Daily Titan: Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 24

Wednesday October 14, 2009

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

INSIDE DT

Protesters engage CSUF to fight back

By Jonathan Montgomery Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

FEATURES:

‘World of Warcraft’ inspires new art dimensions, Page 4

OPINION:

Should NFL athletes be forced to play for Rush Limbaugh?

Page 6

The Cal State Fullerton Titan Walk was full of activity on Tuesday as two groups protesting budget cuts passed out flyers and asked for signatures.

The California Faculty Association and a student group affiliated with “Elephant in the Room” had different priorities, but both asked for student involvement and participation for change.

Signs reading “Remove Reed” decorated the Titan Walk. CFA members called for signatures, while offering students a free slice of pizza.

“Funding has been reduced. Students’ fees have gone up 167 percent.

There’s been a decline in the quality of education on all levels,” said Jade Jewett, professor for the Department of Art and a member of the CFA for

MULTIMEDIA

For video of the protesters go to Dailytitan.com /protestersspeak 16 years.

Jewett said there were three goals for Tuesday’s demonstration: to educate students, staff and faculty so everyone feels engaged in the dialogue about funding the California State University; to call for a vote of no confidence for Chancellor Reed; and to present Assembly Bill 656, a piece of legislature to bring money to the CSUs. Kim Geron, the statewide vice president for the CFA, expanded on these goals and said they are trying to bring more awareness to the budget cuts affecting the California education system and the issue of failed leadership.

Photo By Ron fu/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Melissa Warstadt, 21, hands out flyers about the state budget cuts on the Titan Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

“We recognize that Chancellor Reed is part of the problem; he’s not the only part of the problem. There’s a bigger problem in the state, but he could be a stronger advocate and that’s why I’m here to support their efforts.

We really think we need strong advocacy by the board of trustees and the chancellor, and unfortunately that hasn’t happened,” Geron said.

AB 656 is a levy tax on oil and natural gas that would generate about one billion dollars for the CSU if taxed at the planned 9.9 percent, Geron said.

California is the only state in the country that does not do this type of taxation, he added.

Additionally, Geron said the pay cuts and pay freezes aren’t happening all over the country.

“A pay cut when we are already paid lower than most professors around the country is kind of an insult to people who made a sacrifice to come here from all over the country to take a job at CSUF,” Geron said.

Geron added he doesn’t call it mismanagement, but they haven’t been forthright about coming up with alternatives to generate enough funds.

“If they supported AB 656, that’d go a long way as saying they really want to try to solve this problem. And until they do, we’re going to say they’re not doing their job,” Geron said.

As the day continued, “Sign the petition, lower your tuition” was chanted over and over by CFA volunteers. Students slowly congregated around the blue tents and created a growing line for pizza.

“I think it’s a pretty good thing that people are getting together. I’m not sure if one guy is to blame, but if you look at the stats, definitely a lot of

Photo By ron fu/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Tuesday at the Titan Walk, Dani Stratz, 22, shows Carolina Franco, 18, where to sign her name on a petition calling for a halt to the cutting of classes.

things haven’t gone in the students’ favor,” said Roman Valdez, 22, a music and marketing major, while in line.

Valdez said he is signing the petition because he has witnessed budget cuts, course reductions and decreased office hours for his professors over the five years he has spent at CSUF. Valdez said he thinks it’s good that volunteers are collecting signatures.

Getting students to remove someone from their position is the most proactive thing they can do, Valdez said.

“Basically, I’m upset. (I’m) disheartened at the state of education thus far.

I’m upset that I’m paying 32 percent more in tuition, so I came out here.

The point of this whole petition is we want to remove Chancellor Reed,” said China Lawrence, 22, a political science major and member of the CFA. “We want to hold him accountable.

He was the one that approved of the fee hikes for students. I think that’s wrong. I want him to make us a priority because he should be fighting for us,” Lawrence said.

Later on, a few members of El-

ephant in the Room, who asked to be regarded as “students defending their education,” walked around with poster boards hanging around their necks.

The posters were covered in class cancellation notices, which are the papers posted on the doors of cut classes.

The group passed out flyers demanding the cuts come to a halt and for the removed classes to come back.

They are trying to get signatures for a “contract to defend education.”

“We’re not going to take the class cancellations anymore; we’re not going to take the library hours cut anymore; and we’re not going to take the faculty staff cuts anymore,” said Chirag Bhakta, 21, a history major. “We can’t afford this anymore, apathy is not an option.”

Klint Penamante, a CSUF student and protester said that the 15,000 signatures on the petition will be presented to the governing board of the Titan Student Union, President Gordon and Chancellor Reed so they know the students are upset about decisions regarding the CSU budget.

Kissing to win

BIG

An unusual game of Simon Says drew a crowd to the Titan Bookstore Tuesday to watch students compete for a free Macbook. Students participating in the game had to keep their lips on a Macbook box while acting out commands. Mike Khalil, an Apple campus representative, shouted out instructions to eliminate inattentive players. A short drizzle started midway into the game, but no one budged. Brenda Lopez, 18 (center), won the prize with chapped lips after four hours.

SPORTS:

Why the Yankees will beat the Angels, Page 7 Photo By Ron FU/Daily Titan Staff Photographer

Stay connected to the Daily Titan on:

President’s Scholars create comfort parcels for troops

By Meghan Alfano

WEATHER

Daily Titan Asst. News Editor

TODAY TOMorrow

Cal State Fullerton’s President’s Scholars Association will be sending care packages to a troop of 16 Marines in Afghanistan this fall semester as one of their volunteer projects.

One of the troops’ members, 25-year-old Joe Gazmen, is an alumnus from CSUF and a member of President’s Scholars.

President’s Scholars is a group of students on campus whose focus is to do various volunteer projects throughout the school year. To become a member of the group, students must apply before the beginning of their freshman year on campus.

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“Based solely on merit, the President’s Scholar Program recognizes the outstanding achievements of incoming freshman who have demonstrated excellence in academic work, leadership ability and community service,” states the organization’s Web site.

