February 17 2010

The

Collegian Sports

Arts & Entertainment After 25 years, the Met closes its doors, Page 4

Check out the Bulldog of the Week, Page 8 Fresno State | Serving the campus since 1922

February 17, 2010 | Wednesday

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Science and math teachers needed

By Joe Bailey The Collegian Fresno State President John D. Welty committed to at least double the number of math and science teachers that the university produces.

Welty signed a letter Jan. 6, along with 39 other university presidents, sent to President Barack Obama pledging to double the number of science and math teachers by 2015.

As part of the national Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative (SMTI) Fresno State has put a plan in place that will generate substantially more, high-quality science and math teachers.

Dr. David Andrews, director of the Science and Math Education Center, said the shortage of math and science teachers will be a problem in the immediate future if the correct actions are not taken. “There is what we call a pipeline crisis developing,� Andrews said. “There is great need for math and science teachers. It is a very serious situation.�

Andrews said that current math and science teachers will retire in the near future creating an even greater need for teachers in these fields. But Fresno State is doing what it can to limit the discrepancy in the supply of teachers through the Mathematics and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI). “I think [the MSTI program] puts a carrot out there to attract new teachers into these fields,� Andrews said. “We have seen a significant increase in the number of students in the programs.�

Fresno State has many programs that are aimed to draw in more teachers.

Illustration by Michael Uribes / The Collegian

Andrews said that the programs place students in classes where they will gain field experience. Some students can earn a stipend while in school for up to $10,000. Students are then required to teach at high-need Central Valley schools. “The efforts and the support prog rams are making a dif ference,�

Andrews said. “The numbers are going up.�

Fresno State is committed to add an additional 7,500 math and science

teachers over the next five years. Carol Fry Bohlin, the director of Fresno State’s MSTI, said the university is offering courses and workshops at a nominal fee to generate more interest. “Fresno State has a strong cadre of mathematics and science educators who are committed to producing the next generation of outstanding mathematics and science teachers,� Bohlin said.

Bohlin said MSTI is funded by grants from the California State University

Chancellor’s office and has been successful in supporting efforts to increase the campus’s production of highly qualified math and science teachers. “The latest official report from the state teacher credentialing commission shows that the number of mathematics and science teachers produced

by Fresno State has more than doubled since 2006,� Bohlin said.

MSTI offers six courses and two workshop series aimed at improving the skills of prospective middle and high school teachers. Bohlin also said that Fresno State has been training teachers who want to specialize in physics and chemistry. “MSTI has sponsored a year-long lab-based ChemTeach and PhysTeach experience designed for prospective teachers in those areas,� Bohlin said. “The instructors are talented teachers from University High School.�

Associate dean of the college of science and mathematics, Dr. Fraka Harmsen said the school has taken numerous steps in order to prepare high-quality teachers in math and science. “We’ve actually ramped up our efforts,� Harmsen said. “Physics and chemistry are areas of the greatest need. There is a shortage.�

Harmsen said that the state and federal governments have aided Fresno State by creating programs that not only help to prepare new teachers but also improve the ability of current teachers. “These programs help to provide opportunities for practicing teachers to enhance their skills,� Harmsen said. “And also help future teachers pass the credential requirements.�

On the horizon, resolution may be in sight

By Brian Maxey The Collegian The California State University system has been mired in a state of push and pull, where deep cuts and rapid restorations have become routine. Yet, as the litany of cuts continues, there is a growing concern that students will not receive a quality education.

With reductions at Fresno State already at historic proportions and cost-cutting measures at a premium, the university has considered eliminating one of its stand-alone upper division courses to meet students’ needs.

Last month, The Collegian reported that Fresno States Academic Senate met to reconsider whether the university’s general education (GE) requirements reflected the mandate handed down by CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed last spring in Executive Order 1033. At that point, nothing had been

voted on.

In a pre-emptive move, the Associated Students, Inc. voted last week to adopt a resolution calling for the university to seek alternatives to eliminating the multicultural/international (MI) general education requirement.

The resolution contained propositions for amending the MI, which included: “California State University, Fresno should continue to offer and encourage students to take courses with a MI and cultural emphasis,� and “The GE committee should consider a GE unit reduction.�

ASI presented the resolution Friday to the university’s Academic Senate’s subcommittee on general education requirements.

The chair of the Academic Senate’s GE committee, Andrew Lawson, said there was “a lot of talk about eliminating the MI,� but he said the discussion was never part of the actual proposal.

