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VOLUME LXXXXVII • ISSUE 9
SF State leads CSUs in fossil fuel divestment
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bdonovan@mail.sfsu.edu
HE STUDENT GROUP Fossil Free SFSU presented its fossil fuel divestment campaign to the California State Student Association (CSSA) during its
Cal State East Bay to encourage other CSU student leaders to create similar campaigns. Associated Students, Inc.Vice President of External Affairs Sonya Soltani prompted Fossil Free SFSU — the same people that made SF State the from fossil fuel related investments — to present the idea of divestment to CSSA, due to what she called “an increased interest within the CSSA to have their CSU’s divest.” “There was 13 other campuses that signed up on our contact list to express interest in the divestment cant, that’s a majority,” Sonya said. After the Fossil Free SFSU presentation, representatives from Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach have committed to the campaign while Sonoma State, Chico State and Humboldt State are already doing groundwork on their campuses to move toward fossil fuel divestment. Fossil Free SFSU started their divestment campaign last spring when environmentally driven the fossil fuel industry. Divestment means to reduce or eliminate a or political reasons. According to a recent Oxford is spreading faster than the divestment campaign that led to the downfall of the apartheid regime in South Africa. Fossil Free SFSU efforts led to not only SF State’s ASI to unanimously commit to supporting fossil fuel divestment, but also the SF State University Foundation voted unanimously to divest last May. as she explained to CSSA representatives the grassroots nature of this campaign.
Campus hosts suicide prevention day
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bfocht@mail.sfsu.edu
The 1,100 backpacks that encircled the lawn in the Quad last Friday morning brought SF State student Patty Mazariegos to tears. Each bag represents the number of students who commit suicide each year — and she once had suicidal thoughts of her own. “To think that my backpack could be lying here — it’s hard,” Mazariegos said. hosted the Send Silence Packing event, which is a traveling art exhibit sponsored by the national organization Active Minds, as a part of the Suicide Prevention Regional Conference. The exhibit was brought to campus partly due to the recent suicide attempts by two students at SF State, according to Yolanda Gamboa, suicide prevention coordinator. “We want people to not live in silence,” Gamboa said. “There are
To think that my backpack could be lying here — it’s hard Patty Mazariegos SF State student
places here on campus where students can go.” tempts happened Sept. 6 and involved a student overdosing on medication in Parkmerced. The other suicide attempt occurred Oct. 4 and involved a
student who stood outside the railing atop the pyramid at the Student Center, according to SF State crime log. The University was able to organize this event with funding received from the Mental Health Services Act, California Mental Health Services Authority and a grant from the CSU’s ulty and students about mental health, host peer-to-peer programs and host training in suicide prevention. The program travels to colleges throughout the nation carrying the 1,100 book bags to show students how frequently suicide happens and to offer them opportunities to seek help. “For someone to be so sad with their life that they want to be dead, it’s a horrible feeling,” said Mazariegos, a junior Spanish major. “It’s sad that all these people felt that way.”
Belva Davis visits SF State for book signing
Check it out on GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
2 NEWS SF STATE SPEAKS OUT HOW CAN SF STATE INCREASE SUSTAINABILITY?
MIGUEL VALDOVINOS, 23 CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJOR
To add solar panels, we have them on the library but we should add more to the rest of the buildings.
ELANA TIROSH, 19 ART MAJOR
If we added more dorms then we wouldn’t be such a commuter school, people wouldn’t have to drive or commute to get to school.
JAN-MICHAEL LEROT, 28 MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY GRADUATE STUDENT
Promote canteen use, that’s what they do at Cal Berkeley with posters and everywhere.
ROBBY BROVARNIK, 19 KINESIOLOGY MAJOR
More transportation to school, so people don’t have to drive. Photos by: Ryan Leibrich Reporting by: Beza Beneberu
10.23.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
SF State kicks off on-campus sustainability week
Suicide conference speaker shares his near-death experience Mazariegos wasn’t the only one moved by the backpacks. “There’s so many of them,” said Michael Nguyen, a freshman kinesiology major. “It can happen anytime, my friends, my family, they can be gone anytime.” The conference had many audience members in tears, which featured many speakers, but it was Kevin Hines, author of Cracked Not Broken, who received a standing ovation from the teary-eyed audience. Hines suffered from extreme depression along with chronic suicidal thoughts. In September of 2001, at age 19, he jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and survived, making him one of only 34 who have jumped and survived. “Everybody struggles, everyone has a cross to bear and this is mine,” Hines said. “I’ve decided to take what I’ve learned, dealing
with a severe mental illness, to the open public and say this is what I go through and I hope that my story inspires you in some way.” Hines chronicled his story in his recent novel, which tells his story of struggling with mental illness and his recovery after attempting suicide. “The book, it’s not about me, it’s not about my story, it’s a story that is about what they call a triumph over adversity,” said Hines. “Those kinds of stories can reach into the depths of someone’s heart and soul and pull them out of something dangerous. I’ve seen it.” One of the bags displayed a message written in silver letters across the bottom: “You can talk to someone, we love you,” a message from the Suicide Prevention Regional Conference.
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bfocht@mail.sfsu.edu
ODAY kicks off SF State’s fourth annual Sustainability Fest, an event designed to draw attention to green initiatives on university campuses nationwide. The University has expanded the nationwide event Campus Sustainability Day into a two-day event covering Oct. 23 and 24. It’s a time to recognize the successes, challenges, and innovation of sustainability in higher education on each campus, according to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education website. “Sustainability can be
to educate people about what it means to live sustainibily,” of sustainability coordinator. “We hope the event will educate the SF State community about how to live a more sustainable life.” This year’s event will be hosted in memory of Justin Valdez, the SF State student murdered in September, who was an active member of Eco students. “It’s a way for us to commemorate his memory in something he would have been a part of,” said Tyler Wescott, Eco students president. at last year’s scavenger hunt; after that he became heavily involved in and attended every meeting and activity they hosted, said Wescott.