Students applying for President’s Scholars must have obtained at least a 3.75 GPA during their sophomore and junior years in high school and provide proof of involvement in academic and leadership programs.

The program grants students with scholarship benefits for four years, so long as the scholars maintain their program eligibility.

The scholarship benefits, which are all funded by private donors, include full payment of Cal State

University enrollment fees, $750 for books and supplies through the Titan Shops, priority registration for classes, automatic admittance to the University Honor’s Program and opportunities of

By Maureen Fox/Daily Titan Staff Photographer up to 20 hours Corinne Sandhoefner and Laurent Punzalan pack candy, cards and other items into care packages for marines. of on-campus work per week. do, 21, a health science major and They are what distinguishes this “The best part of being a scholar vice president of President’s Schol- scholarship from any other scholexists on a much more profound ars. “I have never been so proud arship given.” level than the monetary and tan- to be a part of such a bright and See SCHOLARS, Page 2 gible benefits,” said Stacy Lombia- promising group of colleagues.

Page Two

2

October 14, 2009

IN OTHER NEWS Scholar: care packages sent to afghanistan Violence continues in Pakistan

MOSCOW (MCT) – If Hillary Clinton was hoping to win Russian support for efforts to use a threat of sanctions to pressure Iran to come clean about its nuclear ambitions, her first trip to Moscow as secretary of state got off to a rocky start Tuesday.

Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, said that economic sanctions or similar moves during the current standoff with Iran about its nuclear program would be “counterproductive.”

Iran has agreed in principle to allow international inspectors at a previously secret nuclear facility near Qom and to ship most of its enriched uranium to Russia to be refined for civilian uses.

Lavrov’s announcement came despite President Barack Obama’s recent decision to scrap plans for a ballistic missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, a system that the Kremlin had strenuously opposed. While both sides denied that the decision about the missile defense sites was linked to a deal with Russia about Iran, observers had suspected otherwise.

Analysts in Moscow said the bottom line is that Russia isn’t going to back sanctions against Iran - at least not anytime soon.

NATIONAL

Violence continues in Pakistan

WASHINGTON (MCT) – The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday released a copy of a long-suppressed report by officials in the George W. Bush administration concluding that, based on the science, the government should begin regulating greenhouse gas emissions because global warming posed serious risks to the country.

The report, technically known as an “endangerment finding,” was prepared in 2007 but the Bush White House refused to make it public because the administration opposed new government efforts to regulate the gases most scientists see as the major cause of global warming.

A finding that greenhouse gases and global warming pose serious risks to the nation is a necessary step in the process of instituting government regulation. President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are pushing for major climate legislation, but if Congress fails to act, the administration has raised the possibility that it would use an EPA finding to move toward regulation on its own.

STATE

Violence continues in Pakistan

FRESNO(MCT) – Cliff Finch today pleaded no contest to a felony charge of assault with a gun stemming from a September 2007 shootout with police after a high-speed chase across north Fresno.

Finch, 60, the father of Olympic snowboarder Andy Finch, pleaded no contest to assault with a firearm. After extensive negotiations, prosecutors changed the charge Finch faced: assault on a police officer. In exchange, Finch agreed to drop his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Fresno police have said that on Sept. 24, 2007, Finch was on his way to the home of his wife, who had obtained an emergency protective order against him.

Police tried to stop him but he fled, running red lights and clipping a car before police forced him off the road.

At that point, police said, Finch began firing a handgun at them. Four officers returned fire, hitting Finch several times.

Finch’s family believes he was suffering a flashback to his days in Vietnam, a phenomenon associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Copyright ©2009 Daily Titan

Gazmen attended CSUF from 2002 to 2006, and graduated with a degree in physics and business.

Aside from being an active member of President’s Scholars, Gazmen also held office as vice president of the University Honor’s Society, was a founding member of Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lamda CSUF chapter and was a national parliamentarian for the organization. He became the first ever recipient of the Dan Black Scholar award as well.

Gazmen has always been very patriotic and was moved to join the services after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

“The idea of giving back was always something he cherished,” said former president of President’s Scholars Dianne Ramos, 25. Ramos is also Gazmen’s girlfriend of six years whom he met his first year at CSUF through President’s Scholars.

Ramos, who graduated with a degree in international business with an emphasis on French, said Gazmen told her that as a child, saying the National Anthem in class often brought him to tears.

Upon graduating, Gazmen was able to go straight into the officer training program for the Marines. In April of this year, Gazmen was promoted to first lieutenant, and in May, he was sent on his first assignment to Afghanistan, where he is currently located.

Gazmen and Ramos are still active alumni members of the organization and give back to the group by presenting the Vern Wagner Passion Award to graduating scholars who “show an outstanding level of involvement with President’s Scholars,” Ramos said. She said they started it with hopes of encouraging scholars to maintain activism in the program beyond their years at CSUF. Carol Kresse, current president of the President’s Scholars, approached Ramos last May to send care packages to Gazmen and his fellow troops.

“We wanted to give back to Joe because he still does a lot for President’s Scholars” said Kresse, 22, a business finance and political science major.

Ramos helped act as a communicator between the organization and Gazmen, figuring out what the troops were in need of and making sure they could send what they were donating.

Ramos added that her communication with Gazmen is good; they e-mail regularly, and she has been able to talk to him via the phone 10 times since his deployment.

“Thanks to technology, we get to talk a lot. I don’t think I would have

survived it having to communicate through snail mail,” she said.

The group has put together 16 personalized boxes for each of the Marines, which include necessities such as socks, sunscreen, snacks and other items such as magazines, movies, candy and letters written to the troops. The overflow of donated items received will also be sent in separate boxes, for a total of 25 care boxes.

“The event was a huge success, more amazing than I could ever imagine,” said Kresse. “I hope we’ll consider doing it again in the future.”

She also added that she felt that the

project was special to the organization because of Gazmen and his connection with President’s Scholars.

“The scholars are doing an outstanding job; they are going above and beyond what they have to do,” Gazmen said. “I am truly humbled that they have gone out of their way to send us care packages.”

