February 28 2014

THE COLLEGIAN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

FRESNO STATE'S STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1922

/TheCollegianOnline

Castro: Student fee increase talks get longer timeline

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@TheCollegian

ASI

2014 ROGUE FESTIVAL

VP of finance candidates talk money

By Jesse Franz

@JesseOfTheNews Consideration for a plan that would increase student fees at Fresno State by hundreds of dollars for “student success programs” and athletics -- costs that could have taken effect as early as the fall 2014 semester -- has been delayed.

In a letter to the editor sent to The Collegian, Fresno State President Joseph Castro laid out a new timeline for the proposal, which would now be implemented in fall 2015 at the earliest.

“After briefing administrators and student and faculty leaders on this idea and receiving feedback – including concerns that a compressed timeline is not desirable – I have decided to move forward with our examination but on a slower timeline than had been contemplated,” Castro said.

The student success fee, which would raise tuition costs by somewhere between $50 to $100, aims to increase funding for programs that contribute to a higher graduation rate, such as tutorial services.

While no concrete structure for the athletics fee has yet been made publicly available, it would likely be higher than the student success fee, said interim provost Dr. Andrew Hoff. Currently, Fresno State students pay $92 a semester toward athletics as a built-in part of tuition.

Both fees would be handled through the university’s Instructionally Related Activities Fund (IRA), currently a $132 mandatory cost for students attending the university.

Castro has commissioned a task force to give him recommendations on the fee increases by May 15.

In August, he will launch an alternative consultation process, and during the fall semester promises to gather opinions and suggestions from the Fresno State community.

“No fee amounts have been decided; that is one of the areas that will be examined and determined in coming months, along with descriptions of how the fee revenues will be used to provide services to improve student success and augment athletic experiences for students,” Castro said.

Castro’s full letter to the editor is on Page 2.

FRESNO STATE TALKS

Gilbert guides students on mental performance

By Matthew Jimenez

Anthony Farnesi

By Nadia Pearl @nadia_pearl_

In the buildup to elections for Associated Students, Inc. on March 25-27, The Collegian talked with the two candidates running for vice president of finance, hoping to take charge of balancing ASI’s budget.

Anthony Farnesi and Nicole Warmerdam both offered their takes on the role.

Anthony Farnesi

Photo by Katie Eleneke • The Collegian The San Joaquin Valley's Belly Dance Coalition "Hizz Ya Whiz Fire and Ice" perfromance Thursday night at Tower Theatre was one of the acts that kicked off this year's Rogue Performing Festival.

Fire and Ice

See TALKS, Page 3

Anthony Farnesi, 19, enters the race after spending the past year as a senator on the finance committee and aims to bring increased “transparency” for students about ASI spending, if elected.

While conscious that the vice president of finance is a job mostly “set in stone and regulated by the accountants,” Farnesi hopes to promote awareness among students about where their money is being spent.

Festival coverage on Page 4

See ASI, Page 3

Fate of Fulton Mall decided

City Council approves remodel, 5 votes to 2, to allow traffic

Collegian Staff

Fresno State Talks ended its three-part series with Dr. Jenelle N. Gilbert, who delivered her presentation “The Psychological Uniform: A Blueprint for Peak Performance” Wednesday night at the Satellite Student Union.

Gilbert, a professor of sports psychology in the department of kinesiology, emphasized to a large crowd the everyday value and use of the lecture for everyone outside of sports.

“Anybody who has a performance aspect to what they do,” Gilbert said, “and this pretty much includes everyone, can benefit from the information that I shared.”

Gilbert said everyone wears uniforms in sports to help reach peak performance, and the same thing can be said, metaphorically speaking, about one’s state of mind.

“The Psychological UNIFORM was born from the idea that athletes put on a uniform to train and compete in their sport,” Gilbert said. “For example, swimmers need to wear bathing suits and goggles, and football players wear helmets and pads.

Nicole Warmerdam

By Jesse Franz

@JesseOfTheNews

Photo by Katie Eleneke • The Collegian

Proponents of a plan to remodel the Fulton Mall to allow traffic marched from Peeve's Public House in the mall to Fresno's City Hall on Thursday,

In a landmark five-to-two decision Thursday the Fresno City Council ruled in favor of remodeling the Fulton Mall to allow through traffic, a key project in Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s Downtown revitalization efforts.

The remodel selected by the Council creates a straight street and moves all art and mosaic benches to the sidewalk areas, and establishes over 100 parking spots in the mall. It represents the first time traffic will be allowed in the mall since 1964.

“I am sure we are making history in many ways tonight,” Swearengin said.

The Council’s decision also certified the environmental impact report, revised the general plan and accepted federal fund-

See MALL, Page 6

OPINION

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Student fee increase discussion delayed As you may have heard, there is discussion about a possible future IRA (Instructionally Related Activites) student fee increase dedicated President Joseph Castro to improving student success and a possible fee increase dedicated to athletics.

After briefing administrators and student and faculty leaders on this idea and receiving feedback – including concerns that a compressed timeline is not desirable – I have decided to move forward

with our examination but on a slower timeline than had been contemplated.

I have asked a small group representing Cabinet members, faculty and the Intercollegiate Athletics Department to provide me and the Cabinet with recommendations regarding the proposed fee increases and uses

by May 15. Materials and surveys then will be prepared and we will launch the Alternative Consultation Process in August.

During the fall, we will gather feedback and opinions from all campus constituencies about a possible 2015-16 fee increase. I want this exploration to be care-

ful, consultative and transparent, with ample opportunities for students and student groups, faculty and staff to provide feedback.

No fee amounts have been decided; that is one of the areas that will be examined and determined in coming months, along with descriptions of how the fee revenues will be used to provide services to improve student success and augment athletic experiences for students.

