Golden Gate Xpress Spring 2013 Issue 7

Impacted majors could double

Big changes are proposed for some of SF State’s most popular majors

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STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER PROUDLY SERVING THE SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1927.

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VOLUME LXXXXVI ISSUE 7

HANDLEBAR: SF State student Hilda Roe, left, and Ehsaan Taeb, both theater arts majors, put the finishing touches on their stage makeup before the final rehearsal.

MAKEUP: Rosemary Anderson (bottom right), pins Leila N’amara’s hair up for the final rehearsal before the opening night of “Our Town,”. N’Amara, a theater performance major plays the major role of Mrs. Smith.

SUIT UP: SF State student Kaleigh Stegnan (left), a communications major, gets her clothes on for the final rehearsal of the SF State production “Our Town,” a play that will be running until Sunday, March 17, 2013.

Photos by Jessica Worthington

A GUIDED TOUR OF ‘OUR TOWN’

BY JONATHAN RAMOS | jonaramo@mail.sfsu.edu

BY MAEGAN TINGLING

maegant@mail.sfsu.edu

G

ROVER'S Corner is a small town populated by 2,642 regular folks. They're mostly a God-fearing people with 85 percent identified as Protestant, 12 percent Catholic and the rest "indifferent." As one person noted, "It isn't a very important place when you think of all New

Hampshire."

The ordinary town sets the backdrop for one of drama's most enduring and iconic plays. "Our Town," opened Friday, March 8 at The Little Theatre at SF State.

"Our Town" is Thornton Wilder's 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning meditation on small town life and the delicacy of one's time spent on Earth. It's an often-revived play that celebrates the seemingly smaller moments in life and resonates with a

poignant message of "seize the day" that never goes out of style.

The story revolves around the blossoming romance of Emily Webb (Emily Morrell) and George Gibbs (Naseem Etemad). It follows them as precocious teenagers sharing ice cream floats after school right on through their jittery exchange of wedding vows a few years later.

Along the way, the audience is introSEE SMALL ON PAGE 8

Campus crime surges at SF State

After a late night study session on campus, philosophy major Elizabeth Mathiasen was walking home around midnight when she noticed she was not alone.

"I walked faster and even took a different route home and he was still half a block behind me," she said.

SF State and the surrounding community have seen a recent spike in strong-arm robberies and property crime over the last three months, according to the San Francisco Police Department CrimeMaps.

The perpetrators of these crimes look for opportunities in darker areas, people walking alone and unaware of their surroundings. According to CrimeMaps, nearly 60 percent of robberies in the last three months were reported as strong-arm robberies, a robbery by force without the use of weapons.

Prime spots include the student center, library and dormitories. Other recent spikes in crime include vehicle break-ins, residential burglaries and stolen vehicles, according to SFPD officials.

Common items reported stolen are

bicycles, laptops, cell phones, MP3 players, wallets and backpacks, according to SF State's University Police Department website.

"Both (University Police and SFPD) have seen an increase in the theft of personal property and robberies in the district," University Police Chief Pat Wasley said. "More often than not, it's cell phones and personal electronic devices that are targeted by thieves."

As for the cause of the increase in crime around campus, officials did not have a clear explanation.

"There has been a recent spike in crime," UPD Deputy Chief Reggie Parson said. "There's no explanation as to why we've seen an increase."

Although SFPD and University Police officials could not explain the spike in crime, the UPD has increased staff levels during times most affected by criminal activity, according to Wasley, though some students have not seen any changes in police presence.

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SF STATE SPEAKS OUT IN LIGHT OF ST. PATRICK’S DAY, WHAT’S THE LUCKIEST OR UNLUCKIEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU? RECOMMENDATION: Students meet to discuss accreditation at the WASC open forum held in the J. Paul Leonard Library Thursday, March 7. Photo by Samantha Benedict

SF State held up to stringent standards

BY ELLIE LOARCA | emloarca@mail.sfsu.edu

NIÑO YOSINAO, 23

GRADUATE STUDENT IN MATH

I won $780 at the casinos and the money (I bet with) wasn’t even my money, it was my grandfather’s $20.

ITALIA RATCLIFF, 26 ENGLISH MAJOR

Right outside of Cesar Chavez a bird pooped on me. But right after I was the last one added to a crowded class.

DYLAN WATTERS, 19

CIVIL ENGINEERING MAJOR

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F STATE went through a rigorous evaluation of its standards and practices by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges last week.

Accreditation allows SF State students to receive financial aid, transfer to graduate schools and show that the University is being held to certain standards of education.

"Pretty much what we do is meet with all sorts of students here and all over campus. We hear what's important to your university. We will write something up and say, 'Here are some things you have done really well, and here are some things you need to work on,'" Dorothy Leland, chancellor of UC Merced and representative from WASC, said.

Every department goes through a three-stage process every six years.

WASC looks at the assessment of students and structure of the University based on many sets of rubrics.

"It gives us a sense of how good we are doing. It puts us on call, because we know that WASC is going to be coming, so we put in place these practices that they expect and it improves the quality of our university," Linda Buckley, associate vice president of academic planning and development, said.

Twenty-eight departments on campus have special accreditations not related to WASC. These specialized accreditations can mean a lot to some departments, and essentially nothing to others.

For example, engineering majors,

BY MATT SAINCOME | saincome@mail.sfsu.edu

from an unaccredited program, need to pass a licensing test before they can be qualified to practice engineering. The department of engineering has a specialized accreditation from ABET, an organization specializing in disciplines of applied science, computing, engineering and engineering technology, according to their website. Without it, potential engineering majors might be deterred from attending SF State.

According to Buckley, other departments like computer science have decided to back out of specialized accreditation programs because they believe they hold their standards to be higher than those of the accreditors.

There is no license test for computer science majors, so they don't lose much by backing out.

A meeting was held for students to voice their opinions, but only a handful of students showed up, which included two representatives from Associated Students Inc., and a couple other stragglers who wanted to share their experiences at SF State. Leland conducted a questionnaire asking students to evaluate how SF State has impacted their educational experience.

