Spring 2016 Issue 4

n e d o l a te GGX

Apparel professor inspires students with boutique on pages 6 & 7

February 17, 2016

Issue

#4

Volume CII goldengatexpress.org

XPRESS

SF State bans hoverboards from campus

Student designers reveal concepts for their spring runway collections

MIRANDA BOLAR

mbolar@mail.sfsu.edu

A

n email to the student body Monday morning declared that the 2016 Housing License Agreement has added hoverboards to the list of wheeled items that are banned on campus.

“Safety is dependent on our commitment to each other,” said President Leslie E. Wong, at a safety meeting Thursday, Feb. 11.

Wong, Vice President Luoluo Hong and University Police Department Chief Reginald Parson all spoke at the meeting about how they plan to keep SF State safe.

Hong spoke about how a simple piece of paper will not change the use of these items on campus and how safety on campus needs to be peer-based, because the student body outnumbers the police.

“It’s going to take more than a written policy for the ban on hoverboards,” Hong said.

Freshman kinesiology major Donald Howard said it’s very convenient for him to get around campus on his hoverboard.

EMILY CHAVOUS / XPRESS

Senior apparel design and merchandising student Maile Driggs gets organized in Burk Hall Thursday as she prepares to start production on her final collection at SF State. Driggs is wearing a dress made by fellow ADM student Wei Kong.

echavous@mail.sfsu.edu

hoverboards Continued ON PAGE 2

O

n the fourth floor of Burk Hall, scissors are snipping, sewing machines are whirring, and

JAMES CHAN / XPRESS

SF State’s new app, SF State Mobile, is currently available for Android and iOS devices. The developers are seeking feedback as they continue to work on the app.

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naked, faceless dress forms are looming in the background as senior designers begin to bring their clothing concepts to life.

Ruler in hand, apparel design and merchandising student Wei Kong maps out the pattern for a pair of pants. For Kong and her peers, spring semester signifies

EMILY CHAVOUS

design departments, scored the presentations in four categories that emphasized unique vision, cohesion and overall professionalism.

Panelists selected eight concepts to be featured in a display in Burk Hall, Room 334, from Feb. 17 through March 2.

concept judging Continued ON PAGE 5

Lack of advertising curbs student exposure to SF State app CODY MCFARLAND

cmcfarla@mail.sfsu.edu

The developers of SF State Mobile, the college’s firstever mobile app, are seeking feedback from students to determine which features should be included in the platform’s second iteration.

A lack of advertisement of version one, however, has stymied students’ exposure to instagram: @goldengatexpress

their final showcase at SF State.

The graduating designers presented their initial concept sketches and mood boards to a panel of judges Feb. 10, an endeavor the department has never undertaken before. The five-person panel, comprised of faculty members from various

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the app and left the developers with limited feedback since the app’s debut Feb. 3.

Inquiries made to students across campus yielded a resounding, “Our college has an app?” Even staff in technologyrelated departments were surprised by the news.

“I didn’t know that our college has an app,” said computer science office manager Jen Schwartz.

As someone who works

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with many computer science students and other related majors, Schwartz said she was surprised no one in her department had mentioned the app.

app Continued ON PAGE 3

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

NEWS

SF State bans hoverboards from campus hoverboards Continued from the front

EMILY CHAVOUS / XPRESS

Donald Howard, an 18-year-old kinesiology major, poses with his hoverboard at SF State on Monday.

s s e r p X ourself: y

“If I’m on Mary Park, but I want to catch the 28, that’s a far walk; but if I have my hoverboard, I could get there at the snap of a finger,” Howard said. “It’s just wheels.”

Beginning Jan. 1, California adopted a series of new laws applying to hoverboards, including a minimum age of 16, the required use of a helmet, a maximum speed limit of 15 mph and banning hoverboards from roads with a speed limit exceeding 35 mph.

SF State has had a “no wheels” ban for years, but this new policy is being enacted across California.

Other CSUs are also changing their policies, mainly because of the fire hazard that these devices pose.

Chico State University housing also banned hoverboads in a letter to their students, asking them to remove these items from campus completely. A similar email was sent out to the students at SF State.

“The aforementioned devices or equipment may be confiscated if left or ridden in unauthorized areas,” the SF State email read.

Besides being a public nuisance, a lot of universities are banning these hoverboards because of the possibility of them catching fire. Last month, a house in Santa Rosa caught fire, killing the family’s two dogs after a hoverboard sparked while charging, according to ABC 7 News.

”

The safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors is of utmost importance to the University.

-Jonathan Morales

“The National Fire Protection Association have raised serious safety concerns about hoverboards due to the fire hazard that they pose, and the University has taken these steps in order to maintain a safe campus community,” said Jonathan Morales, director of news and new media, in an email.

“The safety of all students, faculty, staff and visitors is of utmost importance to the University.”

WE ASKED SF STATE STUDENTS:

What do you think about hoverboards being on campus and what do you think of the safety concerns around hoverboards?

“I’m just now hearing this, so now I don’t know if I should still ride (my hoverboard). This is how I get around campus, because SF State is a real big campus. ... I mean, I wasted my money. ... I’m not trying to walk from Mary Park to the top of the school where the bus stop is, ‘cause that’s too far.”

