April 30 2010

The

Collegian Sports The men’s tennis team goes for their first WAC title in 11 years, Page 8

Fresno State | Serving the campus since 1922

Multimedia The women’s lacrosse team ends there second season without a win, Online April 30, 2010 | Friday

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Online professor ratings have their place

By Joe Bailey The Collegian

With students’ enrollment appointments be ginning this week, the website ratemyprofessors.com (RMP) may see an increase in popularity with Fresno State students.

The site is in its 10th year and lists more than 1 million professors around the country. Users can rate former professors or review the rankings of prospective ones with Likert Scale rank-

ings in categories such as easiness, helpfulness and clarity. Users can also leave comments, and everything is confidential.

Fourth-year student Allen Perry used the website to help him throughout his collegiate career. Perry admittedly used the site to find the professors that teach the most effortless classes. “I use it to try to get the easy professors and the easier classes, and try to see who gives the least work,� Perry said. “I mainly used it for

my G.E. classes.�

Perry said the site gave dependable reviews of the professors whose classes he eventually enrolled in.

Sophomore Raquel Perez said she refused to use such a website when registering, and would rather judge professors for herself. “I would experience for myself rather than just what other people put on there,�

Perez said. Perez said that students have other options than just avoiding a difficult

See RATE, Page 5

Photo Illustration by Matt Weir / The Collegian Photo McClatchy Tribune

Leading Scorers Fresno State’s eight colleges rank below in order of their overall, 2009 undergaraduate GPA. The Kremen School of Education and Human Development also had the fewest undergraduate students in 2009.

Infographic by Michael Uribes / The Collegian Source: Institutional Research, Assesment and Planning

Some find jobs on social sites

By Michelle Furnier The Collegian After graduating a semester early from Cornell University in New York, Willy Franzen b e c a m e a g g r av a t e d w i t h entry-level job searching. This is when he decided to build a website to make the process easier for students and graduates to find a job.

One Day, One Job, which was launched in 2007, has helped more than one million job seekers.

In 2008, Franzen, also the founder of the website One Job and One Day, One Internship decided to do an experiment with Facebook advertisements where students and recent graduates created advertisements to pitch themselves, targeting employers.

Franzen said that he started out playing with Facebook’s advertising platform when the idea came to him. “At first I was trying to get users to the sites,� Franzen said in an e-mail interview. “ T h e n I t r i e d at t r a c t i n g employers as an advertiser, which wasn’t very successful.

Then the idea popped into my See SOCIAL, Page 6

Writing most important, say faculty

By Angelica Cano The Collegian In existence for more than 30 years, the Upper Division Writing Skills requirement aims to guarantee successful student writing and can be satisfied two ways at California State University, Fresno.

First enforced in the fall semester of 1979, the Upper D iv i s i o n Wr i t i n g S k i l l s (UDWS) requirement was designed to meet the California State University (CSU) system’s Graduation Writing A s s e s s m e n t Re q u i re m e n t (GWAR), created to ensure that all CSU students graduate with the capacity to write at an advanced level. “The goal is just to ensure that anybody who graduates from Fresno State is a skilled writer across the board, no matter what major they were in,� said Susan Currie Sivek, assistant professor in the mass communication and journalism department.

Last year, Sivek became a member of the Writing Competency Subcommittee, which establishes the standards of writing expected of students at Fresno State.

This includes evaluating the writing components of general education classes, as well as reviewing syllabi of new courses to ascertain whether or not they meet the UDWS requirement and merit a “W� designation.

For a course to satisfy the UDWS requirement, it must comply with eight standards o u t l i n e d by t h e Wr i t i n g Competency Subcommittee and be approved by the university’s Academic Senate and President in 2008. These standards include a minimum writing requirement of 5,000 words to be fulfilled in at least five different tasks, faculty feedback to students regarding their writing and assessment based on substance and form.

Potential W-courses are not

brought before the subcommittee often. It only happened once last year, though the issue is the quality of the classes offered, Sivek said. “I think the main concern isn’t so much the quantity of the courses, although certainly we want students to have options,� Sivek said. “The question is more, what’s being taught within the courses and are students getting what they need out of them?�

Business administration major Kevin Perkins thinks so. “I felt more confident in my writing,� Perkins said after taking BA 105W, Business Communication.

Perkins said the class seemed easy to him, though he never fully understood the UDWS requirement.

In the brief “Do Students Learn What Faculty Teach?�

Fresno State’s Institutional Research, Assessment and See SKILLS, Page 5

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Opinion The

Collegian

That’s What the People Are Saying

“N

Opinion Editor, Tony Petersen • collegian-opinion@csufresno.edu • Friday, April 30, 2010

Page 2

On financial reform ow, what we’re doing, I want to be clear, we’re not trying to push financial reform because we begrudge success that’s fairly earned. I mean, I do think at a certain point you’ve made enough money.”