For a calendar of event s go to GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
Students urge CSU system to become fossil free Fossil Free SFSU was even able to get President Leslie E. Wong to support divestment on the basis that the University must abide by the “Social Responsibility Clause” of the University’s investment policy. With Wong on board, the foundation decided to immediately withdraw the investments out of coal and tar sand companies in June. “We really started from nothing, not knowing much governance, but over time we proved that we weren’t your typical, tree-hugging environmentalists,” said Fossil Free SFSU Vice Chairman Adam Sherman to a crowd of CSSA representatives that participated in the sustainability breakout session. Sherman emphasized that such divestment efforts will be cally responsible with current investments. “You don’t want to scare away potential investors as your CSU is legally bound to be logical with people’s money,” Sherman said while adding that it would take about divest from the $2.5 million. So far SF State has divested about $200,000 from tar sands and coal. Soltani said that the SF State Foundation through an ad hoc committee will draft
a model in March 2014 of how to divest from the remaining funds, mostly in oil, which will then be used as template for other CSUs to follow suit. “Don’t need to reinvent the wheel,” Soltani said. The only concerns raised by representatives were on how to convince their administrations or university foundations to go along with divestment. “We are pretty conservative focusing on higher ed,” said Executive Vice President Jonathan Leggett from Cal State Fullerton. “How does this relate to students? Because people in my ASI would be asking: What makes you different from people dealing with poverty or blood diamonds?” To address that concern, Soltani suggested that people look at their university’s mission statement or master plan, which is precisely what Fossil Free SFSU did to convince the SF State foundation to divest. “Our mission statement focuses a lot on sustainability dent that many CSU mission statements will have similar language,” said Soltani. Commissioner of Environmental Affairs Kaitlin Haley of Chico State has already replace fossil fuel investments at her university.
“There are other options out there that are statistically proven to have greater returns, you just need to research & present this data to your administration.” Haley said as she stressed the importance of appealing university. Currently, the topic of divestment is not an action item
at the next CSSA conference in November as they await the results from the SF State Foundation ad hoc committee that will be published March of next year, according to Soltani. “I’m looking forward to the continued, future discussions on divestment occurring at the March CSSA meeting based off she said.
NEWS 3
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG | 10.23.13
News Briefs Acoustic Guitar Show
Students Without Borders
The department of elementary education will host a free workshop Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Burk Hall room 28. Teachers from Watsonville will focus on instructing teachers to respond appropriately to disadvantaged and culturally marginalized immigrant students.
Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m., The Depot will showcase a set dedicated to SF State acoustic guitar players. The event is free and open to the public. The Depot is located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center on the lower conference level. Source: The Depot
Scholarship Workshop
Miss Representation
and Associated Students, Inc. Project Connect will host a scholarship workshop Thursday, Nov. 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Humanities Building room 587. The workshop will provide information on scholarship applications, resources, thank you letters and advice on how to avoid scams along with tax tips. Students who wish to attend must RSVP by Friday, Nov. 8 at http://tinyurl.com/scholarshipsworkshop2013
Campus Safety Talk
SF State President Leslie E. Wong invites all University community members to Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Center at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 for a discussion on campus safety. He will address campus safety challenges, resources and concerns.
The Associated Students, Inc. WomRepresentation Nov. 18 in Rosa Parks rooms A-C at 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The trayed in the media and in politics.
Burlesque Show
Thursday, Oct. 24 Barbary Coast Burlesque will perform a free cabaret show in The Depot, located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The show, produced by Bunny Pistol, a San Franciscan burlesque performer, is hosted by Associated Students, Inc. programs, Educational and Referral Organization for Sexuality, and The Depot.
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Xpress Magazine Coming soon!
SF State Crime Blotter Between 10/16 and 10/19 the University Police Department responded to 17 incidents. Here are some of the highlights.
10/17 Petty Theft
A man reported his $75 cell phone stolen after he put it down on a bench outside the Science Building and walked away.
10/17 Weapon on School Grounds on a suspicious person outside the childcare center parking lot and discovered he had a concealed knife. They arrested him and transported him to jail.
10/17 Medical Reaction
Someone reported having a bad reaction to medication near Buckingham Way. Police responded along with medics who transported the subject to Veterans Hospital.
10/18 Unlicensed Driver
Police pulled over someone driving without a license on Pinto Drive. They were arrested.
10/18 Property Damage
A man reported that his vehicle was hit and damaged while parked on North State Drive.
10/18 Burglary
Someone reported the theft of their $1,570 laptop computer and tablet from the Administration Building sometime between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
10/19 Minor with Alcohol
Two minors near Univeristy Park South were found durnk with open containers of alcohol. Both were cited and released.
10/19 Burglary
Someone broke into a woman’s house on Buckingham Way between 2 and 8 p.m. and stole $4,510 worth of her property.
10/19 Petty Theft
A man called police after his $400 bike was stolen while it was parked in the bike racks outside the J. Paul Leonard Library.
