Entertainment
Sports
Former Titan plays for gold medal winning Dream Team at summer Olympics 13
CSUF Theatre and Dance Department takes center stage this fall See insert
C a l i f o r n i a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y, F u l l e r t o n
We e k o f A u g . 3 0 - S e p t . 6 , 2 0 0 4
Pluses, minuses making the grade Professors will choose which grading system to use Spring 2005
Daily Titan
CSUF ranks top 10 in the west US News and World Report name campus No. 9 overall By ALI DORRI Daily Titan Staff
For the fourth straight year, U.S. News and World Report magazine has put Cal State Fullerton in the top 10 of all public universities in the western United States that offer
masterʼs degrees. The annual report came out Aug. 10 and ranks CSUF ninth among public colleges and 41 overall in the West. Peer assessment, student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resource and alumni giving-rate are what determine the rankings. CSUF President Milton A. Gordon said he was pleased with the outcome and what it represents.
“I feel very good about our rankings,” he said. “It means our peers are thinking very highly of us.” According to U.S. News and World Reportʼs Web site, peer assessment is the heaviest variable, responsible for up to 25 percent of the score. Highly ranked administrators from different universities grade each other in surveys. Judith Anderson, CSUF executive vice president, said that while she is pleased about the high rank-
By NATALIE TIMPSON For the Daily Titan
Cal State Fullerton will be implementing a second grading scale policy for the spring 2005 semester. Instructors will now have the option of using the current straight grading scale, which is limited to using solid letter grades, or a plus/minus scale that will allow them to assign plus and minus letter grades to better reflect a studentʼs performance. The plus/minus grading scale, known as UPS 300.020 Grading Practices, was brought about a though vote in the fall of 2003. The Academic Senate voted to approve the new system and President Milton A. Gordon affirmed the policy change on April 19, 2004. Sylvia Alva, assistant vice president of academic programs, said the new scale makes it easier for faculty to assign grades that truly reflect a studentʼs performance. For example, if a student is between a B and a C, a professor now has the ability to assign a C+ or a B-, meaning that students potentially could have an extra tenth of a point weighted into their overall GPA. An instructor can now reward or penalize students for the amount of effort they put into a course. Students who will feel the most impact are those who earn a grade of C-. A grade of a C- will not be accepted for the four key general education requirements, Alva said. These key courses are critical thinking, English 101, mathematics and oral communication. However, a D will satisfy as a passing grade for all other general education requirements. Also, students who have a C- average, which equates to a 1.7 GPA, qualify for academic probation. The policy change, was proposed by the Academic Standards Committee in response to communication from faculty who were interested in having a grading system that gave them the ability to make finer grading distinctions among students, said Leon Gilbert, the acting associate vice-president of academic programs and former chair of the Academic Senate. “It is a system that is already in place on quite a number of campuses within the [CSU] system and it is actually provided for under Title V,” he said. The idea to implement the plus/ minus scale is not new to the senate. It was first proposed four years ago, but lacked the support of faculty to pass. “It was really an interesting process politically because, prior to it even being discussed on the floor senate, there was a very active kind of exchange of e-mails,” Gilbert said. “The policy had gone out and GRADING 8
Inside
This Issue
Vo l u m e 7 9 , I s s u e 2
w w w. d a i l y t i t a n . c o m
ing, she does not feel that the report is a true indicator of college-value because it does not rely on student experiences like club activity, fulfilling educational experiences, athletic support or athletic participation. “It relies on quantifiable variables,” she said. “It does not reflect on qualitative variables. There is no reflection of student life. It would be very hard to attend schools based on limited rankings.”
Despite its good marks in certain categories, CSUF and all other state colleges get marked down for student selectivity. CSUF is obligated to take anyone as long as they meet academic requirements and apply on time. Trinity University in Texas, which was ranked number one overall, does not share this obligation, making it possible for them to receive higher marks. RANKING 8
Students restore natural habitat
Volunteers help renew endangered shores at Newport Back Bay
way.” Half of the two-acre site the students worked on is non-native, which means it doesnʼt have any predators like disease or herbivores that may eat the plants. Therefore, By ASHLEE ANDRIDGE its preservation is key. Daily Titan Staff Kristina Finstad, the restoration Cal State Fullerton students and education project coordinator for the Volunteer and Service Center California Coastal Commission, said joined forces with Newport Bay that nearly 99 percent of the wetNaturalists and Friends this week- lands in Southern California have end in a project aimed at restoring been destroyed by development. the habitat of the Upper Newport “This is one of the last remaining Bay. habitats for 200 species of migratStudents helped out by clearing ing birds,” Finstad said. “There is paths and removing not a lot of space non-native plants for these animals that often disturb the left.” It’s a good place environment of the Each site they for college bay, which provides work on is given students to nesting, feeding and a 5-year plan come and get breeding for a variwhich results in experience in ety of species. the environment the field. “In the wetland being able to there are both native stand up against Kristina Finstad and non-native predators and Project coordinator plants and the nonsurvive on its native plants are takown. ing out the nutrients from the native “We hope that by the end of five plants,” said Crystal Garcia, a biol- years that restored site is sustainogy major. “Itʼs really good to help able, meaning it is resistant to invabecause we know these reserves are sion, recycles its nutrients, becomes needed.” diverse and it is providing habitat,” Garcia and her friend, Anna Finstad said. Santos, are orientation leaders who Finstad works with many other said they wanted to volunteer and colleges and organizations in order help preserve the habitat. Santos, a to build awareness and get volunpolitical science major, said she is teers. used to helping out in soup kitchens “Itʼs a good place for college stuand feeding the homeless. dents to come and get experience in “This is my first time doing some- the field,” she said. thing hands-on,” Santos said. “Itʼs a SERVICE 6 different feeling but its good either
“
JAMES TU/Daily Titan
Freshman Kristal Lizaola scales the rock wall during Rec Fest held in front of the Kinesiology and Health Science Building on Thursday, Aug. 26.