"Being involved with advocacy on campus has helped me figure out exactly what I want to be in the future," Sonya Soltani, vice president of external affairs for ASI, said.

Students made it clear that what SF State needs to improve on is bridging the gap between being a student and being a graduate.

Leland stressed that the voice of the student is what really helps WASC evaluate the University.

"We read all the emails and com-

ments, writing letters can in fact have an impact," Leland said.

At the final exit interview, the WASC team gave a brief preview of what is to come in their official report.

They emphasized the importance of helping students cope with the high cost of living near SF State, urging the University to do more to help students live in San Francisco, the nation's most expensive city according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

"We recommend San Francisco State University continues to focus on strategies to alleviate special challenges faced by faculty and staff by virtue of your membership in the CSU and your location in San It gives us a sense Francisco, such as of how good we housing costs and long commutes. are doing. It puts We will point this us on call, because out in the report, we know that we think that this WASC is going particular chalto be coming, so lenge will become we put in place more important these practices as the full-time that they expect residential student and it improves population grows the quality of our and students supUniversity port needs change with that growth Linda Buckley, of the full time Associate Vice residential student President of Academic population," Planning and Leland said.

“ Development

I left this Nexus 7 tablet at the designated smoking area, and someone turned it in.

International student of the week

ALEXA TUCKER, 23

TEACHING CREDENTIAL MAJOR

Getting married. It was the happiest day of my life. I cried.

Photos by: Frank Leal Reporting by: Joe Fitzgerald

Name: Charlie Tallon Age: 21 Major: Graphic Design Originally from: Ireland First thing he noticed about the U.S.: You guys actually have sun. I didn’t know whether I should enjoy it or pray to it. Back home we just have rain or gray.

What do you miss about home? I miss the homeyness of home and the fact that we have real dairy products and not the pasteurized stuff.

Future plans: In life my goal is to start my own design firm. But for now, if I don’t get my visa renewed, I’ll go to Canada, where I have some family.

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CAMPUS 3

Distracted students make easy targets CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE

"I don't think surveillance of this area has increased," Mathiasen said. "I tried to wave down an officer at 19th Avenue and Holloway when I was being followed but he didn't respond, so it did not make me feel any safer."

There are some students who still feel safe when traveling late at night despite the warnings.

"I've seen signs around University Park North about strong-arm robberies occurring," junior Matthew Reyes, 27, said. "Although it seems like it's a nice neighborhood, I may still walk around late at night and feel okay."

Another common crime that has increased are vehicle break-ins. Jim Dudley, criminal justice lecturer at SF State and former SFPD Deputy Chief, was a victim of vehicle break-ins himself.

"My car was boosted a few years ago, but all the suspect got was a messenger bag with sweaty old gym clothes," Dudley said. "Despite repeated warnings, people leave valuables visible in their cars. Nothing should be visible inside including change, charging cradles or cords for phones or dash mounted GPS devices."

To help reduce crimes and increase personSHADOWS: A student walks by an emergency station at SF State. With crime on the rise in the area surrounding campus, these stations could come in handy al safety awareness, SF State offers a program known as Campus Alliance for a Risk-free for students during the hours after dark. Photo by Andy Sweet Environment. CARE is a student security team employed, trained and supervised by the UniverUPD and SFPD are available when escorts services To prevent further theft, Dudley advises everyone to sity Police Department. aren't and are thoroughly trained to protect the campus keep their belongings in sight and to keep their heads up.

"CARE escorts' primary responsibility is to provide community from dangerous situations.

"Don't work on iPhones, iPads or laptops while walkpersonal escorts during evening and night time hours," "UPD officers are trained in response to violent ating or taking public transit," Dudley said. "Crooks are Wasley said. "UPD officers are available when the CARE tacks as well as situations that pose a threat to the campus looking for earbuds and unaware victims rocking out and escorts are off duty." community," Parson said. walking with heads lowered."

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Precita Eyes paints rich history of the Mission

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BY GUADALUPE GONZALEZ | ggonzale@mail.sfsu.edu

HERE ARE MANY WAYS to immerse yourself in the artistic culture of San Francisco, but few of them give you a walking tour of that culture led by the artists themselves.

Precita Eyes is a private nonprofit organization of muralists in San Francisco, founded in 1977 by artists Susan and Luis Cervantes and other artists that has been offering walking tours of murals in the Mission for art aficionados, tourists and locals since the 1970s. The tours expose and explain many of the murals found in Balmy Alley, 24th Street and Precita Park.

Several of the murals visited on their tours were painted by Precita Eyes artists, but the tour does not focus only on those. Patricia Rose, a tour guide and muralist for Precita Eyes, also presents and explains murals painted by fellow artists giving slight detail on their theme and inspiration.

“We've never focused exclusively on our own murals on the tour, they're all wonderful and the more there are, the more it makes the community so vibrant and so colorful,” Rose said. “And the stories are so rich, too. I want to tell those rich stories, whoever painted the mural.”

The organization started at the Precita Valley Community Center as a six week workshop to design and paint a portable mural on plywood panels for the Bernal Heights Library. After the mural was finished, Rose explained, every participant wanted to continue making communi-

ty-based, collaborative works of art, so that group became the original charter members of Precita Eyes.

One of Rose's mural tours includes a painting of the popular Aztec legend and volcanoes, Popocatéptl and Iztaccíhuatl. Rose does more than just retell the legend of the princess and warrior; she delves into the story about the development of the mural.

“I like to start out our tour right here, to give people a sense of how much murals mean to this neighborhood,” Rose said, huddling her small group of five on the corner of 24th and Harrison Streets.

She said the mural started with Gustavo, a neighborhood artist, painting the classic image of Popocatéptl and Iztaccíhuatl on Belmar La Gallinita Meat Market's exterior wall facing Harrison Street. The mural became such a landmark that the meat market’s owner sought Gustavo to repaint the faded image.