Donald Howard, 18

Kinesiology major

“I think that’s a smart idea. I think that hoverboards aren’t very safe, especially because you can run into someone, or if you lean the wrong way you can fall and hurt yourself.”

laura salazar, 18

Liberal studies major

“I think they should be banned because they could pose a threat to students and the people actually riding. And I think that if they want to use it, they can just use it off campus.”

rosa gutierrez, 19 Biology major

“(Hoverboards) don’t bother me any, as long as they don’t get in your way. I don’t see them any different from a skateboard or somebody on a bike.”

Antonio Falcon, 36

Electrical engineering major

“If I was their age, I would do it. I didn’t think too much about this, it doesn’t bother me.”

leonid khamishon, 79 Roman art major

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

NEWS

Lack of advertising curbs student exposure to SF State app

3

UNIVERSITY CRIME BLOTTER COMPILED BY XPRESS NEWS STAFF

Between Jan. 22 and Feb. 14, the University Police Department responded to 34 incidents.

Here are some of the most notable.

Sunday, Feb. 14 OPEN CONTAINER: While on patrol, an officer spotted subjects who appeared intoxicated at Mary Park Hall. The officers contacted the subjects and cited them for a minor in possession of alcohol and having an open container of alcohol in public.

An officer took a report.

Saturday, Feb. 13 vandalism: The owner of a vehicle reported damage to the hood of his car, which was parked on Buckingham Way. An officer responded and took a report.

app Continued from the front friday, feb. 12 “It should be advertised more,” said Roland Sayn, jazz guitar major. “They should definitely try to get people to put the word out – maybe have someone around (Malcolm X Plaza) spreading the word.”

Despite limited awareness, reception of the app has been mostly positive among its users, said mobile applications team lead and coordinator Supakit Kiatrungrit.

Kiatrungrit said he would like to see the volume of downloads and feedback swell, so he and his team know exactly what students want to see in the update. As of Tuesday, less than 10 percent of the student body has downloaded the app from Apple’s App Store and Google Play combined.

“The more usage and the more feedback, the better we can make the app,” said website services technical lead Srikanth Danapal. “Our definition of better may be different than students’, so that’s why we want to hear from them.”

With a target release date of sometime in Fall 2016, the second version of SF State Mobile will feature more subapps and processes tailored to the wants

and needs of students, according to Danapal.

Currently, the platform houses nine sub-apps, allowing students to do things such as pay tuition and other fees, keep up to date on University events and the academic calendar, and receive emergency notifications.

Information technology services Assistant Associate Vice President Nish Malik said that although the selection is currently limited, all of the app processes are entirely secure. He said the security of students’ personal information is paramount when it comes to adding new features to the app, and has been the main restriction as to why other services have yet to be made available on SF State Mobile.

Eventually, students will be able to complete tasks that are currently only available in the online student center from their phones, according to Malik.

“This is just release one,” Malik said. “There’s more to come, and we are excited about it.”

Computer science major Zachary Bittner said the app is helpful and user-friendly.

While not a regular app user, Bittner said he found that he now

uses this app often.

His favorite features are the Pay Now app, for paying tuition and fees, and the calendar, which he said is a thorough and useful way to stay up to date with what’s happening on campus.

“It’s a more acclimated version of the website basically,” Bittner said. “It’s a lot quicker and easier to use for me. I’m always on sfsu.edu, so for me it works easier to do it all from my phone.”

Malik said the idea for the SF-Statebased app came from President Leslie E. Wong’s strategic plan in late 2014 and the question, “How can the college be more accessible?”

Besides streamlining services in an easy-to-use way, the app is also intended to bring the campus community together.

The app has been available for download since August 2015, while it underwent a pilot process, but was officially released on Feb. 3 of this year.

“We want (the app) to be great, but it’s only great if the people use it,” Danapal said.

vandalism: UPD received a report that an unknown person damaged a cabinet by prying it open in Hensill Hall. The incident occurred between Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. An officer responded and took a report.

Friday, feb. 12 battery: A physical altercation between two people in the Library Research Commons was reported. Officers responded and contacted the subjects, one of whom was cited for battery and released. An officer took a report. thursday, feb. 11 SUSPENDED LICENSE : While on a traffic stop at the intersection of Winston and Stonecrest drives, officers determined that the driver was driving without a valid license. The subject was cited for driving with a suspended license and released at the scene. The vehicle was impounded and an officer took a report. wednesday, feb. 10 FIRE ALARM: Dispatch received notice of a fire alarm activation at the Village at Centennial Square. An officer arrived and found no sign of smoke or fire. Officer takes a report for tampering with a fire alarm pull station. wednesday, feb. 10 Arson: UPD received a report of burn marks on the wall in the Administration Building. An officer responded and took a report. tuesday, feb. 9 vandalism: It was reported that a subject noticed damages to several door hinges and plates in the Science Building. An officer responded and took a report. tuesday, feb. 9 UNAUTHORIZED PLACARD : While conducting handicap placard enforcement near the J. Paul Leonard Library, an officer determined that a subject was misusing a placard and cited them without further incident. monday, feb. 8 vandalism: It was reported that an office door was damaged with a blow torch in the Administration Building. An officer responded and took a report. monday, feb. 8 PETTY THEFT : A man reported the theft of his wallet from the Gymnasium Feb. 8. An officer responded and took a report.

The total reported loss was $40.

4

NEWS

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

Giants fans take advantage of a chance to walk on the field at AT&T Park during FanFest on Saturday.