First ‘Rec Fest’ draws in crowd
Titans browse all aspects of Student Unionʼs Rec Sports By CASEY RITTENHOUSE Daily Titan Staff
Cal State Fullerton students should have no problems staying fit this year. At least that was the goal last Thursday for the first “Rec Fest” sponsored by Rec Sports, a division of Associated
Students, Inc. The event was held to show students the array of activities provided by Rec Sports. Clubs, games, recreations, fitness and wellness, Titan Youth Gymnastics and a construction plan for a future recreation center made up most of the booths in front of the Kinesiology and Health Science Building. Entertainment by the rockabilly band Big Rockinʼ Daddy and the Usual Suspects wailed in the background, and interactive amuse-
ment was available for those who attended. Students climbed up a massive rock wall while others opted for a free massage.
Raffles were held with prizes including free personal training at the Fitness Lab and passes to Disneyland. Jessica Smillie is the manager of Games and Recreations and head chair for the Rec Fest committee. She said she hoped the REC FEST 8
”
Gen. Tommy Franks signs new book, supports U.S. war in Iraq Nixon Library in Yorba Linda hosts retired general A Marine color guard from Camp Pendleton was present for the Pledge of Allegiance before Gen. Tommy Franks, former commander of the U.S. Central Command responsible for the activity of U.S. troops in most of the world was introduced to an audience of nearly 750 visitors in the East Room of the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace. Franks, known as the “chief architect of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars,” spoke last Thursday at the library to promote his new book and life memoir, “American Soldier.” Franks received a standing ova-
tion before starting his talk with a few politically charged jokes. “I wanted to go over to the Democratic Party, but they only had one ticket left and they gave it to Michael Moore,” Franks joked. “John Kerry called me last night. You donʼt want to know what he called me.” He continued by saying, “You donʼt have to hate Kerry to vote for Bush and you donʼt have to hate Bush to vote for Kerry. The American people are smarter than that.” Franks even made some jabs at himself when talking about his failed school efforts and his success in the military. “I returned to school decked out with gold stars,” he said. “A professor of mine looked at me and said, ʻI donʼt remember you being the brightest bulb in the socket.ʼ I said,
ʻAinʼt this a great country?ʼ” Franksʼ vagueness when making comments and addressing questions didnʼt seem to bother his supporters who applauded with enthusiasm. “[One way] to measure the quality of a president is the context in which he makes his decisions,” Franks said. “9/11 provided the context.” After talking about the time during and after the Sept. 11 attacks and his support of the war, he opened up the forum for questions. A man in the audience asked Franks to explain weapons of mass destruction. “Inspectors came time, after time, after time, and came back and said, ʻThere are weapons of mass destruction unaccounted for in Iraq,ʼ” Franks said. “Saddam Husseinʼs regime has enough weapons to blow up the world.” He seemed to defend
SHANNON ANCHALEECHAMAIKORN/Daily Titan
FRANKS 8
Vietnam Veteran, Tommy Franks, talks to fellow Republicans about the war, the election, and his new book at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.
NEWS
SPOTLIGHT
OPINION
The golden ticket to the Golden State 5
How to tan in 30 seconds 9
Hot topics: sex, drugs Slow start to soccer and ASI 10-11 season 19
By LAURA BEYER Daily Titan Staff
SPORTS
FULL EFFECT ‘Exorcist’ prequel turns heads See insert
2 Week of Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2004
News
NEWS
www.dailytitan.com
news@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-4415
This Week
Speeding to class
AUG. 30-SEPT. 6
IN BRIEF
World
Tuesday
Jin Zhang of UC Santa Cruz will present “Novel Optical Properties and Emerging Applications of Nanomaterials” at 4 p.m. in McCarthy Hall. Sponsored by Chemistry and Biochemistry. For more information, call (714) 278-4243. Titan Student Union Games & Recreation presents the Video Arcade Open House in the lower level of the TSU. Students and faculty can play arcade games for free, along with free billiards and enterto-win prizes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Explosion kills 7 in Kabul branch of U.S. security firm, 2 are Americans KABUL, Afghanistan — An explosion tore through the office of an American security contractor in the heart of the Afghan capital Sunday, killing seven people, including two Americans, officials and witnesses said. The explosion hit the office of Dyncorp Inc., a U.S. firm that provides security for Afghan President Hamid Karzai and works for the U.S. government in Iraq, said Nick Downie of the Afghanistan NGO Security Office.
Wednesday
Nation
Sistertalk, an African American discussion Group at CSUF, will be holding its first meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Womenʼs Center in University Hall, Room 205. The group offers cake, punch, conversation and support. For more information, call (714) 278-3928.
125,000 without power as storm slams S.C., Gov. declares state of emergency MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — Tropical Storm Gaston sloshed ashore in South Carolina Sunday, spinning sheets of rain and near hurricane-force wind as it uprooted trees, flooded roads and knocked out power to at least 125,000 homes. Gov. Mark Sanford declared a state of emergency as the storm moved inland and encouraged “folks to stay in their homes for the time being so that damage assessment crews, utility truck crews and debris removal crews can do their jobs.”
