XPRESS
Sex
CFA The CFA announces dates for CSU-wide strike Page 2
February 10, 2016
Black Panthers Documentary sheds light on old and new discrimination Page 5
Volume CII goldengatexpress.org
Issue
#3
Devanique Brown Freshman track athelete’s star is on the rise Page 10
and
Consent A look at the growing movement to educate SF State about sexual health and violence.
ILLUSTRATION BY EVA RODRIGUEZ
oldaetne GGX
2
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
NEWS
BSU brings Afro Floor to SF State NASHANTA WILLIAMS nwillia1@mail.sfsu.edu
SF State’s housing will welcome a new communitythemed floor after a successful bout of lobbying and protests by the Black Student Union. The “Afro Floor” will be available to students interested in living in themed housing on campus and will house cultural artwork and resources for the students. The situation arose after a list of demands were sent to Luoluo Hong, the vice president of student affairs, and Mary Ann Begley, the interim dean of students, after the BSU protested and took over a “pouring rights” rally last year. The protest was successful in stopping SF State’s University Corporation from signing a pouring rights deal and opened the door for conversations about the needs of black students on campus. “We met with them in January about a couple of our demands: some of them were retention of black students, a multicultural center and the Afro Floor, and they told us that the Afro Floor was something that can and will be done,” said BSU President Ismail Muhammad.
”
They told us that the Afro Floor was something that can and will be done.
-Ismail Muhammad
The approval of the Afro Floor came in early last month, and while it is still in its infant stages of planning the logistics, it is slated to be a functional part of campus life by Fall 2017. Jonathan Morales, director of news and new media for SF
TAYLOR REYES / XPRESS
An outside view of Mary Ward Hall, Monday. SF State will have an additional themed community when the “Afro Floor” opens in Fall 2017.
State, confirmed San Francisco State University’s plan to create the new themed housing. “SF State is strongly committed to social justice and wanting to proactively respond to the black lives matter movement by taking these steps to promote access and achievement for African American students and this type of program is one way we are going to do that,” Morales said. The floor will be available through regular housing applications and falls under the umbrella for themed housing, which means the cost for housing will be the same as other themed housing options available on campus. The dorm is also open to students of all ethnic backgrounds, not just students of African descent. Although this is a considered a big accomplishment by the BSU,
some students don’t agree with the new floor plan. Sierra Wesson, a second-year student who works in the dorms, believe that this could potentially hurt the black community. “I’m curious to know how many non-African students will live there,” said Wesson. “I think that this will hurt the culture because it is promoting segregation versus incorporating African culture throughout campus housing.” The commencement of this one demand is a small step towards the black community achieving it’s goals of fighting for “self determination and liberation from this racist system,” according to the SF State BSU Statement of Solidarity. “Our struggle, our blood, our battle will not be swept under the rug, it will not be
a forgotten hashtag,” the statement reads. “Our fight is one of liberation, an undying
flame which will grow to burn all who try to extinguish it.”
TAYLOR REYES / XPRESS
Students walk through the Village at Centennial Square, Monday.
Faculty sets strike date for April JOEY REAMS
reams94@mail.sfsu.edu
The California Faculty Association announced the dates of a system-wide faculty strike on Monday at a press conference in Sacramento. Jennifer Eagan, the CFA president, said that the CFA board of directors determined the dates of the strike, in the event that the negotiations process fails, on the recommendation of each campus' chapter president. The board authorized a five-day strike at all 23 California State University campuses April 13-15 and April 18-19. "We are exerting our right to defend ourselves and our families from economic disaster," Eagan said. The fact-finding process of the
negotiations is nearing completion, according to CFA Associate Vice President Kevin Wehr. Both sides are preparing final briefs for the fact-finding panel and they expect the official report in about six weeks. "It's always your last weapon, so to speak, to withhold your labor," said Sheila Tully, SF State's CFA chapter president. "We hope it doesn't come to that." Tully said that, although her experience with CFA negotiations leads her to believe that the third-party report will favor the CFA, she believes there will still be a strike. "When dealing with these things, we hope for the best and prepare for the worst, so we're prepared for a strike," she said. Many CFA members brought attention to the fact that this is more than just an
economic issue. "It is time for faculty staff and students to stand together and say, 'no longer,'" Wehr said. "No longer will we allow the disinvestment in instruction. No longer will we stand idly by while management rewards itself with riches but ignores the plight of the workers. No longer will we allow our students to have second best. The power is in our solidarity. We must stand up for the CSU." Sophomore American Indian studies major Nureldin Maslu thinks the strike could be problematic for students if not planned well, but believes that faculty are keeping students' best interests at heart. He added that striking is necessary if it means faculty will be better compensated for their work, and said he recognizes a strong link between faculty morale and student morale.
"From what I've heard, (faculty) are not going to strike on days that will affect students negatively," Maslu said. "It shows that they really care about the education they are providing students." The SF State CFA members are currently in the process of organizing a plan if a strike does occur. According to Tully, there will be picket lines along campus and students are encouraged to join in support. The University will decide if substitute teachers will be called in the event of a strike. After Eagan and Wehr finished their statements at the press conference, they both said what's become an unofficial motto for the CFA: "We don't want to strike, but we will."
