April 18, 2016 by Mustang News

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C’s get degrees, but a C- might not

ANDREW EPPERSON | MUSTANG NE WS PA SS OR FAIL

| The Academic Senate might change the passing grade for credit/no credit classes from a C- to a C based off an executive order passed by the California State University Chancellor Timothy White.

Naba Ahmed @nabaahmed

Credit/no credit classes may be more difficult for students to pass if a resolution from the Academic Senate is approved. The resolution was discussed at the Senate’s April 12 meeting, but was tabled until its next meeting on May 3. If passed, the resolution would raise the passing grade for a credit/no credit course from a C- to a C and would take effect starting Fall 2016. The main reason for this proposed change is an executive order passed by California State Chancellor Timothy White that requres A1, A2, A3 and B1 classes to be passed with a C, not a C-, to get credit. Because the executive committee in the Academic Senate did not want to approve that, the committee is proposing the C rule on all classes instead of only those four categories. One other debate that led to this possible change in the Academic Senate is that technically a student could take 12 units of credit/ no credit courses in one quarter. If that student received a C- in each of those classes, they would get credit for all of them. However, that student would immediately be placed on academic probation because they would have a 1.7 term grade point average. “A lot of professors are saying

that we essentially passed this 13 years ago,” Academic Senate Chair Gary Laver said. “In re-thinking the logic, we should not allow a 1.7 because that is not good enough.” Laver had the first reading of the proposed resolution at the Academic Senate meeting April 12. Due to the time sensitivity of this resolution, Laver entertained moving it to a second reading. In different circumstances, the resolution would be set aside after the first reading and then debated at the next Senate meeting. After a second reading, Laver allowed comments from those in attendance. “In order to meet the registrar’s deadline and get it done before fall, we need this all to happen now,” Laver said before the meeting. However, the resolution was not voted on and was instead tabled for another meeting. Meeting attendees said that because the registrar has to make the final decision, they did not need to vote on it April 12. The next steps on the resolution will be discussed at further Senate meetings. The resolution’s terms A resolution similar to the one discussed April 12 was approved in 2003, according to Laver.

“When the formal document was es CR/NC in accord with the passed in 2003 and sent to the pres- following specifications: CR ident, there was no action,” Laver requires the student earn a C said. “The Academic Senate dis- or higher.” covered for a small period of time “The resolution that the executive in 2003 there was a small subset of committee came up with now will resolutions that never reached the fix the disparity between the curfinal stage of the process.” rent Cal Poly policy and the execTherefore, it was never imple- utive order that made the change,” mented by the registrar, who didn’t Laver said. “While it casts a broadwant to take any action er net than necessary by without going covering all classes through all the that a student formal steps could take in the C/NC, we process, will fix Laver the GE “I think it is kind of unfair for stusaid. probdents because a lot of people do have It has l e m have classes they are planning on been and the taking credit/no credit, so this could brought mininhibit their academic success in up again imum some ways.” 13 years grade you later beneed to JANA COLOMBINI cause of the get credit.” executive order Cal Poly’s curfrom the Chancellor’s rent rule on credit/no Office. credit is that a student must get a The registrar suggested a resolu- C- or better in order to receive four tion to cover those four GE areas; units of credit and the completion however, the executive committee of the GE section. However, if the in the Academic Senate did not registrar implements the executive want to approve that. Instead, the order, a student would only receive committee came up with a new four units of credit toward graduresolution that incorporated por- ation but not GE credit for classes tions of the 2003 resolution. Spe- taken credit/no credit in GE areas cifically, the “resolved” portion A1, A2, A3 and B1 with a C-. If that includes: “That undergrad- the executive committee approves uate students be permitted to its resolution, students would take up to 12 units of cours- need to earn a C or better to get

