April 3, 2017 by Mustang News

Monday, A pr il 3, 2 017

C a l P o l y, S a n L u i s O b i s p o

w w w. m u s t a n g n e w s . n e t

E s t a b l i s h e d 19 16

No Wildflower?

No problem.

R ACE ON

KAORI | COURTE SY PHOTO

| The triathlon team usually travels just north of San Luis Obispo county to Lake San Antonio to compete in the Wildflower Triathlon. Due to its cancellation, the team will now travel to Napa to compete in the HITS race.

Triathlon team heads to Napa Erik Engle @ erik_engle

As the blistering summer sun beat down on what was left of Lake San Antonio and the golden hills surrounding the ever-shrinking body of water, junior software engineer and Cal Poly Triathlon team President Jake Pickett leapt from the cool reservoir and sprinted toward more than 2,000 bicycles. “I’ll be able to finish the race,”

Pickett thought to himself. “I’m not going to drown this time.” Still sopping from his mile-long swim, Pickett quickly hopped on his TT bike, firmly gripped the rubber surrounding the carbon-fiber frame and sped off through the rolling hillside just moments ahead of the pack of thousands of triathletes behind him. Pickett bobbed and weaved through the 25 mile-long trail with confidence. It’s his favorite part of

the race and, for Pickett, much easier than the other two legs of the grueling Wildflower Triathlon. Dry from the sun’s relentless rays, he came to the second and final transition of the race — a six-mile run. Pickett parked his bike and dashed toward the finish line with the thought of crossing it motivating him every step of the way. He was physically exhausted as he came to the most treacherous portion of the run: a one mile up-

hill climb. Just as he wanted to give up, he was showered with cheers from the race’s volunteers, many of whom were current Cal Poly students and alumni. “If you were racing in a Cal Poly kit, it did not matter who you were, the volunteers were going to cheer for you,” Pickett said. “The race itself was so hard and a brutal course, but it made it 10 times better having those volunteers there cheering for you.”

This is Pickett’s favorite memory of the Wildflower Triathlon, one of the largest events of its kind in the world. At its peak in 2007, it attracted more than 7,000 athletes from all corners of the globe. Wildflower is also the apex of the Cal Poly Triathlon Team’s season. But it has been cancelled for 2017. TRI TEAM continued on page 16

A look at mental illness in college Cassandra Garibay @ CPMustangNews

Should I stay or should I go: The move after graduation LAUREN PARRISH | COURTE SY PHOTO

SLO TO SF | Lauren Parrish moved immediately to San Francisco for a job, with only 15 days to find housing, after graduating from Cal Poly in 2015. Katelyn Piziali Special to Mustang News

The choice isn’t always clear for soon-to-be graduates – move back home or start somewhere new? Often, graduates believe becoming successful requires moving away to a new city to begin their post-graduate lives. This idea keeps many from moving back home in fear of being seen as a failure. But for some Cal Poly students, location isn’t the key to success. Finding fulfillment in San Francisco “You have two weeks to move.”

It was Dec. 19, 2016, and Lauren Parrish, who graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in English, just received the news of a lifetime — she got the job. With that elation, however, came a reality check. She had exactly 15 days to move from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco where she would be sitting in the office chair she occupies today. It was an overwhelming task for Parrish, but the small-town girl from Madera, California was determined to live it large in the city. With merely two weeks to find somewhere to live, Parrish and her mom drove up to San Francisco in search of a

quick solution. By a stroke of luck, Parrish was able to view an apartment, get approved and sign a lease all in one day. She moved in on New Year’s Day and began working Jan. 3, 2017. Now that Parrish is two years out of college and living in San Francisco, she sees how the perceived success that comes from working right out of college isn’t necessarily what everyone is achieving, she said. “Once you actually get out of college a little further, you realize that people are still figuring out what they’re doing a year or two later,” Parrish said. “A lot of my

friends have been kind of honest and upfront, like, ‘I don’t really know what I’m doing.’” Even though Parrish didn’t move back home herself, she can see why others choose that route, she said. “A lot of people think it’s a failure, but with perspective now, it’s pretty smart to move home for a while and save money,” Parrish said. “I know even some of my coworkers now live at home because they just happen to be from the [San Francisco] Bay Area, so I think it has its advantages.” POST GRAD continued on page 2

Most freshmen walk into their first quarters with high expectations for their social and academic lives. Kelly Harding, now a business administration senior, was no different. After all, college is supposed to be the best four years of your life. Yet best does not always mean happiest. Harding was diagnosed with depression and anxiety in middle school. Throughout high school, she went to counseling with the support of her parents, but in college she wanted to start anew. “I kind of thought that maybe my depression was just a phase in high school,” Harding said. Unfortunately, mental illnesses do not work that way. Harding did not know

PUPPIES

how to address her depression because she felt an overwhelming pressure to be happy. So instead, she pushed it aside and avoided speaking about it around her friends. In spring of her freshman year, Harding decided to return home to Oregon due to the severity of her depression. “Something my mom told me when I was choosing to leave Cal Poly is, ‘If you were in a car accident and had broken both your legs and your arms, nobody would judge you for leaving school, because you wouldn’t have the ability to do your work,’” Harding said. “And that’s kind of what depression is. It’s debilitating in so many aspects. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.” INSIGHT continued on page 3

ANDREW EPPERSON | MUSTA NG NE W S

| Kennedy Library brings puppies to campus each quarter.

NEWS 2

MUSTANG NEWS

Know your rights: Financial aid Kristine Xu @ kristiners

English senior Lauren Moore wasn’t sure if she would get enough units to keep her financial aid for spring quarter. She currently receives the Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG and the State University Grant. Moore only has upper-level classes left to take in her major, similar to many other seniors. “I wasn’t able to get really any of the classes that I needed this quarter. I got two [classes] and to secure 12 units, the minimum for financial aid, I [had] to pick up a class I didn’t need,” she said. “It’s frustrating that essentially the government is wasting money they give to me because the school doesn’t have enough classes available for students.” In Moore’s case, she’s right. Because she receives grants rather than just loans, she would lose aid if she took fewer units. Currently, most of the money Moore receives helps pay for her tuition and $600 is put toward other expenses. However, she is concerned about registering for classes in the future. “Because of me having to take extra classes and stay an extra year to graduate, I’m afraid that might affect my financial aid status for my fifth year coming up,” Moore said.

The bigger picture Approximately 50 percent of the entire student population on campus receives financial aid in some way to help pay for tuition, fees, school supplies and other living expenses, according to Interim Director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office Gerrie Hatten. Students like Moore are less likely to take a class seriously if they’re only taking it to fill units and other students who actually need the class will not be able to enroll, Moore said. To address this situation, Moore said the university should practice better budgeting in order to help departments open more classes and help students avoid registering for unnecessary ones. End of the line History senior Kaylin Embrey faced a similar situation while registering for classes for Spring 2017. Embrey currently receives two different scholarships, a federal subsidized loan, a federal unsubsidized loan and the parent-plus loan to pay for her tuition and other living expenses. She only needs six units to graduate in Spring, but she registered for an additional six units of classes in order to stay a full-time student and keep her financial aid.