Thursday
Live reggae and calypso will be featured at the Fullerton Farmersʼ Market. The market is open to the public from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and the band “Upstream” will perform from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Downtown Fullerton. Admission is free. For more information, call (714) 738-6545.
Local Urban runoff cleanup a top priority for OC residents according to recent survey FULLERTON, Calif. — Nearly two-thirds of Orange County residents surveyed said they would be willing to pay for urban runoff cleanup. The random telephone survey of 579 residents by the Orange County Business Council and California State Fullerton also determined residents would be willing to pay $5 a month for runoff cleanup. The council began promoting urban runoff clean up efforts a few years ago because the toxic mixture of bacteria and pollution from sprinklers, street-cleaning and car-washing makes it to the sea and often closes beaches, spokesman Wallace Walrod said. The latest survey results were about the same as those during a February poll, he said. Closed, contaminated beaches repel tourists, and tourism is a $6 billion-a-year industry in Orange County that employs 140,000 people, the council said. During summer months, the Orange County Sanitation District treats about 2.5 million gallons of urban runoff each day from northern and western Orange County, said Bob Ghirelli, the district’s director of technical services.
Campus Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese classes added to Fullerton line-up this semester Cal State Fullerton, in conjunction with Cal State Long Beach, will be offering three new language classes this semester. The courses, “Vietnamese for Vietnamese Speakers,” “Fundamental Korean” and “Mandarin Chinese for International Business,” are offered through the University Extended Education program and will meet at the CSUF Garden Grove Center. The classes are open to both CSU students and non-students. All three classes meet in the evening and more information may be obtained by contacting the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at (714) 278-3534. Reports compiled from The Associated Press
DAILY TITAN EDITORIAL
Executive Editor Managing Editor News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Entertainment Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Asst. Copy Editor Internet Editor Production Editor Production Editor Elections Coordinator Adviser Main Line (714) 278-3373 Executive Editor (714) 278-5815 News Line (714) 278-4415
Marti Longworth Lynn Penkingcarn Sarah Maxwell Ryan McKay Ryan Townsend Khanh Vu Josh Diggs Melissa Bobbitt Robert Rogers Oana Purcar Jorge Arredondo Laura Gordon Baladev “Dave” Barry Brian Ramuno Manuel “Murf” Irigoyen Theresa “Tessa” Vergara Rudy Gharib Tom Clanin Editorial Fax (714) 278-4473 Managing Editor (714) 278-5693 E-mail: news@dailytitan.com
ADVERTISING Advertising Sales Director Entertainment Sales Manager Classified Manager Ad Production Manager National Advertising Executive Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Distribution Distribution Business Manager/Adviser Main Line (714) 278-3373 Advertising (714) 278-4411
Kevin Cook Erik Alden Emily Alford Thomas Sullens Maria Peterson Can Sengezer Jessica Leventhal Courtney Mues Brenden Sparks Kimberly Orr Isidore Gregorio Santana Ramos Daniel Lines Robert Sage Advertising Fax (714) 278-2702 E-mail: ads@dailytitan.com
The Daily Titan is a student publication, printed every Monday through Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSUF System. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. 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 commerical enterprises. The Daily Titan allocates one issue to each student for free. Copyright ©2004 Daily Titan
DAVID PARDO/Daily Titan
Sophomore Christie Naill skates her way from class to class as seen by many other students on campus, even though it’s banned on university grounds. Naill says, “It’s great for transportation, despite being kicked off by the police.”
Cop
University Police log for the BLOTTER week of Aug. 23-30
8/22 01:30 A call was received from a campus emergency phone near the Education Classroom Building. Police responded but no one was found in the area. 8/23 06:46 Suspicious artifacts including condoms and rubber gloves were reported in the Humanities Building. 10:15 An injury traffic accident occurred between a pedestrian and a car in the Extended Education parking lot. 11:42 A traffic accident occurred when a parked car rolled out of a parking stall and collided with another vehicle. No injuries were reported.
13:10 An emergency call was placed from the Extended Education parking lot. Police responded. Everything checked out OK. 17:05 A disturbance was reported at the Health Center after a woman was reported acting abnormally. Witnesses reported seeing a woman acting out, she may have possibly been mentally disturbed. 8/23 14:31 A call requesting medical aid was received from the Science Laboratory Center. Police responded, but were unable to locate the caller. 15:34 Property vandalism occurred at McCarthy Hall. Graffiti was found and wiped off. No permanent damage was evident. No arrest resulted.
8/26 10:26 Property vandalism occurred near the menʼs restroom in the Engineering Center. The tagging was not permanent, but was believed to be gang related. No arrest resulted. 13:03 Vandalism reported in Lot E after a vehicle was keyed following a dispute over a parking spot. No arrest resulted. 13:02 A non-injury accident between two vehicles occurred at the intersection of Nutwood and Commonwealth avenues. 8/26 13:13 A call requesting medical aid was received from Langsdorf Hall after an eye injury resulted from an encounter with a box. The injured party refused medical attention.
Friday
CSUF hosts a two-day college volleyball tournament, The Fullerton Classic, held in the Titan Gymnasium. For more information or tickets, call (714) 278-CSUF.
