Fall 2013 issue 1

08.28.13

VOLUME LXXXXVII ISSUE 1

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Student-run publication serving the San Francisco State community since 1927

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E T S E M E S L L A F R O F P U IT STUDENTS SU ol year re the new scho

dents together befo Welcome Days brought stu

CSU reacts to hazing deaths haydee@mail.sfsu.edu

SF State’s Greek Life returns to campus this fall with their usual plans and cloud hanging overhead: the death of Peter Tran last spring. by expelling the fraternity, which was linked to Tran’s hazing realated death. Now an investigation is underway while the campus brings in a peer responsibility program focused on alcohol poisoning awareness.

“The University has policies, procedures and resources in place for all students and student organizations regarding various wellness issues, including alcohol and other drugs,” said Dean of Students Joseph Greenwell in an email to Xpress.

“The University has and will continue to work closely with student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, to discuss and educate students on these issues.”

TRAN’S DEATH AND ITS EFFECT Tran died at Lambda Phi Epsilon’s crossover party last April, presumed to be process to join the fraternity. Lambda Phi Epsilon is a national Asian American fraternity that started crossing classes, or Omicron chapter in 1993.

Tran’s body was found the morning after the party. He was presumed to have died sometime during the night and was likely to be sleeping. Alcohol appears to have played a factor in his death, though it has not been Lambda Phi Epsilon was expelled fol-

lowing a full student organization review, according to Dean of Students Joseph Greenwell.

Other members of the fraternity are also going through the University’s student conduct process.

by Lambda Phi Epsilon. In 2005, two of their pledges died from hazing incidents: Texas from alcohol poisoning, and then Kenny Luong at Cal Poly from injuries of a staged football game of pledges and alumni. In 2008, The Daily Northwestern published a hazing story on Lambda Phi Epsilon pledges being forced to drink galThe SF State Hazing Policy states that under California law, any participation in hazing is a criminal offense.

SF State forbids “Physical abuse, commonly known as hazing, but not limited to, paddling, slapping, kicking, choking, scratching and exposure to extreme water temperatures...excessive mental stress...verbal abuse, including, but not limited to, shouting, screaming, or use of derogatory, profane or obscene language.”

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Campus merge to build identity

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jordanh@mail.sfsu.edu

his semester, SF State's Associated Students, Inc. and Cesar Chavez Student Center are consolidating to become a single enhanced student auxiliary.

The University’s goal to merge both auxiliaries would build SF State’s identity and give student government a stronger presence and impact on campus, according to a charge produced by the Enhanced Auxiliary Team, a group consisting of students that are leading the merger.

“This is a rare and incredible opportunity for the two auxiliaries to create a new student government organization,” said Dean of Students Joseph Greenwell. “It will allow for eliminating current duplications of

dents and engage more students in student government and student life.” seven campus programs such as the Early Childhood Education Center and Project Connect, to name a few. Students become members of ASI upon paying a $54 fee, which is included in tuition, allowing ASI programs and services to be free for students.

Play exploring female mind hits the stage

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2 NEWS SF STATE SPEAKS OUT DESCRIBE THE BEST DAY OF YOUR SUMMER

08.28.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

CCSF’s accreditation may affect transfers

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IKE THE OTHER TENS of thousands of students at City College of San Francisco, 21-year-old Giselle Rouede had faith that her school would remain open so she took time off from her education to join the Nation-

al Guard reserves.

After completing her training as an Aviation Operations Specialist she returned to City Col-

CHRIS BRENNAN, 26 SPANISH MAJOR

Just came back from Chile. I -

PRUDENCE GRAVES, 18 GRAPHIC DESIGN MAJOR

Probably at work teaching kids to swim. The last day the kids that it was the end of class, and they said they were gonna miss me.

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cpalmer@mail.sfsu.edu

accreditation crisis.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges decreed that City College would lose its accreditation on July 31, 2014.

While their decision remains under review, the

Transfers from City College do very well here.

They’re our main source of transfers.

increasing graduation and freshman retention rates, maintaining its commitment to diversiThat stands in marked contrast to City College, which was faulted for poor money management and student achievement planning.

College students like 22-year-old Matt Tahir exploring other options.

“I always have a backup plan,” said Tahir.

“I worry about people who can’t travel to Skyline.”

Skyline College, in Daly City, is one alternative for City College students if the school is ultimately forced to close, but Tahir and Rouede both say it’s inconvenient for San Francisco residents to get to.