4 NEWS
10.23.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
BART dispute ends, student commute back to normal cpalmer@mail.sfsu.edu
The BART strike is over and the 30,000 students, faculty and staff at SF State, along with the rest of the Bay
lurch, SF State President Leslie E. Wong said he instructed his staff to prepare for the crisis months ago during the fourday strike in July. The University set up a website and sent mass emails that advertised contingency services like sleeping space in a community room for those with early morning classes and shuttle service from
trains will keep running. The announcement Monday of a tentative agreement between BART unions and management brought an end to months of arguments between the two sides and a four-day transit strike. “I almost cried of happiness when I found out the strike was over,” said 25-year-old biology major Michelle Ramirez, who said her commute to school took almost four hours Monday. “I I almost cried of depend on BART to get happiness when I me to school.” found out the strike The deal must still
“ was over...I depend
parking and a ridesharing platforms were also offered. “The broad range of Transportation Disruption Plan is testament to the University’s sound and thorough resilience planning in the event of a crisis,” said Corinne da Cunha, associate director of business continuity. “All elements of the contingency plan were fully implemented,
members and the BART on BART to get me board of directors, but is to school. expected to be approved. Trains began Michelle Ramirez running early Tuesday Biology Major morning with 30 to 45 agile as circumstances minute delays, and by surrounding the BART the afternoon were back strike evolved.” on track to the relief of The drawn out labor the system’s 400,000 daily riders. Ramirez wasn’t the only one worried half-day strike after unions and manabout her commute. The Bay Area took agement were unable to agree on a new to the Internet to voice displeasure, contract. Unions returned to work in good faith and were told to keep the trains Along with an outpour of frustration, running as Gov. Jerry Brown imposed a the strike also generated wide-spread de- waiting period and a judge approved a bate on the impact of unions and living cooling off period. wages in the Bay. When the cooling off period endDetermined not to be left in the ed Oct. 11 the Bay Area was forced to
endure the threat of another strike almost in frustration last Thursday at midnight. Four days later, after the death of two workers, BART and its unions have “This is a good package for our union members while still allowing the District to make the necessary investments in our infrastructure,” said BART General Manager Grace Crunican in a statement. “That investment is critical to
the future of the Bay Area.” Despite the agreement union leaders have said they remain committed to improving safety rules for the safety of BART workers and the riding public, especially in light of the death of the two transit workers. “Let us be clear that our commitment to improving the safety at BART doesn’t end with these negotiations,” said Des Patten, president of SEIU 1021’s BART Professional Chapter in a statement.
UPD awaits Taser approval from campus president
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T A PARTY LAST fall in Redwood drugs broke out.
make a run for it.
the scene and SF State student Daniel Atwood decided to
onto him and sent him into a spasm, shaking violently and convulsing on the ground. Moments later, he was handcuffed. “It really hurts to get Tasered but you learn your lesson after it happens,” Atwood said. Anyone around SF State’s campus that has a run-in with the University Police Department may soon learn the same painful lesson as Atwood. According to Jo Volkert, interim vice president of student affairs, UPD has been drafting rules and procedures for Taser usage on campus in a general order for a “couple were given — and the general order is not to be made public. No reason was given for the denial of access. Volkert said when the University looked for tools to maintain a safe campus, Tasers came up as option for UPD
elinker@mail.sfsu.edu
SF State University Police Department has submitted a proposal for the use of Tasers and waits for final approval “There have been incidents on our campus and at other CSUs that could have been handled more effectively with Tasers as an alternative,” Volkert said. Volkert said there was one “unfortunate incident” at a Southern California CSU Campus within the last year when someone could’ve been Tased instead of shot by police. The LA Times reported an incident last December in which 38-year-old Bartholomew Williams, a graduate student at Cal State San Bernardino who was bipolar and enrolled as a disabled student, was shot and killed by university police after an altercation where Williams demonstrated “superhuman-type strength,” according to police. Volkert said incidents like these could less-lethal options. a system wide executive order in 2000, which outlines and authorizes weapons allowed for use by university police. This memorandum, executive order No. 756, gas, batons, bean bags, pepper balls and shotguns.
Since then, 17 CSU campuses have equipped their UPD with Taser weapons. President Leslie E. Wong said he initiated the conversation about updating the weaponry and procedures of SF State’s University police shortly after he campus police chief Patrick Wasley. “I’ll have to tell you that one of my was: Do you believe you are equipped to provide a safe campus?” Wong said. “And if not, what’s out there, how are we looking ahead?” The University police chief then presented the original proposal for Taser usage by SF State’s police to President Leslie E. Wong in January 2013, according to Volkert. Its approval allowed UPD to move forward and acquire the Tasers and train Once President Leslie E. Wong signs and approves the general order, an “effective date” will be chosen to establish carrying the Taser weapons on and around campus, according to Volkert. President Wong said students
shouldn’t worry about the introduction of these weapons to campus because “I understand the concern about UPD, and I think our commitment to good training and good policy will pay off,” Wong said. er, have received only a single day of training and, according to Volkert, there is no additional training scheduled. This received Sept. 9. Volkert said the University will be on the lookout for “enhanced” training opportunities in the future as well as any University systems make up a large portion of Taser International’s market, according to Steve Tuttle, Taser spokesman. “Having Tasers on campus isn’t a new trend,” Tuttle said. “It’s a trend that’s been going on since the beginning of our company.” Even after being a victim of the Taser weapon, Atwood said he believes the safety of SF State’s campus could be improved with the addition of the weapons. “I haven’t had any trouble with the law after I was Tasered, and I got clean and sober shortly after to,” Atwood said.