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“At the system level, [the CSU] only requires nine units of upper division, we have 12 units,� Lawson said. “So, what the committee was discussing was how we could achieve our objectives within the 48 units.�

One of the alternatives Lawson proposed was modeling Fresno State’s GE package after other universities where the university considers areas of study like MI a “topic� and incorporates it into a multitude of disciplines within the required 48-unit GE package.

Lawson said MI courses are important to the campus and the committee does not wish to get rid of them; rather, the committee is looking for ways to teach students to live in a multicultural-international world with less required GE units. “We now have to decide if this is something we would like to pursue, in terms of reducing the number of units or if it’s worth the political fight to try

and do that,� Lawson said. “And there are probably strong opinions on either side of that.�

Selena Farnesi, ASI senator, said during the Feb. 10 ASI senate meeting that she was asked by the chair of the committee to informally collect the opinions of students and to draft a resolution.

In order to gauge student perception of the MI requirement, ASI distributed a survey and conducted two subsequent focus groups. The survey, which involved an anonymous questionnaire, was drafted by the ASI staff. The questionnaires were made available online, sent through several different listserves, and were also distributed in physical form across campus by ASI senators, Farnesi said. “I feel very strongly that the resolution supports the information that we

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Opinion The

Collegian

That’s What the People Are Saying

“I

Opinion Editor, Tony Petersen • collegian-opinion@csufresno.edu • Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Page 2

On former veep Dick Cheney f the Bush-Cheney administration’s White House lawyers could invent a legal justification for torture, can’t somebody come up with a theory that would allow retroactive impeachment?”

— Eugene Robinson, Washington Post

Free speech is for everyone One-Finger W

e take freedom of speech for granted in this country.

My ’87 Ford Ranger with its “Don’t Blame Me, I Wrote-In Ron Paul” bumper sticker can park next to a Prius with a “Change We Can Believe In” Barack Obama bumper sticker on it with no repercussions. It is a Godgiven right, most Americans think.

(They’d be wrong of course, unless God was masquerading as James Madison in 1791.)

The First Amendment to the Constitution gives us this right (handed down from the English Bill of Rights before it), saying, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech.” That’s it. It doesn’t specify what kind of speech, just speech in general.

Of course, even in America, we haven’t always been able to say whatever we want.

The Supreme Court has ruled several different kinds of speech as unprotected: Speech that incites people to unlawful conduct, libel and slander, obscene speech, threatening speech, speech infringing on intellectual property, and commercial advertising.

These are reasonable exceptions to our right of free speech that most Americans agree on. Even on speech that reasonable people would deem offensive (racist speech, sexist speech, etc.), most Americans agree with the quote usually attributed to the French philosopher Voltaire: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the

The Right Tone Tony Petersen death your right to say it.”

However, there have been times when government has entered, to say the least, constitutionally murky waters.

John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and our second president, signed the Sedition Act, which made it a crime to publish “any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings…with intent to defame” any member of the government (excepting vice president of the United States Thomas Jefferson, a member of the opposition party).

After the Civil War, the newly reconstructed South passed so-called “black codes” which, among other more gruesome practices, limited newly emancipated slaves right to political speech.

And in 2002, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (aka, McCain-Feingold) was signed into law, which prevented corporations from supporting a federal candidate via an advertisement within 30 days of a primary or caucus and 60 days of a

general election.

It is this last usurpation of State power that we turn our concentration to now.

In January, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, decided that this was unconstitutional, arguing, “Because speech is an essential mechanism of democracy—it is the means to hold officials accountable to the people— political speech must prevail against laws that would suppress it by design or inadvertence.” And that is precisely what McCain-Feingold did.

This decision caused much controversy. It was “a blow to democracy,” the New York Times said. It showed insufficient “respect for precedent,” cried the Washington Post.

I think if the law limited the right of these two publications to support candidates for office they would be singing a different tune.

Folks, this law won’t do much.

Contrary to what you may have heard, elections won’t become corrupt machinations decided only by our puppet masters, the richest corporations; the amount of money a company can contribute to a political campaign was left unchanged by this ruling. Only now, corporations can perform the “essential mechanism of democracy”—free speech.

The only thing we need to worry about now is the appearance of corporation’s buildings. My Ron Paul bumper sticker sure as hell would not look good plastered on the walls of Pelco.

Where did all the time go?

A

fter four years of a college education and taking courses from basic English to chemistry, one would assume in the last semester before graduating a more developed plan for the future would be the result of all that infiltrative knowledge.

It seems logical. Go to college right after high school to “find yourself,” and surely after four years of instruction from an array of courses and studies, a better understanding of the world would provide a more defined idea of what direction to take in life.