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
NEWS
3
QING HUANG / XPRESS
LEFT: Studio art major Nick Oh works in the ceramics studio in the Fine Arts Building Tuesday, Feb. 2. TOP RIGHT: Art major Katie Holmes makes a camera out of a film container with her class, Tuesday, Feb. 2. BOTTOM RIGHT: The ceramics studio in the Fine Arts Building, Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Fee increase proves bittersweet for art department CODY MCFARLAND
cmcfarla@mail.sfsu.edu
SF State’s art department made its first major increases to instructional materials fees in 20 years this spring, forcing returning studio art majors to pay double or even triple the fee costs of last semester. Of the 80 studio art classes currently requiring materials fees, 38 of those had their fees increased by at least 50 percent this semester, with some of the largest increases 300 percent or more, according to data provided by art department director Gail Dawson. While ART 235 Printmaking I rose from $40 to $60, others like ART 560 Photography III rose from $40 to $150, nearly quadrupling. Although department records indicate fees for Art 433 Figure Drawing and Art 533 Figure Painting increased slightly from $25 to $30 in 2006, materials fees for art classes have not otherwise been altered since 1996, Dawson said. “What $15 could buy in 1996 now costs about $43 with inflation alone – more than double the old lab fee,” Dawson said. “Figure into that the increase in
g g x
manufacturing costs in the past 20 years, and it’s even more.” Though cognizant of the financial stress many students already face, faculty in the School of Art agreed that these increases are necessary and were approved with students’ best interests in mind. “The school of art is one of the best in the country,” Interim Dean of the College of Liberal and Creative Arts Daniel Bernardi said in an email. “To remain one of the best, which means providing its majors with the resources they need for each disciplinary course, it was necessary to raise student fees.” Some returning art majors, on the other hand, don’t find the increases so necessary. “It’s already expensive enough living in the Bay Area as it is,” said Liliana Miramontes, a senior studio art major. “I don’t think they should have raised (fees), but I feel higher education should be free anyway.” Between two ceramics courses with fees totaling $120, Miramontes said the additional $40 she paid in fees this semester compared to last could have otherwise covered part of her regular commute from the East Bay or been used to purchase
groceries. “And (the fee) doesn’t even cover the cost of clay,” she said. “You still have to buy that yourself.” Phillip Reid, a senior art history and studio art major, said he would like to see information about the increases sent out to returning students before the beginning of the semester. “I didn’t know of any increases until the first day of classes when I got the syllabus,” Reid said, adding that he’ll be taking art classes regardless of inflated fees because they are an “unavoidable” part of his major. Fine arts lecturer Sean McFarland said the increased fee revenue for his film photography classes has helped him provide students with the quality materials and facilities they need to practice darkroom photography. “It helps me out as an instructor, but that doesn’t mean the money is coming from the right place,” McFarland said. He said it’s up to the state to re-examine the taxation system and how public universities are funded if these types of fees are to ever become obsolete. The increased revenue netted by the fees has been used to purchase chemistry
Advertise with ggx! call eva at (415)338-3133
for film processing, supplies for classroom demonstrations and replacement parts for photograph enlargers and other darkroom equipment, he said. According to CSU Executive Order 1102, instructional materials fees are considered Category III Fees, meaning that they supplement the basic complement of classroom and laboratory instruction by providing materials and services that would otherwise be unavailable to students, and which allow students to meet the educational objectives of a given course. Fees for courses that require field trips or travel off-campus in order to meet the educational objectives of a given course also fall into this category. “In all cases, Category III Fees should provide materials and services where a student takes a product with them,” Dawson said. “In painting, it is their paintings, and in life drawing, it is their drawings of the model.” While other departments, such as theater and dance, broadcast and electronic communication arts, and cinema also charge Category III Fees, none have seen as dramatic of an increase this semester as the art department.
4
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
NEWS
SF State welcomes back first officially recognized gay fraternity GABRIELLA POVOLI gpovoli@mail.sfsu.edu
For the first time since 1992, the fraternity Delta Lambda Phi has resurfaced at SF state. What started as a small idea between a select few students has grown into a nationally recognized organization. They are now known as the first gay and progressive men’s social fraternity on campus at SF State. “Essentially our goal is to create a brotherhood like all the other fraternities, but we really feel like creating a home for the large queer male population at SF State,” said Kyle Mears, Delta Lambda Phi’s president.
”
We’re kind of redefining Greek life in a way. -Austin Farley
While Delta Lambda Phi is currently known by their sexual orientation, Mears says they welcome students of any orientation, with the only requirement for membership being that the student identifies as a male.
