March 21 2011

VOTE IN ASI ELECTIONS STARTING TOMORROW AT 9 A.M. ONLINE MONday Issue MARCH 21, 2011 FRESNO STATE

COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU

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Fresno State will elect a new ASI president this week Who will you choose?

Information compiled by Dana Hull The Collegian

SELENA FARNESI Major:

Anthropology and Philosophy

Positions held:

Senator of Students Affairs and Executive Vice President

DANIEL J. HARRISON Major:

Economics, Political Science and Philosophy

Positions held:

Vice President for the Fresno State Economics Student Association

CESAR X. SANCHEZ Major:

MBA in Business Administration

Positions held:

Vice President of Finance and ASI senator for the Sid Craig School of Business

MAIN GOALS:

MAIN GOALS:

MAIN GOALS:

• Involvement in legislation

• The budget

• Revamping lobbying efforts

“I’d love to work with the Legislative Committee and ASI’s Lobby Corps to increase advocacy for legislation that affects students.”

“I have created a budget for the state of California that eliminates the current deficit crisis, but more importantly, does so without touching education. In fact, my budget puts $1 billion into the California State University system, which the CSU Chancellor stated would prevent tuition from increasing. I am the only candidate with a specific plan who will pursue what is necessary to leave a positive mark on the budget for education.”

“Students deserve representation that will organize a continuous and effective lobby effort to counter the negative effects of higher tuition fees exacerbated by lower quality education. Passing resolutions have been the norm for past Associated Students Inc. presidents, but I believe true lobbying cannot exist without faceto-face interaction with state legislators.”

• Increasing graduation rates “The university is currently trying to increase graduation rates by six percent, and a student-to-student effort consistent with this goal — including supporting student-lead projects and programs focused on graduation — is something I’d like to accomplish.”

• Community service “I’d love to see an increase in community service and student involvement in the university as well as increased communication between the student government and the student body.”

• Dealing with budget cuts “Lobbying for students is an important way to raise awareness of the issue and the needs of the California State University, but it’s also important to mediate the effects of these unavoidable cuts on our campus through laptop loans, research funding and library support programs.”

• Improving transportation and parking problems “Due to being a largely commuter campus, our students face transportation and disconnect issues. Associated Students Inc. can work to improve these by expounding on the parking and activities positions in its senate.”

Source: http://forstudentsnow.com

• The Greek community “Giving Greek programs additional funding as a reward for not having alcohol or drug-related incidences can serve as a key tool to increase the quality of the student experience.”

• Supporting athletics “With me as your president, you can count on more prizes and incentives to the student sections at all sporting events to get our student support of our athletes up. A team that cheers together, wins together, and we need to support our athletes. ”

• Alleviating education restrictions “I will work on funding a portion of the library to be open 24 hours a day so students are not restricted in their education.

With me as your president, you will have a voice to negotiate the unfair 16-unit registration limitation.”

• Students with disabilities “Students with disabilities pay $300 a semester for the program.

Students should not be penalized with an additional fee just for having a disability.”

Source: www.danieljharrison.com

• Spending only for students “The ASI budget is comprised overwhelmingly by student fee revenue. Because of this, I will work to ensure that student revenue is only spent on programs that fulfill specific student needs. As ASI VP of Finance, I have battled hard against frivolous spending.”

• Greater transparency “As ASI president I will ensure that all ASI meetings required to follow public proceeding laws are compliant. ASI meetings are charged with governing the hard earned money that students pay to ASI every semester. Shouldn’t students know the details of every ASI meeting?”

• Increased ASI outreach “As ASI president I will increase the level of outreach ASI engages in. As it currently stands, only 10 percent or less of the Fresno State student body actually votes in ASI elections. For ASI to accurately describe itself as the voice of the students, a much higher percentage of student body involvement in ASI elections is required.”

Source: www.facebook.com/cesarxs

Fresno State’s ASI election will be held from Tuesday, March 22 at 9 a.m. through Thursday, March 24 at noon. Students can place their votes online only at https://eballot4.votenet.com/csufresno.

The university will be sending login information to every student’s e-mail today. Results are scheduled to be announced Friday, March 25 at 9 a.m. in the USU Pavilion.

Layout designed by Michael Uribes / The Collegian

The

Collegian

Opinion

THAT’S WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING...

“My name is Neil, I’m a recreation student. I dont know if this is on. My question to the candidates is which one of you guys have any affiliation with MEChA? And if you do, I would like to know what the word ‘Aztlan’ means?”

– Neil O’Brien, 2011 ASI Presidential Debate OPINION EDITOR, DANIELLE GILBERT • COLLEGIAN-OPINION@CSUFRESNO.EDU MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

PAGE 2

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT

ALPHA ‘DOG?

SELENA FARNESI

DANIEL J. HARRISON

I

A

am the best candidate for president because I have new ideas supported by experience and a track-record students can trust. My experience allows me to be certain of what I can accomplish, and my history in Associated Students, Inc. demonstrates I know how to get things done which is why I am confident in saying that my slate, For Students Now, doesn’t make promises we can’t keep.