LEFT: Fans gather to hear a Q&A held on the field at AT&T Park during Giants FanFest on Saturday. RIGHT: Aaron Sanchez, a Giants fan from Fresno, opens his mystery merchandise bag bought at FanFest at AT&T Park on Saturday.

Students flock to AT&T park to enjoy annual Giants FanFest AMANDA ARAGONA

aaragona@mail.sfsu.edu

A

PHOTOS BY ALEAH FAJARDO

sea of people decked out in orange and black, wraps around the outside of AT&T Park, patiently waiting in a seemingly never-ending line.

Inside, the same herd of orange and black swarms in the stands and across the field. Fans run around excitedly, snapping selfies and pushing through crowds to catch a glimpse of a player.

Saturday, Feb. 13, locals and

out-of-towners were welcomed with free admission to the Giants’ stadium to run around on the dynasty’s field, stand in line to meet players and purchase Giants gear, beer and food.

SF State student Emily Gibson just finished her internship with the Giants but still volunteered at the ballpark for FanFest, where she sold mystery grab bags filled with Giants paraphernalia to guests.

“All the proceeds go to the Junior Giants,” said Gibson.

“The organization provides free baseball bats, gloves, balls, helmets, etc. to underprivileged kids throughout California. I got

Kate Scott of KNBR hosts a Q&A with Giants players (from left to right) Javier Lopez, Hunter Pence and Brandon Belt during FanFest held at AT&T Park on Saturday.

a bunch of my friends that also go to (SF) State to come help out too.”

There was a diverse crowd of fans in the stadium, with senior citizens, children and college students waiting to watch Hunter Pence during his Q&A or catch a glimpse of a player walking around the stadium.

SF State students were not just guests at the event but also workers, interns and volunteers.

The campus’ involvement with the Giants and AT&T Park continues to grow as the secondannual commencement ceremony approaches at the ballpark in May. Theressa Ghalbouny, a friend of Gibson’s, said she really enjoyed volunteering and giving back to the kids.

“It was definitely worth it,” Ghalbouny said. “And I got the chance to walk around before anybody was in the park which was really cool. I also got to see some of the players because they were walking around with us.”

Gibson’s involvement with the Giants will continue when she starts her next job as an ambassador with the Orange and Black Attack Team, which provides free t-shirts and

Paul Auday asks some of the Giants players a question during their Q&A at FanFest at AT&T Park on Saturday.

other items during games and discounted tickets to the San Francisco community.

“I’ve been a huge Giants fan since I was a kid,” said Kyle Steinert, a freshman student at

SF State. “It’s part of the reason I decided to move here, and I’m definitely looking forward to attending a lot of games throughout college and hopefully seeing a World Series win!”

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

5

Student designers reveal concepts for their spring runway collections concept judging Continued from the front The winning designers included Maile Driggs, Lia Herrera, Yvonne Ortiz, Sarah Yiu, Alina Bushnell, Christine Ng, Craig Chao and Kong.

“I thought they were great,” panelist Joshua Singer said. “It’s interesting to see the wide range of ideas and wide range of skills. For me, I was looking for the thing that communicated to me at a deeper level. I think there’s a way you can do that visually – you almost don’t have to explain it.”

”

It’s interesting to see the wide range of ideas and wide range of skills. For me, I was looking for the thing that communicated to me at a deeper level. I think there’s a way you can do that visually – you almost don’t have to explain it.

-Joshua Singer Students enrolled in the department’s capstone course must construct a minimum of three outfits, said Kelly Reddy-Best, ADM assistant professor.

The department encourages graduating students to present their collections at SF State’s spring runway show, which she said will be held April 28 at the San Francisco Design Center.

“This was the final concept stage,” Reddy-Best said. “At this point, they build. It’s always kind of interesting to see what they’re making. They really have the ability to experiment, which is cool, because you don’t necessarily get that much experimentation in the industry.”

Each student’s collection voices a distinctive personal narrative. They all bring their own design aesthetic to the table, according to Reddy-Best.

Kong’s paint-spattered mood boards are a nod to people in her past, she told

EMILY CHAVOUS / XPRESS

Senior apparel design and merchandising students Wei Kong (left) and Jinsun Kim discuss fabric options for one of Kim’s garments in Burk Hall.

the panel, equally inspired by those who were kind and those who were cruel.

She said she isn’t interested in luxury, and rather is focusing on pieces that are simple and ready-to-wear. Kong’s concept reflects what she calls the “mindset of abundance.”

“My design, it’s not crazy,” Kong said. “It’s always about what I feel for the moment. Mindset of abundance means people should help each other out and truly appreciate each other. I want to do classics with some twists – practical,

GEORGE MORIN / XPRESS

ADM senior Yvonne Ortiz presents her two-minute elevator pitch to a panel of judges in the Advanced Apparel Design Problems course in Burk Hall, Feb. 10.

function and comfort.”

Driggs’ designs celebrate the feminine figure. Influenced by professional women who aren’t afraid to challenge fashion norms, Driggs said her pieces will be flowy, fitted and strategically cut to flatter curves.

”

You can be powerful, you can be a leader, and you can still be sexy and embrace the fact that you’re a female. My collection is very feminine, and a lot of skin will be showing, which I’m really excited about.