ALEAH FAJARDO / XPRESS
Delta Lambda Phi members Joshua Villegas (left), Kyle Mears (middle), and Salvadore Giannone (right) tabling in Malcolm X Plaza at SF State, Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Though it has taken nearly a year to gain recognition, the members of Delta Lambda Phi are pleased to finally be considered an acknowledged national organization alongside the others. “We first started the process
of the whole colonization last January; this is our first real semester at SF State,” Mears said. “We just got recognized a couple weeks ago so it hasn’t been an easy process, but it’s been really fun.” While Delta Lambda Phi
may challenge the traditional fraternity molds, they embody all of the core elements of Greek life such as gender exclusivity, recruitment, administration and secrecy. “We’re kind of redefining Greek life in a way,” said Austin
Farley, a Delta Lambda Phi fraternity member. “We’re just a group of diverse queer people standing at a table willing to welcome anybody.” For many students, finding a crowd on campus can be a difficult task. Newly added to the list of recognized student organizations, Delta Lambda Phi could be that safe haven. “For those people who can’t go out and experience queer life in San Francisco, it’s really important for them to feel welcomed and at home at SF state,” Farley said. Other students in the Greek system are speaking out in support of Delta Lambda Phi. Lauren Lee, a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, welcomes the idea of a fraternity aimed at the LGBTQA community. “I’ve met some of their members and I’m excited to see what they can do on campus,” Lee said. “I think they’re a much needed presence on our campus.” The Greek community at SF State is welcoming Delta Lambda Phi with open arms. What started out as a group of a few males is slowly growing into a significant brotherhood. With membership rising each day, Delta Lambda Phi is looking forward to an extensive future here at SF State.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
5
Black Panthers documentary shines light on social inequality
RYAN ZARAGOZA / XPRESS
The audience watches “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of Revolution” at a screening arranged by the Ethnic Studies Students Organization in ooperation with KQED for the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party at Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Center Monday.
CECILIE LYNGBERG lynberg@mail.sfsu.edu
The line was long, and more than 100 people signed up in advance for the screening of the documentary “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of Revolution” and the subsequent panel discussion Monday at 2 p.m. in Jack Adams Hall at SF State. Kenneth P. Monteiro, dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at SF State, said that in order to understand the Black Panther Party, we have to understand its contemporaries. “During the ’60s, people called it a time with civil unrest,” said Monteiro. “Some of us remember it more like a period of civil war. There were people who were willing to put their lives on the line for freedom, but we also had a government who were willing to take those lives if you got in front of the guards.” The screening was arranged by the Ethnic Studies Students Organization in cooperation with KQED on the 50th anniversary of the Black Panther Party, which was founded in 1962 and
dissolved in the beginning of the ’80s. The movie deals with the founding of the Black Panther Party from a grassroots organization to a large national movement that was considered to be dangerous, and was systematically monitored by
”
“Racial oppression still exists, and there is still a huge push towards that we still need racial equality.”
-Nekay Abriol
the FBI. The documentary also provides insight to how the Black Panthers were a political party more so than the militant and male dominated picture that is often shown in the media. Sophia Wenzel, vice president of ESSO, still believes that the themes the Black Panther Party addressed back in the 1960s are still deeply relevant today,
including racism and the fight for social equality. “Even though the black power movement was in the ’60s and we have made certain advances, there are still groups of people that are systematically oppressed,” Wenzel said. Monteiro shares the same notions that the themes and issues the Black Panthers stood up against back then are still relevant today. “We have evolved some,” Monteiro said in an email. “More rights are afforded to more people, and contrary to popular myth, we are on average a less violent society, overall. Still, though less overtly oppressive, we remain significantly oppressive and more sophisticated about it. The police and other authority-sponsored attacks or murders against black, brown and other marginalized communities attests to this.” 18-year-old student Nekay Abriol came to the screening to be better informed about the Black Panther movement, and found the movie both interesting and trustworthy. Like Monteiro and Wenzel, Abriol also agreed that issues the Black Panther
DRIVE WITH UBER. Sign up now and receive an additional $100 after your first trip
T.UBER.COM/GOLDENGATEXPRESS
Party raised are still prevalent at SF State. “Racial oppression still exists, and there is still a huge push towards that,” Abriol said. “We still need racial equality. The oppression is not as big as it was in the ’60s, but there is still an oppression, and people are not informed about what is happening. And therefore the need on campus is to inform them.”
Monteiro said in an email that he still thinks there is a current need to talk about and work toward racial equality on campus. “To those for whom it is not obvious, we would need much more than one article to educate them on this issue,” Monteiro said. “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of Revolution” will be shown Feb. 16 on PBS.
RYAN ZARAGOZA / XPRESS
College of Ethnic Studies Dean Kenneth P. Montiero before addressing the audience at the screening of “Black Panthers: Vanguard of Revolution” in Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Center Monday.
6
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Consent Week to empower students against sexual violence hosted by EROS and the Legal Resource Center. The week will conclude with the Women’s Resource center’s workshop, “S.L.U.T. (Sexualized Ladies Unite Together).” In addition to the seminars, a “Letters to Survivors” project will take place on Tuesday and Thursday, where people can write positive messages to survivors of domestic violence, according to Sebastian OchoaKaup, the director of QTRC. Outside organizations will
”
“The goal is to empower the students to be able to define what consent is.’” -Shani Winston
PERNG-CHIH HUANG / XPRESS
Legal Resource Center director Kaylin Masis at her desk in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, Friday, Feb. 5.