NEWS 5
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG | 10.23.13
SF State has highest grad rate of former foster youth in state
Halloween at SF State Friday, October 25 COSTUME DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT: Friday, Oct. 25, Campus Recreation will host a costume dodgeball tournament in Gym room 100 at 6 p.m. Though the entry deadline for teams has passed, students can watch teams compete. Source: Student Life at SF State
Saturday, October 26 NIGHTMARE ON HOLLOWAY: A Halloween-themed dance party will take place Friday, Oct. 25 in the Cesar Chavez Student Center from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The event, hosted by the Student Life Activities Board, will feature DJ Spiffy Man and Andre Camaisa who will spin EDM, hip hop and pop music. The dance is open to students ages 18 and up with an SF State student ID, one guest per a student is allowed, guests must register at prior to the event at https://orgsync. com/32333/forms/86517. Source: Student Life at SF State
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ggonzale@mail.sfsu.edu
EILANI VO GREW UP IN FOSTER care and wanted a different life than that of her peers who left the system. So she made a decision almost no other foster child does. She decided to attend college. “I wanted to get out, and college was the only other option for me,” Vo said. Vo is one of more than 100 student
gram in Northern California designed to support former luncheon Oct. 18 at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, where porting. “It’s a program that just continues to deliver incredible impact and really makes a difference in the lives of all of the people that participate,” said Mark G. Reisbaum of the Jewish Community Federation. “There are very few programs that have the results that this program has consistently. It’s a really dous potential.” cording to the Guardian Scholars Program. Of that 1 percent, ars Program and California College Pathways say such low after foster youth emancipate from the system. The Guardian Scholars Program at SF State’s started in 2005 and has one of the highest graduation rates in the state. That is what lured Vo to the University from San Diego. Brittney Venter, a Guardian Scholars member who graduated SF State last spring with a bachelor’s degree in luncheon and described how Guardian Scholars helped her when she entered her freshman year at the University. “Guardian Scholars provides everything students often take for granted when entering into college, such as plates, dishes, sheets, towels, cloths, and a group of students that did not have said. SF State President Leslie E. Wong attended the luncheon, him. He said the program was one that he studied the most prior to coming to SF State. “If there was a point of pride this school should just talk about all the time I think the Guardian Scholars represent the best of our values in trying to show young people that there are people who will help you, and as I told them today, if you persist you are going to do okay,” President Wong said at the luncheon. “I’m very proud of them. They’re a great story and they’re a great point of pride for the University.” received from Guardian Scholars, she said. “After my second year, I kind of had doubts of being at the University,” she said. “Without them helping me plan, I wouldn’t have been here.”
Tuesday, October 29 MACABRE CURIOS ART EXHIBIT: The Cesar Chavez Student Center Art Gallery will hold a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. to welcome its latest exhibit installation, Macabre Curios, which will explore the mystery and terror found in discarded and forgotten objects. The exhibit will feature work from SF State students,
alumni and local artists and include interactive activities for students such as mask and paper doll making and an open mic. The exhibit will be open from Oct. 9 through Nov. 8. Source: Cesar Chavez Student Center Art Gallery
Thursday, October 31 THE SHINING: The Depot will screen The Shining from 4 to 6 p.m. and 6 to 8p.m. at the Cesar Chavez Student Center amphitheater. Source: The Depot, Cesar Chavez Student Center
Friday, November 1 DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: La Raza Student Organization will celebrate Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, to commemorate the lives of those who have passed away in Malcolm X Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Source: La Raza Student Organization
Saturday, November 2 FREE OUTING TO MISSION DISTRICT’S DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: The Student Life Activities Board and La Raza Student Organization have partnered to provide free transportation to celebrate Día de Los Muertos in the MisMalcolm X Plaza at 5:30 p.m. will receive free transportation to 24th and Mission streets. Traditional face painting will begin in Malcolm X Plaza at 4 p.m. Source: Student Life at SF State
6 A RT S A N D E N T E RTA I N M E N T
10.23.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
‘The Unmentionables’ stage manager produces show worth mentioning ayesha@mail.sfsu.edu
“Standby for intermission, light cue 28, house lights and sound cue intermission,” Maggie Manzano said. She whispered into her headset and communicated with the entire crew of “The Unmentionables” during their performance Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Little Theatre at SF State. As soon as Manzano got off the stage, she whispered again, “house lights, go,” and the theatre went dark. “The Unmentionables,” a dark comedy play by Bruce Norris, takes place in present-day Africa. The play, which touches on themes of colonialism and westernization, tells a story about Americans who try to do good in a foreign land. “It’s a comedy. That’s kinda the strange part,” said Manzano, the stage manager of the play. “You kinda just sit there at the end, laughing at these silly Americans who really think they
are in the right, and it’s also a and us invading other countries,” Manzano said. The play was directed by Bill Peters, a professor in the department of theatre arts, and
showcased SF State student talent from actors, set and costume designers, light and sound team, backstage help and stage managers. Manzano, 20, a senior at SF State, took on the stage man-
ager position for the show. She followed along with the script from behind the scenes, as the audience watched actors deliver their dialogues. “The stage manager is in charge of the entire production process during the hours immediately before, during, and after the performance,” Peters said. “The stage manager is central to the work of putting on a play.” For “The Unmentionables,” Manzano was advised by the production manager, Natasha Laidlaw, to pair up with Peters and work on the play together. “In her mind, she thought that I would work well with him (Peters), and we did, we worked really great together,” Manzano said. A stage manager, of any particular play, coordinates the efforts of the various crew heads, such as costumes, sound and lights as well as oversee the work of her assistant stage managers who supervise all matters backstage. “It’s been great getting to
know the stage manager position and working with her (Manzano) and under her,” said Stephanie Stratman, the assistant stage manager for “The Unmentionables” and also a senior at the University. “I have a good mentor in that sense,” Stratman said. Manzano developed an interest in theater at the early age of eight when she signed up to be in a show at her local community theater called the Town Hall Theater Company, in Lafayette, Calif. stage managed was at SF State, called “Eurydice.” Once she completed her assistant management training, she was then able to work the stage manager position for this play. “Maggie Manzano and her extremely talented and professional crew, is, in so many ways, directly responsible for the success of this production.” said Peters. “The Unmentionables” runs again Friday, Saturday and ends Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Little Theatre in the Creative Arts Building at the University.