Ramos added that she was awestruck when Kesse approached her about the care packages.

“Joe and I were very honored and proud that they came up with the idea,” she said. “It’s not only for their own but for the troops as a whole.”

photo By Maureen fox/Daily Titan Staff Writer President’s Scholars Patrick Fitzpatrick and Russell Argenal put candy into Tupperware containers for care packages to send to Alumnus Joe Gazmen and his fellow Marines in Afghanistan. The group put together 16 care packages for the troops, and had exttra items left over to send to the troops.

Professor encourages Fullerton to “Shake out” By allie mosier

For the Daily Titan

news@dailytitan.com

If you’ve ever taken a geology course, the terms P-waves, S-waves, frequencies and the name San Andreas Fault probably sound familiar.

Dr. David Bowman, chair of the Geology Department, held a seminar at the Fullerton Public Library on Oct. 8 to talk about the causes of earthquakes and earthquake preparedness.

The San Andreas Fault is the

sliding boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. In simpler terms, it is a crack in the ground that cuts through California.

Although Californians are no strangers to earthquakes, the San Andreas Fault is predicted to produce an earthquake of a magnitude of 7.8, which would cause severe damage. The San Andreas Fault produces earthquakes approximately once every 150 years. Each time one occurs, the fault moves 30 feet.

“The last earthquake that occurred on the southernmost part

of the fault was over 430 years ago. produce a sound in the rock that That’s why we say it’s overdue,” said you can’t hear, but when they occur, Bowman. what you feel is a jolt. S-waves, or Although the San Andreas Fault secondary waves, are second to aris predicted to produce an earth- rive and produce a sharp, jolting, quake of great magnitude, Bowman side-to-side motion. They are the said the San Andreas Fault isn’t the most damaging waves. biggest threat to California – the Surface waves are the second Puente Hills Thrust is. group of waves to hit and produce a The Puente Hills Thrust is a fault low frequency motion. Unlike body that runs from Northern Orange waves, they are strongest further County to Downtown Los Angeles. from the epicenter. Two other types It is predicted to produce an earth- of waves are Love waves and Rayquake of a magnitude of 9.7. leigh waves. Love waves produce a Bowman estimated the earth- swaying side-to-side motion and quake would cause 7,600 fatalities, Rayleigh waves produce a rolling 12,000 injuries, 274,000 displaced motion. households and a total economic The size of the fault also deterloss of $130 billion. mines the strength of an earthquake.

“We’re right on the edge where se- Big faults, like the San Andreas, vere damage occurs,” Bowman said. produce low frequency shaking.

But he doesn’t believe this earth- Small faults produce high frequency quake will occur in our lifetime. shaking and are most damaging to Bowman has one simple formula homes. to evaluate the risk of an earthquake: Soil types as well as the depth of risk equals earthquake likelihood, basins determine the amplification plus likely shakof an earthing, plus building quake. Loose, fragility. unconsolidated “Buildings resoil amplifies spond differently to shaking from different frequenseismic waves. cies of shaking,” “The more – Dr. David Bowman, Bowman said. sand and gravel, Chair of the Geology Big buildings the more shakDepartment resonate to low freing,” said Bowquencies and small man. buildings resonate In general, to high frequencies. deeper basins have stronger ampliAn important factor that deter- fications. Bowman pointed out that mines how a building will survive an the Orange County basin is only earthquake is the material it is made one mile to half-a-mile deep which out of. Buildings are usually made would produce less shaking. out of materials like adobe, unreinIn order to reduce damage caused forced masonry, steel and wood. by an earthquake, Bowman gave Adobe has no strength in earth- these simple recommendations: quakes and crumbles to nothing.

Don’t have objects above your bed “This is why we see huge damages and secure bookcases and televiin earthquakes in the Middle East. sions to the wall.

The smallest earthquake can crum“The building isn’t the hazard; ble (a building),” said Bowman. the contents of a building are the Unreinforced Masonry, also hazard,” Bowman said. known as brick, turns to dust when John Greenwood, a Fullerton it is shaken. Bowman deems this as resident, attended the seminar be“dangerous building material.” Steel cause, “events like these are worth frame and wood frame buildings are listening to,” he said. both good for earthquakes because “I came to see if I could find out steel and wood can bend and flex. anything new and to make sure I’m “Buildings in California are made prepared,” said Kate Dalton, a Fulso they’ll survive an earthquake,” lerton resident.

Bowman said.

Because of the success of the Earthquake waves also determine shakeout drill that occurred last the damage an earthquake produc- year, it is now mandatory statewide. es. Body waves are the first group of The shakeout drill will occur every waves and produce a high frequency year on the third Thursday of Ocmotion. They are also strongest near tober. This year it will take place on the epicenter.

Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m.

P-waves, or primary waves, are “Make it your disaster preparafirst to arrive but are weak. They tion time,” said Bowman.

“

Make it your disaster prepared

time.

“

INTERNATIONAL

From Page 1

FEATURES

4

October 14, 2009

‘WoW’ as an art medium Online role-playing game inspires artists around the world with its animation

By Skylar Smith

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

Boasting 11.5 million monthly subscriptions, the popular massive multiplayer online role playing game “World of Warcraft” has spread its influence across millions of computers, gaming cafes and college laptops.

Blizzard Entertainment, which created the computer game, has worked hard to support its community by creating an expansive world full of exciting quests, intricate lore, strong social relationships and a place for others to share their creativity through role play and fan art.

Grace KookAnderson, curator of exhibitions at the Laguna Art Museum, saw the potential of this creativity

and made the art exhibition “WoW: Emergent Art Phenomenon.”

“Before I started, Blizzard had actually proposed to do something at the Laguna Art Museum, also to celebrate the fifth anniversary of ‘World of Warcraft,’” said Kook-Anderson. “I was also really interested in looking at artists who play “World of Warcraft” or who are looking at this game’s unique appeal, and I was hoping for a conversation between the two.”