COURTNEE BRIGGS cbriggs@mail.sfsu.edu
N
ext week will spark a campuswide discussion about consent, sexual violence, survivor support and students’ rights on campus, with Consent Week taking place in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. Associated Students, Inc. will be hosting Consent Week Feb. 15-19. The events are
a collaboration among the Educational and Referral Organization for Sexuality, the Queer and Trans Resource Center, the Legal Resource Center and the Women’s Center. “We realized that it’s really important to do it, especially on our campus, or any college campus,” Shani Winston, director of the Women’s Center, said. “It’s a topic that’s not always brought up, and people don’t always know what consent means.” The week will consist of
different workshops hosted by the four organizations, all surrounding consent. “The goal is to empower the students to be able to define what consent is,” Winston said. The first workshop, “Know your IX,” discussing students rights under Title IX, will be hosted by all four organizations. The rest of the workshops include “What’s love got to do with it?,” a workshop addressing intimate partner violence among queer and transgender communities and “Let’s talk about consent,”
also take part in Consent Week by tabling in the quad to offer their resources, including Shalom Bayit and The Women’s Building. Spoken word artists will also perform during the week. “We wanted this to be something that people couldn’t ignore, and that they had to see,” Reyna Aguilar, the director of EROS, said. As director of EROS, Aguilar played a key role in planning Consent Week. EROS and the Legal Resource Center normally host an annual collaborative event, but decided this year it should be a week-long conversation about
consent, according to Aguilar. “There was not one specific event, but rather a sequence of sexual assaults that had been happening on campus that made us want to do this because of how critical it is to our community,” Aguilar said. According to the Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct published in September 2015, 27.2 percent of female college seniors said that they had experienced sexual contact without their consent. The Legal Resource Center serves as the legal background to these events, giving information about things like Title IX and affirmative consent, according to Kaylin Masis, a recent SF State graduate and director of LRC. “It’s EROS’ expertise and ours combined, as well as the Women’s Center and the QTRC,” Masis said. “We thought it’d be perfect, power in numbers.” In addition to bringing awareness to consent and sexual violence, Carlos RaizAnaya, an office assistant for the LRC, hopes Consent Week shines light on the resources offered on campus. “With the event, I want more people to know the services that our University provides,” Raiz-Anaya said. “We just want people to know that they can take advantage of the resources to maximize your education and to know more about what’s going on.”
EROS provides safe space for sexual health education ASHLEY BOWEN
anbowen@mail.sfsu.edu
L
ocated on the terrace level of the Cesar Chavez Student Center, the Educational and Referral Organization for Sexuality provides a safe space for students. Inside their quaint office space, free condoms, internal condoms, dental dams and gloves are sorted into small
bins for students to take. A tall bookcase stands with shelves of colorful dildos lined up next to a copious amount of books, porn videos and educational resources for students. Flyers and sexual education pamphlets decorate the desks and walls, promoting EROS' goal of teaching students about safer sex. EROS, an Associated Students, Inc. program, is a sexual health education group that’s philosophy is to provide
judgment-free and inclusive safer sex education for all, according to Director Reyna Aguilar. “Our goal is for students to have a healthy attitude about their own sexuality and their own sexual health,” Aguilar said. “We believe that being open about sexuality and having these discussions help de-stigmatize and take away the taboo of sexuality, which in turn prevents shame, stigma, sexual assault and violence.”
PERNG-CHIH HUANG / XPRESS
EROS Director Reyna Aguilar in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, Friday, Feb. 5.