SF State’s Voice participants advance to battle round of the competition
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HILE THE second stage of SF State’s Voice competition was billed as “The Battle Round,” there was an air of companionship and goodwill among the former teammates turned opponents, making the event seem like less of a battle, and more of a goodbye. The event, that took place in Jack Adams Hall Oct. 16, pitted two members of the same team in a head-to-head showcase of their vocal talents, and gave the judges a chance to decide which performer should move on to the next round of the competition. After given two weeks to prepare a routine with a coach-appointed partner, the performers hit the stage. The night from all, with acts such as Sean Thompson and Gabi Cavassa’s slow and soulful rendition of “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Jessica Napierski and Nicole Gabel got the crowd hollering throughout their performance of “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World.” Judge Shaye Morin provided an interesting matchup that paired Kai Santiago, a sociology major who has been singing Hariri, who when asked about any experience as a singer replied simply “In the shower?” “Kimi just has a natural talent to her,” Santiago said. “She could of not told me ago and I would have believed it.” These disparities made for an interest-
shawnw@mail.sfsu.edu
ing performance between the two singers. Santiago’s experience was showcased through the immense control over his voice that he exhibited throughout his performance, while Hariri, whose booming voice often overpowered Santiago’s while the two sang in unison, gave viewers a glimpse of her raw talent. Despite both singers receiving loud cheers, and praise from the judges, it was ultimately Hariri who was chosen to advance to the third round. ten this far, so I’m very happy,” Hariri said. After all 16 contestants had performed, the judges were burdened with the task of choosing two members of their own team to be eliminated from the contest. As the contestants were called to the stage, an air of unease descended upon the judges table, who voiced their displeasure at the task at hand. “The problem with picking between four great artists is you’re all so good,” said judge Christa Laosantos, addressing everyone standing on the stage. After a diplomatic round of rock-paper-scissors to decide the order in which judges were able to steal a contestant who was cut from a different team, the decisions were made, leaving a total of nine singers to advance to the next round. “Over the two weeks we got to know each other, and I really loved them,” said Morin. “It broke my heart in two to have to send both of my guys home.” Morin has personal experience with elimination, after she was cut in the second round of last year’s SF State’s Voice competition. Because of this, she went beyond her required duties in order to provide a little extra comfort to those on her team who would eventually face
elimination. “Before the show I wrote them all a letter, and I gave them all a candy bar, telling them how good I think they all are, and how sweet they are, and just how much I don’t want to send any of them home.” said Morin. “I didn’t want any of them to feel bad at all.” Even with eliminations spelling the end for some, the contest played host to new beginnings as well. Although contestants Yannick Bretschneider and Jacqueline Corona were paired against each other during the battle round, they hope to work on music together again outside the Voice. “I really enjoyed working with Jackie, so I immediately knew that I would want to do more music if she also wanted to, so that’s kinda what I threw out,” said
Bretschneider. While Bretschneider was cut from team Ariana, judge Steven Alvarez jumped at the chance to steal him for his team, splitting the former teammates, but allowing both to advance to the next round. “The whole time I didn’t feel like it was a competition, I really enjoyed working with him,” said Corona. “I was really hoping for him, or me to get picked on another team if we were eliminated. So it happened so I’m happy about that.” and will take place Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Jack Adams Hall, where each contestant will choose one song to perform. After the performance, students can vote online for their favorite performers at the Student Life website.
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GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG | 10.23.13
Congratulations to our Little Wok breakfast and lunch winners! Jackie,
English Education Major
Angel,
Psychology Major
Juan,
Music Major
Breakfast. Lunch. Burgers. Sandwiches. Noodles
2675 Ocean Ave 415.584.8098
Christina,
Nursing Major
Xpress Mag Online
xpress.sfsu.edu/xpressmagazine
8 OPINION
10.23.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
Don’t let college love eclipse your post-graduate ambitions
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF arrodrig@mail.sfsu.edu
elinker@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 SPORTS EDITOR srubin@mail.sfsu.edu MULTIMEDIA EDITOR danelson@mail.sfsu.edu
Upon entering college, I was determined to graduate in three years, move back to Los Angeles and become a glorious success. But those plans came to a screeching halt when I met my boyfriend, and for the align your life with someone else’s. Movies and books have romanticized the college experience, so that now many young women enter college thinking they their list of requirements — smart, tall, funny, loyal, handsome, romantic, and great in bed. According to a study commissioned by the Independent Women’s Forum, 63 percent of women studied agreed with the statement, “I would like to meet my future husband in college.” The trouble arises when you fall in love with someone who doesn’t have the same goals that you do or the same life timeline. Perhaps your boyfriend wants to move to New York, but you want to stay in San Francisco. Or maybe you are graduating a year ahead of your girlfriend. It doesn’t continue dating and continue falling in love when it is clear that your life’s paths will split after college. One of the most important things you can do is learn when you need to walk away from love. When the blinders of love are slapped between a relationship worth sticking with and one that will hold you back. We become deeply immersed in our relationship, and suddenly putting your life on hold for a year doesn’t sound so unreasonable because it’s
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and didn’t want to see any of that. Couldn’t he transfer schools to Los Angeles and be with me? Couldn’t I just stay here for a year while he’s graduating? Could I have a baby, years before I really wanted to?