SF State President live in the city,” said Rouede. “Skyline would city including SF State.

“Transfers from City College do very well have a car.” here,” said SF State President Leslie E. Wong.

Whatever their backup options are, both “They’re our main source of transfers.”

SF State received 657 transfers from the community college Tahir and Rouede said they hope City College remains open.

“They’re such an important part of San Francisco,” said last fall, but that source of new students might disappear if the Wong. “Their role is complex and necessary.” college loses its accreditation.

Accreditation is a process every school must go through to ensure that student interests are being met. It’s what ensures that classes are transferable, degrees are recognized by other colleges and that the school is eligible for government funding.

President Wong said he stands ready to help City College in any way he can, but has ruled out a merger of the two schools. With transfer rules already in place the University prefers to rely on its existing policies.

“We did not want to appear to open any doors and drain away resources from City College,” said Wong.

Although still open and accredited for the moment, the community college has suffered a 10 percent decline in enrollment for the new semester, according to Paul Feist, spokesman for the CaliSF State recently underwent its own accreditation process The Western Association of Schools and Colleges reaccredited SF State for the next 10 years and credited the school with

Related Staff Ed: Page 10

SANDRA MUÑIZ, 18 UNDECLARED

When my sister took me to an animal shelter. Being in that environment made me sad. But that was the day that I got my dog. And

SF State Crime Blotter Between 8/19 – 8/24 there were 15 incidents responded to by the University Police Department. Here are the highlights.

RYAN MURPHY PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE STUDENT

A sunny hike in Muir Woods.

Getting away from the fog in the city.

Photos by: Virginia Tieman Reporting by: Beza Beneberu

Public Intoxication 8/23 8:20 p.m.

Grand Theft 8/24 11:10 p.m.

An SF State student had her cell phone stolen while at the

Medical Assistance 8/23 1:50 a.m.

Vehicle Theft 8/23 4:30 p.m.

and the man deemed medically healthy.

Mental Health Detention 8/20 1:35 p.m.

Informational Report 8/18 2:43 a.m.

ing to steal a golf cart from outside the Humanities Build-

tal.

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4 NEWS

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Interim steps in at tough time

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danelson@mail.sfsu.edu

FTER 28 YEARS AS AN SF State Director Michael J. Simpson's retirement came nearly a month after controversy arose in the athletic department.

troversy in the athletic department and a harsh budget climate.

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director of athletics for comment of Simpson's retirement on July 2. related to an early summer incident surrounding the publicized murder charges and trial of a star athlete.

Willard.

in late May and is facing charges for involvement in the

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May.

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Wong said. “Young people make decisions; good and -

sity could have done to prevent it.

President Wong believes that businesses that can’t

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ciate athletic director in charge of compliance and

State.

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piece in the athletic director transition.

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said. “I’d never even heard her name. She’s probably go-

Students fight for more than marriage

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bfocht@mail.sfsu.edu

he recent Supreme Court decision repealing Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act in June moved the LGBTQ community one step closer to equality and set off celebrations across the city. issues of greater importance are being overlooked.

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Rev. Jesse Peterson from Los Angeles has called upon parents to remove their kids blyman Tim Donnely has removed his son from public school.

NEWS 5

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Auxiliaries look to merge to create community The student center also serves as a nonprofit auxiliary which is led by a student will eliminate employees’ current positions, resulting in the loss of a job. governing board. The student center houses most ASI programs as well as its own “While there are similarities between the two organizations, there are also a student services and programs from restaurant vendors to The Depot and Art number of differences,” said former ASI Representative at Large Abel Gomez. “BeGallery. cause of these differences, the structure (of the new combined student auxiliary) Seven student and staff leaders representing both organiremains mysterious. Such ambiguity makes people uncomfortable, I zations such as ASI President Adenike Hamilton and Cesar think.”

Chavez Governing Board Chair Kimberly Vargas make up The Enhanced Auxiliary Team has looked to San Diego State the Enhanced Auxiliary Team. Last spring the team created University as a model for their Associated Students organization, six task forces, organized by similar departments form each where their student center and student government have always student auxiliary. existed as one auxiliary.

The six task force groups include Business and Finance, The University has been working under the guidance of Dan Programs and Services, Facilities and Operations, Human ReCornthwaite, ex-executive director of Associated Students at San sources and Marketing, Communications and Development.

