Xpress Fall 2012 Issue 10

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

// 10.31.12

VOLUME LXXXXV ISSUE 10

CAST YOUR BALLOT DECISION 2012 PAGES

6 7 &

PROP. 30 MIGHT GIVE SCHOOLS A BREAK

BY ELLIE LOARCA | emloarca@mail.sfsu.edu

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HE LIFE OF A STUDENT ISN’T what it used to be. With overcrowded classrooms, limited financial aid and increased tuition costs, higher education in California is barely staying afloat.

It’s because of this that Gov. Jerry Brown has taken charge with Proposition 30, which aims to bring back funds to universities and lessen the increasing financial burdens that are being shifted from the state to college students.

The measure would temporarily increase personal income taxes on those who make more than $250,000 a year and would raise California sales tax by 0.25 percent.

These funds would be allocated to K-12 public education, community colleges and public safety.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY VIRGINIA TIEMAN

Prop. 30 would help students like SF State communications major Marcela Pimento, who is forced to spend less time with her textbooks and more time working to cover the rising costs of education.

“Right now I work two jobs because the cost of tuition has been going up and financial aid is giving me less and less,” Pimenteo said. “I have to pay a lot on my own.”

Pimenteo is part of the on-campus organization Students for Quality Education, which fights for affordable and accessible higher education for everyone. The group is putting in extra effort to make students aware of the measures that are going to directly affect them this November, including Prop. 30.

The organization has been actively tabling around SEE STUDENTS ON PAGE 5

2 CAMPUS SF STATE SPEAKS OUT

10.31.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

Proof of transfer goes paperless The SFMTA is implementing Clipper cards for the round-trip commute from Daly City BART to SF State

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING VOTERS THIS ELECTION?

BY MICHELE BIRD | mbird@mail.sfsu.edu

MICHAEL SANCHEZ, 21 ECOLOGY MAJOR

I think the propositions are more important than the presidential elections. I think we have the choice between something terrible and something more terrible.

NOLANI REYES, 18 BUSINESS MAJOR

Definitely the whole Planned Parenthood and health care, well that’s going to affect me because I use FamilyPACT and that would affect a lot of women’s lives because they use that for general health care.

FLAVIAN MIHALE, 21 KINESIOLOGY MAJOR

Keeping our tuition as low as possible. I’m on financial aid so that’s a big thing for me, too. Prop. 30 passing is a huge part of it.

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ART IS TRYING TO DO away with the old yellow paper transfers to Muni, but some passengers are wary of recent charging issues with Clipper.

People who arrive at Daly City BART are offered free round-trip transfers to complete their commutes to SF State on the Muni 28/28L. The free transfers were originally available on paper, but have moved to Clipper cards as of June 1. But some SF State students, faculty and staff commuters have not taken advantage of the Clipper transfer in fear of being charged incorrectly.

“I believe going paperless has a lot of benefits,” Joseph Greenwell, SF State dean of students, said. “It is more green, saves students the hassle of potentially losing a paper transfer and overall I feel that it is easier to use the Clipper card.”

Since the update from paper to Clipper card transfers, some commuters have been charged when they were supposed to receive free transfers due to a software issue. The University Transportation Committee has collaborated with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to help fix the charging issue on the Clipper cards.

“The SFMTA has placed a priority on moving customers from a paper ticket system to the regional Clipper program,” Wendy Bloom, SF State’s campus planner, said. “Clipper provides seamless connectivity and ease of payment between the 10 participating transit agencies in the region.”

Cubic Transportation Systems, the contractor that operates the Clipper system, recently identified a software issue and planned to implement a fix by Oct. 26, according to Bloom. Sources at SFMTA could not confirm if THERE AND BACK: Students gather on the Muni 28/28L from Daly City BART to SF State. the issue had been corrected. Bloom said that Cubic has recognized all customers who were incorrectly charged The Clipper transfers offer an alternative to paper passes. Photo by Alejandrina Hernandez and will provide refunds within 30 days.

“There has been a robust use of both the shuttle and for $3 online, at participating transit agency ticket offices or variMuni this semester,” Bloom said. “In the evening, some students ous retail locations. will choose to stand in line for the shuttle rather than take the “Some students, particularly those who are new this semester, (Muni) because they are concerned about being incorrectly charged may still not understand that the free transfer exists,” Bloom said. on the (Muni).”

“The old yellow paper transfers were highly invisible (and) the Commuters who choose to use the free transfer will have the Clipper transfer is not.” fare stored on their Clipper cards when tapped while exiting Daly SF State BART commuters are encouraged to register their City BART. Commuters then have 23 hours to use the first transfer Clipper cards and check their ride histories to find out if they have and 24 hours to use the second. been incorrectly charged for the free transfer. Those who have Although SF State does provide a free shuttle service from Daly City BART to campus Monday through Friday, many students discovered an incorrect charge can request a refund at custserv@ clippercard.com stating the dates of incorrect charges, the amounts prefer using Muni and Clipper cards more due to convenience and and a PDF attachment of ride history from the Clipper website. accessibility.

“Students should take advantage of the free transfer to increase “The Muni is a lot quicker and the line is always shorter,” Ruktheir options to get to and from campus as quickly and efficiently shar Iqbal, a sophomore nursing major, said. as possible, whether by Muni 28/28L or shuttle,” Bloom said.

Commuters who do not have a Clipper card can purchase one

CRIME BLOTTER

Comedic interpretations of criminal events at or near SF State

10.24 through 10.30

Occupy the Basketball Courts

RAWAN SAIDEH, 22

ANTHROPOLOGY MAJOR

The problem with Iran.

I would rather not go into a war if our economy is not ready for that.

Photos by: Andy Sweet Reporting by: Vikram Singh

Officers approached a subject shooting some sweet hoops after hours in the Gymnasium Oct. 26. The subject became argumentative when asked to leave and to supply the officer with identification. Come on, Mr. Officer, you should have challenged this hooligan to a game of 1-on-1 or something. Ignore the paperwork that is involved in citing this imitation LeBron James. Just put on your “Space Jam” jersey and start bumping Aaron Carter’s “That’s How I Beat Shaq” in the background — you’re bound to win.

I’m Two-Tired The tires were reported stolen from a vehicle on Lake Merced Boulevard Oct. 24. Officers responded, searched the location and found nothing. These tires probably come from a student’s cheap car and lack decent financial value, so trading them in the tire black market probably won’t get you that ‘93 Honda Civic you’ve always wanted. Kindly give this person their tires back and get a bus pass like the rest of us poor students.