GE credit. “If you were to take an A1 class credit/no credit and get a C- next fall or forward, you would not get the GE box checked,” Laver said. “You would have to take the class again to get A1 credit with a C or better.” According to the Registrar’s Office, only 13 students have received a C- in a credit/no credit class since 2011. Student opposition Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Board of Directors Vice Chair and agricultural sciences junior Jana Colombini is opposed to the resolution. “I think it is kind of unfair for students because a lot of people do have classes they are planning on taking credit/no credit, so this could inhibit their academic success in some ways,” Colombini said. “It’s a matter that by having the credit/no credit option, it allows them to take classes outside of their required courses in order to expand their education.” In an emailed statement to Mustang News, Justin Rajah — ASI Board of Directors representative and business administration junior — also disagrees with the resolution. “If Academic Senate passes the resolution on credit/no credit grading I think it will negatively

affect students by dissuading us from taking extra courses just for the sake of learning,” Rajah said in the email. “Rather than thinking that students take courses credit/no credit as a mean to slack off, on the contrary, they allow us to broaden our knowledge. Isn’t that what college is all about?” What’s next While there is a large debate on the difference between a C and C-, this is an issue that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible, Laver said. “While the philosophy between a C and a C- is a perfectly legitimate pedagogical conversation, it is not what prompted the debate,” Laver said. “It can be saved for future discussion because the resolution now has a huge practical component to it and is very focused on what to do with this executive order.” If the resolution passes, Laver wants to ensure that students are well-informed of the policy change. “We need to make sure that the instructors teaching the affected courses let students know well beforehand,” Laver said. “Students can only get four units of credit and GE credit in a credit/ no credit credit with a C or higher, so that kind of communication is critical.”

Pitching powers softball in sweep of Long Beach State Music department blows the roof off Open House Concert

Eric Stubben @ericstubben

CHRISTA LAM | MUSTANG NE WS MELODIES | Cal Poly’s Symphony, Jazz Band I and Wind Ensemble gave the audience a taste of three distinct sounds.

Brendan Abrams @brenabrams

Open House weekend is a great opportunity for potential students and their parents to get a full sampling of all Cal Poly has to offer. As with any first impression, it’s important to trot out the best the campus can manage. That’s why, on Friday night, the keys to the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center (PAC) were handed over to the Music Department to showcase Cal

Poly’s Symphony and Wind Ensemble, as well as the University Jazz Band I. Essentially, this amounts to approximately 100 of “the best we’ve got” when it comes to musicians. The campus may have been bustling with visitors during daylight hours, but once the sun dipped below the horizon, and the curtain rose to reveal the Jazz Band, the place felt like a subway station late at night — no matter how talented the musicians were, nary a soul stuck around to watch. That is, of

course, a bit of an exaggeration, but I have to give a disappointed shake of my head to Mustangs and potential future Mustangs. Where’s the support for this immensely talented group? At the very least, the Open House Concert was a chance to treat one’s ears to some exquisite melodies before they (the ears) get butchered by howls of demonic machines the next day at the tractor pull. Continued on page 5

Strong pitching powered the Cal Poly softball team past Long Beach State this weekend. Sophomore pitchers Lindsey Chalmers and Stephanie Heyward did not allow a single earned run during the three-game sweep of the 49ers, helping the Mustangs snap an 11-game losing streak. Going into the weekend, Cal Poly, ranked last in the Big West Conference, was a heavy underdog against the second-place 49ers. That prospect didn’t stop the Mustangs. Cal Poly snuck out a 1-0 victory over Long Beach State in Friday’s series opener when junior second baseman Ashley Torino drew a basesloaded walk. After only two hits Friday, the Mustangs’ offense opened up with seven hits

News... 1-3 | Arts... 4-5 | Opinion... 6 | Classifieds... 7 | Sports... 8

in their 4-1 victory. Long Beach State managed only four hits and scored only one unearned run after a throwing error by Cal Poly catcher Makenna Young. Saturday’s game was much like the other games in the series with another low-scoring affair. Neither team scored in the first five innings, but Cal Poly managed to break through in the sixth inning. Young cracked an RBI single that scored junior left fielder Courtney Tyler. Chalmers completed the weekend with 14 innings pitched (two complete games) while allowing only nine hits and no earned runs. Heyward, who pitched Saturday’s game, pitched the full seven innings and allowed four hits and no earned runs. The Mustangs started the season 16-6 before losing their star starting pitcher, junior Sierra Hyland, to injury. The three wins this weekend snapped their 11-game losing streak and marked the Mustangs’ first three conference wins of the season.