In addition to the remaining six units going toward her degree, Embrey is registered in bowling, first-aid CPR and an online nutrition class — all which take up valuable time. “It’s just kind of inconvenient because I could be working more, or focused more on my senior project and classes that I do need, instead of taking these classes,” Embrey said. “I’m still excited to take bowling and that kind of thing, but it would just be a lot easier if I could only take the classes that I need, so it’s just more of an inconvenience than anything.” Embrey works at one of the advising centers on campus and noticed that many students on campus aren’t clear about the rules and stipulations of financial aid. “A lot of students don’t even know that there is a minimum number of units to be a full-time student, or that their financial aid could be at risk if they’re not taking enough classes,” she said. Embry noted the importance of the university’s role in resolving class registration and financial aid on campus. She suggested solutions such as increasing awareness, providing more resources to help students and holding more sections of classes in order to make registration easier for students.

“When people can’t get enough classes and they have to worry about money as well as not graduating on time, it just adds extra stress,” Embrey said. A pro-rated solution Experts say that students such as Moore and Embrey who struggle to get enough units may not have to go through the hassle of signing up for extra classes. In fact, there is one condition that can help students keep their financial aid even if they can’t register for enough units. Certain kinds of aid do not

require students to be full time. “A student who’s only receiving student loans, as long as they’re in at least six units, they’re going to get that [financial] aid,” Hatten said. “If you have a student who has a Federal Pell Grant or a Cal Grant, for that student being less than full time could drastically impact the amount of funds they receive for that quarter, even if their costs might not be that different.” The Cal Grant and the Federal Pell Grant are pro-rated based on how many units a student

is registered in. If a student is registered in between nine and 11 units, they are eligible for 75 percent of those grants. Hatten recommended that students such as Moore and Embrey first seek financial aid advising before registering for classes, because there are different numbers of units required for different kinds of financial aid awarded to students. CONTINUED ONLINE mustangnews.net

GURPREET BHOOT | MUSTA NG NE W S

Mayor Harmon works to improve ‘town and gown’ relations Austin Linthicum @ austinlinthicum

Three months into her term, San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon works to strengthen the city’s relationship with Cal Poly students. Fighting for students’ best interests on the city council and mending the relationship between school and city is at the top of her priority list. “Cal Poly students are such a huge part of the city and our economy,” Harmon said. “I am really trying to heal the ‘town and gown’ relationship and make it less ‘us vs. them.’” At the end of winter quarter, Harmon spoke to students in professor Steven Stern’s Governmental and Social Influences on Business class (BUS 404). Stern, an adjunct law professor, wanted to give students a chance to ask the mayor questions and humanize local government. “I wanted to put a face behind politics and show them that there is an actual person who is dealing with the issues,” Stern said. “I think it is important to know the people, besides the things they see on CNN.” Harmon took questions on policies ranging from legalized marijuana in the city, student housing, the recently repealed rental hous-

THE MOVE

ing inspection program and safety enhancement zones. “My style is to be as open and inclusive as possible,” Harmon said. “I want everyone to feel heard.” Students brought up several issues, including a lack of bike racks downtown, crossing the railroad tracks and expensive fines incurred from parties. Students safety on St. Patrick’s Day was also discussed. HEIDI HARMON Throughout the class, Harmon took notes on ideas. “I’ll just go back to my staff and say this is what Cal Poly students want!” Harmon said. Harmon’s message to students is to not underestimate the value of showing up and letting your voice be heard. “I want to inspire young people to get involved,” Harmon AUSTIN LINTHICUM | MUSTA NG NE W S said. “I am more excited to hear ISSUES | Mayor Heidi Harmon visitied a Cal Poly class to discuss lack of bike racks downtown and expensive parking and party fines. that I inspired someone to take action over hearing that they have the mayor directly address that she cares a lot about Cal tionship between students and ti said. “I am a big proponent voted for me.” his class. Poly students.” the city improve since Harmon of having more cooperation between student body and Business administration soph“Getting to talk to Mayor HarRemi Crossetti, a business took office. administration sophomore, omore Archie Mitchell was, as he mon was really meaningful,” “I hope that there is going city, which starts with making said he definitely felt the relaMitchell said. “It showed me to be more change,” Crosset- student connections.” put it, humbled by the chance to

I am really trying to heal the ‘town and gown’ relationship.

L AUREN PARRISH | COURTE SY PHOTO

| Parrish got a job in San Francisco after graduating.

POST GRAD continued from page 1

Money saved by moving home Christine Tsoi graduated from Cal

Poly in 2016 and now works fulltime in San Francisco. Her auditing job at DZH Phillips has her waking up at 6 a.m. and back in bed by 9 p.m. every day. However, there is

one key difference between her and Parrish – Tsoi rides BART to and from Walnut Creek, everyday, where her mom picks her up. Tsoi lives at home with her parents and older brother. She sees nothing wrong with moving home after graduation. “I think it’s becoming more popular because rent is so expensive, especially in the Bay Area,” Tsoi said. “Pretty much all of my coworkers I started with live at home because it’s so expensive.” Tsoi is able to save more from her paycheck with no rent to pay, but she had to get used to following her parents’ rules again, she said. “It was a big adjustment because I can’t just leave the house after 10 p.m. anymore. It’s definitely weird having to tell someone where you are and if you’re out, sending the courtesy text,” Tsoi said. “Your parents have total control of everything, so it’s definitely different from living on your own.” Tsoi plans on living at home for one more year before moving out. She has already bought a new Honda HRV with her savings and

hopes to move closer to her job in San Francisco by 2018. Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts interim Career Counselor Travis Raynaud counsels seniors to help them decide what path is right for them and alleviate post-graduation stress. “There can for sure be an internal pressure placed upon people that they’re going to feel like they have not made the most of their degree if they’re not immediately in a career in a new town,” Raynaud said. “For me, it’s not so much about location and where you are – it’s maximizing what you’re doing in the place.” Going pro in Portland Some students decide to take a leap of faith and move to a new city before securing a full-time job. Cody Kautz was one of them. Cal Poly 2016 art and design graduate Kautz concentrated in graphic design and decided to move to Portland to search for a job where the industry was booming, he said. “Getting your foot in the door is kind of hard when you move to a

new city,” Kautz said. “Most companies wouldn’t even talk to me until I moved here. After a while, I kind of realized that they weren’t even going to take me seriously as an applicant without being here in the city, so I just decided it was time to move here.” After a month in Portland, Oregon Kautz received a response from a Craigslist ad for a job to which he had applied during his last month at Cal Poly. Now, he works for the small design agency whose main client is GoPro, the action camera company based in California. “Just out of the blue, I got an offer to come in and interview and then was working for GoPro the next week, which was pretty cool,” Kautz said. Kautz may have gotten lucky finding a job so quickly, but he knows how hard it is to get hired and understands the pressure to succeed, he said. “I totally think there is a pressure. You see people getting cool jobs or doing cool projects on Instagram or Facebook and it’s pretty easy to

feel like you’re not doing as well as other people,” Kautz said. “There’s definitely a pressure to go out there and find the coolest job you can and be successful right away, which probably isn’t very realistic for most people just out of school.” If Kautz ever thought there was a stigma about moving back home, he sees it as an asset now, he said. “I think it used to be kind of weird to move back with your parents, but it’s super common now,” Kautz said. “I don’t think kids our age are making enough money to move out on their own, especially not in a big city these days.” Looking back, Kautz said he wouldn’t change anything. Moving to a new city without a job wasn’t traditional, but it worked in his favor. “If you want to move to a new city, just do it,” Kautz said. “I think there are a lot of good excuses you can tell yourself on why not to do it. But ultimately, if you move out and fail miserably, you can always come back. Just go out and do it and try new things.”