Reporting by Brad Wilson

Mo’ Taggin, Mo’ Money While on patrol Oct. 24, an officer on duty spotted graffiti on Buckingham Way. Perhaps this little Banksy was a precursor to the recent acts of vandalism that took place downtown this past Sunday night. We are all excited that the Giants won the World Series, but come on, San Francisco: Tipping trucks over and setting crap on fire doesn’t make you appear as progressive and civil as you like to think you are. It makes you look like Vancouver when the Canucks lost the Stanley Cup Finals to the Boston Bruins in 2011 and let’s be honest, no one wants to be compared to a bunch of Canadians, eh?

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CAMPUS 3

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Brain teaser study poses puzzling

results

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BY ERIN DAGE | erindage@mail.sfsu.edu

Puzzle questions are a novel way to show a person’s ability to think on their feet. No organization is really looking for a right answer Chris Wright, Assistant professor of psychology

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S A STUDENT COMING out of the University of South Florida graduate school in the late 90s, Chris Wright was looking for a job.

On his search, he encountered an interview question designed to test his ability to think on his feet. Ten years later, Wright, now an assistant professor of psychology at SF State, has dedicated a study to gauge how people react to puzzle questions in an interview setting.

Wright, along with fellow colleagues Chris Sablynski, Todd Manson and SF State graduate student Steven Oshiro, recently had a study published in the “Journal of Applied Social Psychology.”

The practice of giving out puzzle questions — asking questions during job interviews to test applicants’ creativity, intelligence and tolerance of stress — is something that’s gone on in the software and finance industry for years.

These “brain teaser” questions are solvable, but have been under fire for being a poor way to find qualified applicants, according to Wright.

An example of this is a question Google once asked — “How many ping pong balls would fit in the Mediterranean Sea?” Wright and his colleagues had 360 participants view video footage of mock job interviews where puzzle questions were asked.

“So many people come into job interviews, knowing exactly what to say. Puzzle questions are a novel way to show a person’s ability to think on their feet,” Wright said. “No (organization is) really looking for a right answer, because so many of these questions are really more geared toward gauging your thought process.”

According to the study, many of the subjects who viewed the mock job interviews were not amused by the use of puzzle questions. Many of the SF State undergraduate students primarily used in the study viewed the puzzle questions as unfair because of what the questions asked.

In the footage of the mock job interviews people were asked questions such as “How would you weigh a

jet plane without using scales?” or “If you could remove one of the 50 states, which one would you remove and why?”

Though students may have not thought that the questions were fair, many thought that interview subjects asked puzzle questions performed better than those asked traditional interview questions.

“Puzzle questions are typically used to gauge intelligence, but a better way to prove that is by an IQ test,” Wright said.

George Havdalas, manager of the Parkmerced U-haul location, doesn’t currently ask puzzle questions during job interviews.

“I would consider using puzzle questions on interviews to see if the person applying for the job can deal with stress,” Havdalas said. “People always come in stressed out from moving and puzzle questions could be a determining factor to see if (the person applying for the job) can think on their feet when helping with customers.”

Melanie Guarino, a senior hospitaity and tourism management major at SF State, isn’t buying it. She doesn’t believe that the purpose of puzzle question is to see a person’s thought process.

“What are they trying to prove by doing that?” Guarino said. “I don’t really think it’s fair or makes sense to ask questions like that.”

PUZZLE ME: Chris Wright, an assistant professor of psychology at SF State, has been researching how people react to being asked brain teasers during job interviews. Photo by Tearsa Joy Hammock

4 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The Fashion Blueprint

10.31.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

DAY OF THE DEAD REINVENTED

BY BRYAN VO

bryanvo@mail.sfsu.edu

The fashion connoisseur outlines ways to avoid the fashion walk of shame.

It’s true, you are what you wear and for him, every day is a runway.

DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION: Pilar Gordillo is co-curator of the Flourescent Virgins exhibit at the Cesar Chavez Student Center’s Art Gallery. She attributes the idea for the show to friends asking her to arrange altars like the one in her own home. Photo by Tearsa Joy Hammock

BY BRYAN VO | bryanvo@mail.sfsu.edu

Fashion sways 2012 voters

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his season, voters are looking for someone who has mastered public speaking and has a strong public image — and perhaps a better half with a good sense of fashion.

President Barack Obama’s polished image allowed him to draw support from younger generations in 2008, a direct relation between age and appeal, political consultant Seth Pendleton told the Philadelphia Inquirer. Obama won strong support from voters aged 18 to 29.

Looks do make a difference, so let’s turn our eyes to the closet.

“Historically, image has always been important for political reasons,” Veronica Hernandez, history and philosophy major, said. “It makes a big difference. When Ann Romney would wear something less conservative, it worries the Republican people because that’s not someone who they want representing them.”

Michelle Obama and Ann Romney play key roles in snagging female voters because they’re both so popular, but these two are making their proposals to two extremely different audiences. The first is an African-American ex-lawyer who earned more than her husband used to; the second a blonde housewife, devout Mormon and mother to five boys.

First lady Obama is lauded as a style icon recognized by the fashion industry. She wears bold statements like her bare shoulder dresses and her lacy black gown.

“Michelle always looks nice and as the first lady she definitely has a sense of style,” Hernandez said.

“With her forward fashion sense, she somehow connects with the people and makes it relative.”

On the other hand, Ann Romney is ignored by the world of fashion.

This seems to be because the fashion industry leans left.

According to the Women’s Wear Daily, 53.9 percent of fashion industry campaign donations went to Democrats, while only 45.9 percent went to Republicans this year. When Ann Romney wore her Oscar de la Renta to the 2012 Republican National Convention, no one from de la Renta’s public relations team said a word.

When Romney wore a wrap dress by designer Diane von Furstenberg, the fashion mogul’s PR team questioned how she obtained the dress, according to Business Insider.

Although Romney and Obama differ on many counts, they share their husbands’ ambitions for victory and a common goal: making a lasting impression to win the White House.