My opponents may represent new ideas or experience respectively but it is the combination of the two that makes me the more effective candidate. For example, Harrison intends to provide students with scooters as a method of alternative transportation, and says he’ll cut an advertising deal with athletics to make his plan possible.”

My opponents may represent new ideas or experience respectively but it is the combination of the two that makes me the more effective candidate. For example, Harrison intends to provide students with scooters as a method of alternative transportation, and says he’ll cut an advertising deal with athletics to make his plan possible.

If he had my experience he would be aware of the transportation survey that indicates students prefer to skateboard, bike, and walk before they choose to scooter. He’d know that the athletics department doesn’t provide free advertising space to the university, let alone offcampus companies. And lastly, he’d know that we have a free transportation program already in place — the Red Bike Program.

Sanchez, on the other hand, claims to have experience. But what has he accomplished in his last two years of service? He didn’t complete a single project as a senator, while I passed a multicultural education resolution, started a graduation campaign, worked with the Legislative Committee to build up Lobby Corps and lobbied against fee increases at the capital, through postcards campaigns, and digital media outlets.

In addition to being the only candidate with a history of getting things done and the experience to see my ideas through, students can trust that I am dedicated, passionate and committed to making Fresno State the best it can be. For more information about me and my slate, visit www.forstudentsnow.com.

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.

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CESAR X. SANCHEZ

ssociated Students, Inc. needs to be changed so that students are the focus. I am the best candidate for that position.

Both of my opponents have served in ASI for two years and will not bring this necessary change. I will.

I am an undergraduate student studying political science, economics and philosophy and intend on becoming a teacher. I am a chief executive of a record label and music management firm where I have learned firsthand the importance of balancing budgets and making realistic spending cuts. I serve as the vice president of the Fresno State Economics Student Association and under the leadership of me and my fellow officers, attendance to events has tripled.

I have the experience as a leader to be an effective ASI president.

Through my insight in balancing budgets, I have created a budget for the state of California that ends the deficit and increases funding to the California State Universities enough to prevent tuition hikes. Many people have claimed this is an impossible task. One of my opponents even has fired back by saying she does not make promises she cannot keep.

I am not guaranteeing success with this plan, but what I am guaranteeing is this: I am willing to do whatever it takes to fight against tuition hikes. I will not give up from the beginning, like my opponent. My solutions to this issue and all the other issues are specific, not vague.

I make promises I can be held accountable for. My opponent makes promises that are vague so she has no specific agenda to accomplish.”

I am not guaranteeing success with this plan, but what I am guaranteeing is this: I am willing to do whatever it takes to fight against tuition hikes. I will not give up from the beginning, like my opponent. My solutions to this issue and all the other issues are specific, not vague. I make promises I can be held accountable for. My opponent makes promises that are vague so she has no specific agenda to accomplish I have many specific solutions to issues facing students, found at www.DanielJHarrison.com I ask for your vote, to turn ASI around with a new style of leadership, and to put the focus back on the students.

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 © 2011 The Collegian.

M

y name is Cesar X. Sanchez and I am a Masters of Business Administration student at the Sid Craig School of Business and a past graduate of two majors: Entrepreneurship and Economics. I wholeheartedly believe that I am the best choice for Associated Students, Inc. president because of the productivity I have yielded for students during my time as an ASI executive.

As this year’s ASI vice president of finance, my efforts have yielded, but aren’t limited to, the following benefits for students: 1. $10,000 in additional funding for academic research grants; 2. $10,000 for new iMac computers in the University Student Union; 3. $10,000 in additional complimentary funding for clubs; 4. research grant application deadline extensions; 5. bylaw changes that allow clubs and organizations more funding per academic year; 6. $1,900 to take students from Fresno to lobby state legislators in Sacramento.

My top goals as ASI President are the following: 1. Spending only for student benefit: The ASI budget is comprised overwhelmingly by student fee revenue. Because of this, I will work to ensure that student revenue is only spent on programs that fulfill specific student needs.”

My top goals as ASI President are the following: 1. Spending only for student benefit: The ASI budget is comprised overwhelmingly by student fee revenue. Because of this, I will work to ensure that student revenue is only spent on programs that fulfill specific student needs.

2. Revamped lobbying efforts: Students deserve a continuous and effective lobby effort to counter higher tuition fees exacerbated by lower quality education. Such lobby efforts must include student face to face time with state legislators and or California State University Board of Trustee members.

3. Greater transparency: As ASI President I will ensure that all ASI meetings required to follow public proceeding laws are compliant.

4. ASI outreach: As ASI President I will work diligently to ensure that ASI is more involved with students on campus.

My track record and goals speak without further say. I will be a worker for students and my goals prove that my concerns are average student concerns.

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MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

THE COLLEGIAN • NEWS NEWS EDITOR, DANA HULL • COLLEGIAN-NEWS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

Chaos across the Pacific hits close to home

By Steven Redgrave The Collegian

Last week the world witnessed a devastating event when Japan was hit not only by massive and powerful earthquakes, but also a by tsunami that created more damage.

