Golden Gate Xpress Spring 2012 Issue 12

GOLDEN GATE XPRESS //

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

// 04.18.12

VOLUME LXXXXII ISSUE 12

N O I T A C U D E F O E N I L M O T T O B E H T Page 8

CAMPUS SAFETY

CAMPUS RUMORS IGNITE SAFETY CONCERNS After a flurry of rumors over an incident involving a pellet gun, questions have surfaced regarding the University’s role in emergency situations.

BY KALE WILLIAMS | kale@mail.sfsu.edu

A brief safety scare in the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts department set off a torrent of rumors last Tuesday.

The incident in question, in which a student brought a fake gun to a BECA class as a prop, was resolved after University police determined that the gun wasn’t real and that the student posed no threat, but not before

Grad grants remain on hold

unchecked speculation spread among students and on social media sites.

“We heard that somebody had brought a pellet gun or something,” said BECA major Christina Rosenblatt. “Then some people were saying that some classes were cancelled and we were all wondering why our classes weren’t.”

Paul Sherwin, dean of the College of

Liberal and Creative Arts, says that speculation surrounding the event caught him by surprise.

“It’s hard to know how these rumors get started and go off in all kinds of wild directions,” said Sherwin.

“I thought by the end of the day (Tuesday) that everything was resolved. It was SEE COMMUNICATION ON PAGE 11

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE

Approximately 16,000 California State University graduate students could possibly lose their State University Grant offers this week

BY KELLY GOFF | kgoff@mail.sfsu.edu

With the first year of a two-year master’s degree in counseling almost under her belt, Arielle Smith is looking forward to a career as a college counselor. But since she discovered last week that the crucial grant that she expected to cover her tuition might not be available next year, attaining that goal has been called into question.

Smith, 25, is not alone in worrying about how she will pay for school next year, after the California State University put what, for now, remains a temporary hold on State University Grant offers for graduate students in the system.

“Based on the history of things, it’s almost a guarantee they’re going to raise tuition again… and having no recourse other than going more and more into debt, is not a very good position to be in,” said Smith The SUG awards provide $90 million in aid to about 16,000 California graduate students each year, but with continued budget cuts, the policy regarding the grants is being reviewed by Chancellor Charles B. Reed SEE GRANTS ON PAGE 4

THE RICH: (Left) Kathe Burick, 62, a 33-year City College professor in modern dance and yoga, performs with Nicole Gray, 19, a CCSF tap student, to a modified version of “Puttin’ On The Ritz” entitled “Time to Tax the Rich” in the Cesar Chavez Student Center Monday. Members of the California State Faculty Association began casting votes that day to authorize a potential strike as part of ongoing labor negotiations with the CSU. Photo by Gil Riego Jr.

CFA MEMBERS VOTE ON STRIKE

To follow the complete story, with exclusive interviews and new developments, please visit us at our website: goldengatexpress.org.

04.18.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

2 CAMPUS

SF SPEAKS OUT Do you feel the University has prepared you for an emergency on campus?

“It depends on the emergency. I don’t really know the University’s procedure, but I feel safe myself because I know what to do and I can take care of myself.”

Aron Kingsley, 29 ECONOMICS major

“I don’t think so because I wouldn’t know what to do. My high school had an emergency layout and practice drills, but this is my first year here and I haven’t been taught on what to do here yet.”

Kenny De Nike, 19 UNDECLARED

“Not one on one. I feel myself prepared, but never by the school. The school has contacted me when there was an earthquake somewhere nearby, but other than that, no word from the school on other emergencies.”

Warren Lewis, 20

POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR

New Persian minor connects cultures

BY TAMERRA GRIFFIN | tgriffin@mail.sfsu.edu

O

n the fourth floor of the Humanities Building’s north end, an open door comes into view as soon as students and faculty reach the top of the stairs.

The room, which houses the newly established Persian studies office, is decorated thoughtfully with a plush rug, framed photographs of immaculate temples and informational posters outlining ancient philosophies.

The College of Liberal and Creative Arts will introduce a minor in Persian studies for the upcoming fall semester, making SF State the only school in the California State University system to offer such a discipline. What began as an academic endeavor six years ago is finally being seen to fruition, even in the midst of turbulence caused by a diminishing budget and consolidated colleges.

Persian studies founding director Mirta Ara crafted her proposal to create the program, and the following year she presented it to various CSUs in Northern California. According to Ara, SF State was the only university to show interest in adopting it, which she attributes in part to the support of Paul Sherwin, dean of the College of Liberal and Creative Arts.

“He had a vision of (the) importance of recognizing international studies,” Ara said. “He accepted the proposal, but we had to start small, offering a few courses.”

Such courses include 5-unit classes in Persian UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY: Nursing major and Persian studies minor Erika Alfaro often does homelanguage, surveys on Persian media and literature and work in the Persian studies office, located on the fourth floor of the Humanities building. The program lectures on religious traditions in Iran. is the only of its kind in the CSU system, and will offer classes in Fall 2012. Photo by Sam Battles According to Dean Sherwin, the suggestion of establishing Persian studies at SF State came at a time campus. when the University sought to create a learning environment that Mandana Saeedian, a 30-year-old biochemistry and molecular reflected its diverse campus community. He said that in 2002, he sup- biology double major and Persian language tutor, turned what seemed ported the initiation of a minor in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies. like a confrontation into a learning opportunity.

“There was a campus-wide initiative, an effort to internationalize “A woman came in (to the Persian studies office) angry about the campus,” Sherwin said. “But if you’re going to specialize in the Persian studies, asking why we were teaching courses in it because Middle East, you need to know the language.” Sherwin added that we’re at war with them,” she said. What followed was a discussion while the Middle Eastern Islamic studies program offered instruction on history and politics that lasted as long as 40 minutes, but Saeedin Arabic and Hebrew, there had not been an opportunity for students ian said that by the end, she had been able to alleviate some of the to learn Persian. woman’s concerns.