Yet, I find myself just as lost and unsure of what to do now, preparing for graduation as I did when I enrolled in my first year of college courses. The only difference is I’m three (almost four) years older with a rapidly ceasing ride left on this making the family proud attraction.

Telling people you’re at a fouryear university and on the road to graduation is such a crowd-pleasing proclamation. People automatically think “Wow, this person really has their stuff together.” It’s a fun ride to be on, especially at family gatherings when the inevitable interrogation of what you’re doing with your life always becomes a topic of discussion.

(Of course, this question is merely masquerading as a show of compas-

THE

Gypsy Life Lacee Solis sion but is truly driven by spite.)

The next crowd-pleasing phase would be graduate school. What better way to demonstrate how serious one really is about attaining a more prestigious career than to continue the daily grind of a college student. In today’s job market, that is just beginning to recover from the beating it’s endured over the past couple years, its dismal status seems to point any new graduate to the “Go directly to graduate school/do not pass go” sign. If nothing else, school provides a comforting reassurance that buys young adults more time from facing the harsh realities of the real world.

The thought of going to graduate school and continuing my ride on the esteemed higher education expedition not only alarms me, but is also continuing to drive me down a path of unforeseeable debt.

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.

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I am at the burnout point which I think every hard working student gets to after completing the appropriate amount of units while maintaining an exceptional GPA for four years. My college transcripts are reputable and are truly an indicator of the lack of social life I replaced with homework and studying years ago. I’m positive there is more to life than campus activities, school work and exams that I’ve neglected to discover because of my monogamous relationship with college.

With a spring graduation planned, I relish any opportunity to exclaim the rewarding accomplishment of a pending graduation. The downside to revealing my personal triumph is the following question that ensues: What is the plan after graduation? That dismal question leads to a mumbled reply, which makes me yearn for the crowdpleasing response I’ve capitalized on for so many years.

Four years would seem like enough time to learn how to navigate through this whole growing up business and prepare a comprehensive route mapping out the future. But I find myself nearing the end of what felt like a never-ending ride, getting dropped off a little farther than where I started, leaving with a lot of extra baggage and a defective compass as parting gifts.

Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu) All letters submitted to The Collegian must not exceed 250 words in length, must be type-written, and must be accompanied by a full name and phone number to verify content. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all material for length, content, spelling and grammar, as well as the right to refuse publication of any material submitted. All material submitted to The Collegian becomes property of The Collegian.

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 © 2009 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

Salute

Culled each week from discussions in The Collegian newsroom.

Thumbs up

The Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen proposing a “California” Party Both Democrats and Republicans in California have led us to a state fiscal crisis, a 12.4 percent unemployment rate and a lack of confidence from the citizenry that it will never get any better. Both parties are, says McEwen, “dysfunctional and responsive only to lobbyists, major campaign contributors and self-preservation.” Hear, hear! A third party that supports the needs of us normal Californians is just what we need.

Thumbs down

McEwen’s choice as the leader of the “California” Party “Believe it or not,” says the columnist, “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger would be a good choice to lead the California Party after he terms out of office.” What a great idea! Let’s make the leader of our third party the establishment Republican who presided over California’s demise.

D’oh!

Thumbs up

Obama wants two new nuclear reactors Politicians have been campaigning on “energy independence” since the Nixon Administration, yet there has not been a nuclear power plant built for nearly three decades. Finally, our government takes a step in the right direction.

Thumbs down

Florida psychologists “sessions” A Tampa, Fla. psychologist has been accused of having sex with a patient, and then billing her insurance company for the “sessions.” While everyone is innocent until proven guilty, this man’s text messages may have doomed his case. Here’s a taste: “If I were there, I would rub you and kiss you all over.” As they say, case closed!

Thumbs up

Planned Kennedy miniseries The son of a man who show’s “Thirteen Days” and “JFK” to his high school classes, this editor is always game for a good Kennedy bio. While the planned History Channel mini-series has garnered some controversy, it ought to be very interesting. Plus, it’s the brainchild of Joel Surnow, the creator of the show “24.”

The Kennedys and “24,” where can it go wrong?

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Virginia Sellars-Erxleben Jan Edwards Reaz Mahmood Don Priest

Wednesday, February 17, 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 Whack, biblically 6 Condescending sort 10 Kodak rival 14 Brightly colored tropical fish 15 Chaplin’s last wife 16 Road for Pilate 17 “That’s __ trick!”