Fresno State seems distant from the effects of this disaster, but some students at Fresno State could not be more hit by the disaster in Japan.

Katsuyo K. Howard, a counselor in the Inter national Student Services and Programs department, communicates with all of the international students from Japan that attend school at Fresno State.

“Everybody I speak with is connected to a family in Japan and everybody is affected by the disaster,” Howard said.

“We want to do something together, it is a common feeling.”

The ISSP department has reached out to all inter national students with concerns or questions regarding the events in Japan.

Gena Gechter, the coordinator in the Health and Psychological services of the health center, has been welcoming any students who may need to talk about the disaster in Japan.

Chris Fiorintino, director for the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, has also been working closely with Howard to coordinate relief efforts with the Japanese Red Cross.

“He is coordinating a lot of efforts to help and do volunteerism,” Gechter said. “He is working more on the side of students who are not from Japan and not necessarily affected personally, but they want to help.”

“I have been watching the news every morning and it makes me cry,” Howard, originally from Japan, said. “ [It takes] unbelievable work and calmness to deal with that.”

She could not emphasize enough the impact this has had on her, let alone on the country of Japan.

“The people show patriotism, to share limited resourc-

es with everyone,” Howard said. “The survival spirit, when everybody is hungry, cold, and tired. With these basic needs, still everybody is willing to share. It is amazing.”

Japan has felt the aftermath of the earthquakes and tsunami, but now another concern faces the country. The leaking of radiation from a plant could now be a larger issue on top of all that has hit the country already.

“People are willing to sacrifice themselves in suicide missions for other people to prevent these leaks,” Howard said.

As of now, websites are being used to directly connect with the Japanese Red Cross in an effort to help the many people affected by this disaster that affects more than just the country of Japan.

With the help of departments at Fresno State, students and faculty are hoping to have some form of a community event and ask for others to join in the efforts to help a country in need.

Now You Can Combine Peace Corps with Grad School at Fresno State!

Peace Corps Info Session

Tuesday, March 29 6:30PM

Sunnyside Regional Library 5566 East Kings Canyon Rd Agriculture Skills In High Demand!

www.peacecorps.gov

May 23 - June 10, 2011

800.424.8580

PAGE 3

Corrections A sub-headline on the front page of the March 18 edition of The Collegian said, “Off-court struggles end in coach’s demise.” The correct phrasing is “On-court struggles end in coach’s demise.”

AT&T to buy T-Mobile USA for $39 billion

By Peter Svensson Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-andstock deal valued at $39 billion that would make it the largest cellphone company in the U.S. The deal would reduce the number of wireless carriers with national coverage from four to three, and is sure to face close regulatory scrutiny. It also removes a potential partner for Sprint Nextel Corp., the struggling No. 3 carrier, which had been in talks to combine with T-Mobile USA, according to Wall Street Journal reports.

AT&T is now the country’s second-largest wireless carrier and T-Mobile USA is the fourth largest. The acquisition would give AT&T 129 million subscribers, vaulting it past Verizon Wireless’ 102 million.

The combined company would serve about 43 percent of U.S. cellphones.

For T-Mobile USA’s 33.7 million subscribers, the news doesn’t immediately change anything. Because of the long re gulatory process, AT&T expects the acquisition to take a year to close. But when and if it closes, T-Mobile USA customers would get access to AT&T’s phone line-up, including the iPhone.

The effect of reduced competition in the cellphone industry is harder to fathom.

Public interest group Public Knowledge said that eliminat-

ing one of the four national p h o n e c a r r i e r s wo u l d b e “unthinkable.”

“We know the results of ar rangements like this — higher prices, fewer choices, less innovation,” said Public Knowledge president Gigi Sohn, in a statement.

T-Mobile has relatively cheap service plans compared with AT&T, particularly when comparing the kind that don’t come with a two-year contract. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said one of the goals of the acquisition would be to move T-Mobile customers to smart phones, which have higher monthly fees. AT&T “will look hard” at keeping T-Mobile’s no-contract plans, he said.

AT&T’s general counsel, Wayne Watts, said the cellphone business is “an incredibly competitive market,” with five or more carriers in most major cities. He pointed out that prices have declined in the past decade, even as the industry has consolidated. In the most recent mega-deal, Verizon Wireless bought No. 5 carrier Alltel for $5.9 billion in 2009.

Stifel Nicolaus analyst Rebecca Arbogast said the deal will face a tough review by the Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department. She expects them to look market-by-market at whether the deal will harm competition. Even if regulators approve the acquisition, she added, they are likely to require AT&T to sell off parts of its business or T-Mobile’s business. Verizon had to sell off substantial service areas to get clearance for the Alltel acquisition.

To m o l l i f y r e g u l a t o r s, AT&T said in a statement Sunday that it would spend an additional $8 billion to expand ultrafast wireless broadband into rural areas.

Registration Begins March 21!

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PAGE 4

THE COLLEGIAN • FEATURES FEATURES EDITOR, JANESSA TYLER • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

Fresno State welcomes two honorary guests President and first lady of Gallaudet University travels from Washington, D.C.