This exhibition showcased hundreds of fan art projects, art from several of those on the Blizzard payroll, a room dedicated to Machinima (videos in which the game is used to create stories), a downstairs mostly consisting of interactive media and a massive sculpture of an Orc riding his wolf mount in the lobby.

The fan art posted at the exhibition was entirely taken from the “WoW” community Web site and filled a small room from floor to ceiling. Pieces ranged from comical to epic and featured all races and classes in “WoW.” Jorg Dubin, a traditional oil

Screen Captures By Skylar Smith/Daily Titan Staff Writer This screen capture shows the computer game“World of Warcraft,” which millions play around the globe, has inspired countless art pieces.

painter who works mostly on linen canvas, had three paintings on display that had a gritty and realistic depiction of “WoW.” “Night Elf with a 12 Gauge,” featured a night elf touting a shotgun, “Blood Elf with Head of Stranger” was a gruesome and dark depiction of a Blood Elf ’s latest kill, and “Days End in Dalaran” which showed a depressed looking blood elf drinking and holding a bottle of whiskey.

Wei Wang, one of the Blizzard staff artists who is also working on “Starcraft II,” had many pieces on display, including several drawings of the Lich King Arthas, the main villain in “WoW’s” latest expansion, “Wrath of the Lich King.”

Glenn Rane was another staff artist who had many of his works on display, one of which was an impressive depiction of the game’s undead queen Sylvannas Windrunner.

Traditionally drawn and painted

art aside, the interactive, video and experimental art was the focus of the exhibition.

Pieces such as Antoinette LaFarge’s “World of World” attempted to take on the complex topic of the relationship between player and avatar. Her piece, splicing webcam pictures of a player and in-game screenshots, explained the sometimes disturbing obsessive relationship between the player and their in-game character. Within the wall consuming display was text in the form of a dialogue between the character and the player, developing unhealthy relationship.

Robert Nideffer’s “2007 BC, ‘09,” a triptych inspired by Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights and The Temptation of St. Anthony, used in-game images depicting the conflict between two of the top guilds on a server, “Death and Taxes” and “Nihilum.”

This epic mural included several of the guild members in combat (some

of them naked) and evidence of their conquests (corpses of Dungeon bosses), on the sides of the triptych.

Nideffer also co-created a side scrolling RPG with Alex Szeto, based around “WoW” called “WTF?!,” which was playable at the exhibition.

The game drops several philosophers, such as Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud as characters in the “WoW” universe.

The exhibition has seen many students in its four-month run including Kevin Takenaka, 19, an architecture major from Saddleback Community College. “I’m here for a school assignment in my art history class,” said Takenaka, “I have played ‘WoW’ before, but that was a long time ago, but the exhibit is pretty cool.”

Even some of the staff who never really experienced “WoW” previously were influenced by the exhibition and are now actively involved in “WoW.” Bret Eagleston, an animation major

at Laguna College of Art and Design, a member of the security team and a host at Laguna Art Museum is currently a level 59 (possibly higher now) undead mage. He started playing around the same time the exhibition opened. “I like most of the art upstairs like the fan art, and I really like the sculptures,” said Eagleston.

“The interactive stuff is kind of weird though.”

The event was highly successful, and many students and “WoW” members are wondering if it will continue next year. “For now, it’s a one time thing,” said Kook-Anderson.

Although the exhibition has ended, all of the art featured is available online, including videos and interactive entertainment.

Check out DailyTitan.com/ worldofwarcraft for links to artwork, videos and more on this story

A cheating husband wins the audience’s sympathy in ‘Ivanov’

By James Bean

For the Daily Titan

features@dailytitan.com

After waiting several years to see it produced on the Cal State Fullerton campus, “Ivanov” has finally opened to students, the incredible cast and visionary director have not let this stunning Russian classic down.

The play opened to a nearly sold out crowd last Friday, and the Saturday night performance received a standing ovation at the end. I was absolutely blown over by this gem of theater.

The Hallberg Theatre’s intimate seating (I was an arms length from the actors at least 10 percent of the time) suited the show perfectly and brought the intensity that the play needed. And it was intense.

Before going into plot details, I must first commend Svetlana Efremova for her elegant and majestic turn as Anna. She gave her character a tired, fun-loving, yet viciously fiery coloring that illuminated her performance and brought a beating heart to the production. Every moment she was on stage, I found my heart drawn to her, and it cried to her on more than one occasion. If Efremova is the heart of the show, director Maria Cominis must have been the brain.

Cominis offered a feast of delicious imagery, ending with one of the most beautiful moments I have seen in theater. People, use the term “visionary director” way too often to describe mediocre helmers these days, but Cominis stepped up to the plate and delivered a chillingly gorgeous theater experience that refused to let me go.

Her vision, combined with the outstanding work of set designer Natalie Rich allowed the show to explore hidden dimensions and brought the audience into the labyrinth of “Ivanov’s” complex story.

“Ivanov” follows the story of Nikolai Ivanov, a man who has grown tired of his life and seeks to renew it. His wife, Anna, has resigned from her Jewish heritage, Jewish family and even her Jewish name to be with him.

And yet, Ivanov leaves Anna in her sickly state to attend parties in the city. When Ivanov meets a young

PHOTO COURTESY JIM VOLZ Anna Ivanov, center, (Svetlana Efremova) discovers her husband, Ivanov (Ben Lambert) with Sasha (Hannah Parsons), with whom he is having an affair, in a scene from “Ivanov” by Anton Chekhov. The play continues in the Hallberg Theatre through Nov. 1.

Sasha and falls in love with her, he makes plans to leave the dying Anna to marry her. The public reacts in an outcry, claiming that he only wants to marry Sasha for what would surely be a large dowry.

Ben Lambert was terrific as the incredibly twisted and confused Ivanov.

You can tell he is a talented actor when you can sympathize with a character who leaves his dying wife for a younger woman.

And this is only the first half of the show. It is after the intermission that the tensions break like an enormous dam, flooding the audience with a wave of drama that they just did not see coming.