“People just love that mural so much that it got restored anyway, and the restoration was so wonderful that the kids who painted it were instantly asked to paint another mural,” Rose said. “And I feel that really speaks to our community’s love of these beautiful works of art.”

Since its beginnings, the organization has taken on an artistic ambition in San Francisco, offering art classes and workshops in their studio in the Mission, livening up streets from the Outer Mission to Bayview neighborhoods.

In the Bay Area, many of their murals have included community involvement, including elementary school children, San Francisco General Hospital staff and pa-

tients, and even Google’s staff.

The tours offered every weekend cost $15 with discounts for SF residents, students, seniors, and children.

They last between an hour and a half and two hours, and are the second viable source of income for the organization, mural commissions being the main source of funding, according to tour guide Jorge Morell.

Melayna Lamb, 24, and Gabriel Buine, 26, are from London and heard about Precita Eyes’ tours through Lonely Planet, the traveling guide company.

“I thought it was very interesting. I like the way it was tied into the Latin American history as well,” Buine said.

Many of the murals throughout the Mission featured in the tour have cultural and political messages, ranging from precolonial ideas to current gentrification issues.

Lamb and Buine decided to take the tour because it is run by local artists and gives the opportunity for those artists to provide context to the murals in the Mission.

“Obviously in order to enjoy art, I believe you need to have context in order to actually capture the power and significance of it because it's the details and the situation that make the paintings incredible, not always just the images themselves,” Buine said.

Other city tour agencies visit the murals in the mission, especially Balmy Alley.

When asked what distinguishes Precita Eyes tours from others, Rose explained that Precita Eyes mural tours are all led by muralists, which is something no one else can offer.

VIRGINAL: Pedestrians and a bicyclist (left) pass by a mural on the corner of 24th and Capp streets of the Virgin Mary in the Mission District in San Francisco.

WALL ART: Mission street offers an array of murals, such as this mural on 24th and Mission streets (right) that have significant meanings and provide history to the Mission District. Tours of the mission murals are offered on the weekends by Precita Eyes muralists. Photos by Erica Marquez

A WEEKLY COLUMN BY BRIAN RINKER brinker@mail.sfsu.edu

Relationships under the influence

I wanted to begin my new column with a story about already lost touch with reality. I moved into her house just injecting heroin into my penis, but my girlfriend, Nicole, weeks after we slept together, not because I liked her, but warned me it may be too soon. The audience might not be because I needed a place to live. The next few years were ready, she reasoned, it was like going for anal on the first rough. A tumultuous relationship filled with booze, drugs and date. I laughed. Her joke made me so proud. abuse. At least I had a roof over my head, and just enough of I don’t deserve to have such an amazing girlfriend. If you my girlfriend’s money to steal for dope.We were both sick. read my opinion article last week you’d know why. Being a Looking back, we never loved each other. She needed dirty weasel of a heroin addict doesn’t get you many friends. a man in her life, not any man, but one who could never And recounting disturbing stories of intravenous drug use measure up, never meet her expectations, someone worse can turn away even the most understanding of women. off than her, someone to blame, someone to feel superior to.

I can count the number of long-term girlfriends on just I definitely fit the bill. I only wanted to be cared for. And, three fingers. My first one was in high school. I was 16. At of course, I needed her to foot the bill. An $80-a-day heroin the time I wore a black leather jacket every day, no matter habit is tough to manage with no income. how hot it got. I was so cool. I didn’t know much about heroSoon after we broke up, I left town hoping to get sober. in then, but I had found alcohol.

God only knows why I made it. Not everyone is so lucky.

Without alcohol I would have never gotten a girlfriend.

She’s still out there.

I would’ve stayed a virgin well into my 30s. As a teenager, A year and half after getting sober, I started dating I often fantasized about having a girlfriend. Not because I Nicole. She is the sweetest person I’ve ever known. In April wanted a loving relationship, I just wanted to look cool. I we will celebrate three of the happiest years of my life. Who didn’t know how to love people, only how to manipulate would’ve thought, a hopeless junkie like me, could ever get them. Kindness embarrassed me. sober, let alone fall in love.

My high school girlfriend and I spent most of our time Learning to love is challenging. My past still haunts me. drinking MD 20/20, AKA “Mad Dog,” AKA bum wine, on At the center of my greatest fear, not feeling good enough, is the train tracks, under bridges and in our bedrooms. When really an unhealthy obsession with how people perceive me.

“Mad Dog” became too intense we It is an obsession that seems so trivdrank Keystone Ice. After we broke ial and boring, but it has the power up, she got together with some to kill. I imagine that I’m not alone Journalism student Brian Rinker old dude and started doing heroin, in worrying what others think. For takes the ideals of full disclosure coincidentally. me, the consequences are too great. and transparency to an exteme level when he reflects on his days as a My second girlfriend I met in reFeelings of insecurity are one step heroin junkie. hab. She was unstable, and a drunk. closer to taking a drink or a drug, I was deep into heroin then, and had and for me that is to die.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK: The Golden Gate Xpress will feature a photo every week in print and online from SF State students — and it could be yours!

email your photos: xpressnewsstaff@gmail.com

Chris Behroozian, an engineering major, is a midfielder and defender for the SF State soccer team. Photo

by Erica Marquez

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BRACE FOR IMPACT

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With a past of mixed result regarding impaction, the University has proposed nine additional majors to join the list

UPER SENIORS AREN’T THE cool kids on campus, they’re just students who got stuck here because they couldn’t get the classes they needed. An impacted major isn’t a constipated army officer, it’s a tool college departments use to control enrollment when a major attracts more students than the resources available.

But why are some majors more desirable than others? A look at SF State’s more popular majors, many of which are now seeking impaction, reveals a student body more focused on career goals.

“Students are now recognizing the majors that lead directly to jobs are wiser choices than the other majors that don’t,” Jeff Snipes said. Snipes is department chair for criminal justice studies, one of the nine majors proposing impaction for Fall 2014.

