April 27, 2015

Monday, April 2 7, 20 15

w w w.mus t angne w s .net

E s t abl ished 19 16

In close race, Schwaegerle comes out on top 2015-16 ASI president captures election by 104 votes

JOSEPH PACK | MUSTANG NE WS ANCHORED WITH OWEN

| Agricultural business junior Owen Schwaegerle will serve as Cal Poly’s 2015-16 Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) president. He beat out civil engineering senior Lance Collins.

Jessica Nguyen @jessxnguyen

Owen Schwaegerle hadn’t touched a single cup of coffee until his presidential campaign started. “(On election day) I woke up at 7 a.m. for class and drank the fourth cup of coffee I’ve ever had in my life,” Schwaegerle said. “The night before the election, my campaign team was hard at work gathering last-minute votes at

Vista Grande Cafe. We stayed out until 2 a.m. and talked to over one hundred freshmen.”

Schwaegerle’s dedicated campaign team attempted to reach out to all of Cal Poly’s students until the very end of the campaign period.

Once the end results were announced, Schwaegerle felt overwhelmed with disbelief, yet also relieved.

“I couldn’t believe it and I was shaking in my bones,”

Schwaegerle said.

However, this is not the first time Schwaegerle has won a presidential election — his father Gary Schwaegerle described his son’s first small-scale presidential win in middle school.

“He ran for eighth-grade class president and won,” Gary Schwaegerle said. “He’s his own motivation.”

see OWEN, pg 2.

‘Year-around’ schedule, more on-campus housing large focuses of Cal Poly master plan update

CHRISTA LAM | MUSTANG NE WS NO RELIEF | The Cal Poly baseball team’s bullpen gave up seven runs, including three in the 10th inning.

Baseball drops extra-innings thriller to Dirtbags in series finale Stephan Teodosescu @steodosescu

With the revolving door that is the Sunday starter’s role causing problems again, head coach Larry Lee turned to sophomore right-hander Slater Lee against Long Beach State on Sunday.

Having pitched just 9 2/3 innings entering the game, most of which came out of the bullpen this season, Lee was on his way to giving the Cal Poly baseball team a rare Sunday win and series sweep of the Dirtbags.

Lee went 5 2/3 innings, allowed four earned runs on eight hits and, most importantly, gave the bullpen much needed rest after Saturday’s 12th-inning marathon win. He exited with a 9-5 lead in the fifth.

But the bullpen proved to be Cal Poly’s undoing on Sunday as the Mustangs allowed 18 total hits and

dropped a wild series finale 12-11 in 10 innings at Baggett Stadium.

“As a staff, we easily could have kept them under nine runs for nine innings, but unfortunately it caught up to us,” Slater Lee said.

The Dirtbags scored eight unanswered runs to help snap Cal Poly’s seven-game home win streak. The Mustangs led 9-2 at one point but couldn’t hold on.

Despite the loss, Cal Poly (19-21, 7-5 Big West) won the series over Long Beach State (22-17, 8-7) for the first time since 2010 after senior left fielder Zack Zehner launched a game-winning homer in extras on Saturday night. But a late-innings collapse in the finale negated the good feelings, according to Larry Lee.

see BASEBALL, pg 8.

ANDREW EPPERSON | MUSTANG NE WS MR. PRESIDENT

| Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong sat down with Mustang News on Friday.

Mustang News Staff Report @CPMustangNews

Cal Poly announced the possibility of switching the university to a “year-around” schedule, as well as a number of other details about Cal Poly’s future in a press release Friday.

The announcement came as a part of the ongoing master plan update, which began last fall. The master plan lays out how Cal Poly will use its land in the future, as well as what buildings and facilities it will have. On April 23, the university released parts of its plan in a campuswide email.

The “year-around” schedule was raised as one of two options to respond to the university’s

continued growth.

“The year-around option allows Cal Poly to graduate more students, while minimizing the number of students on campus at any given time.

It is also more efficient, because facilities are being used throughout the year, versus sitting idle or at reduced capacity over the summer,” the press release said.

Cal Poly aims to educate “more diverse students to better reflect California,” but according to the email, the university cannot increase the number of California resident students without more funding from the state.