When I read the play in my freshman year of college, I had always seen it as just an incredibly sad show. I was delighted when I saw it to find that in addition to being the first tear-jerker of the fall season, some parts were really quite funny. Leave it to Cominis and guest artist James Young to

lighten up this otherwise macabre and tortured piece of work.

Young plays Ivanov’s heart-warming, yet cranky uncle, and he brought the audience’s spirits up whenever he merrily trotted onto the stage.

Although Efremova and Young were the highlights of the show, the entire company was terrific, and I was hard-pressed to find a real weak link in the cast.

The show found its share of faults, however. A few scenes had dramatic issues that took me out of the show, and a few stylistic choices confused me and brought a nervous laugh from the audience. These were minor speed bumps.

By the end of the shows breathtaking finale, I had no doubt that what I had experienced was magical.

“Ivanov” will continue its run in the Hallberg Theatre on campus this Thursday, Oct. 15, continuing through Nov. 1.

Tickets are $9 for students, and $10 general admission.

5

FEATURES

October 14, 2009

Fair shows options for education abroad Activism promotes campus changes

By Maureen Fox

By Amber Stephens

Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

For the Daily Titan

Students with a desire to travel the world and experience new cultures found guidance Tuesday at the Office of International Education and Exchange’s annual Study Abroad Fair, held on campus from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the Titan Student Union.

The International Education and Exchange office originally booked Titan Walk to host the event but moved the fair indoors to Pavilion B in the TSU to avoid the threat of rain.

More than 30 programs were represented at the fair, including Cal State Fullerton’s international, exchange and department-run programs.

PHOTO By Ron Fu/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Most of the participants were Kimberly Iona, right, shows the type of study abroad programs available to Margarita third-party organizations, such as Melendez, 20, at the TSU pavilion on Tuesday, Oct. 13, as part of the Office of GoAbroad.com and Global Student International Education and Exchange’s annual Study Abroad Fair.

Experience.

Study Abroad Program Assistant nia to experience a new culture and ly and no matter what profession you get into, you need some perspective Kathryn Morrissey said the study country.

“I wanted to get some new impres- beyond America, beyond Califorabroad office has been organizing the sions and see something else,” Hagin nia.” event since June.

Another outside program at the Morrissey said the study abroad said.

“And learn English,” Polgan added. fair was International Studies Abroad, office put on the fair to “promote Each program’s representatives em- which offers study abroad programs awareness to tell students that they can study abroad and look at all the phasized their organization’s unique in Europe, North Africa and Latin options that are available to them.” benefits and their own perspectives on America.

April Wareham Limon, a senior Morrissey added that the office hopes why students should study abroad.

One organization was Semester at site specialist for ISA, said they ofstudents will get the information they Sea, which takes students to 10 coun- fer programs for every major in both need, get excited and go abroad.

Last year, 176 CSUF students tries during the course of a semester the countries’ native languages and in studied abroad. Morrissey hopes the and helps students meet the costs by English.

“It’s a great opportunity to expand current economic downturn will not giving out $3.25 million in financial their knowledge of other cultures,” discourage students from studying aid.

D e r e k Limon said. abroad this Olson, a Limon added that ISA tries to year. s p o k e s - make their programs affordable for Inside man for students by keeping costs low, offerthe pavilion, Semester at ing financial plans and accepting fedbrightly-colSea, said eral aid. ored tablethe study Throughout the day, students visited cloths battled – April Wareham Limon, a b r o a d each table and learned more about their for visitors’ program is options for studying abroad. attention, International Studies Abroad senior a comparaMany students seemed excited about as a number site specialist tive pro- the opportunities available to them and of organizagram that left the fair loaded up with flyers and tions set up tables and spoke with students about allows students to compare and con- pamphlets full of information.

Eliseo Cabrera, a second-year inthe details of their particular pro- trast what is going on in the world, from religion to history, culture and ternational business major, attended grams. the fair because he plans to study Several exchange students volun- politics.

Olson also said studying abroad abroad next year. teered at the CSUF booth to answer He is mostly interested in Europequestions and encourage students to is extremely beneficial in today’s soan programs, particularly Germany. study abroad. Maurice Hagin and ciety.

“It doesn’t really matter what ma“Since I’m an international busiSandra Polgan, both exchange students from Germany, said they want- jor they’re in; everybody in every ness major, it will help me out in ed to help out at the fair as a way to major needs to have an international my major, while at the same time I’ll perspective these days,” Olson said. learn about the cultures and just have give back to the program.

They chose to study in Califor- “We’re all connected very, very close- some fun,” Cabrera said.

features@dailytitan.com

College students can ignite a fire of upheaval by repeating one simple chant: “The students united will never be divided!”

A group of about 100 students used this passionate chant, among others, when they held a protest against university budget cuts on Sept. 29. That same evening, another group of students held a sitin at the Pollak Library.

The recent protests on campus were held in opposition to the administration’s response to the state budget crisis.

Tamara Khoury, a 19-year-old CSUF nursing major and a member of CSUF’s MECha (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/Chicana De Aztlan), has participated in the rallies as an opponent to fee hikes.

Khoury has participated and helped organize anti-war protests with the activist group A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism).

Other than recent budget cut protests, she has also participated in a rally on campus protesting the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

There should be more student activism, she said, but some students might feel resigned about decisions affecting them.

“Protesting is absolutely necessary in our country to educate, communicate and to organize people to take action instead of waiting for others to do it instead,” she said.

As far as the downfalls of being an activist on campus, Khoury said the repercussions can have an impact on a student. She said a student may fear punishment for protesting.

“When it comes to organizing a movement on campus, students have everything to gain but everything to lose at the same time,” she said.

Dr. Jarret Lovell, associate professor of political science and criminal justice, said activism is contagious.

Lovell is the author of “Crimes of Dissent,” a book focusing on civil disobedience, criminal justice and the politics of conscience.

He said student activism puts ideas taught in the classroom into action.

“If students think they don’t have a say in how their university is run, they need to realize things are not going to change until they demand it,” he said.

Lovell said activism on campus shouldn’t be seen as a burden to stu-

dents who have busy schedule.