NEWS 3

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017

CECILIA SEITER| MUSTA NG NE W S

One in four CSU students are food insecure Megan Schellong @ meganschellong

College of Science and Mathematics Dean Phil Bailey remembers the tear that fell down one student’s face when she told him she was struggling to pay rent and perform well in school. “What [are] you eating?” Bailey asked her. “Well, you know, I really don’t,” the student said. After this conversation, Bailey brought up the experience at the Cal Poly president’s external advisory cabinet meeting. Immediately, a member committed himself to doing something about food insecurity on campus.

INSIGHT continued from page 1

After a year studying at University of Oregon, Harding returned to Cal Poly with strong support from her friends and family. Bucking the stigma Mental illnesses affect one in four college students, according to Alexandra Hoatua, a psychology senior, secretary of Active Minds and a PULSE member. Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and PULSE teamed up with the Body Project and Active Minds to host ‘Buck the Stigma’ —an event promoting mental health awareness — in early March.

The result: Cal Poly’s meal voucher program. Between 2015 and 2016, 998 students used meal vouchers, but there are many food insecure students who aren’t aware of the program. “While we don’t have a true picture of the number who are actually food insecure [at Cal Poly], we have [California State University] (CSU) system]- wide data,” associate dean of students Joy Pedersen said. At the CSU level At the CSU level, an estimated 79 percent of food insecure students don’t know about the meal programs available to them.

Events included Love your Selfie, De-stress Fest, Support your ‘Stangs, and Survive and Thrive. Each day had a different focus related to body positivity, self care, mental health and supporting one another. The goal was to educate students on both positive mental health and the harms of stigmas surrounding mental illnesses. “One of the main things with ‘Buck the Stigma’ that we are trying to do is change the way we use our language,” Margo Jones, Reachout Empower Accept Listen team member, said. Reach-out Empower Accept Listen is a part of Campus Health and Well Being Peer Education system. Psychology sophomore Jones said that by normalizing and misusing

According to a year-long CSU study, an estimated 24 percent of its college students were food insecure in 2015. The CSU system is the largest university system in the United States and one-infour of its students struggle to acquire food. At Cal Poly Since Cal Poly’s demographics don’t exactly reflect those of the general CSU system, the number of students experiencing food insecurity may be slightly lower, according to Pedersen. Cal Poly is currently collecting data on the number of food insecure students on campus. There are several resources

terms, such as ‘depressed,’ ‘bipolar’ and ‘panic attack,’ students who experience these as a part of their day-to day-lives are discredited. Biomedical engineering sophomore Leah Torres has ADHD and anxiety. From personal experience, Torres explained that panic attacks are not to be taken lightly. “Panic attacks are a lot more severe [than anxiety attacks],” Torres said. “I’ve had a panic attack last for a good three hours and it took two days to recover. It was just exhausting - hyperventilating, crying, shaking and lots of irrational thoughts.” When people misuse words, they do not always intend harm, Torres said. In most cases they’re

available to those who struggle with food insecurity, including: • Cal Poly CARES grants of up to $2,000 • CalFresh Outreach Program • Meal Vouchers Program • Hunger Program • Food Pantry The food pantry and meal vouchers have been in place for four to five years. Because food insecurity has gained more attention locally and nationally in the past two to three years, Cal Poly has increased efforts to raise awareness about the services available, Pedersen said. Compared to the 2015 national

food insecurity average of 13 percent, national college campus food insecurity rates hover around the 40 percent range, according to nutrition and public health professor Aydin Nazmi. With more college students facing lack of food accessibility and the financial burdens of college, students often sacrifice food and nutrition, Pedersen said. “There’s kind of a stigma with college food insecurity,” nutrition graduate Kelly Condron said. “College students are expected to be poor and eat top ramen and not have access to food. We’re trying to decrease that stigma.” CONTINUED ONLINE mustangnews.net

uneducated about the meaning of the word and the reality of mental illnesses. “I think people that like to use those terms flippantly really undermine what people with actual mental illnesses go through. [The terms] have widely accepted definitions, but the problem is those widely accepted definitions don’t really apply to anyone and they are usually very binary,” English junior Talia Bravo said. Bravo has lived with depression most of her life and was recently diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder. CONTINUED ONLINE mustangnews.net

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BACK TO SCHOOL 6

MUSTANG NEWS

Making the most of SLO’s farmers’ markets Jacque Bergquist @ CPMustangNews

Farmers’ markets allow Cal Poly students the chance to make delicious, affordable and healthy meals using locally grown ingredients. In San Luis Obispo, there are many farmers’ markets to choose from. The Thursday night Farmers’ Market on Higuera Street features live entertainment, fresh produce and food stands. More locals attend the Saturday Farmers’ Market, located at the Embassy Suites parking lot on Madonna Road. From 8 to 11 a.m., over 60 local vendors set up shop to sell fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. “You know your food is from within at least 200 miles,” agricultural communications junior Tyler Menane said. “You’re able to support local agricultural economies which can contribute to our overall economy in our county as well.” Produce and conversation Attending a farmers’ market is always a bit of a surprise. Depending on the time of year, students have access to a wide variety of ingredients they would otherwise never

see or use if they were shopping in “They’re going to cook with what a traditional grocery store. While they grow, so they generally have looking over the rows of herbs and lots of ideas.” produce may seem overwhelming at first, one of the best things a stu- Using the ingredients dent can do at a farmers’ market Learning to cook using farmers’ is simply strike up a conversation. market produce can be a chal“You get to actually have that lenge. Oftentimes, farmers will connection with that farmer,” provide recipe cards alongside agricultural commutheir booths explaining nications junior how to best store Haley Warner and use their said. “You produce. In know exother cases, Farmers’ markets are actly who’s s tu d e nt s important because can use growing outside it, where it gets people talking s ources, it’s comsuch as a ing from, about their food. their story, quick Gootheir history gle search or HALEY WARNER and why they a copy of “How do what they do.” to Cook Everything,” by Mark BittTalking with the farmers and local growers helps man, as Neidhardt recommends. foster a relationship and helps stu“Everything in his book has dents learn about where their food always been pretty foolproof for comes from. Farmers can also help me,” she said. “Sometimes if I’m students come up with ideas on stumped by something I picked how to best use their fresh fruits up, I’ll go to his index. He goes and vegetables, especially with into great detail describing the unfamiliar produce. food and how to prepare it.” There are also a few key staples “If you just start talking with them, they’ve been cooking with that new cooks should keep in all this food because that’s all they their pantry. Having a few simhave,” Cuesta college psychology ple, reliable meal ideas such as instructor Katy Neidhardt said. frittatas, pastas, soups and roast-

ed vegetables can make planning easier. Fresh herbs and spices, such as oregano, cumin and cayenne, can be added to a wide variety of dishes to bring out the flavor of meats and vegetables. When in doubt, consulting recipe books and making use of salt and pepper can make a dish extraordinary. “It’s always surprising to me how many people don’t cook with fresh herbs,” Neidhardt said. “It changes food so much and that’s a great thing to get at farmers’ markets.” Cal Poly’s Horticultural and Crop Science Department encourages students to buy locally. The department owns and operates a stand at three major farmers’ markets around San Luis Obispo as well as on campus and sells produce grown on campus-owned farmland. At these stands, students can buy fresh fruits and vegetables directly from campus, grown and tended by other students. “Farmers’ markets are important because it gets people talking about their food,” Warner said. “The beauty of farmers’ markets is that we’re able to bridge that gap, provide information, talk to people and get our story out. Ultimately, agriculture affects everybody.”

