‘American Horror Story’ premieres
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Lacrosse beats Canada’s Simon Fraser
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Blind Scream terrifies Sonoma County
Sonoma State Star SINCE 1979
VOLUME 73 // ISSUE 8
SONOMASTATESTAR.COM
OCTOBER 14 - OCTOBER 20, 2014
Safety Week aims to educate students Kayla Galloway & Danielle Hansen News Editor & Staff Writer
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n collaboration with Sonoma State University, Police Services is hosting a campus-wide Safety Week through the remainder of this week. Each day will feature a variety of safety themes, all with the intention of educating Sonoma State students on what to do in times of danger. Sonoma State Police Officer Eric Wilde spoke of the purpose of the first Safety Week on campus and reinforced the priority of keeping students’ safe. “We want all students [and everyone else on our campus] to feel safe to be here. Safety Week has many goals but the biggest one is to show all that we have to offer both on and off campus,” said Wilde. Wilde also emphasized how Police Services is available as a resource for students seeking information on how to be safe and prepared in times of
tragedy. “I hope it will show that SSU Police and Safety Services, as well as other community partners, are here and available to answer questions,” said Wilde Sometimes I feel people just don’t want to ask anything thinking it is not important. All questions are welcome and we are here to answer questions.” On Monday, Police Chief Nathan Johnson hosted a lecture in the Alexander Valley room of the Student Center, focused on how to handle situations involving an active shooter. Johnson also discussed how to mentally and emotionally prepare for times of tragedy and situations involving an active shooter. Also in attendance at this lecture were the Sonoma County Sheriffs Department, Rohnert Park Public Safety, Rancho Adobe Fire Department and American Medical Response Ambulance. Wilde also spoke of how other California State University campuses have had similar events like this year’s Safety Week at SSU. “When Chief Johnson returned as our chief of police, he had mentioned that CSU East Bay had
done a Safety Week and asked me to look into it. I then found a lot of departments do similar events for their perspective community or campus they serve,” said Wilde. Today, the campus was exposed to the repercussions of drunk driving with the display of a car that was wrecked by a DUI accident in honor of Safety Week. The wrecked car served as a symbolic reminder of how driving impaired can have a life-altering impact. Sonoma State police officer Karl Mortenson encourages Sonoma State students to ‘’party smart” to avoid incident of tragedy when it comes to drinking and driving. On Wednesday, Sonoma State will host a series of events regarding sexual assault and self-defense awareness, which coincides with the recent passage of the ‘Yes Means Yes’ bill singed by Governor Jerry Brown last month that aims to improve the way sexual assault is handled on college campuses. At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the Recreation Center will host a self-defense class aimed at teaching students the essentials when it comes to self-pro-
tection. There will also be a sexual assault panel discussion at 5 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Student Center with representatives from Police Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Verity as well as Sonoma County’s District Attorney’s Office. These representatives will be there to educate and discuss the affects sexual assault has on college campuses. They will also discuss what can be done to prevent incidents of sexual assault by educating and increasing students’ awareness. On Thursday, the final day of Safety Week, the campus will welcome the Sonoma County Sheriff’s helicopter HENRY-1 in recognition of emergency preparedness and how to handle an earthquake. At 10:16 a.m. on Thursday, students are encouraged to participate in the National Shakeout by dropping, covering and holding on. Those looking for further information on safety precautions, how to handle times of tragedy or on Sonoma State’s Safety Week in general are encouraged to contact Sonoma State Police Services or Counseling and Psychological Services.
University system reaches 3 million alumni Ryan Estes Staff Writer
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vate a mindset for lifelong learning and creativity,” said Halsema. “These are entrepreneurial skills that will be essential for innovation as our communities face environmental and economic challenges in the future.” The program was organized by the Startup Classroom that combines students from the schools of Education with the School of Business and Economics. The idea is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, based in the ideas that the Schools of Education as well as
hree million. Not a small number by any means, but rather the amount of alumni that the California State University system has produced since 1961. With the 2015 commencement, the number of alumni will surpass 3 million and in recognition of reaching this milestone, the university launched the “Class of 3 Million” celebration. “The Class of 3 Million milestone is a momentous occasion that allows us to honor all of the CSU students who have shaped the state, the nation and beyond,” said Chancellor Timothy White. The California State University system is one of the world’s largest comprehensive four-year public university system, which produces leaders who play a role in every major industry, making California one of the most successful global economies. The California State University system has produced many accomplished and respected leaders in fields including business, engineering, agriculture, education, hospitality, tourism, entertainment, athletics and health care. It’s one of the largest university systems in the country. The 23 campuses serve one of the most diverse groups of students (447,000), faculty and staff (45,000) and soon, over 3 million alumni. Some facts about how large the California State University system is include: One of every 20 Americans with a college degree is a graduate of the system and one of every 10 employees in the state of California is as well. To start the celebration, the university system is launching what will become the world’s largest yearbook. The “Class of 3 Million” online yearbook is an interactive platform where alumni can create a profile and connect with millions of other alumni from the 23 CSU campuses across the state. The yearbook is currently online and has information of students who have submitted it. Out of the three million graduates, about 60,000 of them are Sonoma State University alumni. “To help celebrate Sonoma State will invite all of its alumni and current class of 2015 seniors to take their place alongside the millions of CSU alumni who have shaped California by signing the world’s largest yearbook,” said Anne Biasi, director of the Alumni Association. “The university will be distributing ‘Class of 3 Million’ swag throughout the year, including ‘3M’ bracelets at commencement to graduating seniors and lapel pins to alumni.
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STAR // Nicole Detmers Sonoma State University’s Children’s School built a cardboard city as part of the Global Cardboard Challenge in the Stevenson Quad on Friday.
Cardboard Challenge channels creativity, imagination Nicole Detmers Staff Writer
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sing mostly cardboard and various other materials, younger children from the Children’s School could be heard shrieking in delight, running around through the miniature city that was being assembled in the center of Stevenson Quad last Friday. With the assistance from student volunteers and staff members, the city within Stevenson grew to include a solar-powered pet shop, a train and even a café.
“The goal is to encourage imagination and experimentation, collaboration and problem solving, all with repurposed, recycled materials,” said Pamela Van Halsema, who coordinated the Cardboard Challenge on campus. “We know this is important from the youngest preschooler all the way through college and adulthood. Sometimes the best ideas come through play, through tinkering. Halsema believes everyone is a creative maker inside, and those skills can be intentionally developed with practice. “We think you need to start early to culti-
William Kanengizer entertains at Schroeder Hall
Poetry reading at The HUB attracts students
Club Profile: Fishing
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