“It’s important that as a society, we don’t perpetuate the myth that protesting is a full-time job,” he said. “Protesting includes educating others about your cause. Anything that opens up discussion about your cause is protesting.”

James Goebel, 23, is a philosophy major who joined in the protest over budget cuts. He handcuffed himself to the Information desk during the sit-in at the Pollak Library.

“Civil disobedience has a way of raising questions,” Goebel said. “Not through words and theories, but through bodies and action.”

He said student activism can give an issue exposure.

“The idea that things are going to get better at a university without student involvement is a delusion,” he said.

There is not one leader for the budget cuts protests at CSUF, Goebel added.

“A collective movement without one central organization makes it so everyone feels free to participate,” he said. “One can only hope independent struggles can emerge to form a unified core with one voice.”

“

It’s a great opportunity to expand their knowledge of other cultures.

“

PHOTO By Ron Fu/Daily Titan Staff Photographer A student, who declined to give her name, hands out fliers about the CSU budget cuts on the Titan Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009.

OPINION

6

October 14, 2009

Alien in America “From the inside looking out”

If Rush Limbaugh buys a stake in the St. Louis Rams, should those players be forced to stay?

By Gilbert Gutierrez III Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

Who would have thought that conservative talk radio show host Rush Limbaugh would be the one to step forward and attempt to take the struggling St. Louis Rams under his wing?

Limbaugh, along with the NHL’s St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, has begun talks of placing a bid on the 0-5 Rams.

Can a NFL player honestly force himself to play for a man that said, “I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go. I think that we’ve had here a little social concern in the NFL. I think the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well.” These remarks were referenced to Donovan McNabb by Limbaugh on ESPN’s NFL pre-game show in 2003.

This man’s blatantly offensive remarks have even pissed off Rev. Al Sharpton, and he too is taking sides with the NFL players and sports columnists that are against his bid for the Rams.

In a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell published in full in the Oct. 9 New York Daily News, Sharpton wrote: “Rush Limbaugh has been divisive and anti-NFL on several occasions with comments about NFL players, including Mi-

chael Vick and Donovan McNabb, and his recent statement that the NFL was beginning to look like a fight between the Crips and the Bloods without the weapons was disturbing.”

Players don’t need to put up with his ignorance and lack of tolerance.

Should this man take the reins of the team, then it is entirely up to the players to do whatever they choose.

They can either play for a man that makes racist comments about America’s athletes and politicians, or they can sit on the sidelines and watch him burn his money on amateur replacement players taking a shot at the NFL’s finest.

In 1987, NFL teams fielded lineups of amateur athletes, and many of the millionaire players walked picket lines like blue-collar workers on strike for better working conditions. The owners were not willing to satisfy the players’ request to be allowed to free agency and partake in the league’s growing revenue.

After five weeks of refusing to play, the players’ demands were not met by the league and owners, and they returned back to work emptyhanded.

In 1919, eight professional baseball players from the Chicago White Sox threw the World Series when owner Charles Comiskey refused to pay them their well-deserved monetary bonus after winning the American League pennant toward the end of the regular season. This goes to show that players of the past have rebelled against the owners that smite them time and time again.

The players don’t need to put up with his racist representation; in fact, they should kick each other right in the middle of their jockstrap before every game if they choose to suit up and play for him.

By Adan Vasquez

Daily Titan Sports Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

If ever there was a public figure who should not own a team in the National Football League, it’s Rush Limbaugh.

Limbaugh, who is best known as the voice of the Republican party and an extreme conservative, is vying to become co-owner of the St. Louis Rams should the current owners decide to sell the franchise.

Over the years, Limbaugh has brought up a lot of controversy with comments he has made aimed primarily at black people. He claimed Gen. Colin Powell only supported President Barack Obama because he is black.

He accused the media of over praising black quarterbacks, and that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb did not deserve credit for his team’s success.

It’s pretty obvious that McNabb has blossomed into a bona fide signal caller.

So then what happens if Limbaugh’s bid is accepted and he does become an NFL owner? Many players have voiced their concerns over the possibility of playing for an owner who has made headlines primarily by making controversial comments.

Even Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said he wouldn’t vote to

approve Limbaugh.

Should players have to work for a team owner that they feel looks down on them and can cut them loose at any time he pleases?

Regretfully, the answer would be yes. As much as it pains me to say, a contract is a contract. Players are legally bound to their contract and must fulfill their duties if they want to get paid. After all, the NFL is a business, and they have to show up for work. It doesn’t mean they have to like it, but they have to be professional about it.

In no other type of job, other than sports, can someone simply not show up (hold-out) and demand they be transferred (traded) somewhere else without getting the boot.

Show up, do your job and when your contract is up, go your separate ways and find a new team.

This applies to drafted rookies as well. Everyone knows that rookie holdouts always end up signing at the last minute, or in the case of San Francisco 49ers 2009 firstround draft pick Michael Crabtree, decide to play “hard to get” until finally agreeing to a contract five weeks into the season.

Holding out and threatening not to play for your team, or just Limbaugh, would be unprofessional.

As painful and agonizing as it may be to have to play for an owner who has verbally degraded non-Caucasians over the years, at the end of the day you have to put those shoulder pads on and go out and hit somebody and make plays on the football field.

Luckily for the Rams’ players, Limbaugh won’t become an owner.

The owners won’t vote him in, and the league won’t risk losing a franchise.

Letters to the Editor:

Any feedback, positive or negative, is encouraged, as we strive to keep an open dialogue with our readership. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Direct all comments, questions or concerns along with your full name and major to the Daily Titan Opinion Desk at opinion@dailytitan.com.

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students or guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board.

Only the editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board.

DMV deviations

by Isa Ghani

Daily Titan Multimedia Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

Here’s one thing I can finally agree with Americans on: The Department of Motor Vehicles sucks.

I recently had to undergo the long-winded ritual of applying for a California driver’s license. Oh, boy, was it a fiasco.