— President Barack Obama, RealClearPolitics

Op-ed

What will health care do?

By Justin Steele

A

fter reading the Op-ed by Oscar Perez, it was stunning to me that such a poorly written, error ridden, slanderous tirade could have been printed in such a respected paper as The Collegian. So I had two options: I could laugh it off and tell myself that everyone else who reads this nonsense will have the same repulsion as me and simply disregard it; or I could respond with an Op-ed of my own explaining the facts of the president’s historic Health Insurance Reform bill and what it does and doesn’t do.

A few hours after reading the piece I came across a Kaiser Health Tracking Poll which found that 55 percent of Americans are still confused about what exactly is in the bill. Mr. Perez obviously falls into this category and instead of finding out the facts, as he put it, “his ignorance blindsided him.” So I feel compelled to write this response and set the record straight: • Starting this year it will allow students to stay on their parents insurance until 26 years of age. Eventually this will help cover one in three young adults who are uninsured.

• Also starting this year, if you become sick, you cannot be dropped from your plan.

• Creates health Insurance Exchanges for those don’t have employment based coverage. This allows for simple price comparisons so you can choose the plan that best fits you.

• Insurance companies, beginning in 2011, will have to submit jus-

tification for all premium increases.

Companies that make excessive increases may not be allowed to compete for your business in the insurance exchanges.

• Provides rebates for Medicare recipients who fall into the “doughnut hole,” allowing millions of seniors who can’t afford their prescription drugs to get needed help.

• Will require all plans to cover preventative care, with no co-payments or deductibles.

• Bans HMO’s from denying anyone coverage based on income or pre-existing conditions • Will not allow federal funding of abortions.

This last point is where Mr. Perez takes his confused understanding and embarrassingly put it on display.

“Obama’s bill will reserve more than $11 billion to financially support community health care clinics not excluding Planned Parenthood clinics, which by the way support abortions and racism.”

Now, as for the racism charge against the president, his supporters and Planned Parenthood (which he throws around quite a bit throughout his screed), it’s just too ridiculous to waste my time trying to refute. But raising the issue of federal funding for the practice of abortion is actually somewhat of a legitimate concern so let’s just take that apart right now: • The bill attempts to maintain a strict separation between private premiums and taxpayer funds that would pay for abortion coverage. No health plan would be required to provide coverage for the procedure. In plans that

do cover abortion, beneficiaries would have to pay for it separately, and those funds would have to be kept in a separate account from taxpayer money.

• In addition to the restrictive language in the bill, an executive order, signed by the president after its passage, explicitly states that “The Act establishes a new Community Health Center (CHC) Fund within HHS, which provides additional Federal funds for the community health center program.

Existing law prohibits these centers from using federal funds to provide abortion services (except in cases of rape or incest, or when the life of the woman would be endangered), as a result of both the Hyde Amendment and longstanding regulations containing the Hyde language. Under the Act, the Hyde language shall apply to the authorization and appropriations of funds for Community Health Centers under section 10503 and all other relevant provisions.”

Mr. Perez ends his Op-ed with, “What’s done is done, now let’s move on. We are all human and we all make mistakes, except Obama’s will affect millions.” Well Obama’s “mistake” of passing health care legislation will affect millions—by expanding coverage, reducing costs and cutting the deficit by $127 billion, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. Mr. Perez’s mistake has exposed him as nothing more than a uniformed right-wing zealot. Now that the facts have been laid out, indeed, let’s move on.

Justin Steele is the president of the College Democrats at Fresno State.

Web-Spe@k Culled each week from discussions on The Collegian Online.

Response:

@issue: Should marijuana be legalized? Denton Dubbels’ response.

James: “These are some weak arguments. What makes you think that he price of marijuana will be more inflated under legal status, when current marijuana prices account for the risks of criminal grow operations, security and the general inflation that comes with the illicit drug trade? Why do you think growers and sellers of marijuana want to keep it illegal? They know that once legal, they will lose money. As for your rehab argument, no one goes to rehab for weed. The money that goes to drug treatment from marijuana sales will be for real drugs, including the number one abused drug in America; alcohol, which is legal, in case you forgot. As for rednecks making moonshine, that’s the most lame duck argument of all. Of course people will try and grow weed. Once they figure out they suck at it, they’ll go back to buying it. I could make beer at home, but I still buy six packs from my local grocery.

There are some legitimate concerns about making marijuana legal, but they aren’t listed here.”

Ganjarden: “Vote yes for the rest of the country. Vote yes for the world. Seriously if cannabis is legalized in California it will open a major dialogue. The president with have to act and I would think he would honor the majorities vote.