Diego State University, since early May to assess the merger proThese groups consist of current student center and ASI emcess. Cornthwaite has met with both organizations to discuss the One thing that ployees, board members and students, who meet once a week strengths and weaknesses of each. He presented his recommendawe try to be clear to collaborate on how their departments can come together tions to the organizations last May at the ASI and student center about is that through feedback and recommendations. governing board annual retreat.

A major goal of the merge is to consolidate departments The talk of a merger has been an idea in the SF State community we are taking that essentially perform the same job. for some time. two separate “One thing that we try to be clear about is that we are In an ASI meeting held Oct. 2011, the ASI Rules Committee organizations taking two separate organizations and making an enhanced discussed the organization’s five-year plan. The former chair, Jason and making organization,” said Peter Koo, the executive director of ASI. Zavaleta questioned how ASI would go about merging at the end of an enhanced There will be no effect on tuition costs for students in the five-year plan. organization. reflection to the organizations’ merge, where there is currently The overall goal was similar to what the goal is with today’s a fee for both ASI and the student center, but will be used more merger: to have stronger communication and transparency between effectively, according to Adenike Hamilton, president of ASI. the student center and ASI. Peter Koo, executive Each year, each student pays $82 as a student resource fee Both ASI and the student center have already combined fiscally director of ASI and $54 as an ASI fee. The administration said these payments as of July 1. The completed merger of the auxiliaries is expected to are still necessary to uphold a functional organization. take place in February 2014 upon a referendum vote made by SF The merge has brought up questions of whether certain student programs or State students this fall. services will be cut. Managing Director of the Cesar Chavez Student Center Guy “I have been extremely impressed by the passion and commitment the ASI and Dalpe said if all goes accordingly, no programs or services will be cut.

CCSC student leaders, professional staff, and student employees have demonstrat“At this stage in the process we have not identified any programs and services ed throughout this process,” said Greenwell. “They, along with University partners, as being unnecessary,” said Dalpe. continue to work diligently to make the vision of an enhanced student auxiliary a However, there have been questions and concerns about whether the merge reality, further developing the student experience at SF State.”

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6 NEWS

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Death brings alcohol awareness The rest of the policy follows Matt’s Law, which was named in memory of Matt Carrington, who died in the basement of a fraternity house while attending CSU Chico. Matt’s Law is a California law that allows for felony prosecutions when serious injuries or deaths are the result of hazing rituals.

The law amended both the California Penal and Education Codes, raising charges for hazing from misdemeanors to felonies. Under Matt’s Law, anyone who violates the hazing policies could spend a year in tion member with the campus.

With the fraternity now expelled, Lambda Phi Epsilon will no longer be recognized as an organization at SF State, removing all their abilities to remain on campus.

That brings the number of Greek organizations down to 29.

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STEPS TO GREATER ALCOHOL RESPONSIBILITY There is only one new State and the CSU system: the Aware Awake Alive program.

EFFECTS ON GREEK LIFE

by parents who lost their son, Carson Starkey, to hazing at Cal Poly in 2008, Aware Awake Alive works with universities and high schools to implement their Toolbox program.

“It addresses the relationship that friends have,” said CSU Spokesman Erik Fallis. “The goal is to have a person’s friends recognize the dangers of alcohol poisoning and take responsibility to get them help.”

This peer-to-peer nature of the program has created a cultural effect on each campus it’s brought to.

“The movement has taken root deeply (at Cal Poly) and spread to 65 other campuses,” said David Wyatt, spokesman for Aware Awake Alive. “The cultural shift gets strength and staying power from a non-judgmental message, its peer-to-peer nature, and how our Toolbox is a set of resources rather than a rigid system.”

Aug. 1 the CSU website and the Aware Awake Alive Facebook page announced that Chancellor Timothy P. White committed to roll out the Toolbox for the entire CSU system.

How the Aware Awake Alive Toolbox program will affect SF State is hard to determine.

“It’s hard to isolate the effect to just one program,” said Fallis. “We encourage campuses to explore a lot of programs.”

The University continues to discuss

95%

of students who felt hazed did not report it to campus

haydee@mail.sfsu.edu

new programs and resources for students in addition to Aware Awake Alive, according to Greenwell.

Aware Awake Alive does hope to positively affect the campus through the awareness it provides.

“Our goal for SF State would be to turn the death of Peter Tran into a transformative moment for the student body and the campus awareness,” said Wyatt from Aware Awake Alive. “We challenge SF State to honor Tran by doing better.”

But even without these programs, events like this can be prevented by students.