In the last decade, the criminal justice major has doubled in size, from 300 declared majors in 2002 to 734 for 2011.

“I’m trying to develop a plan, a life plan, and if I get a CJ degree, in four years I can have a good paying job,” Justine Berkeley said, adding that she wanted to be a social worker and get a psychology degree, but the path seemed too arduous.

Probation and corrections has a 10-year growth rate of 18 percent, slightly higher than the average 14 percent, and a median pay of $47,200, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Social workers fare better chances of getting a job, with a 25 percent growth rate, but the job pays less, with median income of $42,480.

The job prospects for students who graduate with a degree in criminal justice has grown beyond the standard careers in law enforcement, corrections or probation, to include careers in public health, social work and city and state policy, Snipes said.

Criminal justice saw an uptick in students when psychology became impacted in 2010, Snipes said.

“The growth is so huge and it’s going to go up and up,” said Snipes, referring to the criminal justice department. “We needed some level of control — enrollment

Increase in jobs, impacted results

BY BRIAN RINKER | brinker@mail.sfsu.edu

management is a must.”

To help ease the burdens caused by limited resources, crammed classrooms and overworked faculty, departments seek to impact certain majors and control enrollment. SF State currently has 10 impacted majors. Nine more majors are proposed for impaction beginning in Fall 2014.

When a major becomes impacted, other related majors often absorb the excess students. Another major related to criminal justice and psychology is sociology, which is also proposing impaction for next year.

Nursing is another career-focused major, one that’s been impacted here since 1985. Every CSU with a nursing program is impacted. Freshman used to be able to be undeclared with an interest in nursing, but now that too is proposed for impaction, along with biology, chemistry and kinesiology.

A career in the healthcare industry is becoming more and more desirable among students, based on the growth of related majors and an increase in available jobs in the industry.

The most recent labor data shows that the health industry is continuing to grow, adding 32,000 jobs nationwide in February, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Certainly the faculty in different departments are tuned into what’s going on out in the job market and advising their students about career opportunities and internships,” Jo Volkert, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, said. “But impaction is really not directly tied to market demand.”

UNCLEAR FUTURE: Vincent Castoro, kinesiology major, is in his second semester at SF State since transferring from CCSF. Interested in the science of athleticism, Castoro decided to take kinesiology classes, but has since discovered a lack of options which has forced him to take introduction classes and drop his units to part-time status.

Photo by Frank Leal

While the school doesn’t produce a work force for any particular industry, Volkert does admit that there is some link between student demand and the greater workforce.

“The growth in criminal justice is because people are enamored with CSI — it looks like the profession they’d like to have,” Volkert said. “So in some sense there is a direct tie with what’s going on in the job market.”

Longtime career counselor Mariko Hingston advises students to follow their passions, but if a student’s passion leads to a career that is oversaturated at the moment, they should find another path.

“No longer can students take the straight arrow path from A to Z,” Hingston said. She suggests students navigate their educational trajectory like a sail boat, tacking to the left and right, and then getting back on course.

Berkeley jokes that she’s been forced to “major” in registration, adding that her priority is after everyone else’s. She can’t get the classes she wants, and the classes she does get “are too large for open forums,” something she said is essential to the learning process.

No longer does she choose classes that may interest her, just classes that are open and will move her toward graduation.

“You do what you got to do, and then get the hell out of here,” she said, not joking.

Michael Guadumez, a 22-year-old biology major with a minor in kinesiology, is working on his fifth year here.

Even with two years of summer school under his belt, his graduation date still won’t be until Spring 2014.

It’s the same old story: He couldn’t get his prerequisites classes, biology and chemistry. Instead, he had to take their equivalent at City College of San Francisco.

His major, biology with an interest in physiology, has grown from 143 declared majors in 2002 to 520 in 2011, according to SF State enrollment.

“Biology is so restricted,” Guadumez said. “The space is so limited.”

With vastly different interests, the two students share the same goal: find a job that helps people and pays well. But the journey is not without bumps.

“It’s been hard, but promising, the medical field has lots of jobs,” Guadumez said. “I strive to do something in that field — something to benefit mankind.”

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University impaction slices class space

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OR SF STATE BIOLogy major Heather Smith, 33, a passion for health care was more than just a calling, it's in her blood.

“My mom was an emergency room clerk,” Smith said. “I first saw people coming in through emergency room doors when I was in elementary school.”

The health bug bit her hard but her biology classes were filled to the brim, she said, and she needed to meet unit requirements and take classes irrelevant to her major just to keep food on the table through financial aid.

Now biology and eight other majors at SF State are declaring impaction in an effort to make more room in endless wait listed classes, and the University will hold a series of meetings to solicit feedback from the community at large about impacted majors.

The meetings will be at City College of San Francisco’s Multi-Use Building March 18, the SF State Library March 19 and Jefferson Union High School District March 20.

Some students and academic professionals in the community colleges are worried that the growing number of declared impacted majors is a signal of diminishing access to SF State and to the Cal State system as a whole.

The Cal State University system was designed for open access through low GPA thresholds for admission; a 2.0 is all that's required to transfer from a community college.

Enter impaction: once declared, a department sets up a secondary “gateway” for a student to declare it as a major. Now they have to meet a GPA requirement of the department’s choosing, and often students have to take prerequisite classes to enter and fill out entry forms.

Ten majors at SF State are now impacted, and nine more majors are applying for impacted status starting in 2014: Accounting for Concentration in Business, Undeclared with Major in Nursing, Sociology, Health Education, Kinesiology, Criminal Justice, Communication Studies, Chemistry/Biochemistry and Biology.

Jane Veeder, department chair of the department of design and Industry said “the previous admission policy was — you all come. Stu-

BY JOE FITZGERALD | jfitzger@mail.sfsu.edu

dents sorted out their own destiny.”

The industrial design major declared impaction in Fall 2011. Their enrollment was at nearly 500 students in 2009, according to university data, and their department of about nine professors struggled to put students into their required classes.