History graduate student David Eacker, 35, credits his knowledge “At first, she was angry, but then she began to understand,” Saeedof the Persian language, which he gained from having taken four seian said. mesters of it at SF State, with making him stand out when he applied Eacker, who is currently enrolled in a course on religious tradiand was accepted into a doctorate program in Middle Eastern studies tions in Iran, believes that questions like these are encouraged in at Indiana University. class, especially when some students may not have a personal conEacker noted the growing prominence of Middle Eastern and nection to the countries or cultures in focus.

Islamic studies in larger schools.

“There are definitely people (in class) who are non-heritage “A lot of big universities are starting to ramp up Iranian studies, students,” he said. “The questions are really illuminating in the sense specifically. Central Eurasian and Persian studies are becoming a part that you’re learning about this place that’s a blank slate in people’s of that. It would be great if CSUs can follow suit,” he said. knowledge of world history.”

Aside from incorporating into the curriculum a language that, According to Sanam Darougar, a program coordinator for Persian like Cantonese, Turkish and Russian, Sherwin described as “critical studies, the diversity among students in terms of nationality and field to the national security of the United States,” Ara notes the potential of study is invaluable. for Persian cultural classes to challenge negative portrayals of Middle “This is not only a program for Persian students,” Darougar said.

Eastern countries.

“We want to promote internationalism and interculturalism, and have “Especially after the events of September 11, there is an obvious a wide variety of students.” need for the members of our society in the United States to grasp a Erika Alfaro is one such non-heritage student. While the nursing better understanding of the culture of this region, ideologies of the major has taken multiple Persian language classes, she admits that her people,” she said. “The urgency of it has been there for so long, but initial introduction to the program was not planned. unfortunately, it hasn’t received the attention it needed. We haven’t “I’ve always wanted to learn another language; it was kind of trained our students.” spontaneous,” said Alfaro, 25.

Ara emphasized the importance of learning subjects like philosoShe added that she has recently encountered many students from phy, international relations and history in an academic setting, rather Iran which, combined with her aspiration to practice medicine in than through popular media. the Bay Area, solidified her decision to pursue Persian studies at the “If we don’t address it at the university, we leave that education in University. the hands of Hollywood and news anchor individuals, and then we sit “I wanted to broaden my perspective on the cultural aspects in around and hope for peace,” she said.

Persia,” she said. “There’s a pretty big population in the Bay Area, Some students involved with the program have already dealt with populations I can potentially be taking care of as a nurse.” others who question the presence of a Persian studies program on

04.08 through 04.17

CRIME BLOTTER Compiled by Tamerra Griffin

“I just don’t feel the administration talked enough on it. I have never heard anyone talk about it at our orientation or classes.”

Joharh Mused, 19

criminal justice MAJOR REPORTING BY JUAN DE ANDA PHOTOS BY MIKE CHENG

‘Missing’ student found

unidentified FIRECRACKERS detected near residence halls

deAD animal DISCOVERED IN QUAD WITH NOTE ATTACHED

A concerned mother called UPD April 8 to report her daughter missing from her residence at The Village at Centennial Square. Officers then conducted a search of the campus, and eventually found the missing student sitting in her scheduled class.

No additional assistance was needed.

University police responded to a call at approximately 12:30 a.m. April 14 that unidentified subjects were setting off firecrackers near the Mary Ward Hall designated smoking area. Officers searched the area for the perpetrators, but to no avail. They did, however, find the abandoned firecrackers, which they confiscated and noted that they needed to be destroyed.

UPD came across an animal carcass with a note attached to it around 8:30 a.m. April 10 in the quad. The officer reported the incident, and members of Environmental Health and Occupational Safety disposed of the carcass. UPD has not responded to further inquiries about the nature of this incident.

CAMPUS 3

| 04.18.12

GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

MR. FIX IT WILL INVESTIGATE

KEEPING TRACK OF TIME AND BROKEN CLOCKS

T

HE DAY STARTED OFF LIKE any other day. I arrived 10 minutes early for my 8 a.m. class after having studied deep into the night. I decided to put my head down in hopes of catching a few Zs before the professor started lecturing.

I awoke in a panic, according to the clock I’d been sitting there for six hours. Alarmed, I checked the time on my satellite wristwatch and saw that I’d only been there for five minutes. In a rage, I plunged into solving the problem.

Charles Meyer, the interim senior director of Facilities and Service Enterprises at SF State, said if there are clocks that need to be fixed, he wants to know about them.

“Everything from the restrooms to the clocks are monitored by thousands of people every day,” Meyer said. “We have a list full of almost a thousand things to be taken care of and we don’t mind adding to the A WEEKLY COLUMN BY STAFF WRITER BRIAN BALISI ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AROUND THE SF STATE CAMPUS AND HOW TO GET IT DONE.

FIXED: Maintenance worker Manny DeGuzman installing a new clock in Humanities 308. Photo by Jeff Sandstoe /Special to Xpress

list, but it’s just a matter of bringing it to our attention.”

Meyer said once he gets a call to fix a clock, he submits a work order to the maintenance department where they log it in on a long list of things to do.

“We will get to everything that needs fixing, it’s just a matter of taking care of everything in order of importance,” Meyer said. “Clocks are important, but our first concern is making sure the campus is safe, then keeping it clean, keeping it well-lit and making sure the heat and ventilation are running OK.” Raymond Castillo, the electric shop supervisor of the facilities department, said he gets about 11 phone calls each month to change a clock showing the incorrect time.

Castillo said most clocks need to be replaced with a brand new one because they can no longer operate. New clocks can cost about $100.

There are also clocks on campus that are controlled by satellite and they simply have to relay a signal back to clock.

SUBMIT PROBLEM AREAS ON CAMPUS TO the “We get the most phone BBALISI@MAIL.SFSU.EDU calls to fix the clocks when-

MR.

IF X IT

ever there is a time change or a power outage,” Castillo said. “The power outages are a really big pain for us because there are so many clocks in one area that need attention and we are sorely understaffed.”

Now armed with the proper knowledge of how our clocks work and how they get attended to, I asked Castillo if he could replace a clock that refused to go past 11:25 in one of my classrooms. Within five minutes he was able to set me up with electric shop worker Manny DeGuzman to go about fixing my problem.

Armed with only a ladder, a new clock and almost 20 years of experience, DeGuzman was able to replace the troublesome clock in under 10 minutes.