-Maile Driggs

“It’s an exciting time for women,” Driggs said. “You can be powerful, you can be a leader, and you can still be sexy and embrace the fact that you’re a female. My collection is very feminine, and a lot of skin will be showing, which I’m really excited about.”

Herrera is among the designers who will be working with unconventional materials. For Herrera, that means glass and plastic, as she aims to create wearable art.

“For every project, my inspiration changes,” Herrera said. “For my collection, I was inspired by mirror and pieces of glass, paper, things that fold.

They’re not just avant-garde clothes that you wear once in your lifetime. I want something that would be versatile, you

know, so if I make a top that has a weird neck-mirror piece, you can take that off.”

After previewing the design students’ concepts, Singer, who has never attended the ADM fashion show, said he looks forward to seeing the finished pieces on the runway.

“This has definitely sparked my interest,” Singer said. “I’d like to go this year, because I’d like to see how it plays out.”

Reddy-Best said she looks forward to watching the student collections come together over the next two months. She noted that the designers are flying solo now, setting their own schedules and making their own goals. For many of the designers, like Kong, that means latenight patterning and making memories with friends.

“It’s kind of beautiful and sort of eloquent in a way, to see (the process) unfold over time,” Reddy-Best said. “It’s hard as hell.”

GEORGE MORIN / XPRESS

ADM senior Laura Archid presents her designs to a panel of judges in Burk Hall 410 Feb. 10. The top designs will be displayed in Burk Hall 334 starting Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

7

inspires e Mission Some of Scheib’s husband’s artwork is featured and for sale at Lemon Twist Thursday, Feb. 11.

ing eib d h r

Scheib

terns are stashed beneath n District. BOTTOM : Danette ut for his opening reception, a his art through their boutique.

ents like Christine Ng, a er Lemon Twist intern, who she feels inspired by Scheib’s essionalism, poise and overall for life.

She’s on top of her work, he’s there for you,” Ng said. as completely struggling, stly, just thinking about ng an internship in this y, competitive industry. It’s whelming. But she came to and (asked if) I want to help ntern with her.” cheib said the designs are e to be timeless, describing lientele as creative and etically conscious – women aren’t compelled to fit into y fad.

I didn’t set out to do this,

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MAGAZINE

Lemon Twist’s current location opened in November, although Scheib founded the brand more than 15 years ago. Rising rent left Lemon Twist without a stable location for years.

but I wear things, and customers wear things of mine that are 15 years old,” Scheib said. “They’re still modern. And we construct them well. It’s nice to know that things last.”

Scheib said she isn’t looking to runways or social media for artistic influence. Rather, she is taking the time to notice everyday quirks like the old man in polyester plaid pants who strolls past the store.

Each piece is designed in-house and constructed in the Bay Area, according to Scheib. While it’s commonplace in the industry to outsource labor overseas, Scheib said that, for her, the idea of locally-made apparel was never a question.

“Her philosophy of creating community through locally designed and sewn and worn garments is one that our

(SF State) program strongly supports,” Ulasewicz said.

Also local is the boutique’s artwork.

A rainbow of snappy, graphic quotes adorns the walls with phrases like, “DO YOU MIND IF I ALWAYS LOVE YOU” and “NOT EVERYBODY IS SUPER CHILL.” These cheeky prints are the work of Scheib’s husband Eric, an artist and graphic designer.

Scheib said there is still a lot to unveil at Lemon Twist. She looks forward to offering guest designer showcases, a rotating art gallery and a fashion design summer camp for children, a program she offered prior to opening the store. But after three months, she said the storefront on 25th Street already feels like home.

“I could stay here and make my little dresses ’til I’m 90,” Scheib said. “That would be perfect.”

Scheib and her husband Eric Scheib prepare for an opening reception showcasing his Valentine’s collection of art: LOVE LETTERS, at Lemon Twist Thursday, Feb. 11.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

Apparel design lecturer with new boutique in the

“I definitely struggled with figuri (my career) out,” Sche said. “I knew it had something to do with clothing, but I never thought I would be the designer.”

EMILY CHAVOUS

echavous@mail.sfsu.edu

-Danette S

SF State flat pattern apparel design and merchandising professor Danette Scheib runs her own fashion label, Lemon Twist, at its most recent location in the Mission District, San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 4. Scheib established the fashion label more than 15 years ago.

EMILY CHAVOUS

I

echavous@mail.sfsu.edu

nside a bright studio boutique in the Mission, Danette Scheib leans across her design table and a spool of plaid fabric. Tugging at loose threads, she straightens for a moment and begins to wonder aloud if the material might be stretchier than she remembered.

Perhaps, too stretchy for a high-waisted pant.

The design table sits at the back of Lemon Twist, a lively little shop with a bright pink door and mirrored metallic mannequins.

Mellow reggae beats fill the air, and the clothing racks are stocked with luxe textiles in simple, easy-to-wear shapes.

Scheib, a lecturer of four years in the apparel design and merchandising department

TOP : One of Scheib’s colorful mannequins on display at Lemon Twist.

RIGHT : Scheib shares her workspace with her intern, SF State senior and ADM student Alina Bushnell.

PHOTOS BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ

at SF State, said she never expected she would establish a women’s fashion label.

“I definitely struggled with figuring (my career) out,” Scheib said. “I knew it had something to do with clothing, but I never thought I would be the designer.”