ILLIANA ARROYOS | MUSTA NG NE W S

UNKNOWN | There are other farmers’ markets besides the one on Thursdays.

ASI events to keep an eye out for this quarter

RUSH THE STAGE

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS, INC. | COURTE SY PHOTO

| One of the events ASI puts on for students is Spring Stampede, a music festival held during spring quarter. The event has featured big names like Sage the Gemini and Hoodie Allen.

Caroline Ster @ CPMustangNews

With a new quarter comes new events and activities and Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) has plenty planned for Spring 2017. “Spring quarter is always the fun-filled quarter,” ASI events student manager and business administration sophomore Brayden Antonio said. “There are a lot of traditional events but we are adding new twists.” From live music to the chance to get free food, here are the ASI events you don’t want to miss. Mustang Mile The 6th annual Mustang Mile is a 5K run that will take place May 18. The event brings Cal Poly students together to exercise and eat free food, including Woodstock’s Pizza. Participating students are encouraged to dress up in fun and crazy costumes. The events focus on promoting the Mustang Way and the Aware Awake Alive program. Trivia Night Head over to Mustang Station with a team of four to six people for the chance to win a prize. Trivia Nights this quarter will be offered the first Wednesday of ev-

ery month from 8 to 10 p.m. in Mustang Station, so stop by for a night of fun and free food. Spring Stampede Spring Stampede is a large, high energy, festival-style concert celebrating the end of the academic year. The 3rd annual event will take place in June in the Cal Poly Sports Complex. This event is similar to the Welcome Back concert earlier this year that featured Echosmith. Past Spring Stampede performers included Sage the Gemini, The Knocks, Hoodie Allen, DJ Jai Wolf and T-Pain. Be on the lookout for this year’s list of Spring Stampede performers and save the date for this awesome event. So You Think You Can DJ So you think You Can DJ is a new twist on Battle of the Bands, a former ASI event. It’s a chance for Cal Poly DJs to compete to be one of the opening performances at Spring Stampede. Come out April 21 to support your fellow students and enjoy some live music and free shave ice. And if you weren’t able to make it to Mustang Mile, So You Think You Can DJ is your second chance to score some free Woodstock’s Pizza.

Concert in the Plaza Concert in the Plaza will take place on the Julian A. McPhee University Union (UU) Plaza stage during UU hour twice during spring quarter. The major Concert at the Plaza event will take place June 8. Adding on to the end-of-theyear festivities, there will be live

SUIT UP

music, shaved ice and an outdoor bungee trampoline. PAC Finals Fun Continuing the quarterly tradition, the Performing Arts Center (PAC) will be open for students to study the Monday of finals week. Additionally,

ASI will provide free scantrons, coffee and donuts. So if you’ve looped around the entire library and still can’t find an open table, head over to the PAC to caffeinate and study. ASI offers many events, catering to a variety of interests, because some events aren’t for

everyone, according to Antonio. He encourages students to check out the event lineup to see what interests them. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some live music or are on the hunt for some free food like the rest of us, be sure to check out these ASI events.

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS, INC. | COURTE SY PHOTO

| Mustang Mile participants are encouraged to run the 5K race in costume. The event itself promotes the Mustang Way and Aware Awake Alive.

BACK TO SCHOOL 7

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017

Sunshine, grass and textbooks: The best study spots on campus Hannah Benson @ CPMustangNews

Following the downpour of rain this past quarter, spring couldn’t come soon enough for students in near-hibernation mode. This quarter, instead of holing up in Robert E. Kennedy Library or the Julian A. McPhee University Union (UU), take advantage of the sunny weather by studying outside. “If the weather permits it, Cal Poly can embrace what it

is known for — outdoor activities,” architecture freshman Reii Nelle Del Campo said. “Winter quarter weather kind of traps us, making us go against our ‘values’ by keeping us inside, so spring quarter brings us back to our specific image.” Students can be quite particular when choosing where to study outside. Preferences for outdoor study spaces can get to the level of the great debate on whether pineapple belongs on pizza or not. “Once you find a spot, you grow

very attached to it, claiming it as your own. It’s definitely a possessive thing I’ve noticed,” sociology freshman Ashley Ladin said. Ladin found her own sanctuary on the lawn in front of the North Mountain residence halls, where many students can be found lounging on blankets, tossing a frisbee or reading a book. The warm sunshine is much more friendly than the glare of a fluorescent bulb while making notecards. Preferred study spots vary

among students on campus. Some are more lively and populated, such as Dexter Lawn and the UU Plaza, while others are quieter and more secluded, like the balconies on Baker’s third floor. A group of 124 students were polled on their favorite study spot on campus. Dexter Lawn was voted the most popular with the UU Plaza as a close second, while Mott Lawn was voted last. However, not everyone is an outdoor-studying enthusiast.

Certain academic material just isn’t meant for the outside environment. Resident advisor and aerospace engineering junior Riley Ormiston recommends considering course material when choosing a prime study spot. “You need to find what works best for you. There’s no right or wrong as far as studying outside or inside,” Ormiston said. “Personally, I’m happier when outside, so I’m more likely to get more studying done. However, when it comes to engineering stuff, I need to go inside.” Certain windy conditions could prevent some from braving an afternoon of history notes on Mott Lawn. Similarly, there are some projects that are difficult to work on with outdoor distractions.

However, the perks of studying in fresh air are also very valuable. If you can’t study outdoors, you can still get the benefits of natural light and vitamin D by opening a window and letting the breeze in. Incorporate some sunshine in your study routine by including outdoor activities in your weekend agenda. Just like making coffee, reading a novel or doing laundry, it’s important to squeeze some well-deserved sunshine into a busy schedule. Fresh air may offer a fresher perspective while getting some studying done. There’s a variety of different places that students can consider when staking out the perfect spot to catch up on homework this spring quarter. Be it indoors or out, find your spot.

Student’s favorite study spots

STUDENT CHOICE

SOPHIA O’KEEFE | MUSTA NG NE W S

| Dexter Lawn, pictured above, is student’s last choice for prime study spots.

