2014 march 10

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News Improving graduation rates? S.L.A.M. to host ‘Talk Story’ events in late March cover story

ZOE WINBURN Staff Writer

Becoming a sophomore if you’re a freshman or a senior if you’re a junior may get tougher under a proposal from some UH administrators focusing on student affairs.

Under the new requirements, students would have to take 30 credits per year instead of the current 24 to move up in class standing every year.

If it is approved, students would still be able to register at the minimum fulltime status of 12 credits per semester — they just won’t be able to move to the next standing until they have completed the next 30 credits.

The proposal aims to improve UH’s low 4-year graduation rate, 21.2 percent in 2009 according to the university’s website.

It also aligns with the university’s “15 to Finish” program, which encourages students to take 15 credits per semester in order to graduate in four years.

ʻFAR FROM FINALʼ

Class standing affects the priority a student gets for a number of services, from registering for classes to choices for on-campus housing and parking to federal financial aid.

Jan Javinar, the UH system’s vice president for student affairs, is coconvening the consultation team that will research the potential impact of the proposed class standing credit reforms on students.

He said the proposal is far from final.

“We’re still in that investigatory stage of trying to gather information and see how it would impact (students), because if it’s too negative, we may just pull the proposal back,” he said.

Although the changes would require some students to take larger course loads to achieve the next class standing, he insisted that they would merely be recommendations. “ These are just goals, these are guidelines that would provide yard sticks to measure your progress,” he said. “If the reality is I can only take six credits a semester due to certain

situations, that’s a reality, and I don’t know that we can do anything to force anything like that.”

The team started its investigation two weeks ago and is hoping to be done in another two weeks, he said.

Then, depending on the projected impact on students, they will decide whether to proceed to the next stages with the proposal, he said.

The vice chancellors for academic and student affairs from all 10 UH system campuses met in December to support the proposal, which would take effect throughout the UH system.

Most bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs require at least 60 and 120 credits, respectively, for graduation, so students need to take an average of 15 credits per semester to be able to graduate on time.

Updating the amount of credits needed for class standing would “provide students with a more accurate indicator of the progress they are making toward their degree,” according to the proposal.

A ʻBAROMETERʼ Taking 15 credits per semester isn’t an option for every student.

“I have 12 credits at the moment, but that’s six classes,” said Natasha Ching, a sophomore studying music at Mānoa.

Ching, who is also a mother of four, said entry-level courses in her major are only one credit each.

That makes taking a full 15 credits more difficult, she said.

“I have six classes of homework and studying and all that, and on top of that I have four children,” she said. “I am a single mother, so the work load is already hard as it is.”

Javinar said that if the new requirements were implemented, students would still need to take personal commitments and other activities into account when forming their schedules.

“Certainly students have to assess where they are and what their life situations are and what makes sense for them, but these provide you with barometers with how much progress you’re doing,” he said.

FILE PHOTO

TASHA M ERO Staff Writer The Social Leaders at Mānoa (S.L.A.M.) will hold two free “Talk Story” events to raise awareness of issues on campus.

Representative Colleen Hanabusa and Kamuela Enos will be the guests of honor for the upcoming “Talk Story” series. Hanabusa’s event is set for March 20 at 12 p.m. in the political science department of Saunders Hall.

Enos is scheduled to be on campus on March 27 at 1:30 p.m. in Kuykendall Hall Auditorium 101.

The “Talk Story” series is a sponsored event by the student ambassadors of the College of Social Sciences. According to their Facebook page, their mission is to facilitate the accessibility and awareness of opportunities for students in the College of Social Sciences and to provide them with the tools needed to become more active, empowered members of campus, local and

(The college ambassadors) hope is to use S.L.A.M. as a way of networking and to showcase how different majors can be connected together.

– KAI NOA LILLY

Hanabusa has been a representative for Hawai‘i’s 1st district since 2011. Democrat Hanabusa is also an alum of UH Mānoa and the William S. Richardson School of Law. Enos is currently the director of Social Enterprise at Ma‘o Organic Farms and ser ves on President Obama’s Advisor y Commission on Asian and Pacific Islanders.

Enos is also a UH graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Hawaiian studies and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning.

global communities. Their goal is to bring awareness and promote various programs within the College of Social Sciences.

