Fall 2015, Issue 2

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September 2, 2015 ISSUE 03 VOLUME CI GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

Serving the San Francisco State community since 1927

zine community unites at annual festival Turn to Page 5

Tasers mandatory for campus police The email also states that the CSU rabuzagh@mail.sfsu.edu will provide the equipment, and each Access to Tasers will soon be campus’s security demandatory for all University po- partment will provide training. lice following a recent collective The possibility of equipping bargaining agreement between SF State police with Tasers set California State University and off a series of student protests the State University Police Asso- in 2013, when the Chancellor’s ciation.

Office granted Taser access Assistant Vice Chancellor to all 23 CSU campuses. of CSU, Michael Redmond, The order spurred a negative announced the agreement Aug. response from students at SF 27 in an email to all 23 CSU State, leading to meetings with presidents and police chiefs, student groups, a forum and among others. CSU and SUPA three rallies against the elecdeemed necessary an equipment troshock weapon, according to expansion that includes helmets, an Xpress article from 2013. visors, protective body armor President Leslie E. Wong anand pepper spray, in addition nounced his decision Feb. 10, to Tasers. According to the 2014, against arming Universiemail, the gear is standard in the ty police protection of students, staff and faculty’s lives and property.

RENEE ABU-ZAGHIBRA

with Tasers, citing negative student input as a main contribGRAPHIC BY EVA RODRIGUEZ uting factor in his decision, according to an Xpress article. Since the 2013 order, SF State has been the only CSU campus not to deploy Tasers, Wong said in a meeting with Xpress Aug. 31. While the previous contract allowed Wong the authority to choose, the new contract mandates that all CSU campuses comply.

read president ON PAGE 2

When it comes to college admissions, students know that the bigger the envelope the better. But even after receiving a thick envelope containing a letter of acceptance, Bernardo Balbuena Simonard, a transfer student from City College of San Francisco, is one of nearly 300 students who had their admissions to SF State rescinded this semester.

“Last week I was still enrolled in 15 units,” Simonard said LINDA KARLSSON Aug. 26. “I woke up to start lkarlsso@mail.sfsu.edu my first day at a new school, anxious about my 15-unit course load, just to find out I had been When it comes to college dropped during the weekend, dropped during the weekend, with nowith priorno notice.” admissions, students know that prior notice.”

“Congratulations!” printed thebold top, a statement in theBelow biggerthe thebold envelope the Belowatthe fine printBut explains that most admissions are conditional, and regardless better. even after receiving “Congratulations!” printed at ofahow many classes students add and fees they pay, many are thick envelope containing a the top, a statement in finedropped print just days schoolBernardo begins. This semester, 300admissions students letter ofbefore acceptance, explains almost that most had their admissions to Jo Volkert, vice Balbuena Simonard,rescinded, a transferaccording are conditional, andinterim regardless president of enrollment management.of how many classes students student from City College it comes to students knowpay, thatmany the bigger ofWhen San Francisco, is college one of admissions, add and fees they the envelope the better.

Buthad even afterare receiving thickdays envelope nearly 300 students who droppeda just before containing a letter to of SF acceptance, Bernardo Simonard, a their admissions State schoolBalbuena begins. This semester, transfer student City College of almost San Francisco, is onehad of nearly rescinded this from semester.

300 students 300 students whoI had to SF State rescinded this “Last week wastheir still admissions their admissions rescinded, semester. enrolled in 15 units,” Simonard according to Jo Volkert, interim JOEL ANGEL JUAREZ / XPRESS “Last week stillupenrolled Simonard said Aug. said Aug. 26. I“Iwas woke to start in 15 viceunits,” president of enrollment CRAMED: Finance Department Chair Ping Hsiao writes down the names of students with prerequisites waiting to be 26.

“I woke up to start my first day at a new school, anxious about my first day at a new school, management. added to a new Finance 350 section in the business building at SF State Thursday, Aug. 27. my 15-unitabout course justcourse to find out I had been dropped during the anxious myload, 15-unit weekend, no prior load, justwith to find out I notice.” had been college ON PAGE 3 Below the bold “Congratulations!” printed at the top, a statement in fine print explains that most admissions are conditional, and regardless of how many classes students add and fees they pay, many are dropped just days before school begins. This semester, almost 300 students had their admissions rescinded, according to Jo Volkert, interim vice president of enrollment management.

School revokes admission status

Student petition creates new sections of impacted class CREO NOVENO

cnoveno@mail.sfsu.edu

JAMES CHAN / XPRESS

DISAPPOINTMENT: Bernardo Balbuena Simonard, political science major, was one of about 300 students who had their admissions to SF State rescinded.

He poses for a portrait at his home in Park Merced Sunday, Aug. 30.

Two new sections of Finance 350 opened up Aug. 27, following a petition by business students who were crashing classes in an attempt to add the course.

Finance 350, or business finance, is an upper division core requirement for all business majors. Without it, students are unable to take the last few classes needed for graduation.

Quynh My Phan, a senior majoring in finance, said she found her graduation plans at risk because of difficulties in adding the course.

“I’ve tried adding it for three semesters already,” Phan said. “I was planning on

graduating this spring, but it’s not happening.”

Marketing senior Ricardo Gutierrez said he has been trying to add Finance 350 without success for the past two semesters.

“I needed to finish this class to take Business 690; then I graduate,” Gutierrez said. “It’s literally the last class that I need.”

The accounting program is the only course officially impacted in the College of Business for the Fall 2015 semester, according to the University website. With 22.7 percent of SF State’s students enrolled in the college in 2014, according to data compiled by SF State’s Office of Academic Institutional Research, competition to enter Finance 350 was tight.

student ON PAGE 2

SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

2 news

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President Wong not consulted in Taser decision

SECURITY: Campus police

engage students in pedestrian safety awareness on the corner of 19th Ave. and Holloway at SF State Tuesday, Sept. 1.

BRIAN CHURCHWELL / XPRESS

CONTINUED FROM FRONT President Leslie E. Wong announced his decision against arming University police with Tasers Feb. 10, 2014, citing negative student input as a main contributing factor in his decision, according to an Xpress article. Since the 2013 order, SF State has been the only CSU campus not to deploy Tasers, Wong said in a meeting with Xpress Aug. 31. While the previous contract allowed Wong the authority to choose, the new contract mandates that all CSU campuses comply.