“See, it’s easy,” DeGuzman said. “All you have to do is let me know what needs to be fixed and I’ll take care of it.”

As you enter yet another restroom in need of cleaning, someone’s going to be there to make that miracle happen. As you narrowly avoid a crack that may have broken your ankles on your way to class, someone will be there with a sign that says, “watch your step.”

When people in power say things just can’t be done, someone has finally decided to take it upon himself to address the wrongs of our campus. That someone is Mr. Fix It. Please feel free to drop by the Mr. Fix It headquarters, better known as Humanities Room 310, if you want to drop by and inform me of what needs fixing.

04.18.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

4 CITY

Challenge calls on residents to make every drop count

BY ANA PREZA | acpreza@mail.sfsu.edu

Mayor Ed Lee is urging residents to join a campaign to conserve water in order to form better environmental practices.

WASTE WEARY: Cafe 101 employee and dietetic major Alejandra Razo washes her hands after cleaning coffee containers in the Cesar Chavez Student Center. Mayor Ed Lee is encouraging residents to be consious of water use. Photo by Hang Cheng

C

ONSERVING WATER COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS singing a shorter song in the shower or fixing a leaky faucet, and now there are reasons worth thousands of dollars to do your part.

In anticipation of the Bay Area’s need to have a viable source of water in case of emergency, Mayor Ed Lee has joined a national incentive-based campaign that urges residents across the country to sign a pledge to conserve water with big prizes for the most successful participants.

This would be the first time San Francisco has participated in the friendly competition, dubbed the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. The city that achieves the most pledges will automatically be entered into a drawing to win prizes where the grand prize will be a new Toyota Prius. San Francisco is currently in fourth place, beating major cities such as Seattle, Los Angeles and Denver.

Lee has partnered with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to encourage all residents and businesses to sign an online pledge now through April 30 to use water sparingly in an effort to become more environmentally conscious.

Public Utilities Commission spokeswoman Chandra Johnson said the goal of this challenge is to promote awareness of the ecological dire straits California is facing with continuing climate change and droughts. She emphasized that making a commitment to all forms of conservation, or even just starting the conversation, could make a difference in the fate of the Bay Area’s environmental future.

“For us, it’s more about keeping San Francisco engaged in ongoing efforts to save water,” Johnson said. “We think it’s really a positive way to look at this and get people engaged.”

Johnson estimates that San Francisco residents and businesses use 64 million gallons of water a day. Continued abuse of natural resources could drastically affect the

future of the Bay Area due to ongoing climate change.

“A strong earthquake could cause the already fragile levee system to collapse, resulting in flooding of farmland, saltwater intrusion and thus a severe water shortage to millions of California residents,“ said Dana Wingfield, oceanography lecturer at SF State.

Lily Madjus, communications director for the mayor’s office, said this challenge is part of the annual push to save water. She said that although right now we do have water, we should always be good stewards, especially since we are susceptible to droughts.

“We should be mindful. We shouldn’t use water just to use it,” Madjus said.

The mayor’s office and the SFPUC are using social media like Facebook and Twitter to try to appeal to those who aren’t always conscious of city-wide efforts like the conservation challenge. Yet, many students at SF State were still unaware of the challenge.

Brian Delino, a 23-year-old kinesiology major, said he did not consider himself an environmentalist, but feels he does his part to conserve water.

“I think it’s dumb to not save water,” Delino said. “It’s easy, (but people) just don’t really care about it.”

Johnson encourages all residents to visit the SFPUC website for tips on how to be more conscious of their water use. The site offers multiple solutions and free programs that help businesses and residents assess their water usage, including ways to crack down on leaks and rebates for buying water efficient toilets and washing machines.

“San Franciscans all have a great reputation for being environmentally savvy and environmentally responsible,” Johnson said. “We want them to take pride in that and to let the rest of the country and state know about what we are doing to save water in San Francisco.”

Pledge to save water and register to win prizes here: mywaterpledge.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Students wait to find out fate of grants

and the campus presidents at their monthly meeting this week.

“Unlike undergrads, we’re not eligible for Cal Grants, Pell Grants, our only form of financial aid is the SUGs and looking for our own scholarships and now since we’re not eligible for subsidized loans anymore, we can only rely on unsubsidized and private loans,” said Hayley Leventhal, 25, who is, like Smith, a graduate student in the counseling department at SF State.

Last year, graduate students became ineligible for subsidized loans.

In the 2011-12 academic year, 1,375 of the 4,057 graduate students at SF State were awarded a SUG as part of their financial aid, according to Jo Volkert, associate vice president of enrollment management.

CSU spokesman Erik Fallis warned against panicking about the hold. “It’s not nearly as black and white or yes or no as I’ve heard it stated,” he said. “It could be really different, or it could be no change at all.”

Still, for students like Smith, who already works in the counseling department office as part of her work study and interns in the athletics department on top of classes, the idea of having to take on additional loans or take on another part time job to help pay for school is daunting.

“This would put me $35,000 in debt for a two-year grad program in a profession with not a very sure career outlook right now, because of the economy,” said Smith.

The confusion and worry surrounding the potential loss of grant funding has been amplified by the small trickle of information surrounding the hold. SF State students were not informed that the grants would not be part of their aid package, but rather discovered it simply by its absence.

“We regret the confusion and anxiety this uncertainty may cause our graduate students, and will send an email to them today to apologize for the confusion,” said Volkert in an email statement Friday.

According to Miles Nevin, executive director of the California State Students Association, very little information about the hold has been released.

“Right now, we have very little information,” said Nevin. “We’re saying, ‘Let’s wait

and see what they do and then take a stand.’”

But Smith and Leventhal, aren’t waiting until a decision has been made to make their opinions heard. Immediately after confirming last week that there was a systemwide hold on SUG awards for graduate students, the pair started an online petition urging the chancellor and presidents to continue funding graduate education through the SUG awards.

In a little less than a week, the petition has gathered more than 2,300 signatures, with comments being forwarded to the chancellors and presidents.

For Leventhal and Smith, the petition is not just about them.

