collegian.csufresno.edu
Monday, Mar. 12, 2018
ASI CANDIDATES WANT YOUR VOTE Pages 2-4
Fresno State’s Award-Winning Newspaper
SPRING
Sprouting selection
CULTURE
Shining a light to hushed voices through comedy By Bineet Kaur
@hellobineet
By Christian Mattos @ChrisssyMattos
P
lants grown by Fresno State students were sold Saturday at the Gibson Farm Market in hopes of raising funds for the campus nursery and farm. The Horticulture Nursery’s Spring Plant Sale featured discounted organic and conventional spring vegetable seedlings and fruit trees. “All of our plants are grown by our students and are grown on site so they are acclimated to our conditions,” said Calliope Correia, an instructional support technician from the department of plant science. She said the event allowed students’ hard work to be seen and utilized by the community. “It’s our time to interact with the public and show off what amazing things are happening and being grown throughout the farm,” Correia said. “There is a strong sense of pride in the students when they can sell something that they have nurtured and grown from the very beginning.” It was the fifth annual spring plant sale, and the most popular plant of the day was tomatoes, Correia said. Some of the other plants available included blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, cucumber, eggplant, zucchini and dandelion. Fresno State alumna Elizabeth Thomasian brought her own wagons to carry the plants. She picked out an apricot tree as well as tomatoes, squash, eggplant, zucchini and strawberry for her home garden. “Usually the Fresno State variety I find to be a stronger producer, and they usually have more flavor than the everyday variety that you would purchase from, say, Home Depot or Lowe’s,” Thomasian said. Alan Preston, an instructional support technician from the chemistry department, came to get tomatoes and peppers for sal-
Benjamin Cruz • The Collegian
Patrons of the Gibson Farm Market wait patiently in line in order to achieve their deals on plants during Gibson Market Spring Plant Sale on March 10, 2018. The annual sale is hosted by the Fresno State Horticulture Nursery and provides the public with special priced organic and conventional spring plants.
sa. He said he was pleased by the variety of plants for sale. “The horticulture greenhouse seems to bring in some different varieties that you wouldn’t find anywhere at the big-box stores. Especially today, the price is great because everything’s discounted,” Preston said. In addition to the plants, the Gibson Farm Market also featured some sales and new products of its own. Fresh citrus and dried mangoes were available to shoppers. Hot dogs and bacon products were 25 percent off, and Fresno State-made jams were 15 percent off, said Emily Baker, a marketing intern at the market. “Not only are [shoppers] getting plants on sale, but then they get to come in and see what else our campus has to offer, whether it be the dairy products or the nuts or the meat,” Baker said. The food processing unit was also offering different flavors of jam to sample. Culinology major Andrea Valdovinos had strawberry,
mango and blueberry jams for customers to taste. Valdovinos explained that the jams are made in a half-jacketed kettle that allows for steam production and control while frozen fruit and sugar cook inside. Other ingredients, like pectin or citric acid, may be added depending on the jam. “For me, I feel like store-bought ones have a lot of other things added to them, and these – it’s mainly just fruit,” Valdovinos said. “We try to keep away from adding too much.” By the end of the day, Correia said, around 800 people had come to the event. Fifteen minutes before the 9 a.m. opening, she said there were easily 100 people there. Correia said that anyone can garden, whether it be on acres of land or just an indoor plant. “Gardening is good for the soul,” she said. “We are lucky to live in a climate we can garden year round.”
The Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK) visited Fresno State on Saturday and Sunday for a weekend of comedy, theater and educating others on microaggressions. Microaggressions are described as covert remarks with underlying implications that the remark is influenced by someone’s demographics, such as race or gender. FAWK is a Minnesota-based group composed of three Asian-American women: May Lee Yang, Saymoukda Vongsay and Naomi Ko. Yang and Vongsay are both playwrights and poets. Ko is a writer and actress who has written for Warner Bros. The group encourages Asian women to deconstruct stereotypes pertaining to them by being assertive and true to themselves. FAWK formed when Ko performed at a poetry reading and was asked to censor her material. Ko was asked to avoid inappropriate topics and swear words. She said she felt that, as a result, she wasn’t allowed to perform to her fullest potential. “Because she was censored, she wasn’t able to be her full self as an artist,” Vongsay said. “She wasn’t funny. She wasn’t witty.” So, the three women created a space in which they could feel free to perform in the way they would like to. “As Asian-American women artists, there are these assumptions on what kind of topics we should be talking about,” Vongsay said. “We are sick of people’s expectations of what Asian women artists should be.” The members of FAWK explained that at times, people expect Asian women to be soft spoken and to restrict their speech in order to be perceived as more polite. Gena Lew Gong, a Fresno State lecturer in the anthropology department, said she felt it was crucial to bring FAWK to Fresno State because the university’s Asian-American students don’t find many opportunities to attend events geared toward them. “We thought that by bringing in a
As Asian-American women artists, there are these assumptions on what kind of topics we should be talking about. We are sick of people’s expectations of what Asian women artists should be. — Gena Lew Gong, Fresno State lecturer See CULTURE, Page 7
OPINION
GOT OPINIONS? We want to hear them. COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Pope for president
Miracle for president I’m studying business marketing here at Fresno State. I’m an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha. I’m a senior and for my last year, I’m hoping to be your ASI President. I love being part of organizations here and representing the students. I come from a different background than most, but at Fresno State, amongst all the other students with diverse backgrounds, I feel at home. I grew up in Fresno and was very family focused until I got into college and began focusing on school. My parents work in a small janitorial business and I started working with them to help the family when I was 15 years old. Since then, I’ve worked with my parents or been employed elsewhere. I believe that everything can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Fresno State helped me to grow in ways I didn’t think were possible. Given this opportunity to give back, my platform points include mental health awareness, sexual assault prevention, parking improvements and the addition of healthy food options. These are important points nationally, and they affect Fresno State as well. I want to be your president to confront these issues. -- Corey Miracle
Solorio for Arts and Humanities As a fourth-year student majoring in communication, I, Salvador Solorio, am seeking to represent the students of the College of Arts and Humanities. I am a first-generation college student; my hometown is Delano. As a campus tour guide, I have had the pleasure of inspiring students to pursue higher education at Fresno State. At Nutrishop Fresno, where I work, I motivate individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Both positions enable me to help others. As an ASI senator, I could expand my passion to help the entire student body. I believe anything can be solved through communication, and I am both able and unafraid to speak up and stand up for what is right for Fresno State students. To me, Fresno State is much more than just our college. Fresno State is our home away from home. Fresno State is our family and it is our lives. Fresno State has become who we are and I wish to do the best for my home. Thus, I seek to serve as the voice for students in the College of Arts and Humanities. Let’s make change. Let’s make some noise.