In November 2015, Scheib celebrated the grand opening of her shop. She founded Lemon Twist in 1999, but rising rent prices forced the designer to close her first store and left her bouncing between various pop-up locations and designing from home after class. The new permanent space allows her to reconnect with customers and work on her collection outside the confines of her living room.

While she always had an interest in fashion, Scheib said she didn’t realize her calling until she enrolled in a pattern-making course, which inspired her to complete a degree in apparel and textiles at the University of Iowa.

“I still worked for designers after that,” she said. “But finally, I don’t know why, I just felt like I could break off.”

Scheib said she enjoys the decisionmaking process and seeing her patterns come to life. A single piece may take months to create as she actualizes the details. Sometimes, that means finding a new fabric because the spool of plaid that was ordered has a little more stretch than expected.

With more than 15 years as an independent designer, the mother of two said she has learned the art of balance.

“There’s always different hats,” Scheib

TOP : Spools of quirky yet simply textured patt the design table at Lemon Twist in the Mission Scheib’s husband Eric Scheib had flyers laid ou collaboration between the couple to promote h

said. “You just really need to find what you’re good at, and focus on that.”

Scheib’s off-campus success lends itself to lectures and lab hours that are practical and constructive for students in her flat pattern class, according to Connie Ulasewicz, an SF State professor and sustainable design expert.

“Danette is truly a grounded instructor for our apparel design students, as she has a business and can offer real commentary,” Ulasewicz said. “Often, our students are offered the opportunity to assist and complete their field experience requirements at Lemon Twist.”

The hands-on experience is invaluable for graduating ADM

studen forme said s profes zest f “S and sh “I wa hones findin crazy, overw me, a and in Sc made her cl aesthe who a every “I

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

OPINION STAFF EDITORIAL

oldaetne U.S. must take a stand against petty politicians GGX

XPRESS

DARCY FRACOLLI

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF dfracoll@mail.sfsu.edu

REID CAMMACK

MANAGING EDITOR reidcamm@mail.sfsu.edu

EVA RODRIGUEZ

ART DIRECTOR erodrig2@mail.sfsu.edu

JARED JAVIER

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR jjavier@mail.sfsu.edu

BRIAN CHURCHWELL

PHOTO EDITOR bchurchw@mail.sfsu.edu

JOEY REAMS

NEWS EDITOR reams94@mail.sfsu.edu

MIRANDA BOLAR

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR mbolar@mail.sfsu.edu

ASHLEY BOWEN

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE EDITOR anbowen@mail.sfsu.edu

JESSICA NEMIRE

OPINION EDITOR jdn@mail.sfsu.edu

TYLER LEHMAN

SPORTS EDITOR tlehman@mail.sfsu.edu

CHRIS DEJOHN

COPY EDITOR cdejohn@mail.sfsu.edu

JOCELYN CARRANZA

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR jcarranz@mail.sfsu.edu

KELSEY LANNIN

ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR klannin@mail.sfsu.edu

GRADY PENNA

SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE EDITOR gpenna@mail.sfsu.edu

RACHELE KANIGEL

S

upreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died of a heart attack Saturday, and Republican senators wasted no time in letting the U.S. know that they would block any attempt by President Barack Obama to nominate a new justice.

The Republicans, who have enjoyed a conservative majority on the Supreme Court for nearly 40 years – according to a 2012 study from Georgetown University – are terrified at the prospect of facing a liberal court. They’re convinced that they’ll win the general election, pretty much no matter who they nominate. They’re counting on misogyny to defeat Hillary Clinton and America’s aversion to socialism to sink Bernie Sanders. They’re counting on keeping their majority in the House and the Senate, and they’re counting on being able to ram through whatever anti-abortion, anti-planned parenthood, anti-gay rights legislation they please.

If Obama, who is in the last 11 months of his presidency, appoints a liberal justice to the Supreme Court, the conservative majority that the Republicans have enjoyed for so long will be lost, and there’s a good chance that much of their legislation, particularly attempts to limit access to abortions, will be overturned by the Supreme Court. Since the Republicans campaign so heavily on the “pro-life” platform, they stand to lose a lot of ground in subsequent midterm elections if they can’t deliver on their promises and the evangelicals and hard-core conservatives become

disenchanted with the political process.

The morbid hilarity in all this, of course, is that Scalia himself believed that the Constitution should be interpreted exactly as the Founding Fathers intended it more than 200 years ago. Scalia didn’t believe that abortion should be ruled a right by the Supreme Court, since the Constitution does not specifically mention it. He believed the same thing about gay marriage. And it’s written nowhere in the Constitution that a president in the last year of his presidency cannot appoint a justice to the Supreme Court.

The letter of the Constitution simply states that the president shall appoint judges to the Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Scalia himself also confessed to David Axelrod, current CNN political correspondent and former senior adviser to Obama, that he wanted Obama to appoint Elena Kagan, his ideological opposite. According to Axelrod, Scalia preferred to have someone intelligent with whom he could engage.

Furthermore, the unofficial rule that the Senate Republicans are citing, known as the Strom Thurmond Rule, is that a president in his last six months of office cannot make lifetime appointments. Obama won’t be in his last six months until July 20, which is five months from now. The longest it has ever taken for a Supreme Court Justice to be confirmed by the Senate was 125 days, or a little more than four months.