GURPREET BHOOT | MUSTA NG NE W S

Have fun and get fit on a budget Meghan Dieckmann @ CPMustangNews

Cal Poly’s campus and the surrounding area of San Luis Obispo offer abundant opportunities to meet new people at exciting exercise events. People can get out in nature and breathe in the relaxing 80 degree air. Exercising offers students a break from the rigor and stress of academic life and is proven to release endorphins which improve a person’s mood and outlook on life. Taking an hour or two everyday to hike, run, walk, bike, dance or workout at the Recreation Center is healthy for the mind and body. Hiking Hiking is a great way to take a break and relax in nature. Cal Poly has some great opportunities for walking, jogging and hiking on campus. San Luis Obispo county is also filled with amazing trails and views for those who can get off campus. Whether you choose to hike solo or with a friend, it is an amazing way to get perspective and take a break from a busy schedule. “It’s an easy way to get exercise ... fresh air is really refreshing and I feel like you never feel worse after a hike … and you get to see things that you normally otherwise wouldn’t,” environmental management and protection junior Sylvia Lijewski said. Lijewski was also a co-leader for Poly Escapes, an on-campus club that plans hiking and recreational trips for students. “Also [hiking is] a time where you’re not using your phone and you can spend time with just yourself or with your friends and have a good conversation, so it’s a good way to get away from technology,” Lijewski said. Biking Biking is also a great way to have fun while getting fit at little to no

cost. San Luis Obispo has great bike-friendly trails, including the Poly Canyon Loop Trail. Biking to and from class is also an efficient, eco-friendly way to get around while getting a good workout. In addition to riding your bike to and from class, be sure to check out San Luis Obispo’s Bike Night. Bike Night is a mass community bike ride that takes place the first Thursday of every month. Cyclists gather at Mission Plaza before riding through the streets of downtown San Luis Obispo. Check out www.bikehappening. org for more information. Dancing If hiking and biking aren’t your speed, Cal Poly also has a large and varied dance community. Cal Poly Swing Club President and English senior Valentina Sainato noted the welcoming atmosphere of the swing dance community. “What I really love about [swing dancing] is that ... of course there are, like, different level[s] of dancers, some people are beginners, intermediate, or advanced, but for social dancing you can dance with any one of those people,” Sainato said. “It’s a really open and inclusive culture and the more that I am a part of swing dancing and blues and partner dancing, the more I see communities that are trying to build that idea and build concepts of inclusivity and diversity and acknowledging the histories of the dance – that’s one of the reasons I really fell in love with it.” Drop into any of these clubs to check out different kinds of dancing and get your groove on: • Cal Poly Swing Club: ome by Architecture and Environmental Design (building 5) Sunday afternoons for $3 lessons and free social dancing afterwards. Check out their website www. cpswingandblues.com for more information. • Drop Dead Blues Club: Visit

Architecture and Environmental Design (building 5) Saturday nights for free lessons and social dancing afterwards. Check out their website www.cpswingandblues.com/drop-dead-blues for more information. • Cal Poly Salsa: Come to Architecture and Environmental Design (building 5) Friday nights for $5 lessons and free social dancing afterwards. Check out their website www.cpsalsa.com for more information. • Cal Poly Country Line Dancing Club: Mosey on up to The Graduate Thursday nights for lessons and social dancing. Check out their website cldccalpoly.wixsite.com/cldccalpoly for more information. • Hip Hop Choreo Club: Stop by the Recreation Center dance studios Thursdays at 9 p.m. for free dance workshops. The Recreation Center Your membership to Cal Poly’s Recreation Center is automatically included in your tuition fee, so use it while you’re paying for it. The Recreation Center offers a variety of classes open to all levels of skill, including Body Pump, Breakaway, yoga and others. Visit Associated Students, Inc.’s (ASI) website, www.asi. calpoly.edu/events/schedule, for more information on the fitness classes offered. Besides classes, the Recreation Center has cardio and weight machines, basketball courts, racquetball courts and an indoor track. The outdoor beach volleyball sand pits and lounge and lap pools become popular with students as the weather warms up. Living a balanced lifestyle is important for college students. Pressures of performing academically can take over and put the vital needs of human connection, movement and relaxation on the back burner. Make it a priority this quarter to try something new and have fun getting fit.

... fresh air is really refreshing and I feel like you never feel worse after a hike ... SYLVIA LIJEWSKI

TAKE A HIKE

FRANK HUANG | MUSTA NG NE W S

| Students can take a break from school and hike any of the trails San Luis Obispo has to offer.

FOOD

THE BEST OF SLO

1. Best Slice of Pizza

11. Best Hangover Food

2. Best Bargain Meal

12. Best Vegetarian Resturant

3. Best Sushi

13. Best BBQ

4. Best Thai

14. Best Food on Campus

5. Best Mexican

15. Best Place for Late Night Munchies

6. Best Italian

16. Best Dessert

7. Best Burger

17. Best Grocery Store

8. Best Sandwich

18. Best Fries

9. Best Breakfast

19. Best Wings

10. Best Salad

20. Best Acai Bowl

SCHOOL- RELATED

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Best Movie Theater

2. Best SLO Radio Station

3. Best PAC Event

4. Best ASI Event

PAMPERING

AUTO

1. Best Nail Salon

1. Best Auto Shop

2. Best Haircut

2. Best Car Wash

DRINK

ACTIVE

1. Best Coffee House

1. Best Bike Shop

2. Best Happy Hour

2. Best Beach

3. Best Local Beer

3. Best Golf Course

4. Best Local Winery

4. Best Rec Center Class

5. Best Bar

5. Best Getaway

6. Best Sports Bar

6. Best Hike

7. Best Weekly Bar Deal 8. Best Liquor Store 9. Best 21st Birthday Drinkk

SHOPPING

MONEY

1. Best Women’s Clothing

1. Best Bank

2. Best Men’s Clothing 3. Best Thrift Shop 4. Best Tattoo Parlor

MISC. 1. Best Place to be Spoiled by Your Parents 2. Best New Business 17’ 3. Best Hidden Gems of SLO

Bring this ballot into Mustang News Office (26-223) for the chance to win a gift card! Drawings will happen every Friday during Poly Picks voting.

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ARTS 10

MUSTANG NEWS

is a reboot done well Greg Llamas @ CPMustangNews

Greg Llamas is a journalism senior and Mustang News columnist. The views expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints and editorial coverage of Mustang News. King Kong and Godzilla are among the most famous movie monsters. While Godzilla has been featured in recent Japanese productions and his eponymous film “Godzilla” released in 2014, the last time Kong was featured in his own film was over a decade ago. Even then, the 2005 release of “King Kong” was similiar to its 1976 and 1933 predecessors. Like death and taxes, seeing Kong fall from the Empire State Building became another inevitability. Kong has only appeared in a handful of other unremarkable movies, like “King Kong Lives” and “King Kong Escapes,” making him an underutilized character for such a cultural icon. At first, it seemed “Kong: Skull Island” would continue the trend of being a beaten-to-death remake. But “Skull Island” resists the temptation of recreating the original Kong story. Warner Bros. instead completely rebooted the Kong universe, building its own world

A DIFFERENT TAKE

of monsters. When scientists Bill Randa (John Goodman) and Houston Brooks (Corey Hawkins) discover an unexplored island named Skull Island, they hire former British military pilot James Conrad (Tom Hiddleston) to be a tracker for their exploration party. Along for the journey are Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) and the rest of his helicopter squadron, fresh off of a tour in the Vietnam War, as well as pacifist photojournalist Mason Weaver (Brie Larson). As they reach Skull Island, the party scatters after encountering Kong’s fury. During their adventures, the explorers come to realize that Kong isn’t the only danger living on Skull Island. One way “Skull Island” breaks tradition is that it takes place entirely on the island and doesn’t retreat to New York City like other Kong films. Throughout the film, Skull Island is portrayed as terrifying yet beautiful, much like Vietnam, the place Packard just left. Surrounded by magnificent sunsets and auroras, the island is marred by monsters like giant spiders and “skullcrawlers,” a mix between a giant lizard and a dinosaur. A consistent phrase throughout the film is the “world doesn’t be-