In an interview with Xpress, Wong said he was notified of the new collective

bargaining agreement after it had been finalized and was not consulted regarding the decision. According to Wong, the decision was solely between the CSU and SUPA. “I felt in some way that I had failed the students, because we had had such a good and really honest discussion on how the students felt about this piece of equipment,” Wong said.

SF State University police began training with Tasers prior to the debate nearly two years ago, as reported in an Xpress article. The electroshock weapons that will be used on campus will be the same ones

used during training, according to Wong.

Officers who have completed adequate training will be able to use Tasers immediately, while new officers will undergo the required preparation.

Former member of Associated Students, Inc. and current member of Students Against Police Brutality Celia LoBuono Gonzalez participated in the original discussions in 2013. She said she was not happy when she was informed of the new standards and feels that CSU and SUPA made the wrong decision in not making an exception for SF State. She said she expects the news to cause a stir

once students are aware of the change.

“If those who are being impacted on the decision that’s being discussed don’t know that it’s even being discussed, then how can we really show how much this is important to us,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez would like CSU and SUPA to reopen negotiations but said she understands the complications of trying to change the contract.

Golden Gate Xpress contacted CSU officials and the University Police Department, but had not received a response at press time.

Student demand high for Finance course CONTINUED FROM FRONT

“I never encountered said that the demand for the course anything like this at (City has been high since he started at the College of San Francisco),” College of Business back in 2004. said Michael Blue, a senior “There’s all sorts of funding transfer student majoring in issues with the classes,” Meiberger information systems. “Lots said. “It’s the government of students are on waitlists bureaucracy.” and they’re still not getting The administration added two new in.” sections of business finance Aug. 27 All sections of the to be taught by Meiberger. course were originally Linda Oubre, dean of the College capped at 45 students, of Business, said in an email that including a 10-person even with student petitions and waitlist, according to visible demand, the addition of the class bulletin on the sections is ultimately determined by SF State Student Center the available campus budget. website. Even so, many “When additional funding is students said they ended up received, sometimes after the start of missing out on classes. classes, as happened last week, we Gutierrez and four other open up sections assuming we can students who were also find someone to teach them,” Oubre attempting to add the class said. came together to try to find Sara Koppes, one of the business a solution. students who spoke to Hsiao, said According to Jasmine she believes student demand for the Ponce de Leon, a senior course was expressed not just through majoring in accounting, the the petition, but also through other ANGEL JUAREZ / XPRESS group decided to create a students’ individual efforts.

CHAOS: Finance Department Chair Ping Hsiao reasures students trying to add a new Finance 350 section in the busipetition for more sections “Many other students went to Ping ness building at SF State Thursday, Aug. 27. of the highly sought-after Hsiao on their own to try and make class that is required for something happen,” Koppes said. were sympathetic, but said they could not guarantee graduation. They collected over 30 names and email It is not very common to add sections, Oubre said, anything, according to Jeffrey McCormick, one of the addresses of fellow students attempting to add the but the department tends to give highest priority to the business students who joined Gutierrez in petitioning course. courses with the highest demand. for the class.

“Although not easily done, we want something “We encourage all business students to visit the Business professor Herb Meiberger said he was done about this issue whether it’s tomorrow, next department office on the third floor of the Science empathetic to the students’ needs. week, next semester or the years to follow,” Ponce de Building, or the Business Advising Center in BUS “The instructor’s helpless,” Meiberger said. “You Leon said in her call-to-arms post on the SFSU Class 112, should they experience any difficulties obtaining have to understand that. There’s a metaphor– it’s like of 2016 Facebook group. “This cannot continue.” their classes,” Oubre said. “We will continue to getting blood out of a turnip. There are only so many The petitioning students met at the finance office do everything we can to help them complete their seats available.”

Aug. 26 and managed to speak with the current requirements as quickly as possible.”

Meiberger originally taught three sections of department chair, professor Ping Hsiao, and the Finance 350, more than any of his colleagues. He business advising personnel. Hsiao and his staff

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

College plans canceled before school begins

NEWS 3

CONTINUED FROM FRONT Simonard, a 28-year-old political science student, said he was eager to start his junior year at SF State. To prioritize his academics, Simonard said he altered his entire work schedule around his classes.

However, his elation was short lived.

Simonard learned he failed to meet the critical thinking requirement as part of his admissions offer, and when he reached out to SF State for advice over the summer, was offered no help, he said.

“The impression I was given was that nobody really knows what’s going on,” he said. “Why are there no emails or calls explaining what’s going to happen?”

Time is of the essence when admissions staff contacts applicants who are subject to having their admission offer revoked, according to Edward Carrigan, interim director of undergraduate admissions.

“When a student surfaces as ineligible, that student is contacted by email immediately,” Carrigan said. “If undergrad admissions does not hear back from the student, the admission offer is rescinded.”

The deadline for final transcript submissions was July 15, and students who failed to meet admission requirements prior to first day of instruction are allowed to apply again the following semester, Carrigan said.

“We do our best to be as humane as possible. We want all students to succeed

here,” Carrigan said. “When documents are received late, we do what we can to review them and appropriately guide the student. Timely submission of final transcripts would be the surest way for a student to know early that requirements for admission are met.”

Freshman student and business major Earvin Ferrer, 17, said he had his admission revoked due to a low chemistry grade during his sophomore year of high school.

“There was a conditional admission for something else, but that was completely JAMES CHAN / XPRESS separate from what this chemistry class FRUSTRATION: Bernardo Balbuena Simonard, political science major was one of about 300 students who had their admissions to SF State rescinded. He poses for a portrait at his home in Park was for. I completed the conditions and Merced, Sunday Aug. 30.

I thought that after that I was really accepted, but I guess not,” Ferrer said.