I
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for the person you love. But in a healthy relationship, you support one another in everything, according to Columbia Health’s Go Ask Alice. “Sometimes it’s not so easy to decide if a troublesome tie should be maintained the way it is, worked on, or ended before it goes any further,” said the anonymous advice. It’s these times when we are blinded that we need reality to swoop in and tap us on the head — “This isn’t the one for you honey.” Often times it is our friends and our family that try to tell us this, and the best thing you can do is listen to them. They are outside of the romance bubble, and many times they can see much more clearly than you. My friends and family took one look at the differences between my boyfriend and I and shook their heads. But we were in love
ing who you are to be with someone, then you shouldn’t be with them, said Jill Knapp, an adjunct professor in psychology, in an article for Huff Post Women. “We all compromise...but make sure you aren’t changing to the point where you don’t recognize the person you’re becoming,” she said. The college couples that will last beyond graduation are the ones that have a foundation of similar goals, priorities, and a matching timeline for major life events. When someone truly loves you they are your biggest cheerleader, pushing you to succeed, not holding you back. It’s important to evaluate your relationship — does the person you love want you to meet all your goals, even if that means moving and dating long distance? Or do you shy away from your goals for fear of losing the relationship? Coming to the realization that you need to walk away from a relationship, walk away from a person you love, is one of the hardest things to do. But remember, it doesn’t mean you don’t love them or that they don’t love you — it means that you respect yourself enough to put your needs, your desires, and billion people, you will love again and next time it might be Mr. or Mrs. Right.
Wage negotiation can make or break a good job opportunity
’M SURE YOU AND I have both wondered, “Am I getting paid enough for this job?” We work at coffee shops and chain stores and earn minimum wage to pay the bills, but as we grow into degree-level professionals, the question is, how much should you be paid? There’s a lot of appeal to negotiation for a higher wage; Ramit Sethi, New York Times bestselling author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” told Forbes that “...a single $5,000 raise in your 20s, if you properly invest it, can be worth over a million in the course of your career. And that’s just one raise.” Hello, sign me up. But negotiation isn’t so simple as waltzing into work and saying, “Can I get $5,000 with today’s barista shift?” After reading mountains of tips about how to negotiate your salary, especially after looking into the gender wage gap last week, I kept coming to the same question: Is it a good idea for college students to negotiate? Or will I look like a prize idiot for trying? “The short answer is ‘it depends,’” said Mitchell Marks, an SF State management professor in the College of Business. “It depends on whether the job is your ‘dream job’ which contributes to
Ready to
Launch A WEEKLY CAREER COLUMN BY NENA FARRELL haydee@mail.sfsu.edu
the career you desire of ‘just any old job’ which pays the bills.” Marks’ example was if you wanted a career in broadcasting student, then he would suggest to be less demanding about negotiating wages since that job will contribute to your resumé and overall career. However, if the job is just to pay the bills, especially when living in an expensive city like San Francisco, a student should negotiate more for a better wage to pay those bills. That aligns with the unpaid internships and stipend jobs we often get offered: it’s a foot in the door. And once you get started with that foot in the door, it can lead to the next one. Then suddenly you’ve had internships and stipend jobs that you can use as experience and leverage for
a better pay than if you didn’t have either of those. William Sokol, a lecturer for labor and employment studies and a practicing labor lawyer, said that an important part of negotiating your wage is the demand for your services, and understanding what he calls the “labor marketplace.” “(Students) need to understand as much as they can,” Sokol said, “whether they have negotiating power or anything unique.” Sokol explained that whether you should be negotiating isn’t determined by age, but whether give you leverage. The way skills and what you should be asking for is to research your labor marketplace. If you’re applying to Wal-Mart and there are
A Type A overachiever, Nena
a thousand other applicants that would happily take the job as is, you probably shouldn’t attempt to negotiate. This also applies after you get the job, and negotiating raises. Sokol said you need to to approach an employer and say you’ve done good work, what you’ve brought to the company, and why you deserve the raise. “It is always important to listen to the other party and understand their point of view when negotiating,” Marks said. “Never move on your position until the other party responds.” In the end, it’s up to you to determine if the job you’re after is worth putting on the line for the paycheck, and whether it’ll take you to the next milestone of money or get you booted. It’s a risky task, but at the same time, an important life skill to understand. Learn tact in negotiation, because you’ll be using it for that next salary sooner or later.
S P O RT S 9
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG | 10.23.13 WOMEN’S SOCCER
Gators still in playoff contention despite loss
A
cuemura@mail.sfsu.edu
GLOOMY afternoon at Cox Stadium foreshadowed a grim outcome for SF State against an undefeated Cal State Stanislaus team. The visiting Warriors defeated the Gators 1-0 in overtime Sunday, which halted SF State’s streak of four straight games without a loss. “It’s all about results,” head coach Jack Hyde said. “You feel good when you win and you don’t when you lose; and no matter how good we played today we still lost the game. I can see it in their faces, we are all disappointed and emotional, but they played very well.” Less than two minutes into overtime, Cal State Stanislaus forward Katelyn Nebesnick scored the games only goal off a pass from Division II leading scorer, Karanee Demery. “It’s unfortunate when a goal goes like that,” Hyde said. “It wasn’t a brilliant goal, but I think we played very well today, I’m very proud of our team.” The Warriors came into the game ranked No. 10 in the country and without a loss on the year, sporting an 11-0-2 overall record.
are all really wanting it for each other, and I think that’s more important than anything else.” After Lauren Hayano scored the game winner against Chico State on Oct. 6, Land predicted that the goal was going to turn around SF State’s season. Two weeks and three wins later Land’s prediction has turned into reality. The suddenly red-hot Gators have moved within four points of the last CCAA playoff spot after being in last place as recently as Oct. 5. the leadership from (Nicole) Smith, (Stephanie) Vanni and Eli (Ceja), that starts it and Land has been a big part of this. They are all accomplishing their role from coaches all the way down to the players.”