Weather
FORECAST
Monday, Aug. 30 Sunny Low 67°
87°
Tuesday, Aug. 31 Sunny Low 67°
89°
Wednesday, Sept. 1 Sunny Low 67°
91°
Thursday, Sept. 2 Sunny Low 64°
85°
Friday, Sept. 3 Partly Cloudy Low 64°
81°
Compiled from the National Weather Service
NEWS
Daily Titan
Titan alumnus ‘skratches’ the magazine industry Skratch magazine brings information about new bands
Guardian Scholars welcomes students The program receives a record number of former foster youth
By SHANNON ANCHALEECHAMAIKORN Daily Titan Staff
As masses of fans swarm to underground concerts and strive to be different, cool, hip, spontaneous and sometimes even mentally disturbed, Skratch magazine, a local publication, is determined to appease the fan-hunger for the scoop on their favorite bands. Scott Presant, Cal State Fullerton alumni and CEO of Skratch, started the magazine in Sept. 1996. He said his goal was to put out a publication that would focus on smaller local punk, hardcore and indie rock bands. Skratch is a free, monthly publication, completely funded by advertisements, he said. After being in production for eight years, the company has put out 103 issues and puts out 37,000 copies a year. Currently, Skratchʼs circulation extends from Southern California to Arizona, Nevada, New York, Florida and other areas. “When a band gets to KROQ or goes real mainstream, we donʼt cover them anymore, and thatʼs just kind of our thing,” Presant said, although the magazine still covers popular bands like Rancid, No Doubt and The Offspring. Bill Adams, the magazineʼs press coordinator, organizes interviews for the writers and photographers. Because he has great influence on which bands get a spot in Skratch, he said he tries to make the magazineʼs coverage as diverse as possible. Presently, Skratchʼs staff consists of about 40 writers and 20 photographers who are all volunteers. “Because itʼs free, they use this
Week of Aug. 30-Sep. 6, 2004 3
news@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-4415
By LINDA HO Daily Titan Staff
SHANNON ANCHALEECHAMAIKORN/Daily Titan
CEO of Skratch Magazine, Scott Presant, stands in front of a wall, lined with the covers of prior Skratch issues and wee need one more line of caption. magazine as a stepping stone experi- tions major Ray Arroyo said he ence,” Presant said. remembers when Presant was still Skratch is always making photocopy samples of looking for good Skratch. Arroyo writers and photographers to be part of has interviewed When a band their team, he said. well-known gets to KROQ At this time they are musicians like or goes real offering internships Joe Strummer mainstream, to all those who are from The Clash, we don’t cover interested in the up and has also covthem anymore, ered large music and coming music and that’s just festivals like scene and have some kind of our Coachella. experience writing thing. “Itʼs cool,” or taking pictures. Arroyo said. “Itʼs Photographer Scott Presant just brutal someJimbo Gray, who has CEO of Skratch Magazine times. Thereʼs been with Skratch a lot of work since the beginning, involved.” said he loves the Presant said experience so much his experience with Skratch has also he gives up sleep to work for them. Writer and CSUF communica- been intense. His advice for people
“
”
who are interested in starting their own magazines is to be confident and have defined goals. “Itʼs going to take a lot more mentally and physically than you would realize,” he said. Presant said that because the advertising aspect of the magazine is so difficult, you have to find people to support and help you with the process. “Talk to a lot of people, make a lot of connections,” he said. “It sounds really fun, and it is, but it does become a business at some point.” The magazine is currently working on next monthʼs issue; and while the bands play on, Skratch will certainly strive to bring the readers the latest in the punk, hardcore and indie rock scene for free.
The Guardian Scholars at Cal State Fullerton come to the aid of 12 new freshmen and three transfer students this semester. Launched in the fall of 1998, the program has proved successful in its effort to help emancipated foster youth reach their academic goals, with 18 students successfully graduating as Guardian Scholars over the years. “The Guardian Scholars program is an academic scholarship which provides financial assistance, yearround housing, mentoring and advising,” said Jenny Mohr, director of Guardian Scholars. The program is aimed toward former foster youth or individuals over the age of 18 who have lived in foster homes or who have been wards of the state courts. Candidates for this program must be California residents and must have fulfilled all the requirements necessary to attend a four-year college, including a minimum grade-point average of 2.5. The application process involves written essays and interviews with community representatives, CSUF alumni and scholar program staff. “Itʼs definitely a community effort,” said Mohr, emphasizing that the success of the program is due to the partnerships among the Student Affairs and Academic Affairs departments, as well as the support of the surrounding community. There are currently 41 Guardian Scholars at varying grade levels attending CSUF. These students attend meetings with program advisers and workshops that emphasize topics ranging from life skills to money management. Approximately $300,000 in pri-
vate donations was distributed to help students last year, Mohr said. “Every dollar raised is invested in our students,” said Mohr, referring to individual and corporate donations that fund the Guardian Scholars. Markus Burks, a senior animation and entertainment arts student, said he learned about the program through an ex-social worker. “CSUF was the only college on my list that offered this program,” Burks said. “Because of the program, I didnʼt have to take out loans for college.” Krystle Bybee, a senior human services major and a student representative on the Guardian Scholarsʼ advisory board, said she learned about the program through a classmate in high school. “I am very fortunate that they accepted me,” Bybee said. College would have been much more difficult for me. [The program] has made living a lot easier.” Bybee said she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in counseling. As for now, Bybee said she is fortunate to have the great relationships sheʼs built with Student Affairs staff members. “They really are mentors to me,” she said. “Itʼs great to be able to go to the events and meet donors, and to just see people who actually really care about you.” Burks also said the program has provided him with moral support during tough times. “Iʼve been able to meet a lot of awesome people, people that really want to help,” he said. “It has made me want to do a little bit more to help foster youth.” Burks, who plans to pursue a career in the comic book or video game industry, said he hopes one day he can encourage students to do their best. “Iʼd like to encourage foster youth or anyone else thatʼs down to strive for a goal in life and reach for it,” he said.