After declaring impaction the department’s enrollment was just over 250 students, slicing its number of students nearly in half.

Most departments saw similar patterns.

Psychology saw a drop from 1,400 students to around 950 after declaring impaction in 2010.

SF State isn't the only one of the 23 colleges in the CSU system — all except four have impacted majors. Five colleges even share one special distinction: Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and San Jose CSU’s have declared all of their majors impacted, according to CSU data.

Paul Feist, vice chancellor of communications in the California Community College Chancellor's Office, oversees marketing and public relations for the entire 112 community college system — and he said impaction affects every one of those schools. "(Students) take classes they don’t need while they wait for a CSU slot to open," he said.

Heather Smith saw that at her community college as well; she transferred to SF State from El Camino Compton Center, formerly known as Compton College.

She had two jobs while attending Compton College, one at a Starbucks and one in a chemist’s lab at University of Southern California.

“I’d be up at three in the morning (for work), it was brutal sometimes,” she said. “(Other days) I’d be leaving work from the lab at USC at one in the morning, and school was ever present. I was really burnt out.”

And students like her are on the rise. A 2009 study by the National Center for Education Statistics showed more than 80 percent of part-time students worked full time in 2005, which was the year the most recent data was available. 50 percent of full time students worked full time in 2005.

The University considers those students when deciding to declare impaction, Jo Volk-

ert, interim vice president for student affairs and enrollment, said.

“Departments are reluctant to even consider (impaction) if they think they’ll block someone from coming to the University,” she said. “Part of that balancing act...is actually give them the classes they need.”

Volkert said that having less students in a major can even sometimes help.

“We call that authentic access,” she said. “We don’t want to let them in and say ‘oh by the way it's going to take you 12 years to finish,’ because that’s helping nobody.”

When a department declares impaction more students are able to get the classes they need and graduate quickly, accelerating what’s called the “time-to-degree,” she said.

But why those students are graduating faster is a question that's tough to gather data for.

“We don’t know yet how it will all play out,” she said. “We’re being very conscious of the fact that we need to make sure what the unintended consequences are.”

Notably, SF State has not seen a drop in overall enrollment, and has not seen state funding affected by enrollment fluctuations.

But just because the university is maintaining its enrollment doesn’t mean students aren’t being pushed down the system to the community colleges. Unfortunately, SF State doesn’t have much of a choice.

Impaction is one of the only tools in the tool box, department of design chair Jane Veeder, said. As classes are cut and enrollment swells, the money to fix it all just isn't there.

“It’d be great if we had all the resources, but we don’t,” she said. “It may not be our ideal California, but it's what’s happening.”

As for Smith, students like her in biology may soon be able to actually get the classes they need to graduate on time, but for her the price may be too high.

She worries for the students she saw at Compton College that were like herself — or had it even harder, raising families while attending school.

“There’ll be another me out there, trying to transfer,” she said. If she was held back through impaction, she said, “I’d feel robbed.”

LESS SPACE: Design and industry professor, Silvan Linn, guides students on a computer-aided drafting assignment in a technical drawing class. The industrial arts department declared impaction Fall 2011 as well as alterations in application requirements. Photo by Gabriella Gamboa

14 4 percent increase in Criminal Justice majors between 20022011

28 years that nursing has been an impacted major at SF State

263 percentage increase in biology with an interest in physiology

8 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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TEAMWORK: The cast of “Our Town,” an SF State production that focuses on the stage manager, normally an unsung hero in theater, practices vocal techniques together before their final rehearsal.

Photo by Jessica Worthington

Small town constructed inside Little Theatre CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE

duced to the charming townspeople that decorate Gro"We're like the favorite teachers of the students," ensure that all goes smoothly in a show's run from the ver's Corner.

Wolff, 21, said in describing his role. "It's the ommoment it's cast until the final curtain call on the last Unfortunately, it's not all wine and roses in Wilder's nipresent figure and if you're an actor, you hold the day. play as shown in the third and final act titled "Death position of stage manager in high reverence, because Decked out in black from head to toe with the exand Eternity." For all its warmth and glee, "Our Town" without them there wouldn't be a show." ception of a floral print scarf, Caputo is the almost inhas an air of melancholy all throughout.

The real life stage manager for "Our Town" is visible figure calling the queues for every performance "One of the things that 'Our Town' preaches is that 19-year-old Tazwell Caputo. Similar to the role of Mr. of "Our Town," while maintaining communication we really need to take the time to cultivate our relation- and Mrs. Smith, Caputo's job as stage manager is to between the director, the actors and stage technicians. ships because you never know which day It's an overwhelming task, but is going to be your last," show director, Caputo understands Wilder's choice in Rhonnie Washington, said. narrator.

Washington, who also teaches acting "We're the calm at the center of the and directing at SF State, relates to the storm," Caputo said. themes presented in Wilder's play, having In a similar fashion, Mr. and Mrs. himself come from the small town of MarSmith step in right as characters are shall, Texas. faced with their fleeting mortality.

However, Washington notes that the "It’s the standard live life to the fullplay's message translates to an urban est," Caputo said of the play's universal crowd like the ones in San Francisco. message. "Life's over before it even "It speaks from a small town mentality starts." but I think it speaks to everyone," Wash"Our Town" might seem antiquated ington said. "You don’t have to be from a to some but Washington believes that small town to understand it." the play is more relevant now in this "Our Town" is narrated by the stage digital age. manager who guides the audience through "It seems to me that perhaps more an almost voyeuristic look into the lives of today than in times past people get so the townspeople of Grover's Corners. caught up with stuff, that they forget It's an esteemed part in the vast canon about the really important things," of great theatrical roles, as it has been Washington said. notably played throughout the years by He directs people to a quote from heavyweights such as Orson Welles, Frank Wilder himself that states, "Just enjoy Sinatra and Paul Newman. your ice cream while it's still on your For this production, Washington split plate."