Monday, April 18, 2016

NEWS | 2

CFA continues to fight for higher wages Elena Wasserman @ElenaWasserman

Though the strike was postponed due to a tentative agreement reached by the California Faculty Association (CFA) and California State University (CSU) system, CFA is still seeking increased wages. According to Faculty Rights Chair for CFA Jere Ramsey, administrators received raises, while faculty wages have remained stagnant. “I think CSU administrators, like so many executives across our country, deep down believe that most of the money should go to administrators and to workers,” Ramsey said. “(Cal Poly) President Armstrong added an-

other $6.7 million per year to the administrative budget in terms of administrative salaries alone.” Alongside Ramsey, CFA San Luis Obispo Chapter President Graham Archer said the tentative agreement is a compromise. According to Archer, there is enough in the agreement to make the faculty happy, but there’s also enough for the faculty to be upset. “If the tentative agreement is not successful, when the faculty vote for or against it at the end of this month, if it goes down we are absolutely ready to strike in the fall,” Archer said. According to former CFA San Luis Obispo Chapter President Richard Saenz, the reason the Chancellor came to the agree-

VOTE 2016 2017

IN THE

ASI

ment was because of the strike. “If we had not been prepared to strike, then that would not have happened and we wouldn’t have an agreement,” Saenz said. Ramsey said even with the raise, it is unfair that administration gets paid more than faculty. “Between 2010 and 2014, tuition increased by 41 percent at Cal Poly; that’s unconscionable,” Ramsey said. “And we know where that money went; that money didn’t go to faculty, that money went to administrators.” Ramsey and CFA plan on continuing their fight to get the wages they think faculty deserves. “I think they really think that money goes to administrators and promises go to professors,” Ramsey said.

MUSTANG NE WS FILE PHOTO PROGRESS | CFA said the increase in faculty wages is a good start, but it’s nowhere near administration’s.

Greek life wins big at regional awards conference

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS VOTING RUNS 24 HOURS

APRIL 20, 9AM to APRIL 21, 9AM ASI PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES Jana Colombini College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences

Isaias Diaz College of Engineering

ASI BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Joe Burkhart Jenna Rose Lee Hayley Mulchay Matthew Pirtle Roman Waskiewicz

Nicole Cortese Tony Lopes Blake Nielsen Cassidy Shevlin

Matt Durian Madison Meredith Riley Nilsen Haley Warner

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE & ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN Susie Caldwell Jocelyn Lu Gabe Ward

Tyler Lee Eric Martinez

Ryan Llamas Paul Ponciano

JASON HUNG | MUSTANG NE WS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING John D’Ambrosio Danielle Hepperle Nate LeTavec

Kyle Ennis Bradley Hostetler Kevin Scott

John Griffin Josh Ledgerwood

Christian Campbell Michael Dyar Gaby Enos Leah Horner Lauren Molyneaux

Chase Dean Cyrus Ebadat Warren Fox Matt Klepfer Robin Sawka

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS Lexie Bonestroo

Kenneth Day

Jason Marks

ORFALEA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Jun Bang Daniel Humphrey Jesse Morrison Alice Read Tyler Toft

Matthew Dodds Michael Manning Hannah Poplack Connor Rudolph

| IFC and Panhellenic went home with overall excellence awards from Association of Fraternal Leaderhip and Values.

Gina Randazzo @Gina_Randazzo1

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS Jaime Bowker Ryan Durante Rita Elfarissi Julianna Gordon Colton “Colt” Marino Zac Sutcliffe

EXCELLENT

Sam Godfrey Mason McCloskey Justin Rajah Jonah Saraceno

The filing period for ASI Elections has officially closed. If you are interested in being a write-in candidate and participating in campaign activities, visit asi.calpoly.edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ASI ELECTIONS VISIT

ASI.CALPOLY.EDU

ASI will be every student’s connection to the ultimate college experience.

Cal Poly’s Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council and greek leaders won several awards at the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) West conference March 31 to April 3. This was the first year that IFC applied for awards. The council won awards for its efforts in council management, public relations and selfgovernance and judicial affairs. IFC also walked away with the Overall Excellence award. More than 500 award applications are submitted for review each year. The awards came from the work of 2014-15 and 2015-16 councils.