A week before school began, both “So now what do I do? Essentially “Exactly a week before school started, I Ferrer and his mother sent emails to the I’m going to lose a whole academic year,” got an email from an admissions officer undergraduate admissions office appealing Simonard said Aug. 26. “They made sure saying that my admission was rescinded the denial, he said. The dean of admissions I paid all my fees first, then they told me it and that there was nothing I could do contacted Ferrer by email Aug. 24 to let didn’t work out. I want my money back.” about it.” him know he had been readmitted to SF It wasn’t until Friday, when the first Ferrer, who was only a few days away State. week of school had come to an end, that from moving out of his hometown of San “The dean of admissions said that they Simonard said he had been readmitted to Ramon, said that his parents had bought a had made an exception,” Ferrer said. “I’m SF State. car for him to share with his brother, who not sure how that was made, but luckily it “I had been keeping in touch with the also lives in San Francisco. was.” department chair since July. By Friday I “I was living at home and I was getting Unlike Ferrer, who was readmitted to got an email from admissions saying he ready to move out in a couple of days,” SF State on the first day of instruction, had appealed on my behalf, and I got an he said. “It puts a lot of pressure on the Simonard said it seemed he was going exceptional admission,” Simonard said. “I housemates, because that would be an to be left without a school to attend this was grateful for this help and, in general, extra $150 for them to cover for me if I semester. happy I can move on and follow up with wasn’t able to attend.”

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Students seek additional sign language course CHANTEL CARNES ccarnes@mail.sfsu.edu

ANGELICA WILLIAMS / XPRESS

SPEAK OUT: Mikayla Thomas, health education major, signs her given

ASL name Monday, Aug. 31 on the Quad at SF State. She is one of many students petitioning for a new ASL III class.

ANGELICA WILLIAMS / XPRESS

ADVOCATE: Darlene Albert, art major, is one of many students petition-

ing to add an ASL III class at SF State. She poses for a portrait on Monday, Aug. 31.

There is a class at SF State where listening to the professor is not the objective, where silence is a form of respect and where your hands are the most important tool.

A group of students plan to petition SF State to expand courses offered in American Sign Language. With enrollment of ASL I and II at capacity, students said they hope the school will soon offer a third ASL course.

As a way to introduce students to the Deaf community, culture and language, SF State has incorporated two ASL courses into their special education curriculum, but the ASL courses stop there.

“I feel that it’s unfair to not have another ASL course,” said junior art major Darlene Albert.

“We have other languages that you can continue to move up in, but why not ASL? It’s a language and culture many people don’t know about or appreciate.”

Albert was raised by her parents, both of whom are deaf, and said that her parents were pressured to conform to the norms of the hearing population.

“Most of what we live in is geared to benefit hearing people, such as me growing up to learn how to speak and use my voice to talk with people rather than people learning ASL to communicate

with Deaf people,” said Lalaine Albert, Darlene’s mother.

Albert’s parents said San Francisco and Fremont both have a large Deaf community, and offering more ASL courses would help bridge the gap between people who are deaf and people who can hear.

Sandra Germinaro, an ASL professor in the special education department, has been teaching ASL at SF State for three years.

“Students will need to take ASL I through IV, fingerspelling one and two and classifiers to become fluent and able to interact with Deaf people and their culture,” Germinaro said.

“Funding is the primary issue,” said Steve Macaris of the student services department. “We don’t have the funding to offer more, and primarily our role with the ASL courses is to introduce students to the Deaf community, language and culture.”

Albert and SF State senior Mikayla Thomas, 21, said that SF State should not just introduce students to the Deaf culture, but also encourage a learning environment that takes education a step further. SF State offers different language courses that are built to allow students the opportunity to become fluent in the language they study.

Germinaro said that there are many other universities that offer a Deaf Studies program, which

focus on ASL and Deaf culture as well as preparing students to become interpreters or work with people who are deaf.

Other universities provide interpreter preparation programs and classify ASL under modern classic language instead of special education and communication disorder like SF State, Germinaro said.

Thomas said that traveling to USF or Berkeley City College to take ASL III would be too much.

“I would love to take ASL III at this school instead of going somewhere else to take it,” Thomas said. “I’ve learned with the same professor and a group that I’m familiar with for the previous two courses and I would like to keep building up knowledge of Deaf culture with them.”

Students said they are planning to work with Germinaro to start a petition and hold a Deaf culture event on campus that will not only inform more students about ASL, but to also get the attention of the department.

“I'd like to establish a Deaf Studies program here at SFSU where students can learn about Deaf people, culture, De'via (Deaf art), ASL and the community,” Germinaro said. ASL needs to be expanded, according to Germinaro, who hopes SF State will do more to incorporate the Deaf culture in its curriculum.

SF State to expand gender options on applications RENEE ABU-ZAGHIBRA rabuzagh@mail.sfsu.edu

Students will be able to choose from six different gender identities when applying to any public college or university in California for Fall 2016.

The new California State University applications will include three sets of questions under the gender/sexual orientation section. Students will be asked their gender at birth, whether they consider themselves to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and how they identify between seven options: female, female-to-male transgender, intersex, male, male-to-female transgender, not sure, other or decline to state.

“The CSU strives to promote full inclusion and diversity, and based on information gathered from the two additional optional questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, we can better determine how we can develop and utilize campus resources to meet the needs of each and every one of our students,” said Stephanie Thara, CSU public affairs communications specialist, in an email.

The California State Legislature signed an assembly bill in 2011, giving way to the change of application forms for all campuses within the University of California, the CSU and all California community colleges. Assembly Bill 620 allows students to “self-report gender identity," according to Thara. This new demographic information will not affect students' applications, but helps give schools the ability to further reach out to students and give better assistance to those in need, according to Thara.

“We’ve gotten a very positive response, and we have received inquiries

from other institutions who are gathering information with the thought of making similar changes to their own admissions applications," said Kate Moser, media relations representative for University of California, in an email. “UC campuses have been listed among the top LGBTfriendly colleges in the country, but we are always looking for ways to improve.”

The California State Student Association and CSU Academic Senate played an important role in the movement for change, according to Thara. Both groups approved resolutions to add questions to college applications in which students can voluntarily give information on their gender identity and LGBT status.

Student representatives of CSSA made the request for the additional

genders at a monthly board meeting with the Social Justice and Equity Council.

Both had a mission to give students the opportunity to express themselves and have people acknowledge their identities, according to a resolution put forth by the CSSA. "We're feeling quite good about it," said Miles Nevin, the executive director of CSSA. "This is an example of student leaders making a difference in their environment."

SF State has other resources that help accommodate transgender and non-conforming students, according to Jonathan Morales, director of news and news media at SF State. SF State has offered housing for gender neutral/ non-conforming students for five years, Morales said. There are also gender-

QING HUANG / XPRESS

INCLUSION: Cinema major Taimaz Sarli (right) enters the Queer Alliance in Cesar Chavez Student Center at SF State Friday, Aug. 28.

inclusive restrooms and shower facilities throughout campus.