Maybe then farmers will be able to grow the none drug variety for food, clothing, housing, plastics, fuel, and literally thousands of other uses. We are the only developed country that doesn’t grow this plant! For the love of god it’s a plant that’s been grown side by side with man throughout written history and most likely before. Woven hemp has been dated back to 10,000 BC. Let it grow freely like it used to. Like it is meant to.”

Response:

@issue: Should marijuana be legalized? Mike Boylan’s response. cannytalker: “This is a very fine example of ‘thoughtful journalism’ indeed.

Congratulations to you and to your school for turning out a solid citizen able to engage in public discourse about the issues that concern all of society at large.”

Lex: “If somebody wants to use a drug; it’s his life, the government should not decide for people what they can use and what they can’t.”

C THE

Collegian

The Collegian is a student-run publication that serves the Fresno State community on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Views expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff or university.

The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027 News Line: (559) 278-2486 Business Line: (559) 278-5735 http://collegian.csufresno.edu

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Each member of the campus community is permitted one copy of The Collegian. Subscriptions are available for $25, on a semester basis. Staff positions at The Collegian are open to students of all majors. Contact the Editor in Chief for details.

All content Copyright © 2010 The Collegian.

Editor in Chief News Editor Features Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Multimedia Director Webmaster Presentation/Graphics Developer Online Features Reporter Online Sports Reporter Videographer Editorial Board

Brian Maxey Thaddeus Miller Michelle Furnier Danielle Gilbert Brianna Campbell Tony Petersen Matt Weir Anna Jacobsen Elisa Jimenez Michael Uribes Lacee Solis Allie Norton Sergio Cortes Brian Maxey Tony Petersen

COMMENT: The Collegian is a forum for student expression. http://collegian.csufresno.edu

Local Advertising Manager Advertising Coordinator National Advertising Executive Art Director Assistant Art Director Distribution Manager Accountancy Assistant

Business Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser Online Faculty Adviser

Tatiana Dindia Shadia Salem Joel Perez Brandon Ocegueda Edgar Vargas Savannah West Anthony Samarasekera

Virginia Sellars-Erxleben Jan Edwards Reaz Mahmood Don Priest

Friday, April 30, 2010

The Collegian • Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment Editor, Danielle Gilbert • collegian-features@csufresno.edu

The daily crossword

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis Los Angeles Times

ACROSS 1 Four-time Olympic goldmedal runner Zátopek 5 Park way 9 Shame 14 Hacking knife 15 Rebel 16 Petulant mood 17 Daring track official?

19 Zaftig 20 Trouser measurement 21 “Twilight” heroine 23 Introduction to a former self?

24 “The Mikado” baritone 27 Give a hand to 30 Dabchick, for one 32 Cost an arm and __ 34 Do a garage job 35 Cannes’s region 37 __’acte 38 They’re usually in the 80s and 90s 41 Toon who played Scrooge 43 Maker of Definity skin care products 44 Works on, as a novel 46 Sport with riders 47 Matriarchal nickname 48 Core belief 52 Put the kibosh on 54 Suggestive look 56 Two-legged meat source 57 First name in puppetry 59 Battles with bombers 61 Stars travel in them 63 Online journalist’s retreat?

Puzzle by Gareth Bain

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PUZZLE SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu Copyright 2009. Tribune Media Services, Inc.

66 Get used (to) 67 __ Grey tea 68 Dam buildup 69 X-ray targets 70 Whitehall whitewall 71 Tijuana tender DOWN 1 Flowing back 2 One offering his seat?

3 “Let me check”

Page 3

4 Bonanza 5 A-one 6 End 7 Jennyanydots’s creator, initially 8 Mint, say 9 User of the prefix “i-” 10 Clinton enjoying some R and R? 11 Inspiring apparatus 12 Result of considering the pluses?

13 With it 18 Consume 22 Awards named for a writer 25 Kind of roll 26 Fútbol game cheer 28 Intrigued with 29 Ruler from LIV to LXVIII 31 Immortal comedian’s donkey imitation?

33 Fur that’s a symbol of royalty 36 Church caretaker, in Chelsea 38 “__!...I Did It Again”: Britney Spears album and hit song 39 Blood __ 40 Juju or grigri 42 Like a tonne of bricks?

45 Kilmer of “Top Gun” 49 Tyro, and a hint to this puzzle’s theme 50 Computer letters 51 Ask for help from 53 Keeps going 55 Golfer’s coup 58 Cynical response 60 Hoarse sound 61 Testing site 62 Phrase said before taking the stand 64 Not ordained 65 Two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner

C

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.

SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu

Word of the Day

Totes mcgoats Totally.

Source: UrbanDictionary.com

Arts & Entertainment The

Collegian

Page 4 • Arts & Entertainment Editor, Danielle Gilbert • collegian-features@csufresno.edu • Friday, April 30, 2010

By John Esquivel The Collegian This summer, artists will meet with like-minded visual, performing and literary artists for the 25th installment of CSU Summer Arts at Fresno State. The program allows participants to apply for scholarships and take part in various workshops.