IFC President and mechanical engineering senior Alex Campbell said that winning the Overall Excellence award was a goal of his when he took the position of president last year. “I’m proud of the work that we’ve done this year,” Campbell said. “It’s been a privilege working with the men on this council; their hard work deserves every bit of praise.” Panhellenic Council received awards for council management, membership recruitment, philanthropy and community service, public relations, risk reduction and management and self-governance and judicial affairs. Panhellenic was also awarded the Overall Excellence award. Last year’s Panhellenic pres-

ident, business administration senior Kristen Henry, won the Marilyn Fordham Fraternal Values Award. The award is given to one undergraduate student in the AFLV West region who exemplifies the association’s values. Henry was nominated for her leadership efforts and development of the STATUS plan. “I was definitely surprised and very excited to win the award,” Henry said. “I think everyone really exemplified those values which made my job a lot simpler. It’s a really proud moment to get back to Cal Poly and show our community all of the things we’ve accomplished.” Greek life staff was also recognized at the AFLV awards. Fraternity and sorority life

coordinator Kathryn O’Hagan won the Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Advisor Award. O’Hagan was nominated by representatives from IFC, Panhellenic and United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC). “Working here has just been wonderful,” O’Hagan said. “I love my students so much and it’s so nice to hear that they’ve found my efforts beneficial.” Campbell said these awards raised the bar for what Cal Poly greek life is able to accomplish. “I think this sets a new precedent for Cal Poly greek life and reminds everyone, especially ourselves, what we’re capable of,” Campbell said. “I hope that carries on into next year and the years to follow.”

Monday, April 18, 2016

NEWS | 3

ASI presidential candidates face off in debate

ANDREW EPPERSON | MUSTANG NE WS CONNECT

| Both ASI presidential candidates Jana Colombini and Isaias Diaz said they want to connect with the student body more. Diaz proposed tailgates and Colombini proposed more inclusivity.

Naba Ahmed

The two ASI presidential hopefuls — agricultural sciences junior Jana Colombini and mechanical engineering senior Isaias Diaz — faced off Thursday at a debate in the University Union Plaza (UU). Colombini is the current vice chair of the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Board of Directors, a founding member of Alpha Gamma Delta and is training to become a Week of Welcome (WOW) leader. Her campaign is centered on three words: care, communicate and connect. Diaz has worked closely with the Cal Poly Athletics as a member of the wrestling team, and he is currently working to get Kappa Chi recognized by the university. As ASI president, he said he would improve community relations, inclusivity and the campus social scene. Here’s what the candidates had to say about the issues.

Addressing current issues

@nabaahmed

Diversity and inclusivity

The first question covered the blanket Colombini wants all secretaries on topic of how the candidates would adher potential executive cabinet to be dress current issues facing students. involved with on campus diversity Colombini wants to focus on campus and inclusivity — including having a safety and diversity and have better secretary of diversity and inclusivity. communication between ASI She also stands with SLO Soliand the campus, especialdarity’s movement. ly in terms of financial Diaz said he would distribution. Addistrive to increase tionally, she wants inclusivity on camthe students to be pus. One way he When Mustangs support better representplans to do that Mustangs, the entire ed. “We need to is by getting more take back this people involved in Cal Poly community is university, take Athletics. Not only strengethened. back this commudoes he want to get ISAIAS DIAZ nity,” Colombini said. more people to attend “We have over $2 million tailgates and spirit events, of economic revenue. We but he wants to have a stuneed to be respected for that.” dent-athlete on his executive cabinet Diaz wants to connect all aspects of to serve as the voice for Cal Poly AthCal Poly — greek life, athletics and clubs letics. He even called for some type of in order to create a sense of familiarity spirit week and talent show to make and increase interaction with fellow stustudents on campus feel connected. dents. According to Diaz, there needs Diaz also said he wants to have to be increased diversity on campus, a broad range of voices in his but we have to focus on inclusivity first. potential office. “When Mustangs support Mus“I want my executive cabinet to be tangs, the entire Cal Poly community as diverse as the population on camis strengthened,” Diaz said. pus,” Diaz said.

UU referendum Diaz said that students were not very informed about what was going on with the referendum, especially in the planning stages. The referendum — which did not pass — was voted on by only 4,000 students, or 20 percent of the student body. However, Colombini, one of the student leaders who worked on the referendum, said they reached out to more than 10,000 students.