“The college ambassadors got together and formed S.L.A.M. for any student interested in the College of Social Sciences,” said Kai Noa Lilly, S.L.A.M. advisor and Engaged Student Learning Coordinator.

Their hope is to use S.L.A.M. as a way of networking and to showcase how different majors can be connected together.

“The ‘Talk Stor y’ events are a good way to let students know (of) the issues going on, on campus,” Lilly said.

Since the club is fairly new, student ambassador Rio Kwon said that they depend on word of mouth to bring awareness to their events.

The “Talk Story” events are meant to benefit students with an interactive format. At their last event, Senator Brian Schatz was invited as their guest speaker.

“We let him do a presentation, but for the most part everything is Q & A,” Kwon said.

“There’s a moderator to set up questions for the talk,” Lilly said.

According to Kwon, they choose guest speakers based on what they think students will be interested in the most. With a lot of upcoming sustainability events, they felt that having Enos come to the event was appropriate.

“We chose Enos because a lot of students are interested in sustainability,” Lilly said.

Kwon hopes that these events will inspire students and provide them with real-world experience.

“Getting to listen to professionals relevant to the College of Social Sciences will be a motivation for students to know what’s going on in school and society,” Kwon said.

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Features

The Groove Hawai‘i opens in Kaka‘ako TARYN SHIMIZU Contributing writer

way together through the streets and visit historical landmarks or bars in the area.

Outside, a food truck ser ves inexpensive salads, drinks, chips and hot dogs. Be sure to order The Groove Hawai‘i’s hand-made pizza that is baked in their hand-built brick-oven. The pizza can be made with a variety of toppings that are all organically grown from local vendors. A Luibueno’s food truck is also often parked on-location to offer Mexican seafood. To quench guests’ thirst, Leahi Health has partnered with The Groove to provide nutritious juices.

Even if guests aren’t a fan of thrills, the food is well-worth the visit.

Right now, the venue is pretty empty, lacking many of the amenities that are shown on the website, such as some of the rides for children, Segway tours and a few of the parlor games. Unfortunately, not even the bar and grill section is up and running yet. Hopefully these attractions will arrive as promised.

Until then, it is advised that potential guests call to ensure that The Groove has what the website promotes before making the drive.

Once the promised features arrive, The Groove Hawai‘i should be an up-and-coming source of entertainment in Honolulu.

The Groove Hawai‘i, a mini-amusement park, has recently opened in Kaka‘ako. The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free, but visitors must pay à la carte for the food and activities that they desire. While The Groove shows potential in what it already has to offer, it lacks features promised on the website and is an expensive experience.

The main attraction at The Groove is the go-kart racing. Driving the karts is a thrilling experience and can be compared to the Podium Raceway karts in Kapolei. Each race can hold 10 to 12 racers and costs $29.95, although different package options are available. The one-third mile custom track takes about seven minutes to complete, with karts reaching up to 45 mph.

As fun as they may be, the races might be pricey for a college student’s budget.

Thankfully, The Groove Hawai‘i offers an annual kama‘aina card that comes with a free race at the time of purchase and during a member’s birthday month, discounted attractions and much more for $49.95.

While go-karts are the main attraction, others are available, such as kids’ rides, rock-climbing walls, an arcade and billiards.

The Paradise Petal Party Bike has also partnered with The Groove to use it as a place to disembark from. Gathered on a Party Bike, passengers are able to pedal their

For more information: phone: 808-660-9188 website: groovehawaii.com

ALL PHOTOS BY TARYN SHIMIZU / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I

Luibueno’s food truck

Safety helmets are provided, and drivers must wear closed-toe shoes in order to race.

Page 6 | Ka Leo | Monday, March 10 2014

Twitter @kaleoopinions | opinions@kaleo.org | Doorae Shin Editor| Kristen Bonifacio Associate

Opinions

Busting the myth of

‘reverse racism’

MARSMET472 / FLICKR

CAELAN HUGHES Staff Writer White privilege and the concept of “reverse racism” are two topics that are heavily discussed on the Internet. On forums like Reddit and Tumblr, many white people recall anecdotes of discrimination. Often, they use the term “racism” to describe their experiences, but in actuality, they aren’t truly experiencing racism – they are failing to acknowledge their own white privilege.