By Janessa Tyler The Collegian President T. Alan Hurwitz of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and first lady Vicki T. Hurwitz made t h e i r w ay t o F r e s n o f o r the fourth time yesterday after noon. The Satellite Student Union on campus was filled with members of the deaf community, faculty, staff, students and supporters.

Several American Sign Language interpreters took turns signing the words of the guest speakers during the two-hour lecture. Yesterday marked the first time Dr. Hurwitz spoke at a California State University. “ I t w a s a n awe s o m e tur nout,” Dr. Hurwitz said t h ro u g h a s i g n l a n g u a g e interpreter. “The questions f r o m t h e a u d i e n c e we r e fantastic, they were very thoughtful, very thought p r o vo k i n g , a n d I r e a l l y enjoyed chatting with the audience.”

Gallaudet University is the only liberal arts college in the world that has services and programs designed to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The charter was signed by President Abraham Lincoln, and founded in 1864 by an act of Congress.

The university is bilingual, American Sign Language and English, and is multicultural.

Dr. Hurwitz said Gallaudet University is ran like any o t h e r u n ive r s i t y, a n d i s similar to Fresno State. He discovered similarities during breakfast yesterday morning with Fresno State President John Welty.

Gallaudet University has six residence halls, Greek life and athletics ranging from

baseball and basketball to soccer and swimming.

D r. H u r w i t z w a s b o r n deaf to deaf parents in 1960.

He ear ned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in electrical engineering before ear ning an Ed.D. in curriculum and teaching from the University of Rochester.

Dr. Hurwitz’s Vision for the 21st Century for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People was the topic of the rainy evening.

The lecture opened up by College of Health and Human Services Dean Dr. Andrew Hoff, and was followed by Dr. David Smith who introduced Dr. Hurwitz and his wife.

“I actually tell people that my life is an open book,” Dr. Hurwitz said.

Hurwitz said becoming the 10th president of Gallaudet University in January 2010, and moving to Washington, D.C. from Rochester, New York was one new chapter in his life.

Prior to becoming president at Gallaudet University, Dr. Hurwitz was the president of the National Technical Institute of the Deaf.

Dr. Hurwitz shared the goals of Gallaudet University with several American Sign Language interpreters in attendance. T he goals included enrollment growth, retention and g raduation rates, efficiencies and revenue generating operations, academic programs and epic research centers.

“Right now we’re at about 2,000 students, and our vision is to up that to 3,000 students,” Dr. Hurwitz said.

Hurwitz and his wife live in the 35-room President’s Re s i d e n c e, H o u s e O n e, which is located behind the university. Dr. Hurwitz’s wife of 45 years is the third first

Matt Weir / The Collegian

Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz added a little bit of humor during his picture presentation of past Gallaudet University presidents.

lady who is deaf to live in the President’s House.

Mrs. Hurwitz stated that the first floor is similar to a museum. She said the history of the house has been the same since the beginning of its development in 1869. A DVD will be released next year highlighting the history of the house.

The office of Dr. Hurwitz resides on the second floor, along with two guest rooms — i n cl u d i n g t h e L i n c o l n bedroom. Mrs. Hurwitz said the Lincoln bedroom has a bed

that’s a replica of a bed in the White House.

The third floor overlooks the campus, and has two additional guests rooms, a family room, Mrs. Hurwitz’s office and a second kitchen.

M r s. H u r w i t z s a i d s h e added butterflies to a stainless glass window on the third floor because she felt a special bond with the deaf insect.

A basement falls under the first ground-level floor, and is used for housing storage.

“It’s more like a dungeon,” Mrs. Hurwitz said.

Dr. Hurwitz said he wanted the audience to leave the SSU with one message of how college education is vital for finding a career.

“I think what’s most important is to help them understand that a colle ge educatio is extremely valuable for their future.” Dr. Hurwitz said. “Colle ge is really the foundation for a great life.”

C

VIDEO: Check out the presentation and more online. http://collegian.csufresno.edu

Fresno State student by day, soldier everyday

By Karlena Franz The Collegian College can be tough, but getting deployed twice in the middle of the semester is even tougher. Sam Mabanta knows all to well the sacrifices made when serving his country, and trying to get an education simultaneously.

Mabanta joined the United States Army National Guard in 2002, and began attending Fresno State in 2003. One of the decisions to join the military for Mabanta was to pay for school.

Mabanta star ted out as music major and even was a member of the Fresno State marching band, but changed his major to business with an emphasis in marketing.

He was pulled away from school mid-semester and sent to work customs and border patrol for a year. When his time was up he assumed he was going to be sent back to school; instead he was deployed to Iraq.

“It was irritating,” Mabanta said about being deployed mid-semester. “It’s hard, I get

back into the school rotation, meeting new friends and then bam — I get deployed.”

School wasn’t the only aspect affected when Mabanta was sent to fulfill his military duty. Such things like moving things out of an apartment before leaving were time consuming.

“I

n the military, there is no quitting.”

— Sam Mabanta, Business marketing major

“I had to be able to adapt,” Mabanta said.

Coming back to Fresno State, Mabanta found things a little different than before.