Summer Arts offers 15 two-week session workshops and scholarships for students and non-students. This year, courses include theatre, music, writing, dance, new media and visual art/design. Summer Arts is noted for local and international guest artists and students. According to Jacqueline Doumanian, CSU Summer Arts Community Relations Specialist over 80 percent of students that apply receive scholarships.

According to Joanne Sharp, assistant director for CSU Summer Arts, the program was created in 1985 by CSU faculty and administrators who were looking for new ways to fulfill the needs of students.

The first summer sessions, held at CSU Long Beach, were dance workshops. As the years passed, the demand for more workshops grew and more art workshops were added.

Since 1999, CSU Summer Arts has been held at Fresno State, where it will be held until 2011.

Over the last few years,

Sharp and others have seen more than 400 students enroll annually in the program.

Sharp said they also invite guest artists to come and work with students.

“Summer Arts offers classes taught by world-class artists,” Sharp said. “Most of the faculty, students, and artists live together on campus, creating a community that works and lives together in the course of making art.”

Thomas Loewenheim, an instructor at Fresno State, sees the program as a way to show Fresno students the talent that it out in the field. Loewenheim is the coordinator for the String and Piano Intensive section of the Summer Arts program. This year, such guest artists include Evan N. Wilson, Principal Violist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Vadim Gluzman, winner of the prestigious Henryk Szeryng Foundation Career Award.

“The kids here deserve the same level like New York,” Loewenheim said. “I’m really

“T

he goal of Summer Arts is to offer content and guest artists that aren’t available at students’ home campuses.”

— Mark Larson, Photo Book Coordinator

Photo courtesy of CSU Summer Arts

happy we can pull such a caliber of people to Fresno.”

Loewenheim explained that Summer Arts allows students to see how professionals work and think.

Instructors will work hands on for two weeks with students and give them feedback.

“It’s a bit of a different course from what everyone has designed,” Loewenheim said.

“Every day, you are going to get your session.”

Loewenheim said for this particular section of the program, students will need to submit a resume and a recording of their abilities. He said he knows those students who would like to sign up for his workshop have been

practicing in order to get a better recording.

Mark Larson, coordinator of the photo book publishing class, first became involved with Summer Arts in 1998 when the program was hosted by Humboldt State University. Since then, he has helped coordinate photo workshops for the program.

“Students have loved learning more about their cameras and Photoshop and how to apply those tools to travel and landscape photography,” Larson said.

“They particularly have appreciated learning how to make money with their art.”

Larson said he appreciates the program because it gives access to resources that the

“S

ummer Arts is a holistic learning experience where a small group of people live and work together in a supportive enviorment.”

— Kimberly Dark, Solo Performance Coordinator

students might not have otherwise.

“The goal of Summer Arts is to offer content and guest artists that aren’t available at students’ home campuses, and that’s what I’ve offered in every workshop in the past,” Larson said. “This year, we’re looking at how to develop multimedia skills, including adding audio to our still photographs with soundslides and how to make photo books.”

For Kimberly Dark, an award-winning solo performer who will teach a workshop on creating a solo show, the workshop not only benefits students, but also instructors.

“This experience is different from every other teaching experience I’ve had at the university level. Summer Arts is a holistic learning experience where a small group of people live and work together in a supportive environment,” Dark said.

Dark also pointed out that while some of the techniques used in workshops might not be new, the way the program is set up allows all participants to step outside of their box.

“As educators and researchers, we know a lot about the importance of caring relationships and a combination of formal and informal interactions as a means of forward learning, and yet, our system rarely supports that,” Dark said.

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HOW TO APPLY: The deadline to apply is May 3 for further information visit www.CSUSummerArts.org

Friday, April 30, 2010

The Collegian • Features Features Editor, Michelle Furnier • collegian-features@csufresno.edu

SOCIAL: The medium can kill or create job opportunities CONTINUED from page 1

head.”

Out of all the people Franzen contacted, only five committed.

While none of them received a job from these advertisements, each has made several connections with employers.

Some have had interviews, received several e-mails, were given advice and had an overall positive experience.

The objective of the advertisements isn’t to receive a job, but to just get your foot in the door, Franzen said.

“Networking is really hard for new graduates,” Franzen said. “This is a fantastic way for them to meet new people who can help them with the job search.”

According to recruitmentdirectory.com, studies show that 70-80 percent of job opportunities are never advertised giving social media the name “the hidden job market.”

Within the last few years, social networking has emerged from a fun way to keep in contact with friends to a way to establish relationships with future employers and possibly obtain a career.

“Social media is a great tool, but the real key is demonstrating your value. If you can help an employer make more money, they’ll probably hire you,” Franzen said.

