Wednesday May 11, 2016

Wednesday May 11, 2016

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

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Examining CSUF’s graduation rates

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Suspicious package prompts evacuation of McCarthy Hall

Fullerton’s four-year grad rate is higher than CSU system EMILY DIECKMAN Daily Titan The four-year graduation rate for first-time freshmen who started attending Cal State Fullerton in 2011 and graduated by 2015 is at 21.9 percent, according to the most recent available statistics from CSUF’s Center for Institutional Research and Analytical Studies.

This is slightly higher than the CSU’s four-year graduation rate for the same period, which stands at 19.1 percent.

Both rates reflect that, more or less, approximately one in five students who attend CSUs graduate within four years.

Nationally, the most recent data taken from 2007 to 2011 shows that the four-year graduation rate for public institutions stands at 33.5 percent.

“Our average grad rate is five-and-a-half, six years for Cal State Fullerton and most of the country,” said Joshua Loudon, assistant director of the Academic Advisement Center. “For some reason, we’re called ‘four-year universities,’ but most of us aren’t doing it in four.”

SEE GRAD

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Members of the Anaheim Fire Department hazardous material team prepare to investigate a suspicious package containing an unknown substance that was found by a geology professor on the second floor of McCarthy Hall. The substance, though not yet identified, was found to be nonthreatening.

The contents were determined to be nonthreatening RUDY CHINCHILLA Daily Titan Cal State Fullerton students and faculty evacuated McCarthy Hall on

Tuesday due to a suspicious package.

The package in question was a manila envelope filled with a “suspicious substance,” accompanied by a letter, on the second floor of McCarthy Hall, according to University Police Capt. Scot Willey.

The contents of the letter were not inherently threatening, Willey said, but they

were “suspicious and kind of rambling.” The responding officer “thought it was suspicious enough that we had to bring in other resources,” Willey said.

University Police were notified about the package and letter by the professor to whom the envelope was addressed, prompting the evacuation of McCarthy Hall.

While he could not

disclose his name, Willey said that the professor in question teaches geology and has received threats in the past due to some of his published writings, which include topics such as global warming.

Willey could not give details about the substance found in the package, but he said that it “wasn’t any type of bomb material or

anything like that.” The material, Willey said, was not liquid, but it was “squishy” and wrapped in plastic.

The Fullerton Fire Department, Anaheim Fire Department hazardous material team and Orange County Sheriff bomb squad were among the agencies that responded to the incident.

SEE THREAT

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Food trucks deliver delicious diversion Students can enjoy quick bites on the go during finals SAVANNA CLEVENGER Daily Titan With a combination of finals, graduation, work and last minute study sessions, this month can leave students with little-to-no time off campus and for those who are hoping to cram three weeks worth of studying into a few hours at the Pollak Library, food is conveniently just steps away.

Located between the Education and Humanities buildings, Cal State Fullerton food trucks are a hot commodity among students. Spud Runners and Juice It Up welcome students to snag a snack for a quick energy boost before rushing off to the next class.

A line of students can be seen in front of the food truck at almost any time they’re present.

For health-conscious individuals, Juice It Up provides

an array of smoothies and smoothie bowls, along with muscle muffins, brownies, bagels and other small baked goods. The smoothies and bowls range from $6 to $9.

Classic smoothies are categorized under specific diets such as dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan. The smoothie bowls include the ultimate açai bowl, super fusion bowl and pitaya passion bowl, made out of a variety of juice blends, organic açai berries, fresh fruits, honey and omega-3 granola.

The busiest time for these trucks is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., said Elias Vuenrostro, worker at the Juice It Up truck.

“That’s when people rush and get their quick smoothie,” she said.

CSUF students Jenna Henson, child development major, and Brett Post, kinesiology major, are frequent customers at the Juice It Up truck.

“I usually get the muffins or the bagels,” Post said. “Or any kind of banana-based smoothie.”

SEE TRUCK

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YUNUEN BONAPARTE / DAILY TITAN

Barcelona on the Go LLC provides multiple food trucks like Spud Runners featuring a diverse selection of food for students who need a quick meal on the way to class. The food trucks are stationed in between the Education and Humanities buildings from Monday through Thursday.