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

see MASTER PLAN, pg 3.

Monday, April 27, 2015

NEWS | 2 OWEN continued from pg 1.

With a family background of agriculture, cattlemen ranchers and dairy farming, it is no surprise Owen is studying agricultural business at Cal Poly.

“I had two cousins who had come to Cal Poly as agricultural business majors, so I thought I could do the same,” Schwaegerle said. “I always liked the idea of being a farmer and helping feed the world. I thought this was my chance to do just that.”

His father describes the family lineage as a group of honest, determined individuals. Owen’s great-grandfather, a cattle rancher, lost his ranch and land during the Great Depression; however, he eventually regained his possessions in 1927.

“We’re a hard-working bunch of people,” Gary said.

“That’s sort of in the blood of our heritage.”

Owen grew up surrounded by nature. He looks back fondly on the days when he and his father would work out in the garden for hours.

“It taught me the value of handwork and instilled in me a love of the earth,” Schwaegerle said.

When not involved with school or studying, Owen enjoys reading books such as the series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” “Lord of the Rings” and “Chronicles of Narnia.”

Schwaegerle also enjoys venturing outside. He frequently hikes with his girlfriend, communication studies sophomore Camille Lethcoe, at Montana de Oro, Reservoir Canyon and Avila Ridge Trail.

In addition to staying active, Schwaegerle played football for four years during high school.

“I loved the feeling of brotherhood the football team offered,” Schwaegerle said.

Schwaegerle’s appreciation for brotherhood followed him through college and led to

JOSEPH PACK | MUSTANG NE WS BROTHERLY BONDS

| Schwaegerle relied on many members of his fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau, to reach voters throughout the 10-day active campaigning period.

him joining the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity. He thanks one of his best friends, agricultural business junior Devin Lilles, for introducing him to many life-changing moments in college after they met during freshman orientation week.

Lilles saw Schwaegerle’s positive attitude as one of the determining factors in securing his win for ASI presidency.

“His best characteristic is defi-

nitely his optimism,” Lilles said.

“He’ll set a goal and do whatever the hell he can to achieve that goal. I think he’d make a good ASI president because he’s already heavily involved with politics, (and) with this power position, he would be able to do things that could further benefit Cal Poly.”

Last winter, Schwaegerle attended a California Higher Education Student Summit

conference with current ASI President Joi Sullivan and two members from the Board of Directors, political science junior Annalee Akin and communication studies junior Chris Lopez. He participated in lobbying and advocated for more state funding for California State University campuses.

Schwaegerle already has a list of improvements he plans to address next school year.

One is more collaboration with the University Police Department to allow escort vans to take off-campus students home safely.

“I just read a campus alert this weekend about how there was an assault that took place on Grand Avenue and Slack Street, a tragedy that should have been prevented,” Schwaegerle said.

Improving student safety on and off campus is an issue

Schwaegerle hopes to contribute toward next year as ASI president. He welcomes Cal Poly students to reach out and express any of their concerns.

“I love people and I am always free and available to hear your concerns,” Schwaegerle said.

“You can always email me any of your questions. I like to get to know people and I want to know how I can best represent you as your ASI president.”

Monday, April 27, 2015

NEWS | 3

Dear Owen: An open letter from ASI President Joi Sullivan to her successor Joi Sullivan Special to Mustang News

Mr. Schwaegerle, Welcome to the family! I first met you on voting day last year.

You walked from Fremont to VG Cafe while brushing your teeth around 1 a.m., where you ran into me trying to get as many last minute votes as possible. Since then, I have seen that in your heart of hearts you care for others so deeply, and you clearly wish to serve.

The joy for life you possess is contagious. I hope that as you go through this year, you continue to spread that love for life, and I know, without a doubt, that you will be an excellent servant-leader for all Cal Poly students.

As you’ve recently discovered, words fail to describe the elation you feel as a result of your success in the recent election. Similarly, over the course of the next year, you will find that words cannot possibly do justice to describing the immense responsibility of Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) president. In true Cal Poly fashion, you must learn

MASTER PLAN continued from pg 1.

The second option is to maintain the growth the university has had over the past 15 years.