I

Director Carolyn Ho. The gallery has been open since Oct. N A DIMLY LIT GALLERY, IMAGES OF THE 25, but the opening reception will start at 5 p.m. for Dia de los Virgin Mary with hands folded in prayer glow Muertos Nov. 1. The first 50 attendees will receive candles to through lightbox displays of blinking fluorescent decorate on the altar and may leave personal items to remember colors. Arranged on ceremonial altars dedicated to their loved ones. In addition, there will be a workshop teaching the dead, the components of the displays vary, but each reflects the artist’s personality and the lives of visitors how to make marigold flowers from tissue paper, which is another ceremonial item associated with the holiday. loved ones who have passed. “(What) we’re doing for this exhibit in particular is to have “Fluorescent Virgins: Contemporary Altars and a bunch of empty frames for people to decorate and put photos Offerings for the Dead” is a featured exhibit at the Cesar Chavez of their deceased,” Ho said. “It’s not fun to have an art exhibit Student Center Art Gallery celebrating Dia de los Muertos, the where you come to just look at stuff so I always like it when we Day of the Dead. The Latino tradition is celebrated Nov. 1 and can make people feel like they often honored in conjunction or are associated with the show.” associated with All Saints’ Day Gordillo said there will also before All Souls’ Day Nov. 2. be a station for visitors to write This year, SF State artist Pilar letters to the dead that they can Gordillo brought her vision of reinleave on the altar. She explained venting the old tradition. Gordillo, the public has the freedom to local artists and student organidisplay what they like, encourzation el Movimiento Estudiantil aging people to make the altar Chicana de Aztlán at San Francisco their own.

State University came together “All their objects can be to contribute their contemporary ceremonial-related and can be perspectives on the holiday. domestic items,” Gordillo said.

“The idea started when I got “We’re going to encourage here and proposed it a year ago, people to add to the community and I tried to relate it to the Misaltar that reflects their loved sion District, which is one of my ones and relatives who have biggest inspirations,” Gordillo, TRADITION: Six students from MEChA contributed their artistic efforts passed.” a visual communications major, to an altar to display in the exhibit. Photo by Tearsa Joy Hammock Gordillo explained that “Flusaid. “Somehow, I found all these orescent Virgins” is a diverse markets around the Mission and expression of art. Though there is a theme and everything is it intrigued me, which made me feel like I was back home.” related, each altar is the artist’s own and students can agree.

The Peru native moved to San Francisco four years ago and “The art gallery surprises me every time and it just gets better, quickly identified to the thriving culture of the Mission markets. especially this one,” Genevieve Leighton, a criminal justice There she met people with whom she was able to relate — and major, said. “‘Fluorescent Virgins’ is themed well and it revolves most of them happened to be artists. around Day of the Dead, which we never had here before.”

Gordillo realized the opportunity to share the culture Featured artists are Dick Van Dick, Gabriela Sanchez, through celebration of Dia de los Muertos. “Fluorescent VirHannah Birch Carl, Ivana Pinto, MEChA and Gordillo. Whether gins” is her way to connect and have sentimental feelings with the altar is the artist’s expressions of struggling with mortality, the deceased in the most personal display of affection. the belief of something higher and greater, or the memories and “We (the artists) wanted to show something that we have in adoration of the deceased, each piece is unique. our room that’s very intimate and (is a) narrative of our lives; “We find diversity here on campus and we want to convey the stories that we had involving strangers, ex-lovers, friends that through our altars,” Gordillo said. and family,” Gordillo said. “The other artists and I wanted to “Fluorescent Virgins” opened Oct. 25 and runs through Nov. bring it all together into an art exhibit with tons of imagery 8. The reception is Nov. 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The gallery where you can learn about the Day of the Dead.” asks that contributors to the community altar retrieve their items Since Gordillo proposed the idea of “Fluorescent Virgins,” no later than Nov. 9. she acts as a co-curator to the exhibit along with Art Gallery

A RTS A N D EN T ERTA I N M EN T CALENDAR

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG Halloween Dreampop Electronic Concert Oct. 31 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. FREE Milk Bar

Dia de los Muertos Celebration Nov. 2 7 p.m. FREE 26th and Harrison Streets (The Mission)

Prince vs. Michael Jackson DJ Party Nov. 3 9 p.m. $5 Madrone Art Bar

Broken Mic Nov. 6 6 p.m. FREE The Depot

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CITY 5

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Prop. 32 aims for California campaign finance reform

BY VIKRAM SINGH | vpsingh@mail.sfsu.edu

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union power and fails to address key campaign finance issues.

“In reality it only affects one group,” John Logan, associate professor and director of labor studies, said. “Corporations don’t raise money through payroll deductions, unions do.”

Opponents of the bill argue that unions don’t contribute money from their own treasuries directly to candidates anyway.

“Ninety-five percent of corporate money spent in politics does not go in direct contribution to candidates, it goes into independent expenditures and it goes on ballot initiatives,” Logan said. and their committees.

Prop. 32 also lacks the depth to touch on the real issues of “This is an excellent move for California,” Kris Hunt, execcampaign finance, according to Chris Carson, campaign finance utive director of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, said. program director for the League of Women Voters. The measure “Unions always talk about special interest groups, but they are does not go far enough to address the real issues of campaign also special interests. Unions can still collect money if this bill finance. is passed but employees will get a say, otherwise they would be “This is the third time this proposal has been put on the ballot forced.” and this time around they’re calling it reform. Not everything Contra Costa Taxpayers Association is one of many groups that’s labeled reform is reform,” Carson said. in support of the measure. Hispanic 100, a nonprofit organizaLoopholes in the bill that would exempt wealthy individuals tion committed to advancing free enterprise principles, is also in “is just a bunch of smoke and mirrors,” according to Hernansupport of Prop. 32.

This is the third dez, who stated that either way both sides would be able to fund “The main aspect of the bill we endorse is the worker’s right time this proposal whatever they want through Super PACs. to choose. This law will allow people to choose whether or not has been put on “If you really want to understand the proposition, just look they want to fund political campaigns each year. We think indithe ballot and this at the people who are supporting it,” Paul Murre, California viduals, employees have a better idea of where to vote,” Theresa time around they’re College Democrats president and senior political science major Hernandez, a board member of Hispanic 100, said. calling it reform. at SF State, said.

Unions would be able to fund through super political action Not everything that’s The California Republican Party and billionaire businesscommittees, which would be exempt despite the passage of the bill. labeled reform is man Charles T. Munger, Jr., who donated almost $36 million “My brother is in a union and he asked that they stop taking to support the measure, are just two in support of the Yes on 32 reform a part of his dues for political contributions. They told him they campaign. would take away his two weeks of leave/vacation if he opted in Chris Carson, The contemporary landscape of campaign finance has for that,” she said.