18 Cutting-edge Motorola phone?

19 Statistician’s input 20 How some scary things go 23 Nous minus moi?

24 “The loneliest number,” in a 1969 hit 25 Wasted, as a chance 29 Not subject to change 35 “I wish!”

37 On the calmer side 38 Floors, briefly 39 Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant 40 Third qtr. start 41 Talons 43 Male in an alley 44 Cognac initials 46 More work 47 Some stilettos 50 Not easy to see 51 Crimson opponent 52 Not quite oneself 54 Activity that involves the first words of 20-, 29and 47-Across 62 Perfume holder 63 Tobacco unit

Puzzle by Pete Mitchell

C

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

64 Like chalet roofs 65 Be sore 66 Take a shot 67 Word after sing or string 68 Nerve opening?

69 Lose fur 70 Common asset?

DOWN

Page 3

1 Rough guess 2 See 3-Down 3 Unit on a 2-Down 4 Ambush 5 Weird Al Yankovic spoof of a Michael Jackson hit 6 Airman’s assignment 7 Early boat builder 8 Quatre + sept 9 With no exceptions 10 Act nervously

11 Home to Zion National Park 12 Rocker Joan 13 Brokerage statement subj., perhaps 21 Overly curious 22 Bat’s prey 25 Leans, as a ship 26 King ___ (Michael Jackson) 27 “Ditto” 28 “Star Trek” sequel, for short 30 Brownish gray 31 Under the weather 32 Giraffe cousin 33 Hopeless 34 Exam type you can’t guess on 36 Apollo 13 commander Jim 40 Average guy?

42 Auction unit 45 “Star Trek” defenses 46 Defunct gridiron org.

48 Sullivan’s charge in “The Miracle Worker” 49 Emulated a couch potato 53 Canine woes 54 Guilty pleasure 55 Iolani Palace site 56 “Uh-huh” 57 In one’s birthday suit 58 “The Wizard of Oz” family name 59 Bard’s river 60 Clothing store department 61 Fringe 62 U-Haul rental

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

Verbal handcuffs When someone won't stop talking (usually about a subject you have no interest in).

The talker has verbally forced you to stand there and listen, even though you have given many clues that you have checked out.

Examples: vacant stares, looking at your watch, checking your phone, answering in short, one-word phrases.

Source: UrbanDictionary.com

Arts & Entertainment The

Collegian

Page 4 • Arts & Entertainment Editor, Danielle Gilbert • collegian-features@csufresno.edu • Wednesday, February 17, 2010

By John Esquivel The Collegian Within the last few months, there has been a lot to talk about regarding Fresno art. The controversial murals painted on the side of Neighborhood thrift store located on Olive Avenue at Wilson Avenue in the Tower District.

The Fresno Art Museum partnering with Fresno State in an effort to keep its doors open. However, the announcement that seemed to shock residents the most — the closure of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum.

The familiar site that many Valley students recall from weekend visits and elementary school field trips ended on Jan. 5, 2010. The sudden closure of the Fresno Metropolitan Museum (The Met) came only one year after a $28 million renovation, which included a new garden, sign and interior design.

Today, beginning at 9 a.m., The Met will be auctioning away everything from the two dog sculptures that graced the entrance to office supplies. All proceeds from the auction will go toward the $4 million debt stemming from the 2008 renovations. The auction items are projected to have a high value and all bidders are expected to leave a $100 deposit.

While people are quick to point out derogatory titles Fresno has earned

“E

ven though locals are affected by The Met's demise, few changes were made to save the quarter of a century old museum...”

(drunkest, dirtiest, dumbest, etc.) the closure of The Met is a much larger blow. The answer to the question, “What could have been done?” is not as simple as it may seem.

Even though locals are affected

by The Met's demise, few changes were made to save the quarter of a century old museum, excluding the renovations, which backfired.

Therefore, let’s forget what Men’s Health magazine and TheDailyBeast. com concluded and focus on what contribution can be made to support the arts, such as: appreciating Fresno artists and their work or else they too will join the likes of The Met, Kern Street Coffee, Cabo Wabo, Gottschalks and Circuit City.

Go beyond the concept of interpreting a canvas on a wall and immerse yourself in the music, the architecture and the various cultural expressions that Fresno has to offer.

Yes, there are things going on at this campus (art display and gallery in the Conley Art Building, USU productions, and plays in the John Wright Theater) and there are tons of things going on off campus (various open mic and poetry readings throughout town, Rogue Festival, Art Hop, Club Retro, and Saroyan Theatre.)