“I do want to add that the CSU is proud that most of our campuses— including San Francisco State— are ranked among the top friendliest schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students by the national non-profit organization Campus Pride,” Thara said.

Stuart Castaneda, the Queer Alliance secretary at SF State, said he feels that this is a big step for schools, but that they should add the term “gender fluid” for those who don't conform to one gender.

Castaneda also said he feels the schools should provide better health care that includes testing for sexually transmitted diseases and possibly hormone injections.

"I personally— because I am gay— really value (the additional gender and sexuality options) because as a kid I didn't think that would happen," said Taimaz Sarli, a cinema major at SF State.

"It's kind of funny that (the universities have) gone above and beyond because I thought I was the minority, and now it's like transgender people have it harder."

SF State will be assessing the campus' environment to make sure all students' needs are met, according to Morales.

"Interim Dean of Students, Mary Ann Begley, began working last year with student directors in the (Queer Trans Resource Center) to begin discussing how to improve the student life experience for LGBTQIAA students," Morales said. "They used the Campus Pride Index to evaluate current services and resources on campus, and have identified key areas to focus on this year and in the future."

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE 5

Creative minds converge at SF Zine Fest KALANI RUIDAS

kruidas@mail.sfsu.edu

Limited resources and competition for gallery space have always been obstacles in visual artists' careers. Fanzines, or zines, are one approach to surmounting this creative struggle.

Zines are a self-published collection of images, illustration or text produced cheaply for small-scale circulation. For artists like SF State alumnus Derek Macario, zines are driven by self-expression rather than the intention of generating profit.

Alongside the members of his creative collective Local Punch, Macario will be participating in the 14th annual SF Zine Fest Sept. 6 at the San Francisco County Fair Building.

The San Francisco bornand-raised members of Local Punch were accepted to feature

their photography, prints, sketches and paintings as a five-person group. Macario, who has been attending Zine Fest since his freshman year in college, looks at the event as an opportunity to meet artists on a

“

Zine Fest is a way for artists to get together in a casual setting and support each other’s work.

”

-Derek macario

one-on-one basis and appreciate their craft.

"Zines are a cheap, accessible way for artists to share their ideas," Macario said. "In the city, it can be hard to have an art show unless you

know someone. Zine Fest is a way for artists to get together in a casual setting and support each other's work."

Unlike past years, when vendors could purchase tables on a first-come-first-serve basis, the event will be curated through a submissions process in which applicants are selected for exhibition, according to the SF Zine Fest website.

SF Zine Fest's Director, Liz Mayorga, said that the event is a special occasion for the community, put together by the community, as it hosts a diverse crowd and is funded by artists.

"The tabling artists themselves, through their tabling fees, are the primary funding sources for putting on SF Zine Fest," said Ramon Solis, SF Zine Fest business director, in an email. "This year was the first time we earned grant funding, which was generously provided by Southern Exposure Gallery in

JAMES CHAN / XPRESS

PICTURE PERFECT: Recent SF State graduate Derek Macario holds

photographs that appear in his zine “No Longer Eventual,” debuting at SF Zine Fest Sunday, Sept. 6.

JAMES CHAN / XPRESS

COLLAGE: Recent SF State graduate Derek Macario’s workspace and final copies of his zine “No Longer Eventual,” debuting at SF Zine Fest, Sunday, Sept. 6.

the Mission."

Macario will be sharing two photo zines, one of which is a collection of images taken over the span of several seasons and the other is a photo series examining the ever changing social landscape of San Francisco's neighborhoods.

Macario said his more narrative zine, "No Longer Eventual" is about how time has touched the places he's seen growing up in San Francisco.

"Events like this are great because you can see how attendees respond to your work

and get feedback from other artists," Macario said.

From an administrative perspective, Mayorga said she values SF Zine Fest's inclusiveness and the space it provides for artists to belong.

"As an artist it's so familiar to feel uncomfortable," Mayorga said. "Often times (the) work you value most isn't for monetary gain, it's really personal. Zine Fest is a nurturing environment where artists can feel a solid sense of identity."

6 LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

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ANGELICA EKEKE / XPRESS

EXPLORE: SF

State senior Janine Terra observes Philip Gann’s “Planet System Under Construction” art piece at the Colored Warnings opening reception Thursday, Aug. 27 in the Associated Students, Inc.Art Gallery.

SF State alumnus curates sci-fi inspired art exhibit

C

ASHLEY BOWEN

anbowen@mail.sfsu.edu

olorful toy guns hung on the walls as bronze, animalistic masks stared at onlookers from across the room and detailed sculptures of futuristic planets dangled from the ceiling. Eerie horror music rang in the background as viewers walked from piece to piece under red and blue lighting, admiring the diverse works of art.

The Fine Arts Gallery turned into a science-fiction maven’s paradise Aug. 27 with its opening reception of “Colored Warnings” in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. The new art exhibit portrays three artists’ work that examine contemporary politics with a science fiction spin. Artist Craig Campbell spearheaded the exhibit as the curator. The show “captures an imagined future, which reflects on the war-torn landscape of the present,” according to the Associated Students, Inc. Art Gallery blog.

Fueled with a vision and a desire to engage with the local community, Campbell, an alumnus of SF State’s studio arts and sexuality departments, led the collaboration between the artists Lewis Klahr, Mike Rothfeld and Philip Gann.

Having previously seen the artists' works at other shows, Campbell said he felt the theme was worth exploring and wanted Klahr, Rothfeld and Gann for his exhibit. Campbell, an avid fan of the genre, described his show as a “contemporary attempt at what has been done in the past with science fiction.”

“In the history of media, science fiction often depicts our fears and the way that the future is seen by people

who live within that time,” Campbell said. “This show is my attempt to get a group of artists and a body of work that reflects what we see in our time and how we think our technology is going to work and how the future is going to work.”

Each artist individually showcased his interpretation of what the future will hold.

Rothfeld, a local artist who resides in Oakland and graduated from California College of the Arts, works primarily in sculpture and said he derives much of his imagery from science fiction and horror TV shows.

“The overall theme of the exhibit is to look at a current political climate through science fiction tropes,” Rothfeld said. “I think that most of the work stays true to what I take (Campbell's) intent to be of looking at some very serious world ANGELICA EKEKE / XPRESS INTRICATE: Philip Gann’s sculpture “Planet System Under Construction” is displayed at SF issues, but not being afraid to bring State’s Colored Warnings in the Associated Students, Inc. Art Gallery Thursday, Aug. 27. some humor.”