California has a medical amnesty policy allowing limited protection to people involved in illegal activity who bring or call in someone in medical danger.

This kind of action might prevent some of the reported 1,825 alcohol-related deaths of 18 to 24-year-old college students, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

In California, excessive alcohol use resulted in more than 10,000 deaths, with alcohol-related injuries that cause deaths and hospitalizations most likely in the 20 to 34 age range, according to the Open Epidemiology Journal.

55%

of students in clubs, sports and orgs are hazed

Hazing by the

“The University started a dialogue with the Greek community early on after learning about the incident,” said Greenwell. “Although fraternity and sorority student leaders see this as an isolated incident and not representative of the Greek community, they are also taking this seriously.”

Daniel Reyna, a brother of local fraternity Zeta Chi Epsilon at SF State and the Fall 2013 vice president and rush director, said he believes that Tran’s passing won’t have an effect on this fall’s rush. a safer process.”

Kevin Judge, a brother and current recruitment director for national fraternity Alpha Sigma Phi’s Zeta Lambda Chapter at SF State, thinks Greek life should take this as a chance to step up.

“Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, it will likely fuel the stigmas and “Hopefully, however, we can use this sad and sobering turn-of-events to step up and prove that Greek life is here to help students with more than their beer-pong aim.”

Orgs can agree with Reyna that deaths are unwanted at SF State fraternities and sororities.

“No one wants to be the org that did it a second time,” he said.

47%

of students were hazed before college

Numbers

40%

of hazed athletes said coach knew

22%

of hazed athletes said coach involved

36%

didn’t report hazing since there’s “no one to tell”

82% of deaths from hazing involve alcohol

*statistics from HazingPrevention.org

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Vital steps for post-college success

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FTER FOUR PLUS YEARS of deadlines, all-nighters and books heavier than the Freshman 15, who doesn’t want to believe that they’ll score their dream job right when they step off that graduation stage?

While it’s a great dream, the reality is that’s not likely to happen — at all.

More and more college graduates aren’t getting the jobs they want — or any job for that matter. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that businesses are hiring only 2.1 percent more college grads from the class of 2013, instead of the projected 13 percent.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for any college graduate — and most counterintuitive — is balancThat’s not to say what you’re learning in the classroom is useless; rather, you’re lacking in everything the classroom can’t teach you, and the skills you were not tested on.

The New York Times’ article “What It Takes to Make New College Graduates Employable” refers to a special report by the Chronicle of Higher Education and American Public Media’s Marketplace. The article points out college grads aren’t missing technical skills, but rather communication skills, adaptability, decision-making skills and problem solving.

As a career-minded college graduate, communication skills should go beyond those taught in COMM 150. The ability to write a great email, sell a good elevator pitch and turn small talk into quick networking are increasingly important, but barely scrape the surface on what it takes to be successful in the career

world.

Mark O’Toole’s “Congratulations Graduate! Eleven Reasons Why I Will Never Hire You” touches on problems with graduates’ resumes, professional courtesy and lack of understanding social media beyond Facebook. As Millennials, this should be our home territory. Unfortunately, many of us have blank Pinterest pages and minimal tweets with terrible grammar.

Ready to

Launch A WEEKLY CAREER COLUMN BY NENA FARRELL haydee@mail.sfsu.edu

Our generation tends to be messing up on even the seemingly easy parts of getting a job. A survey done

by Adecco asked 500 hiring managers to name the biggest general mistake 18-to-24-year-olds make in a job interview. Half of them said inappropriate attire. It should be second nature to assume you need to dress on the conservative side for an interview, but I’ve seen people show up in jeans and a tank top.

Another huge takeaway that is more our generation than any one before us: the issue of the cell phone. A third of those interviewed by the Adecco sur-

vey said a big issue was someone texting or looking at his/her phone during an interview. Your phone should not be anywhere within sight of your interviewer. You don’t need to be checking the time because nailing the interview should be your priority, not your latest Instagram update. It’s a simple way to show that you are present and you want this job.

This is a wake-up call. Even after the hours of studying in the library and heavy course loads, none of us should be so cocky to think we know everything it takes to succeed in the ever-competitive job market.

You’re competing with everyone you’re sitting next to, but that doesn’t mean that the teacher’s pet with the best grades will get the job.

Pursuing your passion is much more important than getting As, according to the Time Ideas blog.

Your A in your GWAR course isn’t going to get you the job, but rather your ability to set yourself apart with networking and self-promoting skills.

Now, that’s a scary thing to think about.