They attacked early and often, and outshot the Gators 194. SF State goalkeeper Allison Land did all she could: She ended the game with 10 saves, but was unable to stop every shot. The Gators managed to keep up with the undefeated Warriors, nearly winning in regulation even
with their minimal attempts. “Honestly that was the best game we have ever played,” defender Graceann Rettig said. “They are a great team and if we games we are going to be really successful.” Although the Gators came up
empty against Cal State Stanislaus, their recent winning streak has them in the thick of the California Collegiate Athletic Association conference playoff chase. “This team can go so far,” forward Lauren Floro said. “It’s just mentality for us and all of us
days to recuperate after nearly knocking off the conference leaders before traveling to UC San Diego Oct. 25. “The past few weeks have been really good for us after sort of a rocky start,” Floro said. “I think we are really pushing and we really want to make playoffs and go to conference this year. It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think we could have performed better against a better team.”
CROSS-COUNTRY
CCAA Championship brings tough rivals on easy terrain treyaw@mail.sfsu.edu
The SF State cross-country teams will kick off their post season Oct. 26 at the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship meet in Chico, Calif. Gators’ trek back to the NCAA Division II national championship, where the men Chico State, winner of both the men’s and women’s 2012 CCAA titles, will be hosting the conference meet and have established Bidwell Park’s Hooker Oak Recpionship course. The Hooker Oak terrain, which is mostly woodsy picnic area, could “We are not familiar with the course coach Tom Lyons said. The lack of rolling hills might help the Gators — who have been racing on challenging inclines all season — run some of their fastest times yet. SF State will need to run those top times on Saturday if they plan to contend with the CCAA teams currently ranked above them in the NCAA West Region’s top ten: Chico State, Cal Poly Pomona, UC San Diego and Humboldt State on the men’s side; and Chico State, Cal State Stanislaus, UC San Diego and Humboldt
State on the women’s side. The SF State women and men are ranked eighth and ninth respectively, but hope to move up a spot or two after this weekend. “Chico has been on top forever in the men’s race,” Lyons said, regarding the Gators’ biggest opponents. “We’ll have a good battle with them, UCSD, Pomona and Humboldt. You can add Stanislaus to that group for the women.” Bruk Assefa and Benji Preciado will most likely lead the charge for the SF State men’s team, supported by a solid pack of Ryan Woods, Logan Smith and Ryan Chio. They will face off against returning champion and three-time All-American Chico State runner Isaac Chavez and his teammate, Alfonso Cisnethird behind the Wildcat duo in 2012 by a mere fraction of a second. “I was with the lead pack with 800 meters to go and started to pull away with the leader,” Assefa said, recalling last year’s close race. “When we hit the track, (Chavez) gapped me, and I came to (Cisneros and Austin Huff, of Humboldt State). I leaned in and got third.” SF State will also face closely-matched
rival Humboldt State Saturday. The Lumberjacks narrowly beat the Gators at their home meet Oct. 11. and are ranked right above SF State in the West Region.
Chico State, a nationally ranked team led by All-American Sara Mikesell, last
NCAA West Region meet last year, failing to qualify for nationals. But the Gator squad has nine upperclassmen this season, led by Zuleima Bernal, Paxton Cota and Alicia Trujillo, who are ready to take the team to the next level. “I’m excited for our team to get out there and compete,” Trujillo said. “Last year’s conference meet was not our best performance due to a lot of various injuries and illnesses. This year we are all looking strong going in to this meet and we have had some really great workouts this past week or so to help prepare us.” In the SF State women’s path stands
and routinely making trips to nationals. In addition to the returning champions, the Gators will be up against Cal State
Wildcats have been consistent over the
year seniors and viable contenders for the conference title. The CCAA championship meet will begin at 9 a.m this Saturday, Oct. 25. The Gators will hit the road again to Spokane, Wash. Nov. 9 for the NCAA West Region Championship meet, where the Gators will race for a chance at nationals. The Gators’ place in the West Region meet is not determined by the CCAA meet results.
10 S P O RT S
10.23.13| GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
Gator Madness rallies fans and athletes for winter sports srubin@mail.sfsu.edu
FRIDAY Oct. 25
WOMEN’S SOCCER
SF State v UC San Diego 4:30 p.m. Triton Soccer Field La Jolla, Calif.
MEN’S SOCCER
SF State v UC San Diego 7 p.m. Triton Soccer Field La Jolla, Calif.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
SF State v Cal State San Bernardino 7 p.m. Coussoulis Arena San Bernardino, Calif.
SATURDAY Oct. 26 MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY CCAA Championships 9 a.m. Hooker Oak Recreational Area Chico, Calif.
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY CCAA Championships 9 a.m. Hooker Oak Recreational Area Chico, Calif.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SF State v UC San Diego 7 p.m. Rimac Arena La Jolla, Calif.