Campaign finance director allowed groups indirectly affiliated with candidates or political While corporations and unions are limited in the campaign for League of Women Voters parties to fund anonymously. Because of this, the ban Prop. 32 contributions, Super PACs can spend unlimited amounts toward would place on funding from unions or corporations is a dubious political ads as long as a political party or candidate is not directly one, according to Logan. linked.

“The impact of Prop. 32 would be to eliminate one side only, the unions,” It is currently legal for corporations and unions to spend from their general treaLogan said. “And to have the Super PACs, billionaires and wealthy business intersuries in order to finance political communication. ests to be completely unaffected.”

Other individuals and nonpartisan groups believe that Prop. 32 would weaken S THE ROLE OF MONEY IN POLITICS CONTINUES to increase, one proposition facing California voters aims to limit contributions from certain groups. Yet opponents say that special exemptions in the law leave the political process open to outside influence.

Proposition 32 would stop unions and corporations from using payroll money for political purposes and prevent them from making direct contributions to candidates

“ PART SIX IN A SERIES OF SIX STORIES EXAMINING CALIFORNIA’S PROPOSITIONS

STUDENTS COULD FACE AN INCREASE IN TUITION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

campus, “raising awareness about the impacts of (the) proposition,” Pimento said.

The measures failure would trigger automatic cuts to the California State University system of $250 million in state support, according to the official summary of Prop.

30. The CSU trustees approved a contingency plan to raise tuition by $150 per student per semester if the proposition fails, which would go into effect in January 2013.

If the proposition passes, tuition would be retroactively rolled back to 2011-12 levels, rescinding the 9 percent hike that went into effect at the beginning of this semester. Each student would receive a $249 rebate check.

“We have already lost nearly $1 billion in state support and if Prop. 30 fails and the cuts get deeper, it’s going to be harder and harder to protect students from those cuts,” CSU spokesman Erik Fallis said.

Fallis explained that the CSU system is in dire need of funding, especially with the increase of students applying to CSUs. “We must maintain price, quality and access for students and if we open up the flood gates despite the cuts, the quality of education would suffer,” Fallis said. “We are just not designed to operate that way.”

The public education system of California could gain a lot if Prop. 30 passes, but some are still wary of whether

the government is really going to put those funds where they belong.

John Kabateck, executive director for California at the National Federation of Independent Business, said small businesses have much to lose if the proposition passes.

“With 2.2 million people out of work in this state, small businesses and their employees are already in a world of hurt because of the current situation of the economy,” Kabateck said. “It does nothing to help our schools and does everything to hurt our small businesses.”

Kabateck has two children in the public school system and explained that small businesses have no problem in paying a little more to fund education. According to him, the problem is how the government spends the money because many of these extra taxes never see the inside of a classroom.

“Politicians in Sacramento have chosen to prioritize other things and could have taken education to number one, but they haven’t. Instead they are using these trigger cuts as a veiled threat to push people to vote for this measure,” Kabateck said. “What Prop. 30 lacks is actual education reform.”

While Prop. 30 is not about reforming the current situation in education, it is aiming to maintain the status quo and keep education afloat, according to Wei Ming Dariotis, president of the SF State chapter of the Califor-

nia Faculty Association.

“It is not going to help resolve the problems we are currently dealing with, but it will give us some breathing room. The cuts would just be devastating,” said Dariotis, who is also an associate professor in Asian American studies. “We’re in a crisis moment in California because we’ve given so much to the prison industrial complex instead of education. It’s quite ridiculous that we’re spending so much money on that system, I mean, a prison guard in California makes more then a lecturer here at State.”

Dariotis said that students wouldn’t be the only ones to feel the repercussions of trigger cuts if Prop. 30 fails.

“Half of our faculty are lecturers and lecturers are hired from semester to semester, so the cheapest way to offset the loss of funds would be to not rehire them,” she said.

Paul Murre, SF State student and president of the California College Democrats, thinks that Prop. 30 is the way to go.

“The only way to get more money into this system is to raise taxes. Investing in K-12 education will get our economy out of this because the only way you can build human capital is through education,” Murre said. “Pretty much what Prop. 30 comes down to is if students don’t get out there and vote, then they will have to pay more for school and that’s that.”

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6

SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE 201 Students prepare to cast votes New and experienced voters share why they’ve decided to go to the polls and make sure their votes count this presidential election

BY NOEMY MENA mena@mail.sfsu.edu

and

C

HRIS LIMON, WHO COMES from a family of undocumented immigrants, is proud to be voting for the first time in this election after realizing he could vote on issues regarding citizenship.

Limon, an SF State junior and registered Democrat, started out somewhat skeptical of the whole voting process. He feared being underinformed on the issues would keep him from becoming a voter.

Voting can be intimidating and somewhat overwhelming for many students, even those who are experienced voters. Others find something that inspires them to grab a voter registration form.

Limon registered Oct. 22, the last day possible to register for the upcoming election. He simply walked up to one of the tables on campus, sat down for two minutes, filled out a few questions, and was surprised at how easy the process was.

Julian Mocine-McQueen, who started the SF State chapter of the League of Young Voters as an undergrad in Fall 2006, said college-age voters have become increasingly involved in politics because of issues important to young people. On a national level many people oppose either political party, but every vote can make a difference on a local level, Mocine-McQueen said.

“People who haven’t been involved in politics because they may not agree or understand, if that’s how you feel, that’s fine,” Mocine-McQueen said. “But on a local level, you have a voice. You have power.”

The League of Young Voters, a national progressive organization geared toward young adult voters, has been

BY DANIELLE STEFFENHAGEN drsteff@mail.sfsu.edu

49 % voter turnout for 18- to 24-year-olds in 2008

BE A SMART VOTER THIS ELECTION, STAY UPDATED

BY ALEX EMSLIE | aemslie@mail.sfsu.edu

Read State and local voter information guides are the authoritative sources for learning about candidates and proposed laws. The guides also include instructions for voting by mail and finding a polling place near you.

Candidates present their qualifications and platforms to voters in these guides. Local and statewide propositions are presented first as a digest and then as the actual text of California or city law that would change if passed. The proposition sections also include support and opposition statements.

Analyze Governments both large — the U.S and California — and small — San Francisco — have nonpartisan or bipartisan organizations that analyze everything, including proposed laws.