“

In the history of media, science fiction often depicts our fears and the way that the future is seen by people who live within that time.

”

-Craig Campbell

ANGELICA EKEKE / XPRESS

INSIGHT: (right to left) Artist Mike Rothfeld, curator Craig Camp-

bell and Art Department Chair and Director at SF State Gail Dawson discuss art pieces at the Colored Warnings opening reception Thursday, Aug. 27. in the Associated Students, Inc. Art Gallery.

Gann, an SF State alumnus who graduated with a major in fine art with a dual emphasis in studio art and art history, also lives in Oakland and has a studio in South San Francisco. He said he considers himself a sculpture artist who works with mixed media.

“I would like for my viewers to experience their own personal memory through just observing my work,” Gann said. “I’m trying to tap into people’s childhood memories because I feel like those are the strongest memories that we hold onto, and to make work that sort of uproots those memories in the viewer. I think that

creates a moment I like.”

Members from all across the local community came to support the new show on campus. Sean Yore, who has lived in the area for roughly 40 years, said he found the art intriguing.

“It is evocative of past science fiction,” Yore said.

“Yet, there is a continued take on modern society with guns and violence.”

Campbell said he hopes his work will provoke viewer's ingenuity and inspire personal interpretation.

“As a part of that enjoyment, I want to challenge them in a way,” Campbell said. “I want people to experience this more than once in different ways.”

The gallery is student funded and student staffed, and the team's main responsibility was to install the show, according to the ASI Art Gallery. Art gallery manager and curator David de Rozas said this was the first time Campbell had collaborated with him on an exhibition.

“The show draws parallels between the past, the future and the present," Campbell said. "I hope it conveys that everything is kind of cyclical and one should investigate the past when they go into the future.”

“Colored Warnings” will run until Sept. 17 and is free and open to the public. The exhibit will follow the current regular hours of the Cesar Chavez Student Center, and will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m to 6 p.m.

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lifestyle and culture 7

Guitarist plucks heartstrings SAMANTHA LUSIGNAN slusigna@mail.sfsu.edu

IMANI MILLER / XPRESS

EXPRESSION: Sean Thompson, SF State music major, performs for a small

crowd at the Velo Rouge Cafe in the Outer Sunset Friday Aug. 28.

“Where words fail, music speaks,” is the quote Sean Thompson, 22, lives by.

Thompson, an SF State music major with an emphasis in composition, said he was excited about his career in music and is constantly pushing himself to be a better musician any chance he has.

However, life outside of performance halls and concerts was different for Thompson during his youth. He was raised an only child in the mountainous region of Yankee Hill, about 40 minutes away from Chico State, and growing up, he had a lot of time to himself, he said.

Before Thompson picked up the guitar when he was 9 years old, he struggled with being overweight and isolated himself with video games.

“Music taught me how to communicate better," Thompson said. "Before, I was just an observer and a nerd. I loved playing an instrument because it gave me confidence and placement in social situations."

Thompson performed solo at Velo Rouge Cafe on Arguello Street Aug. 28 where he performed songs like “Satanic Bumblebee,” a song inspired by his animosity toward bees. Another crowd pleaser, “Mischief at a Jewish Wedding,” had the audience clapping in time to the rapid beat. In between sets, Thompson tuned his guitar and joked with the audience.

"My name is Sean, like Sean Connery,” he said to an approving crowd.

Thompson utilizes his instrument to his advantage, using his palms to knock on the front of the guitar for a drumbeat sound and slapping the strings with his fingertips. He said he has a code of conduct: Always play honestly.

"I always play fully and with my heart," Thompson said. "You can mess up a few notes, but to play without passion is the worst."

In addition to performing

solo, Thompson plays the guitar in his six-piece folk-rock band, Deep River Valley.

Fellow guitarist Spenser Steinman, 21, has known Thompson for the past three years. He described Thompson as a caring person with the best intentions for people.

"Sean is like a little kid– he brings vigor to the table," Steinman said. "There is no trepidation with him."

Deep River Valley plans to create a new full-length album with more than 10 tracks.

Thompson hopes to use this album to share his experience of living in San Francisco and his life at SF State.

"A working title would be 'Ecclesiastes,'" Thompson said. "In the biblical sense, this chapter is about (how) the point of life is meaningless and how we should constantly search for wisdom, but at the same time be grateful and find happiness within simple things. This is the carpe diem, seize the moment kind of mentality that I have been practicing here in the city."

His roommate, SF State student Julio Marcial, 21, said he was impressed by Thompson's originality.

“He spends a lot of time translating his emotions from his day to day experiences into his music in such a way that it is clearly Sean playing the guitar,” Marcial said. “It had me by the ears– I have never heard anyone play guitar like that.”

After graduation, Thompson said he plans to audition for the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. He also said he wishes to continue his musical performances.

“I have hope for the future. I want to continue what I am doing now, but with a broader scope. I want to be performing both solo and with bands," Thompson said. “ I hope to continue growing as a musician and help the music community inspire others to do the same."

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

8 opinion

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GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

STAFF EDITORIAL

CSU oversteps GOLDEN GATE authority on

NASHELLY CHAVEZ

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

DARCY FRACOLLI

MANAGING EDITOR dfracoll@mail.sfsu.edu

RISTI TEWOLDE

ONLINE SUPERVISING EDITOR tewolde@mail.sfsu.edu

EVA RODRIGUEZ

ART DIRECTOR erodrig2@mail.sfsu.edu

HARLAN FROST

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR hfrost@mail.sfsu.edu

EMMA CHIANG

PHOTO EDITOR echiang@mail.sfsu.edu

JOEL ANGEL JUAREZ

PHOTO ASSISTANT jajuarez@mail.sfsu.edu

AVERY PETERSON

NEWS EDITOR averylp@mail.sfsu.edu

KALANI RUIDAS

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE EDITOR kruidas@mail.sfsu.edu

REID CAMMACK

OPINION EDITOR reidcamm@mail.sfsu.edu

VINCENT FAUSONE IV

SPORTS EDITOR vfausone@mail.sfsu.edu

GENESIS CHAVEZ-CARO COPY EDITOR gchavezc@mail.sfsu.edu

LULU OROZCO

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR ohlulu@mail.sfsu.edu

JOCELYN CARRANZA

ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR jcarranz@mail.sfsu.edu

JESSICA NEMIRE

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR jdn@mail.sfsu.edu

RACHELE KANIGEL

PRINT ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu

JIM TOLAND

MULTIMEDIA ADVISER toland@sfsu.edu

SCOT TUCKER

PHOTO ADVISER tucker@sfsu.edu

EVA CHARLES

ADVERTISING & BUSINESS echarles@mail.sfsu.edu

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

SAMANTHA LOPEZ CIRCULATION

SHAWN PERKINS

STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER smperk@sfsu.edu

WRITE US A LETTER

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

Letters are subject to editing.