It sounds a little more appealing to hide in the library or, even better, a bar. We’ve all been there.

But college is also about moving forward in the direction you want to head for the next stage of your life. Understanding how to think beyond college will ultimately guide you into the job, and hopefully career, that you invested your time and money into. So get ready to launch.

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Students unite over eclectic mix of talent faustino@mail.sfsu.edu

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and smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu

T FRIDAY NIGHT’S SF STATE’S GOT Talent show, the packed McKenna Theatre erupted into a dance frenzy to Britney Spears' hit “Till the World Ends.” The entirely student-produced event featured judges, MCs and performers all from SF State’s student body.

“This is purely a student production,” said Dean of Students Joseph Greenwell.

The purple and gold lit stage, also designed by students, was graced by acts including acoustic guitar performances, a dance routine, solo singing, and an opening performance by SF State comedic improv group, Improv Nation.

Adviser for the Student Life Activities Board and manager of this year’s show, Arnold Paguio, wanted to use the event to show the vcommunal environment SF State has to offer.

“I hope that students understand that this is a place where you can express yourself and that San Francisco State will support you and guide you in doing so,” Paguio said.

“There is something for everyone at San Francisco State,” Greenwell said, in reference to the slew of entertainment activities the school is offering to welcome in new students.

SF State’s Got Talent has been a popular Welcome Days tradition. The series of events works to welcome freshman, international students and transfer students into the school community.

“The events so far have been fun," Mark Reynolds, an 18-yearold cinema major said. Reynolds heard of the event through the Welcome Days website, and said he was looking forward to seeing other people’s talents since he’s interested in music and performing.

“I think the talent show is a wonderful idea,” Veronica France, chair of arts and culture for SLAB said. “Not only does it bring the incoming students and returning students together, but it also shows everyone how talented SF State is.”

As different acts made their impressions on their families, peers and student panel of judges, the crowd supported the acts through cheers and glowing smartphones.

The winner of Friday night’s event, Sean Thompson, 20, music major, won the crowd over with an original acoustic guitar comof the judges remarked that she had never heard guitar played in that way. welcome to college ever."

Local attractions for Gators faustino@mail.sfsu.edu

Summer is coming to an end and it’s about that time to jump out of bed and chase down MUNI, crash that impacted class and wait in a winding line to purchase books. But it’s also time to get acclimated to school and take advantage of the fun, friendly student-priced oppor-

SFSU Studio Theatre: Why We Have a Body (Aug. 28 – Aug. 31)

Your class schedule might not allot the time to head to the movie theater but why not check out some of your peers in go wrong with the price. The Master of Arts Thesis Production will present Claire Chafee’s “Why We Have a Body” at the Directed by Tessa Carter, candidate for a master’s in drama, the comedy tells the story of four women on a journey of self-discovery. The show starts at 8 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday in the Studio Theatre of the Creative Arts Building and tickets are $5 each.

The Depot’s Kickoff Show (Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013)

For new students, the place to check out local, up-and-coming artists is The Depot located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. The Depot team is event of the semester, a free show comprised of Bay Area artists including The Fresh & Cool Ghouls. The event starts at 6 p.m. in the lower level of The Depot. All students are welcome as well as guests.

Trey Songz Concert (Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013)

This summer the Bay Area was jam-packed with concerts, but just because school’s starting doesn’t mean it has to end. Amazon Student is hosting a free back-to-college concert featuring R&B artist, Trey Songz. The concert will take place

BART station). All college students are welcome and VIP access is available to current students who have bought or rented a textbook from Amazon since Aug. 1, 2013.

General ticket access begins August

The Fine Arts Gallery: The Illuminated Library (Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013)

now, but SF State has some exhibitions of its own. The relationship between literature and illustration takes center stage in SF State’s Fine Arts Gallery upcoming exhibition “The Illuminated Library,” curated by Fine Arts Gallery Manager Sharon Bliss. The new exhibit will showcase a range of contemporary and historical pieces including pop-up books, illustrations for children’s books, illuminated musical scores and rare illustrated manuscripts borrowed from the Sutro Library and SF State’s own J. Paul Leonard Library. The exhibit opens Sept. 21

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Gators settle into their new home

haydee@mail.sfsu.edu

and slenon44@mail.sfsu.edu

L

AST THURSday SF State kicked off the fall semester for incoming and returning students with a plethora of festivities from moving into the dorms to pigging out on campus grub in the series of events known as Welcome Days. cial Move-In Day for students enjoying their college years in on-campus housing. The day was packed with meet-andgreet opportunities and ended with a movie on the lawn.

