THE COLLEGIAN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014
FRESNO STATE'S STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1922
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Photo by David Lee • The Collegian
During the annual Tunnel of Oppression event in University Courtyard, students look at the “Project Unbreakable” exhibit, a photo essay depicting sexual assault victims holding signs describing their ordeals.
Gray wolf lecture promotes animal’s protection By Jesse Franz
@JesseOfTheNews Rod Coronado, a high-profile radical environmentalist who some hail as a former political prisoner and others label an ecoterrorist, spoke at Fresno State Monday discussing the delisting of the gray wolf from the federal protected species list. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Endangered Species Act, has instituted protections for the wolf since 1978. Over the past three years, the service has delisted the wolf in the Northern Rockies and Western Great Lakes -- its prime habitats. The service is considering further rolling back federal protections for the animal, allowing the rest of the lower 48 states to create their own regulations, which
Meeting seeks to address cultural groups’ grievances By Nadia Pearl @nadia_pearl_
Coronado says will harm wolf populations that are still rebounding from near extinction. “We’re seeing a war on wolves,” he said. “A war on one of the most iconic, majestic animals in this country. An animal that everybody has recognized was an endangered species on the brink of extinction.” Now on a mission to change what he sees as institutional wrongs with environmental policy through speaking and raising awareness, Coronado is traveling across the U.S. to fight for greater federal protections for the gray wolf. One of the main groups opposed to gray wolf protections are ranchers who say protecting wolves makes their livestock more vulnerable to attack. In response to their concerns, Coronado proposes
The cultural climate of Fresno State was discussed Tuesday between members of Associated Students, Inc. and representatives of a student club coalition who are advocating for increased understanding of marginalized students on campus. Held in the Joyal Administration Building, faculty members were also present at the meeting to observe the conversations aiming to resolve discrepancies of the past semester and provide solutions for the future. The meeting became heated at times amidst disagreements when certain topics were discussed, such as ASI’s denial of funding to M.E.Ch.A and Phi Beta Sigma and the March 5th ASI senate meeting that was protested. Dr. Francine Oputa, part of the women’s studies program and a member of the Division of Student Affairs Leadership Team, mediated the discussion between the two groups. Also present as a bystander was Dr. Carolyn Coon, vice president for Student Affairs. While funding was discussed, Maria Ortega, a member of M.E.Ch.A, said this was not their focus for the meeting, but rather it was the need
See WOLF, PAGE 3
‘DOGS BEAT PRINCETON
-- PAGE 8
Photo by Matt Vieira • The Collegian
ASI ELECTIONS END THURSDAY AT NOON
for discussion about an institutionalized culture at Fresno State where the “marginalized still don’t have a voice.” She said this semester’s funding denial was “the straw that broke the camel’s back” in terms of the wider issue of systemic oppression. However, by the close of the two-hour meeting, both groups expressed encouragement about the first steps being taken. “I feel like it was a very constructive conversation,” said Rebecca Rosengarten, ASI’s vice president of finance. “I think that it was an opening for future discussions between ASI and the coalition.” Ortega said, “It definitely paved the way for follow-up to happen.” “It’s always hard because these conversations are always very emotional,” Ortega said. “But I think it was a great first step.” Dulce Marin, another M.E.Ch.A member, said it felt like the two groups were “starting to maybe step in the same shoes, starting to maybe see this understanding of both sides.” Justin Whisten, ASI’s executive vice president, said the meeting “opened the door for a broad conversation regarding the student culture.”
See MEETING, PAGE 6
DOWTOWN PLAY
==> GREAT GATSBY: Photos of the play at The Grand in Downtown Fresno. [PAGE 4]
SQUIRREL WEEK
==> PHOTO ESSAY: The celebrating of Squirrel Appreciation Week on campus. [PAGE 2]