C a r e e r B u i l d e r. c o m , t h e nation’s largest online job site, surveyed more 31,000 employers from May 22, 2008 through June 13, 2008.

Survey results showed that one-in-five employers search social networking sites before hiring someone.

Forty-five percent of employers, compared to 22 percent in 2007, said they use social media as a way to evaluate applicants. And 11 percent of hiring managers plan to start doing this.

“I think that social media for the job search is overhyped in

a lot of ways,” Franzen said.

“Social media hasn’t changed the fundamentals of what it takes to get a job, but it does make things a lot easier.”

Katie Johnson, director of social media relations at Fresno State, said making a human connection is the most important thing when looking for a job via social media.

“Don’t just spam people with your resume, but use it to connect with someone you might

“S

ocial media is a great tool ... ”

— Willy Franzen, One Day, One Job founder

have a shared passion with,” Johnson said. “And move that virtual relationship to a reallife professional relationship.”

Johnson said that for those who use social media, it’s a community. More people are using it to network and that’s why people are seeing a rise in the importance of using social media when it comes to looking for a job.

For Johnson, the most important social networking site is Twitter. But for others, she said, it depends on what their interests are and what they’re looking for.

Johnson found her current social media intern, Pep Dekker, through Twitter.

She said she wanted an i n t e r n wh o w a s f a m i l i a r with social media, especially Twitter and YouTube, so they would understand the social networking jargon because it would benefit their communications team.

Dekker contacted Ford’s social media director, through Twitter with a social media question and introduced him-

self as a Fresno State student.

“I saw his tweet and was impressed that he had the interest and confidence to reach out to a professional like Scott,” Johnson said. “I contacted him immediately via Twitter and asked him to apply for my internship.”

Dekker, an entrepreneurship major, said the lines between a personal and professional life are becoming very thin, so he sees how Twitter and Facebook can be a way to communicate to both areas simultaneously.

“Fortunately, I realized that the traditional resume is dead.

My PDF version wasn’t going to make me stand out from rest of the competition,” Dekker said. “Having an online profile and presence makes my personal brand that much more hirable and real.”

Dekker said that since he had done this kind of work outside of school before, he knew what kind of work was

Page 5

RATE: Website hits 10 years CONTINUED from page 1 professor.

“I would probably want a difficult teacher, because I’m not paying to get an easy grade,” Perez said. “That’s kind of lazy.”

Chris Cruz, a sophomore, had not heard of RMP, but said he would use it to help find professors that suit his learning style for upcoming classes.

Professor Tamyra Pierce says that she puts stock in these ratings and uses them to sharpen her teaching skills.

“I look up my ratings occasionally,” Pierce said. “I take any and all ratings seriously and want to do everything I can to be a good professor and make the learning experience for students not only fun and exciting but also productive and effective.”

But she is aware that the site’s ratings are not completely valid.

“The validity or reliability issues arise when one person posts more than one evaluation for one faculty [member],” Pierce said. “This could skew the results and therefore taint the overall validity of the rating.”

Overall, Pierce said that the RMP website is beneficial to students and she hopes that they institute integrity when

ranking her and her colleagues.

“I think for the most part, students are fairly honest with their remarks,” Pierce said. “I know many students who rely on these sites and turn to them to help guide their selection of classes and professors.”

Several problems can occur with the site. For example, students are able to leave multiple ratings for one individual as long as they use a different IP address. Also, students can rate, even if they haven’t had that professor. A study by Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions found that this may be contributing to grade leniency to stave off poor reviews.

Also, some comments may be libel if they are untrue and damaging to a professor’s career. Another interesting aspect of the site is the “hotness” rating, where users can score the professor’s attractiveness.

Pierce said that she paid little attention to this particular rating.

“That’s just a humorous thing to most students, I believe,” Pierce said. “I’ve only heard comments from faculty about this a couple of times and it was laughed off.”

Student Q&A with

Heather Uribe

By Tara Albert The Collegian For freshman Heather Uribe, family has been an important part of her life, and an influential part in helping her select her major.

Uribe, a criminology major, said most of her family is in the law enforcement field, which has allowed her to get a firsthand look at the job.

She said she is thinking about pursuing a career in the FBI. Q: What is something people would find interesting about you?

A: I’m good at video games.

I really like Ultimate Fighting Championship. It’s something that girls don’t usually play.

I like Brock Lesnar in the heavyweight [division].

Q: How did you pick your major?

A: I have a lot of family in

Joy Marie Hallare / The Collegian

law enforcement. My uncle went to Fresno State, and now he is a detective. I went on a couple of ride-alongs with my cousin, and I really liked it.