These proposals are consistent with my stated goal of raising the academic and athletic profiles of Fresno State together.

I will provide more information as it comes available.

BRACING FOR MIDTERMS

Word Around Campus

They're coming -- and for some courses, they've already arrived. With the midway point to the spring semester comes midterms, the assessment professors use to gauge how much a student has learned so far.

Tests, essays, powerpoint presentations, public speakings, group projects (ugh) -- one way or another, the middle of the semester is usually the most intensive before finals workload-wise.

The Collegian asked random students on campus to sound off on how they've been preparing for their midterms so far.

"I am trying to study in groups

and review my notes trying to see if there is any tutoring available."

MANCILLA MUSINGS

-- Janeelam Kaur, Senior public health major

Four-eye focus

"I take the weekends to study

Recounting how wearing glasses affects me and those closest to me “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there,” is the dreaded comment I end up dishing out after bumping into people when I don’t wear my trademark glasses.

Ok, that above statement contains Yvette two lies. One, my Mancilla vision’s not that ter(with glasses) rible to where I’m stumbling into the masses on campus. And two, I don’t really believe that my glasses are my “trademark,” but if you insist they are, then I won’t complain.

I remember clearly (pun intended) the first time I put on a pair of prescribed glasses. I was in second grade when I went from seeing blobs of green to a sharp view of what everyone else was seeing: trees. I chose a pair of blue-wired frame glasses thinking that they looked pretty good on me and was so excited to show them off to my classmates. From then on, my 10-plus year relationship with eyewear began.

For those who are stuck in the nearsighted category with me, we share that common annoyance of dealing with wearing glasses almost 24/7 every day for 300 and some odd days.

There is a long list of frustrations from wearing glasses, but I narrowed down a few that just keep occurring: • The fact that I constantly need to readjust them forces me to pull a

bunny twitch—a move involving my nose reframing my glasses without the use of my hands.

• Losing my glasses and finding them in the most ridiculously obvious places days later.

• Getting new ones, then regretting the choice when looking at myself at home and thinking, “I thought these were cute on me?”

• When others place their hand in front of my face and ask the alwayslaughable question, “How many fingers?”

• Taking them off to enjoy a night out on the town and having to ask friends what I missed when they laugh at something or someone outside of my field of vision.

Fear not, my fellow “blind bats,” there are a couple options to choose in how to handle your vision if you have reached your boiling point with glasses.

A couple of my friends opt for the contact lenses route, and that can be a whole other can of worms if you are uncomfortable with things being in your eye or don’t want the hassle in the upkeep of contact lenses.

For me, I have tried contacts in the past, and for the time being, I just can’t seem to get back in the groove of wearing them.

Another option: the ever expensive laser eye surgery. I’m in college and broke, so that will have to wait until my future dream job is forcing me to figure out ways to splurge the ridiculous amount of money I will make.

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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GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them.

COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU

and I like to take breaks between studying so I’ll go hit the gym or something like that in order to be efficient with my time."

And last but not least, the choice to walk around in a semi-blurry world and then whipping out your glasses to wear when needed. I particularly go for this alternative from time to time on the days when I don’t want to leave my glasses on all day long.

On a more positive note, there are some pluses for being a “four-eyes,” like when I’ve had a long night and don’t want to put makeup on the next morning; I just place them on and voilà, dark circles hidden.

Glasses can be fashionable but purposeful, unlike others that may wear fake “hipster” glasses because it’s an accessory on trend. In addition, you are no longer alone in wearing these obnoxious yet necessary spectacles because it seems that almost everyone has bad vision and dons the four-eye look or hides it really well.

Perhaps in the near future there will come a monumental event when technology boggles our minds again and a simple and accessible solution comes about in solving this glasses conundrum.

In the meantime, I’ll continue ignoring people who wave at me wildly from afar trying to say hello while I figure what my next pair of glasses should look like.

C

-- Jaideep Bhangu, Freshman business major

"Doing my homework first of all

because I’m a English Lit major so mainly our midterms are just going to be reflecting back on everything we read throughout the semester."

-- Annie Mac, Senior English literature major

"I like to do some incline pow-

erwalking at the rec, for one, and then Swiggs has this like roll-thedice night on Mondays and that really helps out relieving stress going into the midterm. So, exercise and Swiggs."

-- DJ Stone,

Senior communications major

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

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 © 2013 The Collegian.

Editor in Chief News Editor Assistant News Editor Arts and Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Staff Photographer Design Editor Sports Reporter Staff Reporter Multimedia Director Multimedia Journalist Webmaster General Sales Manager Local Sales Manager Business Development Manager

-- Compiled by David Lee, Collegian staff Ricardo Cano Jesse Franz Brianna Vaccari Yvette Mancilla Christopher Livingston Katie Eleneke Matthew Vieira Khlarissa Agee Daniel Leon Nadia Pearl Rachel Waldron Julian Paredes Joseph Deutscher Nicole Knod Andrew Gustafson Courtnei Johnson

Assistant Ad Manager Heather Beam Special Projects Matthew Schneider Nathan Talbot Art Director Diana Williams Assistant Art Director Martha Pinilla Distribution Manager Emanuel Clemente Accountancy Assistant Vanessa Rodriguez General Manager Financial Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Faculty Adviser MCJ Chair

Rich Marshall Toni A. Carmona Jan Edwards Dr. Bradley Hart Dr. Katherine Adams

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

PAGE 3

FINANCIAL AID DEADLINES QUICKLY APPROACHING

By Sam Desatoff @sdesatoff

The deadline for Fresno State students to file the Free Application of Federal Student Aid for the 2014-2015 school year is March 2.