SUNDAY Oct. 27
T
O MARK the beginning of winter athletics at SF State, Gator fans and athletes gathered at
Gator Madness last Friday from 9 p.m. to midnight. The athletic department hosted the kick-off rally, which consisted of team scrimmages, fan relays and even a half-court shot competition worth spring semester tuition — which neither of the two selected won — to segue into the basketball and wrestling seasons. But for the athletic staff, the night was a chance to spark fan excitement in Gator athletics. “This is an attempt to attract interest and create school spirit,” SF State interim athletic director Bill Nepfel said. “We have a great product to promote.” Nepfel noted that, during State athletic department, fan interest has been a consistent
MEN’S SOCCER
SF State v Cal Poly Pomona 11:30 a.m. Kellogg Field Pomona, Calif.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
SF State v Cal Poly Pomona 2 p.m. Kellogg Field Pomona, Calif.
issue. The campus is known as a commuter school; at the end of the day, most students return to their off-campus homes and don’t come back for game day. So Nepfel and the department turned their focus to the students that live on campus with a late-night rally. “Everyone complains that we’re a commuter school, and that we don’t have a football team. But we have a good basketball team, all the teams are good,” said Student Life Activities Board Gator Spirit Chair Christin Ornells. “People are passionate about the 49ers and Giants, we think people should be passionate about their own school.” About a hundred students showed up to The Swamp (gymnasium) to see the winter teams make their debut, but also got a little taste of other organizations on campus. Brothers of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, both from San Jose State and SF State, performed a step routine, and the SF State cheer club — between big leaps and
cheer: the chomp. The Gator spirit, according to senior SF State wrestler Conrad Snell, is limited to inter-team support. SF State athletes are more likely to attend other teams’ games, and other students make up a small portion of the fan base, Snell said. But he thinks Gator Madness will bring a new class of fans to the stands. “Hopefully this gets us fans that are students that want to see Gator wrestling and athletics,” he said. But for some students in attendance, like sophomore Tyler Vilfer, Gator Madness generated little excitement. Though the event provided a nice slice of Gator athletics, Vilfer won’t be scheduling a trip to The Swamp or Cox Stadium to watch a game anytime soon. “I’ll go out to watch ice hockey — I have friends on the team and they play where the (San Francisco) Bulls play,” he said. “I wouldn’t go out to watch a (SF State) basketball game.”
SCOREBOARD Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
v Cal State East Bay Oct. 18: lost 0-3 v Cal State Stanislaus Oct. 20: lost 1-2
v Cal State East Bay Oct. 18: won 1-0 v Cal State Stanislaus Oct. 20: lost 0-1
Women’s Volleyball v Cal State Monterey Bay Oct. 18: lost 0-3
For coverage, go to
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG
v Cal State East Bay Oct. 19: won 3-0
S P O RT S 11
GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG | 10.23.13 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY NEWMAN CLUB Father Labib Kobti, Pastor 1300 Junipero Serra Blvd. San Francisco, CA 94132
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For Current Activities: St. Thomas More:
Gators start season with four veterans and tough defense
S
F STATE women’s basketball is looking to do something that has never been done before in team history: raise a California Collegiate Athletic Association banner. With four experienced veterans and a tough defense, head coach Joaquin Wallace said the team has the goods to reach the top of the conference, but lack of points at the charity stripe could threaten that vision. “We could have easily won 15 to 17 games last year,” said Wallace. “We were one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in the country last year. I think our average loss was by eight points and we missed 10 free throws a game.” Last season’s conference champion, Chico State, lead the conference in free throws, making 90 percent of its tries. The Gators, by comparison, ranked second to last with 63 percent. According to Wallace, if the team improves its freethrow percentage this year, some of those close losses could become Gator victories. Despite its inadequacy at the free-throw line, the Gators hope to bring back their tough under the leadership of four returning athletes, Wallace said. The veterans, Angela Van Sickel, Lauren Varney, Jennifer Le and Brianna Harden, will guide the other 10 transfer and campaign. Van Sickel scored 309 points last season and
clifto@mail.sfsu.edu
recorded a team-high 57 three The senior only needs 11 three pointers to break the school’s women’s record and aims to eclipse 1,000 career points year to set team goals, this season is also the end to a tough personal journey. “I wasn’t recruited here, I kinda just walked into (the could tryout. There was a lot of people who didn’t think I belonged in the program or belong playing D-II basketball, so doing that would be like saying, ‘Yeah, I do belong here and I made a difference,’” Van Sickel said. On the other side of the ball, Van Sickel’s roommate, Lauren Varney, will lead the team with cool determination, Wallace said. He expects Varney to break through this season after waiting in the shadow of former Gator stars Dominique Hunter and Farrah Shokoor. “The thing about Lauren is she’s a rock. She’s like the calm voice to the team,” said Wallace. “You never have to tell her what to do. We’ll miss both of those kids because they both know how to be professionals and go about their business.” Behind these team leaders, the Gators have a contingent of fresh faces hoping for a starting position this season. Wallace said St. Mary’s transfer Katie Batlin is in contention season at SF State. As a Gael, Batlin averaged 6.3 points per game with a 41.2 shooting per-
centage her freshman year in 2009. Batlin joined the Gaels after a stellar career at Miramonte High School where she was nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team and was named the North Coast Section player of the year. The Gators will play with a deeper roster than in previous seasons. Wallace said he has nine players able to contribute compared to just seven last year. A stacked bench is crucial to the CCAA basketball schedule; teams play games consecutively on Fridays and Saturdays, and the starting roster needs to be deep, according to Wallace. “You have to have a strong bench and something that really comes into play in the second half of the season when everybody is tired or has injuries,” Wallace said. “The depth of a team is so important and those are the teams that usually do well.” Wallace has scheduled three exhibition games against Division I schools. The Gators will play University of Nevada, Reno Nov. 5, San Jose State Nov. 8 and Santa Clara University Nov. 20. Though the team has its holes to patch, players said the key to success this season will lie within its strong defense and offensive output. “Everybody’s new so we have to build that chemistry, but the difference between last year’s team and this year’s team is we have tons of shooters who can score,” sophomore forward Brianna Harden said. “If we can do that and play good defense, we should be able to (win).”
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