Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Page 1

DAILY TITAN The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton T

Volume 93, Issue 31 NATIONAL | Health

Obama proposes research initiative

NEWS 2

Faculty salary reports released OPINION 5

We become what we watch FEATURES 6

Literature conference informs students FITNESS 8

Nutritional trends change diets

TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013

dailytitan.com

HOLOCAUST REMEMBERED

KEVIN BLACKBURN Daily Titan

President Barack Obama asked Congress to invest $100 million in the 2014 fiscal year toward research to help unlock the mysteries of the human brain. The so-called BRAIN Initiative project would map out brain functions with the hope of eventually finding cures for disorders like Alzheimer’s and Epilepsy. The initiative is part of the president’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget, which is expected to be released Wednesday. Congress will have to sign off on the initiative through its appropriations process. The BRAIN Initiative, which stands for Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies, was a focal point in the president’s State of the Union address where he laid out his visions for creating jobs and building a thriving middle class by making large investments in research and development, which would begin with this new initiative. “As humans, we can identify galaxies light years away; we can study particles smaller than an atom,” Obama said in his address. “But we still haven’t unlocked the mystery of the three pound of matter that sits in between our ears.” SEE INITIATIVE, 3

LOCAL | Fullerton

Commission discusses Muckenthaler proposal CALEB STRANO Daily Titan

The Fullerton Parks and Recreation Commission met Monday night to discuss the Muckenthaler Cultural Center Master Plan as well as city’s proposed Parks and Recreation budget for the current and following fiscal year. Once the commission heard the responses from the public, it voted to conduct a feasibility study with a public review. This would entail future meetings in which people will be able voice their opinions on the proposal once again. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, which is owned by the city, required approval from the City Council in order to construct improvements and renovations. The proposal was scheduled to be fifth on the agenda, but was moved up to first when the commission realized that most people in attendance were there for the center proposal. Eleven people spoke out on the proposal, with seven in favor of the center. Those who spoke in favor discussed the historical impact that the center provides and how it teaches art and education to both children and adults. Austin Muckenthaler, a Board of Trustees member for the proposed center, was one of the supporters of the proposed plan to add renovations to the center. SEE PROPOSAL, 2

JOHN PEKCAN / Daily Titan CSUF student Jevon Tabar, 22, reads a list of names from Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Israel in no particular order. Tabar addressed the students through a megaphone during a moment of remembrance for the lives lost during the Holocaust at the Titan Walk on Monday for Holocaust Remembrance Day.

SEE HOLOCAUST, 3

STATE | Law enforcement

CSU warned of diminishing campus police force ERINN GROTEFEND Daily Titan

The Statewide University Police Association (SUPA) has warned the California State University system of a police workforce shortage, which leaves campus departments shorthanded and could lead to dangerous circumstances for students, faculty and staff of the 23 CSU campuses. With a spike in statewide crime and an already low number of of-

ficers coupled with officers leaving CSU departments, SUPA continues to negotiate its contract for last year. SUPA is a non-profit organization that represents about 386 police officers, corporals and sergeants in the CSU police system, according to Jeff Solomon, president of SUPA. Solomon said their primary concern is the safety across the 23 CSU campuses, but the ability to hire and retain police officers is crippled by their pay system.

“We have not had a pay raise since 2006-2007,” said Solomon. “Every police department in the state of California … (gets) some kind of incentive every year.” For police departments, if employees do a good job or get a good evaluation, they go up a pay level and eventually max out after five or seven years, according to Solomon. University officers have not received a raise in over seven years nor have they received basic incentives, “which help departments to iden-

tify and retain the most skilled individuals,” according to a statement from SUPA. According to a statement from the CSU, the university system has proposed to continue the salaries and benefits with SUPA, which uniforms other employee groups. During its Board of Trustees meeting in March, the CSU suggested allocating funds in 20132014 toward a compensation reserve for salary-related concerns. “Claims by the Statewide Uni-

versity Police Association of mass turnover and increases in crime on campuses are hyperbole associated with this time in the negotiations. Despite expanded rhetoric from SUPA, we are committed to trying to find a resolution to this dispute at the bargaining table as we go through the impasse process,” said John Swarbrick, CSU associate vice chancellor of labor relations, in a statement. SEE POLICE, 2

FEATURES | Dance

Queer Straight Alliance hosts annual prom The club’s goal was to provide students with a judgment-free dance CHELSEA BOYD Daily Titan

Formal dresses, suits and ties, tiaras and crowns, the sounds of Beyonce playing through loud speakers—this could only mean one thing, prom is in full effect. The beloved tradition graduated from high school and found itself at Cal State Fullerton on March 28, courtesy of the Queer Straight Alliance (QSA). QSA kicked off spring break in style by bringing a Great Gatsby themed prom to the TSU Pavilions. “The Great Queer Prom” had all the elements of a traditional prom with some signature twists, all in the spirit of equality and inclusion. Guests were greeted with the option of buying a raffle ticket for the opportunity to win prizes including gift certificates to Del Taco or AMC movie theaters, a journal or a paperback copy of The Great Gatsby. Upon entering the room attendees were provided with markers to add to a banner that read “What does Queer Prom mean to you?”

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @DTNEWSDESK

Some messages read: “It means finally going with someone special,” or “Having somewhere to express myself.” One prom-goer wrote, “First prom ever!” Cody Montoya, a fourth-year entertainment studies major, has been on the queer prom committee in past years and said the event was an important second chance for people who felt left out of high school proms. “It’s one of those moments where you can have the experience that you didn’t get in highschool if you’re part of the LGBT community because a lot of us didn’t get to take our significant other just because of restrictions and stuff like that and because a lot of people aren’t out at that point,” Montoya said. The next stop after the banner station was the voting station, where not two, but four tiaras stood. Beneath them were ballots with five categories. Voters chose both male and female kings and queens as well as a cutest couple. After all of the writing tasks were finished, guest were invited to take Gatsby-style photos at a photo station complete with costumes and props. Feather boas, pearls, hats and

MARIAH CARILLO / For the Daily Titan

The event featured a “Great Gatsby” inspired theme, a picture booth, formal attire and prom court ballots.

suspenders were available among other pieces for attendees to try on in 1930s style photoshoots from a professional photographer. Modern music crashed the vintage party and was greeted with a full dance floor. Songs by Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga

ruled the night. The floor erupted into near hysteria when Rihanna’s “We Found Love” played. The dancing was briefly interrupted by the announcement of prom court by QSA president, Christopher Labrot. In his presentation Labrot men-

tioned the importance of having the two gender options in each category as a show of respect and acceptance for those who identify differently from how the outside world views them. SEE PROM, 6

VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM/NEWS


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.