As the FAFSA deadline approaches, the financial aid office will process student applications and determine who is eligible for awards. That date is not the last chance students have to submit their applications, but Fresno State director of financial aid Bernard Ogden encourages a prompt filings.

“We do not have an unending checkbook,” Ogden said. “Those who apply earlier have a better chance of receiving awards.”

In an effort to alleviate any confusion surrounding the application process,

Ogden emphasized the use of on-campus resources. The financial aid office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Those seeking scholarships should act with equal haste.

The priority deadline for scholarship applications is today, said Gregory Varela, manager of the scholarship office at Fresno State.

Students applying for various scholarships are only required to fill out a single application form. That form is then inserted into a database that will automatically match the student to available scholarships.

While the automatic method of scholarship matching is convenient, Varela said there are a number of human characteristics that donors look for in students.

“Donors encourage students to look at the list of scholarships themselves,” Varela said. This way, students can find scholar-

ships based on their interests and not solely on their major.

A large portion of the student body does not apply for scholarships. Varela attributes this to the myth that scholarships are only reserved for those with valedictorianlike grades.

“The majority of scholarships are reserved for those students who are simply doing well in their major,” he said. “Very few actually go to the top 1 percent.”

Varela says there is a very rewarding aspect to allocating money to deserving students.

“It can be very validating to students to be recognized by the school,” he said.

“And it’s nice to be a part of the department responsible for rewarding them.”

Students are advised to inquire about available scholarships throughout the semester and not simply at the start of the new term. Varela said new scholarships are

always being added.

Ogden says there is also a noticeable pattern regarding the timeliness of students applying for financial aid.

“There are always people who will apply the first chance they get, and there are always students who put it off to the last minute,” Ogden said. “But the majority of our students file on time.”

When asked what students can do to help their chances of receiving aid, Ogden again stressed timeliness.

“Apply early,” he said, “and attend school full-time.”

To those students who have yet to apply for aid, Varela offers words of encouragement: “If you’re smart enough to attend Fresno State, you’re smart enough to apply.”

Students can access the scholarship application at www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/scholarships.

Fresno State Talks concludes with Dr. Jenelle Gilbert TALKS from Page 1 “However, in order to give their very best performance, they need to also put on their psychological uniform and work on their mental game.”

Gilbert broke down her lecture into the acronym U.N.I.F.O.R.M. highlighting each letter and its role in achieving peak mental performance. The acronym stands for use goal setting; no mistakes, only learning opportunities; imagery; full focus; overtly positive; relaxation; and make routines.

Gilbert presented examples of famed athletes, public figures and doctors who overcame many challenges with focus, positive reinforcement and learning from past mistakes.

After each sports analogy, Gilbert referred back to college life and gave exam-

ples on how to relax for a test by focusing on breathing and using cue words.

Gilbert said an issue that prevents mental peak performance is focusing too much on negative self-talk. To combat this problem, Gilbert suggested the audience write down positive affirmations on a note card and place them around the house as reminders to think positive. She said it helps to reset the mind and say “goodbye” to negative self-talk.

Gilbert said things won’t change instantly by following her method. The only way things will change is through practice.

“If [students] learn, practice and apply these skills, they, too, can achieve peak performance,” Gilbert said.

Vicky Tian, a first-year graduate student in sports psychology, said Gilbert did a good job of illustrating the mental uniform.

“It’s something we can actually bring to everyone,” she said. “It’s not just for sports psychology. Everyone can use it somehow.”

“It was amazing the way she went about what a uniform really is,” said Rick Martinez, a senior majoring in kinesiology.

“She broke it down and she described each letter.

“It’s just amazing to hear her speak to grow a little more and expand knowledge

and learn a little more about sports psychology.”

Gilbert said she hopes she inspired students with her lecture.

“I am hoping that my talk on sports (or performance) psychology and the Psychological UNIFORM will inspire students who I may not have an opportunity to teach in the classroom setting.”

Transparency a common goal between VP candidates ASI from Page 1 “Furthering people’s knowledge of that is the biggest thing that somebody could do at this point,” Farnesi said.

A sophomore majoring in physics and computer science, Farnesi is currently senator for student affairs after spending the fall semester as a senator for residential affairs.

Yet beyond his experience as a senator, Farnesi said serving on the finance committee has best prepared him for the position. After working closely with the current vice president of finance, Rebecca Rosengarten, Farnesi believes he can now “step up.”

“I just feel confident and prepared that I know everything I need to do, can do and how to do it,” Farnesi said. “So I thought it would be a good call to run for it.”

If elected, Farnesi plans to execute his main goal of transparency by expanding an interactive program recently started by Rosengarten. The program releases all of ASI’s spending online, both currently and in recent years.

Farnesi believes the program’s strength is that it “keeps everyone honest.”

“It’s just a way for students to be able to see where their money is actually going and what ASI is spending their student fees on,” Farnesi said.

The program is run through OpenGov, a company that offers financial transparency software. However, Farnesi explains the issue with the program is that “nobody knows about it,” which is something he hopes to change in order to increase student understanding.

Born and raised in Fresno, Farnesi was exposed to the role of ASI while still at high school. His older sister, Selena, served as a senator, executive vice president and president of ASI while at Fresno State.

While he plans on making his own path, Farnesi said his sister’s work gave him “the information to get involved, especially early on.”

Nicole Warmerdam A major in business administration and accounting, sophomore Nicole Warmerdam is running for the vice president of finance position in hope of ensur-

ing funds are “allocated in a manner that is ethical, equitable and transparent to all student groups.”

After moving from Visalia for college, the 19-year-old sophomore said she has a “strong desire to serve the 20,000-plus students here at Fresno State.”

“I have always been very involved in my community, and for the past couple of years, Fresno State has been home,” Warmerdam said.