Summaries of these analyses are included in the voter guides, but there is a lot more information about issues available through the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office and the local San Francisco Controller’s Office.

active throughout the city informing v ballot. The organization is engaging w number of locations from music festiv transit stops and college campuses.

“Young people are smart when the er tools,” Mocine-McQueen said.

“ When I vote this election, I want to come in and know what I’m doing.

Every vote makes a difference Aria Nikzad,

Buisness and marketing major

tim

Le the tod wh lik bu go tim ma in the ris Wo on thi hu ty

sur rar ord was one of the most intriguing issues Limon.

Aria Nikzad, a business and marke

12%

increase in voter turnout between 2000 and 2008 among ages 18 to 24

Feeling lost in all of the politics? It’s not too about propositions and candidates. Her guide of how to become an informed vot relying on social media to do all the

Follow the money Discovering campaign donors can illustrate candidates’ political allegiances more accurately than their personal statements do, but tracking the money is trickier than it sounds.

Ballotopedia.org is a good place to start. Like Wikipedia, users compile information about the candidates and ballot measures on the site, and many of the statewide proposition articles include campaign finance information. To dig a little deeper, go to Electiontrack.com and navigate to the summaries of campaign finance source documents.

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| 10.31.12

12 ELECTION

voters of what’s on the with young voters at a vals and pub crawls to

ey are given the prop-

One of those tools is me management.

SF State President eslie E. Wong said e lifestyle of students day is busier than ever, hich has placed issues ke politics on the back urner. Working and oing to school fullme is common for any college students an economy where ey struggle to pay for sing tuition fees. But ong said that there is ne issue on the ballot is year that will have a uge impact on universistudents.

Prop. 30, the meare that would temporily increase taxes in der to fund education, on the ballot for

eting major at SF

7

The political season can be overwhelming, but here are some tips to help you make decisions and get through the process

State, works full time as a supervisor and is also concerned about Prop. 30 because he believes that tuition is becoming overwhelming.

“Either way, it’s coming out of our pockets,” Nikzad said. “Either the state gets taxed or we’re going to pay more.”

Although he has voted before, Nikzad doesn’t know much about this year’s election. His hectic work and school schedule allows him to squeeze in a couple of minutes here and there, but he wishes he had more time to get informed.

Taking the time to learn about the issues is really important, Limon said. He first started doing research on the computer to inform himself about the issues on this year’s ballot.

“I hope to finally see why voting is so important,” Limon said. “My viewpoint is slowly changing.”

Richard Weed, a third-year student at SF State and firsttime voter, learned about the issues from his parents and decided it was time to become a voter. He understands how voting could affect him in the long run and expressed his eagerness to vote before Nov. 6, although he is still waiting for his ballot arrive.

Weed has already learned that it’s important to know the details behind the propositions.

“You have to pay attention to who’s backing the act,” he said, explaining that some of the propositions are backed by people who have a lot of money and incentive to back what they do.

Nikzad is informing himself as much as possible before the Nov. 6 election in preparation to vote.

“When I vote this election, I want to come in and know what I’m doing,” Nikzad said. “Every vote makes a difference.”

70 %

55 %

of young voters in 2008 had a bachelor’s degree

of voters in 2008 had high school diplomas Source: the 2010 U.S. census

ROCK THE VOTE: Richard Weed, 20, is a business major in his third year at SF State who recently registered to vote. This will be his first time voting and he wants to see how this presidential election will affect him in the future. Photo by Deborah Svaboda

XPRESS VOTER GUIDE

o late to learn re is a quick ter without e work.

The Golden Gate Xpress editors have voted to endorse the following propositions for the 2012 state election:

Consume the news News organizations play an important role in any election.

Many larger media companies endorse candidates and propositions, but if blindly voting, a local newspaper’s ticket usually sounds appealing. Media organizations also cover elections in their news sections. At this point in the election, millions, perhaps billions of words have been written about the various propositions and candidates voters will weigh in on.

PROP 30

Would increase taxes on earnings more than $25,000 and sales taxes by 0.25 percent to fund higher education

PROP 36 Would revise law to impose life sentences only when new felony conviction is serious or violent

PROP 37

Would require labeling of food

sold to consumers made from plants or animals with genetic material

PROP 39

Would require multistate businesses to pay income taxes based on percentage of their sales in California

PROP. A

Would provide City College of San Francisco with funds California could not take away

PROP. B

Would improve the safety and quality of neighborhood parks across the city and waterfront open spaces

PROP. C

Would amend the city charter to create a housing trust fund to support affordable housing for low-income and moderate-income households

Sources: smartvoter.org/ca/sf, voterguide.sos.ca.gov

8 OPINION

10.31.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

STAFF EDITORIAL

KALE WILLIAMS

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

ANGELA RAIFORD

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR araiford@mail.sfsu.edu

MATT MAXION

ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR mmaxion@mail.sfsu.edu

ELISSA TORRES

ART DIRECTOR elissat@mail.sfsu.edu

JEFF SANDSTOE

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR jsandsto@mail.sfsu.edu

CASSIE BECKER

PRINT COPY CHIEF cassbeck@mail.sfsu.edu

KEVIN SKAHAN

ONLINE COPY CHIEF kskahan@mail.sfsu.edu

SAM BATTLES

PRINT PHOTO EDITOR sbattles@mail.sfsu.edu

GODOFREDO VASQUEZ

ONLINE PHOTO EDITOR gvasquez@mail.sfsu.edu

BRAD WILSON

CAMPUS EDITOR bradw949@mail.sfsu.edu

CRISTINA RAMOS

CITY EDITOR cjramos@mail.sfsu.edu

ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ

A&E EDITOR arrodrig@mail.sfsu.edu

CAITLIN BYRNE

SPORTS EDITOR cmbyrne@mail.sfsu.edu

JESSICA SCHIMM

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR jschimm@mail.sfsu.edu

RACHELE KANIGEL

FACULTY ADVISER kanigel@mail.sfsu.edu

F

YES ON 30 SAVES EDUCATION

ROM DEBATES TO attack ads to those pesky emails from Joe Biden asking for a couple bucks, it’s been hard to step out of bed the last couple months without landing your foot in something

political.

But as college students, there is one ballot measure that we can’t afford to ignore: Proposition 30.

If you haven’t heard, here’s how it breaks down. If Prop. 30 passes, sales tax will increase from 7.25 percent to 7.5 percent and income taxes will increase on a sliding scale for those Californians lucky enough to be making more than $250,000 a year, all in an effort to close the $5.9 billion gap in state education funding.