Daily Titan
NEWS
news@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-4415
Week of Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2004 5
Tucked away Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary, owned by Cal State Fullerton and located 25 miles Southeast of the University, welcomes approximately 40,000 visitors every year. Photo essay by SIERRA F. WEBB Daily Titan Staff
Grunion moonlight at local beaches Small fishesʼ mating ritual attracts full moon crowds By LAURA BEYER Daily Titan Staff
“There’s not a lot of open land left in Orange County that’s nature oriented. Here we have 12 acres so it’s good for students to come check this out,” said Missy Fowler, a senior majoring in biology. Fowler’s duties include activities such as watering the coast live oaks that were probably germinated by the local scrub jays a year ago. “It’s a peaceful place,” Fowler said. “A little refuge where you can escape the city.” Top: In 1939 the Audubon Society took over the sanctuary until it was taken over by Cal State Fullerton in 1968. Up until a few years ago these cages housed injured hawks, vultures and owls that were not well enough to be released into the wild. Currently, Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary Manager, Birkin Newell and the other sanctuary staff are working on the legal requirements and permits so that the birds can be returned. Above: The California Desert Tortoise is located just inside and to the left of the gate leading into the wildlife sanctuary. Although it is not a native species Newell believes that it was probably dropped off by someone who could no longer care for it. Far right: Black carpenter bees move quickly among the indigo spiers. The bees are commonly mistaken for bumble bees, however the carpenters got their name from the practice of living in holes dug into wood. Biology students from CSUF and local community colleges often use Tucker as an outdoor laboratory to study subjects such as insects, rates of regrowth, mammal and bird populations. Right: This Spanish bayonet is also known as an aloe yucca. The sanctuary Web site reports that there are over 340 species of plants in the Santa Ana mountains.
As the full moon shines down on the shores of Baja and Southern California and this month, thousands of grunion fish are making their way to the sands of our beaches to lay their eggs. The long, slender fish and their evening mating rituals draw spectators to local spots like the Huntington Beach Pier for what has become known as the grunion run. “My dad took me to see the grunion runs when I was a kid and I loved it,” said Chris Petersen, a Huntington Beach resident and native. “Now I take my kids whenever I can. They think itʼs amazing. Itʼs kind of a tradition.” The elaborate mating process flows with the movement of the ocean as female grunions wash up on shore with the waves and bury themselves in the sand. Standing erect, they lay their eggs while the males come up in the next set of waves, wrapping themselves around the female and proceed to fertilize the eggs. The grunion runs typically start in March and continue through August, but the season can start as early as February and end as late as September. Many local aquarium employees have a lot of information about grunions and are happy to share their knowledge with those who are interested. George VanDoren, a programs staff member for the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, has been running a program to teach people about the grunion runs for the last 20 years. “Itʼs a very interesting situation specific only to Southern California and Baja,” he said. “Grunions are one of the few fish that spawn on the sand. They have a way to determine when there is a new or full moon and when high tide is and only then will they deposit their eggs.”
6 Week of Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2004
SERVICE
NEWS
Will Ferrell challenges Bush, Kerry
from page 1
Susan Amdahl, a community service leader at CSUF and codirector of Project Earth, is in her second year at the Volunteer and Service Center on campus. Amdahl heard about Finstad and her program through word of mouth while doing beach clean-ups. She thought it was a great opportunity to get students involved. “Our main focus is to connect students with volunteer activities,” she said. Last year volunteers did a total of 110,000 hours of community service, Amdahl said, and these hours did not just benefit the community, but also the students involved. “Itʼs just as important to us that this event makes a difference in their lives as well,” she said. Not only does the center provide students with experiences like this at Newport Back Bay, but also a variety of other activities, Amdahl said. Students have the opportunity to participate in programs that paint homes for the elderly, assist in food drives or even take part in street teams that encourage voting among students. The centerʼs next event is the American Red Cross Blood Drive, Sept. 8 and 9. For more information, stop by the office in the Titan Student Union, Room 2, or check out the Web site at www.fullerton. edu/deanofstudents/volunteer/.
www.dailytitan.com
news@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-4415
Underwear company features comedian on its new product line
CSUF students Crystal Garcia, Robin Keber, and Felipe Salazar help remove foreign plant life for the Habitat Resotration at the Newport Back Bay.