“What we really want to emphasize is that this isn’t just counseling students, this is nursing students, MBA students, students who are going for their teaching credentials, engineering students,” said Leventhal. “These are the students who will be taking the high skilled jobs in California and by getting rid of this very vital student aid, we’ll be attracting not the most talented students, we’ll be attracting the most talented students who can afford to go into these programs.”

They are receiving the support of many faculty members, including English department chair Beverly Voloshin, who forwarded the petition to the department’s majors, minors, faculty and graduate students.

“Many of our graduate students are working part time, many of our graduate students are working as much as full time while they’re in graduate school,” said Voloshin.

“So if their tuition grants are cancelled, some of them will be dropping out. Some of the very good students will be dropping out instead of finishing their degrees. That’s a real waste.”

While no explicit timeline has been set for a decision, Fallis said that students will be made aware as soon as the review has been completed.

“At this point, there is no change to this policy,” he said. “Students will be notified if there is any change.”

The Academic Senate has also unanimously approved a resolution in opposition to any cuts to graduate grants through the SUG program.

CITY 5

| 04.18.12

GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

THE INS & OUTS a weekly sex column by Cassie Becker

Health concerns related to sex abuse cannot be ignored

The reality that sexual abuse can lead to lasting emotional and psychological The problem spreads. The studies, conducted by the University of California, San damage is indisputable. However, the repercussions of sexual abuse are not limited to Francisco and Harvard School of Public Health, said that women who have been sexuinternal injuries; the physical impact can be just as damaging. ally abused were four times more likely than other women to have unprotected sex with According to two March 2012 studies published in the journal of AIDS and Behavsomeone else who wasn’t infected with HIV or whose status was unknown. The first ior, more than 60 percent of HIV-positive women have experienced sexual abuse in symptoms of HIV generally show within six to 12 weeks of infection, according to the their lives and 55 percent of women with HIV have been a victim of domestic violence, San Francisco AIDS Foundation. compared with 12 and 25 percent of women overall, respectively.

We need to remember that a woman with HIV is not the only one These are indisputable facts that go far beyond the ideological difwho’s affected. She can pass it on to any of her sexual partners, and ferences we have with the nature of sexual abuse. It’s about a disease any children she has in the future, perpetuating the disease in innocent Since breaking up with her inner prude, Cassie Becker that needs treatment. babies. has done it all. Her interest One of the biggest problems is figuring out which came first: the But it gets even worse. High levels of stress might make it tougher in sexual exploration has abuse or the disease. for HIV-positive women to fight off the infection. led her to write several Certified domestic violence advocate Jennifer Fletcher, 34, said that The studies also found that women who had suffered recent sexual blogs and break even more beds. She’s extensively it’s possible that women who have suffered sexual abuse contracted abuse trauma were four times more likely to have detectable levels researched and written HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases as a result of the abuse. of HIV in their blood than women who hadn’t suffered recent sexual about it - all with a sexy “I would say that it’s highly likely. It’s not very often that they (the abuse trauma, meaning that the treatment to fight off the infection smile. sexual aggressors) put a condom on,” said Fletcher. wasn’t working. It’s possible the ineffective treatment is directly linked Yet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to the post-traumatic stress disorder and lasting anxiety that women it’s possible that the survivor of sexual abuse was already HIV-positive often experience after sexual abuse, according to Fletcher. at the time of the incident.

It’s horrifying, and it’s unacceptable. We’re destroying people’s “Among sexually active adults, the identification of an STD might represent an lives by ignoring the issue. We need to facilitate discussion so we can put an end to this infection acquired prior to the assault, and therefore might be more important for the debilitating duo. psychological and medical management of the patient than for legal purposes,” accordIf you or someone you know ha suffered sexual abuse, get help. Find a friend to ing to the CDC website. confide in. Attend a support group. Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1 (800) Either way, the abuse brings a whole new level of problems. We can’t just counsel 656-HOPE. You don’t have to go through it alone. And get tested for sexually transmitthe issue away; it takes decades of consistent medical treatment to even stave off HIV ted diseases as soon as possible. You can help break the connection and make a change enough to live a normal life. for the future.

PRESS

YOURSELF

32,000 readers will see your message

Call the advertising ofce

Eva Charles 415.338.3133 echarles@sfsu.edu

04.18.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

6 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MOBILE FOOD Though San Francisco’s food trucks are having an increasingly difficult time nabbing street spots, these street-food vendors are finding innovative ways to reach out to diners. Whether on their own four wheels or occupying a brick and mortar establishment with extra kitchen space, these spots are the best of the many mobile eateries scattered throughout the city.

SWEET TOOTH

THE CRÈME BRÛLÉE CART

HINT: The moment when the torched, caramelized exterior of creme is pierced with a spoon is arguably one of the best sensations when indulging in this French treat. This can’t be more true than with the vanilla crème brûlée with champagne strawberries and pecans, which nicely offsets the sweetness of the creamy custard.

Market and Sutter streets

CHEAP EATS

EL PORTEÑO

HINT: This traditional Argentinian food kiosk serves up savory and sweet empanadas with flavors that burst out of their flaky crusts.

Start with the prosciutto and fontina cheese empanada, dubbed the jamon y queso, and end with Argentine dulce de leche cookies for a meal that’s hard to forget.

Fort Mason Off The Grid

ROMANTIC

SPENCER ON THE GO

HINT: It may be daunting to see escargot puff lollipops and foie gras on a food truck menu, but Laurent Katgely, the chef and owner of Chez Spencer, manages to make high-end French cuisine accessible to the casual diner. The sautéed shrimp vol-au-vent, which is a hollow case of puff pastry stuffed with shrimp, is simply out of this world.

Folsom and 7th streets

WILDCARD

THE GRILLED CHEESE GUY

HINT: He doesn’t have a full-on truck yet, but this vendor can be seen at the occasional farmers’ market or flea market dishing out award-winning sandwiches. Be on the lookout for his occasional popups in the city and get tantalized by the Karma Sutra, which consists of caramelized onions, Gruyère cheese and fresh asiago between an Acme rustic roll.