“It was a different atmosphere here,” Mabanta said. “A whole different group of people were here than before.”

In many ways the military has helped Mabanta in his studies. Mabanta said his public speaking skills have

improved and his confidence.

There was more motivation to do better and to stay involved and committed to school.

“Here at school, people drop out all of the time, they quit,” Mabanta said. “In the military, there is no quitting.”

Mabanta said family means a lot to him, and being a better role model to his two daughters. His mother greatly influences Mabanta into doing better.

Mabanta said his mother used to say, “If you don’t have anything better to do, help people.” That is exactly what Mabanta has done, not just in the military, but out as well. Mabanta is the career counselor of his unit where he helps soldiers transitioning out of the military to go back to school.

“I don’t want to see soldiers today be on a street corner with signs,” Mabanta said.

“I’m kind of like their guiding light.”

Since being back at school, Mabanta said he sometimes wouldn’t be able to slee p for days. His body is used to always being on its toes, waiting for something to

happen, but he is also more aware of things.

After being in and out of school and being in the military for nine years, most of Mabanta’s friends have already graduated, except his friend Francisco Rodriguez.

Ro d r i g u e z , a b u s i n e s s m a r k e t i n g m a j o r, a n d Mabanta met in 2003 while taking a Decision Sciences 71 course together. The two will graduate from Fresno State at the same time.

“It’s awesome, I have been in and out of school and everybody I know has already graduated,” Rodriguez said.

“It’s funny that we started together and we will graduate together.”

Rodrigue z described Mabanta as a down to e a r t h e a s yg o i n g p e r s o n , who is always telling jokes.

Rodriguez said he admires Mabanta for his ability to go from being funny to serious when it’s needed.

“He is a hero for serving our country, being there for his family and friends and finishing what he started,” Rodriguez said. “Not a lot of people do that.”

Ve t e r a n ’ s S e r v i c e Coordinator Robyn Gutierrez helps people like Mabanta transition from school to active duty or vice versa.

Gutierrez said the school is very flexible on helping those who are going in and out of their military duty.

“There are some cases like with Sam, where he had to go for three weeks of training,” Gutierrez said about Mabanta.

“He had to make it up with his teachers.”

When students like Mabanta are called up, their student status will stay the same, but if pulled in the middle of a semester, those credits will have to be retaken.

Mabanta has a lot of inspiration to finish school, but he said his main source today is his children. He said he wants them to go to college someday.

“It is up to you how far you go, if you don’t try, you’ll never know,” Mabanta quoted his mother. “I want to be able to tell my grandkids, I did it all.”

The

Collegian

Arts & EnterTainment MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, MADDIE SHANNON • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 5

Young poets take News Briefs Brief news for the brief over campus attention span

Kyle Lowe / The Collegian

The Peach Blossom Oral Interpretation Festival, an annual occurence at Fresno State since 1948, gives local elementary school students a chance to not only appreciate poetry and public speaking, but also visit Fresno State.

Peach Blossom Festival brings elementary school students to college

By Karlena Franz The Collegian Swarms of children buzzed around Fresno State on March 17 and 18 for the annual Peach Blossom Festival, an oral interpretation festival held every year by the communications department.

Many Valley natives may remember competing at their elementary school, hoping to get the chance to recite a poem in order to attend the festival. For those who missed out on it as a child, the festival’s purpose is to give children the chance to speak in front of others, practice memorization, have confidence and get a chance to see the university first-hand.

Jessica Martin, the publicity coordinator for the festival, feels Peach Blossom is a fabulous program to create confidence.

“It’s a g reat confidence booster and gets kids into poetry,” Martin said. “Poetry today is kind of unheard of.

Kids are more into popular music.”

I t a l l s t a r t e d 5 3 ye a r s ago when the Speech Communications and Theatre Arts departments ran the festival. Now the Communications department has taken the reins. More than 6,000 children walked through the halls of the various locations on campus where the readings were held, from rooms in the Kremen Education building to

the John Wright Theatre.

Around 130 schools visited Fresno State from as far north as Livingston and as far south as Delano. The Peach Blossom isn’t only selective of students from just public schools. Even those who are homeschooled can attend.

Martin said some students at Fresno State find the children on campus a nuisance when trying to get to class, but these children could be future Fresno State students.

“They are just so dar n cute,” Martin said. “Their excitement about everything reminds you of when you were that age.”

Poems can be recited in a solo, a duo, a trio, a small g roup and a large g roup.

Judges look for confidence, fluidity, their ability to focus and presentation quality.

After performing, the children receive positive feedback from the judges.

“Each judge gives an opinion on the performance, but they are different and always positive,” Martin said. “This is about gaining confidence, not tearing it down.”

Everyone is a winner at the Peach Blossom Festival.

Students receive either an excellent or superior stamp along with a certificate.

“I didn’t even hear about Peach Blossom until I came to State,” Martin said. “It goes to show that the university campus doesn’t just benefit Fresno State students but also ben-

efits the community.”

Andrew Shapiro, head of athletic publicity and a punter on the Fresno State football team, was in charge of getting student athletes to sign autographs both days of the event.