CSUF alumnus publishes book for charity

Self-driving cars hinder human experience

CSUF unphased by early exit from playoffs

A.S. Thompson ventures into exotic traveling, gives back to charity and delves into a world of fictional 4 novels

The sense of responsibility and growth of cognitive abilities can be suppressed with the rise of autonomous 6 vehicles

The Cal State Fullerton women’s tennis team received a handful of honors for its success during the 2016 8 campaign

A&E

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PAGE 2 MAY 11, 2016 WEDNESDAY

Percent of Students that Graduate in Four Years 2011-2015 data

DTBRIEFS

2007-2011 data

NASA finds over 1,000 planets

Total Students Enrolled

33.5%

21.9% 19.1%

CSUF’s Rate

CSU System’s Rate

*Data from CSUF’s Center for Institutional Research and Analytical Studies

National Rate for Public Institutions NATALIE GOLDSTEIN / DAILY TITAN

While Cal State Fullerton’s four-year graduation rate stands at 21.9 percent, higher than the CSU system average of 19.1 percent, CSUF’s rate is still lower than the national public institution average of 33.5 percent. Consequently, some students are using creative methods to finish in four years.

FOR THE RECORD It is Daily Titan policy to correct factual errors printed in the publication. Corrections will be published on the subsequent issue after an error is discovered and will appear on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page.

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Please contact Editor-in-Chief Rudy Chinchilla at (657) 278-5815 or at editorinchief@dailytitan.com to report any errors.

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Grad: Finishing in four years unlikely CONTINUED FROM

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“Finish in Four” is a program at CSUF that aims to help students graduate within four years. Students participating in the program receive priority registration and are required to meet with major and general advisers every semester, Loudon said.

Mandatory advisement is based on research that shows regular meetings with advisers increase student motivation, awareness and career opportunities, he said.

“A lot of students have a lot of pressures, and they feel this huge burden to get done as fast as they can. We feel like it’s our responsibility to make sure students are aware that getting done quickly isn’t always a good thing,” Loudon said, adding that the Academic Advisement Center doesn’t necessarily push students to graduate within four years because it is too overwhelming for many students to take on.

In order to graduate in four years for most majors, a student must take the equivalent of 15 units per semester for a total of 120 units. What many students don’t realize is that although being a “full-time” student only requires 12 units a semester, the path to a four-year graduation requires 15 or the equivalent, Loudon said. “(To finish in four years), it’s really just about seeing how much of the 30 units a

year you can do,” Loudon said.

Students who manage to accomplish graduating in four years are hard to find, and some who do used nontraditional tactics.

Isela Vasquez, a sophomore health science major, is a student who is on track to graduate in even fewer than four years.

“I might be able to graduate in three, but I kind of want to elongate it because I don’t want to leave early,” she said.

She ascribes being able to graduate earlier than four years largely to the advanced placement classes she took in high school.

She has also received permits to take more units than the school’s 16 unit cap and might be taking 17 in the fall.

She also credits the “Finish In Four” program’s requirement to meet with advisers every semester.

“Basically, you meet with your adviser and they tell you how many units you have to take per semester, what classes you should be taking, which ones you can pair with so that you graduate in four or less — so I found that to be really helpful,” she said.

Ruben Carbajal, an alumnus who graduated in spring 2015 with a musical theater degree, was able to graduate in four years, but he said it wasn’t easy.

Knowing that he was expected to graduate within four years as a member of the BFA musical

theater program, he never took fewer than 15 units a semester, even taking 22 units one semester during his senior year. He also took classes during summer sessions and some intersessions.

“It wasn’t like I just took my eight semesters at Fullerton and that was it. I had to take summer classes; I actually took summer classes every summer,” he said.

Carbajal cited meeting with an adviser every semester, having financial support from his dad and having a solid understanding of his Titan Degree Audit as being other factors that helped him to graduate on time.

“I didn’t know I had it in me,” he said. “It was a challenge, but I’m glad I did it.”

Loudon reiterated that what’s most important for students is not graduating quickly, but rather making the most of their time as undergraduates.

Trying to get a degree quickly isn’t always necessarily a good thing because a person may not achieve a desirable GPA. It could be worth the extra time to get a higher GPA, he said.

“A question we get a lot is, ‘How do I get back on track?’ and we always tell students, ‘You’re on your own track. There is no getting off,’” Loudon said.