TURNED UP: Jesse McCaffrey, 35, sifts through the records at Rasputin in downtown San Francisco. “I started off with a few hundred vinyls,” McCaffrey said. “Now I have more than 7,000. I used to drop $300 a month on records.” This retro form of music distribution has regained popularity the last few years. Photo by Gil Riego Jr.

Vinyl fans amplify art form

BY KIRSTIE HARUTA | kharuta@mail.sfsu.edu

With a renewed appreciation for tangible tunes, music fans are For musicians low on funds, cassettes may be the creative way dusting off their old turntables and boomboxes for another spin. to go. While vinyl records are high quality but costly, cassettes are It can be hard to believe that vinyl records and cassette tapes low quality but cheap. If an artist is willing to sacrifice sound qualare surviving in the age of digital music when even CDs have beity, they can record several copies of an album independently and gun to lose their luster. But significant rises in sales and interest in at a low price. these “old” forms of music are disproving the digital dominance of “My prediction is that cassettes will be booming in the next five today’s music industry. years, especially in the indie scene,” said Sesay. “If I “In the past three years, vinyl sales have was going to make an album, that’s how I would do gone up 20 percent each year,” said Tony Green, it.” manager of Amoeba Music on Haight Street.

Cassettes haven’t seen huge sales increases like Green currently has his hands full preparing vinyl records have, but there are a few labels like for Record Store Day April 21, the annual celSanity Muffin and Beach House that are devoted to ebration of record stores worldwide. Stores like releasing music on tapes.

Amoeba and Rasputin Music will feature special “I see now that cassette tapes offer a lot of events and deals on records pressed specifically creativity that vinyl releases offer, for a quarter of for the commemoration’s fifth year. the price,” said Sanders. “Tapes are really great if I can attest to a “I can attest to a visual growth in our vinyl you think about it. People will talk down on tapes visual growth section. A lot of indie bands are pressing more because of their hipness, but what isn’t these days?” in our vinyl vinyl,” said Muzae Sesay, who works at RaspuWhere critics see “hipness,” musicians like selection. A lot of tin Music on Powell Street.

Carlos Salas of the San Francisco punk band Wild indie bands are Vinyl records are pricier, both to press and Moth see a way to regain the creativity lost in the pressing more purchase, but the drag-and-drop of MP3s isn’t rise of downloadable music. Salas believes that vinyl vinyl. cutting it for a lot of music lovers. The physicalrecords and tapes are neither dead nor vintage. ity of a record is very much a part of the musical “With the fall of the music industry, smaller, MUZAE SESAY experience, and people are willing to pay the independent labels have taken control, and most of RASPUTIN MUSIC price. these labels are based off artist integrity, and a vinyl Businesses like Record Pressing, located on record is way more of a piece of art than a CD made Haight Street, offer a variety of visual options out of petroleum,” he said. for musicians looking to press vinyl albums.

With about a dozen San Francisco shops particiColor and picture discs allow bands to get crepating, Record Store Day provides an opportunity ative in ways they couldn’t with CDs or digital for music lovers to celebrate the spirit of vinyl while downloads. also supporting independent record stores. It may be convenient to “Bands that are releasing their music solely on the internet are shop for MP3s online, but many people will never turn entirely to not giving their music the full physical representation that it dethe web for their tunes. serves,” said Scott Sanders, who books local shows through Spirit “There seemed to be a few years where we all thought that Animal Productions. “Bands are working hard to present their music was turning to a solely online, MP3-based medium,” said records in new and creative ways.”

Sanders. “That would have been terrible.”

“

All around San Francisco

AN XPRESS GUIDE TO DINING IN THE CITY. COMPILED BY EAST BAY DWELLER AND VORACIOUS FOODIE MATT MAXION, WHO ENJOYS WRITING ABOUT THE BAY AREA FOOD SCENE. HE IS ALSO THE SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR FOR THE GOLDEN GATE XPRESS.

CHECK OUT GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG FOR MORE Arts & Entertainment

DANNY BROWN FRIDAY, APRIL 20 5 P.M. FREE UC BERKELEY

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL SATURDAY, APRIL 21 10 A.M. CIVIC CENTER PLAZA

ASHER ROTH

CHERRY BLOSSOM PARADE SUNDAY, APRIL 22 1 P.M. CIVIC CENTER TO POLK STREET

8 P.M. FREE WITH RSVP

TUESDAY, APRIL 24

MEZZANINE

04.18.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

8

$200 51 THE MASTER PLAN: PRIVITIZATION?

A potential $200 million trigger cut looming at the end of the year if Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax proposals are not approved by voters,

“The average undergraduate annual tuition for Extended Education was 51 percent higher than the average annual fees for the CSU in 2010,” states a recent report from the CFA.

This one word comes up in every discussion about the future of the California State University system. Faculty and administration differ on moves that one side calls a for-profit model that is taking education away from students, while the other side just calls it good economic sense.

BY JENNIFER TERMAN | jterman@mail.sfsu.edu

A

S CONTRACT NEGOTIAtions between the California Faculty Association and the California State University drag into the 22nd month and teachers have called into question the direction the system is heading, one word continues to strike a chord with students: privatization.

In recent years, as the cost of tuition has increased at an exponential rate, many classes, including all summer school options, have been pushed into the College of Extended Learning, where students pay much more per unit than during a regular fall or summer semester. CFA representatives say this is a result of a distinct shift in the philosophy behind the public education model in the state.

“The idea was that no matter who you are, if you want a shot at a secondary education, you could get it, and that is disappearing. People come in and try to turn it into something based on a profit model,” said Alice Sunshine, communications director for the CFA. “Lots of businesses do good things, but also things that don’t serve everyone. The CSU has a mindset of ‘if you can afford it you can have it. If you can’t, you can’t.’”

According to Sunshine, this mindset of privatization goes against California’s Master Plan for Higher Education and is creating a class division between those who can afford an education and who cannot.

CSU spokesman Erik Fallis, however, said that without moving these optional classes to Extended Learning, the CSU would not be able to offer them at all. “If we did not offer classes through extended education, there’d be a challenge to offer them at all. So if we weren’t able to offer classes through extended education, you’d be talking about not giving students those classes,” Fallis said.