We pulled people over, but we didn’t really arrest anyone.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: I really want to go to Italy, because it’s really beautiful. I really want to go to Venice. I’ve

seen documentaries on Italy, and it just looks really cool.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: I am passionate about my major. It interests me, the way people act, and why they do certain stuff. I’m taking a juvenile delinquency class right now. It’s really interesting, because I’m learning about the different aspects of crime, like why people commit crime.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I like to hang out and play guitar. I’ve been playing guitar for two years. It’s just something that I do on the side. I also love sports. I used to play volleyball in high school, so I do that. One of my friends plays volleyball with me.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Fresno State?

A: It’s a really nice campus, and it has a really good program for my major. I’m taking mostly G.E. classes right now, so it’s not really that interesting. I am looking forward to taking more classes for my major.

Page 6

The Collegian • News News Editor, Thaddeus Miller • collegian-news@csufresno.edu

Friday, April 30, 2010

SKILLS: Exam is designed for consistency across all majors CONTINUED from page 1 Planning (IRAP) office found that 69 percent of upper-division faculty emphasize effective writing in their courses. The study also concluded that 73 percent of students answered quite a bit or very much as to the extent that their college experience contributed to their knowledge in writing clearly and effectively.

The spring 2010 Class Schedule lists 19 W-courses, including English 160W, Writing Workshop.

Ruth Jenkins taught the class off and on for more than 20 years and said there are noticeable improvements in students’ writing, and in their abilities to articulate in their writing by the end of the course.

D u r i n g a s e m e s t e r i n Wr i t i n g Workshop, Jenkins said students are asked to complete a series of writings, which include describing concepts connected to their majors and critiquing genres.

Overall, Jenkins said, the course and the requirement are not just about simple correctness, but about thoughtful writing that demonstrates an idea or purpose.

“You can have a perfectly punctuated, grammatically correct paper, but it says nothing,” Jenkins said. “We try to balance teaching how to think, how to develop ideas, as well as mastering conventions of the language.”

The capacity to write effectively was ranked one of the most valuable characteristics of a Fresno State graduate in the brief “Educational Goals: What’s Most Important?” by IRAP director Christina Leimer.

“Across academic ranks, the full-time faculty believes that the most important educational goals for undergraduates are developing the ability to think critically, mastering knowledge in a discipline, the ability to write effectively and preparing for employment,” the report read.

The study examined responses to the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) Faculty Survey conducted in

spring 2005.

The Upper Division Writing Exam (UDWE) is another way students can satisfy the UDWS requirement. The UDWE is given five times per year through the Testing Services office.

Registration averages: 350 in January, 300 in March, 275 in June, 150 in August and 350 in October. Yearly, the average number of students taking the exam ranged from 1,400 to 1,500 for the past five years, said Linda Ensch, the coordinator of testing services.

The UDWE is comprised of two essay questions, written and scored by the English department, and a multiplechoice section offered through the testing company ACT. The passing score for the exam is 114, which is a configuration of scores from all three portions and based on the equation: (ACT x 1.22) + ((Essay A + Essay B) x 2.5).

The 40-minute multiple-choice section is comprised of 72 questions. Students are given 45 minutes to answer each essay question, which are scored by two different faculty readers on a sixpoint scale.

Students can take the exam a maximum of two times. Those who don’t pass the exam, Ensch said, can appeal.

One unit of credit is offered for passing the UDWE and most students take it, according to Ensch.

There is a $30 registration fee to take the exam. Ensch said this money is used to pay proctors and associates who administer the test, as well as essay readers and to purchase essay booklets.

Likewise, Ensch said, the fee pays for a $12 charge from the testing company to score every multiple-choice test.

“To be totally honest, the $30 is not covering it anymore,” Ensch said.

According to a report on the UDWS requirement by Fresno State’s IRAP office, based on data collected between fall 2002 and fall 2007, 64 percent of students passed the UDWE, while 92 percent passed a W-course. A total of 5,837 students took the UDWE of which 43 percent failed the exam, 39 percent

then retook the exam a second time.

Conversely, 13,862 students took only a W-course of which 86 percent passed on their first attempt and 6 percent failed.

“I actually would like to see the numbers go up,” Ensch said. “I think some students don’t realize that [the UDWE] is there for them.”

Perkins said he had no idea the exam existed, though as a business administration major the UDWE does not satisfy the writing requirement. However, for mass communication and journalism major Kristin Berquist, the exam was crucial.

As a print jour nalism student, Berquist said she’s taken many classes geared towards writing and estimated she’s written over 50 articles in her time at Fresno State. She spent two semesters in an independent study course writing for local publications, as well as a member of The Collegian

staff last fall, along with the author of this article. After she was misinformed by a professor that a class would substitute for the W-course, Berquist opted to take the UDWE. “I was going to enter my last semester and I thought everything was taken care of for graduation,” Berquist said.

Berquist passed the exam, though like Perkins, she said she never fully knew what the requirement was.