Gabe Espiritu and Sean Kelley contributed research for this story.

Threat: Not first time professor was target CONTINUED FROM

1

The bomb squad entered the building and cleared the area before the hazmat team entered and performed an onsite test, ascertaining that the substance was “nothing biological,” Willey said.

Because there “wasn’t anything threatening in the letter,” Willey said, University Police might not follow up on determining what the substance was. “It really depends on the time we want to put into it, and if anything comes up in our investigation, that will really kind of direct

everything,” Willey said.

Ryan Fierro, a biology major, was on the sixth floor of McCarthy when the order to evacuate was given.

Still, he said it took five to 10 minutes to evacuate and that there was no sense of urgency when the order came.

Fierro said “Nobody took it seriously till we got to the bottom,” where biology department chair Sean Walker, Ph.D., was walking around and shouting for people to clear the area.

As officers began taking down the police perimeter and allowing students to

return to class, another alarm went off in the Humanities building, prompting a second evacuation. That alarm, though, did not present a serious threat.

“Somebody just played a prank and pulled the panel; they wanted to evacuate that building, hopefully cancel classes, too,” said University Police Cpl. Hoang LeQuang.

Classes resumed shortly after 4 p.m.

Gabe Espiritu and Micah Augimeri-Lee contributed to this story.

NASA announced in a press conference Tuesday that the Kepler mission has verified over 1,284 new planets, the single largest finding of planets to date.

This batch of planets was pulled from the Kepler space telescope’s July 2015 planet candidate catalog. Out of 4,302 potential planets, only 1,284 had a greater than 99 percent probability of being a planet, the requirement for planetary status, according to NASA’s analytics.

Based on their sizes, about 550 of the newly christened planets could be rocky planets like Earth, and nine of them are found in their sun’s “habitable zone.”

With these nine, a total of 21 exoplanets have both distinctions.

- JASON ROCHLIN

Navy ship confronted

by China Chinese fighter jets and warships were sent out to a disputed island in the South China Sea on Tuesday after a U.S. Navy missile destroyer, the USS William P. Lawrence, sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Chinese airstrip built there, according to CNN. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea says that 12 nautical miles is considered how far a nation’s rule extends off its shores.

Though the Lawrence did cross this line, the Pentagon claims the destroyer exercised its right of innocent passage, in which the Law of the Sea says a ship can pass through the 12mile limit if it doesn’t conduct military, commercial or research activities.

- JASON ROCHLIN

Sanders, Trump win W. Virginia Sen. Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump have been declared winners of the West Virginia primaries, according to The New York Times.

Sanders received 51 percent of the Democratic vote, while Hillary Clinton received 36.8 percent as of 7:23 p.m. Tuesday.

The New York Times believes that comments Clinton made about her climate change policy putting coal miners out of work could have contributed to her defeat in the coal-heavy state.

Trump became the presumptive Republican nominee after his competitors dropped out of the race, and he won the Republican primary in Nebraska last night, in addition to West Virginia.

- AMBER MASON

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NEWS

PAGE 3 WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 2016

PATRICK DO / DAILY TITAN

Jason Bonney, 28, human services major and member of the ASI Street Team, wrote down the ways in which certain people impacted him throughout the semester as part of a leadership activity in the team’s second-to-last meeting of the semester.

Street Team reflects on semester

Students celebrate end of Spring ‘16 with leadership activities YUKIE BOJORQUEZ Daily Titan

The ASI Street Team celebrated its yearly accomplishments Tuesday night in its second-to-last meeting of the semester.

The meeting, open to all students, offered food and drinks prior to opening with an ice-breaker.

Students shared the personal impact the Street Team had on them.

International student Ameya Agavekar said the Street Team has been like a second family to him after he left his immediate family in India to study in the United States.

Agavekar said that getting involved with the Street Team was part of his duty as a graduate student, and it helped him cope during times of loneliness.

He wanted to raise awareness that students can find

company within the team.

Megan Duffy, Street Team coordinator, said the workload could be overwhelming, but with support from her team members, she was able to take on the role while helping others.

“It just made me a stronger student,” Duffy said.

“It’s given me something more to work for.”

Her favorite part of being on the team has been the leadership skills she has learned. As a second-year student, she said

the personal growth that the Street Team offers cannot be easily found in other programs at Cal State Fullerton.