Some faculty members said the administration is using this model as a way to make money against the best interests of students and faculty, and are protesting the moves. “It’s a way to make money in the face of a budget crisis. We don’t want the chancellor to advocate on the backs of students. We have to fight. The Chancellor hasn’t,” said anthropology lecturer Sheila Tully.

Despite the system’s administrators assertions that years of budget crises have left them with few options to continue to offer classes despite hard-

hitting cuts, Sunshine feels that the CSU does have a choice.

“The administration wants to say ‘We have no choice, we just have to do this. But when you have a funding problem, priorities of what to spend money on is even more important. They are choosing to give 10 percent pay raises to executives. They say ‘it’s not that much in the scheme of things,’ but the dollar amount isn’t important, it’s the message,” Sunshine said.

The classes offered through The College of Extended Learning includes academic classes for specialized certificates and Open University, which includes summer school and the ability to take classes during regular session without formal SF State admission. The CEL does not receive state funding the same way regular session does, so the cost is higher.

According Linda Buckley, Interim Director of the College of Extending Learning, all CEL programs financially support themselves. “All of the expenses associated with offering classes in CEL

for summer school classes, and decrease instructor pay for each student under that minimum.

According to Buckley, the faculty pay is reduced if the class is under-enrolled. “The pay scale is based on faculty rank, for example professor, associate professor, etc. Only if the CEL class enrollment is lower than budgeted—that is underenrolled—and the faculty member elects to go forward with offering the class, is the pay reduced.

This decision would be made by the individual faculty member. Again, if enrollment is met, the pay scale is the same,” Buckley said.

This focus on the financial bottom line should not be, in the eyes of some, the bottom line for a public institution.

“What the public institution is doing is looking at what private institutions are charging and making the tuition cost as close to that as possible,” said Daniel Phil Gonzalez, associate professor of Asian American studies.

Fees for CEL classes can range from $230 to more than $600 per unit, depending on the course.

THE WHOLE REASON WE HAVE TO DO SUMMER SCHOOL IN SELF-SUPPORT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE LIMITED STATE DOLLARS. THE OPTIONS ARE TO OFFER CLASSES IN SELF-SUPPORT OR NOT OFFERING THEM AT ALL. ERIK FALLIS, CSU SPOKESMAN must be covered by the fees charged. Expenses for classes offered in regular session are supported by both student fees and general fund support (state funds),” she said.

Buckley also said that money that exceeds the cost of instruction and program support are applied to the university. “Fees paid by CEL students cover all costs of instruction and program support (ex. classrooms, supplies, enrollment management).

CEL does not get general fund support. Should the fee revenue exceed those expenses, the monies are applied to general university expenses,” Buckley said.

The CFA has not found that the university fails to benefit substantially from that spillover money.

“Little of the profits (of College of Extended Learning) have made their way back into the regular university,” said a report by the CFA. Faculty members who teach extended education make a set amount of money regardless of the number of students enrolled. “If you’re teaching extended education, there is some difference than teaching regular session,” Fallis said. The current CSU contract offer would change this structure, increasing the minimum amount of students required

“The average undergraduate annual tuition for Extended Education was 51 percent higher than the average annual fees for the CSU in 2010,” states a recent report from the CFA. Financial aid does not completely cover the cost of extended learning, as loans and federal grants are the only type of financial coverage offered. California Cal Grants and State University Grants are excluded from paying for CEL classes.

Cassandra Florez, a sophomore studying theatre, said she almost took a summer school class, but couldn’t afford the cost. “I get financial aid and I was going to end up paying $298 on my own because financial aid only covers two units. Trying to get the class during the school year was really hard,” she said.

But for now, with a potential $200 million trigger cut looming at the end of the year if Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax proposals are not approved by voters, offering classes in this way may be the only option, according to Fallis.

“The whole reason we have to do summer school in self-support is because we have limited state dollars,” he said. “The options are to offer classes in self-support or not offering them at all.”

7

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Recognizing the necessity of clarity

If you want to find out munity of students who call this campus a second anything about the important home. decisions affecting this instituTransparency in public institutions is vital tion, you must navigate a because it breeds accountability. Transparency bureaucratic system that is not allows students to engage with, question and only unfriendly, but actively challenge administrators to make decisions that hostile to those seeking to hold true to the mission of SF State. Transparency shine some light on how a should be protected by public institutions and not supposedly “public” institudiscarded. tion runs.

In almost every decision that should have From the decision to involved student input, they have been shut out. change the business strucEven higher up decisions, that we as students ture of the Bookstore, to the should be informed about, are typically obscured search for a new president of by unreturned phone calls, websites that are SF State, administrators on seldom updated and administrators that seem to this campus and beyond have be unwilling to give a straight answer. And often, absolutely failed to uphold the as is the case with the recent grant holds, students spirit of public involvement have no chance to be part of the decision making and transparency. process because they don’t even know it’s hapNow, Chancellor Reed has pening. placed a hold on a grant for If SF State and the CSU system as a larger graduate students without any institution wish to dodge accusations that they are prior warning or discussion actively attempting to privatize the college experiwith those whom it affects the ence, they need to radically change the way they most. It is beyond infuriating engage with the students and faculty they govern. that Reed thinks he can get The only thing more problematic than hiding away with this kind of befacts that should be transparent is the process of havior without any blowback making facts deliberately obscured. It is one thing from students and faculty. It is decisions to flat out deny students access to public records and ART BY SARA DONCHEY | sdonchey@mail.sfsu.edu like this that exemplify the complete disshut them out of public involvement. However, it is far regard for transparency that has become more insulting to put in place a system that by design standard operating procedure for the CSU. requires students to jump through hoops to find basic information that In SF State’s mission statement, the final point is that the University affects their scholarly lives. It is nothing more than an insult to our intelwill be committed to “serving the communities with which its students ligence. and faculty are engaged.” Yet, by failing to maintain even basic goodAdministrators, it is time to change your tone. You cannot continue to faith standards of transparency, the University is failing to serve the com- privatize this institution without us having something to say about it.

Learning lessons from tragedy

F

BY BRIAN BALISI | bbalisi@mail.sfsu.edu rights violated. He had a right not to be bothered.