Finally, current Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell opposed the Democrats’

citation of the Strom Thurmond Rule back in 2008, when Justice David Souter was speculating about retirement, McConnell was Senate Minority Leader and George W. Bush was in his final six months of office.

Fortunately for the Republicans, Souter didn’t officially submit his resignation to the president until April 2009, and the Senate Republicans never had to go on the legislative record in opposition to the Thurmond Rule.

It’s an outrageous and shameful perversion of our country’s system of checks and balances for the Senate Republicans to block Obama’s nomination because they want to wait to fill the vacancy when the president’s ideology aligns with their own. The American people have to take a stand at some point, before our nation completely dissolves into a noxious, partisan pool of political slime. We have to do something about the regressive, petulant and, frankly, childlike nature of our politicians, both nationally and locally. If we don’t start holding politicians accountable and start voting with our frontal cortex instead of our amygdala, the damage may soon be irreversible.

DARCY FRACOLLI Editor-in-Chief

Safety concerns about Uber remain despite settlement

PRINT ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu

JESSE GARNIER

FACULTY ADVISER jgarnier@sfsu.edu

KEN KOBRE

PHOTO ADVISER kkobre@sfsu.edu

EVA CHARLES

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JESSICA NEMIRE jdn@mail.sfsu.edu

Most people I know would rather call an Uber after a late night out than spend hours on any of San Francisco’s nighttime buses, which run sporadically and take forever. Unfortunately, Uber might not always be the safest option.

On Feb. 11, Uber agreed to settle two lawsuits for a total of $28.5 million, which will go to customers.

The two class action lawsuits were filed on behalf of customers who didn’t feel safe using the ride-sharing service, despite having to pay Uber’s “safe rides fee.”

There have been seven reported cases of Uber driveron-passenger crimes in the past

two years (including a hit-andrun accident involving a young child, for which Uber initially took no responsibility but later settled in a lawsuit).

It’s with equal parts fondness and irritation that I look back on being 20 years old and taking the 91 Owl bus back from City Nights to my Parkmerced apartment at 3 a.m. Fondness, because there’s nothing quite like being 20 and having postclub sing-alongs with your

friends as a bus filled with all sorts of other colorful characters takes you all around the city.

Irritation, because, nostalgia aside, taking an hour to get home on the bus when it takes about 15 minutes in a car is a pain in the ass.

Ever since Uber and other similar ride-sharing services became popular in San Francisco, anyone with a smartphone can summon a car to take them home in less time than it typically takes the 91 just to get to their bus stop.

Although I go out more frequently now that I’m over 21 and can expand my clubbing experience to more than whatever events are being held at 715 Harrison St., I still frequently end up opting for the arduous late-night bus ride, because, despite the plethora of questionable individuals riding the bus at 3 a.m., I still feel safer on the bus than in an Uber.

Although I myself have never had a bad incident in an Uber, I’ve read enough horror stories to scare me away from taking them more often.

While I’m glad Uber is taking some responsibility for the safety of its passengers, I’m still a little wary of using the service. I’d rather pay the $2.25 to ride the bus around the city with a bunch of drunk people than pay the same in “safety fees” that might not actually keep me safe.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

OPINION

Beyonce’s ‘Formation’ ignites controversy in White America SPECIAL TO XPRESS

CHANTEL CARNES

ccarnes@mail.sfsu.edu

Public service announcement to those who are shaming Beyoncé for expressing her “blackness” – she owes you nothing.

Beyoncé shocked the world during her Super Bowl halftime performance showcasing her new single, “Formation.” Her performance featured all black female dancers who were dressed as members of the Black Panther Party to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The Internet has been exploding since Super Bowl Sunday, with Facebook and cable news pundits alike calling her performance a “racial and violence-fueled outrage.” Some of the most vocal critics of Beyoncé’s performance are white, and I am struggling to understand what the real problem is. I saw this performance as a powerful way for Beyoncé to stand in solidarity with her black community.

Tomi Lahren, television host of TheBlaze, said in her one-sided video that Beyoncé’s performance was a way to “politicize and advance the notion that black lives matter more.” I can see how Lahren, as a white woman in America, completely misjudged Beyoncé’s performance. She was not stating that black lives matter more, but rather that they matter “too,” and that it’s time we all stand up for the injustice the black community faces.

For years, many white Americans have viewed Beyoncé as their “token black girl” – they saw her as black, but didn’t associate her with black culture. Beyoncé’s Super Bowl performance and “Formation” music video shattered this illusion, and people are upset.

The day before the Super Bowl, Beyonce released the music video for her new song, “Formation.” Presented with a New Orleans theme, Beyonce sat on top of a sinking police car, called out her haters and flaunted her Alabama and Louisiana heritage. The Internet instantly broke into two sides: You either loved it or hated it.

The next day she took it a step further, and seeing Beyoncé take a stand against racially motivated police brutality by celebrating the Black Panther Party sparked rage in those who thought she was on “their side.” Beyoncé is one of the biggest celebrities in the world, and

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she does not owe it to anyone to bow down to white supremacy, police brutality or injustice by hiding her “blackness.”

My Twitter and Facebook feeds have been bombarded with people calling her performance racist and even going so far as to compare the Black Panther Party to the KKK. The delusional idea that the KKK and Black Panther Party have anything in common is disgusting. The only thing I find racist is that the same people making these claims are the same ones who have welcomed the Confederate Flag at numerous onstage national performances.