The release also stated that developing more university housing for students is a goal. The university would like to house all freshmen and sophomore students on campus, and 30 percent of juniors and seniors.

to fulfill your role by jumping in with two feet ready to carry your message of finding your anchor, two arms stretched wide ready to embrace the entire campus community, two hands ready to dig in to the hard work that lies ahead, and one mind ready to Learn By Doing in a way unlike any you have experienced before.

Just as all ASI presidents have done in the past, you will do some things well, and you will fail more times than you can count. However, the failures will not define you: Instead, you will be defined by the way that you rise from the failures, because it is from within the failures that learning occurs.

To succeed, you must have an eagerness to learn all that you can — facts, processes, people’s stories, skills and, most importantly, who you are as a professional and leader. It takes a special humility to be open to learning of this kind because you must recognize and admit that you do not know everything; but if you do possess and express this natural humility, it will speak volumes about who you are and that for which you stand. Every day that you walk

into your office, remember that you do not command or control the Cal Poly community, but that you represent and serve 20,000 hard-working and dedicated students — in this recognition lies success.

In about two weeks, you will realize that for the next 12 months there will always be more items on your to-do list than there are hours in the day. Never let yourself get so overwhelmed by the day-today tasks or the never-ending stream of emails that you forget about the people around you or the students you serve. In this role, you can often do more good for Cal Poly students by being out and about with them, pouring into their lives and getting to know them as individuals, than you can by sitting in the never-ending meetings on your calendar.

As ASI president, you will find yourself being exposed to more knowledge than you know what to do with — knowledge about Cal Poly, the role of ASI and the political landscape of the state of California. With all of this information, you will often feel like the most educated person in the room and the one with all

the answers. But remember, no matter much how you know, no matter how much information you have, you must listen before you speak. As a representative, you will need to be conscientious of the people around you and their needs. To do that, you must listen.

Owen, the best part of this job is walking out with relationships you didn’t know you could have. The people you will meet — from students to administration, from my fellow ASI presidents around the CSU system to the staff that make this university run — will define your time in this role. You will gain best friends, mentors and people that you will count on for the rest of your life. At the end of the day, the relationships you build and the love you show to the people you work with is what matters most.

At this time next year, it is not your list of accomplishments that will matter. It is your memories of days past and the way in which you served. Write down your experiences, the people you meet, the places you travel, the speeches you give and the emotions you feel. That way, one day, you will be able to fully

recount your year as ASI president and the amazing memories that you made.

Always remember, you are never defined by what you do this next year or how you suc-

ceed. You are worth much because of who you are. Cal Poly will be better off if you are true to yourself.

Congratulations, Owen. Get ready for one heck of a year!

New housing would increase the percentage of students living in university housing from 38 percent to 65 percent, the release said.

In addition, administrators are considering offering special on-campus housing for groups such as greek life, faculty and staff, graduate students and students with families.

Cal Poly is considering using the north end of campus for most of

the new development, the press release said. This would keep it away from existing city neighborhoods.

“One concept is the creation of a creek-side village near Brizzolara Creek on the north side of campus, which would serve as a hub of student life and campus activity,” the release stated.

The university released a selection of maps with the press release, showing concepts for Cal Poly’s future.

The press release said that the maps and information released are merely conceptual ideas.

“They do not represent specific proposals. The university will continue to engage the community and solicit input regarding the various concepts, including during two public open houses to be held in May,” the press release said.

Other changes will take place in the heart of campus further away from city residents. Over the next 20 years, older academic buildings will be replaced to provide opportunities for classrooms, labs and other learning spaces.

All developments will be made with sustainability in mind — Cal Poly has a “comprehensive droughtplan” and intends to be a

national leader in environmental practices.

The university will be holding two open forums to solicit feedback about the potential plans: May 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Robert E. Kennedy Library atrium, and May 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at the San Luis Obispo City Library (955 Palm St.).

JOI SULLIVAN| COURTESY PHOTO L I S T E N U P | Su l livan re ceive d a simi l ar letter f rom ASI President Jason Colombini when she entered office last year.

