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Since 1960 Volume 84, Issue 52
Newport Surf Shop
A Woman’s Right to Choose
The Frog House offers surfers auSPORTS, p. 14 thentic equipment
A dissenting opinion on the new OPINION, p. 8 abortion ban
Daily Titan
Teacher Reviews Take to the Web
The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
Retired Persons Receive Education By Orion tippens
Online professor evaluations may do away with scantron version
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
By Jennifer brown
Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com
Cal State Fullerton’s Academic Senate is considering a technological upgrade for teacher evaluations. The senate must decide whether or not to allow departments to offer their end-of-semester teacher evaluations online. The issue was brought to the senate for several reasons. The equipment used to process evaluations needs to be replaced, more online classes have developed and there are concerns about the security of the evaluations, according to Diana Guerin, president of the senate. “There are many possible negative ramifications of [online voting],” said Lynda Randall, secretary of the senate, echoing worries of many other senators and faculty members. “One concern I would have is that having evaluations open for a long period of time makes it easier for students to conduct a campaign either for or against a faculty member,” said Mark Shapiro, a senator and physics professor. “There’s basically no time for collusion with the current system.” Many of the concerns stem from the fact that no process has been determined for how the evaluations will be performed. “It’s not clear, the language is very vague. It just gives departments the option [to use online evaluations],” Shapiro said. Participation may also be optional with an online format, which raises concerns for faculty. “There’s also the issue of whether or not students will bother to fill out the evaluations,” Shapiro said. “Students may just forget about it.” Some professors at the meeting told the senate that their departments have issues with the paper format of evaluations. “Some departments don’t have the time and faculty to have one person administer the evaluations,” said senator Kristi Kanel. Currently, teacher evaluations are done on paper for all classes that take place in a classroom, and online for all classes that take place online, according to Guerin. “It’s an important process and has implications for people’s careers,” she said. “The idea is to improve the institution.” Some departments are eager to use an online format for the evaluations. “Paper evaluations are a nightmare for our department,” said Prasada Rao, assistant professor and acting chair of the Civil Engineering Department. “The entire process would be identical with confidentiality and other aspects.” As for the concerns of a campaign, Rao said all students know that evaluations are taken in the fourteenth or fifteenth week and SEE EVALUATIONS - PAGE 3
Thursday May 10, 2007
By REBECCA HARTNESS/Daily Titan Photo Editor
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - A man walks alongside the tracks of the Fullerton Train Station. The Metrolink serves as transportation for
many Cal State Fullerton commuter students every day.
Metro Offers Alternative Transportation
CSUF provides students Metro passes at discount prices By Kristle Snyder
For the Daily Titan
news@dailytitan.com
It’s 5:30 in the morning and Heather Myers wakes up to get ready for school. It’s hard to wake up but she has to, knowing that if she doesn’t get up now she
will probably miss the train. Myers, a resident of Riverside and a freshman at Cal State Fullerton, is one of approximately 104 CSUF students who use the Metrolink to commute to and from school, according to Armando Gonzalez from the Parking and Transportation office. “It saves me money and lots of time,” Myers said. “Instead of spending money on gas or paying $144 for a parking pass each semester, the train seems to be the best alternative.”