There were members from all kinds of Bulldog sports, including the equestrian, lacrosse and football teams to inspire the incoming children.

The student-athletes brought a sense of awe to the children, who have seen some of the athletes on TV. They learned that it’s possible to be a student and an athlete at the same time.

“A kid gets a signature from a football player and it’s the coolest thing to them,” Shapiro said. “They can take all of this home and tell their parents they want to go to Fresno State.”

Stacie Mimura, the director of the Peach Blossom Festival, said kids get really excited to visit Fresno State and experience a day on campus.

“I think it is an amazing festival that is an opportunity unlike any other in the Central Valley,” Mimura said.

One of the judges, Phil Johnson, is also a Fresno State student. He feels the festival is a great recruiting tool because a lot of kids will remember the days they came to Fresno State.

“I love Peach Blossom,” Johnson said. “It’s all for the kids.”

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit officials who were backstage at a concert featuring hip-hop stars Dr. Dre and Eminem had no right to privacy when they confronted organizers in a videotaped exchange that turned up in a DVD, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled in a decision released Saturday.

The ruling dismisses a lawsuit against Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young, that was filed by City Councilman Gary Brown and other Detroit officials after the 2000 show.

Brown was a high-ranking police official at the time, and war ned concert organizers that power would be turned off if they showed a sexually explicit video at the Joe Louis Arena. The conversation was taped and later used in behindthe-scenes tracks on a popular DVD highlighting the “Up in Smoke” national concert tour that also featured rappers Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube.

Brown had argued that his privacy was violated by the video, but Dr. Dre’s lawyer Herschel Fink said there was no privacy when police were doing their job.

Fink said Saturday that the court’s decision was more narrow than he expected, with the ruling dealing only with the event instead of broader privacy issues, but “as I said in an e-mail to Dre, ‘We’ll take it.’”

Brown said Saturday that h e w a s d i s ap p o i n t e d bu t respects the court’s decision.

He sid he understood that the case hinged on his expectation of privacy, but he said he asked for a private discussion and to have the cameras turned off.

“I would think I would have my rights protected, but that’s not the way the court ruled,” he said.

The Supreme Court’s 6-1 decision overturns an appeals court ruling.

Fink had successfully sued the city over its demand that the sexually explicit video not be played at the concert.

Detroit’s mayor at the time, Dennis Archer, wrote a letter of apology.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Billy Crystal says he’d consider a return as Oscar host — if some changes are made to the show.

The eight-time Academy Awards host said he was moved by his warm reception at last month’s ceremony and that “it might be fun” to host the show again.

“I think the show needs to change,” he said. “There’s too many awards and it has to sort of freshen itself up, and if I can be a part of that, that would be great.”

T h e 6 3 - ye a r- o l d e n t e rtainer made the comments Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press as he prepared to join longtime friend Muhammad Ali

at Saturday’s Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix. Crystal is set to introduce the Champ, who hosts the annual fundraising event to support the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and research toward a cure.

Reba McEntire will serve as emcee for the 17th annual Celebrity Fight Night, which w i l l f e at u re ap p e a r a n c e s

by Ali and Halle Berry and performances by Matchbox Twenty, Kelly Clarkson and Bret Michaels, among others.

Crystal and Ali have been close personal friends since 1974, when they met at one of the comedian’s first televised gigs.

Crystal said he “was a substitute schoolteacher during the day and being a comedian at night” when he was invited to appear at an event where Ali was the guest of honor.

The comedian opened with his impression of spor ts reporter Howard Cosell, then began imitating Ali. “ H e w e n t b e r s e rk . H e couldn’t stop laughing,” Crystal recalled. “And he starts playing with me. He’s putting the napkin over his head, he’s jabbing me with jabs... He grabbed me afterward and said, ‘You’re my little brother,’ and it’s been that way for all these years now.”

Crystal has appeared at Fight Night several times, said event founder Jimmy Walker.

“Muhammad Ali considers Billy as one of his best and most loyal friends,” Walker said. “They have quite a history together doing many things for each other.”

Though Parkinson’s disease has diminished Ali’s ability to speak, “he has an amazing, booming voice even in his silence,” Crystal said.

And he’ll wait to see if the Academy calls.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Califor nia authorities say Mel Gibson was booked and released on a misdemeanor battery charge as part of the criminal case involving his former girlfriend.

Jail records show the actordirector tur ned himself in Wednesday to the El Segundo Police Department.

He was fingerprinted and his mug shot was taken, a requirement of a plea deal that resulted in him being on probation for three years and attending a year of domestic violence counseling.

The 55-year-old Oscar winner was accused of striking his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva (gree-GOR’-yehvuh) during a January 2010 fight, but his no contest plea on Friday did not include an admission of guilt.

Gibson opted to turn himself in on the same night his film “The Beaver” premiered at the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas.

PAGE 6

THE COLLEGIAN • FUN & GAMES ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, MADDIE SHANNON • COLLEGIAN-FEATURES@CSUFRESNO.EDU

The daily crossword ACROSS 1 “I’m such a klutz!”

