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FRIDAY Issue MAY 4, 2012 FRESNO STATE
COLLEGIAN.CSUFRESNO.EDU
SERVING CAMPUS SINCE 1922
Memorial Fountain renovation complete Some students feel $40,000 renovation was ‘unnecessary’ and ‘waste of money’ By Esteban Cortez The Collegian A $40,000 Memorial Fountain renovation project was officially completed and unveiled yesterday during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Memorial Court. The renovation — which was funded by Associated Students, Inc. and the University Student Union board of directors — has some students asking if the renovation was necessary and whether the money could have been spent on other services. Elvia Gutierrez, a senior sociology student, says she doesn’t understand why the fountain was renovated. “I didn’t see anything wrong with the previous fountain,” Gutierrez said. “I don’t see why they had to remodel it.” ASI President Selena Farnesi says she thinks the fountain did need some work and that its previous condition didn’t reflect Fresno State well. “It’s kind of this focal point for the campus and we wanted to make sure that — since students really identify with the fountain as part of Fresno State’s campus — it was a beautiful place to be, and our feeling was that it wasn’t,” said Farnesi. The idea to renovate the fountain was developed in 2010 during Fresno State’s centennial year. ASI and the USU board wanted to provide the university with a gift that would have a lasting impact, Farnesi said, and that all students could enjoy. Utilizing reserve funds, ASI and USU donated $40,000 that would pay for fountain renovations. “[Students] want to be on a campus where things are nice,” Farnesi said. “If a student walks by the fountain and it’s gorgeous, they’re going to have more respect for the place that they are, rather than if they walk by a fountain that’s broken, dirty and doesn’t run.” Before the renovation, the fountain had several issues and damages, according to Farnesi. She said it was covered in a stucco finish and had malfunctioning lights. She added that
Esteban Cortez / The Collegian
Malcom Masten and his wife look at the renovated Memorial Fountain after a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday. Associated Student, Inc. President Selena Farnesi said the $40,000 renovation was a good decision, but many students felt it was “pointless.”
there was broken concrete along the base of the fountain and that the rim was lopsided, causing an uneven flow of water. Although the planning process has been going on for two years, construction and repairs started only about a month ago, and the renovation was officially completed this week. Among the several repairs and additions to the fountain are a new rim, clean tile and LED lights that will allow lighting color adjustments, such as turning the fountain red on game
days, which Farnesi thinks will boost school spirit. The fountain will also be rededicated to students of the centennial, although previous dedications will be preserved. Still, some students have said that the fountain renovation is “pointless” and “a waste of money.” Students on the Fresno State Facebook page have proposed that buying new computers for students would have been a better use of funds, and Gutierrez said she would have preferred a new monument, like a bulldog statue that was also consid-
ered as a gift by ASI and the USU board in 2010. Some students have said that the money should be spent on classes, funding professor salaries or donatedto charity. But Farnesi said that’s out of ASI and the USU board’s control, as it comes from a different pool of money. Despite criticism, Farnesi said that an overwhelming majority approved the fountain renovation and that she hasn’t received too many complaints. She said that several students proposed See FOUNTAIN, Page 3
Dean’s Medalists honored, await top award results By Esteban Cortez The Collegian Nine top graduating seniors have been named Undergraduate Dean’s Medalists for the Class of 2012 at Fresno State. The medalists are chosen as the outstanding students in each of the university’s eight schools and colleges of academic discipline and the Division of Student Affairs. The dean of each college and school selects an undergraduate and graduate medalist based on academic excellence, community involvement and other achievements. Mass communication and journalism student Lucerito Salgado was chosen as the Dean’s Medalist recipient for the College of Arts and Humanities. “It was a big sur prise,” Salgado said about receiv-
ing the award. “I was so honored to be chosen as the Dean’s Medalist recipient for the College of Arts and Humanities, which I love.” Salgado completed a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism, with emphases in broadcast journalism and public relations. A first-generation Latina student, she is fluent in Spanish and served in various leadership roles on and off campus. She cites her passion, dedication and commitment to help others as her drives toward academic excellence, and she says those traits helped her become the Dean’s Medalist recipient. “I was so humbled to receive this recognition,” she added. The other eight Dean’s Medalist recipients were Tarilee Frigulti from the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technolog y;
Esteban Cortez / The Collegian
Lucerito Salgado was one of nine graduating seniors who were named Dean’s Medalist recipients. The President’s Medalist will be announced on May 19.
Theresa Voecking from the Craig School of Business; Patricia Sandoval from the Kremen School of Education and Human Development;
Christopher McComb from the Lyles College of Engineering; Nancy Lope z from the College of Health and Human Services; Katherine Urabe
of the College of Science and Mathematics; Samantha Peel from the College of Social Science; and Selena Farnesi from the Division of Student Affairs. Farnesi, who also served as ASI president during the past year, was the lead researcher for a textbook study that advised the campus technology committees on how the university should proceed in adopting electronic textbooks. One of the medalists will be named the President’s Medalist, the top academic honor, at the 2012 commencement ceremony scheduled for May 19 at the Save Mart Center.
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