Each month, the Parking and Transportation Office on campus offers train tickets at a discounted price. According to the Parking and Transportation Web site, each student enrolled in twelve units or more is eligible for a discounted Metrolink 10-trip or monthly pass. Students get a 25 percent discount on ticket prices and those with a CSUF permit get 50 percent. To purchase a ticket, students are only required to bring a copy of their current course schedule and purchase their passes a month in
advance. “Not only are gas and parking permits expensive, but the fast track prices are outrageous,” said junior Randi Currie, a Metrolink rider who also commutes from Riverside. “There have been numerous times where I have had to pay over nine dollars one way.” Upon arriving at the Anaheim Canyon train station or the Ful SEE METRO - PAGE 3
Nixon Legacy Lives on in Library Birthplace of 37th president is home to museum that represents his life By LEYLA ALAHMAD
For the Daily Titan news@dailytitan.com
Located in Yorba Linda, Calif., the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum not only offers an insider’s look into the world and life of the 37th President of the United States, but is also the actual birthplace and burial site of this Orange County native. According to the Nixon Library fact sheet, the museum is set on nine acres of land, and since its opening on July 20, 1990 has been visited by close to 2.6 million people. The museum can be booked for special events such as receptions, lectures, parties and weddings and therefore attracts a variety of visitors. Museum employee Christina Wilkinson said the museum is visited by students who come on school tours, tourists, and even celebrities such as Martin Sheen, who visited the museum last week for a foundation dinner in recognition of him. However, the busiest day of the year is Mrs. Nixon’s birthday. Wilkinson said it is a free day with free admission for everyone. “Everyone works that day. Pat
By ALINE LESSNER/Daily Titan Staff Photographer
STARING INTENTLY - A man pauses to view a photo collage at the Nixon Presidential Library Tuesday, Feb. 27. Nixon was a leader for the girl scouts and brownies so that’s why
the girl scouts and brownies attend that day and help with the event in
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honor of her birthday,” Wilkinson said. The museum contains 22 galleries that are exhibitions of Nixon’s life and political career. These galleries include: “Road to the Presidency,” “The Vice Presidency,” “The 1960 Presidential Campaign,” and “Watergate” which is currently under construction until June. Other galleries such as, “Legacy,” focus on his post-presidency accomplishments, and “The Birthplace” where visitors can tour the actual home Nixon was born in. Docents who are volunteer workers offer their time to work at the museum such as volunteer docent Nancy Bertocchini, a former teacher who says her “love of history” and “a great regard for Richard Nixon” is why she volunteers her time at the museum. These docent volunteers stand throughout the various galleries to guide visitors and answer questions. The museum also contains a 293 seat theater that plays a 28 minute movie called “Never Give Up: Richard Nixon in the Arena” about every 30 minutes which Bertocchini said, is the first thing recommended for visitors to do, “It gives you a kind of nice overview of President Nixon’s political life,” she said. Another one of the galleries
While many academic-driven students spend their extra time on campus playing text message tag or coddling their portable game-stations, there are other students on campus who gather together on Mondays to play bridge, and they carry a lifetime of experience with them. They are part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a large community of retired senior citizens that are at Cal State Fullerton to learn more and have fun in the process. OLLI is a membership-based program where retired and semi-retired senior citizens partake in educational programs and recreational activities. It defines itself on its Web site as “a continuing learning experience,” with classes including music, computer programs, language and art. “I have a good time. I met my peers and I have a lot of laughs,” said Jerri Brillhart, 90, a member of the program for 27 years. She said the initial count for members back in 1979 was 40 members. Even as the program’s spring semester ends earlier than the academic semester, many members return to campus to simply have fun and socialize for a friendly game of bridge. “Bridge was very popular for students when I was in college,” said Kay Forrester, 68 who attended CSUF during the 1970s. In a quiet, yet friendly, atmosphere, around 50 members gather for each session. They play a special version of bridge called “duplicate” bridge, a multiplayer variation of the game. The social atmosphere of the bridge meetings adds to the overall quality, as many classes are available for pleasure and discussion. “Sexy Shakespeare,” “Wisdom Exchange” and “Butterflies and Butterfly Gardens” were a few of the many diverse classes encouraging social activity and discussion during the spring semester. OLLI began 28 years ago as CLE, the Continued Learning Experience, started by Lee Shapiro. Eventually through private funding, the growing program led to the creation of the Ruby Gerontology Center building on campus, where current OLLI classes are held. The CLE program has since changed its name to credit the Bernard Osher Foundation, which has funded OLLI since 2001, along with 90 similar programs nationwide. Now the program has over 780 members according to Barbara Talento, the current president. “All through college we didn’t have time for ‘soul food,’ classes that I didn’t have to take or risk screwing up my GPA. Now we take time for exploratory classes like philosophy and poetry and really enjoy what school is about: learning,” Talento said about today’s college experience and what today’s students may miss. Talento is quite proud of OLLI’s recent accomplishments. Various members have contributed literature and poetry in two published anthologies. The office in the gerontology building is adorned with many watercolor paintings done by various members. “Learning is lifelong, and it’s never really too late,” Talento said.
SEE NIXON- PAGE 5
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