Send letters to Reid Cammack at: reidcamm@mail.sfsu.edu

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

For more information or comments, please contact Nashelly Chavez at: nashelly@mail.sfsu.edu

press T he California State University reached an agreement with the State University Police Association Aug. 27 that mandates that campus police officers have access to an array of equipment, including Tasers. In an email to the CSU presidents and police chiefs, among others, Assistant Vice Chancellor Michael Redmond outlined the details of the new collective bargaining agreement between SUPA and the CSU. From late 2013 to early 2014, Taser equipment of campus police was a hotly debated topic at SF State, and in February 2014 SF State President Leslie E. Wong announced his decision that University police officers would not be issued Tasers.

Taser issue

The california state university's recent authorization of taser use by campus police quashes SF State's democratic process

We oppose the CSU’s decision to allow campus police to carry Tasers, despite the SF State community’s decision to ban their use.

Regardless of whether or not we as a staff and as individuals agree with Taser use by campus police, SF State reached a clear decision in 2014, and for the CSU to override it is a violation of our autonomy. The CSU should not be able to reverse a decision made by students and University officials without providing clear evidence that such a change was necessary.

There was no debate or

democratic process, and the wishes and rights of the students, faculty and staff were trampled by the CSU’s unilateral decision. Wong was not notified of the changes until after they had been finalized, nor was he allowed a chance to participate in the discussion, he said during a meeting with Xpress Aug. 31.

Students and campus groups made their opposition of Taser use clear back in 2013 after a series of student rallies and a panel discussion with Wong.

Among their concerns was the possibility of Taser misuse by campus police, the lack of

student input and the level of training officers would receive before being allowed to use the electroshock weapon. The CSU addressed none of these concerns before overriding SF State’s interests.

These community discussions resulted in Wong’s decision to take Tasers off the table, saying, “If there is an event that occurs where a Taser could have been a better tool, then we will reopen the discussion, but right now I think the argument is pretty compelling not to have Tasers.”

While Taser use may be a favorable option for other college campuses, SF State has already made its decision. By failing to respect our resolution, the CSU has violated our sovereignty and has removed any hint of democracy from the process altogether.

Free the Nipple campaign: A breast-bearing fight for equality EVA BARRAGAN

evbarrag@mail.sfsu.edu

I posted a topless photo of myself on various social media platforms over the weekend– not because I was seeking attention, but because I was trying to prove a point. First, I freed the nips on Tumblr.

Within minutes of posting the photo, it was immediately re-blogged by a porn site, and a male acquaintance from my hometown sent me a private message calling my post bold.

A message I'm sure he would never have sent if I were a man.

Later, when I hesitantly decided to post the same image on Instagram, I censored it. I contemplated posting the photo uncensored, but I knew if I did, I would have an inbox full of slut-shaming messages, creepy follower requests and an annoying email reminding me about Instagram's nudity guidelines that read, "You may not post violent, nude, partially nude … pornographic or sexually suggestive photos."

My purpose in posting the half-nude pic was simply to remind people that it wasn't too long ago, 1936 to be exact, that men protested and won the right to be topless in public and now, 80 years later, women are still fighting for the same right.

Celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Chelsea Handler have both had topless photos they posted of themselves removed from their personal social media accounts, proving that the Free the Nipple movement is more then just a trending hashtag on Twitter, it is a breast-bearing fight for equality.

American filmmaker and activist Lino Esco started this topless crusade in 2012 when she began directing an independent film under the same name as the campaign, according to Dazed Digital. Unfortunately, Esco's film was poorly received by the press and The Guardian even called the film "unwatchable." While Esco's Free the Nipple campaign was initially created to promote her movie, it has since turned into a full-scale cultural revolution. A revolution in which we should all be actively involved, men and women alike.

In California, as long as you aren't being lewd about it, it is perfectly legal for a

woman to be topless in public, according to the California Penal Code. However, when a woman decides to exercise her right to let her puppies breathe in a context that doesn't include a stripper pole, she is often asked to cover up.

If porn films and titty bars are the only places where it is socially acceptable to show a female nipple, it is no surprise why feminists today, including myself, are having such a hard time overcoming the constant objectification of the female body.

Almost every person I've spoken to about this issue has said to me that, while they can appreciate the intention of the movement, they feel it won't be able to sustain itself due to "the male gaze."

"Men will hijack the movement," they've said to me, "and make it all about boobs and miss the message completely."

This might be the case at first, but I truly believe that the more men, and society in general, start to see the female nipple in a context that isn't hyper sexualized, the less likely they'll be to call a female "bold" for doing something guys do every time they go for a run in the park or take a stroll on the beach.

The movement has already made strides by influencing Instagram and Facebook to change their strict nonipple policies by allowing users to post breast-feeding and mastectomy photos online. It's up to the Generation X to keep the movement going. We have to use our consumer power to boycott sexist companies, applaud woman who bear

their breast and aren't afraid of doing so and encourage men to join the movement.

ILLUSTRATION BY EVA RODRIGUEZ

Let's remind each other and chauvinists everywhere that freeing the nipple isn't about a free tit show– it's about equality.

What's vulgar about freeing the nipple isn't the act of woman taking ownership of their body. What is vulgar is the way society has chosen to respond to it.

GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

New Muni passes add to expensive living costs JESSICA NEMIRE jdn@mail.sfsu.edu

San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency is best known for three things: rarely being on time, frequently breaking down and giving out those long, colorful, paper transfers that crafty commuters can fold up to make it look as if they have more time left to ride. One of those things is about to change.

SFMTA announced Aug. 24 that it plans to stop using the driver-distributed paper transfers in favor of implementing a fare machine that will eject plastic cards with 90 minutes on them. By more diligently requiring its patrons to pay the standard fare of $2.25 every 90 minutes with these cards, SFMTA is contributing to the increasingly high cost of living in an already expensive city.