long to us.” The location of Skull Island emphasizes this. The film is filled with long shots of peaceful lakes, dense jungles and sweeping plains, which juxtapose strongly the sense of peril and dread from the monsters lurking in them. With so much intrigue, the world in “Skull Island” is much more enthralling than that of other Kong films. As for Kong himself, his introduction is immediate and intense. His first appearance is very close to the start of the expedition on Skull Island, rampaging against the trespassers. While he never has any dialogue, Kong acts as one of the most interesting characters in the film. As opposed to being an attraction flaunted as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” Kong is given a different role in “Skull Island.” As Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly), a somewhat eccentric lieutenant who has been stranded on the island since World War II explains, Kong is the guardian of Skull Island. Considered by the locals to be a sort of god. There’s a character arc for Kong and it’s not the typical obsession he has for the female lead. Unfortunately, Kong is one of the only interesting characters in “Skull Island.” It’s understandable that in a monster movie, most of the side characters are only fodder

for the monsters to deal with. The only side character in “Skull Island” who adds something is Marlow, as his eccentricity steals any scene he’s in. There’s even some disappointment with the main characters. Hiddleston plays Conrad with an engrossing sense of bravery, but he only has one characteristic: he beats monsters up. It’s not boring up until it becomes ridiculous to see him with unrealistic, jedi-esque fighting ability. Another way the film breaks away from Kong film stereotypes is through sidestepping the damsel-in-distress aspect. Instead of being the female lead Kong forms an obsession for, Weaver is a foil for the gung-ho Packard. While Packard wants to bomb all the monsters on the island and carries a Captain Ahab-level obsession with taking out Kong, Weaver finds beauty in Skull Island, taking time to photograph fantastic shots of the island while fighting alongside Conrad. She forms a connection with Kong, but it’s not romantic like in previous Kong films. But just like Conrad, there’s not much depth to Weaver after seeing her for more than a few minutes. The most interesting human character is Packard. After destroying his helicopters, Kong is the Moby Dick to Packard’s Captain

Ahab. In one of the most well-shot scenes in “Skull Island,” Packard and Kong lock eyes through the flames and wreckage of helicopters while Packard clenches his fists. It’s immediately apparent that they hate each other. The conflict provides the viewer a good amount of intrigue throughout the film as Packard goes to nearly suicidal lengths to kill the giant gorilla, even endangering the lives of his fellow explorers. Like any other Kong film, the action sequences featuring monsters are some of the most compelling and make up for disappointments in the film. One scene stuck out to me as showing something that happens naturally and candidly, building the world of Skull Island. After sustaining cuts from the helicopters, Kong goes to wash himself where he comes face to face with a giant octopus. It’s a quick and easy battle for Kong (and he adorably slurps up the octopus’ tentacles afterwards), but it’s almost like watching a nature documentary, something we shouldn’t interfere with. “Kong: Skull Island” is an example of a reboot done well. It takes elements from previous Kong films and tells its own story in its own world. There’s only one way to describe it: fun. The unpredictability of the film sets “Skull Island” apart.

WARNER BROS. PICTURES | COURTE SY PHOTO

| At first, it seemed “Kong: Skull Island” would continue the trend of being a beaten-to-death remake. But “Skull Island” resists the temptation of recreating the original Kong story.

ARTS 11

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017

Two students take ‘bringing home the bacon’ to a whole new level

Julia Morris Special to Mustang News

On the inside, Logan Johnston and Matt Quontamatteo’s house isn’t anything out of the ordinary. They share a small kitchen, living room, bathroom and one bedroom. Johnston apologized for the messiness. Step outside, however, and the house is surrounded by four barns and a classroom. Several pairs of dirty boots line the perimeter of the home; a green sign reads “Welcome to Cal Poly Swine Unit” painted in cursive letters. Where it started Agricultural science senior Johnston saw a posting on MustangJOBS to live and work in the swine unit. He and agricultural business senior Quontamatteo applied and interviewed with professor Lee Rincker who teaches Systems of Swine Production (ASCI 222) and oversees the swine unit. “We’ve been up here for the better part of two years now. Thirty of the hours we work go to our reduced housing rates (...) and whatever we worked past that [we] will be paid for,” Quontamatteo said. “Basically, it’s a pretty good guarantee that we’ll get a good paycheck along with our reduced housing.” For the 2016-17 school year, a shared bedroom in Poly Canyon Village costs $6,866, or approximately $686 per month. Johnston estimates that the cost of his rent is approximately $460 per month, so the financial savings of living at the swine unit are a huge incentive. Day-to-day tasks Both Johnston and Quontamatteo were dressed in jeans, a t-shirt and dirty boots just like the ones outside of the house. It’s the standard uniform for someone who is about to work with more than 100 pigs and doesn’t mind getting dirty. They alternate whose turn it is to feed the pigs based on their class schedules. They typically get up at 8 a.m. to load 35-gallon trash cans with swine feed to distribute to about 130 pigs. “We go around and give a scoop to each sow and then we’ll check all the barns as we go to make sure everyone’s got feed in their feeders and check on animal welfare to see what we need to medicate

Yeah, there are times when I’ll be around pigs for a while and I’ve got fecal matter somewhere on me

or anything like that,” Johnston said. In addition to feeding and caring for the pigs, they also get to work with animal science majors in enterprise classes. They help students plan their day-to-day tasks and assist with planned activities. Johnston recalled their first show pig sale last year, where they assisted in selling 42 pigs. “That was a pretty great experience, just getting to see how things work,” he said. “I mean, 42 pigs, if you’re just pushing them up a chute and into the truck is pretty simple, but when you have kids running around and everybody’s gotta pick one and you gotta pull the pigs out, it’s just all about management.”

Looking to the future Neither Johnston nor Quontamatteo plan to specifically work in the swine industry after college. Johnston hopes to be a teacher in the field of agriculture and Quontamatteo is unsure about what he wants to pursue when he graduates. “I’m not quite sure what my future plan is, but hopefully I’ll get to utilize my degree to some extent,” Quontamatteo said. “Regardless, we get the opportunity to manage employees in the enterprise and that kind of stuff goes wherever you want to take it.” Rincker agreed that the experience the two men have gained as student managers of the swine unit will be beneficial to them in whatever they want to do, not just agriculture jobs. “It’s neat to see how they’ve evolved, but I think the biggest thing they are going to get out of it is responsibility,” Rincker said. “The daily care of these animals is reliant on them … but I think the responsibility of time management and just understanding the scheduling around here is going to help them immensely.” Rincker also wanted to stress that future students don’t need a lot of previous experience before taking this job. While Johnston was a part of Future Farmers of America in high school, he and Quontamatteo didn’t know much about working with swine before college. “Don’t think that just because you don’t have any swine experience that you can’t apply and can’t be part of it,” Rincker said. “We want people that are

MATT QUONTAMATTEO

just willing to work and willing to learn.” Reflecting on the experience Both Johnston and Quontamatteo are glad they decided to follow this nontraditional route. John-

PET PIGS

VERONICA FREGOSO | COURTE SY PHOTO

| Johnston and Quontamatteo care for the pigs as part of their on-campus living arrangement.

ston said his favorite part is working with various professors who he didn’t get to spend time with in the classroom. “A lot of the animal science professors come up here and utilize the facility, so we kind of get to work closely with them, giving tours and helping them out,” he said. “And it’s been pretty cool to build relationships with professors that you don’t necessarily have in the classroom.” Quontamatteo appreciates

getting to see the whole process of working with pigs from start to finish. “We’re a farrow-to-finish operation, which basically means we have the sows [female pigs] and they’ll give birth and then for the majority of them … we get them to market weight and sell them,” Quontamatteo said. “Seeing those pigs that I’ve pulled out of their mother and see them grow up and that whole process — it’s pretty cool.” One aspect of living in the swine

unit that’s not so fun is, unsurprisingly, the smell. Though Quontamatteo and Johnston said they’re used to the smell for the most part, there are some days that are worse than others. “Yeah, there are times when I’ll be around pigs for a while and I’ve got fecal matter somewhere on me — pig fecal matter — and I’ll sit down in class and I’ll catch a whiff. Like, if I can smell this, everybody in the classroom can, too. So you feel bad sometimes,” Quontamatteo said.