Forget George W. Bush and John Kerry. Itʼs Will Ferrell who wants to streak his way into the White House. Attempting to get young voters to the polls, Crown Jewels, a Costa Mesa-based underwear company, is endorsing Ferrell as a mock presidential candidate. “Everyone here [at Crown Jewels] is under 25,” said David Rock, founder and president of Crown Jewels. “We are not supporting Bush or Kerry.” Crown Jewels became an official business venture in January as a racy alternative to conservative underwear fashion, so it might make sense that its presidential candidate is out of the ordinary. Rock said that Crown Jewels concluded that neither Bush nor Kerry is a great option and neither of them motivates youth. Stirred by disinterest, they brainstormed to find an inspiring candidate and decided Ferrell was right for the job. “We contacted Will Ferrellʼs management and they were OK with it,” Rock said. “We let them know
that we would not be making any money from Willʼs name. This is completely non-profit.” According to an article on www. prospect.org, only 32 percent of the 25 million eligible voters between the ages of 18 and 24 voted in the 2000 election. Rock said he wants to change that statistic by reaching out to potential local voters. “We want to target south Orange County,” he said. Crown Jewels held an early evening rally on Balboa Boulevard and 21st Street in Newport Beach on Aug. 21. The Crown Jewels staff gave away an estimated 40 shirts with a nude silhouette of Ferrell that read “Weʼre going streaking to the White House,” playing off his infamous role in the movie “Old School.” Ferrell did not attend the rally but that didnʼt stop supporters from gathering at Sharkeez Bar and Grill and partying in his honor. To compensate, the establishment held a Will Ferrell look-a-alike contest. “It was a fun event with a serious side to it,” said Lindsey Richardson, director of marketing for Sharkeez. “Sharkeez does not want inflict a political plan on anyone, we just want people to get out and vote.” Rock said that no one has actually taken the Ferrell candidacy seriously, but there are signs that the campaign is impacting the youth demographic
and influencing them to help out. For instance, a senior at University High School in Irvine participated in spreading the message. “He took our petition and got signatures there,” Rock said. Voter turnout by young adults is a key election issue and politicians are not the only ones promoting it this year. MTV has been promoting its “Choose or Lose” message and music moguls Russell Simmons and Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, promoting his campaign “Citizen Change” with the slogan “Vote or Die,” are also trying to spread the word. Phillip Gianos, a Cal State Fullerton political science professor, said the drive to get youth to vote this election is serious due to how tightly contested it is and how so many view it as an important election. “Itʼs a tough market,” Gianos said. “Itʼs not difficult to find them, but itʼs difficult to persuade them.” There is not much precedent with these movements so predicting their influence would be difficult, Gianos said. Rock said he is optimistic that Ferrell can make an impact. “[Ferrell] can help,” he said. “He is a bad ass.” Crown Jewels will continue to campaign on its Web sites www. mycrownjewels.com and www. badassofthemonth.com.
“Deconstructing Disney,” also known as Communications 515T, is a new graduate course offered this semester. Students in the class said the course is as fun as it sounds. “Iʼm looking forward to every evening,” said David Brooks, a graduate student. Andi Stein, a communications professor, said her course is designed to teach students “a good understanding of not only what Disney represents, but how the corporation operates as a business.” The class also looks “at some
but because of budget cuts and reduced classes there wasnʼt room for it on the schedule. A year later she proposed it as a graduate course and it was eventually granted. As a self-proclaimed Disney fanatic – she has a shrine of Disney character toys in her office – Stein welcomes other views on the Disney corporation in her classroom. One of the required textbooks for the class is “Understanding Disney” by Janet Wasko. “[Wasko] is really a Disney scholar. She has made a career by study-
ing Disney and she hates Disney. Her perspective is, ʻLetʼs look at this evil corporation and see what itʼs done to the world.ʼ I thought between her perspective and mine, we could get a balance in the class,” Stein said. Her students agree. “There are 18 of us in the class, but a lot of us are from different backgrounds and itʼs going to be interesting to learn from everyoneʼs perspectives,” said Alysia Webb, a graduate student. Beth Kronbeck, an American
studies graduate student, hopes to gain insight on how Disney influences society culturally. “Disney is a world-wide-phenomenon. It all means something to us and itʼs going to be interesting to learn what it means to each culture,” Kronbeck said. To ready herself for the class, Stein went to Disneyland a week ago. “What better way to prepare for the beginning of the school year than go to the ʻhappiest place on Earth?ʼ” Stein said.
By ALI DORRI Daily Titan Staff
FRANCIS SZYSKOWSKI/Daily Titan
New graduate course aims to demystify Disney’s lasting popularity
Students break down what makes Disney a cultural phenomenon By KELLY HICKMAN Daily Titan Staff
College classes are like roller coaster rides. Students anticipate the beginning; theyʼre worried, apprehensive and even a bit scared. Needless to say, not all of them are as fun as students hope they would be.
of the corporate issues that theyʼre involved in and how that affects the media industry,” she said. Stein took an “Understanding Disney” course while she was a student at the University of Oregon. “It was a lot of fun,” she said. “When I started teaching here four years ago, I thought this could be a perfect place to have a similar course since Disney is just down the street.” Stein first proposed “Deconstructing Disney” to the university as an undergraduate course,
NEWS
Daily Titan
Senate Race for the Gold Californians take a closer look at who will lead the Golden State in the November elections
By RUDY GHARIB Daily Titan Elections Coordinator
Meet James Grey: The 714 candidate
Party: Libertarian Current employment: Judge Quick political resume: This judge was at the Orange County Municipal Court from ʼ83 to ʼ89 and can now be found at the Orange County Superior Court. Education: Bachelor of Arts from UCLA, class of ʼ66, law degree from USC class of ʼ71 Astrological Sign: Aquarius Age: 59 Home: Newport Beach, Calif.
Meet Don Grundmann: AOL Instant Messenger: “StopTheIRS”
Party: American Independence Current employment: doctor of chiropractics Quick political resume: This chiropractor/ herbalist has no political experience. Education: Certificate from DC Palmer College of Chiropractics, class of ʼ81 Astrological sign: Pisces Marital status: single Age: 52 Home: San Leandro, Calif.