Currently, even when a passenger obeys the rules and doesn't fold up the transfer, paper transfers are good for a varying amount of time, depending on when a passenger begins their commute.

This morning, for example, I got on the bus at 8:45 a.m. and the transfer the driver ripped off for me was good until 11:30 a.m. Sometimes when I board the bus at 6 p.m., the transfer will remain valid for

the rest of the night.

The new plastic cards will ensure that riders can only use a transfer for an hour and a half. If riders take a bus or train any later than that, they will have to pay an additional $2.25. This may not seem like a lot, but for riders who rely on Muni for their every day transportation needs, cost mount quickly.

Many people take the bus because they cannot afford gas or an Uber. Biking is theoretically always an option, but for people who live across the city from their place of work or who live in San Francisco but work in the East Bay, this option is very physically demanding and unrealistic.

As a student without a car, I rely entirely on the bus to take me to and from school and work.

Previously, I could travel to and from both places in one day on five dollars. With the new transfers, it will cost me $9 to get to school and work and back every day.

SFMTA provides an affordable alternate mode of transit. Once the 90-minute plastic transfers are in place, however, that won't be the case anymore.

Less wealthy citizens may want to consider investing in a bike or walking to work because, apparently, even riding the bus has become an elitist activity in this city.

GRAPHIC BY HARLAN FROST

Miley Cyrus can’t stop, should stop REID CAMMACK

reidcamm@mail.sfsu.edu

I can’t wait to sit my future children down and tell them where I was when President Kanye West announced his presidential run.

I’ll then reminisce about my MTV memories of Madonna snogging Britney, President West letting Taylor Swift finish and Cher holding Lady Gaga’s meat purse, all courtesy of the Video Music Awards.

The VMAs are more about the events and shock value than the actual awards. I doubt many of us will remember who won the 2015 video of the year in 10 years, but we’ll at least be able to recall that time Miley Cyrus showed her entire left breast to America on live television.

MTV chose Cyrus to be the host for this year’s VMAs and it isn’t hard to see why. She is a modern god when it comes to knowing how to shock and gift the general public with memorable, pop culture events. Cyrus wasn’t hired to lead in the audience in silent prayer; she was there to piss off Middle America and create waves of controversy.

The problem with Cyrus’ brand of shocking behavior is that it often appropriates black culture and uses minority groups as props. In the past, Cyrus has appropriated grills, twerking and, as of last Sunday, dreads, and made them into part of her act in order to seem edgy.

When Cyrus preformed "Blurred Lines" with Robin Thicke two years ago, the duo broke Twitter records for most tweets per minute with their erratic behavior.

While the performance went down as the defining moment of the 2013

VMAs, it was widely criticized for being overly sexual, promoting rape and using black dancers and little people as props.

There's no reason for Cyrus to act that way though, especially since she's proven that she can create a tidal wave of reactions without being insensitive towards other cultures. This past week, Cyrus’ name was splattered everywhere after she showed up to a Jimmy Kimmel interview in glitter nipple pasties, came out as pansexual and posted a topless selfie hours before the show. She knows how to promote herself and get people talking, but she doesn’t know when to stop.

Her nipple free-for-all press tour was interrupted last week after Cyrus told The New York Times that Nicki Minaj was out of line when criticizing the VMAs. Minaj pointed out the lack of diversity in the racial makeup of this year's VMA nominees and that her "Anaconda" video wasn't nominated for video of the year, even though it featured the same general content as the previous year's winner, Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball."

Cyrus said that she didn't respect Minaj's argument because of the "anger that came with it."

Regardless of the stereotypical narrative of the angry black woman, it shouldn't matter if there's any anger coming from Minaj– she has a right to be angry. Cyrus ruined an opportunity to have a serious talk about racism in her industry.

She has no problem jumping on the chance to use black culture in her performances, but when it comes to talking about real issues in the community, she brushes it off.

MTV wasn't any help in trying

to tame Cyrus' antics. VMA producer Garrett English told Entertainment Weekly prior to the ceremony that Cyrus was given “free rein.” It made sense that MTV was desperate for a topical show, since ratings have been declining in recent years, but giving someone free rein doesn’t mean that you should excuse cultural insensitivity.

Let her show her boob. Let her talk about marijuana all she wants. Just don’t let her go on stage with a dreaded wig.

She should have stuck with showing her boobs to promote the Free the Nipple movement, talking about her passion for marijuana and using queer artists in her surprise performance to garner attention.

She would have made headlines and pissed off the Parents Television Council without bringing

“ ”

(Cyrus) knows how to promote herself and get people talking, but she doesn’t know when to stop.

-Reid cammack

race into it. But until the media and enough people call out celebrities on their racially insensitive behavior, people like Cyrus won’t face any real repercussions and MTV will continue to reap the rewards of her ignorance. I just pray President Kanye will do something about this insensitive behavior when he takes office in 2020.

opinion 9

SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

10 sports

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GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

Soccer captain chases major-league dream TYLER LEHMAN

tlehman@mail.sfsu.edu

Max Talbert, a 22-year-old senior and SF State men's soccer captain, threw new black soccer jerseys into the waiting arms of his teammates during the first week of school. Members of the SF State men’s soccer team smiled and joked with Talbert as he laughed with them from the center of the group during the team's first photo day of the season.

"A team captain leads by example and sets the tone for his teammates," Talbert said.

Talbert has been playing soccer since he was 11. He said he considers himself a role model to his teammates, loves physicality on the soccer field and has a dream of one day becoming a Major League Soccer player.

Talbert played baseball, football and soccer growing up, but he said soccer stuck with him the most. He said he liked soccer because the combination of physicality and finesse made the game fun. Talbert began at the recreational level in the American Youth Soccer Organization at the urging of his father, who played the sport during his time in community college.

“My dad really pushed me into soccer,” Talbert said. “He just wanted me to go for it and see what happened.”

Talbert played soccer for his

high school, Huntington Beach High, and then went on to play for Golden West College in Huntington Beach.

While at Golden West College, Talbert started playing center back and has continued to do so for the past four years.

He plays in the middle of the defensive alignment, which allows him to see the entire field and make adjustments from the back line, he said.

During Talbert's sophomore year playing for the Golden West Rustlers in 2012, he was named Orange Empire Conference MVP. He led a defense that allowed only 10 goals all season long, leading the Rustlers to a 16-1-3 overall record, according to oecsports.com.