First, I had to go into the dreaded DMV building to actually fill out an application. I made it through the entire process without a hitch, no accidents, insults, tears, body cavity searches or secondary security inspections because I have a “bin” in my name. That’s right, the same “bin” that Osama bin Laden has.

When I finally make it to the counter, I’m told that I need to show them my I20 – the document that allows me to legally attend an American university. Of course, this is the one document I didn’t bring with me. I did have my passport, international driver’s license, birth certificate, plane ticket stubs, student ID, library pass, business card and this discount card a stripper in Vegas gave me. Basically everything under the sun, except my I20.

Take two: I returned with an even bigger collection of documentation a week later. Here’s the best part, this time they didn’t even ask for my I20.

Regardless, I still insisted on showing it to the guy behind the counter repeatedly, just out of spite.

When I finally got in to take my written test, I realized that it is ridiculously easy to get a California driver’s license.

Most of the questions are pretty straightforward and based on common sense. It is pretty easy to figure out that if the car in front of you brakes, you should too.

And even if you’re a complete moron, you get three tries to pass your written test.

There is only a limited number of questions they could possibly ask, so if for some reason you do fail the test twice by the third time you would have memorized most of the questions and answers.

I also found out that you get three tries to pass the behind the wheel driving test. So, if I take my behind the wheel test, then crash into a school bus, drive over a fire hydrant and come to a halt inside a Dunkin’ Donuts I get another two tries before I’m banned from the road?

Awesome.

In Malaysia, I had to sit through a six-hour workshop, endure 20 hours of driving with an instructor in the car and take two different behind the wheel driving tests. We also all had to take the driving tests in crappy old stick shift cars that are reminiscent of the Smart Car, without any of the features that make it “smart.”

Oh, and if you fail any part of the process, whether it is the written test, the road test or if your instructor just thinks you are a horrible driver, you have to wait three months before you can take it again.

When I took my road test I had a female instructor who I found out

has a huge aversion to rats. I learned this interesting little bit of personal trivia five minutes into my test.

As I pull out of the DMV, she started screaming at me. I freaked out, thinking, “God, did I run over someone already? I haven’t even left the parking lot yet.” I tried to stay calm and ask what’s wrong.

“Dead rat! Dead rat outside the car! Oh my God, there’s a dead rat outside the car!” she screamed into my ear. Trying to make light of the situation, I informed her that I thought it was still alive because it was kind of squirming.

Not a good idea – she freaked out even more.

Unsure of what to do, with her yelling at me, me yelling at her while receiving ridiculous and counterproductive instructions like: “Get out of here now! Please just drive away from the rat now!” Coupled with, “But drive slowly, carefully and obey all traffic laws,” I finally make it out and onto the road fine, but extremely rattled.

She then told me to just drive normally. Sure, as if I could do that now when I’m freaked out because my instructor just shrieked into my ear for the last five minutes.

Because I was kind of nervous and wanted to pass so I could get the heck out of there, I drove slowly, carefully and obeyed all traffic laws to the letter.

I stopped at every stop sign.

I signaled nearly a minute before I made turns. And if the speed limit was 35, I went 30 mph.

I eventually completed the course without killing pedestrians or rearending any squad cars and drove back to the DMV. My instructor turned the car off, turned to me and said, “You are killing me with your driving; you drive so slowly.”

Back home I would regularly go around 100 mph and weave in and out of traffic like a ninja on crack.

I’ve been driving for three years. I drive fast, and I drive well, so to have a rodent-phobic, slightly neurotic driving instructor tell me I drive too slowly for her, well that just killed me.

I just lowered my head, apologized and let her tear me a new one for about 10 minutes. I groveled, I begged, I whined and I pleaded for her to just let me pass. The whole time I was wishing that she would eventually pass me or that rats would carry her away in her sleep.

The former happened, and I walked away with my driver’s license after a long, arduous ordeal. I felt accomplished, proud and grateful to have somehow “won” at the DMV. Two weeks later, I got my license in the mail, and realized that, no, there is no such thing as winning when it comes to the DMV – they got my name wrong.

Now I have to go back and see the delightful people at the Fullerton DMV once again sometime this week. This time, I’m bringing a thick book. Not for reading, but to throw at the next DMV official who yells at me because of small furry animals.

8

Sports

October 14, 2009

Old faces in Dodgers and Phillies series Think Different. Think Simon.

photo courtesy mct Dodgers third base coach, Larry Bowa, disputes a call during a game against the Phillies.

(MCT) – Familiarity doesn’t always breed contempt. Sometimes it brings back memories and leads to friendly handshakes.

That certainly will be the case during the National League Championship Series for the players and team personnel who have ties to both the Dodgers and the Phillies or the cities in which they play.

Ned Colletti, completing his fourth season as Dodgers general manager, once worked in Philadelphia as a sports writer, covering the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980 and 1981 as a beat reporter for the nowdefunct Philadelphia Journal.

(I remember that tabloid well, because I was working in Baltimore at the time and often went to Philly on assignment. My two favorite Journal headlines: “Cheap Hood Kills Cop” and “Phillies Fan Wins Nobel Prize.”)

When that newspaper folded, Colletti went to work for the Chicago Cubs, first in PR and then in baseball operations, before accepting a job in the San Francisco Giants front office and serving nine years as assistant GM. (For some reason he doesn’t like talking about the AngelsGiants World Series in 2002.)

He became Dodgers GM in 2005 and, ironically, had to go through the Cubs and the Phillies in the

2008 playoffs to try to reach the World Series.

His Dodgers swept the Cubs but lost to the Phillies in the NLCS in five games.

This week, Colletti’s team gets another shot at Philadelphia.

It’s a similar situation for Dennis Mannion, the Dodgers’ president and chief operating officer since 2007. Mannion formerly spent 16 years (1982-97) working for the Phillies, including eight years as Vice President of Marketing and Sales.

He’s also looking forward to another shot at Philly.

Down on the field, there are plenty of ex-Phillies in the Dodgers dugout and ex-Dodgers in the Phillies dugout.