Monday, April 27, 2015

ARTS | 4

Kick up your heels: Queer Student Union gives Cal Poly ‘A Family Drag’

GEORGIE DE MATTOS | MUSTANG NE WS FIERCE AND FABULOUS | The Queer Student Union’s first drag show was unique in its style. Unlike most shows of its kind, “A Family Affair” followed a plot-driven format with backstage dialogue between acts.

Will Peischel @CPMustangArts

On Thursday night, Chumash Auditorium was undoubtedly the most colorful corner of Cal Poly’s campus.

Generally speaking, Chumash is not a very passionate place.

The polished wooden floor and rows of black plastic chairs usually snuff out emotion. The space suits educational assemblies and business casual.

However, on this particular night the auditorium hosted “A

Family Drag,” Cal Poly’s first on-campus drag show.

The crowd warmed the stage with enthusiasm in the minutes before curtain call.

Attendees chatted away and tossed donations into the hats of ushers, who bounded up and down the rows. Then the audience went quiet. Ceiling lights turned off. The reaching grow of the green neon exit signs illuminated the edges of the stage.

Four figures, all in black, stepped into formation on

the stage.

At first glance, there appeared to be no drag queens.

“Welcome to Burlesque” began to play, and the four performers whisked across the stage in heels as long as my finger, effortlessly.

Their makeup was impeccable.

Three of the performers were men in drag.

Watch yourselves, ladies.

Generally speaking, drag shows are a succession of individuals who perform their pieces one right after another.

“A Family Drag” featured a plot

line to give the performances a tighter sequence, rather than several disconnected bits. Between performances, the characters had dialogue “backstage.” Mama, the strict, motherly character, drives away flamboyant Regina Flores with critique. Later, we find out Mama’s harsh behavior is connected to her recently discovered carpal tunnel, which may end her career.

The plot line wasn’t quite Casablanca. Then again, it didn’t have to be. Like any drag show, the focus was on the performances.

One theme of the plot merits attention: In a surprisingly somber scene halfway through, the characters discuss their upbringings. None were from places that accepted them for their sexualities. One ran away from home, another was kicked out.

“My parents chose the community over me,” said Mary Lightfoot. After a pause to let it sink in, she shrugs it off.

“But whatever.”

This type of show had the potential not to bring up any real issues, but kudos for doing so.

Clearly, most of the attention went to the dancing, lip-syncing and energy of the show. Under the mellow shine of orange lights, the ladies kept the momentum relentless with jumps, spins and points in heels and tight clothes.

Flores said it best: “You must be on some good shit if you think I didn’t bring that mother fucker down.”

Each set met overwhelming support from the audience. Bi-

ological sciences junior Jason Dierkhising was no exception.

“The glitter, music, Regina was flawless,” he said. “She was fishy; she had her wig. Someone was showing some straps.”

After the show, the second floor

of the Julian A. McPhee University Union was flooded with an energized exiting audience.

Let’s hope Mama doesn’t really get carpal tunnel so Cal Poly students can catch another show in the future.

GEORGIE DE MATTOS | MUSTANG NE WS

GEORGIE DE MATTOS | MUSTANG NE WS

Monday, April 27, 2015

ARTS | 5

Cal Poly’s TESL program: Teaching English, changing lives

DR. JOHN BATTENBURG | COURTESY PHOTO AROUND THE WORLD | John Battenburg, TESL program director, has traveled the world teaching English.

Frances Griffey @CPMustangArts

“Those who can’t do, teach” couldn’t be further from the truth in Cal Poly’s Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) program, where students learn all there is to know about the English language

and how to teach others.

TESL was initiated at Cal Poly by program director and English professor John Battenburg almost 25 years ago in 1991. Battenburg refers to the 30-unit program as the “best secret on campus” because many students outside of the English department don’t know the program

even exists.

Students who complete the program receive a TESL certificate, which gives them an advantage in the job industry because teaching English as a second language has arguably never been more relevant or important than it is today. Job security is a major concern for

many in the College of Liberal Arts, but English as a second language (ESL) teachers are a hot commodity these days and with the TESL certificate, students have plenty of career options.

“The type of student we have when they graduate can do a number of things,” Battenburg said.

“They can go abroad and teach in private ESL programs or public ones, they can join the Peace Corps, they can work in K-12 in California or elsewhere in the U.S. and get a teaching credential.”