I am running for ASI President. I have experience running an organization in both the private and public sector. The most important part of choosing a candidate to vote for is what they want to accomplish. Which leads me to my campaign platform: 1. Student family death support. 2. Emergency tampon/pad baskets across campus. 3. Increase paths to fix classroom issues. 4. Student mental health awareness and stronger suicide prevention programs. 5. Emergency alcoholic/ drug support and training for students. 6. Crime Prevention for high crime areas around Fresno State. 7. Emphasizing programs Fresno State has for students.For more details about how I plan to implement these ideas, or have an idea about what you want to see done, please contact me at: carter_pope@my.fresnostate. edu -- Carter Pope II
I am running for ASI President on a slate named All4Students. I am currently studying psychology and criminology. Alongside my studies, I serve as the ASI vice president of external affairs and participate in many other organizations around campus, including Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law Fraternity, and The Smittcamp Honors College. As president, I want to create an atmosphere of openness that will encourage students to feel comfortable vocalizing their individual and collective concerns. If elected, I will work to protect and expand the rights of every member of our celebrated college community. Above all, I hope to help foster the development of a positive school environment while making tangible and concrete changes to strengthen each student’s success. Thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy. Please reach out to me at wdemitria@mail. fresnostate.edu with any questions you may have. -- Demi Wack
Warmerdam for Cherry for VP of External Affairs VP of finance I am running for the Executive Vice President of Finance position for this upcoming school year. I am currently a junior and have decided that I would like to spend my last year at Fresno State making a difference in the campus that has provided a start to my young career. I have served in several treasurer positions for different clubs and organizations on campus and am pursuing a degree in finance, a perfect background for this position. As the founder and past president of the Fresno State Chess Club, I understand the difficulty in acquiring financial assistance for organizations here on campus. This will be at the top of my list as I make an effort to improve upon this process, and others, that helps clubs grow into the organizations they hope to become. -- Ben Warmerdam
-- Sal Solorio
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Wack for president
The Collegian California State University, Fresno 5201 N. Maple Ave., M/S SA42 Fresno, CA 93740-8027 News Line: (559) 278-5732 Business Line: (559) 278-5735 Advertising Line: (559) 278-8179
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Collegian requested letters to the editor from every candidate running for the 2018 ASI elections. The Collegian only printed letters from those who responded to our request by deadline. To see these letters online go to bit.ly/2p2NvXW Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Arts & Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Digital Editor Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Layout Designer Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter
I am a Fresno State student in my third year at the Craig School of Business. I am an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. I am running for the position of vice president of external affairs because I felt that it would best fit my talents and strengths. These being the ability to listen to student needs and act on them, the ability to see an issue and solve it quickly and my ability to work well with others. I think of myself as a man of action, a problem solver. Each day when I walk to class I pay attention to my surroundings, I look for things to fix, and I acknowledge what is good. Issues I see currently on all campuses across the state fit right into the campaign points of my slate. These are campus safety, mental health awareness, sexual assault prevention, improvements to campus parking and healthier food options for our students. As the Fresno State VPEX I plan to work closely with other schools to best solve the problems we face today. My pride for Fresno State and its betterment are unmatched. -- Ryan Cherry
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Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado Staff Reporter Chueyee Yang Staff Reporter Razmik Cañas Staff Reporter Selina Falcon Multimedia Reporter Vanessa Romo Multimedia Reporter Hayley Salazar Multimedia Reporter Benjamin Cruz General Sales Manager Alyssa Honore National Sales Manager Juan Alvarez Special Projects Manager William Ramirez Agency Sales Manager Michael Ford Art Director Nugesse Ghebrendrias Assistant Art Director Angelica Hernandez Distribution Manager
Bineet Kaur Chrissy Mattos Jorge Rodriguez Crea Jackson Ramuel Reyes Eric Zamora Bailey Margosian Omar Lopez Jr Danielle Schneider Jacqueline Solorio-Ayala Casey Supple Kong Thao David Greenwald
Wenthe for president Let’s keep tuition low. Let’s fix parking. Let’s make our campus safe. Let’s add healthy food options. My goal ever since I became involved with student government has never changed – to be a megaphone for students with the quietest voices and to improve the quality of our education. As a first generation LatinoAmerican student, I understand the hardships that students on our campus face every day, and I am dedicated to connecting students with the resources they need. Whether it was during my time as ASI senator for clubs and organizations or while serving as president of the Mock Trial Club and the Moot Court Club, helping Bulldogs has always been my number one priority. I choose to put my faith in the amazing talent that I find on our campus every day, and I hope you do too. We are all students, we are all dreamers, and most importantly, we are all Fresno State Bulldogs. If you want to make a change, vote for my slate, Bulldogs United. We will never let you down. -- Sebastian Wenthe
UPCOMING
Associated Students, Inc. Presidential Debate Date: March 16 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Bulldog Zone Associated Students, Inc. Election Date: March 20-22 Location: Online and in front of Kennel Bookstore
CORRECTIONS: In The Collegian’s March 7 front page story, “Kids Day is more than a fundraiser for these Fresno State students,” Angelina Garcia’s name was misspelled in the “before” and “after” graphic. In The Collegian’s March 7 issue, the article “What we learned after speaking with this year’s presidential candidates” incorrectly named Corey Miracle’s slate. The correct name is “The Miracle Workers.” For corrections to a story or printed items in The Collegian, email the editor at collegian@csufresno.edu Accountancy Assistant General Manager Financial Manager Advertising Faculty Adviser Editorial Faculty Adviser MCJ Department Chair
Edgar Jimenez-Ordaz Rich Marshall Cheryl Carlson Jan Edwards George Hostetter Dr. Katherine Adams