Meet Marsha Feinland: The Activist
Party: Peace and Freedom Party Current employment: public school teacher quick political resume: This teacher has been in the public school system for 30 years and is the current state chair for the Peace and Freedom Party. She ran for California gover-
RNC in NYC Delegates gather for GOP convention, march through city By TOM RAUM The Associated Press
NEW YORK - Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched past the Madison Square Garden site of the Republican National Convention on Sunday, chanting, blowing whistles and carrying anti-war banners as delegates gathered to nominate President Bush for a second term.
Week of Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2004 7
news@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-4415
Trailing the campaign Who Kerryed who and who Bushed who on the campaign trail last week
nor in ʼ98 and for U.S. president in ʼ96. Education: Bachelor of Arts in history and Master of Science in education, no school information available Age: 54 Home: Oakland, Calif.
Meet Barbara Boxer: Third timeʼs the charm
Party: Democrat Current status: U.S. senator, two terms Quick political resume: This former journalist was on the Marin County Board of Supervisors from ʼ76 to ʼ82 and served as a member of the House of Representatives from ʼ82 toʼ92. Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from Brooklyn College, class of ʼ62 Astrological sign: Scorpio Age: 64 Home: Greenbrae, Calif.
•
•
• •
Meet Bill Jones: CSU grad
•
Party: Republican Current employment: judge Quick political resume: This judge was on the California State Assembly from ʼ82 to ʼ94 and was the California Secretary of State from ʼ94 to ʼ02 Education: Bachelor of Science degree from Cal State Fresno, class of ʼ71 Astrological sign: Sagittarius Age: 55 Home: Fresno, Calif.
Knight Ridder Tribune
Source: CNN, League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Barbara Boxer (top) and Bill Jones (bottom) are two of the Cal-contenders for the U.S. Senate.
•
Thousands of police guarded New York roadways, bridges, tunnels and ports, while vehicle restrictions in an 18-square-block area around the Garden snarled traffic in a city already congested. The delegates were arriving under unprecedented security. Convention attendees were greeted with a list of prohibited items that included guns, explosives, fireworks and knives — “regardless of size” — as well as some less obvious items such as umbrellas.
•
On the eve of the convention, the demonstrators packed the street from sidewalk to sidewalk for 20 blocks as they slowly filed past. “Hope is in the air, help is on the way,” civil rights leader Jesse Jackson said through a bullhorn. The demonstrators took their protests of Bushʼs foreign and economic policies to the fortified streets of midtown Manhattan, swarming up Seventh Avenue past the convention site shouting “No More Bush.” “The majority of this country wants the Bush administration out of office,” filmmaker and Bush critic Michael Moore told the crowd. A large banner said, “Save America. Defeat Bush.” People
•
• •
poked their heads out of apartment windows to watch the marchers in the sweltering heat. About 45 protesters on bicycles were detained and bound with plastic handcuffs just off the march route, police said. More than 300 people had been arrested through Saturday night for disorderly conduct and conventionrelated incidents. The convention site is several miles north of Ground Zero, where two hijacked planes destroyed both towers of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Nearly 3,000 people died there, at the Pentagon and at a crash site in Pennsylvania.
Associated Press writers Sara Kugler, Tom Hays and Michael Weissenstein contributed to this report.
•
•
• •
Bush releases an Olympic themed advertisement featuring an Iraqi and Afghani flag. A voice says, “At this Olympics there will be two more free nations — and two fewer terrorist regimes.” Panels led by former defense secretary and by U.S. Army generals conclude that top civilian and military authorities, including the head of the chain of command, Donald Rumsfield, contributed to the abuses. Colin Powell cancels his trip to the Olympics for fear of anti-war protests. The debate over 527s and campaign ads continue, while the Federal Election Committee adjusts its regulations and implements new spending restrictions. Bushʼs campaign lawyer resigns from his position after giving legal advice to the Swift Boat Veteran Group. Bush campaign continues to deny any participation with the group or its advertisements. John Kerry appears on the John Stewart show and offers to hold his inauguration on the show. He also says, "You'd be amazed at the number of people who want to introduce themselves to you in the men's room." Bush tells Floridians he will try and get $2 billion to help rebuild the state. Ralph Nader speaks out against Democrats, saying that the party is trying to silence him with its campaigns. Vice President Dick Cheney says that legality of samesex marriage should be decided by individual states. Liberal protesters take over New York City as the city prepares for the Republican National Convention. Bush spends the weekend campaigning in Ohio, a keybattle state. Kerry spends the weekend campaigning in Washington; he will then head to Nantucket Island to stay out of the limelight while the RNC takes place. On the campaign trail Kerry challenges Bush to a weekly-televised debate leading up to the election. Everyone wants to be just like Arnold: o “He and I both married up. He married a woman who was a member of the other party, I married a woman who was a member of the other party…and Arnold has massive biceps, and I have massive hair.” –Kerry, in California o “Iʼm also proud to be here with the governor of California...he and I share a lot in common. We both married above ourselves, we both have trouble with the English language, we both have big biceps-well, two out of three arenʼt bad.” –Bush, in California.
Information compiled from The Washington Times, The Economist, CNN, Comedy Central, FOX News and The Associated Press. Illustrations provided by Knight Ridder Tribune.