English senior Maddy Gorrell is joining the Peace Corps after her completion of the program this June. She will use her certificate to be an English language teacher in a Tanzanian secondary school.

“I’m going to try out this two-year time frame and see if I’m actually really into teaching and if it’s really my focus, and I’ll go from there,” Gorrell said.

Battenburg said the program’s goal is to prepare students for jobs in teaching English by providing a combination of theory and practice. First, they learn about how to teach effectively and then practice in a real classroom to perfect their skills. It’s the epitome of Cal Poly’s Learn By

Doing philosophy.

“With the TESL program you’re able to actually get out into the community,” English senior Ian Fetters said. “You’re able to go and get some experience while you’re earning that certificate. It’s the ability to put that ‘Learn By Doing’ axiom to work.”

Fetters is currently using the skills he’s been learning in the TESL program as an ESL specialist and teacher’s assistant at Cuesta College. He spends his Tuesday and Thursday nights tutoring and helping a classroom full of mostly migrant workers get a better grasp on the English language.

“It’s awesome because it’s being able to apply a lot of the skills that you’re learning in your lectures and in some of the training that you get as a teacher of language and being able to apply that in the real world,” Fetters said.

The most rewarding part: improving lives.

“For a lot of my students particularly, learning English is something that’s going to help them because they’ve migrated here to the United States to find a job, to find a better life,” Fetters said.

Cuesta College ESL instructor Regina Vogue received her TESL cer-

tificate from Cal Poly in 1994 and has been teaching English for more than 14 years. For her, there’s never a dull moment.

“It’s never boring,” she said. “It enriches your life.”

Vogue considers herself privileged to be able to share her expertise in the English language with others. For many immigrants, mastering the English language is a major way to move up the socio-economic ladder, so knowing she’s making a difference in her students’ lives is the best aspect of teaching, she said.

“It’s an honor and pleasure to have a job that helps people improve their quality of life,” Vogue said.

But it’s not just the student who benefits. According to Battenburg, there’s a mutual exchange of knowledge and growth.

“It’s life-changing because you have the ability to change their lives and they have the ability to change your life,” he said.

That power to change lives in ESL all boils down to language.

With a world filled with diverse populations, communication is key.

As Gorrell said, “Language permeates everything.”

Pride Prom to welcome all who love to boogie Madi Salvati @MadiSalvati

Forget everything you’ve ever thought about school dances and proms. Tuck all of those painful memories of standing awkwardly by the punch bowl on the top shelf next to your high school yearbooks.

As April comes to a close, so do the festivities in honor of Pride Month at Cal Poly, with Pride Prom capping the series of events on Saturday, May 2.

Pride Prom is about leaving that awkwardness behind and embracing who you are, Pride Center assistant coordinator Adam

Serafin said.

“Cal Poly Pride Center hosts Pride Month every year, which is a monthlong celebration of LGBTQIA community here at Cal Poly,” Serafin said. “Annually, one of our biggest events is Pride Prom.”

The Pride Prom is put on by the Pride Center with the help of student assistants and event coordinators, Serafin said.

“It’s been very successful in the past with lots of involvement,” Serafin said. “Last year, we had about 150 to 200 people attend the prom.”

Its goal is to create a positive and fun environment.

“Obviously people love to dance,” Serafin said. “But it also makes for a really cool space where people can feel free to be themselves.”

Ultimately, the intention behind Pride Month and Pride Prom is to support all types of Cal Poly students.

“The goal of Pride Month as a whole is to celebrate our queer identities on campus,” Serafin said.

“To validate and affirm our queer students and break down stereotypes surrounding the LGBT community.”

Pride Prom will run from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the Recreation Center’s Multi-Activity Center.

ADAM SERAFIN | COURTESY PHOTO COME ONE, COME ALL | The Cal Poly Pride Center will host its Pride Prom, promoting fun and acceptance.

Monday, April 27, 2015

OPINION | 6 MUSTANG NEWS

Protect and preserve our National Parks

Graphic Arts Building Building 26, Suite 226 California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Garrett Ahern @CPMustangNews

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Garrett Ahern is a biological sciences junior and Mustang News liberal columnist. These views do not necessarily reflect the opinion or editorial coverage of Mustang News.