In Warmerdam’s opinion, the most important aspect of the leadership role is representation.

“I want to guarantee that the student body’s voice is heard in every ASI financial decision,” she said.

Warmerdam says ensuring clubs and organizations have resources is a necessity in seeing groups “successful in their endeavors.”

In addition to representation, Warmerdam said creating transparency is another significant issue for ASI. “It is my goal to help make the financial activities of ASI more transparent to the student population,” she said. “I want students to know we are using their funding in the fairest way possible.”

If elected, this will be Warmerdam’s first affiliation with ASI, yet she said this could be an advantage.

“I believe I will offer a fresh take on issues and bring a different perspective when it comes to this organization,” she said.

Currently the ambassador and treasurer of the Student Association for Sustainability, Warmerdam said her time holding various leadership positions for campus organizations would help her with ASI financial decision-making.

She also worked as a clerical accountant at Lagomarsino Group, a farm management company, so Warmerdam believes she has the skills to handle the position.

“My educational background and my work experience have both prepared me for the responsibilities of the VP of finance,” she said.

Warmerdam is a distant relative of Cornelius Warmerdam, the former Fresno State athlete and coach the campus’ Warmerdam Field is named after.

Competing for Fresno State in the 1930s, Warmerdam went on to be a world record holder in the pole vault.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT CAMPUS ARTS

Student orchestra is spotlight ready

Going Rogue

THE PHANTOM’S NIGHT

Behind The Mask Students enjoy ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ themed festivities

By Sam Desatoff Collegian Staff

Photos by Katie Eleneke • The Collegian

Performers from the Belly Dance Coalition of the San Joaquin Valley perform the “Hizz Ya Wizz Fire and Ice” preview show on the Tower Theatre stage Thursday night as part of this year’s Rogue Festival kickoff. The Rogue Festival begins today and concludes March 8.

A sneak peak of Rogue Festival featuring a variety of acts kicked off Thursday night

By Roger Munoz Collegian Staff

The Tower Theater had a twohour teaser for this year’s Rogue Performing Festival Thursday night.

The annual festival, which began in 2002, features independent artists performing a variety of performing arts acts. The festival offers a wide range of acts that include storytelling, dance, music, art, film and comedy.

The Rogue Festival aims to celebrate performers by eliminating the jury process and simply letting artist share their work.

“Art is about self-expression, and there are actually several artists who have created shows out of personal experiences,” producer of the Rogue Festival Barbara Coy-Hogan said.

“And some of them are uplifting, some of them are sad and some of them are scary. And how can you possibly decide, based on that, if they’re in the festival or not.”

Stephen Mintz, a publicist for the festival, said that Rogue wants to help performers as much as possible.

Mintz said Rogue is one of the few festivals that give all ticket sales back to the performers.

“So performers can come here and maybe make a few dollars,” Mintz said. “They can promote

their shows by carrying signs or giving out fliers. So it’s really this grassroots effort where the performers want to work together instead of fighting each other for some prize.”

This year’s teaser show gave performers three minutes to promote their acts to audience members before the big show.

Bárbara Selfridge, a first-time Rogue performer, said the festival gives performers the platform to showcase their passion to a wide audience.

“It’s unusual and you’re taking a risk when you do it, but it’s well worth it” Selfridge said. “It could be terrible, but it could be wonderful. It could be like the best theater you ever see. So you fall in love with it.”

Coy-Hogan urged people to come out and see a show, since there’s much to choose from.

“There’s everything from dance, music, comedy, and there’s a couple of magicians,” Coy-Hogan said. “Everything is honestly great. You can’t go wrong.”

This year’s festival will feature 60 performers that will perform over 260 shows in 10 Tower District venues.

The Rogue festival begins today and concludes March 8.

For more information on upcoming shows and tickets prices visit www.roguefestival.com/ calendar.

The Roving Blades duo play Irish music during the Rogue Festival preview Thursday night in the Tower District.

The festival kicks off today.

“T

here’s everything from dance, music, comedy, and there’s a couple of magicians. Everything is honestly great. You can’t go wrong.”

-- BARBARA COY-HOGAN ROGUE FESTIVAL PRODUCER

The Fresno State Symphony Orchestra will present the “Spotlight on Our Students” concert Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Concert Hall at the Fresno State Music Building.

“The Spotlight on Our Students concert is the annual concert…[that] features top students from the department of music in the roles of soloists, conductors and composers,” said Dr. Thomas Loewenheim, a cello professor and director of the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s show will feature student Aimee Dockum on the cello as a soloist. The winner of the 2013-2014 Fresno State Concerto Competition, Dockum will perform the first movement of Édouard Lalo’s “Cello Concerto” with the orchestra.

Also featured will be student composer Joseph Bohigian, whose composition “Rise” will make its premiere Saturday.

“Joseph was selected by the composition faculty to write a piece for the orchestra,” said Loewenheim. “Joseph’s composition is, simply put, a gem.”

Bohigian hopes the concert will raise awareness, not only of the music department, but to keep the classical genre rising in its importance to music.

“I hope that audience members will realize the great range of talent we have here in the Fresno State music department,” Bohigian said. “In regards to my piece, specifically, I hope they will recognize the importance of new music [and] keeping classical music thriving.”

Maxwell Krongaus, a graduate conducting student, will conduct the piece. “[Joseph’s] collaboration with Maxwell has created a special partnership between a composer and conductor,” Loewenheim said.

“This helped elevate the quality of the performance of the piece, bringing out the best in it.”

The concert will be an important experience for many of the student performers, as it provides them an opportunity to work in a professional environment.

“This annual concert is a favorite for many students,” Bohigian said. “It gives the music students a chance to showcase their talents in a meaningful way and gives us a great deal of professional experience writing for and playing with an orchestra.”