The Collegian carries four different ethnic supplements inserted several times throughout each semester into its print publication. Each supplement is produced by its own staff and advisers and is separate from The Collegian. The news stories or opinions in the supplements do not reflect those 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. All content Copyright © 2018 The Collegian. Letters to the Editor (collegian@csufresno.edu): All letters submitted to The Collegian should be between 250-500 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.
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018
Taylor for Jordan College of Ag I am currently running for the ASI position of JCAST senator. For those of you who don’t know, I am a sophomore student majoring in animal science with a pre-veterinary emphasis. I am an active member of club organizations such as the ASI activities committee, swine show team, Sigma Alpha sorority, Red Wave show committee, and an ag ambassador. I represented my college in Lanzhou, China, in a one-of-a-kind Fresno State/Gansu Agricultural University student exchange program last summer. As JCAST senator, I hope to further the achievements of JCAST members by hosting several socials and other fun events for my constituents. I also hope to represent student interests for not only my college but those also on campus. I also wanted readers of The Collegian to know a few silly things about me so they feel like they know me before the election comes around. I am a twin, and my hobbies include hiking, running 5Ks and reading. Best of luck to all of those running for office! Please do not hesitate to email me at jacqueline.taylor@mail.fresnostate. edu with questions or concerns. -- Jacqueline Taylor
Singh for Craig school of Business I’m proud to say that I’m a PunjabiSikh American. I was born in Chandigarh, India; I was raised in the U.S. Growing up, I had the best of both worlds – accustoming to Indian culture in an immigrant household and American culture outside of home. My hobbies include singing, rapping, cracking jokes and spending time with my close ones. I represent myself as a down-to-earth, outgoing person. It’s not the caffeine that makes me energetic; you don’t want to see me hyper. I can be childish with such tomfoolery. I live every day like it’s my last – stress only accumulates, it doesn’t resolve anything. In regards to business whether it’s academics or extracurricular activities, I’m serious about resolving issues. I’ll make sure our Craig School of Business students get the best college education their pockets put forth. I want to see our students smile in their caps and gowns with confidence about preparing to enter the workforce. If you’re looking for a leader who’ll get the job done, then I’m your choice. Words such as “I tried” are the last things I’ll say. I believe that effective leaders don’t give up easily, we fight until our last breath. -- Tej Pratap Singh
Matoian for VP of External Affairs I am running to become your vice president of external affairs. I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in economics through the Smittcamp Family Honors College. I am currently the vice chair of the USU board of directors, and a committee member of Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity. I believe that I can make Fresno State an even greater place for the
THE COLLEGIAN • OPINION student body. Alongside my slate, Bulldogs United, I hope to create a safe and interactive campus, through tackling crucial issues such as parking and campus safety. Some of my top priorities, if elected, would be increasing the frequency of the Bulldog Express between the various parking lots, different buildings on campus and Greek Row, as well as eliminating metered parking and increasing the number of green parking spots. As VPEX, I will work tirelessly to represent each and every student’s interests and point of view. -- Nicholas Matoian
Salazar for Craig school of Business I am running for senator of the Craig School of Business. I am currently a sophomore, majoring in computer information systems. I will work my hardest because I want to make sure everyone is best represented. I will listen. I will ask for your concerns as students. I love helping others and will always try my best to do so. I hope to motivate each other as we strive to make Fresno State more efficient. I hope to accomplish this with my experience as an ASI finance committee member. I want to be involved in Fresno State and make a good impact. I hope we can come together in order to achieve these goals. I hope you can put your trust in me to become your senator. I hope to not only be your senator but also a friend. Please do not hesitate to tell me your concerns. -- Alondra Salazar
Sansom for Arts and Humanities I’m running for senator of the College of Arts and Humanities alongside several other candidates on a slate called All4Students. I’m currently a second-year communication major and a member of the Barking Bulldogs Debate Team. I’m also vice president of the Debate Club and an assistant to the tutoring program in the Learning Center. I am proud to represent the College of Arts and Humanities as a student and as a debater – I would love to represent CAH as a senator as well. I grew up in and around this campus and am personally invested in the wellbeing and needs of the students here. I want to serve as a representative for the students, programs, and clubs within the College of Arts and Humanities. As one of the largest colleges on campus, I want to help make sure our students’ voices are heard and that their needs are met. As senator, I would take it upon myself to make sure that the time that students spend and dedicate to this college is a positive experience that prepares them for their future endeavors. -- Hunter Sansom
Merzoian for Lyles College I am a junior in the Lyles College of engineering, majoring in computer engineering with a minor in electrical engineering. I am a member of Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers, I served as treasurer of Eta Kappa Nu last semester, and I am currently the vice-president of Tau Beta Pi. While the engineering program at Fresno State is excellent, I believe there is always room for improvement. As ASI senator, I would like to work on continuing to replace our outdated lab equipment and computers. I would also like to work on making research opportunities more widely known and advocating for increased funding for our college. Finally, I would like to keep open lines of communication between me and the students so I can accurately represent their needs and concerns. Thank you, and I hope you consider voting for me for ASI senator, Lyles College of Engineering. -- Michael K. Merzoian