STAGE MANAGERS: SF State students and theater majors Drew Wolff and Leila N’Amara act out a the role in two and renamed them as Mr. "Our Town" continues its run March scene as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, the husband and wife stage managers of the play. Photo by Jessica and Mrs. Smith. The couple is played by 14 to 17 at the Little Theatre in Creative Drew Wolff and Leila N'Amara.

Arts.

Worthington

ST. PAT RICK’ S DAY Now in its 162nd year, this celebration is not one to miss. March down Market Street for the parade before joining the festival where there will be live music, food and drink. The festival is held at Civic Center Plaza before, during and after the parade, which begins at 2nd and Market Streets at 11:30 a.m. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

GreenFest Block Party

March 17

For a less traditional party, this event takes over Hotaling Alley in North Beach, to host food trucks, three full outdoor bars and a combination of live music and DJs. There will be $5 beer specials throughout the event, which lasts from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

San Francisco St. Patrick’s Day Festival and Parade

March 16

March 15

Aventine Alley Party

The United Irish Cultural Center is partnering up with Java Beach at the Zoo to host its fifth year of their block party, taking over 45th Avenue (at Sloat Blvd.) for Irish bands, dancing, face painting and more. The family-friendly event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

| 03.13.13

A WEEKLY ENVIRONMENTAL COLUMN BY ELISSA TORRES elissat@mail.sfsu.edu

The vampire effect of your idle devices Plugged-in standby electronics drain unecessary electricity and your wallet

I

ing to be used.

T HAS TWO, SOME"There are so many environmental times three protruding teeth that suck energy right out of impacts to leaving electronics plugged in. its host. It's probably around We live in a country that takes resources for granted so I understand how it can your house, slowly leechbe easy for people to just leave things ing away as you read this. plugged in and not think twice about It sounds like something it. People need to keep in mind that not straight out of “Twilight,” but it’s an environmental issue that needs only are you wasting precious energy but you are wasting money," environmental addressing. studies major Karen Norwood said.

The “vampire effect” or “phantom Combating vampires is easy and load” is electricity consumed by an garlic isn’t necessary. electronic device while it is turned off First, use power strips all around your or in standby mode. It is the power that home. Not only will you have more room maintains your TV settings, keeps the to plug in all your devices; with one tug clock going on your VCR and microof the power strip, all are simultaneouswave and it’s the charger plugged into ly unplugged. The Isolé IDP-3050 is a your wall but not your computer. These power strip that can turn on and shut off devices are called “vampire appliances” six of its eight outlets based on motion or “energy vampires." In simple terms, it’s when electronics that aren't in use are detectors. This device is perfect for those who want an easier solution to unplugplugged into outlets, consuming energy ging vampires. that is unnecessary.

Second, unplug appliances that you According to the Environmental aren’t using. For example, that stereo Protection Agency, the “often-neglected that hasn’t been used since your birthday loads” of personal items are space heaters, fans, clock radios, small stereos with party in December shouldn’t be sucking energy from your outlet and your wallet remotes and phone chargers.

The average home is infested with 20 year round.

Third, buy energy efficient appliances vampires, which adds about $200 to your that have the Energy Star label. If you annual energy bill according to Cornell forget to unplug your products, Energy University.

Star creates more energy efficient appliThe average American over the age ances that use less energy overall. Acof 2 spends more than 34 hours a week cording to their website, in 2010 Energy watching television, according to the Star helped save enough energy to avoid Nielsen report, a consumer television greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to survey. There are 164 hours in a week, which means the average American's TV 33 million cars and has saved nearly $18 billion on utility bills. is turned off, but still plugged in for 130 Although it would be ideal, I'm not hours. And you’re paying for it. You’re paying for your TV to be off and soaking suggesting that unplugging every single outlet in your home is the answer. By up all that unused energy.

Most of the energy we use is made by trying to combat the energy inefficiency in your life, you will notice how full heating water to generate steam, which your wallet will be and you've successspins turbines that generate electricity. fully slayed The energy is then vampires in distributed through the process. a network of electric When Elissa Torres isn’t rescuing Sounds like wires and outlets, wounded marine mammals or an ideal with the energy hugging trees, the environmental situation. staying there, waitstudies minor spends her time writing this column.

It’s based on equal parts opinion, statistics and life experiences. If you don’t like it, read and recycle.

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10 O P I N I O N

03.13.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

STAFF EDITORIAL

KALE WILLIAMS

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

BRAD WILSON

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR bradw949@mail.sfsu.edu

ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ

ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR arrodrig@mail.sfsu.edu

ELISSA TORRES

ART DIRECTOR elissat@mail.sfsu.edu

WYATT McCALL

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR wmccall@mail.sfsu.edu

NENA FARRELL

PRINT COPY CHIEF haydee@mail.sfsu.edu

SAM MOLMUD

ONLINE COPY CHIEF smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu

VIRGINIA TIEMAN

PRINT PHOTO EDITOR tieman@mail.sfsu.edu

JESSICA WORTHINGTON

ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR jlwphoto@mail.sfsu.edu

ELLIE LOARCA

CAMPUS EDITOR emloarca@mail.sfsu.edu

ERIN DAGE

CITY EDITOR erindage@mail.sfsu.edu

MATT SAINCOME

A&E EDITOR saincome@mail.sfsu.edu

LINDSAY ODA

OPINION EDITOR loda@mail.sfsu.edu

DAN NELSON

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR danelson@mail.sfsu.edu

W

Proactivity could prevent impaction

major and shared core classes.

ITH THE NUMBER OF IMPACTED Knowing this, SF State should be well prepared for which majors majors proposed to nearly double in will be impacted by simple analysis of the job market, and trends of Fall 2014, a team of Xpress writers took widening fields. As class content follows the evolving nature of the the time to analyze the beginnings of field, so should the way our University anticipates future enrollment. impaction.