The team participated in a leadership activity that let students thank one another for making an impact on each other throughout the semester.

“It shows what phenomenal leaders, friends, family we all have in this room,” Duffy said. “The love and support we all provided for one another throughout this whole year

shows volume.”

Duffy thanked and congratulated her team members for serving as leaders of the Titan community.

ASI Street Team members are responsible for planning events such as Orange Madness, Flashmob, Orangefest, Discoverfest and the most recently Spring Concert.

Taylor Feher, member of the ASI Board of Directors, serves as a mentor for the Street Team. Feher encourages other students to join Street Team and said

that it is one of the best ways for students to get involved with ASI. The Street Team works in conjunction with ASI and has put together a series of events to support students during finals week.

The first event kicks off Monday in the Becker Amphitheater for Pancake Palooza from 10 to 11 a.m.

In the evening, students will be able to receive free back and neck massages at the TSU Fireside Lounge from 10 to 11 p.m.

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A&E

PAGE 4 MAY 11, 2016 WEDNESDAY

Author donates royalties to Charity: Water Thompson trades his zombie thrillers for a new love story VERONICA MARQUEZ-ESHELBY Daily Titan Whether writing horrific scenes of zombies sinking their decayed teeth into the bleeding flesh of the living, or melancholy, romantic literature, Cal State Fullerton alumnus A.S. Thompson succeeds in conveying strong emotions to his audience.

Now, the talented writer is hoping to use his works to make a positive difference for disadvantaged people around the world.

The author’s fascination with zombies began at Cal State Fullerton as a communications major.

In his screenwriting class, Thompson wrote a script about his cousins and himself surviving a zombie apocalypse.

Eventually, Thompson took the script and transformed the work into his first published novel, “The Longest Road: A Zombie Novel,” which sold a few thousand copies and currently rates four out of five stars on Amazon, he said.

“The Longest Road” soon became a series with two other books, “The Change” and “The Other Side.”

Currently, Thompson is working on a short film with his cousin Steve Orlow that they plan to shoot this summer.

Later this month, Thompson plans to publish his most recent work, “Turbulence: A Love Story,” an experimental novel that departs from the horror genre and explores love and loss through a series of flashbacks.

The novel heavily involves the theme of heartbreak and a sense of “unfinished business” between the two protagonists, who ultimately reunite when seated beside each other on an airplane, Thompson said.

Thompson said the project meant a lot to him, because he plans on donating the book’s royalties to

NOLAN MOTIS / DAILY TITAN

Former communications major and Cal State Fullerton alumnus A.S. Thompson has worked toward his passions in the film industry and creative writing since he graduated. He is now anticipating his next novel, “Turbulence: A Love Story,” to be published to benefit those in need through charity donations.

the nonprofit organization Charity: Water. The organization funds projects to bring clean drinking water to people in need around the world, according to its website.

The money donated can be easily traced to the end result because there is no middleman involved. The charity provides exact coordinates to the locations of the wells and purifiers that it builds, Thompson said.

According to the Charity: Water website, nearly one in 10 people worldwide

live without clean drinking water. More people die every year from diseases resulting from consuming dirty water than the amount killed in all forms of violence, including war, according to the website.

Women and girls in Africa are especially impacted by drinking water shortages as the duty to collect water typically falls on them, resulting in many young girls being taken out of school in order to walk miles to provide water for their families.

on

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Thompson said he felt a personal connection to the importance of water because of his experience as an assistant to a winemaker at wineries in central California, as well as countries like New Zealand, Germany and Chile.

However, he also feels that access to water is a problem that is relevant to everyone.

“In terms of ‘why water?’

I mean, it’s a basic human need … for me, the gift of water is something all people should be entitled to,

and it’s unfortunate that there are still so many millions of people in the world living in poverty who don’t have access to clean water,” Thompson said.

Thompson said it was important to help others in need no matter one’s personal circumstances.

On his blog — humorously titled, “Ya, this is happening” — Thompson wrote about a moral reflection about to the act of giving and how “tragically beautiful” it is, especially if one has nothing

substantial to give.

“The act might appear difficult but the internal reward is beyond measure and explanation,” he wrote.

Thompson ultimately hopes to take advantage of a potential business opportunity in New Zealand or Costa Rica involving alcohol production and plans to continue writing creative works of fiction.