For Bohigian, the concert is an important opportunity for his development as a composer.

“The concert is especially important for composition majors,” he said. “It gives us a rare chance to write for a symphony orchestra. That’s not something that happens at every school, and it’s a major step in a composer’s growth. I’m glad I got that opportunity.”

As for his future, Bohigian does not see his career as a composer ending any time soon.

“Right now, I’m looking into graduate schools for composition,” he said. “The goal is basically to be a composer, whatever form that may take. Whatever I end up doing, I know that I’ll still be writing and playing music.”

Photos by Matt Vieira • The Collegian

A sold out crowd filled the Satellite Student Union on campus Thursday night for a dinner theater experience that featured a raffle, music and a film screening of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ for students.

By Matthew Jimenez Collegian Staff

A red velvet throne helped create the ambience for “The Phantom’s Night” dinner theater experience Thursday night in the Satellite Student Union.

The Fresno State Jazz Band Combo performs at the “The Phantom’s Night” dinner theater experience Thursday night at the Satellite Student Union.

University Student Union Productions held “The Phantom’s Night,” a dinner theater experience/black-tie event, at the Student Satellite Union on campus Thursday night.

Da’shalyn Francis, a junior majoring in speech language pathology, is the coordinator for CenterStage, a committee responsible for organizing a variety of performing and visual arts events.

Francis said when she first heard of the idea during a USU Productions meeting, she thought it was a fun event for students to enjoy. The event was open only to students, who were able to bring a guest.

“I thought students would really enjoy having a dinner and theater experience on campus,” said Francis. “It’s a fun way for students to enjoy the night and have something to do.”

As patrons -- most of whom dressed in masquerade wardrobe -- entered the SSU, they were greeted by an orange and black balloon arch and red carpet that led to the front table in the lobby.

At the table stood name cards, “Phantom of the Opera” pins and black masks. Along the walls hung cutouts of the phantom’s mask and red paper roses to set the scene for the experience.

Inside the SSU, the most eye-catching pieces were a crystal chandelier, a red velvet throne and a mirror atop the stage.

Round tables covered by black tablecloths, each with a rose centerpiece on top, replaced the venue’s usual seat spread.

Tables and chairs were placed in the lower level seating area and around the open space area surrounding the lower level to accommodate the dinner aspect of the show.

The event started promptly at 6 p.m.

During mock-tail hour, patrons had the chance to mingle and enjoy themselves.

The drinks were in theme with the film and had names such as “Masquerade Madness,” “Phantom’s Kiss,” “Sparkling Rose” and “Chandelier Cider.” Each drink had different mixtures of Sierra Mist, sparkling cider, fruit punch and lemonade, said Francis.

Attendees had the chance to get their photos taken by a photographer, who had props themed after the film, and an opportunity to decorate their own black mask.

The Fresno State Jazz Band Combo was at hand performing during the event.

At around 7:15 p.m., University Catering provided a gourmet dinner: chicken cutlets covered in Italian sauce. Stuffed mushrooms were served for vegetarians.

At 8 p.m., the USU staff began the screening “The Phantom of the Opera” adaptation starring Gerard Butler.

People who purchased a ticket were put in a raffle and had a chance at winning a souvenir basket, which included two of the USU’s commemorative “Phantom of the Opera” T-shirts, apple cider, “The Phantom of the Opera” movie and soundtrack and two wine glasses.

The USU information center said tickets were sold out.

PAGE 6

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

FUN & GAMES

SUDOKU: Fill the 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 sub-grids that compose the grid contain all of the digits from 1 to 9.

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis / McClatchy-Tribune

Across

1 Easter season: Abbr.

4 62-Across coat 7 Interest fig.

10 Long, on Molokai 11 Experience with enthusiasm 13 Pi follower 14 "Out" crier 15 Chic "Bye" 16 Charged particle 17 Detox place 19 Bridal emanations 21 Reminiscent of venison 22 Dweeb 23 Red state?

26 Easy gaits

29 Given a hand 30 Annabella of "The Sopranos" 31 Chased (after) 32 Whirling 34 Farm feed 35 Computer that once came in "flavors" 37 Biscuit, maybe 38 Strokes a 62-Across 39 Greek cheese 40 First name in one-liners 41 Actress Charlotte et al.

42 Fountain near the Spanish Steps 44 Buddy 45 __'acte

48 Flute part 50 Big enchilada 57 Babysitter's handful 58 New evidence may lead to one 59 Fawn spawner 60 With 62-Across, a hint to the starts of this puzzle's four longest Down answers 61 Slogan sites 62 See 60-Across

Down

1 Bit of mudslinging 2 Fruit of ancient Persia 3 Vatican Palace painter

4 Pet rocks, e.g.

5 News agcy. since 1958 6 Regret bitterly 7 Preceding 8 Numbskull 9 Bunches 11 Daedalus' creation 12 Combativeness 18 Cremona artisan 20 Red Square honoree 23 Lacking purpose 24 Juice extractor 25 Grab, as a line drive 26 D.C. network 27 Like most bawdy films 28 Lays down the law

33 Fig. on 26-Down 36 Gave in 38 Groom with care 43 Unmoving 44 Hull stabilizers 46 "__ bien!"

47 Big name in IRAs 48 Rustle 49 "Take __!"

50 Aflame 51 Angst-filled genre 52 Killer Birds, e.g.

53 Calendar abbr.

54 Recipe instruction 55 Soft murmur 56 Barrel at a bash

Fulton Street to return after 50 years MALL from Page 1 for the project, giving City Hall a green light to move ahead with the remodel.

The project will be funded by nearly $16 million in federal grants awarded to Fresno in addition to $1.8 million in Measure C funding for which the City is now able to apply.