The Poly ‘P’ One audience member asked a question about the Poly “P,” which had been painted with rainbow colors for Pride Month by an unknown group earlier this week. It was repainted white Wednesday, a couple days before the beginning of Open House. Colombini said that all paintings of the “P” must be done through ASI, and that the rainbow was not — though she said the repainting could have been handled better. Diaz said that Cal Poly has to look presentable, which means being neutral. Having a white “P” was

appropriate for Open House, he said.

Faculty strike Had the faculty strike happened, both candidates said they would have participated in the strike. Colombini would have attended classes, however, while Diaz would have skipped to support the faculty.

Tuition costs Candidates were asked what they would do to ensure tuition costs do not increase. Since Colombini is paying her way through college and Diaz is relying on financial aid, they both said they will fight the California State University (CSU) system to keep costs down.Colombini discussed taking a more active role in the California State Student Association (CSSA) to coordinate with other like-minded CSU students. Voting opens on Wednesday, April 20 at 9 a.m. and closes on Thursday, April 21 at 9 a.m. The winner will be announced at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the UU Plaza.

Monday, April 18, 2016

ARTS | 4

Campbell Brothers preach the gospel of soul Brendan Abrams @brenabrams

The average casual music fan views “soul” or “gospel” as that feel-good music most at home in Baptist churches and onstage at the Oscars when the Academy attempts to show its support for social justice movements. If the Campbell Brothers had anything to say about it Saturday night in the Alex and Faye Spanos Theatre, soul would be a central part of all our lives. But it already is — whether anyone notices or not. Gospel and soul arose along with jazz and blues to become the foundation for the vast majority of American music that followed, introducing

the melodies and rhythms that somehow tap into human biology to cause an intense and passionate longing to move on tempo and holler at the musicians to keep playing. The Campbell Brothers, which started as the house band for a church near Rochester, New York, take cues from the roots of the musical movement they participate in. By adding a pedal steel and a lap steel (two guitar-like instruments on stands), they put their unique signature on arrangements by some of the greats: Miles Davis, Sam Cook and John Coltrane. The pedal steel, played by the eldest brother Chuck, is especially important because it makes up

the bulk of that signature. Chuck do-symphonic, four-moveuses his own tuning standard and ment masterpiece, “A Soul wildly original style to make that Supreme,” and breathe new collection of strings sing like a life into everyone’s dispochurch choir in the most literal sition in the process. They sense. The sound is some heav- succeeded, obviously. enly mixture of a wah-wah guitar How could they not? Between and Aretha Franklin. Seriously, the pan steel, electric guitar and Chuck and his pedal steel ought bass guitar all operated by wizto be more famous. ard-like hands, and the drums Yet fame was the furthest thing played with a jazzy polish that from these brothers’ would even make J.K. minds. They were Simmons’ charhere to do jusacter from tice to Col“Whipt r a n e ’s l a sh” pseublush, I’ve never been to a church t h e

with a gospel band, but I now

know why members of such con-

Campbell Brothers launched the seminal works of their genre far beyond what the original artists could have hoped for. When they got in the groove enough to improvise their solos, everyone knew they would never come out. The only thing missing was an appropriate venue. Clearly, this setlist would be best enjoyed beside a loved one on the patio of a family-owned restaurant on a warm night in June under a full moon. Maybe my preferences are too specific, or I have too many prepositions at my disposal. Either way, it’s an image that would not leave so long as the brothers were stuck in their groove. A funny thing happens when

one listens to soulful blues played at this caliber. The listener is gently removed from the confined auditorium and transported to the wispy outer reaches of the conscience. Darkness begins to lighten, and weight saddled upon the shoulders by the stresses of workaday life is lifted, bit by bit, by every foot tap and hand clap. I’ve never been to a church with a gospel band, but I now know why members of such congregations return every week. The feeling of closing my eyes and being imbued with musical spirituality was both exciting and refreshing; it’s a change in perspective that is not easy to come by.

gregations return every week. BRENDAN ABRAMS

ILIANA ARROYOS| MUSTANG NE WS PREACHING THROUGH SONG | The Campbell Brothers poured their souls into their gospel music.

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS*

WE’RE HIRING. INTERESTED? Please email your resume and portfolio to Jordan Triplett. triplett03@sbcglobal.net *Non-majors welcome to apply!