“Turbulence” will be released late May 2016 and is expected to cost around 99 cents on Amazon.

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A&E Choral groups harmonize to an array of music PAGE 5 WEDNESDAY MAY 11, 2016

Women’s Choir and Men’s Chorus perform for “$5 Funday” DAISY ORTIZ Daily Titan As the semester dwindles to a close, students grow weary and schoolwork piles up and potentially takes a toll on students’ spirits.

Wednesday, the Women’s Choir and Titan Men’s Chorus will give an uplifting performance in the Meng Concert Hall that will fill the auditorium with rich, harmonious voices.

Both choral groups have a rich history of performing at various festivals and conferences.

The Women’s Choir has been selected to perform at the California Music Educators Association’s annual conferences in 2000 and 2002, as well as the American Choral Directors Association’s Western Division Convention.

The Titan Men’s Chorus performs four times a year at Meng Concert Hall and also travels to off-campus venues throughout the area.

The talented group is comprised of students all majors and departments at CSUF, who rehearse a varied repertoire of music that spans across many historical periods and genres.

Robert Istad, Ph.D., professor of music at CSUF and conductor of the University Singers, will be conducting the Women’s Choir.

The choir will perform a West Coast premiere of award-winning composer, conductor and mezzo-soprano vocalist Jenni Brandon’s choral piece “This Perfect Beauty,” a song that includes the poem “Listening” by

NOLAN MOTIS / DAILY TITAN

Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., professor of music and director of the CSUF Concert Choir, will conduct the Titan Men’s Chorus for the Women’s Choir and Men’s Chorus performance Meng Concert Hall.

Amy Lowell, an American poet and Pulitzer Prize winner.

The program includes pieces such as the magical “Fairy Song,” by Felix Mendelssohn, from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” along with spirituals and folk songs like “Wanting Memories” by Ysaye Barnwell and “The Little Road” by Moira Smiley.

Rayvon Moore will conduct the Women’s Choir performance of “Three Choruses” from the children’s novel Alice in Wonderland, including “The Lobster Quadrille,” “Lullaby of the Duchess” and “Father William” by American composer Irving Fine.

Christopher Peterson, Ph.D., professor of music and director of the CSUF Concert Choir, will conduct the 50-voice Titan Men’s

Chorus. The chorus will perform a wide variety of music, including classical choral pieces like “Weep, O Mine Eyes,” a famous madrigal by composer John Benette, and “Ständchen,” by Austrian composer Franz Schubert.

The 50-voice ensemble is also sure to delight audiences with a modern touch of barbershop style, an a cappella close harmony rendition of the hit song “Happy”

by Pharrell Williams, arranged by Adam Scott.

The Women’s Choir and Titan Men’s Chorus performance will be held in Meng Concert Hall on May 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets will be $5 as part of Clayes Performing Arts Center’s “$5 Fundays” on Wednesday. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Clayes Performing Arts Center box office.

NOLAN MOTIS / DAILY TITAN

50-vioce Titan Men’s Chorus is a diverse ensemble made up of students from a variety og majors and departments at CSUF. The chorus performs four annual concerts at the Clayes Performing Arts Center.

YUNUEN BONAPARTE / DAILY TITAN

Juice It Up offers four different fruit bowls: ultimate açaí bowl, pitaya passion bowl, açaí berry bowl (above) and super fusion bowl. Each bowl is made of juice blends, açai berries, fresh fruits, honey and granola.

Truck: Students eat convenient meals CONTINUED FROM

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Henson said Juice It Up is really the only food truck she goes to because the other ones are pricey.

Next to Juice It Up is Spud Runners, which offer different styles of sandwiches and french fries, and Barcelona on the Go, a truck offering Spanish cuisine with Latin influences.

Both trucks are run by the same company, Barcelona on the Go LLC, and even have some interchangeable crew members.

Alex Morales, who works for the company Barcelona on the Go LLC, is familiar with working in both food trucks.

“I’m the shift lead whenever the owner or executive chef is not on board,” Morales said. “I’m in charge of VISIT US AT: DAILYTITAN.COM/AE

running both Spud Runners and Barcelona on the Go.” Morales said that Sid Patel, member of the Titan Student Center Food Advisory committee, is in charge of food on campus, which includes catering, chefs and outside food.