5 “Purple” writing 10 Canaanite deity 14 “That was close!”

15 Glove ­material 16 Otherwise 17 “The Auld Sod” 18 Lit 19 A bit more than a trot 20 Is indifferent 23 Spot to graze 24 Bit of gym attire 25 Mauna ___ 28 Win out 32 Binary base 35 Brilliance of performance 37 Chore list heading 38 Object on stage 39 Overwhelmed gift recipient’s comment 42 National Mall trees 43 Unit of Cambodian currency 44 Layabout 45 Bad-mouth, in slang 46 Go against the grain 48 Santa ___ winds 49 “Jack and the Beanstalk” exclamation word 50 “What a pleasant surprise!”

52 Beach Boys’ tune 61 Suggest strongly 62 Language of Sri Lanka 63 Fit of temper

Edited by Timothy E. Parker Universal Press Syndicate

Puzzle by Allen Loggia

C

PUZZLE SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu Copyright 2011. Universal Press Syndicate.

4 Black Friday event 6 65 Bobber’s quest 66 Sicily’s famous ­volcano 67 Cut like a letter opener 68 High-tech beam 69 Water testers DOWN 1 Oil gp.

2 Akron’s home

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

3 South American nation 4 Peachy 5 Two-­dimensional 6 Flotation device 7 Suffix with “narc” 8 Day’s “will be” 9 Elbow grease 10 The beauty of “Beauty and the Beast” 11 Skin-lotion additive 12 Kraits’ cousins

3 Cask dregs 1 21 Sub measurement 22 It’s inside creels?

25 Vandalized, as a car 26 Potential cause of a food recall 27 Reunion attendees 29 Decorative toiletry cases 30 Short-tailed rodents 31 Discombobulate 32 Refrain ­syllables 33 Spun 34 Lincoln Center production 36 Burro’s cousin 38 Advanced deg.

40 Type of rug 41 Church donation 46 Carried out 47 “Whether ‘tis ___ ...” (“Hamlet”) 49 Group of naval v­ essels 51 Beginning 52 Wimpy type 53 Kind of exam 54 Tangelo relative 55 Barcelona bar bite 56 Dennis the Menace types 57 Shower floor piece, often 58 Excited about 59 Theater in Spain 60 Passengers’ concerns, briefly

C

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

SOLUTION: http://collegian.csufresno.edu

Word of the Day

Beardo A weirdo with a beard.

Source: UrbanDictionary.com

History of Fresno State in Pictures In honor of Fresno State’s Centennial

Collegian Archives Photo

Tony Atencio, Dwight Panter and Dirk VanGelder, shown at swim practice, represented Fresno State College in the State College Swimming Championship in spring 1962. All three were breaststrokers. The competition that year took place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 4, 1962, at Bulldog Pool, at the old campus. This uncredited photo ran in the Thursday, May 3, 1962, issue of The Collegian.

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

THE COLLEGIAN • SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR, BEN INGERSOLL • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

PAGE 7

New college baseball rule shows up in Fresno State stat sheets Bat rule change helping Diamond ‘Dog pitchers open season at 14-2

By Vongni Yang The Collegian Fresno State knows the dangers of a baseball making contact with a pitcher all too well.

In June 2007, Tanner Scheppers, then Bulldogs ace, was struck in the head by a baseball on a line drive during an NCAA regional game in San Diego.

Reports said that Scheppers was on the ground for nearly 10 minutes, and he

was rushed to a hospital shortly after being carried off the pitcher’s mound on a stretcher wearing a neck brace.

It was a scary scene, but with the new NCAA-mandated rule on college bats, the potential risk of pitchers being struck by a ball is likely to be reduced.

“I would definitely say that before, there was a definite possibility of getting hurt by the ball,” Bulldogs pitcher Greg Gonzalez said. “You could still get hurt by these, but I mean it was defi-

nitely a lot more dangerous before.”

The switch from composite barreled bats to aluminum bats ensures the safety of players and evens a playing field for the offense and defense.

College baseball has seen an explosion of offensive output, and to counter this, new bats must meet the newly introduced Ball-Bat Coefficient of Restitution standard.

According to the NCAA, over the past four years per-game average of home runs have steadily risen from 0.68 in 2007 to 0.94 last season, and so have runs per game from 6.10 to 6.98.

“A lot of times last year, the bats were so powerful that if we make a good pitch, we do exactly what we wanted with the ball, [batters] wouldn’t get it all the way square or anything, and it would still go,” Gonzalez said.

But no more. Bulldog pitchers are seeing much more success on the mound this season. The team’s earned run average has dropped from a staggering 6.05 last year to 2.70 this season.

Gonzalez is currently 4-0 and has given up only four earned runs in five starts.

The strong pitching has led to a program-best 14-2 start.

“From a pitching standpoint, I guess we’re in favor of them,” Gonzalez said of the new bats.

But as predicted, the Bulldogs batting numbers have decreased a bit because of the new bats. Through the 2010 season, head coach Mike Batesole’s squad

batted .322 and though 16 games are batting .295 as a team.