Students are given another chance to support the arts with the merge of Fresno State and the Fresno Art Museum. It wouldn’t hurt to stop in and check out what is going on over at the Fresno Art Museum. In fact, there are numerous places around town to scope out for inspiration such as the African American Historical & Cultural Museum, Artes America, Kearney Mansion Museum and Forestiere Underground Gardens.

There is even room for those who wish to show off their own creative expressions. Now more than ever, there is a call for student involvement. Yes, there is room for students at various venues such as the Nihon Gallery, Broadway Studios, KJWL Studios and Starline as well as Full Circle Brewery that allow artists to showcase their work, perform and read poetry. While a disadvantage may be the downtown locations, the advantage of a smaller gallery is showing your work without showing up for mandatory meetings.

While world-renowned artists may bring a crowd, the idea of pleasing an audience is nerve racking regardless of national or local status.

“I think no matter what, you can’t please everybody. It’s impossible.

And for the most part, Fresno is very uncultured and conservative, other than the Tower District, which is why it was such a shock that people complained about the mural being put there,” said local muralist Robert

“F

or those of you who are sad to see The Met go, this questions for you: when was the last time you paid a visit to the museum?”

Amador.

Therefore, students don’t just sit there and wish there was something you could have done, when there is always something you can do. For those of you who are sad to see The Met go, this questions for you: when was the last time you paid a visit to the museum? Get out there and stop complaining.

Photo by John Esquivel / The Collegian

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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

Campus Life

Page 5

Photo by Joy Hallare

Demonstrators on campus voiced their concerns in the Free Speech Area regarding democracy in Iran last Thursday.

Emerging students into leaders

By Tara Albert The Collegian

Fo r K a r i n a H a r r i s, t h e Emerging Leaders Retreat is how she learned to be an effective leader, equipping her with the necessary skills to serve as the assistant director of University Student Union (USU) Productions and the president of her sorority.

“I’ve been to quite a few leadership trainings, but this is the one that I feel helped me the most and is the most comprehensive,” Harris said.

Harris attended the retreat as a freshman, taking part in the various workshops and the team-building activities offered.

“There was a lot that we did that really helped me,” she

said. “There were a lot of techniques and something different for everybody.”

Now a junior, Harris said she uses some techniques that she learned at the retreat as a leader in USU Productions. She said the team-building activities have been particularly helpful in creating a cohesive team.

“They get you out of your comfort zone, so you are forced to interact with people that you probably wouldn’t interact with otherwise,” Harris said. “It helps break down the walls and break down the barriers of forming cliques.”

The Emerging Leaders Retreat is a free, two-day train-

ing seminar for Fresno State students, and is put on by the Leadership Council at Fresno State. The retreat provides students with leadership training through workshops, teambuilding activities, a two-hour ropes course session and presentations.

“It is an introductory leadership retreat for students that are wanting to get involved or want to learn more about leadership,” Soua Xiong, a Leadership Council member said.

The retreat has been offered once a semester for the past 10 years. This semester will have training sessions for students to learn communication skills, diversity awareness, how to make a good first impression and to understand their leadership style.

“Our hope is that we can provide the students with the skills that they need whether it be in their academic lives, in the work place or in the community,” Melissa Watkins, the director of the Leadership Council, said. “Whatever role

Photo Courtesy of Melissa Watkins

Participants from the 2008 Emerging Leaders Retreat participated in several leadership-building activities. This semester's retreat will provide students with the opportunity to apply their skills to community service projects.

See RETREAT, Page 6

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Page 6

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

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

SURVEY: ASI voted to recommend no RETREAT: Focuses on how to work well in teams cuts from the MI, GE requirement CONTINUED from page 1

Dr. Tamyra Pierce, a media group. She said that she was have gained from students,” effects researcher at Fresno going to have to change my Farnesi said during the meetState, cautions against such words around before she presing. “I also think that it supoversights when conducting ents them to everyone else,” ports the interest of students surveys.

Rispoli said. “She also cut and I think it will be very effec“We always have to use caupeople off and gave feedback tive in guiding the GE committion when doing online suron what people were saying.” tee’s decision.” veys and especially if there is Hector Cerda, a graduate Farnesi said that the survey a possibility of participants student who participated in was conducted to get a feel for being able to take the survey the focus group, said that he the student perspective before multiple times as this can had an issue with the way it ASI presented the resolution skew the results and weakwas being facilitated. to the GE committee. The ens the validity of the study,” “In my opinion, the focus focus group, she said, was an Pierce said. “If indeed many group was very selective,” additional measure. of the responses were a result said Cerda who showed up to “I wanted to conduct focus of people taking the survey the focus group without prior groups in addition to a survey, multiple times, it would be best notice of the event. “This is a because focus groups are disto discard these cussion based, online results and not just statisticonduct new surcally quantitaveys in person to tive,” Far nesi increase the validhis is a question of ethical research.” said. “I feel givity of the study.” ing students the T h e s u r v e y, opportunity to — Hector Cerda, which was hosted have that discuspost-graduate social work student b y We b - b a s e d sion is impors u r ve y s e r v i c e tant.”