“He (Patel) set up a contract for us, where we’re on campus Monday through Thursday, unless we cannot be here,” Morales said.

“Then we can chose another truck to fill in for us, as long as they have the same contract that we have here.”

When Spud Runners or Barcelona on the Go are unable to make it to campus, they call their back up trucks to fill the spots.

These trucks include Dogzilla, a gourmet food truck serving mouthwatering

Japanese-inspired hot dogs; Stuff It Burgers, Southern California’s first stuffed burger truck; MexiCalbi, a Mexican-Korean infused truck and more.

As long as these trucks are under the same contract as Barcelona on the Go LLC-owned trucks, they are able to take their place on campus.

“We are dedicated to Cal State Fullerton Monday through Thursday,” Morales said.

With the variety of food and drinks, the campus food trucks are the perfect midday stop during finals week.

With a little something for everyone and conveniently located on campus, the food trucks are sure to get students through the study-time blues.

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OPINION Self-driving cars will spoil motorists

PAGE 6 MAY 11, 2016 WEDNESDAY

Autonomous vehicles will cause more harm than good GALEN PATTERSON Daily Titan Self-driving cars were inevitable. Science fiction writers have dabbled with the idea for over a hundred years, and leading car manufacturers are intently looking to incorporate the technology into their products, but self-driving cars are not what humans need today.

The United States began making the shift into the self-driving craze. The traditional gas-guzzling vehicles will corrode, legislation will be brought against them and, most importantly, will eventually kill off skills and jobs.

To legally drive a vehicle in the U.S., the driver must demonstrate the cognitive ability to focus. He or she must undergo written and physical practice with tests in order to prove to the state that he or she is responsible enough to pilot a ton of steel at high speeds.

Ninety-four percent of worldwide traffic deaths are due to human error, according to a Google report.

But what Google doesn’t mention is that 66.5 percent of the collisions in the U.S. were caused by the driver, while the other 33.5 percent were caused by passengers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

This touches on an important issue that does not come up as often as it should: can a computer control what the driver can’t?

During a February drive, a Lexus equipped with

COURTESY OF FLICKR

Although autonomous driving could provide many opportunities for businesses and commuters, the technology could end up hurting the human experience behind the wheel. The responsibility that is attached with driving can be diluted as self-driving cars become the norm.

Google’s self-driving technology collided with a bus during testing. Chris Urmson, director of Google’s self-driving car project, described the situation as a moment of confusion between the self-driving car and the bus driver, as reported by CNET. In short, the software can’t account for special circumstances.

It relies on science, not understanding gained through human experience.

Seventy-four percent of car crashes occur during clear weather, while 71 percent occur during daylight, according to a NHTSA

study. No other weather condition comes close to meeting those numbers.

Crashes caused by human error have a high chance of happening during times when situational awareness isn’t being stimulated by weather or atmospheric conditions. Or perhaps a better way to put it is the time when complacency is at its highest, these moments improve one’s decision making abilities.

Responsibility is a virtue. It is not something inherent, but learned and respected. Driving a car builds a sense of

responsibility in a person; autonomous vehicles could diminish it.

When the driver of a car is involved in an accident, it isn’t necessary to debate whose fault it was; the protocol is to determine whether or not anyone is injured, to exchange insurance information and to move the vehicles to safety. Responsibility becomes necessary during the time the key is turned and the engine starts, ending when the engine is stopped and the key is removed.

Responsibility means making sure to use turn signals, check mirrors and

blindspots and maintain situational awareness on the road around drivers. Outlawing cell phone usage while driving was a message from the government telling drivers that an increase in responsibility is a must-have.

Operating a vehicle promotes resourcefulness.

Last-minute decisions to change routes or lanes can be executed safely. There are procedures, which the driver is tested on, to make sure the decision can be performed. The ability to switch routes based on continuously changing traffic details, while maintaining

an appropriate distance with surroundings and fluidly gauging speed add up to an equation of infinite variables. This is multitasking at its finest, and without it, everyone is a passenger at the mercy of machinery.

Taking the driver out of driving may cause roads to be safer, but it will subtract so much more. Responsibility, resourcefulness, control over time management — self-driving vehicles will cause yet another aspect of people’s lives to be just like everything else: the touch of a button.