By analyzing job trends, our University can proactively prevent Impaction happens when the number impaction, prolonged graduations, and overcrowding high demand of students in a given major exceeds the classes. More resources can be allotted to majors where enrollment is resources the University can provide to likely to spike because of job opportunities. serve those students. If the proposals become a realImpaction benefits current students in impacted majors ity, the number of impacted majors at by shortening graduation times and granting SF State will jump from 10 to 19. easier access to required classes. The flip side Anyone in these possiof that though, is that impaction negatively bly-soon-to-be-impacted causes those majors to be less accessible to majors knows the pain of undeclared and incoming students. overcrowding firsthand.

This fact is particularly troubling if you Kinesiology students consider that the University will be poclamor for space in the tentially shutting out future students from core prerequisites required burgeoning career paths. If a certain field to get into their upper is blowing up, it doesn’t make much sense division classes. Unto limit the number of students allowed in lucky biology students that major. sit patiently at the end The of lengthy wait lists, University’s hoping that someone current will drop the class. reactionary Impaction is a result policy of of serious systemic remedying problems, namely the crowded maprecipitous drop in state jors by declaring funds to the CSU system. impaction may But why aren’t all mahelp current stujors impacted then? What dents who are trying makes so many students to make their way flock to certain majors? through, but it falls The answer is more obfar short of serving the vious than you might think: needs of future students. career opportunities. Majors It is incumbent on the adminlike biology and business ART BY KIRSTIE HARUTA istration to do their due diligence and have several concentrations (and concentrations of kharuta@gmail.com proactively research the changing job market so that future jobs) beneath them which share core classes resources can be shifted where they are needed. such as nursing and kinesiology, accounting and Students should be able to study their passions and fields that will marketing. grant them successful careers, without having to worry about accessiThis gives us all the ingredients necessary for an overcrowded ble education and the day they’ll finally start their career. major: ample career opportunities, several concentrations under a

JONATHAN RAMOS

ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR jonaramo@mail.sfsu.edu

HOLLY NALL

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR hnall@mail.sfsu.edu

RACHELE KANIGEL

FACULTY ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu

KEN KOBRE

PHOTO ADVISER ken@kobre.com

JESSE GARNIER

ONLINE ADVISER jgarnier@sfsu.edu

JUSTIN OROZCO

CIRCULATION jaorozo@mail.sfsu.edu

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

EVA CHARLES

ADVERTISING & BUSINESS echarles@mail.sfsu.edu

SADIE CROFTS

STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER sgcrofts@mail.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 Lindsay Oda at: loda@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 Kale Williams at: kale@mail.sfsu.edu

BY SAM MOLMUD

smolmud@mail.sfsu.edu

Flawed drone tactics could invade home

Unmanned aerial vehicles — more commonly known as drones — have become invaluable to the United States military. Their presence increases every year in carrying out "necessary" assassinations against "terrorists," as does the controversy surrounding their use. In a world ruled by Murphy's Law, analyzing a newer military technology's role shouldn't be discouraged. Especially when that technology is finding its way into everyday life.

Either in surveillance or attack roles, drones have existed far before the "war on terror" was ever uttered by President George Bush. Their role, however, was expanded during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to carry out assassinations and reconnaissance too risky for actual soldiers. The ability to remotely control a vehicle capable of surveying and attacking in different regions of the world sells itself.

Into the Obama years, drones are increasingly relied upon on in "counter-terrorism" roles. They are often employed in Pakistan and Yemen to take out al-Qaida members and other "threats," as deemed necessary by the U.S. government.

According to a CNN report, more than 70 countries make use of drones, but the United Kingdom and Israel are the only other countries known to use drones in an attack role.

Whether you feel drone use in the world is justifiable as a counter-terrorism measure, or just a murderous loose cannon, it would be difficult to find someone who's not unsettled by the idea of animal-disguised robots patrolling their neighborhood.

Though these concepts may seem logically unrelated, they may soon hit a singularity.

According to a report by ABC7, the Pentagon spent $4 million on the development of small, battery-powered, robotic birds that

could be used in covert missions.

Miniaturization of drones is the new trend, according to Wired magazine. AeroVironment is developing a "kamikaze drone:" a 2-foot, 6-pound missile, that can serve as a drone scout while midair. The Switchblade drone, as it's called, was deemed one of the best inventions of 2012 by Time magazine.

CNN did a segment recently about the development of spider and bird-like drones, that could allow law enforcement to go where they are normally not able to fit. Small drones aided in a rescue raid of a 5-year-old boy.

Awed by all the positives of drone innovation — and the innate cool factor of its technology — one can quickly forget that drones are a newer, swifter and more effective tool for killing people.

Drone tactics may have opened the doors to "fight terrorism" without risking American lives. The everlasting goal of any army is to be able to accomplish its objectives with less risk and more efficiency.

It would be simplifying and outrageous, however, to deny the fact that it is possible, and likely, that drones have some negative impacts.

John Brennan, Obama's pick for CIA director, and current assistant for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, denied the possibility of misfire or ambiguous usage of drones, comparing drone usage to surgery. "… Compared against other options, a pilot operating this aircraft remotely, might actually have a clearer picture of the target and its surroundings, including the presence of innocent civilians," Brennan said. "It's this surgical precision, to eliminate the cancerous tumor called an al-Qaida terrorist, while limiting damage to the tissue around it, that makes this counter-terrorism tool so essential."

A report by Stanford and New York University disagrees. It points to data by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism that says between 2,562 to 3,325 targeted "combatants" in Pakistan were killed between June 2004 and Sept. 2012 — 474 to 881 of whom were actually civilians and 176 of whom were children.

The article discusses the long-lasting psychological harm the drone strikes have caused on the people of northwest Pakistan, with civilians afraid to attend religious gatherings or funerals, out of fear they may be targeted.

In Feb. 2012, the Associated Press published a report on U.S. drone attacks that had occurred between Aug. 2010 and Feb. 2012.

The reporters interviewed villagers that claimed out of 194 people killed in drone attacks, 56 were civilians or tribal police.