S u r ve y m o n ke y, However, sevallows users to eral particilimit a respondent pants in the focus group conquestion of ethical research.” to one response by enabling ducted by ASI as well as stuThe focus group was made cookies, according to repredents who attempted to take available only to students sentatives with the company. an online survey reported to from the College of Arts and Users may also use an e-mail university officials that they Humanities as well as the invitation collector to send out found instances of possible College of Social Sciences. a unique link to each respon“compromised voting” and Cerda said that he also found dent. “ethical violations.” an instance of compromised However, according to repAnthony Rispoli, a social voting while taking the online resentatives, if a respondent's work major, said he noticed version of the survey in early browser is set to delete cookies what he considered improper February. each time it is closed, then the practices being conducted “I found it quite upsetting cookie will be refreshed and during the focus group He that when I went online to take a blank survey will open the said that he also noticed that the survey, I was able to manipnext time the link is accessed. all of the answers were being ulate the system,” Cerda said.

The respondent will be able to screened before they were “When I completed the surtake the survey again. recorded. vey, [the system] didn’t lock Cerda, however, said that at “At one point, I made a stateme out. I was able to take the no point did he log off of his ment that wasn’t very favorsurvey over and over and over. computer, clear his Web browsable about the way [Farnesi] I found that I could distort or ing history or manipulate his was conducting the focus change the outcome.”

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CONTINUED from page 5 they decide to take on as a leader, we want to make sure that we’re giving them those skills so that they can fulfill those duties.”

Watkins said that the retreat is both productive and fun, and really focuses on helping students get to know each other.

“Any person who has gone through it has had a good time and come out of it having met their expectations,” Watkins said.

The retreat is on Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All material, activities and food will be provided at no cost.

“One thing we try to avoid is charging, because we feel like this should be something students should be able to have free of cost,” Watkins said.

Student leaders from organizations on campus will be present to provide attendees with information about the many leadership opportunities on campus.

“We try to bring them in from all over campus so that students can really get a wide variety of examples of what they can do next,” Kerry Jack, the USU Leadership Program advisor, said.

Watkins said the panel of student leaders is a good way for students to learn about the organizations on campus they can get involved with.

“A lot of the students are

just now getting a feel for what this whole leadership thing is,” Watkins said. “We want to be sure that they have somewhere to go with that, and that they have a place they can utilize those skills.”

The retreat will also place participants in groups of five or six to work on community service projects. Students will have a month to complete their community service project, and will come back with the rest of the retreat group in March to discuss how the projects turned out.

“A lot of the focus of the Emerging Leaders Retreat is learning how to work more successfully in teams,” Jack said. “One of the functions of this group community service project is that they will be able to take these skills that they learn during the retreat and put them to use during the community service project.”

Students must apply to participate in the retreat.

Applications are available in USU 306, the USU Information Center or online at www. csufresno.edu/leadership.

Applications are due by 5 p.m.

Feb. 19. There will be room for 45 students to attend the retreat.

“We’re looking for the students who have not had a lot of leadership experience or who are looking to broaden their horizons,” Jack said.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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

Page 7

‘Dogs dominate at home Bulldog Diamond was home to nothing but wins over the weekend to kick off the season

By Ben Ingersoll The Collegian

Day 1

Fresno State softball officially began last Friday as the Bulldog’s bats came alive against Santa Clara.

The Bulldog’s defeated the visiting Broncos 10-1 and 12-1 in the evening’s doubleheader.

From start to finish in the o p e n i n g g a m e, t h e ‘ D o g s proved to a full crowd and future opponents they come to play both offensively and defensively.

Freshman slugger Hannah Wi l l i a m s k i c ke d o f f h e r Bulldog career in stellar fashion, drawing in two RBIs in her first at bat, then blasting a three-run home run in the third inning of a shortened run-rule game.

Morgan Melloh, who enters this season with high expectations, did not disappoint on opening night, pitching a shutout for the first four innings before giving up a solo home run to Santa Clara’s Briana Knight in the final inning of play. Melloh tallied 13 strikeouts on only 88 total pitches and gave up only four hits, beginning her junior season 1-0.