OR THE PAST MONTH We all have that right, but yet when incidents like I have followed all things this still happen people will have to cautiously related to the tragic death of go around in fear of getting stopped, harassed or 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. even gunned down based on the color of their skin. This is not the Wild I’ve watched the people march in anger wondering West; we should not have to settle things with a bullet. We should not why Zimmerman hasn’t been brought to trial, heard be living in a society where we would have to question every person all the songs in tribute to Martin and now seen legal analysts break down the Martin case like a NFL draft of color walking around in a hoodie or see a group of young people of color and assume they’re in a gang, but - sadly - it happens. expert on SportsCenter.

The major determinant to prosecuting Zimmerman for second The lessons we’re learning from this case are going have a lasting degree murder is Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which states that a impact that we can’t ignore. person may use force in self-defense when there is a reasonable belief A teenager was killed for nothing and it took almost a month for of a threat. This law is considered unreasonable by some because this George Zimmerman to finally be arrested and face charges for seconddegree murder, but we should not be satisfied. Although the issue of race hypothetically means that anyone can shoot anyone, claim their life felt threatened and basically walk away without going to trial. has taken center stage following Martin’s death, let’s not forget about Many are relieved over the arrest of Zimmerman, but there is a the troubled justice system that allowed Zimmerman to continue to go chance the case could get thrown out before it goes to trial if his lawyers about his days. Now in custody, he still has a chance to see all charges can prove that Zimmerman acted in self-defense within the territory of dropped because of a vague “stand your ground” self-defense law. the “stand your ground” law. I implore the justice system not to make I can tell my teenage nephews we live in a world that won’t judge this a world where you can take a life and not be held accountable. you by your skin, but incidents like this happen far too frequently.

It’s been said over and over again that we are all Trayvon Martin. Let Other African Americans died at the hands of the police only months that be a reminder that it doesn’t matter who you are. We must finally after Martin’s death. New Orleans native Wendell Allen, 20, was shot wake up from the nightmare of all this violence and hatred. We have to and killed by narcotics officers as they raided his home and 22-year old learn to see each other as human beings before we see each other as a Rekia Boyd of Chicago was shot in the head by an off-duty detective. color.

We have had to come together in protest and tribute far too many times A teenager’s life was taken away way before his time and now we at these acts of violence dealt as a result of institutionalized racism. must step forward and come together in his memory to ensure that no It was reported that Zimmerman “profiled” and “assumed” Martin one will ever have to face the pain of the Martin family again. was a suspicious person doing criminal activity. Martin had his civil

LETTER TO THE EDITOR WRITE US A LETTER The Golden Gate Xpress accepts letters no longer than 200 words.

Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to KC Crowell at: kcrowell@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 Kelly Goff at: kgoff@mail.sfsu.edu

To Whom It may Concern, In response to the article “Highest bid isn’t always best bid,” I want to ask the students of SFSU one question: do they believe the bookstore has done a good job so far? Prices for textbooks are sky high no matter how you cut it, and many people turn to those “corporations” that are online such as Amazon.com because they offer better prices and service.

Instead of simply saying all corporations are bad, why don’t we ask professors at this school why they require textbooks that cost hundreds of dollars? I’m pretty sure calculus hasn’t changed much since Sir Isaac

CORRECTIONS FOR XPRESS PRINT EDITION

Newton discovered it, yet a new edition comes out often enough to pad the pockets of professors and administration personnel who have no interest in education, but only furthering their own economic means through kickbacks from textbook publishers. If the students want lower textbook prices, they should demand that professors require cheaper books for their classes, as many already do, or simply refuse to buy the textbooks at all.

Sincerely, Bryan T. English, Freshman Mechanical Engineering.

The recent merger series contained an error regarding the number of departments within merged colleges. The former College of Creative Arts had six departments and the former College of Humanities had 12 departments, not seven. In addition, there are two programs with tenure line faculty: Museum Studies and Technical and Professional Writing.

We regret our errors.

04.18.12 | GOLDENGATEXPRESS.ORG

10 S P O R T S PLAYER

KAYLIE BELK

WEEK

TRACK AND FIELD

of the

Sophomore middle distance runner Kaylie Belk has been chosen as the Xpress Player of the Week. Belk now ranks fourth in outdoor sports on the all-time performance list for SF State. She ran the 800-meter event in 2 minutes and 13.13 seconds at UCLA’s Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational Saturday, allowing Belk to provisionally qualify for the NCAA Division II Championship in May.

PHOTO BY TYLER DENISTON/SF STATE SPORTS

GATORS’ SPORTS SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 SOFTBALL

SF State vs. Notre Dame de Namur University 1 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SF State vs. Notre Dame de Namur University 3 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 BASEBALL

SF State vs. Cal State Stanislaus 3 p.m.

(Turlock, Calif.)

SOFTBALL

SF State vs. Sonoma State University 1 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SF State vs. Sonoma State University 3 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 BASEBALL

SF State vs. Cal State Stanislaus 11 a.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SF State vs. Cal State Stanislaus 2 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SOFTBALL

SF State vs. Sonoma State University 12 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SF State vs. Sonoma State University 2 p.m.

(San Francisco, Calif.)

SUNDAY, APRIL 22 BASEBALL

SF State vs. Cal State Stanislaus 11 a.m.

(Turlock, Calif.)

TEAM BONDING BUILDS CAMARADERIE Socializing outside of games and practices increases relationships between teammates, leading to greater trust and success in competition.

SCORES FROM THE LAST WEEK OF GATOR SPORTS

BY SEAN DUFFY | scduffy@mail.sfsu.edu

W

man. This exercise allows runners to mentally HEN THE GAME IS ON THE line and the pressure is on from the prepare and relax.