ARTS 12

MUSTANG NEWS

Otto-Mated: Students create exhibition in German museum Aidan McGloin @ mcgloin_aidan

Deutsches Museum in Germany is 66,000 square meters and contains 28,000 exhibited items. A team of four Cal Poly mechanical engineering seniors is adding one more item to that list for the museum’s 1.5 million yearly visitors to see — a prototype of the world’s first commercially successful internal combustion engine. The team — Lance Hodgson, Rachel Jakob, Keiran Hansen and Chris Splees — call themselves “Otto-Mated”. They are advised by mechanical engineering professor John Ridgely and sponsored by

mechanical engineering professor Frank Owen. Their senior project exhibition will be put in place by November 2018. It will include scale models of key parts of the engine, 3-D digital renderings of how the engine works, a multilingual audio guide to its history and mechanics and the original engine, serial number seven. The team is excited by the opportunity to work toward their degree while cultivating international relationships. “We’re taking advantages of opportunities to work with a different country, strengthen ties;and it’s important to realize that we are all working together [to] share in-

formation,” Hodgson said. “It’s an opportunity that we should work more towards as a university with other nations.” The history of the engine The atmospheric non-compression engine, also known as the Otto-Langen Engine, was made in 1867 by Nikolaus Otto and is the precursor to every internal combustion engine used today, from car engines to rocket engines. The Otto-Langen Engine won gold in the state fair in 1867 and the Deutsches Museum has a non-working original engine that will be the center of the exhibit. Beyond its historical sig-

nificance, the fact that its piston is driven down by the atmosphere makes it unique. Current engines contain flywheels that force the piston down by force. According to Jakob, Otto-Mated has already designed the overall exhibit layouts and planned the animation sequences. All that’s left is to complete the model of the engine parts, create and refine the animations in their 3-D animating software Blender and then build the physical model. Not Cal Poly’s first rodeo Cal Poly was called twice before to aid the museum, working on the Frauenkirche Turmuhr clock

FIRST

between 2006 and 2008 and the Braun-Vayringe Machine, a complex calculator, in 2011. In both cases, the team of Cal Poly students carried out the same task they are now — analyzing the machinery and creating a 3-D model to explain its functionality. Hodgson even traveled to Lockport, New York to meet with Wayne Grenning, a professional engine restorer who has tinkered with engines since he was 10 years old, to see his model of the OttoLangen Engine. Otto-Mated is also considering visiting the museum for the rest of the month after they complete the project, to make sure the exhibit

goes in as planned. Though staying longer costs money, Hodgson described the funding for the trip as currently “the last thing on [their] minds,” compared to the work they are keeping on top of already. According to Hodgson, the project was found through a bid process — the Deutsches Museum presented their exhibit to be planned as a senior project — and the four students placed their bids to accept it. When asked why he chose this particular project, Splees said, “I’ve been into motor sports auto industry since I can remember it. I built cars, I built engines and I saw this and I thought, this was ideal.”

FR ANK HUANG | MUSTA NG NE W S

| The team created a prototype of the world’s first commercially successful internal combustion engine.

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OPINION 14

MUSTANG NEWS

Why we need Haven OPINION

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NECESSARY

TABATA GORDILLO | MUSTA NG NE W S

| Those who say Haven takes too much time, the information is too obvious to matter and it doesn’t help to prevent sexual assault need to reevaluate that opinion. Neil Sandhu @ CPMustangNews

Neil Sandhu is a biomedical engineering senior and Mustang News opinion editor. The views expressed in this column do not reflect the viewpoints and editorial coverage of Mustang News. Haven: the mere mention of the name evokes a range of emotions so broad that one can almost taste the rainbow of frustration. Haven, for those of you reading this from under your rock, is an online “evidence based learning course” that seeks to educate about and prevent sexual assault. It uses modules to walk students through statistics and objective facts, which attempt to describe the prevalent nature of sexual assault on college campuses nationwide. However, many on this campus think it is a waste of time. Let’s get something out of the way. Sexual assault and harassment are wrong. I pray your brain isn’t so maniacal and unbalanced that it tried to add a conditional clause to the end of that statement. So here’s the question: if behind every set of eyes scanning this paper right now is a brain functioning at such a level that it can understand rape = wrong as absolutely as 1 = 1, then why are we having this conversation?

The answer is, quite simply, has prevented, but quite honestly if our registration until we complete because there isn’t. And this, Cal there is a 0.0000001 percent chance their compulsory online course. It’s Poly, is why we need Haven. that the number is anything other about doing our part, doing someThere are undoubtably some than zero, isn’t it worth just half an thing, to stop sexual assault. of you who read the fourth hour of our time? When we bitch and moan about paragraph of this column and a program that has the single goal thought, “No shit.” It doesn’t of preventing the most heinous act take a mandatory training to known to humankind, we effeclearn that rape is wrong. We tively eliminate its usefulness. are all smart enough to figWe as a culture can’t continue ure this out for ourselves to normalize the rejection of When we bitch and moan sexual assault training. without the errand of an about a program that has online course. For those of you who truly Ju s t on e t h i n g : understand the difference the single goal of preventing Brock Turner went between right and wrong, I t o St a n f o rd . I ’m partially understand where the most heinous act known sure his frontal lobe your frustration comes to humankind, we effectively could have deduced from. You may believe that t hat nonc ons e nsu a l mandatory Haven training eliminate its usefulness. penetration with a foreign shouldn’t apply to people like object is wrong. you. But when we collectively If your complaint with Haven dismiss the necessity for mandatois that you feel the information ry sexual assault training on college is obvious, then why do almost campuses, we ensure that those all sexual assault presentations at If you were, like I have unfortu- who do need this training will be the college-level involve some- nately been, the person who clicked able to click through it mindlessly one asking the question, “What “video transcript” and scrolled so without a second thought. if she’s drunk, too?” you could save a few minutes, you Before we can hold those responsiIf your complaint is that Haven are a part of the problem. ble for sexual assault accountable for Now I’m not equating you to a their actions, we need to be serious is too long, then how much of rapist, or saying your laziness is about holding ourselves responsible your time are you willing to give up in the name of ending sexual in any way comparable to rape, for not doing enough. Haven is not assault before it becomes a burden but the disregard for this pro- a perfect solution by any means and on your busy schedule? gram and refusal to take the is- online modules alone have proven If your complaint is that Haven sue of sexual assault seriously is to be simply insufficient to stop the doesn’t truly do anything to a fist-sized part of the problem. plague of sexual assault on college prevent sexual assault, then It’s not about being smart or campuses. But we can’t continue to consider this: there can never be being educated or being part of disregard the importance of awareany true evidence to show the a culture so concerned about po- ness-based training. After all, we number of sexual assaults Haven litical correctness that they hold have to start somewhere.