The Confederate Flag is nothing more than a symbol of racism, and no one bats an eye when multiple rock band performances have it waving in the background. However, during a time when police brutality is becoming more widely acknowledged and Black History Month is upon us, Beyoncé saluting the Black Panther Party is considered racism.

The Black Panther Party worked to stand against police brutality and bring an end to racially motivated violence.

The Black Panther Party, aside from working to end police brutality against African Americans, organized multiple community programs for youth and families. They defended themselves against racist law enforcement and struggled to establish economic, social and political equality in the black community.

It has always been fascinating to me that white America can love black culture, yet scrutinize the people who are a part of it.

How can you be upset that someone wants to celebrate their black culture? How can standing up against police brutality be racist, but the brutality itself isn’t? The more people shame Beyoncé’s powerful performance, the more upset I get.

Many people’s argument is, “Well, what if it was the other way around?” How soon people forget it was the other way around for a long time, and to some extent still is.

Beyoncé’s performance expressed pride and hopefully inspired those who oppose black culture to open their eyes to a world that embraces black culture, our people and our 29 days of Black History Month.

ILLUSTRATION BY EVA RODRIGUEZ

Major League Soccer is a contender, not a retirement league ADRIAN PINTOR

apintor@mail.sfsu.edu

Soccer is more than just a sport. It’s passion; it’s a religion – it’s a work of art. It doesn’t matter where you play the game; it’s the same set of rules, playing time and soccer ball.

Some soccer fans might agree that Europe is home to some of the most prominent soccer leagues in the world, but that shouldn’t discredit the level of competition in other leagues globally, especially Major League Soccer, America’s Division I professional soccer league.

MLS is set to kick off its 22nd season next month, but the signing of 31-year-old Nigel de Jong and 35-yearold Ashley Cole to the LA Galaxy has added to the perception that MLS is a retirement league.

MLS doesn’t have players like

Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi or Neymar, who are in the prime of their career, but MLS has only been around for 20 years.

In that time, it has grown from 10 to 20 club teams, three of which are in Canada. The league has built 14 soccerspecific stadiums since, and, most importantly, it has built a platform for young Americans to excel in soccer.

Getting young American soccer players to commit early to the game will only grow the league and help MLS escape its reputation as a retirement league.

Landon Donovan, top scorer for the U.S. Men’s National team, is the perfect example of an American who flourished in MLS, where he spent his entire professional career, excluding loaning periods to England.

Donovan, now retired, signed his first contract at age 17 with German club Bayern Leverkusen.

Donovan’s career in Europe was a short one. Not for lack of skill, but

because he was homesick, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Donovan felt more comfortable playing in his country than abroad, where things might not have turned out so well for him – or, as the critics might put it, as he couldn’t keep up with the European level.

Donovan decided to grow with MLS so that future young American soccer players can do what they do best and happily play at home.

Yes, it’s possible a player might benefit more playing in fast-paced leagues in Europe, but put yourself in the shoes of a young American star.

A move to Europe has three possible outcomes for young players just starting their career: you waste your talent sitting on the bench, you constantly get traded, or you’re injured due to high standards set by viewers.

As someone who experienced their first live soccer game in 1999, when the L.A. Galaxy still played at the Rose Bowl, because there were no soccer-

specific venues, I can’t stand it when critics like Arsène Wenger, the team manager of London’s Arsenal Football Club, deride MLS by labeling it a retirement home for players past their expiration date and a place where global stars go to get a big payday.

Still, MLS’ lifeline isn’t dependent on European player investments.

Contrary to what critics like Wegner say, there are many examples of American players who started their careers in MLS and are now flourishing abroad, such as Omar Gonzalez, who just scored his first goal for C.F. Pachuca last week.

Gonzalez spent his early career playing for the L.A. Galaxy from 2009 to 2015, winning two MLS Cups.

In order to erase the notion that MLS is nothing more than a retirement league, the U.S. Soccer Federation must invest more in youth programs and keeping talented youth playing on American soil.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

SPORTS

Gators Weekend wrap-up FEBRUARY 12

Softball SF STATE VS NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

1st Game: 4-0 (W) 2nd Game: 7-5 (W)

TYLER LEHMAN

tlehman@mail.sfsu.edu

The SF State softball team started the season off strong, with two victories during its doubleheader face-off with Northwest Nazarene University.

SF State won the first game 4-0, behind a dominant pitching performance by starting pitcher Megan Clark. Clark pitched a shutout, with the help of some very solid Gator defense.

“Today my curve was really working, which helped, and (we had) a fantastic defense,” Clark said.

In the second game of the doubleheader, SF State won 7-5.

Infielder Madison Collins drove in two runs in the game, and right fielder Mallory Cleveland batted 2-for-2, and drove in a run as well.

“Going through the lineup the first time, we’re all coming back to the dugout telling each other what we see,” Cleveland said. “We made the adjustments, just communicating with each other so that next time around we can just smash it like we just did.”

(Quote reported by Josue De Los Santos)

The Gators split their games in their second doubleheader of the season, winning their first game against the Academy of Art 9-1, and losing the second 8-10.

SF State’s offense was clicking on all cylinders by the sixth inning of the first game, when the Gators pounded the Urban Knights for an eight-run inning.

Sara Higa started the scoring in the sixth with an RBI off a fielder’s choice, and the Gators didn’t let their foot off the gas. The nine runs are the most the Gators have scored in a game so far this season.