“It’s hard to overstate how important this is because a healthy downtown really makes the entire Central Valley work again,” said Craig Scharton, owner of Peeve’s Public House in the Fulton Mall.

“It’s not about Fresno -- it’s about Selma, it is about Kermen and it’s about Sanger. When Downtown works, it allows everyone to have a small rural lifestyle, but they all come into this one great urban experience,” he said.

Voting for the project were Councilmen Blong Xiong, Oliver Baines, Clint Olivier, Steve Brandau and Lee Brand. Against it were Councilmen Paul Caprioglio and Sal Quintero.

The tension was palpable as advocates on both sides of the issue packed into the council’s chamber to try and sway the vote.

With the Downtown Fresno Partnership clad in orange shirts supporting the project, and the Save the Fulton Mall campaign in green, the two sides threw verbal jabs in the culmination of a bitter fiveyear battle over the mall’s future.

“The mall didn’t fail, the city of Fresno failed the mall,” Dixie Salazar, an artist who lives Downtown, said. “It was allowed to fall into its present state.

The mall is a historical and cultural asset worthy of renovation and refurberation.”

Proponents of the plan cited accessibility issues with the mall and the fact that nearly every other pedestrian mall in the country has been taken out.

Community members spoke for about three hours before council members had their chance to address the crowd.

Lee Brand, whose vote was a major question mark going into the meeting, spoke first coming out in support of the plan.

“The Fulton Mall has had 50 years to prove itself.

The property values have declined. The buildings deteriorated,” Brand said. “It’s simply not working.”

During his time, Sal Quintero rebutted calling for a compromise that would open up just half the mall to traffic. Under his plan, he would close off Fresno Street to Tulare Street to traffic creating a “town square.”

Caprioglio, while supporting the verification of the environmental impact report, was not convinced that the project’s cost would be covered by the grants.

“I believe what the mayor said about us not being able to take on anymore debt, but I haven’t seen a project yet that comes in on time and under budget,” Caprioglio said.

He also voiced concerns that lawsuits from local businesses and groups challenging the environmental impact report could drain City funds since the federal grants cannot be used to cover litigation costs.

“Just like any other project we bring forward, I don’t ever recall us putting into the capital budget the cost of litigation. We absorb that every year as part of our risk fund, and along with what the city attorney has in his budget,” said city manager Bruce Rudd.

While lawsuits brought against the City over the project may delay the project, construction is scheduled to begin in early 2015.

Photo by Katie Eleneke • The Collegian

Proponents of a plan to remodel the Fulton Mall to allow traffic march past the malls clock tower en route to Thursday's council meeting,

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS

PAGE 7

WOMEN’S HOOPS

Bulldogs take over Boise

By Christopher Livingston @senorlivingston

Fresno State guard Taylor Thompson tallied a team-high 24 points and four assists as the women’s basketball team held off the Boise State Broncos 78-72 in an overtime showdown in Boise.

“This is a win and it is so hard to win this time of the year, especially on the road,” Fresno State coach Raegan Pebley said.

“We’re going to really focus on the positive – we got a road win in a very important game against a team that was second place

in our conference.”

Fresno State outscored Boise State 10-4 in the overtime period, with Thompson netting eight of the Bulldogs’ points. The Broncos were 2 of 7 in field-goal attempts.

“We went to a defense in overtime that we hadn’t used yet, and I think that threw them off a bit,” Pebley said.

The Bulldogs outscored the Broncos 41-23 in the first half. The Broncos only shot 28.1 percent from the field, compared with the Bulldogs’ 51.7.

In the second half, the Broncos looked like a different team. They went on a 15-6 run in the first seven minutes of the stan-

Harris leads Fresno State in blowout over Boise State BASKETBALL from Page 8 away, enabling their opponents to come back and deliver heartbreaking losses.

They remembered those defeats, put all of that behind them and made sure to not let something like that happen in this matchup.

Johnson said that the Bulldogs’ inability to sustain a lead was how they used to play.

Now, he said the team has “turned the corner.”

“They’re getting better. They’re working hard, and we’re playing our best basketball

za to cut the Bulldogs’ lead in half. Threepoint shooting increased for Boise State.

After going 0 for 7 from behind the arc, it hit four in two minutes to trail by one, 48-47, with 11:10 left to play.

Boise State guard Yaiza Rodriguez, who tallied all of her 15 points in the second stanza, nailed a jumper with 17 seconds left to tie the game at 68 and send it into overtime.

Overall, the Bulldogs outshot the Broncos (45.5 percent to 39.7). Moriah Faulk came off the bench and earned her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Bree Farley (13)

and Alex Furr (10) also scored in double digits for Fresno State.

“I thought [Thompson] and Furr were very aggressive for us. They did exactly what we needed to do in overtime to get our opportunities at the rim and at the foul line,” Pebley said.

With the win, the Bulldogs swept the season series against Boise State.

Fresno State will remain on the road and visit San Diego State on Saturday before returning home on Friday for the regularseason finale against San Jose State.

Bulldogs show heavy offense heading into San Diego Classic

of the year right now,” Terry said.

The ‘Dogs will be back on their home court Saturday and look to win three in a row when they take on the No. 13-ranked team and conference-leader San Diego State. Prior to the matchup, Fresno State will be honoring legendary head coach Jerry Tarkanian. Johnson and Huddleston will be recognized for Senior Night.

“I hope to end it on the right note, go out with a bang. There’s no better stage than to do it against the top team in the conference” Johnson said.

“I just want to go out, have fun and enjoy the moment.”

Photo by Matt Vieira • The Collegian

Fresno State fearless going into weekend matchup BASEBALL from Page 8 “We’re very lucky that we have two front-running catchers,” Batesole said. “I can’t remember a year when we have two guys who are exceptional defensively and offensively.