Monday, April 18, 2016

ARTS | 5

Colleges Against Cancer to host Relay For Life

COURTESY PHOTO | MITCHELL LIWANAG BRINGING THE COMMUNIT Y TOGETHER

Megan Schellong @persimmegan

Colleges Against Cancer will host Relay For Life, an annual fundraiser for cancer research, at the Cal Poly track May 1314. The event will begin at 4 p.m. Friday and end at 10 a.m. Continued from page 1

Luckily, these musicians are more dedicated to their craft than to their peers who failed to show. The Jazz Band struck the first chords with two punchy pieces to set off a saxophone-fueled adrenaline rush, though the arrangements

| A large turnout is expected at Relay For Life, where attendees will have the opportunity to participate in various activities during the two-day event.

Saturday. The two-day commemoration in honor of cancer patients will include a luminaria ceremony, a guest speaker, silent disco and Monster Energy pong. “There’s nothing else like this event that really brings all

of Cal Poly’s campus together,” agricultural communication junior and Vice President for Colleges Against Cancer Mitchell Liwanag said. The event is expected to draw in many participants and many of the Cal Poly clubs. “It’s the only event where all

the clubs participate together,” Liwanag said. According to Liwanag, this event is impactful because cancer affects many people, no matter which college you’re in. Liwanag is participating because his mother is a two-time

cancer survivor. “It’s a way for me to give back and support her,” Liwanag said. “A lot of the programs helped her mentally and physically to recover and I want to make sure these programs continue for those in the future.” Programs funded by Relay For

Life’s donations include Locks of Love and a 24-hour hotline that offers counseling to cancer patients who don’t have access to doctors. If you are interested in participating in the event, visit main.ascevent.org for more information.

were about as democratic as they could be. Jazz Band director Paul Rinzler took on a role like that of Oprah by giving at least six band members the opportunity to solo. “You get a solo! You get a solo!” he seemed to indicate with his silent gestures. It’s a fortunate thing too, because each solo, whether on

sax, drums, piano or trombone, was beyond worthy of that great gift of existence. The big band jazz experience was short lived, but up next was the Cal Poly Symphony, an equally euphonious group despite its natural confinement to more classical pieces. The pit orches-

tra floor ascended to stage-level with the help of invisible motors for the occasion, a fitting pedestal for this well-dressed collection of volunteering professionals. The Symphony’s rendition of two movements from Jean Sibelius’ “Symphony No. 2 in D Major” spanned the emotional spectrum with a dreamy and ethereal refrain punctuated by nearly-frightening

bursts of color and energy, not to mention impressively long spans of continuous drumroll. The Symphony’s exciting sound gave way to the spirited musings of the Wind Ensemble and guest bass trombone soloist and music senior Rose Doylemason. Her style proved impressively smooth and polished — qualities reflective of the entire Ensemble — when it

dove wholeheartedly into “Aerospace,” a modern, celestial piece reminiscent of basically every sci-fi soundtrack and featuring a recording of Neil Armstrong’s famous line. It then finished off the fast-paced concert with “Oh, Henry!” a march with all the subtlety of big tractors pulling a big hunk of metal but the finesse of, well, an orchestra.

Monday, April 18, 2016

OPINION | 6

Why I can’t stomach Cal Poly Campus Dining Daniel Park @CPMustangnews

Daniel Park is a journalism senior and Mustang News humor columnist. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or editorial coverage of Mustang News. Few words are more feared than, “I can’t find my penis.” However, there certainly are words which instill the deepest sense of terror in all of us. At Cal Poly, two words, when combined, usher in a sense of fear — campus food. Interestingly these two words, when separate, are wonderful. After all, I’ve been told that the Cal Poly campus is beautiful by people who actually take the time to enjoy it. In fact, one of my friends actually teared up as he told me, in unsettling detail, about how close he felt with nature and how he wanted to be “one with the earth.” Hearing his moving speech made me tear up too, but only because he was driving and I couldn’t get out. To this day, you can still see the scratch marks of my fingernails on the inside of his passenger-side door. It’s safe to say he is no longer my friend. Last I heard of him, he tragically died of starvation when he buried his feet in fertile soil and told people, “I’M A FRIGGIN’ TREE!” And food is generally wonderful, some might say necessary for our survival. However, when put together, campus food at Cal

Poly instills more fear than an 8 a.m. physics class. It’s sad to say, but Cal Poly, though full of many things — including an uncomfortable number of computer science majors whose main goal in life is to avoid contact with women — must also take responsibility for the aspects of student life in which they fail miserably.