EROS was founded at SF State in 1972, and has since offered free sexual health services to the campus community, according to Aguilar. The organization hosts a variety of workshops and events every semester, and has a referral database to help
students find services EROS is unable to provide, such as STI and pregnancy testing, abortion services and information on how to get involved with other particular groups, such as the kink community. SF State Vice President of Student Affairs and Title XI
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
Coordinator Luoluo Hong said that changing the culture is heavily linked with the effort to end sexual violence. “The work of organizations like EROS helps to promote more open and honest dialogue about topics like sexuality, relationships, consent and violence,” Hong said in an email. “EROS further adds value because it is about students engaging with students; this peer-led model of promoting social change is very powerful!” Rumaldo Godinez, a sophomore and the office assistant for EROS, said he joined the group as soon as he learned about the program during his first semester at SF State. He said he started off as a volunteer and slowly moved up within the program. “EROS, from my view, allows students here on campus to feel more comfortable talking about sex or to begin to have open conversations about sex or sexually related topics,” Godinez said. “Sex is seen as a taboo, and that should be kept behind doors and not talked about, but whenever EROS tables, we always have our dildos out ready to start up a conversation and have you learn more about us and whole SFSU community.” Like Godinez, Sophia Lionberger, a 29-year-old biochemistry major, found the community during the first couple days of school. “There’s a lot of hangups and taboos around just educating people on how to take care of themselves,” Lionberger said. “Fortunately SF State seems to be the environment where information like that isn’t quite so taboo.” Aguilar said since there are very few high schools that offer an inclusive sexual health curriculum, EROS is able to open up students eyes to ideas that they wouldn’t think about regarding their own health and sexuality. “For me as a director, the
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
7
most rewarding thing is when students come into my office and want to talk about things, because I know that it means that they trust us,” Aguilar said. “Some students come in and talk about their experiences getting diagnosed with an STI and how hard and stigmatizing that was, and they said that the only place they found any comfort was our office and our staff.” Aguilar said EROS often collaborates with numerous other organizations within the Bay Area such as Kink.com, SF Women Against Rape and various authors and performers in the field of sexuality. Every year, EROS and the Legal Resource Center have a consent event. This year, Aguilar proposed devoting an entire week to advocating consent, since it would be easier for the entire campus community to access than a one-day event. “We want it to be up in everyone’s faces, because these issues affect everyone on campus,” Aguilar said. “Sexual assault and sexual violence can affect everyone.” Lionberger shared the same notions as Aguilar in that understanding consent is very important. “People deserve to be able to make their own decisions, and we kind of live in a culture where we’re discouraged from making our own decisions,” Lionberger said. “We need to understand how to draw boundaries and what our rights are.” Aguilar said that, since she wants to become a clinical psychologist one day, being involved with EROS is very meaningful to her. “Knowing that I am helping students in their individual lives and trying to make a change as a larger campus community means the world to me,” Aguilar said. ALEX KOFMAN / XPRESS
Rumaldo Godinez, a second-year student at SF State and office assistant at EROS, an Associated Students, Inc. program at SF State, demonstrates how to properly put on a condom, one of the many free workshops the group offers to students in the Cesar Chavez Student Center, Monday, Feb 8.
ALEX KOFMAN / XPRESS
ABOVE: A variety of books ranging from fiction and erotica to sex education are made available to students by EROS. LEFT: Flyers, business cards, sexual education pamphlets and free condoms are a few of the many items offered by EROS.
8
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
OPINION STAFF EDITORIAL
oldaetne CSU faculty deserve to earn a living wage 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
CODY MCFARLAND
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR cmcfarla@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
T
he California Faculty Association announced Monday that they would launch a coordinated, five-day strike in April if the California State University does not extend a satisfactory counter offer to their request for a 5 percent raise. The average weekly salary of a full-time faculty hasn’t significantly increased since 2004. In that same time period, students’ tuition more than doubled and the average weekly salary of CSU presidents increased by more than 50 percent, according to the CFA website. The CFA and the CSU have gone back and forth over the issue of a raise since last May, but the two parties have been unable to reach an agreement, with the CFA holding fast to a 5 percent raise and the CSU sticking to its offer of a 2 percent raise. The issue is currently in the hands of a third-party fact finder, who will issue its report in late March, Golden Gate Xpress reported. For a state that is home to four of the five most expensive housing metropolitan areas in the U.S., according to the National Association of Realtors, it’s only fair to grant the individuals who educate the
MADELINE MANSON
mmanson@mail.sfsu.edu
GRADY PENNA
SOCIAL MEDIA/ONLINE EDITOR gpenna@mail.sfsu.edu
RACHELE KANIGEL
PRINT ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu
JESSE GARNIER
FACULTY ADVISER jgarnier@sfsu.edu
KEN KOBRE
PHOTO ADVISER kkobre@sfsu.edu
EVA CHARLES
ADVERTISING & BUSINESS echarles@sfsu.edu
ARUN UNNIKRISHNAN I.T. CONSULTANT arun@mail.sfsu.edu
SAMANTHA LOPEZ CIRCULATION
EVA RODRIGUEZ
STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER ggxads@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 Jessica Nemire at: jdn@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 Darcy Fracolli at: dfracoll@mail.sfsu.edu
an increase would not cause any harm to students. “The CSU has enough money to pay faculty a 5 percent raise without increasing student fees; it is a matter of priorities,” said the CFA in the question and answer page on their website. “It has become clear over the past 10 years that student fees and faculty salary are not related, as fees have gone up drastically and faculty pay has stayed flat.” The CSU system has been undervaluing their employees for too long and it isn’t surprising that the CFA is closer to a major strike than ever before. If California as a state and the CSU as a whole don’t reevaluate and reprioritize the way they treat and pay teachers, we’re destined to perpetuate the erosion of our education system.