Rivera for Science, Math I am running to be your next Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) senator for the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM). During the 2016-2017 academic year, I was elected to be your ASI senator and have a full understanding of its responsibilities. I am proud of our many accomplishments such as the installation of the water-refilling station in our Science I Building. Additionally, I am heavily involved in the College of Science and Math as I belong to a research lab and am a member of several programs and clubs. Essentially, I encompass the heart of a CSM student who can also serve as your ambitious senator. A few of my future goals are to increase study area space, fight for more research funding and support all of CSM’s clubs and programs. With your vote, I promise to work toward your success and help reach your career goals. -- Lemuel Vince Rivera
Busby for Social Sciences I believe that my broad involvement in the College of Social Sciences makes me a qualified candidate. As a member of the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, and Mock Trial Team, I’ve come to know members of the college from all majors. As the media coordinator for mock trial, I have experience reaching a large number of students and organizations on campus. As the academic development chair for Phi Alpha Delta, I have advocated for student’s academic wellbeing. Finally, as a member of the legal committee within ASI, I am wellversed on the ins and outs of student government. As senator, I want to increase unity and collaboration between all majors within the college. I believe that in order for students to be successful, they must be engaged and involved with their university, and as senator for College of Social Science, I want to make that a greater possibility for every student. I would be thrilled at the opportunity to represent my fellow students. I am passionate about this university and determined to keep us on a path of success. Go Dogs! --Colleen E. Busby
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Gutierrez for Senator At-Large I am a first-generation college student. I am running for a senator atlarge position. While in that position, I plan to create a club that encourages diversity and interpersonal relationships. As a student in my junior year, I know that equality and fair rights on campus is very important. I hope to represent students the best I can. Vote for me! -- Gina V. Gutierrez
Zuniga for Senator At-Large As a first-generation student, having the position of a senator would be spectacular. Possessing the determination to make my family proud, emphasis that going the extra mile to achieve my goals is an aspect that I am comfortable with. I have accomplished many tasks that have prepared me for this position in high school. Some of those positions are being a senator for two years, being in the student government, and being in the scholarship committee for the California Scholarship Federation club. As a freshman at Fresno State, I have become involved on campus by having a leadership position at USU Productions. Thus, it would be of immense honor to serve as your senator. There are many modifications that can and should be made on campus to help us, the students, reach our full potential. I aspire to make our campus initiate a better eco-friendly environment, better facilities, various community service opportunities, and, of course, take your input and with the best of my ability, transform it into reality. I would like to finish by stating two fun facts about myself. I participate in the Women’s March at Sacramento, and I am an Oakland Raiders fan. Thank you. -- Elizabeth Rocha Zuniga
Johnson for Senator At-Large I am running for senator at-large. I am an animals science major with an emphasis in livestock business management. I have been involved in several groups on campus including my active membership in Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural sorority. I feel confident in my ability to lead because of my previous experience. I previously served as Vice President for two years in Sigma Alpha and have held several chair positions. As a Fresno native, this campus holds a special place in my heart. It is because of the history here that I want to ensure this campus is safe and that the students are heard. I believe in the students on this campus, and I know that we will be the future of Fresno. My platform points include: mental health awareness, sexual assault prevention, healthier on-campus food options, and improvements to parking and safety. These are important points that students recognize as factors that affect Fresno State. If I am elected, I will do my best to confront these issues and help Fresno become the best it can be. -- Bryce Johnson
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Ortega for Senator At-Large I am running for a senator at-large position. I am a third-year political science and English major with a great interest in making sure that we as California State University students can have a quality education. I run Students for Quality Education (SQE), am the current M.O.L.E. president, and have been co-chair of M.E.Ch.A; through these and other organizations I have been part of organizing events relating to undocumented students, stopping tuition from increasing and food insecurity at Fresno State and other CSUs. As a student at-large I have spoken before the state senate in support of undocumented students, assisted in convincing Fresno’s local BOT member to vote against a tuition increase, and with SQE conducted research surveys about CSU student struggles in paying tuition and food insecurity. If elected, I will be able to help ensure a quality education for all Fresno State students. On April 4, SQE will be busing students to Sacramento in an attempt to ensure more funding for the CSUs, and to stop our tuition from increasing once again. For more information on what is going on, and to reserve a spot please visit the SQE website. http://csusqe.org/ -- Ramon Jimenez Ortega
Malhi for Senator At-Large As a previous member of the ASI senate, I had the privilege of being the senator of diversity, equity and inclusion. I was the first person to take this position during my first year in ASI. I worked on creating and strengthening relationships that may have been lost in the past and tried my very best in order to make every student feel welcomed on Fresno State’s campus. I have worked with the Cross Culture and Gender Center and international students, thus far, and have also been involved in the search for a Title IX coordinator and examining the diversity of our student and faculty population. I have worked to create a basis for the position of senator of diversity but feel that much more remains to be done and many relationships are still left to create. I hope to achieve the goal of having a base set for diversity in the term. -- Amber K. Malhi
Milliorn for Senator At-Large I am a third-year student majoring in political science, and I am running for ASI senator at-large. I am actively involved on campus as a collegiate member of Phi Mu Sorority and as vice president of programs on the Fresno State Panhellenic Executive Board. As a Fresno native, the future of our community has always been extremely important to me. Fresno State has provided me so many incredible opportunities, and I hope to provide even more opportunities to our Bulldog family.