Beyond that, California State University students will have their tuition retroactively reduced to 2011-12 levels, entitling each to a $249 rebate check.

If Prop. 30 fails, the CSU and UC systems will each be subject to a $250 million trigger cut in state funds, essentially asking a financially malnourished system to go on a hunger strike.

There are a lot of reasons to vote “yes” on Prop. 30, some self-serving, some philanthropic.

If you’re the selfish type, you need look no further than the $400 swing in tuition to tell you how to vote. In these trying economic times, money speaks louder than ever and it’s hard to blame anyone for voting with their checkbook.

If you’re of a more altruistic bent, this proposition will serve to throw a life jacket to a sinking system.

The CSU has had their share of state funds cut by nearly $1 billion in the last five years. Enrollment has been frozen, class size has been expanded and tuition has been repeatedly thrust upward as students are asked to shoulder more of the financial burden as the tax revenues that feed our state coffers

continue to shrink.

But Prop. 30 is by no means a perfect law.

First, the 0.25 percent increase in sales tax is a regressive answer to a lack of state funds, as it taxes the poorest of us at exactly the same rate as the wealthiest.

Though the income tax hike does aim to give a heavier share of the burden to the wealthy, poor families would be affected by sales tax increases to a much greater degree than those in higher tax brackets.

Secondly, Prop. 30 is not a permanent solution to problems facing California. The budget gap facing our higher education system is the product of a number of failed economic policies, starting with Prop. 13.

Prop. 13, passed by California voters in 1978, limited the amount of property tax the state can collect to 1 percent of the property’s assessed value and restricted annual increases to two percent annually.

Prop. 13 also required a two-thirds majority in both legislative houses for any additional tax increases. While both of these measures were crafted with good intent — to keep senior citizens from getting priced out of their houses and from letting a simple majority run rampant in the legislature — they have have severely hampered the state’s ability to raise funds.

The fact that a two-thirds majority is needed to raise any additional tax revenue gives the minority the power to block any tax increase that gets put before the legislature. In a state like California, which leans liberal, we’ve given the power to tax to a minority of anti-tax Republicans.

The limit on property tax increases makes sense for homeowners, but has been abused by corporate property holders to avoid what

would be hefty tax revenues that could go to things like funding public education.

Adding to the complications associated with Prop. 30 is that it’s been set up to directly compete with Prop. 38, another tax measure that would go to funding K-12 education. The way the two measures work, whichever gets more “yes” votes will pass, as long as they both receive more than 50 percent.

It’s ridiculous that these propositions have been pitted against each other, misleading voters into thinking that they must choose between funding K-12 or higher education. This is not the case.

The estimated $6 billion that Prop. 30 would raise in the first year would go to funding higher ed and K-12, whereas Prop.

38 leaves those of us in college staring down the barrel of a $250 million trigger cut.

While there are problems with Prop. 30, we find ourselves — as we often do when making political choices — deciding between the lesser of two evils. But the failure of Prop. 30 would have dangerous repercussions for California’s higher education system that could not be reversed.

Despite its imperfections, we urge and implore of each of you to go out Nov. 6 and vote “yes” on Prop.

30.

ART

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PHOTO ADVISER tucker@mail.sfsu.edu

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For more information or comments, please contact Kale Williams at: kale@mail.sfsu.edu

THE INS & OUTS

Looking for love beyond party lines

A WEEKLY SEX COLUMN BY CASSIE BECKER cassbeck@mail.sfsu.edu

It’s election time and that sexy conservative — or liberal — on the assistant professor of communication studies and psychology, said in a opposite side of the campaign has caught your attention. Forget ballots UCLA news release. and policies and arm yourself with the perfect insider information to These beliefs seem to translate into what each side seeks in relationguarantee a hookup — and maybe even more. ships. Match.com found that Republicans tend to be in the market for Republicans and Democrats have very specific qualifications they look a fiscally like-minded partner seeking marriage with the same values. for in their partners, according to the second annual Singles in America surThey also prefer someone of the same religion, ethnic background and vey published by Match.com. The survey, which asked the habits and opinpolitical affiliation who is close with his or her family. ions of more than 5,000 single Americans over the age of 21, boiled down But Democrats are looking for respectful, humorous partners who exactly what singles are looking for in a match based on political affiliation. are comfortable with their sexuality. They’re also seeking physically Turns out conservative men find conservatively dressed, career-driven attractive other halves who are comfortable with communicating, have a people to be turn ons, but a potential mate with too many male friends is a sense of independence and a similar level of education. major turn off. Liberal men — the most likely to have sex on the first date Match.com also discovered that married conservative Republicans — find opinionated dates to be the biggest turn on, the survey said. tend to be the most satisfied with their sex lives. Fifty-three percent of A separate study by psychology researchers at UCLA found that conservative republicans said they reached orgasm every time they had female GOP politicians of the 111th U.S. House of Representatives look sex compared to 40 percent of liberal Democrats. more stereotypically feminine than their Democratic counterparts.

You might be thinking that it’s impossible to find your better half on Republican men, on the other hand, were found to look less mascuthe other side of the political spectrum, but it definitely is not. There are line than their Democratic counterparts. But researchers say the findings plenty of instances where love and lust can overcome party lines. are very telling about each party’s political priMost famous for this are political power orities when it comes to physical appearance. couple James Carville and Mary Matalin. He Since breaking up with her inner “The Democratic Party is associated with was a senior adviser to former President Bill prude, Cassie Becker has done it all. social liberal policies that aim to diminish genClinton. She was adviser to former Presidents Her interest in sexual exploration der disparities, whereas the Republican Party Ronald Reagan, George Bush and George W. has led her to write several blogs is associated with socially conservative policy Bush. They’ve been happily married since 1993. and break even more beds. She’s issues that tend to bolster traditional sex roles,” Now go snag yourself a sexy political extensively researched and written Kerri Johnson, the study’s senior author and counterpart.

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9

FIERCE COMPETITION UNITES FRIENDLY GATORS The SF State Friendship Games team began preparing for the big event in midSeptember. The team participated in the 27th Annual Friendship Games hosted by Cal State Fullerton Oct. 27, but failed to place in the competition.

Photos by Jamie Balaoro

GETTING WET: SF State participated in the Tidal Wave activity at the event. The games portion included four other contests: the Ground Hog, Alpine, Conveyer Belt and The Nasty.