“While at community college I got MVP of the whole conference,” Talbert said. “That meant a lot to me because it’s hard to win that award as a defenseman.”

Emmanuel Serrano, the other captain of the men’s soccer team, said that whenever there is a breakaway across midfield, Talbert has the situation on lock down. “(Talbert) is a very good defender," Serrano said. "He brings leadership to the team and a lot of experience to the defense."

Serrano said he values Talbert as a leader, and head coach Matt Barnes agrees.

“Max is a very hard working player,” Barnes said. “He’s an

absolute gamer. Some guys are just good in practice, but Max is good in clutch situations. We can rely on him to get the job done during crunch time in a game.”

Barnes said Talbert is a quiet leader who leads by example for his younger teammates.

“Max takes care of himself and handles his business,” Barnes said. “He shows up to practice on time and he practices hard. He is a role model for the younger players because of how he works.”

Talbert practices hard and plays hard, Barnes said. Talbert said he plays hard by being physical with opponents on the soccer field.

“One word to describe me would be ‘tough,’” Talbert said. “I like the physical aspect of the game. When people come in on you and you get a good 50-50 ball, it’s a lot of fun.”

At 6 feet 2 inches tall and 180 pounds, Talbert said he isn’t afraid to use his athletic build to play defense. He said his love and passion for the QING HUANG / XPRESS game drove him to try and FEARLESS DEFENDER: Max Talbert, captain of the men’s soccer team, juggles compete at the professional a ball during practice at SF State’s Cox Stadium Wednesday, Aug. 26. level.

“After I’m done with that Talbert has what it takes to level," Barnes said. "There is a school I’m planning on trying go professional. whole new level of commitment to get into the MLS combine,” “Max is an All-Conference involved, but Max is up for the Talbert said. player who has the size, speed challenge."

Barnes said he is confident and tools to make it to the next

Women’s soccer team heads into season with fresh perspective CARLOS GUERRERO cguerrero@mail.sfsu.edu

For the first time in 33 years, the women's soccer team will have a new head coach, and Tracy Hamm said she feels like she's up to the task.

“Its a unique opportunity to create this program's own tradition,” Hamm said. “Former coach Jack Hyde built the program to what it is, so I feel like it’s my responsibility to take us to the next level and put us on the map.”

Hamm is only the second women's soccer coach in the school's history and plans to re-establish academic success in women's soccer at SF State, a program Hamm said has a great tradition of academic excellence.

“I think coach Hamm is bringing in a new era of women's soccer here,” said Kelsey Wetzstein, a junior midfielder. “She is really good at incorporating what former coach Jack Hyde did and helping us move forward.”

The team hopes to advance after a down season last year in which they stumbled down the stretch, going 2-81 in conference and finishing with a 7-9-2 overall record.

Along with her academic goals for the team, Hamm plans to bring a new emphasis on defense, a change from last year's offensive approach.

“I think defensively we’ll be very organized, very fit and play very hard in terms of our physicality,” Hamm said. “We have a lot of special players on offense so I’ll leave the attacking side up a little bit more to the creativity of our players.”

Junior forward Autumn Fox, last year's leading scorer, said she's adapted to Hamm's strategy.

“You are defending in every part of the field, even if you play forward,” Fox said. “She has taught us a lot about the defensive side of the game.”

The added emphasis on defense should help the team

ANGELICA WILLIAMS / XPRESS

WARMED UP: Women’s head soccer coach, Tracy Hamm, directs a practice drill on West Campus Green Thursday, Aug. 27. finish games mentally strong, according to Fox, and will wear opponents down toward the end of games. Four of the Gators' losses came in overtime last season.

Along with the new coaching staff, over half of the team is new, but Hamm is confident the players she recruited are ready to go.

“I think they have potential to be big contributors in their first year, that’s why they are here,” Hamm said.

“So I have really high expectations and expect them to play big minutes, score some big goals and keep some important key shutouts.”

The team has high ambitions for the season, according to Fox. Highlights of the team’s list of goals include winning games that slipped away last year and making the playoffs the NCAA tournament.

“We want to prove to teams that have played us in the past that we are not just a team to just push to the side,” Fox said. “We’re going to bring it.”

The team kicks off their season on the road Sept. 5 against Central Washington University.

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

Women’s cross country hits ground running

T

CORY RODAS crodas@mail.sfsu.edu

he clatter of footsteps rang incessantly throughout Cox Stadium as the women’s cross country team competed in their first time trial of

MELISSA MINTON / XPRESS

CONCENTRATION: Freshman Kendra Butters lifts a medicine ball into the air to throw back to her teammate during practice at Cox Stadium Monday, Aug. 24.

MOMENTUM:

the season.

Assistant coach Sam Ahlbeck peered occasionally down at his watch to check their progress.

“A lot of the girls want to take the reins and be a leader on the team because of their personalities, their desire to be a good athlete and their want to be on a good team," Ahlbeck said. "So one of the fun things is to see when one of them takes charge on their own, and they’ve done a really good job of that.”

The Gators are running a young squad once again this season, with only one senior and four juniors on the team. Despite their youth, the group does not lack in experience or leadership, according to senior Nicole Novales.

“Last year we had a whole bunch of new runners and it was mostly freshmen and then me,” Novales said. “But now, it’s like everybody’s a veteran and we have some new girls who are excited to be a part of the team.”

Head coach Kendra Riemer and Ahlbeck recruited transfer students, including Jessica Betancourt from Palomar College, to complement the team's core of sophomores, and they’ve fallen right in step, according to Ahlbeck.

“Our transfers came in and they hit the ground running,” Ahlbeck said. “It’s made things very easy on our coaching staff.”

The adjustment for returners and newcomers has been painless as well, according to Betancourt.

“The (returning players) were really welcoming and showed us the ropes,” Betancourt said. “I feel like after my first practice they greeted me as if they knew me forever, so that was cool. They are very relaxed and very inclusive.”

This sentiment of camaraderie was echoed by other teammates, allowing the women to fulfill their potential without fear of failure.

“Everyone kind of steps up,” said sophomore Cori Harral. “We switch up who’s in charge of workouts so it’s pretty balanced.”

MELISSA MINTON / XPRESS

In preparation for the season, members of the SF State women’s cross country team throw medicine balls to each other during practice at Cox Stadium Monday, Aug. 24.

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