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Monday, April 27, 2015 Publishing since 1916

“We’ll make it wild.”

Beside groves of ancient trees and banks of roaring rivers lie the final remnants of America’s once endless wilderness.

These lands, undisturbed and unscathed by human development, are home to plants and animals facing the constant threat of extinction. Had it not been for the persistence of people who believed their survival was a matter of necessity, these pristine places would be only something to read about.

Unfortunately, the threats America’s wilderness areas faced in the past persist with even greater force today, and it will be in the hands of our generation to safeguard their protection.

An often forgotten past It was in 1964 that the federal government took measures to ensure the existence of wilderness within the U.S. by passing the Wilderness Act. This landmark piece of legislation set forth a concrete definition for what constitutes wilderness and attempted to protect wild places through the creation of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS).

Despite its name, the NWPS did little to ensure the preservation of wilderness in its early days.

By the 1990s, development within wilderness areas — often in the form of roads — had become quite common. In 2001, former President Bill Clinton’s administration was in the process of leaving office when it realized America’s wilderness areas — once common even 50 years prior — were disappearing faster than ever.

By 1997, America’s wilderness was dwindling at a rate of 3.2 million acres per year.

These dire circumstances called for meaningful action by the federal government.

Appropriately and effectively, the Clinton administration responded with written legislation geared toward preserving and protecting America’s last remaining wilderness areas. This legislation later came to be known as The Roadless Area Conservation Rule, or “Roadless Rule.”

Unfortunately, its original rollout was hastily squashed by former President George

W. Bush’s administration in 2002. On top of removing the protection this rule offered, Bush awarded government subsidies to commercial oil and logging corporations in order for them to capitalize on the abundant resources found in roadless areas.

Fortunately, in 2009, the Supreme Court deemed the repeal of this law unconstitutional, finding it in violation of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. Current legislative threats Since its reinstatement, however, various members of Congress have proposed legislation aimed toward repealing the rule once more.

Years of effort would be for naught if roads and the destruction they caused to wild lands were permitted to be built in current roadless areas. Attempts to repeal the Roadless Rule have been met with fierce opposition, anchored by knowledge of the destruction wilderness roads cause. Efforts mounted in defense of the Roadless Rule have been supported by the general public, ruling that American wilderness must be preserved.

Conservative politicians, with concerns over government size and reach, wish to see the principles of a free market practiced on lands abundant with natural resources.

This translates to desires for awarding large government subsidies with commercial oil and logging corporations as incentives for developing remote wilderness areas for resource capitalization.

Such questionable agendas are being met by concerted efforts among progressive politicians who strive to uphold the Roadless Rule and the protection it provides. With federally managed wilderness comprising only 5 percent of America’s total land area, there’s support for big oil and big logging to focus their efforts elsewhere. If the former’s efforts prevail, the repercussions will be catastrophic.

Environmental impacts of road construction The lasting effects of roads within wilderness areas are complex and numerous, but the immediate damages caused by wilderness roads are dismal enough to provoke discomfort in even the most industrious of hearts.

When a new wilderness road is constructed, those first to arrive are surveyors, whose job is to find the most ide-

The conscience of a progressive al land to be converted into paved road. Following surveyors are fleets of bulldozers aimed at leveling everything in their paths to produce a more “favorable” environment for road construction.

Once the ground is cleared, paving begins. This messy process involves the emission of noxious chemicals that contaminate habitats along the roadside. On top of the poisonous substances released into the surroundings, it creates the ideal environment for invasive species to establish themselves.

Once present, invasive plants and animals detrimentally impact native ecosystems and further continue the destruction.

In addition to the endless biological disturbances created by wilderness roads, there are various geologic and hydrologic ones.

When a road is paved through wilderness, the area’s watershed, or underground network of water flow, is drastically disrupted. Often, the subterranean obstructions caused by a wilderness road, unlike an urban one, have the same effects as a dam on a river. As a result, these roads can cause destructive flooding that poses a risk to both humans and wildlife.

In addition to acting as a barrier to water, roads obstruct plant and animal communities. No different than a fence in the effect it has on wildlife, a road creates a major barrier through which many plants and animals cannot pass. This phenomenon has come to be

known as fragmentation — one of the key factors linked to population decline among endangered species.