However, students really got a taste of SF State in the following days to come.

On Friday afternoon, Taste of SF State provided new students with samples of cuisine from campus restaurants, including two new additions this semester: Quickly and Nizario’s Pizza.

“With the new students we’re trying to familiarize them with their options on campus,” Leonard Corpus, retail commercial services manager, said. “We’re trying to build a new customer base with the incoming students.”

Corpus, who organized the event, said other than the new vendors, one other difference from past Taste of SF State events is that there were no prize giveaways.

“In the past few years we would give each incoming student a two iPods,” Corpus said. “We didn’t do that this year.”

Despite the lack of prizes, there was more than enough food to make up for it.

“I ended up getting a little bit of everything,” Jeanette Silva-Torres, 18, visual communications major, said. “On campus it seems like we have a lot of choices to pick from.”

Among those choices was a plate of chicken served with rice on the side from the Gold Coast Grill, which Silva-Torres said was one of her favorites. the rice tasted good too,” Silva-Torres said. “It’s great because I had heard that San Francisco has some of the best food around.”

At the new West Campus Green, the Student Life Carnival Friday night also let students enjoy buffets of food and play games such as laser tag.

Students had to check in with the Residential Life staff, sign a waiver and swipe their SF State ID to receive green Student Life wristbands that gave them access to the event.

Freshmen like Winter McCloud enjoyed the Welcome Day events for several reasons.

“I’m having fun making a lot of new friends and getting to meet people, campus,” he said.

Welcome Days closed with events that included a Student Life dance party and community service, giving new students a chance to get involved with the campus.

Want to see more coverage of Welcome Days? Check out the video online at GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

10 O P I N I O N

08.28.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG STAFF EDITORIAL

No simple solution to City College dilemma EDITOR-IN-CHIEF arrodrig@mail.sfsu.edu

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR jonaramo@mail.sfsu.edu ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR loda@mail.sfsu.edu ART DIRECTOR hnall@mail.sfsu.edu PRINT COPY CHIEF haydee@mail.sfsu.edu ONLINE COPY CHIEF jordanh@mail.sfsu.edu PRINT PHOTO EDITOR sbenedic@mail.sfsu.edu

ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR mhendric@mail.sfsu.edu NEWS EDITOR jdt@mail.sfsu.edu

NEWS EDITOR cpalmer@mail.sfsu.edu

A&E EDITOR faustino@mail.sfsu.edu OPINION EDITOR smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu

WITH A LITTLE MORE THAN AN ACADEMIC year left for City College of San Francisco, its accreditation — along with its state funding — will likely be revoked, leading to the closure of the nearly 80-year-old campus.

In a recent op-ed published in the San Francisco Chronicle, the idea was presented to merge CCSF and SF State into a single campus. The article argued that CCSF’s survival could be

schools could potentially create more problems than it would solve.

the stronger. The difference with CCSF and SF State is that they are educational institutions, and unlike companies, cannot be broken up for their valuable assets; each department

pointed out SF State’s and is required for history of healthily the success of the dealing with its own set school as a whole. of funding issues.

Ultimately, CCSF Solving complex has a distinction as a issues involves breakcommunity college, ing them down into not a university. Its smaller solvable pieces role in the college and dealing with each world, to provide of those smaller pieces general education and with the attention an alternative to the each piece deserves. ever-expensive costs While merging the two of university-taught campuses into a giant classes, is as importone seems like a quick ant as ever. answer at a glance, San Francisco that solution does not needs a community kharuta@mail.sfsu.edu solve the smaller issues college and CCSF contributing to the reasons that CCSF lost for thousands of students for many decades. In the heavily its accreditation. populated urban environment that San Francisco is, having In a published response in the Chronicle, SF State President Leslie E. Wong pointed out that one of the biggest an institution that can openly admit tens of thousands of students — regardless of high school grades, and at substanproblems with combining both campuses is that “state statute, maintains a distinction between community colleges tially lower costs than a university — is a must.

Preserving CCSF as a community college and making and state universities, resulting in distinct authority, strucit stronger should be the goal in the next year of hardship it tures, funding and governance.” faces.