A separate report by Al Jazeera, published March 17, 2011, highlighted a drone strike that killed a group of 42 tribal elders and local businessman who were discussing a local chromite mine.

The U.S. insists it sources its data reliably with regards to who it aims for, only targeting "enemy combatants." The Stanford/NYU report seems to refute this mystery method, calling into question the supposed security advantages we reap from these drone attacks.

Would a reassessment of current drone usage be detrimental? Reliance on them as a tool for warfare has risen repeatedly: 257 drone attacks happened in 2009, 279 in 2010, 294 in 2011 and 447 in 2012.

Our future world is likely to include many niches for drone use in everyday life.

If we don't start analyzing our mistakes in current drone employment, who's to say the negatives won't increase right alongside the drone population.

GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

S P O R T S 11

| 03.13.13

PLAYER

NAVEED BAGHERI

WEEK

WRESTLING

of the

Senior Naveed Bagheri became a national champion in the 141 weight class with a 5-2 decision at the NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships. He helped SF State place 10th overall.

PHOTO BY TYLER DENISTON/SF STATE SPORTS

SP OR T S SCHEDUL E WEDNESDAY (3.13)

Bike team rolls to victory Close-knit cycling team races with Division I schools after one year

SOFTBALL SF State vs. Notre Dame De Namur (DH) 1 and 3 P.M. (Belmont, Calif.)

FRIDAY (3.15) BASEBALL SF State vs. Cal Poly Pomona 3 P.M. (San Francisco, Calif.)

SATURDAY (3.16) WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD Hornet Invitational TBD (Sacramento, Calif.)

BASEBALL SF State vs. Cal Poly Pomona (DH) 11 A.M. and 2 P.M. (San Francisco, Calif.)

BY DEBORAH ROD | drod@mail.sfsu.edu

T

HE LITTLE-KNOWN SF State cycling team has been happy to play the role of underdog, having one of the smallest teams to compete in the state.

The team isn't letting its small size diminish its expectations, however, racking up a series of impressive victories over the last few weeks.

“I’m very (proud) about it, especially about (representing) SF State. We were competing against Division I schools who have been in the system for decades,” team member Eric Gasmin said. “We’re like the new kids on the block, it’s good to show what we can be.”

James Enright, vice president of the team, co-founded the cycling club as an offshoot of the Triathlon Club at SF State last year.

Thanks to Enright’s organizing and management, this year the team was able to pull together enough funds to purchase biking jerseys.

“Before this year, (the team) would have shirts with some duct tape on the chest and back with (the team member’s) name on it,” Enright said.

The team, in just its second year of existence, took some notable spots on the podium at UC Santa Cruz’s Slug Fest over the Feb. 23-24 weekend.

All members who competed at UCSC came in the top ten. For some of those members, it was their first time partaking in a competitive race.

Enright took second place at Santa Cruz in the road race in the Men’s A division, behind Stanford, but ahead of University of Southern California competitors. This is a great accomplishment for SF State, which has the smallest Division I team in state collegiate cycling, according to Enright.

Enright kept the momentum rolling with another victory in the criterium race on

FULL CYCLE: SF State’s bike team, led by president Ben Franich (center, back), placed in the top ten at Stanford University.

Photo by Samantha Benedict

Sunday, taking first place in the Men’s A division. This feat was no easy task, even for an athlete as experienced as Enright, who found the course to be “pretty challenging.”

But the victories didn't stop there. In the Women’s C road race, Nici Rahsom came in fifth and Vicki Tran came in ninth place.

Yao Saetern placed sixth in the Men’s C division for the criterium race. Christian Lam came in second place for Men’s D criterium, and Gasmin, first-time racer, placed seventh.

“It was tons of fun. I’m hooked on it,” Gasmin said.

There were also several notable achievements outside the top ten. In the Men’s B road race, Dominic Bati came in 24th. In the Men’s C road race, Saetern placed 23rd. In Men’s D road race, Bryan Banducci came in 13th.

The course in Santa Cruz was unusual in that it was more “spectator-friendly” than road races usually are. Enright recalls “fans screaming on the sidelines.” Unlike most road races, the course was limited to the boundaries of the UCSC campus, which made it easier for supporters to cheer on the cyclists.

“We are just looking forward to having a good time,” Tran said before the race.

The team also placed in the top ten at Stanford over the weekend of March 9-10.

In the road race Saturday, Lam placed sixth in the Men’s C division and Bati came in eighth.

Cyclists from SF State also made it to the top ten in the criterium race Sunday. Enright placed second in the Men’s A division and Saeturn came in third in the Men’s C division.

With only eight members, SF State’s is “one of the smallest teams out of the Division I schools,” according to Enright, and the team is actively looking for new recruits.

The team welcomes people who are interested in competing, people who simply want to tag along for group rides and people who are interested in doing both. “(Competitive) biking is starting to become more trendy in the United States," Enright said. "It’s been very popular in Europe for many years. The collegiate atmosphere and the smaller, low-key feel make it a great learning environment.”

Gasmin agreed with the team’s relaxed approach to cycling.

“The majority of our team is people who are relatively new to it. It’s not really a try out,” Gasmin said.

For more information on the SF State cycling team, visit their Facebook page, or email the Cycling Club or Triathlon Club at sfsugatorcycling@googlegroups.com or gatortriathlon@gmail.com.

SUNDAY (3.17) SOFTBALL SF State vs.

Dominican (DH) 1 and 3 P.M. (San Francisco, Calif.)

BASEBALL SF State vs. Cal Poly Pomona 11 A.M. (San Francisco, Calif.)

S C O R E

SCORES FROM THE LAST WEEK OF GATOR SPORTS

B O A R D

SOFTBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL

L

W

March 9 SF State vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills 2-0

W

March 9 SF State vs. Cal State Dominguez Hills 5-2

March 8 SF State VS. Cal Poly Pomona 54-60

WRESTLING March 8 and 9 NCAA Division II National Championships SF State: 10th place

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03.13.13 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG