his belt.” Elders said he attributes all of the personal best performances to the ideal running conditions at Occidental, the strong competition at the meet and cutting back on the training. “I’m hoping this means we’re doing something right,” Elders said. The next competition is next weekend on the 16th, at the Lost Angels Invitational. The times are to be announced. It will be the last warm-up event for the team before it travels to Boise for the Big West Conference Championships. MYLES ROBINSON/Daily Titan
Eight Titan track and field competitors earned personal bests on Saturday at the Occidental Invitational.
BASEBALL: Titans win two out of three in preview of their first round playoff match-up n
ERIC SANTUCCI/Daily Titan
Titan Steve Chatham is safe from the tag of UCSB’s Justin Gemoll at second base during the seventh inning of Saturday’s game.
from page 6
ond out. He ended the inning catching an easy fly ball and the Gaucho threat ended with only one run scored. Horton pulled Rowand from the lineup because of a sore hip that is chronically bothering him. On Sunday Horton rested Rowand, which allowed Chris Beck into the lineup. Beck went 3-for-5 in the game with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Steve Chatham, however, outdid his
fellow outfielder. He also knocked out a home run, but was 5-for-6 in the game with four RBI and two doubles. On the mound, Greg Jacobs did not have his best day pitching. He allowed four runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings, but managed to pick up his fifth victory of the season. He was much better at the plate, going 3-for-6 with two doubles. Johnson pitched 1 1/3 innings and was able to close out the game to earn his eighth save of the season, as the Titans prevailed 11-9.
CSUF will square off with UCSB on Thursday in the first round of the Big West Conference Tournament. The NCAA announced its baseball Regional sites which will take place on May 21-24. Due to smaller facilities, Cal State Fullerton was not considered. However, top-ranked Stanford leads the way for the eight sites which were announced on Monday. The other sites will be at Miami, Florida State, Texas A&M, Clemson, Wichita State, Florida
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on Sunday against UC Santa Barbara and pitched 1 2/3 innings of shut-out relief in the game. “Just to have him coming out of the bullpen will be a bonus for us,” Serrano said. “It would be unrealistic for him to start a game and go very far, but having a left-hander with his stuff will help.” Smith had been one of the Titans’ weekend starters at the begining of the season and looked like a veteran. Junior Greg Jacobs, who is one of the teams’ top hitters, has moved into Smith’s spot in the rotation. Jacobs is 5-2 with a 3.81 ERA in seven starts, and is batting .390 with 47 RBI. “I feel better when I’m pitching and hitting,” Jacobs said. “When I’m on the mound if I miss my spot or give up a hit I get a little fustrated, and when I’m up at bat it’s payback.” George Carralejo, Jason Stewart and Jordan DeJong round out the freshman class. Carralejo is 3-0 with one save and has come in troubled situations and come out unscathed. In Sunday’s game against UC Santa Barabara he was sent in to get an out in the fifth inning with runners at second and third,. He walked the first batter and the next batter flew out to left field. DeJong’s stregnth is that he keeps the ball down in the strike zone, but Serrano said his lack confidence has hurt him this year. “I think there’s times he doubts his ablity, like against Cal Poly SLO,” Serrano said. “He came in and had a great inning and the next inning the first batter hit a home run and he started feeling for
pitches. “He’s got a sharp breaking ball and a sneaky fastball to go along with the change-up. He’s very green and he’s young, but I think when he feels comfortable that he does belong here and has the quality stuff to pitch here, that is when he’ll take-off.” Mike Garner was set to redshirt this season, but mid-season pitching problems made him change his mind. “He will have to win a game for us down the line, whether it be in the Big West Conference Tournament or Regionals ,” Serrano said. Garner has failed to control his com-
manding curve ball of late which has led to high ERA of 7.20. “He’s a curve ball guy and he struggles if he doesn’t get it over the plate,” Serrano said. “I still believe in him, and I expect him to do well as we go further and go deeper into our pitching.” A potential problem for the Titans could be a solidified fourth starter. “Hopefully that situation won’t come up and burn us,” Serrano said. “But I think we’re as deep as anybody. I’ll match up our eight and nine guys with anyone in the country.”
Photo on left by Myles Robinson: Greg Jacobs, a transfer from Cypress College, has come in to help the Titans as a weekend starter after freshman Jon Smith went down with a sore shoulder. He also has put the bat on the ball, and sports a .390 with five home runs and 18 doubles. Photo above by Eric Santucci: Erasmo Ramirez pitched on Saturday after breaking his nose on Friday. He has been one of the Titans’ most consistent pitchers all season and is second among starters in ERA behind former Cal State Northridge teammate Benito Flores.
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