Campus food at Cal Poly instills more fear than an 8 a.m. physics class. Humor Columnist DANIEL PARK

That isn’t to say Campus Dining hasn’t done anything worthwhile. They’ve been very busy ignoring all of the complaints they probably get on a daily basis. There are times when I want good food, and the only option somewhat close to what I want is Subway. I mean, I love occasionally enjoying a footlong — and then I go to Subway. But the idea that the best Campus Dining option is a company whose main spokesman for many years was a man who was recently found to have inappropriate pictures of children on his computer is not my idea of great dining options.

Not only that, but what can possibly justify the outrageous price inflations of food items on campus? The price of an Odwalla on campus is many times the price it commands nearby at Ralphs. You see, Ralphs has this thing called competition, which means that it must fight for profit with other companies in the area. If the prices of food in a grocery store are too high, the consumers have the luxury of doing business with other competitors. Therefore, every grocery store in the area has a lucrative reason to keep their prices as low, if not lower, than their competitors. However, Campus Dining has none of the above. It doesn’t have competition at Cal Poly. It doesn’t have an incentive to keep its prices low for students. It doesn’t have an incentive to keep the quality of its food above the “gag reflex” line. It DOES have a new batch of students every year who have virtually no choice but to buy into the program, where they must then use their Plu$ Dollars on food they don’t want at prices they don’t want. Fortunately, I’m pretty optimistic about the future. After all, after many decades of facade and abuse, the Soviet Union eventually crumbled into what it is today. Perhaps that is an unfair comparison. Campus Dining and the Soviet Union are very different, of course. One paralyzes its population through lack of competition and therefore suffered constantly with the crap-

py quality of its products, and the other is the Soviet Union. But the worst thing about Campus Dining is how it tries to describe its employees. On Campus Dining’s website for Sandwich Factory they say, “Our talented sandwich craftsmen focus on building specialty sandwiches on fresh baked bread for customers to conveniently take on the go.” Talented sandwich craftsmen? I have no doubt most of the student employees are quite talented, but to go so far as to label them craftsmen makes me think that they make

vintage furniture in addition to sandwiches. Also, I have nothing against them personally, but could they occasionally crack a smile? Even my professor gives me a smile every other decade, and she knows I spread rumors of how she prostitutes herself at Farmers’ Market with the street name “Dry as the Sahara.” Ultimately, whether Campus Dining improves has absolutely nothing to do with us. After all, how many more times do I have to yell “COOK THE CHICKEN MORE” before Campus Dining gets the message?

Liana Riley is a political science junior and “Pop and Circumstance” columnist. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or editorial coverage of Mustang News. I used to cringe whenever I would receive the email. It was ominous, a sign that despair awaited me, the perils of hell could have been considered a more fitting punishment: It was time to update my PolyPlan. Basically if you are a living, breathing person that goes to Cal Poly, PolyPlanner was the bane of your existence, until a few days ago. Every quarter I would log onto my portal, dreading the torture I was about to face under the wrath of PolyPlanner’s abhorrent graphics and miserable design. I waited as the loading bar promised a 30-second to 2-minute delay. The possibility of last rotation looming in the back of my mind; it was enough to motivate anyone not to stray from the strict deadlines. But of course, there are always the stragglers. Which brings me to the inherent contradiction in PolyPlanner. When a student misses the PolyPlanner update deadline, their assigned rotation slot plummets to the fiery pit of hell known as last rotation, aka being PolyPlanner non-compliant. For a program that boasts increased student success, it