THE COLLEGIAN • OPINION As the university culture is changing throughout our nation, I want to bring your concerns and wants into fruition. The topics of mental health awareness, sexual assault prevention and the addition of healthier food options need to be more prevalent on our campus. On top of these platform points, if elected, I will pursue more resources for the clubs and organizations on our campus. It is important for college students to get involved and make an impact; I plan to be the go-between of students, faculty, advisers, and clubs/ organizations. As college students, we are the future of our community; help me “Build Fresno’s Future.” Thank you for your consideration and go dogs! -- Madison S. Milliorn
Rodriguez for Senator At-Large I am a fourth-year music vocal performance major. I am an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha and active musician in the Valley and abroad. I am running for the position of senator at-large. I have held numerous positions in my tenure in my fraternity and musicoriented clubs and from these positions I see myself being able to help lead and make change on our campus. Being from the Valley and starting my collegiate career in Fresno, I have such a heart for this beautiful city. I want to see mental health awareness, sexual assault prevention, parking improvements and healthier food options at the forefront of discussion, and I want to see major changes as we move into this year. As students, we have the power to change and we can help Build Fresno’s Future. -- Christopher R.B. Rodriguez
Perez-Alvarez for Senator At-Large If you’re reading this, it is not too late to vote for me for senator at-large! I am a Fresno State freshman majoring in political science. I decided to major in political science because of former President Barack Obama; in fact I have a wallet-sized picture of him on my wall in front of my desk. Upon following his footsteps, I have been convinced in becoming more involved in my community, specifically at my school. I am running for senator at-large because I am very passionate about improving the conditions of Fresno State for the benefit of all the students. One area that I am very focused on is parking and safety, as I am a daily commuter; I travel from Visalia to Fresno and back for five days out of the week. It is very tiring to have to devote my time searching for parking instead of using that time to get to my classes on time. As a senator at-large, I will bring forth a proposal for a new parking structure for students. Thus, when I become a senator at-large, my ideas of enhancing Fresno State will become a reality. -- Beverly Perez-Alvarez
Qutob for Senator At-Large Hisham is an open minded, aspiring and willing freshman who is a business major while also double minoring in political science and philosophy. Although he is young, Hisham has a great deal of experience being a leader as he has been his youth group president for two years, office manager at a law firm for 17 months, captain of his high school soccer team, as well as being captain of his high school speech and debate team, and much much more. He has been involved in many clubs in which he was able to lend a hand and help better the community. He is running because he one day hopes of becoming a politician and run for city councilor. Hisham is running for senator at large and wishes that his diverse background helps him relate to the majority of the student body. He is more than willing to sit down and have a conversation to discuss his plans, goals and any issues with any one that wishes to. His goal is to have every single student learn something new about a different culture before graduating from our great school because as Bulldogs, we stand for discovery, diversity and distinction. -- Hisham A. Qutob
Muniz for Senator At-Large I am running to become your ASI senator at-large. I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in political science and communications. I serve on the ASI Legislative Committee, and it has been my pleasure to have been able to get this experience and meet such awesome people. I have served my student body in Associated Students Inc. since the day I stepped on the best campus. Through my experience, I am confident that my influence will continue to encourage our proud tradition of involvement and best student representation at our university. My willingness to volunteer my time and effort, as well as express my opinions, will bring positive changes and will enhance students’ experiences at Fresno State. In my term I intend on creating a safe and welcoming community. I’m running for senator at-large because I enjoy advocating for student needs. I promise I would use my voice to ensure and meet those needs presented. Every student should have a voice. I would be excited to get this opportunity to represent the students of Fresno State and receive your vote March 20-22. -- Ruby Muniz
Karam for Senator At-Large I am a junior electrical engineering major, and I am running for a senator at-large position this year. I’m the current senator for the Lyles College of Engineering, so I have been actively involved in student government already. I hope to continue my service to you, the students, by running for ASI again. Academics are the most important
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018 aspect of college to me, so that is why I hope to specifically be the senator of undergraduate and graduate academic affairs. I want to ensure that all students have the most resources available to them as possible, whether it be research, basic needs, advising or anything else they deem important. We are all students with similar goals, and there is no reason politics or bickering should get in the way of student success here at Fresno State. I believe that my previous experience in ASI and my passion for academics and learning will prepare me well for this position. Thank you, and go Dogs! -- Elias J. Karam
Copher for Senator At-Large I am running for the position of senator at-large. I am a second year student in the Smittcamp Family Honors College studying psychology and communications. I am a pre-law student that is passionate about student participation on campus, and hope that, if elected, I can encourage and motivate more students to take bold steps to get involved, as well, whether that is by running for office or simply joining a club. I am a member of the Delta Gamma sorority on campus, a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the primary pre-law fraternity on campus, and a national fellow with a global advocacy non profit called Vital Voices. Through this fellowship, I received high-profile training in engaging groups in public participation, communications and strategic planning—all skills I plan to practice in office if elected. I hope you will give me the chance to represent all students as a senator, at-large! I promise, if elected, I will work tirelessly to make our amazing campus the best it can be. Thank you in advance for your consideration! -- Claire D. Copher