SPORTS EDITOR srubin@mail.sfsu.edu MULTIMEDIA EDITOR danelson@mail.sfsu.edu

BLOG EDITOR kmartz@mail.sfsu.edu SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR sanchezc@mail.sfsu.edu

PRINT ADVISER blogowitz@yahoo.com PHOTO ADVISER tucker@sfsu.edu

ONLINE MEDIA ADVISER jgarnier@sfsu.edu

ADVERTISING & BUSINESS echarles@mail.sfsu.edu

I.T. CONSULTANT arun@mail.sfsu.edu

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STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER asoiseth@verizon.net

The Golden Gate Xpress accepts letters no longer than 200 words.

Letters are subject to editing.

Send letters to Sam Molmud at: smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu

The Golden Gate Xpress is a student-produced publication of the journalism department at San Francisco State University.

For more information or comments, please contact Adrian Rodriguez at: arrodrig@mail.sfsu.edu

Weighing the cost of a college education

W

HETHER YOU ARE JUST beginning your college journey or continuing the trudge through

by the fact that our venture for higher education has a price tag — and a rather hefty one to boot.

CaliforniaColleges.edu estimates that a yearly sum of full-time education at a California State University will run $23,444 and $24,299 for on-campus and off-campus students respectively. Multiply that by the years you spend at the university — loans or no loans — a sprint for a professional degree is going to equate that of a down payment on a mortgage.

It would be naive to simply assert that a college eduof earning the liberal education that humans throughout history have dreamt of and being able to show an employer that you are capable of completing some-120 units, is not to be underestimated. college education without questioning its cost — especially with the current and future shape of the U.S. job market. that while the U.S. economy was in recession — though jobs were lost no matter how much education a person had — bearers of bachelor’s degrees as a group lost fewer jobs compared to their high school diploma and associate’s degree counterparts.

“People with four-year college degrees saw a 5 percent drop in wages, compared with a 12 percent decrease for their peers with associate’s degrees, and a 10 percent decline for high school graduates,” the article said.

smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu

education. “Adults with college degrees are more likely than They are less likely to be unemployed or to rely on public income support payments.” Being that health care costs are skyrocketing, the prospect of being able to secure a job that ensures proper health coverage is more prudent than ever.

Solid health care coverage and higher shots of securing a job are noble reasons to desire a college degree. But what kind of burden will that hefty education bill place on the student that dare go for such a path? borrowers keep in mind their monthly payments against what they expect to earn out of college. “Your student loan payments should be only a small percentage of your salary after you graduate, so it’s important not to borrow more than you need for your school-related expenses.” the sentiment. “If you’re a student, your payments shouldn’t exceed 8% to 10% of your expected monthly gross income once you graduate.” is not just isolated to tuition or books. The cost of living, transportation and everything scholastically non-related need to be taken into account. This can make the true cost of a college education exponentially greater than estimated.

No doubt, the networking, growth and learning opportunities that one gains in college will shape that person into someone more capable of supporting themselves and a family than if they had not gone. themselves should continue, or at least start, having that regular, healthy conversation about how much their pursuits cost. Giving that real situation a routine check and possible balance can only help ensure that decision to pursue college will not be a regretted one, but the smartest one.

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Athletes make points, not role models

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cuemura@mail.sfsu.edu

hether it’s a home run or a drug scandal, athletes on any level can’t seem to escape the media’s eye — and SF State is no different with star basketball player Decensae White being arrested for an alleged connection to an Atlanta homicide.

With accused athletes come the hordes of news anchors, columnists and general public saddling up on their high horses complaining about how disappointed they are in the example these athletes are setting.

Why are we expecting athletes to be role models?

An athlete’s job is to play sports. They’re not school teachers whose job is to motivate and inspire. They’re

It’s not realistic to think that every person who’s good at sports they would embrace or excel in this role. look for in role models. In reality, athletes are taught early that their ultimate goal is to win, and improving their odds of winning should be their concentration.

They also are not known for doubting their own abilities.

Like Kanye West said in his song “Devil in a New Dress,” “It’s hard to be humble when you stuntin’ on a jumbotron.”

It’s as if we try to shove these people into a box labeled

The famous saying goes, “Never meet your idols,” but maybe it would be better advised to never idolize someone you have not met.

Should people be looking up to people who they have minimal contact with at best?

An article in the Oklahoma Daily stated that athletes should not be looked up to because like anyone else, they are just human beings.

“All human beings are extremely adept at letting others

They are athletes whose sole purposes are to entertain — and yes, be in the public spotlight. Some athletes embrace the role of the exemplar, but all athletes shouldn’t be shoehorned into that mold just because everybody is watching.