“It seems like you usually have one guy who can do both, and a backup guy who’s either an offensive guy or very good defensively. I don’t see a reason to go with just one guy, so we’ll continue to alternate to keep them fresh. Maybe that’s why they’ve swung the bat so well.”

For Ward, there is a different approach to the game when only hitting than when faced with the responsibility of batting and catching.

“When I catch, I backup anything I can on defense and just be a leader out there,” Ward said. “When I’m hitting, I’m more focused into the pitcher than anything we’re really doing on defense.”

Scouting the Aggies The Aggies are entering the contest with a 7-1 record and a three-game winning streak. Starting tonight’s contest will be junior righty Daniel Mengden (1-1, 1.38 ERA).

Four Texas A&M players are hitting .300 or better this season. Catcher Troy Stein leads the team at .348, infielder Hunter Melton and outfielder Jace Statum are batting .333 and Logan Nottebrook .300.

On the mound, Grayson Long leads pitchers with no runs allowed and a .149 opponent batting average. In two starts

this season, he has only allowed seven hits and struck out nine.

Mengden has allowed eight hits and a .167 average. However, he leads his team in strikeouts (20) in 13 total innings pitched.

“He has an outstanding fastball and two outstanding breaking balls,” Batesole said.

“That’s why he’s likely to be a first-round draft pick.”

Head coach Rob Childress, who has been at the helm since 2006, leads the Aggies. His has a 330-183-2 overall record.

No pressure on the field The Bulldogs’ matchup against the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners was postponed due to rain Wednesday. That gave Fresno State more time to prepare for the Aggies.

“You like to get your bats in,” Batesole said. “Now we’re going to go from Sunday to Friday. It’s not ideal, but they’ll get through it.”

However, the Bulldogs will come into the weekend set clearheadedly. It doesn’t matter what conference the Aggies are in, or the fact that they are the 18th-ranked team in the nation.

Fresno State will play the game as if it is “playing the same team [it] did last week,” Ward said.

“I learned that [the Aggies] are no different than we are,” he said. “We can easily go in there and sweep them. And they can do the same to us.

“I think whichever team comes out that day and does the best is going to win. It can go either way.”

Fresno State pitcher Taylor Langdon hurls a ball toward the mound during the Bulldogs’ matchup against UC Riverside. The Bulldogs will remain on the road and participate in the San Diego Classic this weekend.

SOFTBALL from Page 8 Giving Compton a day off, she used three pitchers: Taylor Langdon, Hannah Harris and Kiley Shae Aldridge. Both Langdon and Harris hurled 44 pitches, and Aldridge threw 38.

“That was our game plan,” Ford said.

“Tennessee swings the bat really well, and the biggest thing a pitcher can do is mess with a hitter’s timing. We went with Langdon first, because she does a great job of hitting her spots and keeping the ball down.”

Bringing in Harris, Ford said, was due to the difference in pitching styles. While Langdon was all about placing the ball accurately low in the strike zone, Harris is more focused on velocity. By throwing harder pitches, the Bulldogs were able to fool the Lady Volunteers.

Aldridge, a lefty, added a bigger distinction among the Bulldog pitching staff.

Although charged with the loss, she didn’t allow an earned run in her one-inning appearance.

Production at the plate Five Fresno State hitters batted .300 or more during the Mary Nutter Classic.

Senior Brooke Ortiz led the team with .389, followed by sophomore second baseman Whitney Smith (.375), freshman left fielder Kierra Willis (.333) and senior third baseman Vonnie Martin (.308).

Willis, who shares time in left field with senior Kapri Angotti, also showed good plate discipline by earning six walks over the five-game stretch.

“I think [Willis] is still developing,” Ford said. “Defensively, we’re trying to get her as many innings as we can to help her develop. What she brings to the plate is speed, so she has that great balance of power and speed.”

Adding to the production was senior

Stesha Brazil, who slugged two home runs during the tournament. She is currently eighth all-time in home runs as a Bulldog.

“Stesha’s on fire,” Ford said. “She’s seen the ball really well. She has come up in some very clutch situations. This is her second year with us. She’s a senior and is very comfortable in her skin.

“That’s what you look for as a hitter.

When you’re in those hitter counts, and you see the pitch that you’re looking for, you stay relaxed and execute through that.”

Scouting the opponents This weekend, the Bulldogs will face five more foes in the San Diego State Classic. With the exception of Tennessee, the Bulldogs will face each opponent for the first time in 2014.

Fresno State will face the University of Ilinois-Chicago (UIC) for the first time in program history on Friday. The Flames are 2-11 this season after finishing 2013 with a record of 23-25 (16-5 in the Horizon League). Sixth-year coach Michelle Venturella, the reigning Horizon League Coach of the Year, leads them.

“UIC may not necessarily have the best record,” Ford said, “but the scouting reports we’ve received have all said that it will fight to the last out.”

Later that afternoon, the Bulldogs will play Brigham Young University, a team they hold a 9-3 advantage against. The Cougars, who played a different pool of teams in last week’s Mary Nutter Classic, had an identical record during the tournament as Fresno State (2-3). The last time the two teams squared off was last March 1, which Fresno State won 5-4.

“BYU is a young team,” Ford said.

“They are a little bit more longball hitters this year. They’re going through a little bit of ups and downs, and that’s what happens when you’re a young team.”

SPORTS

8

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014

MEN’S HOOPS

Bulldogs bust Broncos Fresno State beats Boise State 76-56, hosts San Diego State on Saturday

By Daniel Leon @DanLeon25

Photo by Katie Eleneke • The Collegian

Fresno State sophomore guard Marvelle Harris makes his way toward the bucket during the Bulldogs’ 76-56 victory over the Boise State Broncos.