Martinez for Senator At-Large I am running for vice president of external affairs on the slate, All4Students. My grandparents were migrant workers from the Central Valley, and my mother and father were first-generation Fresno State graduates. From an early age, they instilled in me the importance of education and hard work. I am determined to ensure that Fresno State is affordable and accessible to all students from all backgrounds. As senator of undergraduate and graduate Affairs, I have advocated for more research opportunities to help prepare students for post graduate work, as well as online and night classes to help them graduate on time. I also have experience working with local colleges to advocate on behalf of students in the Central Valley. I will continue to coordinate with colleges to address issues like mental health, crime and DACA. As President of the Debate Club as well as co-chair of MEChA, I have organized several community efforts to celebrate and serve my community. I will use this determination to reflect the values of our campus and boldly face the challenges before us. Vote for Primavera Leal Martinez to be your next vice president of external affairs. -- Primavera Leal Martinez
A&E
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MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018
THEATER
Latinx play ‘Lydia’ opens Friday By Eric Zamora @ehhreec
K
enia Morales lies still on a bare mattress on the floor of the Dennis and Cheryl Woods Theatre. She breathes deeply and opens her eyes, with a look of shock on her face. “She touched me and I flew. Touched my fault line. And I flew,” she said. Morales is rehearsing her role as Ceci in Fresno State’s University Theatre production of “Lydia” by Octavio Solis. The play’s opening night will be March 16 at 7:30 p.m. Students in the production rehearsed the play alongside their director and recent addition to the theatre arts department, Latinx theatre professor Gina Sandí-Díaz. “Lydia” follows a family living in El Paso, Texas, in the early 1970s after Ceci, the middle child, is left in a vegetative state following an accident. The family hires Lydia, an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, to come and look after Ceci. “It’s a story about scapegoating as much as it is a story about love, and how do we deal with the impositions of society and how those impositions affect who we want to become in our lives,” Sandí-Díaz said. The play is a coming-of-age tale with layered and complex young characters driving the story. Blending of generations and cultures come into play, as well, with the inclusion of the parents in the play and the different background Lydia has from the other characters as an immigrant. According to Sandí-Díaz, one of the
Aly Honore • The Collegian
Actors of the Fresno State theater department rehearse a scene for the upcoming play “Lydia,” written by Octavio Solis and directed by Gina Sandí-Díaz.
main themes presented is identity and how the characters see themselves in relation to themselves and the world. “Some of these characters are strug-
RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL CONTEXT OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH FORUM With
VEENA R. HOWARD, PH.D. Assistant Professor of Asian Religious Traditions, Department of Philosophy
Open to all Students, Faculty, Staff and Administrators
Thursday, March 15, 2018 10:00 am –11:30 am Satellite Student Union Co-Sponsorship by Associated Students, Inc., Academic Senate, the Office of the Provost and the Office of the President
Religious Freedom
The First Amendment “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...”
gling, really struggling,” Sandí-Díaz said. “They want to be American. They want to be read as American, and they tend to not accept, or not be too open to, their Mexican heritage.” While some characters struggle with that part of their identity, others welcome that part of their background. Another theme, according to Sandí-Díaz, is being an “other” in a foreign society and how to understand what that means. “We’re seeing a story that is happening in 1970, and here we are in 2018, and we haven’t resolved those issues,” Sandí-Díaz said. “We’re still talking about what it means to be an ‘other.’ We’re still talking about immigration and immigration laws. We’re still dealing with all of this.” The subjects discussed in the work are what students involved in the production enjoy about “Lydia.” “I really like the fact that this play speaks for us. Speak for what makes us not just Mexicans in the [U.S.], but Latinos in the [U.S.] in general,” said Dalicia Torrecillas, who plays Rosa, the mother. Gina Sandí-Díaz and Latinx theatre “Lydia” is just one play in the vast genre that is Latinx theatre, a genre that is Sandí-Díaz’s specialty. “We call it ‘Latinx’ because we’re trying to be inclusive of the many intersected identities,” she said. “So we’re not just talking about gender. We’re not just talking about male and female. We’re talking about any intersected identity in between that feels that they can be a part of this movement.” Sandí-Díaz, like many of the students in her classes and involved with the play, has a number of intersecting identities with which she identifies. She is from Costa Rica, where she attended the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica and developed her career in perform-
We’re seeing a story that is happening in 1970, and here we are in 2018, and we haven’t resolved those issues. — Gina Sandí-Díaz, ‘Lydia’ Director
ing arts. She then studied in Kansas and afterward came to Fresno State to become the Latinx theatre professor. “[Latinx theatre] is political by nature in the sense that it’s trying to help people develop their critical thinking and identify problems that are affecting their culture,” Sandí-Díaz said. According to Sandí-Díaz, many students are connecting to the topics featured in works like “Lydia” and other works by writers in Latinx theatre covered in her classes. “In class, I find that students are very engaged and that the materials that I have to offer directly speak to the life experiences of the students that live here,” SandíDíaz said. “I can see myself contributing to the community here, and I can see how my life experience connects to the life experience of the Central Valley.” Those varied life experiences can ultimately be seen in the story of “Lydia.” “All of these characters are three-dimensional,” Sandí-Díaz said. “They’re human beings who are trying to navigate who they are in the world, finding their place in the world and any human being can relate to that.”
THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS
MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018
CULTURE from Page 1
higher caliber of entertainment that’s also educational and empowering, that hopefully would raise the profile and hopefully get more students engaged on campus,” Lew Gong said. On Saturday, FAWK hosted a clapback workshop in which they taught participants how to respond, or “clap back” to racial microaggressions in a confident manner. The three women shared microaggressions they’ve faced. Yang explained that when she was in high school, a counselor attempted to place her in an “English as a second language class,” even though she was fluent in English. Then, FAWK encouraged participants to
write microaggressions they have heard on Post-it notes. Some of the Post-its read: “Can I copy your homework because you seem smart” and “Wow, your English is good?” Lew Gong feels that microaggressions often go unacknowledged because people don’t view them as a legitimate concerns. “A lot of young people hear these things on a daily basis, and at some point, it affects their self-esteem,” Lew Gong said. Lew Gong says that part of why people continue to use microaggressions in conversation is because those who say them don’t view them as offensive. “Sometimes, they’re not meant with any kind of ill will,” Lew Gong said. “People mean to be complimentary, but they do so in a way where you feel the racism behind their words.”
Jackie Rasaphone, a student coordinator for Asian and Pacific Islander programs and services for the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, said she liked that the workshop allowed her to hold conversations with those who have had similar experiences. “[I like] knowing that I’m not the only person who has a problem dealing with microaggressions and it’s something that actually happens daily to everyone,” she said. Later that day, FAWK performed a comedy show. Vongsay explained that the group uses humor to present material in a more palatable manner. “Comedy allows us to navigate a lot of the
Ramuel Reyes • The Collegian
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discomforts that we feel,” Vongsay said. “It’s healing to laugh. You can’t be serious all the time.” The next day, Yang and Vongsay performed their friendship play. The play centered on their companionship with each other as well as their cultures. Vongsay is Lao, and Yang is Hmong. They modeled traditional clothing from Lao and Hmong cultures as well as shared stories of their upbringings. Overall, FAWK fused laughter with insight to create a weekend in which Asian-Americans could find a sense of understanding and belonging.
NEWS BRIEFS
CSU and UC join forces in combating tuition hike Students, faculty and some state senators will announce their support of a tuition freeze for the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems at a news conference at the Capitol on March 12. Both university systems are looking into increasing tuition to combat a shortfall in the governor’s budget. The CSU is seeking $165 million and the UC is seeking $105 million in funding to
Saymoukda Vongsay and May Lee Yang re-enacts a memory from Yang’s childhood about dressing up as Madonna to school during their comedy show in the Satellite Student Union on March 11, 2018.
PAGE 7
Learning center gets award Fresno State’s Learning Center tutoring program received the Gold Excellence Award by NASPA, the national organization for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The center received the award for its “innovative” tutor training which uses project-based learning to impact student success, according to a university news release. The center’s tutoring program focuses on “creating a positive learning environment that is inclusive for all Fresno State students,” said Mai Kou Vang, interim director of the Fresno State Learning Center. The tutoring program uses project-based learning to better train its tutors. Tutors are given tasks to apply while they work, as well
avoid raising tuition. In a joint statement, Sens. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Student Success, and Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, opposed the hike in tuition. “In a year when state budget revenues are expected to be robust and when we’ve already raised tuition so much, we shouldn’t be imposing more tuition increases on the families of students at our public universities,” read their statement. Students and faculty from the CSU and UC, as well as members of the Assembly and Senate, will join Glazer and Allen for a news conference in Sacramento on Monday.
as researching the outcome of their process through their training. According to the news release, the impact of the tutoring program was:
• •
•
89 percent of tutors felt they gained information that would help them better approach tutoring sessions; 100 percent felt they would be more helpful to students and felt more self-confident in their tutoring abilities; 79 percent felt training would increase their critical thinking skills in tutoring sessions
Academic support coordinator William Hardaway and academic support specialist Anthony Losongco lead the tutoring program, which is located on the bottom floor of the Henry Madden Library.
SPORTS
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MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2018
BASEBALL
Diamond ‘Dogs take New Mexico series By Nugesse Ghebrendrias @nugebear13
A
fter conceding the first of a three-game series, the Fresno State Bulldogs baseball team rallied to take Games 2 and 3 versus the New Mexico Lobos over the weekend at Pete Beiden Field in Bob Bennett Stadium. New Mexico took Game 1 on Friday night for a 5-4 victory. In Game 2, on Saturday, junior Edgar Gonzalez dominated the Lobos to the tune of seven scoreless innings along with seven strikeouts. His ability to attack the zone with consistency gave the visitors no chance. The ‘Dogs won 5-1. In Game 3, Fresno State battled back from a first-inning deficit. Senior center fielder Zach Ashford and pinch hitter Zach Presno powered the Bulldogs Sunday to a 5-4 comeback victory. After Sunday’s two-hit performance, Ashford increased his hitting streak to 15 games. He recorded a hit in every game he has played this season. For Presno, a rightfield homer was his third of the season. “As a coach, when someone is this hot, you get out of his way and let him ride,” Head coach Mike Batesole said of Ashford’s start to the year. “He works at it so hard and was the first one here this morning and is always trying to get better.” In the opener, the Bulldogs took a 4-0 lead into the top of the eighth but couldn’t hold on for the win. The Lobos scored twice in the eighth and three more in the ninth to take the win.