DARCY FRACOLLI Editor-in-Chief
GRADY PENNA
Social Media and Online Editor
Ditch the awkward date and spend V-day with friends
KELSEY LANNIN
ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR klannin@mail.sfsu.edu
majority of the state’s college students a 5 percent raise. The CSU’s refusal to budge is unfair to the professors who are forced to move hours away from their schools in areas such as San Francisco with skyrocketing housing costs. It’s also unfair to the students, whose professors have to devote hours to commuting rather than their curriculum. Dissatisfaction among faculty over wages has been steadily growing for years, with CFA members consistently feeling underpaid for their work. This has resulted in four strike authorization votes in the last eight years alone, but this strike will be the largest in CFA history if it is carried out. One of the largest concerns surrounding the strike, and one of the chief arguments by the CSU, is how it will negatively affect students. The CFA, however, maintains that the strike will not prevent students from passing classes or graduating on time. Another pertinent question students are asking is whether or not the 5 percent faculty salary increase would force the CSU to compensate by raising tuition costs. Nevertheless, in a question and answer on the CFA’s website, they maintain that
Valentine's Day is often overwhelming for someone living the single life. Instead of having to dress up and go on an awkward first date in an overcrowded restaurant, doing your own thing or going out dancing with your closest friends can be much more appealing. Dating apps and social media are skewing the holiday that once represented love and romance. Valentine’s Day is better spent with people who you already love and adore, opposed to being on a date or spending ridiculous amounts of cash to impress people in the virtual world. As I entered into this socalled "single life" in the beginning of this month, I was stressed and sad to know that I may be spending this holiday alone. In the midst of my usual Valentine's Day meltdown, I downloaded as many dating apps as I possibly could to find someone to fill the void that my last partner left just weeks prior. I quickly came to find this was not what I expected. Ranging from an awkward game of 20 questions to a waste of a good dinner, this approach to a blind date typically dances around the same result. I couldn't find anyone who could pass the first date test. It wasn't until my best friend pried me off of my cell phone that I found the date that I have planned now, a night out with my other single friends. Utilizing dating apps like Tinder and OKCupid seem to complicate what should be a
natural and enjoyable part of life in your twenties. Mic conducted a survey concluding that 60 percent of 18- to 34-yearolds met their partners through mutual friends or out in a social setting than by any other means, including online dating and apps. Why waste your time with blind dates off of the internet when you could be attracting someone by enjoying time with friends? Believe it or not, there is an existing population of single millennials left in this city that might even be willing to let cupid do the work. “Fate,” if you will. I’m not denying that it will take courage to maintain traditional dating in a city with such a thriving tech culture, but not everyone relies on the internet for companionship. Don't be afraid to approach someone while you're out with your friends. This is your chance to meet someone in real life, without the stress of finding out who's the real person hiding behind the screen. Valentine’s day and dating and general has changed a lot since exchanging cards in elementary school. For one, not all of us get a Valentine and not all of us are showered with gifts. According to a press release from Feb. 2, the National Retail Federation expects spending to reach more than $19.7 billion – a record high, boosted by increased digital sales. Who brainwashed us into thinking material items represent true love and affection? Valentine's Day was once a day to show love to those whom you love and who love you. Spending time is much more valuable than
spending money. These days, the dozens of overpriced flowers, jewelry and the same crappy old chocolates make this holiday more about boasting materialistic items than it is about love. Social media news feeds are flooded with photos of what bae bought you. Could this be an attempt at selfreassurance? The best thing you can do for yourself and the ones you love is to simply spread love. My ultimate suggestion is to treat this Sunday like every other night. Make time to love
yourself. Make time to love those who love you. Who says you need a holiday to force love onto others or to love yourself? In the name of St. Valentine, don’t let Feb. 14 bum you out. Embrace love and happiness. Intimacy and romance are neither limited to relationships nor conventional dating. If you look close enough, these blissful elements surround you in your everyday life.
ILLUSTRATION BY REID CAMMACK
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
OPINION
9
Shaming men for anal stimulation promotes inequality and homophobia JEREMY PORR
jporr@mail.sfsu.edu
Anal sex isn’t anything new, and, regardless of sexual orientation, many men aren’t afraid of a little backdoor action from time to time. We’ve seen various references to
butt exploration in popular culture recently. There was an entire story-arc dedicated to “pegging” on Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” in which Abbi’s character was shocked to find out that her seemingly hyper-masculine, lumbersexual neighbor wanted her to strap up and pound him from behind in bed. In fact, this was even celebrated on the show--Ilana, Abbi’s best friend, was moved to tears and congratulated Abbi on being blessed with such an immense opportunity. It was also recently revealed by Amber Rose that even Kanye West enjoys a little butt play. “Awwww @kanyewest are you mad that I’m not around to play in ur asshole anymore? #FingersInTheBootyAssBitch,” Amber tweeted. Kanye came back at Amber with a response nearly a full day later. “Exes can be mad but just know I never let them play with my ass...I don’t do that...I stay away from that area all together,” West tweeted. Kanye isn’t the only one fending off booty-play rumors. The “Champagne Papi” himself, Drake, is rumored to like a little action around his backdoor. In addition, 50 Cent, one of the most hyper-masculine rappers of the early 2000s,
tweeted “I got this freak in my asshole right now. Just thought I’d share that with you” in September 2010. Following Yeezy’s Twitter spat, I couldn’t help but think about why other men like himself are so defensive once their kink is exposed. Perhaps I’m desensitized due to my queer identity, but it’s also 2016, and it shouldn’t be a huge ordeal every time it’s revealed that yet another straight guy likes his butt teased. I also understand, however, that the cultural construct of masculinity within our society provides little room for straight men like Kanye to explore their sexuality beyond heteronormative boundaries. This much was clear in the Internet’s response to Kanye and Amber’s twitter exchange. Shortly following Amber’s comeback tweet, Twitter was full of an array of disparaging memes, including the now-infamous hashtags, “#FingersInTheBootyAssBitch,” and “#KanyesAnalPlaylist.” It seemed as though no one addressed the fact, however, that both Amber’s response and the subsequent memes that followed were dripping in veiled homophobia. Gay or straight, nobody deserves to be shamed for their sexual preferences. Amber mentioned Kanye’s kink in an effort to silence him – in an effort to undermine his masculinity. She was essentially implying that he was less of a man, less of a father and less of a husband, all because he liked a couple fingers in his backside. No man deserves to have his sense of masculinity undermined due to his sexual preferences. Despite the fact that society forces anal sex into a “taboo” category, it’s not any less natural than other forms of intercourse. If Kanye, Drizzy and even the “Candy Shop” owner himself all like to have the crack in the back attacked every once in awhile, then I’m not going to give them flack for it, and neither should the rest of the Twitterverse.