Sophomores Jody Badorine and Michelle Moses also came up big at the plate, each hitting a perfect 3-for-3. Despite the shortened game, the ‘Dogs were able to fill the stat sheet with 11 hits on 22 at bats.

The win also marked head coach Margie Wright’s 600th career win at Bulldog Diamond to begin her 25th season as the Fresno State softball leader.

Friday’s game two proved to be much of the same, as the ‘Dogs’ displayed its offensive firepower, scoring seven runs in the first inning en route to another 12-1 run-rule shortened contest.

T his time, sophomore Mackenzie Oakes took the mound. She gave up only two hits and a fourth inning solo home run. Melloh and Oakes’ season debuts left Wright pleased with their early season success.

“I thought they both did very well, especially for their first game,” Wright said. “I think they both would like to have their homerun pitches back, and those are things we have to correct, and it might be a 0-0 game next time.”

On the offensive side, sophomore catcher Kaitlin Griffin, seeing the first action of her career at her position, hit a first inning grand slam. The four-run jack was Griffin’s t h i rd h i t o f h e r B u l l d o g career.

All 18 Bulldogs saw action on the night in the routs over Santa Clara and head coach Lisa Mize, a Fresno State softball product who pitched under Wright during her collegiate playing days.

“I think everybody was so ready to play,” Wright said.

“Unfortunately for one of my former athletes coaching [Santa Clara], it was tough that we took it out on them; but tomorrow we have to be better than tonight. If we can continue to get better with every game, I think we’re going to do some decent damage this year.”

Day 2

The opening game of the Fresno State Kick-Off tournament, held Saturday and Sunday, was led by Bulldog ace Morgan Melloh who threw her first career no-hitter in a 1-0 win over Pacific.

Melloh pitched 10 strikeouts with three walks in a defen-

sive battle along the way to being the 17th ‘Dog in Fresno State softball history to pitch a no-hitter.

Catcher Caitlin Stiglich provided the winning RBI at the bottom of the second inning, drawing in Andrea Ortega on a double.

Saturday’s second contest came ag ainst Sacramento State in another down-to-the wire-game, where the ‘Dogs prevailed 3-2.

The ‘Dogs fell behind early, 2-0, facing its first deficit of the season. But Michelle Moses came up clutch in the bottom of the seventh inning, drawing in Brooke Phipps on a single to provide the 3-2 margin.

Day 3

The final day of the opening weekend began as exciting as the first two days as third baseman Nicole Angene hit an eighth inning walk-off solo home run to defeat Pacific 1-0.

Angene’s bomb bounced over the fence onto Cedar Avenue as she rounded the bases in what she said was her biggest moment thus far as a Bulldog.

Morgan Melloh took the mound and followed up Saturday’s no-hitter with a nine-hit shutout.

Early on, Melloh and the ‘Dogs were able to hold off a hot Tiger squad, who held Frenso State hitless until the third inning.

Opening weekend concluded with yet another Bulldog milestone, as Mackenzie Oakes pitched the second no-hitter of the weekend in a 6-0 shutout over Sacramento State. Oakes, however, was too focused on the game itself to realize her Sunday accomplishment.

“Honestly, I had no idea that was going on,” Oakes said.

Matt Weir / The Collegian

Junior Morgan Melloh pitched her first career no-hitter against University of Pacific on Satuday.

“My mindset is just going out there and getting everyone out.”

It hasn’t been since 2000 that two diamond ‘Dogs have pitched no-hitters in the same season, giving Oakes confidence that the duo of herself and Melloh, along with the red-hot offense, are this year’s team to beat.

“I just think our team was coming out here and we were ready to fight and win and take out everyone,” Oakes said.

“We have something to prove

Back to back honor

Patel receives Athlete of the Week for two won his second consecutive consecutive weeks

By Megan Morales The Collegian Fresno States men’s golf team standout Bhavik Patel

Verizon Wireless Wester n Athletic Conference (WAC) Golfer of the Week award.

Patel earned his first Verizon Wireless WAC award this season after his showing at the

this year.”

Haley Gilleland also etched herself in the Bulldog record books, moving into second place all-time on the Fresno State stolen bases list with 41.

The ‘Dogs scored three runs in the first inning of play, and finished strong with solo runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Ping Arizona Intercollegiate where he shot 10-under par (69-65-69-203) and tied for second-place on Feb. 2.

In addition to his tournament best, 65 in the second round, his score also marked a tie for the best round of the 2009-10 season by a WAC player.