“All the girls get into one room and we turn off opposing team, trusting teammates the lights and then we do this meditation where we could be the difference between a visualize the actual day of the race from the mornwin and a loss. Daily practices can ing start to the very end and what we’ll do throughhelp prepare an athlete for competition, but comout the race and he takes us through this journey,” munication between teammates can enable them to Marchan said. “Once it’s done, we go right to sleep succeed. and you have that process in your head so the next Non-sporting social events can be crucial for morning you’re just kind of prepared for it and you developing team camaraderie and strong relationknow what to do.” ships, which can enable athletes to push each other In order to perform at their best, athletes enjoy and perform at their peak during competition. Good communication is created by spending time together relaxing with each other so that they can have fun with their sport, which requires so much time and outside of competition and can lead to a bonded and work. If they can approach a matchup calmly and successful team on and off the playing field. Some be fully prepared, it increases the likelihood of a of SF State’s collegiate teams have found social victory. gatherings develop “It’s an imcommunication portant thing for skills, generating us to have things greater trust for outside of softball a more cohesive because after team on and off awhile softball or the playing field. sports in general “Once you start can kind of get to get to know anto be like a job. other person, you We have to have understand them those (activities) more and become off balance to set more tolerant and it off so it’s not open” said Cara more of a job, Spence, a junior it’s more fun to and softball player. us,” Spence said.

“We really want to “That’s when we play for each other succeed, when rather than play for it becomes more yourself.” fun rather than a Athletes’ lives job.” are hectic between BONDING: Cross country teammates Brian Trejo, Ryan Woods and Tyler DenisSocial classes, training ton play video games as their dog Atticus watches in the living room of the house involvement is and competithey share together. Photo by Sam Battles stressed by coachtions, which can es and athletes limit their social alike, but younger lives. By spending the majority of their week together, relationships players can sometimes feel disconnected from teammates in the beginning. Even with social outings and between team members extend beyond a typical long hours of practice together, it’s typically up to friendship. new recruits to initiate themselves within the group.

“We’re becoming more focused on our goals, Marchan, a Latino studies major, said the track there’s definitely these constant people around you who have the same ideas and goals,” said Brian Tre- and field team’s age gap hindered her from getting to know her teammates when she first started as a jo, junior cross country runner. “We’re all focused freshman. on what we want, have the same mentality.”

“My freshman year, I was one of the youngest Trejo, who frequently runs eight to 10 miles a day with his teammates, maintains the importance of people, and there were a lot of older people. I felt extensive social interaction for solid team chemistry. kind of separated from that group. Age does make a difference,” Marchan recalled. “I wasn’t sure if “Hanging out, getting to know them and bethey’d want to hang out with a younger person.” coming friends with them definitely adds a whole As new women joined the team, Marchan graduother dimension to just running with robot types of ally got more acclimated and and began to spend people,” Trejo said. “If you can’t trust them outside more time outside of the sport with her teammates. of the sport, you won’t be able to trust them inside This helped her think in a team mentality and motiof the sport.” vate her teammates to succeed.

Trust is particularly important in cross country “Throughout the year I just progressively got because the races are so physically consuming, and better and better, just hanging out doing more stuff, motivation from teammates can be crucial when bonding moments, stuff like that,” Marchan said. they’re tired during a long event.

“That’s the more important part for me, having that “During a race, you need to know what your support as a whole when we get together and comteammates are thinking and how mentally ‘in’ the pete, that’s the best part.” race they are,” Trejo said. “You don’t want to let Athletes rely on each other to be accountable them down and they don’t want to let you down. both in an out of competition. Teammates must Racing for five miles is mentally strenuous and if foster strong connections in order to stay focused on you know for a fact your teammates are giving it winning and maintain relationships. their all, then so will you.”

“We are in a college environment where we’re Senior Karen Marchan, 21, said the women’s not with our family, so this becomes your family,” cross country team does a group exercise before a Marchan said. competition day, led by assistant coach Pete Cush-

BASEBALL

LOSS

LOSS

April 14 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 5-6 April 14 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 1-11

WIN

April 15 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 13-7

LOSS

April 15 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 2-8

LOSS

April 17 vs.

Menlo College 9-10

SOFTBALL

LOSS

April 13 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 3-6

LOSS

April 13 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 5-10

LOSS

April 14 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 2-5

LOSS

April 14 vs. Cal State Monterey Bay 7-15

WIN

April 17 vs. Cal State Stanislaus 4-3

WIN

April 17 vs. Cal State Stanislaus 1-0

| 04.18.12

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CAMPUS INCIDENT SPOTLIGHTS NEED FOR COMMUNICATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

obvious that the student involved didn’t intend to harm anybody, in fact couldn’t have harmed anybody,” Sherwin said.

“But people seem to have overreacted, which is understandable given the climate today and what happened (at Oikos University) in Oakland last week.”

Though thankful the incident was settled with no real safety threat, Sherwin said that, in retrospect, he could have acted faster.

“My associate dean sent out an email to all the chairs in the creative arts saying that the situation was closed, and we thought that would be enough,” he said “What we didn’t know was that not everybody was going to read it and that it didn’t get across to all the students. Rumors had already started to an extent that we didn’t realize.”

In the current world of social media, where rumors can develop and spread in seconds via sites like Twitter and Facebook, it’s important for students to thoroughly vet the information they receive, said SF State spokeswoman Ellen Griffin.

“We are a community of intelligent, highly educated and tech-savvy individuals who know that before believing or acting on any rumor they encounter, in social media or anywhere else, that they should attempt to verify the information at the source,” she said in an email.

Griffin and Sherwin both credited the University Police Department for the rapid response to the situation, and Griffin pointed out that the University has numerous systems in place to deal with potential emergencies.

“Students should trust that the University would use a variety of communications methods to get the word out as soon as possible,” she said. “One of the most important methods the University would use is the voice/text/email emergency notification system.”

University police are responsible for activating the emergency notification system, which has been used this semester to alert students to situations ranging from power outages to flooding.

“The nature of the situation (risk to public safety), duration of the incident, and scale of the incident are some of the criteria assessed for activating the campus wide alert system,” Deputy Chief of University Police Reginald Parsons said in an email.

But given situations like this one, where no campus-wide notifications were sent, Sherwin said it’s imperative for faculty to act quickly.

“This incident has accentuated for me the understanding that I need to do something really rapidly when I sense that there might be a real danger or even just the potential spreading of rumors,” he said.

“In retrospect, I probably should have sent my message earlier.”

Gayle Orr Smith, head of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

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