DRIGUEZ
A RO TION BY EV ILLUSTRA
Despite controversy, Planned Parenthood remains an important resource MIRANDA BOLAR
mbolar@mail.sfsu.edu
When it comes to your sex life, having the right to know what to do in order to be safe under the sheets is important, and Planned Parenthood is a good place to start. When I was in high school, Planned Parenthood was one of the only places I knew I could go for information and assistance with sexual health. Nobody I knew, including myself, wanted to be unsafe, and the thought of Planned Parenthood closing scares me for future generations that will want to know the facts like my generation did. High school students, however, are
not the only ones who visit Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood serves 2.7 million men and women yearly for not just sexual healthcare, but general healthcare, according to the organization’s website. Although not all 2.7 million who go there are young adults, they are all people who need access to affordable or free services, and defunding these services would not just cause problems for young adults, but for the country as a whole. If Texas looked at this situation differently, and maybe had a younger generation utilize Planned Parenthood and learn, perhaps they wouldn’t be so blind to the fact that sexual education is key to preventing unplanned pregnancies and STDs. In Texas, the birth rate went up
significantly after the defunding of Planned Parenthood, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin found. Texas should not be allowed to make the decision of what people do to their bodies when they’re trying to learn and protect themselves. Planned Parenthood doesn’t just offer sexual education and screening, they also offer general health care as well, which is why 20 percent of women will visit this clinic in their lifetime, according to their website. When a young adult like myself goes year after year to be tested, we are learning about ourselves – the power of Planned Parenthood is to educate people about what is happening inside of their body. The current outrage against Planned Parenthood in the wake of several heavily
edited videos, the creators of which are currently being indicted in Texas, seems unfathomable. Underaged men and women need to learn how to protect their bodies, and why would anyone want to take that right away from them. Planned Parenthood’s goal is to not just serve women who need abortions – in fact, only 3 percent of the services they provide includes abortion, according to their website – it’s much more important than that. This is about overall health, and if the government wants to take that away they are crazy. The power that Planned Parenthood holds for the younger generation allows teens and adults like myself to learn the right way to take care of our bodies.
10
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
SPORTS
CONNOR HUNT / XPRESS
SF State freshman Devanique Brown poses for a portrait at Cox Stadium, Thursday, Feb. 4. Brown continues to improve her time in the 60-meter hurdle in her first seaon on the track and field team.
Freshman flourishing into star-caliber track and field athlete JOSUE DE LOS SANTOS dlsjosue@mail.sfsu.edu
S
auntering down the crowded, athlete-filled, purple-and-yellow hall of The Swamp in a grey hoodie and black track pants is Devanique Brown, an 18-year-old freshman in the midst of her first college track and field season. Brown is one of SF State’s newest additions to an already talented track and field team. At the University of Washington Preview on Jan. 16, Nicole Uikilifi, Kayla Philips and NyErin Buckley each placed eighth or better in their respective heats of the weight throw, triple jump and 200-meter dash. Brown, a rap and freestyle dance enthusiast, improved her times in each of the first two track meets of the season. In her very first race at the University of Washington, Brown advanced to the second round of 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.28 seconds. She missed the finals after placing fourth (9.31) in preliminaries. In her next meet, at the Boise State University Invitational, she advanced to the 60-meter hurdles final with a personal-best time of 9.19, which was third in the heat. In the finals, Brown ran a similar time of 9.20 that placed her seventh. Brown attributes her improvement to working on her technique. “In practice, (head coach Kendra Reimer) pushes us a lot, especially on speed work and technique,” Brown said.