No Fresno State player has struggled more than Bulldog first baseman Jordan Ribera, last season’s national home run leader with 27. Ribera has only one home run through 16 games and is batting .203 from the plate. About this same time last year, Ribera blasted eight home runs and had three alone in a four-game series against Nebraska.

Ribera said the new bats have posed a challenge for him, but he isn’t blaming the bats for his recent funk.

“They challenge you a little bit more as a hitter to barrel it up,” Ribera said.

“You don’t get away with as many things this year as you would last year.

“You can’t let the bat affect you or your swing,” he added. “That’s when you start creating problems.”

Although the new bats have dipped into players’ batting averages and have improved pitcher’s ERA, the preparation and experience gained from these bats are valuable for their future careers in the majors.

“I think it definitely prepares you better,” Ribera said. “It’s got a little bit more of a wood feel. It’s a lot closer to wood than last year’s bats are, but at the same time it’s still metal. So, if you start using wood, it’s going to shock you a little bit too if you don’t use wood as often. They’re closer to wood than the bats were last year.”

Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo

With barrel bats out of hitters’ hands, Fresno State pitchers like Derek Benny have a team-combined season ERA of 2.70, almost four runs improved from last year.

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SPORTS

THIS WEEK

The Fresno State baseball team hosts a two-game series against Ohio State on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the softball team hosts a Tuesday double header against UC Santa Barbara.

PAGE 8

SPORTS EDITOR, BEN INGERSOLL • COLLEGIAN-SPORTS@CSUFRESNO.EDU

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

‘Dogs no match for Tar Heels at NCAA Tournament NORTH CAROLINA 82, FRESNO STATE 68

Associated Press

Three Bulldog newcomers watch as Fresno State’s bid to advance in the NCAA Tournament was dashed by North Carolina on Saturday. The game marked the finale for the Bulldogs’ five seniors.

By Jerry Huerta The Collegian On Saturday, the Fresno State women’s basketball team had two things on its mind: win its first NCAA Tournament game in school history and continue the legacy of its five seniors.

To accomplish both feats, the Bulldogs would have to get past No. 5 seed North Carolina in Albuquerque, N.M. After Saturday’s game, the careers for the five seniors were over and so was the latest shot at a first NCAA Tournament win as the Tar Heels pulled away down the stretch to win 82-68.

The game began with a lot of promise as the Bulldogs started off fast with an early 14-5 lead, but North Carolina fired back taking a four-point lead going into halftime, 40-36. This would be the closest Fresno State would get for the remainder of the contest. A key factor that was significant was the Tar Heels dominance on the boards, out rebounding the Bulldogs 63-49.

The Tar Heels came into the

game with a significant height advantage and it made a difference in the Bulldogs’ game plan. Fresno State fired up a school record 50 shots from beyond the arc, but only made 14 on 28-percent shooting.

“It made us look for more outside shots,” coach Adrian Wiggins said in a phone interview. “When we say they’re long, we’re talking 6-foot-6 and

the Bulldogs to shoot more outside shots than normal.

Fresno State came into the contest leading the country in three-point attempts, and its 50 three-pointers were the second most attempted in a NCAA Tournament game.

Despite the poor shooting efforts by the team, the seniors still led the way with Hayley Munro scoring a team-high 15

foundation for the players to come. We’ve been very proud of our seniors both on and off the court. They’ll finish in May. All of them will have their degrees and they will have been the winningest basketball class here ever. Those two things should say a lot.”

The seniors leave the program with 97 victories to go along with four consecutive

“W

e want to keep playing in the NCAA Tournament and win it ... At the same time, it’s most important for us to do well in our league.”

— Adrian Wiggins, head coach

7-foot wingspans. They’re very long players. They’re one of the top field goal percentage teams in the country. They definitely held us to a low percentage tonight. It made a difference in the ball game I think.”

As Wiggins described it, the amount of length the Tar Heels possessed caused

points and Jaleesa Ross chipping in with 14 points in their Fresno State finales.

With his senior class playing its final game as Bulldogs, Wiggins talked about what they’ve meant to the program.

“They’ve been the backbone of the program for the last four years,” Wiggins said.

“Hopefully, they’ve laid a great

NCAA Tournament appearances.

With the seniors now departed, it starts a new chapter in this program’s history.

One thing that will need to be accomplished is getting that first NCAA Tournament win, and Wiggins explained what the program will need to do to get it.

“We need to improve our seed,” Wiggins said. “I think we need to get a little bigger inside. That might help as far as our interior play and rebounding. I think we’re taking steps in that direction it’s just a matter of being patient and working hard.”

The foundation has been set by the graduating seniors, and Wiggins is looking forward to the opportunity of repeating as Western Athletic C o n f e r e n c e To u r n a m e n t champions.

“We want to keep playing in the NCAA Tournament and win it,” Wiggins said. “Those are goals. At the same time, it’s most important for us to do well in our league. We’ve been proud of the fact that we’ve been WAC champions whether it’s league champion or tournament champion so we want to keep that going. Hopefully, we can just keep building on it next year and come back and compete for another WAC championship.”