Fresno State sophomore guard Marvelle Harris scored a game-high 26 points Wednesday night at the Save Mart Center as the Fresno State men’s basketball team handed the Boise State Broncos their most lopsided loss of the season.

The Bulldogs (15-14, 8-8 Mountain West) terminated the Broncos’ (18-10, 8-7 MW) threegame win streak and limited them to 38 percent shooting en route to the 76-56 conference win. This was the second meeting between the two this season. The Broncos won the Jan. 4 meeting 86-79.

“I thought our guys did a great job defensively tonight,” Fresno State head coach Rodney Terry said. “Overall, I think the execution was really good from start to finish.”

Fresno State established a double-digit lead and held it for a majority of the night, its largest being 22 points. Boise State went on a 7-0 run in the second half to cut the ‘Dogs’ lead to 13.

However, Harris and the Bulldogs didn’t let off the gas pedal. They continued to play sound defense and generate the efficiency on offense to pull away. Harris credits his big night to the fluid ball movement from his teammates and the assists they provided.

“I felt good, and my team-

mates just kept giving me the ball,” Harris said. “They knew I was hot. There was a lot of good ball movement, and I happened to be the open man.”

The Broncos entered the matchup leading the conference in points per game (ppg) with 77.6.

Keys for the Bulldogs were guarding Boise State’s ppg leader Anthony Drmic and keeping physical forward Ryan Watkins away from the rim. They did just that as they held Drmic to two points in the game.

The ‘Dogs used a variety of players to guard Watkins as he was held to just four points and one rebound in the first half.

Other Bulldogs in double figures were seniors Tyler Johnson and Allen Huddleston. Johnson, who was second on the team with 15, shot 4 of 12 from the field and 2 of 4 from behind the arc. Huddleston, on the other hand, sunk 5 of 8 shots for 12 points. Johnson also had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in the victory.

After starting 1-7 in conference play, the ‘Dogs have bounced back in the latter part of the season by coming out on top in seven of their last eight contests. Terry says that a key to their recent success has to do with Johnson’s leadership.

In several games this season, the ‘Dogs let their leads slip

See BASKETBALL, Page 7

BASEBALL

The SEC comes to town Photo by Matt Vieira • The Collegian

Fresno State outfielder Taylor Tempel dashes to first base during the Bulldogs’ home opener versus Grand Canyon. Fresno State will face Texas A&M of the Southeastern Conference beginning tonight at Pete Beiden Field.

Fresno State hosts Texas A&M for first time since 1988

By Christopher Livingston @senorlivingston

It has been almost 17 years since the Fresno State baseball team and the Southeastern Conference (SEC)-member Texas A&M Aggies squared off. That was the first game of the 1997 NCAA Palo Alto Regional, and the Bulldogs won 2-1.

Tonight, the teams will face off in the first of a three-game nonconference set.

“The thing that will help keep these guys extra motivated is that you’re bringing in an SEC team and a ranked team,” said Fresno State head coach Mike Batesole.

“Hopefully, we’ll approach it with that same intensity that we did last weekend.”

That intensity was shown dur-

ing the Bulldogs’ three-game sweep of conference-foe Nevada.

Fresno State catcher and designated hitter Taylor Ward, the Mountain West Player of the Week, went 7 for 18 with a home run, eight RBIs and four runs scored.

Ward attributes the sweep to the team’s pitching and offense.

“My accolades are no big deal,” Ward said. “What we’ve been

doing on the field – making plays behind our pitchers and our hitters going on [base] in front of me – has been great.”

Both Ward and Taylor Woodward have alternated catching and designated hitting in the past few contests. Woodward is hitting .370 with six RBIs and a .444 slugging percentage.

See BASEBALL, Page 7

SOFTBALL

Bulldogs focus on next road trip

By Christopher Livingston @senorlivingston

Early in the season, Fresno State coach Trisha Ford’s goal is to enhance her team’s mental toughness.

After going 4-20 at home during the 2013 campaign, the Bulldogs are focusing on their weaknesses in the preconference slate. They will play twice as many games on the road as they do at home (20 to 10), and their opponents are reputable.

Nine of Fresno State’s 19 opponents away from Bulldog Diamond – it faces No. 2-ranked Tennessee twice – made it to the NCAA Tournament last year.

And Ford said the tough schedule was created on purpose.

“Last year we struggled on the road,” she said. “For us to be able to play three weekends in a row, five games each weekend, it’s helping us set up for when we play conference.”

Or, as she puts it, “be comfortable being uncomfortable.”

This weekend, the Bulldogs are in their second consecutive weekend playing a tournament on the road. After going undefeated at home, Fresno State was less than .500 at the Mary Nutter Classic.

But the team did progress through the tournament, Ford said. Although things didn’t go the Bulldogs’ way against Arizona, they did show defensive improvement against Texas and matched their season high in runs against Virginia (11).

“We had some things that we need to come back home and improve on,” Ford said.

“We gave some teams a good run, and I think we’re going to build upon that.”

And one of those good runs came against Tennessee. In the final game of the Mary Nutter Classic, the Bulldogs stuck close to the Lady Volunteers and finally lost due to an error in the bottom of the seventh inning.

And the Bulldogs and Lady Volunteers will square off again in the upcoming San Diego Classic this Saturday.

“We were an out away from being able to clinch that win [over Tennessee],” Ford said.

“I think the more we play these types of programs, the more we will get comfortable with it. That’s only going to make us better in the end.”

A flexible-pitching strategy After Fresno State pitcher Jill Compton earned a decision in each of the first four games (2-2), Ford switched to a different method in the Tennessee matchup.

See BULLDOGS, Page 7