As a coach, when someone is this hot, you get out of his way and let him ride. — Mike Batesole, Head coach In Sunday’s finale, after giving up three runs early, Davis Moore and freshman Nikoh Mitchell combined for 11 strikeouts over seven innings to keep the Lobos in check. For the Bulldogs’ offense, Presno came to their rescue in the bottom of the sixth inning. He stepped up to the plate and connected on a room-service fastball and sent it over the right-field wall. He wouldn’t stop there. Presno proved his worth again in the bottom of the eighth inning when he poked the ball past the New Mexico third baseman, which allowed first baseman McCarthy Tatum to score from second base. Fresno State allowed a lone New Mexico run in the ninth inning but was able to ride its momentum for the conference win. The Diamond ‘Dogs improve to 11-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play. They will hit the road this week for a fivegame road trip starting with Saint Mary’s on Wednesday and ending at Pepperdine on March 20. The ‘Dogs will return home on March 23 to face the Nevada Wolf Pack in a 3-game Mountain West series.
Ramuel Reyes • The Collegian
Senior Korby Batesole throws the ball to first base during Fresno State’s game against the University of New Mexico on March 9, 2018. The ‘Dogs lost 5-4
SOFTBALL
Bulldogs win four-out-of-five at Fresno State Invitational By Jorge Rodriguez @jrod2763
The Fresno State softball team won four of five games at the Fresno State Invitational at Margie Wright Diamond this weekend. The ‘Dogs’ only loss came to No. 17 University of California, Berkeley. Cleveland State, UC Santa Barbara and Monmouth also took part in the invitational. On Friday, the Bulldogs faced Cleveland State in the first game of a doubleheader. Fresno State’s pitching was stellar throughout the game with freshman Danielle East throwing five scoreless innings. The offense was active, scoring three runs in the first inning. The ‘Dogs did not score again until the third inning when catcher Hayleigh Galvan doubled to left field to bring in Brook Coates. In the fifth inning, the Bulldogs rallied to end the game early with runs by Schuylar Broussard, Chase LeeHong and a home run by senior Savannah McHellon, who drove in Miranda Rohleder and Kaitlyn Jennings. With a 9-0 lead in the fifth, the game ended due to the mercy rule. McHellon started in the circle against UCSB in the second game of the night. Both teams showed solid pitching and defense. It was in the fourth inning that the Bull-
Ramuel Reyes • The Collegian
Sophomore Hayleigh Galvan runs to first base at Fresno State’s first game against Cleveland State at the Margie Wright Diamond on March 9, 2018. The Bulldogs won 9-0.
dogs began to score. Dolly Stevens, Coates, Galvan, Vanessa Hernandez, and Rachel Minogue scored for the ‘Dogs. With confidence on their side, the Bulldogs didn’t let up, having Galavan score once more in the fifth. McHellon hit a home run in the sixth that drove in Rohleder, giving the ‘Dogs an eight-run lead and the game. On Saturday, the Bulldogs faced Cleveland State again. Savannah Berkowitz had an outstanding pitching performance for the Bulldogs, yielding one run in seven innings. The Bulldogs scored in the first inning thanks to Rohleder’s solo home run. In the fifth, Hernandez doubled to left field, bringing in Coates. Minogue followed with a double down the right-field line scoring Hernandez. Broussard singled to center, allowing Leehong to score. The Bulldogs had two more runs in the six inning – one by Jennings and another by Rohleder, giving the ‘Dogs a 6-0 lead. In the top of the seventh, Cleveland State managed to score one run, but Fresno State’s defense wouldn’t allow any more, closing out the game and taking a 6-1 win. The toughest challenge, for Fresno State would be the 17th-ranked Cal Bears. The Bulldogs started the game going toe-to-toe with Cal for the first three innings, and not allowing a run until the fourth. However, Bulldogs’ pitcher Danielle
East had trouble in the fourth and let five runs score, Sarah Santana came in as a reliever and managed to get out of the inning without allowing any more runs. Santana kept control until the seventh, when she allowed two runs. For its part, Cal’s defense shut down the ‘Dogs offense, allowing five hits. Cal took the victory 7-0. In the last game, Fresno State would face Monmouth in what proved to be the most exciting game of invitational for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs’ offense score 10 runs in the game with scores by Castellon and Rohleder in the first, Coates in the second and a big at-bat by Dominique Jackson who homered in the third, bringing in Hernandez and Galvan. Aaliyah Cuevas scored in the fourth, and then in the sixth Stevens, Broussard and Hernandez scored. East pitched the first two innings for the ‘Dogs, but then found trouble, allowing two runs and was relieved in the third by Samantha Mejia. Mejia allowed two runs in the fifth but was able to get out of the inning and close out the game. The game ended with the Bulldogs winning, 10-4. “I thought we did really well this weekend. We worked on things all week, and we came out with a positive attitude,” Rohleder said. “We trusted the process, and things turned out our way.”