Once in use, a road brings about heavy pollution and noise that send wildlife fleeing to more remote areas, thus placing additional pressure on the road’s surrounding ecosystems and resources. The construction of wilderness roads pose significant threats to the lives of humans, but unlike wild plants and animals, it is not our lives at stake.

The hidden price paid Within many national forests, national parks and various other public lands are wilderness areas — places many of us relate to memories of family camping trips and adventurous outdoor expeditions. Such lands represent the irreplaceable tokens of our country’s natural history.

Though roads afford us the luxury of easy access and travel (especially in remote areas), they do so at the expense of the beauty that draws us to nature in the first place.

We cannot allow all the hard work it took to preserve these places to be ceded to the interests of those who share no tie to their protection. Quite often, we are reminded that our patriotism is measured by the sacrifices we make for our country. With that said, nothing is more patriotic than to make a stand in the name of protecting our country’s land and preserving the places that define its character.

The arguments posed for the

construction of roads in wilderness areas are built upon the interests of a select few at the expense of a great many. With only 5 percent of American land devoted to federally managed wilderness, questions arise as to why large corporations are lobbying Congress for access to these remote areas.

With focused thought, their agendas become clear. Building roads in areas abundant with natural resources allow companies access to lands that decrease their expenses and send their profit margins skyrocketing. This translates to deeper pockets for the individuals who lobbied Congress.

It is a gruesome and viscous cycle that leaves large areas of wilderness, and the millions of Americans who enjoy such places, the voiceless victims of defeat.

Our last chance Aimed toward preventing such situations, the Roadless Area Conservation Rule protects the places many Americans love dearly. With active threats against the survival of American wilderness still present, active measures must be taken to protect and preserve them.

The tireless work of past activists and the politicians who supported them produced great pieces of legislation such as the Roadless Rule. All that we must do now is uphold them.

It is imperative that we stand against this encroaching threat on America’s wilderness now so our descendants can enjoy the beauty we once did.

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SPORTS | 8

BASEBALL continued from pg 1.

“We had an opportunity to keep our conference record at four losses and we didn’t,” he said.

“Championship teams are able to take advantage of opportunities presented to them, and they don’t squander a 9-2 lead.”

After beating league-leading UC Irvine earlier Sunday, Cal State Fullerton is tied with the Anteaters with four conference losses. UC Santa Barbara also sits on four losses. The Mustangs are now trailing all three of those teams in the conference standings after their loss.

Long Beach State completed the comeback with freshman left fielder Luke Rasmussen’s threerun home run in the top of the eighth inning off of senior reliever Danny Zandona’s first pitch.

That hit tied the game at nine.

The Dirtbags got three more across in the 10th inning, including the winning run on Alex Bishop’s two-run single up the middle off Zandona.

The Mustangs made things interesting in the bottom half of the frame, as junior right fielder John Schuknecht hit his second solo homer of the game before junior designated hitter Brian Mundell’s

grounder scored junior second baseman Mark Mathias from third. That cut the lead to 12-11, but sophomore catcher Brett Barbier struck out with two men on base to end the game.

“Honestly, I have been struggling a little bit this year, so I’ve just been trying to simplify everything and I just caught two on the barrel,” Schuknecht said of his two home runs.

Slater Lee, who had offseason knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, was seemingly cruising until a sharp comebacker hit him in the leg in the sixth inning. He stayed in the game but gave up a couple of runs that turned the momentum.

“Especially given the conditions, he did well early on to give us a chance to get back in the dugout to score some runs,” Larry Lee said of Slater’s outing. “But we had a big letdown offensively.”

Zandona (1-4) earned the loss for Cal Poly, while junior righthander Logan Lombana won for Long Beach State.

The Mustangs also committed four errors to Long Beach State’s one.

“Our coach always preaches that championships are won on Sundays and we didn’t get it done today,” Schuknecht said.

CHRISTA LAM | MUSTANG NE WS SWING AWAY | After launching a walk-off home run in the 12th inning on Saturday night, senior left fielder Zack Zehner went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in Sunday’s loss to Long Beach State. He’s batting .293 for the season.