Coordinator of Evaluations Beverly Kirkland said she doesn’t get many questions regarding the UDWS requirement. However, she said, it is absent on a lot of degree applications, and a reason students don’t graduate.

“It’s quite often a deficiency and one of the problems that students face is waiting until the last minute to either take the exam and not pass, or to take the class and not pass,” Kirkland said.

Friday, April 30, 2010

The Collegian • Sports Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-sports@csufresno.edu

Page 7

Life outside the uniform Challenges await those athletes who don’t turn pro.

By Megan Morales The Collegian For a select few Fresno State athletes, the life-long dream of making it to the professional stage becomes a remarkable reality when they approach the end of their college careers. However, that is not the case for the overwhelming majority of student athletes, as they have to face new challenges, changes and the feeling of “what comes next?�

With the latest excitement over six Bulldogs who recently signed with NFL teams, fans may be wondering who will be the next athlete to go on and make Fresno proud. But the reality is, only about 1 percent of college athletes will actually make it to the next level.

For the 99 percent of athletes who don’t go pro, their lives suddenly undergo drastic changes, and getting used to life without their sport requires adjustments.

When former Fresno State catcher and member of the 2008 national championship baseball team Danny Grubb realized it was time for the real world, he viewed the situation as an opportunity to open a new door and begin the next chapter in his life. “I am thoroughly enjoying my life,�

Grubb said. “I stay busy, I love my new job and it’s exciting to be on your own and not have to live off your parents.�

Though an Orange County native, Grubb is currently living in Fresno and working for an agricultural marketing company. While he stays busy in town, he also makes a trip down south every other weekend to work for his father, and is in the process of receiving his real estate license.

As for staying close to the sport, Grubb sometimes gives lessons to local kids, and still occasionally tells his story when he hears, “Wow you played

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on the World Series team?� But moving forward and building his life without playing baseball is something he’s taking pleasure in. “I am really enjoying the change of scenery,� Grubb said. “The only thing I have ever known is baseball. So, it’s cool to be doing something else for a change.�

While Grubb may have been thrown into life without baseball right after the season ended, former softball standout Haley Perkins is taking her steps into the real world at a more gradual pace. “I’m kind of easing myself out of it,�

Perkins said. “I’m coaching now, so I didn’t just come to an abrupt end. Plus, I’m going back to school so I’m still not in the real world yet.�

As for her love of the game, Perkins definitely misses playing more than she could have imagined. “I never thought I would miss it, but I totally do,� Perkins said. “I miss the competition, my teammates and even the pressured situations. It’s hard to watch and not be able to go out there and do it yourself.�

Perkins is currently working in Fresno at a children’s gym and coaching at her alma mater, Clovis West High School. She plans on going back to school to receive her master’s in Kinesiology with an option in sports psychology, and admits she’s still a fan and continues to attend the occasional few Fresno State softball games.

While some athletes wait until their career is over to make future plans, others like offensive lineman Joe Bernardi plan ahead. “After next season in December, I will have to be in the real world, and I’ll be done playing football for the rest of my life,� Bernardi said. “I really want to try and get into coaching, whether it’s as a graduate assistant at Fresno State or at another university. I’d also love to try and get into pro scouting with an NFL team.�

WAC Tournament comes home Tennis looks to win at home for the first time in 11 years.

By Mike Wandzell The Collegian

Andrew Riggs / Collegian File Photo

Former Bulldog catcher Danny Grubb enjoys building his life outside of baseball.

As the senior prepares to put on his cleats and pads for one last season at Fresno State, Bernardi considers his final year as a Bulldog, as well as his future life after football bittersweet. “Of course I’ll miss it,� Bernardi said. “But I know my body won’t.�

Bernardi endured four grueling knee surgeries during his career at Fresno State, but still managed to remain a four-year starter and was even named to the Rimington Award Watch List, given to the top center in the country. “I think life after football will be good for me, because I’m so used to such a regimented lifestyle,� Bernardi said. “I’m used to having to be at a certain place at a certain time. My day is basically set for me. Getting used to making my own plans will definitely be a change.�

After clinching a share of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) regular season title, men’s tennis will host the conference tournament while being undefeated at home this season.

The men’s tennis team will now have the chance to claim the tournament championship in Fresno for the first time in 11 years. “It feels good just to host it for the community,� head coach Jay Udwadia said. “Hopefully there will be a lot of people out to support and give a good go at the tournament.�

With the tournament being free to students, they will have the chance to see the Bulldog tennis team that is 12-0 at home this season and make a run at the conference title. “Going into the WAC knowing we haven’t lost a game at home, we hope we can just keep that going,� sophomore Hugo Verdi Fortin said.