The Gators were nearly as potent on offense in the second game of the doubleheader, but allowed 10 runs on defense. Starting pitcher Megan Clark got shelled, giving up 10 earned runs in five and twothirds innings pitched. The Urban Knights managed to score six runs in the fourth inning, and added four more in the sixth.

SOFTBALL BASKETBALL

FEBRUARY 14

Softball SF STATE VS THE ACADEMY OF A RT

1st Game: 9-1 (W) 2nd Game: 8-10 (L)

GEORGE MORIN / XPRESS

GEORGE MORIN / XPRESS

SF State Gators infielder Jennifer Lewis (7) slides safely into second base as Urban Knights pitcher Katie Tablada (6) misses the ball during the first doubleheader game against the Academy of Art Sunday.

FEBRUARY 11

W. BASKETBALL SF STATE VS CAL STATE SAN MARCOS

THIRD STRAIGHT WIN, 50-48

CONNOR HUNT / XPRESS

SF State Gators guard Naila Washington (42) drives against Cal State San Marcos Cougars guard Ashley Ontiveros (15) at The Swamp Thursday.

Gators infielder Madison Collins (13) gets pumped with Gator outfielder Alexis Mattos (8) during the first doubleheader game against the Academy of Art Urban Knights at the SF State Softball Field Sunday.

The SF State women’s basketball team ground out its third straight win, defeating Cal State San Marcos in overtime, 50-48.

Naila Washington was an offensive powerhouse for the Gators, scoring 18 points, which was the most by any player on either team in the game.

Defensively, Kiara Ginwright added another eight blocks to her recordbreaking total. She now has 100 blocks on the season, which is the record for the most blocked shots in a season for SF State women’s basketball. The previous record was held by Trina Easly, who had 77 during the ‘84-’85 season.

“Our goal is to score 70 points, so were always trying to score 70 points or more,” Jackson said. “At the end of the game, we are just trying to have more points than the other team.”

(Quote reported by Adrian Pintor)

The SF State men’s basketball team was able to squeak out a pivotal conference win against Cal State San Marcos, 73-71.

Warren Jackson and Treaven Duffy came up huge for the Gators, scoring 20 points and 17 points, respectively. Duffy was also aggressive on the glass, snagging 11 rebounds.

QING HUANG / XPRESS

SF State Gators guard Warren Jackson (1) sails over Cal State San Marcos Cougars forward Taran Brown (35) during the Gators’ 73-71 win at The Swamp Thursday.

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FEBRUARY 11

M. BASKETBALL SF STATE VS CAL STATE SAN MARCOS

WIN, 73-71

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

SOFTBALL 2/12

w 4-0 w 7-5

2/13

L 1-2

2/14

w 9-1 l 8-10

2/12 Doubleheader vs Northwest Nazarene University Game 1 W 4-0 Cleveland, Andrade and Shaw each had an RBI. Starting pitcher Megan Clark threw a complete game shutout.

Game 2 W 7-5 Collins went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Starting pitcher Aryn Guzman had 5 innings pitched, and allowed five earned runs.

2/13 at Notre Dame De Namur University L 1-2 The Gators only run of the game was scored on a wild pitch in the fourth inning.

Starting pitcher Jenny Obbema

SPORTS

GATOR GAMES RECAP pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up two earned runs.

2/14 Doubleheader Game 1 W 9-1 Cleveland batted 1-for-3, with one RBI and one run scored.

Starting pitcher Lindsey Cassidy threw a complete game, only allowing one earned run and two hits.

Game 2 L 8-10 Cleveland and Terrel with a solo homerun each.

Starting pitcher Megan Clark gave up 10 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

WRESTLING 9/12

w 22-14

2/11 at #10 Menlo College W 22-14 Sam Alnassiri won his match by an 11-3 major decision.

Fern Giron also won by major decision, defeating his opponent 12-3. Travis Ino recorded a 15-0 technical fall decision.

Joshua Weinberg, Dylan Furtado and Gabe Fuentes each won their matches as well.

BASEBALL

2/12

l 2-5

2/13

l 2-3 l 3-5

2/12 at Fresno Pacific University L 2-5 Gambrell batted 1-for-4 with one RBI. Starting pitcher Ryan Bohnet pitched 5 1/3 and gave up one earned run.

2/13 Doubleheader at Fresno Pacific University Game 1 L 2-3 Franklin batted 1-for-4, drove in one RBI and scored a run.

Starting pitcher Matthew Hernandez pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up three earned runs.

Game 2 L 3-5 Brooks batted 2-for-3 and hit two RBIs. Starting pitcher Joe Chedid pitched 3 2/3 innings, gave up four hits and allowed no runs.

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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2/11

w 50-48

2/11 vs Cal State San Marcos W 50-48 (OT) Naila Washington scored 18 points and Tatsiana Dashkevich added 13. Kiara Ginwright had eight blocks and Laura Lawson snagged 13 rebounds.

MEN’S BASKETBALL 2/11

w 73-71

2/11 vs Cal State San Marcos W 73-71 Warren Jackson scored 20 points. Treaven Duffy had a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Caught reading the GGX at the library!

Tiffany is undeclared with an interest in psychology.

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016 goldengatexpress.org

K AT I E H O L M E S

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I M P O R TA N T, I N C R E D I B LY

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