In America, we are taught that we “overcame” racism in the 1960s with the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. We hear his iconic “I have a dream” speech, and our teachers wipe the dust off their proverbial hands and move on to the next topic. This inadequate teaching about the history of racism in the United States is a key part of the problem and a downfall for our education.

The youth in many schools are taught history from a white, cisgendered and patriarchal perspective. Too often, we are told that there is no such thing as racism and that we are all equal, and though this is optimistic, it is a false assumption.

WHAT IS RACISM? Terms like “reverse racism” or “racism toward Caucasians,” are expressions repeatedly used by white people to explain the form of discrimination that they experience. They

use these terms because of the lack of discussion and exploration of what racism is.

In many disciplines, racism is viewed as a power structure where the oppressor stifles and suppresses a minority. It is an ideology that breeds hatred against a minority based on skin color and a histor y of negative stereotypes.

make fun of a white person’s name, and they do not face the social and economic disadvantages of being a minority.

Many people argue that “white” is a race, and therefore white people can also be oppressed. They may argue that we are all the same and that all are equally prone to racism constituted from discrimination based on skin

By pretending that racism isn’t present, you are contributing to American ignorance. And by comparing your troubles to those who have felt the real pains of racism, you are devaluing their experiences.

Racism has led to serious counts of violence, and it indicates a lack of opportunity and resources available to an oppressed population. Racism only works when the oppressor does the oppressing, and white people have always been the oppressor.

Veritably, white people have always had many privileges simply because of their skin color. White privilege is the fact that a Caucasian man can walk around a retail store and not have people watch him as he shops.

White privilege is the fact that a white couple can find and purchase a home in any neighborhood they want. White privilege is the fact that people don’t lock their car doors when a white person walks by on the street. It is the fact that people almost never

color. It is also easy to say it was their “white” ancestors who committed heinous crimes as part of the history of colonialism and imperialism, and therefore, they shouldn’t have to suffer for their ancestors’ behavior.

REVERSE RACISM IS WRONG While these arguments sound valid, we must elevate the conversation around this issue. The history of violence and discrimination against white people is nothing compared to the suffering of the people of color in our country. When a white person compares his or her experience with the experience of a person of color, it not only derails the conversation, but it implies that the experiences a white person faces are as serious

as this extensive history of oppression. Even more, it belittles the misery of someone who experiences real racism.

Not getting jobs based on their race and living in an area where “stop and frisk” or “stand your ground” laws are acceptable are part of our reality and are products of the racist world we live in.

As a white person speaking to other white people, I’m not suggesting that we hate ourselves. White guilt is as pointless as claims of “reverse racism.” However, white people must acknowledge the privileges that they have.

Many of their privileges in life are products of the fact that they are white in this world. By pretending that racism isn’t present, you are contributing to American ignorance. And by comparing your troubles to those who have felt the real pains of racism, you are devaluing their experiences.

It’s a shame that we aren’t taught about the deep nature of racism in our countr y in school, but in the world we live in today, knowledge and information are accessible ever ywhere.

As a society, we need to become more educated about the past experiences of the disenfranchised minorities in the United States. We need to realize that racism is still very real and that each one of us has the ability to start and continue the discourse around the awareness of these issues.

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President’s Message Aloha students, With mid-terms coming up for many, the semester is ge ng even busier and stressful with the commitments we take on as students.

However, balancing everything you have by managing your me wisely will help you to succeed and end the semester strong! With so many campus resources available to you, your road to success is a bright one – it is now up to you to finish off strong before the end of the Spring 2014 semester.

We recently made appearances and supported various campus events and happenings in the past several weeks. The Elect Her Workshop was a success with panelists of past ASUH presidents, and other guest speakers including one of our state Senators, Jill Tokuda, sharing their experiences. We also tabled and met prospec ve UHM students at the Mānoa Experience. You also may have caught us tabling and reaching out to our cons tuency in Campus Center. If you see us, don’t be afraid to stop by and say hi!