REPRESENT: The SF State Friendship games team was one of more than 50 colleges — most featuring Filipino American organizations — around California to participate in the event. (above) SF State participates in the Spirit, Pride, Unity and Friendship portion of the games where the objective is to represent the team’s school through chants and skits.

NO PAIN NO GAIN: (above) The SF State team trained on home turf for this year’s Friendship Games at Cal State Fullerton. The team hoped to receive first place in the games portion like it did the previous year.

10 S P O R T S

10.31.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

PLAYER

EDGAR VILLAGRANA

of the

MEN’S SOCCER

WEEK

Senior Edgar Villagrana has been chosen as the Xpress Player of the Week.

Villagrana scored his first game-winning goal of the season in the 75th minute of the match against Cal State Dominguez Hills Oct. 28. The goal was Villagrana’s fourth of the entire season.

PHOTO BY TYLER DENISTON/SF STATE SPORTS

SP OR T S SCHEDUL E WEDNESDAY (10.31) WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SF STATE VS. SONOMA STATE 7 P.M. (ROHNERT PARK, CALIF.)

PINNED DOWN: SF State’s wrestling team works on its technique at practice as the wrestlers prepare to begin their 2012 season with an upcoming alumni match. The team hopes to improve on last season’s overall record, send more athletes to nationals and receive All-American honors for all Gator wrestlers. Photos by John Ornelas

FRIDAY (11.02)

WRESTLERS AIM TO REVIVE PAST GLORY

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SF STATE VS. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 7 P.M. (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.)

SATURDAY (11.03) WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

F

BY ROCHELLE ROMERO | reromero@mail.sfsu.edu working with Jensen and contributing to the IGHTING FOR A TOP program. spot in the nation is only “It turned out to be the best thing because half the battle – becoming an the assistant position opened up here and this is the place where All-American is the ultimate goal.

I want to be if I had the choice, at SF State,” Silveira said. “It all Coming off a frustrating 2011-12 season with worked out for the best.” a 5-9 record, the SF State’s wrestling team is Silveira brings 16 years of experience from coaching junior high looking to reestablish itself after finishing with no and high school students and spent the last eight years concentrating All-Americans for the first time in four years.

“Last year we slipped a little bit,” head coach Lars Jensen said. “We on community college athletes.

“In the wrestling community you kind of get to know each other did OK dual meet-wise, but we only sent three kids to nationals.” so I’ve known them and their parents for a good five, six sometimes Athletes receive All-American status if they place in the top eight eight years,” Silveira said. “I’ve known the seniors for all four years, in the nation at NCAA championships. some cases five years. Some of the wrestlers were in high school Under the guidance of Jensen, SF State’s wrestling team returns with three veteran wrestlers earning top ranks in a preseason poll by the when I was recruiting at the community college level.”

Jimenez has known Silveira since his junior year in high school NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association. and describes his coaching style as effective and impactful.

SF State ranked 17th as a team, improving two spots from last “Great motivator,” Jimenez said. “He’s good with words and he season’s No. 19 preseason ranking. can tell you what you need to hear before a match to get you psyched Wrestlers are then divided into 11 weight classes: 125, 133, 141, 149, and get you ready to wrestle at your best level. I love having him 157, 165, 174, 184, 197 and the heavyweight category of 285 pounds. around inside the wrestling room.”

Seniors Isaiah Jimenez and Naveed Bagheri both placed in the Silveira plans on utilizing his established relationships to bring out top 10 of their respective weight classes with junior Dylan Phillipy the best in his athletes and guide them to championships. leading the group with a No. 5 ranking at 149 pounds.

“I think this could be one of those years that something special With three top wrestlers going into this season, Jensen can look forward to a promising year with four to five athletes vying for nation- could happen with all the seniors we have and some of the supporting class of sophomores and juniors,” Silveira said. “It’s one of those al titles.

After redshirting last year, veteran Bagheri is returning for his final teams that comes around every three or four years, just a real tough team. If everything works out right we can be a top 10 team at NCAA season on the team with hopes of becoming a national champion, a national championships.” goal he set for himself when he came to SF State.

Taking on one of the toughest Division II schedules, the wrestling “I’ve been wrestling my whole life so it’s kind of one of those team will face the No. 14 team, Colorado’s Adams State University things where it’s all coming down to this year,” Bagheri said. “Just knowing it’s my last one gets me more excited and more focused. This on the road, as well as Division I schools Cal State Bakersfield and Stanford University. is the last hurrah.”

Rookie transfer Calvin Nicholls from Arizona State University Bagheri previously earned All-American titles in 2009 and 2011, is ready to get the season underway. Nicholls is familiar with Jensen qualified for nationals three times and is a three-time conference after attending SF State’s wrestling clinic as a high school senior. champion. He is currently ninth in school history with 83 victories.

Nicholls loves the intensity at practices and the laid-back atmoJensen feels Bagheri is capable of having a great season.

“His goal this year is to be national champion,” Jensen said. “If he sphere outside the mat room at SF State.

“When I was at Arizona everybody was so serious and no fun, just has a real good season this year, he’ll probably be second all time in wrestling,” Nicholls said. “I love how everybody here can come to the wins here for the Gators. He’s our top guy.” mat room and joke around before practice but when practice starts, Adding to the quest for becoming national champions this season everything is serious and right when practice ends everybody is joking is the addition of new assistant coach Jeff Silveira. For the past three around again and having fun.” seasons Silveira has worked with the SF State wrestling team as a The Gators will open their 2012-13 season with the annual alumni volunteer assistant. meet Nov. 3. Matches are set to begin at 11 a.m. in the Gymnasium.

San Jose native Silveira is excited for the opportunity to continue

SF STATE VS. CAL STATE L.A. 7 P.M. (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.)

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY NCAA DIVISION II WEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (HONOLULU, HAWAII)

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY NCAA DIVISION II WEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (HONOLULU, HAWAII)

SUNDAY (11.04) WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

SF STATE VS. UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA 2 P.M. (RENO, NEV.)

WRESTLING SF STATE VS. U21 JC/COLLEGE OPEN ALL DAY (SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.)

TUESDAY (11.06) MEN’S BASKETBALL SF STATE VS. UC BERKELEY 7:30 P.M. (BERKELEY, CALIF.)