8 Week of Aug. 30-Sept. 6, 2004
FRANKS
from page 1
the controversial topic by adding, “You wouldnʼt let a killer sit across the room with a loaded gun and put your children to sleep.” While many in the audience were there to hear Franks and get their copies of “American Soldier” autographed, others were not so supportive of Franksʼ position on the war. Marcus Gourley, a former Air Force pilot who heads the Brea Peace Coalition in Southern California, had planned to stage a protest outside the library as Franks spoke.
GRADING
from page 1
there was a vigorous exchange of e-mails where faculty were weighing in and it was clear that there was very strong support for the system.” Senior Eduardo Cervantes, a transfer student from UC Riverside, said he was already used to a plus/ minus scale and is happy with the coming changes.
Gourley said he doesnʼt agree with Franksʼ views and is protesting the war. “Weʼre attacking a third world country who didnʼt attack us,” he said. He also said he doesnʼt believe there is a good reason to be in Iraq fighting. “This war in Iraq was a lie predicated on weapons of mass destruction that do not exist,” Gourley said. Although the protest did not occur, Gourley and the coalition stage antiwar protests at the Starbucks on the corner of Harbor Boulevard and Chapman Avenue every Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. “With the A or B system, you can slack off and get a B- but your grades still show a B,” Cervantes said. “I like the plus/minus system a little bit better because it shows if youʼre putting in the extra effort.” The new plus/minus grading scale will take effect in spring 2005 and instructors can use either scale as long as they inform the students in their syllabus as to which scale they will be using.
NEWS
www.dailytitan.com
news@dailytitan.com • (714) 278-4415
RANKING
from page 1
Anderson said selectivity does not reflect CSUF’s message. “We are not trying to admit the few. We are committed to quality access for all qualified students,” she said. “Access is important in the CSU system. It is a part of our mission. I hope that Cal State Fullerton never becomes highly selective.” There are those close to U.S. News and World Report that have taken issue with its ranking procedures. According to www.bizjournals. com, a former U.S. News and World Report rankings editor criticized the list in 2001 because it failed to represent student satisfaction. Despite all of this, Anderson and James Mettler, director of CSUF’s President’s Scholars Program, agree that the magazine’s rankings are the most recognized and respected of its kind. Mettler said there are similar reports out there like the “Princeton Review,” but CSUF does not par-
ticipate in their surveys. “[U.S. News and World Report] has the most students and parents reading it,” Mettler said. Daniel Weber, the transfer center coordinator for Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa, and Jo Ann Alford, counselor at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, both said students usually base their decisions on available majors and proximity to the prospective colleges. However, Weber said high rankings do factor in during crunch time. “We can’t promote one school over another, but if they do ask we will definitely tell them,” Weber said. “It helps students. It definitely has an impact with those undecided students sitting on the fence.” Alford sees it differently. “It does not make an impact,” she said. “If a student wants to relocate out of Orange County, they will not go to Fullerton.” The CSU system has eight representatives in the top 10 of public western universities.
REC FEST
from page 1
day would get students aware of what is at their disposal. “Students donʼt realize we have all this cool stuff,” Smillie said. “This is a showcase for all the events we provide,” which include surfing, ice hockey, rugby, Wushu, bowling and cricket. Students were able to sign up for their favorite clubs and ask questions of current members during the event. Heather Carrick, a junior kinesiology major, was one source of information for enthusiastic students. Carrick is president of the Surf Club and her table had a good amount of interested students hovering around. Carrick said 50 students were part of her club last year. Members went on a trip to Costa Rica and this Spring Break they are planning a venture to Mexico. The Bowling Club has had its share of adventures as well. Derrick Salary, a senior criminal justice student, said his team attends 10 tournaments a year and competes against the likes of Arizona State University and Texas A&M. The Games and Recreations table was there to boost the TSU Underground. A pinball machine enticed students to check out the booth, which promoted the Undergroundʼs arcade, billiards and bowling alley. Joy Wilson, a junior history major, said she has been working in the Underground for almost three years and believes her workplace is an ideal gathering point. “[Students] can relax, have fun and even veg a bit,” she said. Not only did Rec Fest have things to promote for existing students, but the occasion also introduced major plans for a new recreation center.
In 2006, construction will begin on a building entirely dedicated to recreational sports. Titan Student Union fees will fund the project. Cardio rooms, a jogging track, a leisure pool, locker rooms and three basketball courts will be located inside the building, expected to be near parking Lot B. “It will be a knock-your-socks-off facility,” said Kurt Borsting, director of the TSU, who was on hand to unveil the new plans for students. “Students need to know where their money is applied,” Borsting said. “The Rec Center will help commuter students feel more connected to their campus.” The CSUF Rec Center is due to open in spring 2008. Rec Fest also featured demonstrations of drop-in fitness classes, which are free to students and offered throughout the week. Nine exercise bikes were placed outside as instructor and graduate student Danielle Hernandez encouraged student participants to ride them. A hip-hop dance instructor had students work out with him on the grass near the stage and the dancing students laughed at themselves, but trudged on as their instructor beckoned. Andrea Willer, director of Rec Sports, stressed the importance of such drop-in classes for students. “The primary benefit is stress reduction done in a healthy manner,” Willer said. “It also helps students stay fit in a social gathering.” Willer also said the classes helped employ over 70 students. Students can pick up a Rec Sports Playbook at KHS-159. Activities, times and whereabouts are listed. Both Willer and Smillie said they hope this yearʼs Rec Fest will propel students into joining a recreational activity that is right for them.