Randy Wolf and Vicente Padilla – the Dodgers’ respective starting pitchers in Games 1 and 3 in the NL Division Series against St. Louis – will have a chance to beat their former teams in the NLCS. Wolf came up in the Phillies organization and pitched for them from 1999-2006 before signing with the Dodgers as a free agent. He pitched for the 2007 Dodgers, left for a year (when L.A. met Philly in the 2008 NLCS) and returned this season.

Padilla pitched for the Phillies from 2000-2005, including a 14-victory seasons in 2002 and

2003, but he wore out his welcome there and signed with Texas in 2006.

The Rangers also got tired of his behavior when they released him in August, and was quickly signed by the Dodgers.

Outfielder Jayson Werth, who had the winning hit in the Phillies’ NLDS clincher against Colorado on Monday night, was with the Dodgers from 2004-06. He was signed by the Phillies as a free agent after missing the entire 2006 season recovering from wrist surgery.

Phillies second baseman Chase Utley was born in Pasadena, grew up as a Dodgers fan, went to UCLA and now resides in Carson during the offseason.

Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa managed, coached and played for the Phillies and was regarded as the best shortstop in franchise history until current star Jimmy Rollins came along.

Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan came up in the Dodgers’ organization and played for the Dodgers from 1985-89 and later signed as free agent with the Phillies, where he played from 1992-1995 and made the All-Star team in 1994.

Phillies first base coach and base running instructor Davey Lopes was a longtime second baseman for the Dodgers (1972-81), culminating with the Dodgers’ World Series-winning team in 1981. He’s been on the Phillies coaching staff since 2006.

And Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez’s hitting coach at Cleveland from 1994-99, Manny’s first six full years in the majors.

All of which means there likely will be a lot of fraternizing around the batting cage when NLCS opens Thursday night at Dodger Stadium.

Parting shot: After the Dodgers finished off their sweep of the Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Saturday, TBS on-field reporter Tom Verducci approached Manny Ramirez on camera and asked him how his team would stay sharp with four days off before the NLCS. “Are you talking about practice?”

Manny retorted, doing his best Allen Iverson imitation.

It was very funny.

The ‘Evil Empire’ will beat the Angels in seven to return to fall classic

By simon Liang

Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor sports@dailytitan.com

I’m telling you right now, you cannot miss the Los Angeles Angels - New York Yankees series. TiVo it if you must because the Sports Center highlights may not be sufficient.

This year’s American League Championship Series definitely has a West Coast/East Coast rivalry going on. Although this does not have the historical significance of a Boston Red Sox and Yankees match up, this rivalry is becoming more intense year after year.

The numbers don’t lie, the Angels and Yankees ended the season with the two best records in all of baseball, and they were also the two biggest run producers. Both teams swept their opponents in the first

photo courtesy mct CC Sabathia’s arm will be a huge factor in the Yankees moving on to the World Series.

round with memorable ninth inning comebacks.

Since the turn of the millennium, the Angels have had the Yankees’ number, first in 2002 when the Halos won the World Series and again in 2005 in the ALDS. But the Yankees have a whole new cast of characters this time around.

Roger Clemens is gone.

Randy Johnson is gone.

Jason Giambi is gone.

The 2009 version of the Bronx Bombers has CC Sabathia as the ace of the staff and Alex Rodriguez and

photo courtesy mct Angels center fielder Torii Hunter during home game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Mark Teixeira as the sluggers in the heart of the lineup. Scary thought.

Who said money can’t buy happiness?

But is the “Evil Empire” the best team that money can buy?

If they win, it will be justified by their payroll. If they lose, it will be a monumental failure. That’s just how the cookie crumbles when you play for the Pinstripes.

In past postseasons, Sabathia and Rodriguez have not been able to translate their regular season success into the playoffs. However, this postseason they have played up to their potential.

The most dangerous thing about this team is that from top to bottom, every player can make it a home run derby.

After Sabathia, the question is if old reliable Andy Pettitte still has any more gas left in the tank and if the big offseason signing of A.J. Burnett will pay dividends.

The biggest concern for the Yankees is which Joba Chamberlain will show up. Will it be the Chamberlain in “The Bug Game” or will he be the pitching phenom he once was?

Let’s not forget, at age 39, Mariano Rivera has 35 saves with a 0.74 ERA in the postseason. His cut fastball still has hitters dazed. Without a doubt, he is the greatest closer of all-time.

While many Yankees have boat loads of playoff experience, the Angels have a lot of underrated players who have exceeded expectations the entire season.

Vladimir Guerrero is still a good player, but lately he has been a hitor-miss. Good thing for them, Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu have been there to pick up the slack.

The middle infield for the Angels is a combination of scrappy little guys who just get it done. Their bench depth will prove to be very crucial in this series when they need a big hit in the late innings.

The Halos’ offense has always been run-and-gun under manager Mike Scioscia. The batting order will put pressure on Yankees’ starters because of their speed and hitting ability. They had 10 players with over 100 hits for the season. Talk about efficient.

Watch out for superstar-in-themaking first baseman Kendry Morales. After only playing 27 games last season, the Angels have not skipped a beat with Morales taking over Teixeira’s spot. The Halos will need his big bat to compliment his teammates.

For Scioscia, he knows he can depend on John Lackey, but Scott Kazmir and Ervin Santana will need to be on their “A” game if they want to stop a Yankee power surge.

The wild card for the Angels is Jered Weaver. If he pitches like he did in the ALDS, then it will take great pressure off of the bullpen.

I have always seen great stuff from Weaver, but he has just not been able to be consistent. This should be his coming out party.

For old time’s sake, I have to mention the significance of Abreu and Teixeira facing their respective former teams. They have shined in both uniforms, and I expect to see the same in this match up.

This series will go the distance to seven games. Both teams are so balanced and relentless that no team will give up without a fight.

I predict that most of the games will go down to the wire. Late-game heroics and walk-off hits are definitely on the horizon.

Unfortunately, there will be no Rally Monkey this year. The Yanks will take it to the Angels and go on to the Fall Classic.

The dream of a “Freeway World Series” will have to wait one more year. Those damn Yankees ruin everything.