The WAC tournament is also the last set of matches at home for three seniors; Taylor Leiby, Tejesvi Veerepalli and Mirko Zapletal to show what they have got in front of a home crowd. “They are all feeling great about it, we have won four in a row and having the chance to play the WAC championship at home and a chance to win it like this. It definitely means a lot to them,�

Udwadia said.

The goal for the regular season champs for the WAC tournament is simple. “Just win the WAC,� Fortin said.

The Bulldogs are ranked second in the WAC tournament and will either take on No. 3 Boise State or No. 6 New Mexico State on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The team is currently ranked 29th in the nation and have a high enough seed to get into the NCAA tournament bracket, but want to finish WAC play strong to keep the momentum going into postseason play.

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Sports The

Page 8

Collegian

Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-sports@csufresno.edu • Friday, April 30, 2010

Coppin was named MVP of the ‘Dogs tennis team and won the WAC Championships

By Brianna Campbell The Collegian Sacramento native Hali Coppin made a choice five years ago to pursue golf over her love for softball, and now she is looking to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open.

“I had to decide where I wanted to go after [high school], and after my junior year, I quit softball and pursued golf and realized I wanted to go to college for that,” Coppin said.

Tied for second in the women’s golf individual’s at the Western Athletic C o n f e re n c e ( WAC ) To u r n a m e n t , Coppin knew she had to focus to achieve the goal she had set out , beginning her freshman year.

“When I came to Fresno State I remember my first practice and I was so nervous because they were college golfers,” Coppin said. “I knew I had to look up to them and work a lot harder than I already had.”

Coppin trailed early carding an eight on a par-four hole, but fought back with four birdies to claim the 2010 WAC Championship. Over her four years, her goals were set out in front of her and she finally accomplished her final one in her last run on the course.

Although Coppin did not qualify for next week regionals she keeps her head high and looks to the future.

“I didn’t make it to regional’s but to end on a win is definitely fine with me.”

At the end of the season awards ceremony Coppin was named thde team’s MVP leading the ‘Dogs with an average score of 75 and a putting average of 30.

She competed in every event this year achieving sixth place at the Fresno State Lexus Invitational and first place at the WAC Championship.

Q&A When did you start playing golf ?

I first started playing golf when I was 8; my dad made me do it. But, I didn’t like it because I was the only girl and I had been playing softball since I was 6. So, I decided after the summer program that I was not going to do golf anymore. In high school, since softball was in the spring I wanted something to do in the fall. So, golf was there and I had done it before, so I might as well give it another shot.

Was it hard to decide which sport you wanted to pursue at the collegiate level?

Softball has always been the sport that I love the most. But I knew that I would go further in golf, and softball is a lot harder to get into in college. That and quitting softball right before my senior year. It was hard, but I knew that if I wanted to go to college for golf I had to quit softball.

What made you chose to play for Fresno State?

I can remember my dad telling me to fill a letter out for Fresno State and asking him, “Fresno?” I hadn’t heard that much about it but what I did hear wasn’t that good. I got a call from San Jose State, went and visited it and fell in love. I thought I was going to go there. Coach Angie [Cates-Moore] from Fresno called me a month later so I came to Fresno and loved it even more. I couldn’t believe it.

Matt Weir/ Collegian File Photo

Senior Hali Coppin achieved the goals that she set out for freshman year in her final matches, taking home the WAC Championship and receiving a score in the 60s at the home golf tournament.

Were there any goals you looked to achieve in your four years in Bulldog uniform?

This last year I remembered I had set a couple goals for myself since I was a freshman. One of them was to shoot in the 60s, and I did that at our home tournament [Fresno State Lexus Invitational]. That was really cool. I was looking at it and I only had a couple tournaments left to do it, and I knew I really needed to get these goals done.

Winning a college tournament was the other one, and to make it my last tournament was really cool.

tournament.

How did it feel to win the WAC Championship?

It was fantastic. I hadn’t won a college tournament all my four years, and I accomplished a lot just in that last

How would you defend that golf is a lazy sport?

Walking in between holes you think about a lot, like ‘oh don’t shank this next one’ or ‘you’re doing good, so don’t

What was going through your head in the last round at the WAC Tournament?

That day I was tied for second and I had never been in a situation like that.

I had won a few golf tournaments in junior golf, but nothing big. So, I had to relax and calm my nerves and my teammates would keep my mind off golf the night before, and just make it as normal as possible. I just stuck to my routine before I played the third round.

mess it up.’ We walk quite a bit, we have 36-hole days, which is equivalent to walking between 8-10 miles. It’s nonstop sometimes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it is so tough mentally.

Any future goals as you close out your time at Fresno State?

At the end of this month I will try and qualify for the Women’s US Open.

I have one more semester of school and then after that I am going to Australia for a couple of months. I have family there, and I will be volunteering with people who suffer from cerebral palsy.

Then come back, and hopefully I will go into the Peace Corps. So, I have the next three years covered. After that I have no idea.