Patel followed the tournament with a win in San Diego to ear n himself the same award just one week later.

Patel’s outstanding performance outshined the rest of the competition at the Fourth Annual University of San Diego Callaway Invitational on Feb 9. Posting six birdies over his final 13 holes, the sophomore phenomenon won the tournament by three strokes shooting 8-under par (69-70-69208).

Breaking par in each of the three rounds, Patel’s superior outing pulled the ‘Dogs to a third-place team finish.

Patel has earned the honorable WAC Player of the Week award three times in his career as a Bulldog, and was named the WAC Golfer of the month this fall.

Sports The

Page 8

Collegian

Sports Editor, Brianna Campbell • collegian-sports@csufresno.edu •Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Courtesy of Ty Alexander

Growing up in the snow with his parents, Ty Alexander learned to ski and snowboard, leading him to his passion today as the sole representative of Fresno State at the USCSA Nationals.

A one-man team takes on the slopes Q&A

By Brianna Campbell The Collegian

Q: What brought you to Fresno?

With the closest snow hours away, Ty Alexander, an agricultural business student, has had to work hard to make his future in snowboarding a possibility.

At the age of four Alexander started skiing with his parents, but it wasn’t long before he learned to snowboard.

“You hit 13 and snowboarding is the cool thing to do when you’re a teenager.

So I took up snowboarding and picked it right up,” Alexander said.

Alexander has been snowboarding for 12 years and hopes one day it will pay off with a trip to the X-Games.

Alexander now competes for Fresno State in the Souther n Califor nia Collegiate Snowsport Conference, Inc. (SCCSC), one of the 11 ski and snowboarding conferences in the United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association (USCSA).

In addition to competing on Fresno State’s behalf, Alexander also serves as the treasurer for the Skiing and Snowboarding Club on campus.

“It is more of a [recreation] thing,” Alexander said. “I was looking for a team to travel with as a group and compete against other colleges. But this keeps me active with fellow students.”

The federation has tried on numerous occasions to get a team to compete for

Fresno State but have come up short.

Still, that has not stopped Alexander, who decided he would continue on as the team himself.

That’s when Alexander made the decision to contact the president of SCCSC. “I told the president, ‘it looks like I will be by myself,’” Alexander said.

While Mammoth, Calif. is nearly six hours away, Alexander finds it hard to get to the slopes and much as he wants.

To begin his snowboarding quest, he competed in two competitions over the winter break.

Alexander competes regularly in three events: Snowboard Giant Slalom, Boarder-X and Snowboard Slopestyle.

Each event involves skills, speed and intense competition.

Alexander will be heading up to his last competition before nationals this weekend at Mammoth.

The junior he has already placed for nationals in Boarder-X, but 0he hopes to qualify in his other two events this weekend as well.

The USCSA Nationals will take place during the first week of March in Sunday River, Maine. Here, Alexander will compete against more than 100 different collegiate teams across the nation in hopes of becoming No. 1.

A: I am from Bakersfield. I graduated in 2003. Went to Bakersfield College for a couple years, got an associates degree and played football for a few years. I then transferred to Fresno State and I am studying Ag Business with one more year.

Q: Where do you go to snowboard?

A: I am lucky and my grandpa has a condo in Mammoth that I am fortunate to use. Whatever free time I get I go up and get as much time in on the slopes as possible. This season I have been there about a total of 32 days.

I spent all of winter break in Mammoth. I spent about 25 days in a row boarding, so that was fun.

New years was my first competition, and then followed by a competition on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Q: What is your favorite competition to compete in?

A: Boarder-X for sure. You line up with five other people next to you in the gates and you race down the hill with everyone at the same time.

As you race down the hill you’re

making turns, throwing elbows and cutting people off just trying to get down the hill the fastest.

Q: What is something memorable that has happened to you while competing?

A: First heat, I waited an hour for my turn. I took first place in that competition and moved on to the next qualifier. I sat around again and waited about an hour and a half sitting in the snow. I got first place again. I was pumped up. One more race and I was in the finals.

I went down to the lodge and got a Gatorade instead of sitting around waiting. By the time I got back I missed my third heat and got disqualified. So, that was a bummer.

Q: What are your goals?

A: I am going to Nationals the first week of March. I hope to do the best I can. Maybe one day I will pick up a sponsor and may be in the X-Games some day, and race nationally.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

A: I do a lot of duck and deer hunting, in the mountains around Bakersfield with my dad and a couple buddies. Hunting, snowboarding and drinking beer!