S C O R E

SCORES FROM THE LAST WEEK OF GATOR SPORTS

B O A R D

MEN’S SOCCER

T W

SF STATE VS. CAL STATE L.A. 2-2

SF STATE VS. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 2-1

WOMEN’S SOCCER

T T

SF STATE VS. CAL STATE L.A. 1-1

SF STATE VS. CAL STATE DOMINGUEZ HILLS 0-0

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

W

SF STATE VS. CHICO STATE 3-1

W

SF STATE VS. CAL STATE STANISLAUS 3-0

MEN’S BASKETBALL

L

SF STATE VS. UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO 77-93

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S P O R T S 11

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GATORS STRETCH MINDS, MUSCLES IN CLASSROOM

BY HEATHER ITO | hito@mail.sfsu.edu

AIMING HIGHER: SF State senior and goalie Annicia Jones (left), jumps to save a ball from reaching the back of the net. Jones holds high hopes to one day run a soccer camp after being inspired by a previous physical education teacher. Photo by Godofredo Vasquez

R

UNNING AT FULL SPEED, the opposing team’s forwards advance toward the goal, flawlessly weaving around defenders. As the final seconds of the game wind down, a forward takes her last shot attempt. In a rush of overwhelming adrenaline, the Gator goalie leaps at precisely the right time to seize the soaring soccer ball, sealing her team’s victory with a heap of satisfaction.

Annicia Jones, kinesiology major and senior goalkeeper for the SF State women’s soccer team, is making it her goal to support other people in the same way her physical education teacher positively influenced her outlook on helping others through sports.

“I had a great experience growing up with my P.E. teacher and that has just carried on to the rest of my life,” she said. “(And now) I kind of want to help others out the way P.E. has helped me out.”

Jones is on her way toward her ultimate ambition: running her own soccer camp. She works as an assistant teacher to the lead physical education teacher at Monroe Elementary School. After graduation, Jones plans to coach soccer while earning her credential to teach physical education.

Thirty-one of 187 student athletes are majoring in kinesiology, the study of human movement, putting it among the most popular majors for SF State’s athletes.

According to Academic Coordinator David Woo, who has been counseling students in the athletic department for eight years, kinesiology has always been one of the more favored majors among the athletes.

“I don’t have the actual breakdowns year by year, but since I’ve been here, kinesiology has probably been the first or second most popular major with student athletes, usually flip-flopping with business administration, which I think is SFSU’s most popular major,” Woo said.

As for the other athletes, 16 are in business-related majors, 14 of them are communications majors while 11 others have declared criminal justice or biology as their main areas of study. The rest are divided among 37 different majors.

Maria Veri, an SF State kinesiology professor who focuses on social and cultural studies of sport and movement, said the large number of student athletes studying the major is not surprising.

SETTING AMBITIOUS GOALS: Senior setter Iris Tolenada leaps to block an incoming ball at the net.

Tolenada is one of the many athletes that hopes to one day help other athletes with their injuries the same way her trainers have aided her during her athletic career. Photo by Andy Sweet

SF State student athletes use their experiences to fuel future careers in kinesiology “I think that’s something that’s common at universities where you have some kind of kinesiology or exercise science department and we also have an athletic department,” she said. “It’s a good match.”

Kinesiology covers a broad range of topics like social science, fitness and physical activity, neuro-muscular science, biomechanics, motor development and motor learning, and youth development, according to Veri. Although the department focuses on more than just sports, she thinks it’s beneficial to have some firsthand experience.

“I think (having a background in sports) broadens their perspective,” she said. “I would argue that it helps them understand their experiences more from a multitude of perspectives.”

Melissa Horton, a 19-year-old sophomore on the volleyball team, said she also wants to become a physical therapist not only because she wants to help other athletes recover, but because of her interests in the physical and emotional recovery process.

“I like being with people and helping people,” she said. “Being a positive impact (and) helping people on a daily basis with improving their well-being is an interest of mine.”

After spending six months recovering from a torn labrum in right shoulder during her sophomore year in high school, Horton said her biggest inspiration during the whole process came from her athletic trainer.

Horton plans to earn her doctorate at graduate school after graduating from SF State. She also looks forward to becoming an assistant in a physical therapy office to get her foot in the door.

According to department chair Mi-Sook Kim, kinesiology is an integrative area of study, combining elements of social science, basic science, applied science and biomechanics to learn about movement. Because of their varied expertise, kinesiology majors aren’t limited to jobs in coaching. Athletic training, physical therapy, exercise leadership, fitness program management and sports media are all available employment options.

“Often athletes are interested in learning themselves how to move better — perfect their technique — and

S T E N D A A R GI PA E G A R E V CO

often they’re interested in helping others,” said Bob Schleihauf, who has been a professor in SF State’s kinesiology department for 17 years.

Senior volleyball player Iris Tolenada is one of those athletes. The 21-year-old said she chose the major because she likes learning about the human body and working with other people.

“I’ve also injured myself so going through (physical therapy) and having my trainer help me through it just inspires me to help other people as well,” she said.

Tolenada said she wants to apply for physical therapy programs after graduating from the University and hopes to volunteer at a hospital or clinic for experience.

While playing sports professionally is considered an option for college athletes, not all are following that path.

Although she’d like to play soccer for the rest of her life, Mari Mendizabal, a junior kinesiology major and defender on the Gator women’s soccer team, said it’s not in her career plans.

“My body can only take so much!” she said. “I could play recreational (soccer), but to make it a career, it’s too competitive and too time-consuming.”

Mendizabal said she plans to become a physical therapist to help athletes recover from injuries and get back on the playing field.

SF State athletics alumna Monica Amburgey understands the importance of keeping options open. A former softball athlete who graduated in December 2010 with a kinesiology degree, Amburgey moved to Monterey, Calif. to gain experience working at a physical therapy clinic while applying for physical therapy school.

“I liked working with post-op patients best because the progression of their recovery was inspiring,” she said. “I saw firsthand how (physical therapy) decreased their pain and increased their range of motion.”

However, she was not accepted into a physical therapy program on her first try. She now works at a restaurant while taking classes to become a certified nurse’s assistant in order to keep her career options open.

Although the passion and ambition is high for these athletes, Amburgey said academics should still be the number one priority over game play.

“Get good grades!” she said. “Especially in your upper division science classes like chem, physics, anatomy and physiology. (Physical therapy) is very competitive, and your extra curricular activities are not important to those reading grad applications.”

The Giants return to San Francisco for the celebration of their World Series title just two years after defeating the Texas Rangers GO TO

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VALUE MENU Parkmerced/ SF State/ Ingleside $ 99 each

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Room 206-207 401 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA, 94102

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