“No matter what we’re doing, we always go back to technique because there’s things that can be fixed.” Brown comes from a family of athletes. Her mom was in track and field and her dad played basketball and football. Brown was on the volleyball and basketball team during her freshman and sophomore years at Vallejo High School. Brown said she started playing basketball because of her dad, and then her mom approached her about joining track. Brown said her mom said, “If you’re going to do basketball, then you’re going to do track too.” She’s been doing track ever since. Brown was a three-time Sac-Joaquin Section 100-meter hurdles champion and two-time 300 hurdles champion in high school. In her senior year, she was the California Interscholastic Federation’s 100 hurdles champion and was a two-time member of the 4x100 Sac-Joaquin Section Championship team, according to the SF State athletics website. Second-year head coach Reimer said the first time she saw Brown run was at a track meet in Sacramento that qualified runners for state. Brown ran the 300-meter hurdles and was beating the other girls, who were extremely fast, by 200 meters, according to Reimer. Brown’s natural speed and build were enough to entice Reimer to recruit her. Reimer said she contacted Brown’s high school coach and the two spoke about her talent, but most importantly, academics and work ethic. “That’s what we’re looking
for: athletic built, good student, wanting to learn and enjoy their sport,” Reimer said. Reimer’s plan for Brown coming into the season was to work on technique while developing her physical traits. Despite being new to collegelevel training, Brown has been able to react and adapt to coaching cues. “I thought it would take her a bit of time to hit these points,” Reimer said. “We’re pleased with her progression.”
Brown has exceeded expectations so soon that Reimer and her staff have been working with Brown on the high jump. In Brown’s last meet, she joined the team’s 4x400-meter relay team. “Her potential is endless,” Reimer said. “We’re excited with where she’s at.” Kayla Phillips, Brown’s friend and teammate, said Brown is a talented athlete who enjoys competing in other events. “Her passion for the sport (stands out),” Phillips said. “She
really cares about doing well, and really cares about her events; like hurdles. She’s always open to trying new events (like the high jump).” Reimer and staff believe Brown can develop into an AllConference player. “We don’t know where she’s going to be four years from now,” Reimer said. “She’s still growing into her body. The person she is now could be way different three years from now.”
CONNOR HUNT / XPRESS
SF State freshman Devanique Brown poses for a portrait on the track at Cox Stadium, Thursday, Feb. 4. Brown has added the high jump and the 4x400-meter relay to her slate of track and field events in her first season.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016 goldengatexpress.org
SPORTS
11
ERIC CHAN / XPRESS
SF State wrestler Tavis Ino prepares to break out from his opponent’s hold during a dual meet against the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks in the small gym Saturday, Feb. 6.
Gators wrestlers ready to throw down at major tournament TYLER LEHMAN
tlehman@mail.sfsu.edu
W
ERIC CHAN / XPRESS
SF State head wrestling coach Lars Jensen shouts encouragement from the side of the mat during a dual meet against the Colorado Mesa University Mavericks in the small gym Saturday, Feb. 6.
ith a 52-year tradition on the line, the SF State wrestling team is looking to send a wrestler to nationals for a 53rd straight year. The NCAA Division II Super Region IV Championships start Feb. 26 and will be held in Gunnison, Colorado. Only the top four wrestlers from each of the 10 weight classes who place in the regional tournament will advance to nationals, which will be held March 11-12 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Gators have one more regular season meet to compete in tomorrow, against 10th ranked Menlo College. After the match with Menlo, head coach Lars Jensen said his wrestlers will be focused on the regional tournament ahead. “We’re looking to get five or six into nationals,” Jensen said. “That’s our goal. To get an All-American or two, that’s just the cherry on top of everything. We just have to keep working hard and getting after it.” Sam Alnassiri, Travis Ino and Fern Giron are well on their way to competing for a spot in nationals, and possibly achieving AllAmerican status. All three are ranked in their respective weight classes in the Super
Region IV. As of Feb. 9, Alnassiri was ranked third in the 285-pound class, Ino was ranked fifth in the 157-pound class and Giron was ranked sixth in the 133-pound class. Ino also recently placed first in his weight class during the California College Open, held Feb. 7. Alnassiri, who placed third at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship on Jan. 31
“We’re looking to get five or six into nationals. That’s our goal. To get an AllAmerican or two, that’s just the cherry on top.”
- Lars Jensen and has a 19-9 record, said the Super Region IV Championships are going to require more preparation than any other meet. “We need people to get in (the gym) earlier and put in extra work,” Alnassiri said. “(They need) to go run on their own time.” Focus is important, but so is every SF State wrestler pitching in during the Super Region IV Championships, according to Alnassiri. “The redshirts and the
freshmen have to beat up older guys and starters,” Alnassiri said. “Even (our) seniors that are not starting, we need them to beat up on the other 10 starters.” One senior who will look to step up and help the team prepare for the regional tournament is Gabe Fuentes. Fuentes, who was recently honored during SF State’s wrestling senior day, said team chemistry is crucial for succeeding in any meet. “Team is the key word,” Fuentes said. “We are all pretty solid wrestlers individually, but sometimes, on any given day, we falter as a team. I think we need to stay accountable and really stick together.” Fuentes said there are some positives to the Gators’ wrestling style, and some things that need to be improved. “We need to improve on the mat,” Fuentes said. “But on our feet, we are very skill-oriented. We are not all superstars, but we really battle on our feet.” Despite more than 13 schools competing in the event, Jensen said he likes his wrestlers’ chances of getting into nationals. “We’re definitely the underdogs going into most situations,” Jensen said. “I like this team. They work hard, and we have to plunge away.”