FRESNO STATE
COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU
SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922
FRIDAY ISSUE | JANUARY 31, 2014
LOCAL
EDUCATION
CAMPUS IN COLOR
Advocates call for immigration reform
Chancellor lays out agenda in State of the CSU speech
Fresno State rally asks Nunes to push the issue
By Jesse Franz The Collegian California State University Chancellor Timothy White discussed the need to produce more graduates to support the state’s economy in his State of the CSU address Wednesday. An additional $50 million will be invested in seven key areas to try to make that a possibility, he announced. Those areas include the hiring of more tenure-track faculty, changes to the advising system and increases in both the availability of online classes and extracurricular learning opportunities. “Our state needs one million more graduates by 2025 to enable the health of our economy,” said White. T h r o u g h t h e s e p r ograms, White set a goal of increasing the graduation rates for undergraduates by 10 percent and 5 percent for transfer students. He also addressed the need to repair the CSU system’s aging infrastructure, 48 percent of which is 40 years old or older. “The recession didn’t start this, but it did accelerate the deterioration of our infrastructure,” White said. “Indeed, the CSU’s deferred maintenance and capital-renewal backlog approaches $2 billion, which includes almost $500 million in prioritydeferred maintenance.” Fresno State was awarded $30 million in October to repair its aging and faulty electrical infrastructure.
By Nadia Pearl The Collegian Local councilmen, labor leaders and agriculture business owners demanded Wednesday that Rep. Devin Nunes push for comprehensive immigration reform, calling for change in the “broken” immigration system. The panel of multicultural speakers, organized by the Fresno State College Democrats, gathered together at the Free Speech Area and spoke out against an immigration process they say denies labor workers the fundamental right of citizenship. The group is calling for Republican It’s a N u n e s , t h e U . S . civil rights r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f California’s 22nd problem. It’s District that Fresno wrong if we State falls within, to take action and allow people push for a vote in the The speakers to work here, House. held signs of protest but not give during the event, such as, “Against them the same Rep. Nunes: 74% rights. of District Voters want Immigration Reform.” -- OLIVER BANES Fresno City COUNCILMAN Council member Oliver Banes said granting citizenship to working immigrants is “the right thing to do.” “It’s a civil rights problem,” he said. “It’s wrong if we allow people to work here, to play here, but not give them the same rights.” In Banes’ eyes, the current immigration system is creating an “underclass,” an issue he believes government needs to quickly address. Blong Xiong, also a Fresno City Council member, claimed that many immigrants’ version of the “American Dream” is a pathway to citizenship for themselves and their families. “We want to make sure this is our home
“ ”
See RALLY Page 6
RAIN AT LAST
Photo illustration by Katie Eleneke / The Collegian
With only one day left in the month, Thursday was the first rain Fresno saw all January, the National Weather Service in Hanford reported. Normally, Fresno receives just over two inches of rain in the first month of the year. There is a 20 percent chance of rain today, and the high is predicted to be 57 degrees.
Students get taste of USU experience By Matthew Jimenez The Collegian The University Student Union Recreation Center treated Fresno State students Thursday night to free bowling, billiards and Xbox for its beginning of the semester open house event. The USU Recreation Open House happens every semester, said Patricia Thomason, USU Recreation Center manager. “The purpose of this open house is to get people to know that we’re here,” said Thomason. “We want students to get familiarized with the facilities.” Only students who presented a valid Fresno
State student identification card were admitted. Fresno State students who attended the event received a “paw pass” that offers additional discounts throughout the semester for use of the USU facilities. Students also had an opportunity to participate in a free drawing. Winners received Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, movie tickets, Target gift cards, Starbucks gift cards or coupons. Thomason said the event always has a good turnout. An estimated 150 students were said to have See USU, Page 6
Matt Vieira / The Collegian
Students were able to play Xbox, play billiards and bowl for free Thursday night.
See CSU, Page 6
INSIDE
2 3 8
Super Bowl synonymous with consumerism Physical therapy program ranked 8th in nation Men’s hoops snaps skid with win over Wyoming