Snapchatters need to filter out stupidity App’s controversial feature should not be blamed for damages RISHU BHARDWAJ Daily Titan Studies show Facebook has an addictive element to it, but so far there has not been any recent harm done to users, according to 6ABC, a local ABC affiliate. On the other hand, the popular app Snapchat has come under fire regarding its “speedfilter,” that tracks the users current speed, according to GeekWire.

A lawsuit has been placed

on Snapchat for its implementation of this feature, but in reality, it seems that the problem lies with the user more than the app.

The problem comes down to what or who is at fault for these accidents. The lawsuit is attacking Snapchat’s cold attitude toward the incidents by saying that the app’s company is just letting things happen without caring for the outcome.

“This is a product liability case because Snapchat put something very dangerous in the marketplace without any warnings or safeguards, and basically said, whatever happens, happens,” said T. Shane Peagler, an

attorney behind the lawsuit against Snapchat, in a news release.

But the problem is coming from the people using these filters while driving. It’s clear that there is a problem with today’s drivers and being distracted.

Research conducted by AT&T shows that “Seven-in-10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving,” and “nearly fourin-10 smartphone users tap into social media while driving.”

The fact is clear, the root of these issues stems from the driver’s lack of focus.

1.6 million crashes each year are caused by cell

phone use while driving, and nearly 330,000 injuries each year are caused by texting and driving at the same time, reported the National Safety Council.

The suggestion of banning the snapchat filter because users abuse it is absurd. It is almost like asking AT&T to ban texting since people cause accidents by driving and texting.

If companies were held accountable for problems their consumers create, then every motoring company would be in a lawsuit since everyone gets into accidents.

Along with the lawsuit, a

petition is being called on for Snapchat to remove the mph filter from their app, but thus far there has been no response, and rightfully so. Also, the petition only has a mere 17 signatures as of this writing.

The argument is that Snapchat should have foreseen these dangers occurring since the nature of the filter points to instigation, but that’s asking the impossible.

The app creator has made enough of a statement for being against unsafe driving by clearly stating it in the terms of service: “So do not use our Services in a way that would distract

you from obeying traffic or safety laws.”

Instead, the critics opposing the Snapchat filter need to fight the main problem, instead: drivers using cellphones while driving.

Insurance companies need some sort of incentive for all drivers to put their phones down while driving. Some sort of technology that requires the driver’s phone to be on a charging pad in order to drive could prove some use.

Snapchat should not be held responsible for the accidents.

The problem lies within the users, not the companies involved in the accident.

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CLASSIFIEDS

MAY 11, 2016

PAGE 7

SUDOKU

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Quotes for the Day “Be so good they can’t ignore you.”

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ARIES

(Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)

Your spontaneity can work against you when you rush off to the next activity before you finish the current one. Fortunately, you understand the advantage of moving methodically today and you’re able to see a task through to the end.

LEO

(Jul. 23 - Aug. 22)

Interpersonal interactions could run into a few unexpected snags today. Awareness is power; once you fully understand your role in creating the current drama you can steadily push on through to the other side.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)

Stand up and spread your wings; it’s time to claim your power.

However, if you find yourself entangled in an unexpected struggle for control now, step back and take responsibility only for what is yours. Learn something new about yourself today.

TAURUS

(Apr. 20 - May 20)

You’re in touch with the strength of your own convictions today and are positive you can handle anything that might test your resolve.

But feeling confident isn’t enough to guarantee your success; you must be willing to reconsider your basic assumptions even if it means going back to the drawing board.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23 - Sep. 22)

It seems as if the public spotlight has found you now, but you might prefer to hide from view, anyhow.

You’re more likely to withdraw socially in order to manage your new responsibilities.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)

There are just too many separate things that demand your attention around the hive today. Apply yourself diligently but avoid self-criticism. Continue to work as hard as possible while remembering that you’re in it for the long haul. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

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GEMINI

(May 21 - Jul. 20)

You might believe that it’s more efficient to limit interpersonal communication to the safe realms of rational thinking while steering clear of illogical emotions. However, it’s difficult to hide your feelings now that the moody Moon is back in your sign.

LIBRA

(Sep. 23 - Oct. 22)

You take your philosophy of life quite seriously now and may need to make choices that put you in an emotionally vulnerable position.