With about two more months le in the semester, there is s ll so much going on that you can benefit from as students at UHM. On March 14, we have our annual Mardi Gras celebra on from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., where you can get free food and t-shirts (with a validated UH I.D.). We also are currently accep ng applica ons for those interested in running to be a part of the ASUH 102nd Senate! If you want to serve as a voice and a representa ve of your student body, being a part of ASUH may be the perfect fit for you. From open seats ranging from the College of Architecture to the Shidler College of Business to serving as an execu ve officer, there are so many opportuni es where you can make a difference. Applica ons are due Tuesday, March 11 at 4:00 p.m. to the ASUH Office, so act fast and get involved!

Addi onally, with the legisla ve session moving forward, let us know what ma ers to you in your me at our Mānoa campus – our state legislators are here to empower us and help in making a difference, and you can play a role in the future of student life now and into the future. If you are interested in learning more about the legisla ve process, and even playing an ac ve role as a student who wants to advocate for our campus, let us know so we can assist in empowering you to have an impact this year.

As always, let us know how we can be er serve you. Contact us at our office to learn more about our ini a ves and what we’re up to!

Sincerely,

Richard Mizusawa President, ASUH 101st Senate

Page 8 | Ka Leo | Monday, March 10 2014

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Comics

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Twitter @kaleosports | sports@kaleo.org | Joey Ramirez Editor | Hayley Musashi Associate

Sports

Baldwin Catches Fire UH catcher rises from the bench KEN REYES Senior Staff Writer @TheWriterKen Uncertainty loomed over sophomore catcher Alan Baldwin from the moment he started his collegiate baseball career.

In 2012, Baldwin joined the Rainbow Warrior baseball team as a redshirted freshman and did not play that year due to health concerns. He continued to ride the bench for most of last season, though he contributed in 19 games with eight starts.

During that time, junior Trevor Podratz and senior Tyler Young were the team’s primary catchers behind the plate. Because of that, Baldwin was never really given a chance to prove himself as a player.

However, an opportunity to play finally arrived when head coach Mike Trapasso etched his name on the starting lineup against Oregon — right in the middle of the order during the 2014 season opener.

Trapasso kept him there the day after and

in the following series, proving that he was not just testing the waters.

Now, the 6-foot-1 Kailua native, who seized the chance to play his best behind the plate, shares the catcher’s role with Podratz.

SLOW AND STEADY PROGRESS Offensively, Baldwin may not be producing as much as the team’s leading hitters. He is currently batting .138 in eight starts over 10 games played with four hits, including a double and a triple, on his side.

However, the Kailua High alumnus has already recorded 45 putouts and a flawless fielding percentage to back him up defensively.

“The coaching staff has high expectations for all of us pertaining to every aspect of the game,” Baldwin said in an email. “Defense is the catcher’s main responsibility, and I pride myself in playing good defense.”

Besides the physical aspect of the game, Baldwin also strives for mental readiness, especially when he is behind the plate and

ALL PHOTOS BY SHANE GRACE / KA LEO O HAWAI‘I

waiting to react upon each play. He also said that “the pressures don’t really happen in the quick situations.”

“We all have been playing for so long that it’s reactive and instinctive in those situations,” he said. “Being a catcher, plays at home are really exciting because it’s an opportunity to defend what’s yours, which is home plate.”

For Baldwin, playing defense is “a momentum boost when you successfully defend home because it’s almost always a physical play where there is hard physical contact.”

ENDURING THE BENCH Baldwin has endured almost two seasons on the bench. Despite that fact, he continued to display patience while striving to improve his game at bat and behind the plate.

“I do as much as I can to get better by improving my skills and by staying in shape,” Baldwin said. “Good things happen to those who work hard, I’ve always believed that, and I refuse to be out worked.”

And while it was not an easy task for Baldwin to work his way from the bench to earning his spot as one of the primary catchers, he relishes the chance to be able to finally help his team win games as the season progresses.

“This being my first year healthy, the opportunity to play is all I’ve ever wanted, and I was given just that,” he said. “I’m glad I can help contribute to the team on the field. I’m having a great time.”

UPCOMING GAMES Hawai‘i vs. Nevada Friday, 6:35 p.m.

Saturday, 6:35 p.m.

Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

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All Rainbow Warrior home games are played at Les Murakami Stadium. Admission is free for students with valid UH IDs.