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does so in a rather cruel way. So up until a week ago, not only would you have to log on and use a program which barely functioned, you also stood the potential loss of your entire academic future (at least for one quarter). Now the website is much more tolerable. The update provided us with a comprehensive list of courses, ordered by their GE category, rather than some arbitrary mess that we were forced to make sense of. Before, the website claimed to provide “valuable course demand data to Cal Poly, and departments use the information to determine their future course offerings.” Yet explain to me why you could plan to take a class three quarters ahead, and have it be unavailable come time for registration. This fatal flaw has been fixed with the new feature of actually telling students which classes are offered during each quarter. Even after the update there is still the threatening PolyPlanner non-compliant label, which afflicts a few unfortunate souls every rotation. I suppose it is inevitable that some students will neglect their PolyPlanning duties each quarter, but another update that the administration should consider is reducing the punishment for being non-compliant. The language used when discussing

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An ode to the PolyPlanner update Liana Riley

MUSTANG NEWS

PolyPlanner itself is problematic: non-compliant comes off a little too strong. It could be beneficial to use a kinder choice of words. Perhaps PolyPlanner-confused, or PolyPlanner-forgetful. Something that better captures the condition of the students who miss the deadline. Of course increasing the leniency could have obvious consequences. It might defeat PolyPlanner’s efficacy if the administration becomes lax about its terms of completion. So PolyPlanner would shift from a “required planning tool” to an “optional annoyance.” The vision behind PolyPlanner is an important one. At a school where classes are always impacted, waitlists are inevitable and graduating on time is never guaranteed, PolyPlanner could be a ray of hope, when integrated and designed properly. With the newest updates, the PolyPlanner layout and design actually look promising. With a few more tweaks we could be looking at a program which students actually want to log on to, and there doesn’t have to be a deadline, because everyone knows how helpful PolyPlanner is to them. We should all be thankful that PolyPlanner is becoming a useful resource as opposed to the reason you consider dropping out of Cal Poly each quarter.

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SPORTS | 8

Track and field posts nine top-10s in three events across California COURTESY PHOTO | CAL POLY ATHLETICS TAKING THE LEAD

| The Cal Poly men’s and women’s track and field teams competed in three events across California this weekend and head to Fresno State for the Bulldog Invitational next Saturday.

Eric Stubben @ericstubben

The Cal Poly track and field programs had a busy weekend, competing in three events from Wednesday through Saturday. Senior Devin Bennett started the weekend off strong with a second-place finish in the decathlon at the California Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific. After rising 11 spots on the final day of competition, Bennett’s 7,118 points is the fifth highest score since the program transitioned to Division I in 1985. Junior Ted Scranton also participated in the event for the Mustangs and placed ninth.

Scranton had four personal records over the course of the 10 events. Other Cal Poly athletes competed at the Mt. SAC Relays at Cerrito College on Friday. Freshmen Peyton Bilo and Katie Izzo finished eighth and ninth in the 1,500-meter race with times of 4:23.30 and 4:23.44, respectively. Two of the Mustangs’ men, sophomore Peter Cotsirilos and junior Alex Heuchert, posted PR’s in their 1,500-meter race while finishing 10th and 13th with times of 3:49.30 and 3:49.34. Junior Swarnjit Boyal moved to eight place in the school record books with a 14:02.40 32nd-place finish in the

By the numbers 9 top 10’s

Nielsen 4 Kendal Triple Jump At Beach Invitational

Devin Barnett Decathlon

At CA Invitational

5,000-meter race. Members from both the men’s and women’s track and field teams completed their weekend at the Beach Invitational, hosted by Long Beach State on Friday and Saturday. The Mustangs posted two top10 performances, one by senior Kendal Nielsen and one by junior Arnie Sambel. Nielsen, the Big West Conference’s triple jump leader, finished fourth in the women’s triple jump with a distance of 40 feet, 2.25 inches. Sambel finished 10th in the men’s shotput with a distance of 54 feet, 10.75 inches. Other notable performances from the Beach Invitational include sophomore Danielle

Taylor’s 15th-place finish in the women’s high jump (5’ 5”), junior Tyler Rohde’s 16th-place finish in the men’s 200 meters (21.83 seconds, career best), junior Ben Hartinger’s 17th-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles (14.72 seconds) and junior Allie Sulaitis’ 25th-place finish out of 129 runners in the women’s 800-meter race (2:10.84, career best). The Mustangs’ also recorded a season best in the 4x100 meter relay with a time of 41.45 seconds, good for a fourthplace finish. Cal Poly returns to action next Saturday, April 23 when it travels to Clovis for Fresno State’s Bulldog Invitational.