An article by Bleacher Report asked if being a role model is part of the professional athlete’s job. The article concluded, “They should be the last place we look for guidance, except in a rare circumstance.”

As Charles Barkley once famously said in a Nike commercial, “I’m not paid to be a role model; I’m paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court.” kharuta@mail.sfsu.edu

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Director explores femininity

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N TODAY’S EVOLVING POLITICAL CLIMATE OF women’s rights and gay marriage, Tessa Carter saw a rising need for queer theater.

Director and graduate student Carter, along with an all-student cast bring “Why We Have A Body” to the stage Aug. 28 to 31, nightly at 8 p.m.

Written in 1993 by Claire Chafee, “Why We Have A Body” is a tale of four women who search for love, happiness and a lost sense of self through the female mind and experience.

Carter spoke about the way she helped the actors prepare for their roles.

“I asked the cast to revisit turning points in their lives such as puberty, sexual encounters and other womanly experiences to delve into the metaphoric ambience that creates (Why We Have A) Body,” Carter said in a synopsis of the play.

The play stars Lili, played by Anastacia Stitt, a detective in search of love and her absent mother Eleanor.

Lili’s estranged sister Mary, played by Kimberly Gosnell, is also torn up by the loss of her mother while struggling with mental illness and a compulsion to rob convenience stores. Renee, played by Becky Raeta, is a married straight woman struggling with her sexual identity, when she meets Lili on an airplane.

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Gator runners begin trek to Nationals

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REW FELDMAN, a second year cross-country runner, chose to redshirt last season. He drove himself to meets and used practices as an opportunity to challenge the active runners. But this year, he is ready to compete.

“For me, it is about getting to Nationals again,” said Feldman. “Our team has gotten better and our program is rising.”

Last fall a group of Gators made his-

Pat Thedinga and Glendale Community College transfer

cross-country team appeared in the Division II National Championship placing 22nd overall

key injuries to any player could disrupt the road to Nationals.

The team is hoping to ride into the 2013 season with the same gusto as last November and build on their success. Though the roster

slow, but he hopes to participate in at least one meet this season.

The 2013 schedule starts out

team. and rookie athletes will bolster the already promising season, the main concern for the athletes now is avoiding injury. all last season watching from the sideline, plagued with a season-ending shin injury. Both

and newcomers will take them even further.

“Our goal this year is to break into the top 20 at Nationals,” said Feldman.

Head Coach Tom Lyons attributes last

the team will make their way to

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onship rounds start in late October and November. tion, said Lyons, will be against

strong chemistry.

“They have been teammates for most of their college careers,” he said.

But four out of seven runners on last seaand Captains Brian Trejo and Tyler Deniston, have graduated, leaving holes in what was a well-functioning machine.

“They had a big impact on our team,” said Lyons. “But we have great guys coming back.”

closely with them, he said, and this year they hope to pull ahead of the competition. team to Nationals again this year.

But he says a new mindset coming off of last season might give

team to the top.

-

Olympic Gold Medalist runner Haile Gebrselassie. Two to train with him.

Feldman lives with four of his current and former teammates, Trejo, Deniston, Woods and Chio. He spent

preparation for the new season. has garnered attention from some of the best incoming can easily take the new guys up there with them.”

Student athletes awarded for high GPA

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ITH A FULL LOAD OF classes followed by baseball prac-

to do homework is on those eight-hour long bus rides to games on the weekends and late nights at home.

those dreams come true I know I have to work as hard as I can each day.” athletes who was honored by the California the balance between schoolwork and their athletes for playing a collegiate sport and

Director Bill Nepfel. “It indicates that our coaches are recruiting strong students and illustrates they are doing a great job balancing academics, athletics and personal life.”

Thirteen Gator athletes have been honteam, headlined by graduated senior and

@mail.sfsu.edu

baseman for the softball team and a microbiology major. and to apply the same competitive spirit to academics as in the games,” said Jack Hyde said it takes dedication and that is what being a student athlete is all about.

“You want to focus all your time and energy on soccer during season,” the sociology major said. “But you have to also set aside a decent amount of time to schoolwork as well. I really had to learn the importance of time management this year.” ment is only half the battle for these student athletes, what the real struggle is learning priorities. to me and takes up a lot of my time, school is even more important to me,” said Chloe Harrington, soccer player and sociology major, who was named to consecutive year. “It is the same with my teammates. Our team is a determined group of high achievers and we work just as hard in the classroom as we

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