Although there are many beautiful people in your life, you might wish that they would join you on your spiritual quest.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)

It might appear as if your relationship life is improving, but you’re still fearful of losing control and crashing into a wall. Try not to doubt your ability to succeed if you must clean up a mess from a simple miscommunication.

CANCER

(Jun. 21 - Jul. 22)

You are silly one moment yet serious the next as you remember some of the profound emotional transitions you’ve experienced over the last few years. You’re finally ready to move on, but still may be overly sensitive to your past if there are leftover feelings weighing heavily on your heart.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

You don’t know whether to tell someone how you feel or let your concerns pass without saying anything at all. It’s useful to examine what your past patterns have to do with your current eagerness to help others -- even if they haven’t asked for it.

PISCES

(Feb. 20 - Mar. 20)

This weekend is optimal for cooling off your emotions and reevaluating what you want from your closest relationships. You may be more analytical than usual and less emotional over the outcome.

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SPORTS

PAGE 8 MAY 11, 2016 WEDNESDAY

PATRICK DO / DAILY TITAN STOCK PHOTO

Cal State Fullerton’s Karla Portalatin was instrumental to the Titans’ success this 2016 season. The freshman primarily played in the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, where she achieved a respectable 16-10 overall record and a 6-2 record in conference play.

Titans reminisce on historic season Tennis team honored with awards at end of its 2016 campaign VICTOR GALLEGOS Daily Titan Despite a first-round exit in the postseason, the Cal State Fullerton women’s tennis team enjoyed a banner year in 2016, garnering much recognition from the Big West Conference.

Head Coach Dianne Matias reaped the rewards of her labor and was named the Big West Conference Coach for of the Year last Wednesday.

Matias, in her third year at the helm, coached the team to its best season in school history. The Titans compiled school records in wins (17), Big West Conference wins (six), highest finish in conference (third), as well as highest winning percentage (.739).

She took over the program in time for the 2013-2014 season from Bill Reynolds, who also won the Coach of the

Year award in 2013.

Matias has led the Titans on a gradual increase through her years with the team, winning eight total matches in her first year, 10 in her second and 17 this year.

During the season, the Titans also donned a program-record, eight-match, consecutive win streak from the start of February to the beginning of March.

One of the keys to the memorable season was the team’s camaraderie.

“We are really close and that makes it so much better,” Sarah Nuno said. “I get to experience this with other girls that love to do the same thing that I do.”

Matias was not the only beneficiary of such a fine season.

Junior co-captain Alexis Valenzuela earned her third straight Big West singles all first-team honors.

Valenzuela, the Titans’ No. 1 player, had another stellar season, as she finished with a 17-4 dual record and a 21-6 overall record. She is

the only player in Titan tennis history to earn first-team all-honors.

In addition, Valenzuela’s partnership with Camille De Leon earned the duo firstteam Big West Conference doubles honors.

In doubles play, Valenzuela and De Leon went 14-2 in dual play and 19-4 overall.

The duo is currently ranked No. 52 in the nation and De Leon is grateful for the partnership.

“We know how to set each other up,” De Leon said. “Our games just work well with each other. It’s really nice to have a partner like Alexis.”

Nuno was awarded an honorable mention for the singles all-conference team for boasting a 14-9 dual play record and a 19-14 overall record.

Her most impressive feat was her determination and toughness to finish the the season on a sprained ankle.

“I thought I had a good season,” Nuno said. “Stuff happens and i just try to give it my all and try to contribute to the team as best as I can.”

PATRICK DO / DAILY TITAN STOCK PHOTO

Titan junior Camille De Leon earned a first-team Big West Conference doubles honor along with her partner Alexis Valenzuela.

Despite the success, the Titans are still unsatisfied with the new heights they’ve reached. Matias ensures they already have their goals set for improvement.

“Next year, it’s a new start,” Matias said. “I expect us to do better. That’s our goal: to keep improving and

to keep expecting more from ourselves.”

De Leon understands the need to keep improving and is already focusing on polishing up her skills.

“I’m definitely working on my net game,” De Leon said.

“Incorporating the net game will help me finish the points

quicker and is a good tool for me to have throughout the next season.”

With these improvements, De Leon has set high expectations.

“Hopefully we can get the Big West title,” De Leon said.

“I definitely look forward to next season.”

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