STAFF REPORTERS Sydney Harder, Megan Schellong, James Hayes, Connor McCarthy, Elena Wasserman, Allison Royal, Cecilia Seiter, Brendan Matsuyama, Austin Linthicum, Sabrina Thompson, Nicole Horton, Carly Quinn, Greg Llamas, Olivia Doty, Frances Mylod-Vargas, Mikaela Duhs, Tyler Schilling, Erik Engle, Michael Frank COPY EDITORS Quinn Fish, Andi DiMatteo, Monique Geisen DESIGNERS Kylie Everitt, Aaron Matsuda, Tanner Layton OPINION COLUMNISTS Elias Atienza, Brendan Abrams, Brandon Bartlett, Abbie Lauten-Scrivner PHOTOGRAPHERS Matthew Lalanne, Sophia O’Keefe, Hanna Crowley, Samantha Mulhern, Andrew Epperson, Christa Lam, Kara Douds, Iliana Arroyos ILLUSTRATOR Roston Johnson ADVERTISING MANAGERS Maddie Spivek, Kristen Corey ART DIRECTOR Erica Patstone PRODUCTION MANAGER Ellen Fabini MARKETING MANAGER Ross Pfeifer ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS Clara Howley, Levi Adissi, Trevor Murchison, Carryn Powers ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Jacqui Luis, Habib Placencia, Kelly Chiu DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Dylan Ring FACULTY ADVISOR Pat Howe GENERAL MANAGER Paul Bittick

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SPORTS 16

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017 TRI TEAM continued from page 1

the event economically feasible,” Tri-California Co-Founder Terry Davis said in a statement on the company’s website. “This also affected the exhibitor, sponsor and camping revenue. The financial losses are too great for us to do the event without the water levels high enough to have the event all in one location.” In 2014, the world-renowned triathlon was forced to change its location and format from the standard swim-bike-run to a modified course format of swim-run-bikerun because Lake San Antonio was so low. Now, despite the heavy rain

from this winter, the water level is too low for even a modified race to be possible. With this year’s event cancelled entirely and speculation looming of when it will return, the Cal Poly Triathlon Team was forced to find a new race to take the place of their most important of the season, despite training from September until December for Wildflower. “Wildflower is usually the culmination of the year,” Pickett said. “We don’t really have a whole lot else that we really do or train for.”

Looking for alternatives Though drought conditions on A victim of the drought the Central Coast are still harsh, Tri-California Events, the orgathe rest of the state received much nization that created Wildflower, more rainfall comparatively. Beannounced in October 2016 that cause of this, the team looked the iconic triathlon would not be to the HITS Napa Valley race as their substitute. held in 2017 because of California Central Coast drought conditions. “Since Wildflower is gone, we “Even though we were able to wanted to replace it with a race that produce quality events in 2015 and people could basically work up to 2016 with an alternate swim, run, and train up to but there weren’t bike, run course and the weather really many options for a race,” Pickett said. was good on race weekend, we “HITS in Napa were not able to attract enough Valley was the triathletes and families to make ... we wanted to next best opreplace [Wildflower] tion for a race, with a race that so that’s going to be April 7 people could basically and 8.” work up to ... Wildf lower usually takes place JAKE PICKETT the first week of May, which means the triathlon team’s training time was cut by a full month. According to Pickett, this not only shortens their time to prepare, but leaves the team with an extra month of dead time after their final race of the season. It’s tough for any team to cope with a monumental change in their season, but Wildflower is much more than just a race to the Cal Poly Triathlon Team. KAORI | COURTE SY PHOTOS “Having so many Cal Poly volunTRI AGAIN | Tri-California Events cancelled Wildflower because of drought conditions in the Central Coast. teers and having that be kind of our home race will definitely be lost,” Pickett said. “Going up to Napa Valley, there’s not going to be that support, so it’s just a regular race.” Though the team won’t be able to bring volunteers and fans with them, they will preserve some of their other Wildflower traditions, according to psychology senior and the triathlon team’s swim coach Nicole Sample. “We have the big team dinner, which is just carbo-loading,” Sample said. “We have a lot of the older members, the officer core, hand out a little special something to people on the team. We watch a little skit put on by the student head coach and the club president. After that, we do a fun little mile run, but it

has a fun twist to it.” Sample did not reveal what the items are or what the “fun twist” was, explaining that they are long-running secret surprises for the triathlon team solely for team members to know. Fortunately for the team, these aspects of their traditions should be easily adapted for HITS, according to Sample. A Woodstock-esque scene One Wildflower tradition that cannot be replicated is the festival-like ambience of the race, which is widely referred to as “the Woodstock of triathlons.” Because Wildflower lasted an entire weekend, the team camped in the middle of the course, roughly one mile from the starting line. Their campsite was surrounded by hundreds of other tents as dozens of notable collegiate triathlon teams, such as UC Santa Barbara, University of Oregon and Stanford, came not only to compete, but to share the experience. “We are usually just with our team around the fire, but we are willing to include anyone from the other schools,” Sample said. “A lot of the time, some of the other schools have less than 10 people competing, so they’ll come over and join us. We’ve met a lot of people.” Just outside the mass of campsites sat dozens of vendors, though in recent years the numbers of business that made the early-summer trek dwindled. “A lot of people stopped signing up for it and last year was just kind of really sad to go there,” Sample said. “You didn’t see as many bikes in transition, the vendors don’t really go there anymore and it was just kind of dead.” The triathlon team will miss their home-field advantage at Wildflower, but Pickett said there are reasons to be excited about HITS in Napa Valley. “Having it in Napa, the lake is full to the brim,” Pickett said. “It’s the first time in, like, 10 years that they’ve had the spillway going. So having a full lake and an actual triathlon where it’s actually just

a swim-bike-run will be kind of cool.” Lake Berryessa, nestled at the edge of Napa County’s breathtaking wine-country, is more full this year than it has been in the past 11 years, according to multiple reports. In addition to having a full lake, the number of athletes at the HITS Triathlon has increased every year since its start in 2011. This year, the race already sold out and is projected to have a larger turnout than Wildflower had in recent years. “Last year, I don’t know the exact numbers, but I want to say there was about a thousand athletes at Wildflower as opposed to the 7,000 that [HITS] had at one point,” Pickett said. “HITS in Napa should have several thousand athletes, which will be cool for people to experience that.” Even though HITS is roughly 230 miles farther from San Luis Obispo than Wildflower, Pickett said the Mustangs have the most participants of any collegiate triathlon team attending HITS this year. “For Wildflower, we usually have about 80 or 90 people going from just our team,” Pickett said. “At Napa, I think they said we have 47 people registered to race from our team and there’s probably another 20 people that are going to just go up to support and spectate.” While the atmosphere of Wildflower can’t be replaced, the team will still be able to camp near the starting line of HITS. They will be surrounded by some familiar faces, as other teams that used to race in Wildflower, like University of Oregon, will be camping there with them. Wildflower will always hold a special place in the history of the Cal Poly Triathlon Team, but they appear ready to make the transition to HITS for years to come, should Wildflower take an extended break. “Assuming that it goes well this year, which it should, we will plan on doing it every year,” Pickett said. “If Wildflower ever does come back, and I hope it will, we will definitely be back.”