Volume74 issue2

Page 1

Auction supports university art

P. 6

P. 8

Restaurant Review: Redwood Cafe

Seawolves lose nail-biter, 9-9 overall

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Sonoma State Star SINCE 1979

FEBRUARY 3 - FEBRUARY 9, 2015

VOLUME 74 // ISSUE 2

SONOMASTATESTAR.COM

Chancellor proposes graduation plan Aaron Walker Staff Writer

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n his annual State of the CSU address, Chancellor Timothy White announced a Graduation Initiative 2025 intended to increase the amount of bachelor degrees earned in the CSU system. This initiative was created in order to meet the state’s future workforce demand. This initiative aims to increase the six-year graduation rate from 46 percent to 60 percent and increase the amount of bachelor’s degrees earned by 100,000 in the next decade. At the rate the current system is going, the state university system will not be able to keep up with California’s workforce, which is the seventh largest economy in the world and that is why this initiative is in place. White assured listeners the university system is fulfilling the current goals put forth by Gov. Jerry Brown. “The California State University is meeting the imperative, put forward by Gov. Brown, in his recent state of the state,” said White. “To achieve affordable and timely completion with excellence.” Although White is confident state universities are up to par, some students disagree with him. “School is super expensive, and the gap between UC and CSU is getting smaller,” said Morgan Wildeman, a finance student. “It’s crazy how much a CSU is to a UC, considering how much more you get out of a UC.” The California State University system is vital to California’s economy, providing one in 10 jobs in California to a degree holder, and making up 5 percent of the total degrees earned in the U.S. White acknowledges that this achievement would not have been possible without the support of donors, who invest in the students future, because the state university system provides graduates to some of California’s most iconic companies. “The 23 campuses of the CSU combined is California’s no. 1 supplier teachers, engineers, accountants, health care and hospitality professionals, agriculture scientists, business leaders, filmmakers, journalists, social workers,” said White, “and the list goes on and on.”`

Many of these donors see the university system as an investment, considering many graduates will enter some of the most important positions in California’s workforce. Ensuring a quality education will help provide skilled workers for the state’s growing workforce. White also said the success of the students would not have been possible without the public investment from the state of California, and the state must remain a reliable partner to ensure the prosperity of the university system. Students graduate with their bachelor’s degree in fewer than five years on average and with Graduation Initiative 2025 the goal is to move that number closer to four years. Although students believe the problem is many students don’t see the rate at which they graduate as priority, rather some believe there needs to me focus on the opportunities the system provides. “There needs to be more internship programs, because degrees aren’t enough,” said Nima Iravani, a pre-medicine and biology major. “ Employers are looking for experienced workers, and I would like to see more opportunities for work experience on campus.” Although the Graduation Initiative 2025 aims to improve the rate of graduates, there was no mention in White’s address of how the initiative plans to improve the quality of the state’s university system. White said achieving these graduation goals will be a measure of the system’s shared success and this success will only come through shared commitment. Many students are unsure about their future in the state university system, while some are unsure if they will graduate on time and others are worried that they are not acquiring all of the experience they need to enter the workforce. White assured students that the California State University system is improving graduation rates, while constantly creating new paths to success. Although some students worry about potential increases in tuition, or whether they are receiving the experience they need to enter their desired line of work, White said that the California State University System is thriving and the future is bright for all students.

STAR // Connor Gibson Students celebrated the life of theatre arts and dance major Dominic Dei Rossi at a memorial by writing letters to him on Thursday in Ives Hall.

Read about Dominic Dei Rossi’s memorial on page 5.

Grant set to support wine business Joshua Gutierrez Staff Writer

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onoma State University is laid upon the same ground as some of the finest vineyards in the world. Sonoma State and the Wine Business Institute have strived toward education that reflects the region. On Jan. 25, Sonoma State University received a $500,000 grant in order to better serve those educational goals. Tatiana and Gerret Copeland, owners of Bouchaine Wineries in Napa, donated the gift toward The Wine Spectator Learning Center. “This grant is extraordinarily meaningful in a couple ways,” said William Silver, dean of the School of Business and Economics. “The expression of support from vintners who are well-known and such strong business people, that they see value in our program is something we’re

proud of. The amount of the donation is significant as well. It will help us as we are developing the Wine Business Institute.” The $500,000 gift will specifically support The Copeland/Bouchaine Terrace and Gardens. On preliminary designs of the Wine Spectator Learning Center, the terrace and gardens will overlook commencement lawn and lake. The University Commons is the future site of the learning center. Marvin Shanken, CEO and president of Wine Spectator, a wine magazine which bears the future learning center’s name, connected the Copeland’s with an opportunity to support Sonoma State’s new building. The donation opportunity allowed the Copeland’s to invest in the education of students, specifically in the areas of hospitality and management. “I think there is a lot of sweet innocent people that go into this business not knowing how tough it is

from a business or financial sense,” said Tatiana Copeland. “I think there was this hole or gap in business education. We saw the need for this. Since we are pursuing our own dream of hospitality and the whole wine experience, why not do that for the university.” Tatiana Copeland also reflected on the effect Sonoma State’s campus had on her in a previous visit. While in attendance of the Green Music Center’s presentation of Festival del Sole, the Copeland’s had an opportunity to visit the campus. “I thought it was one of the most beautiful campuses I had been to in a very long time,” said Tatiana Copeland. “We went to Sonoma State University with the perspective of enjoying a nice evening of music, I just put it in the back of my mind of what a fantastic campus it was. Never for a moment did I think that there would be an opportunity of doing like this See WINE on Pg. 4

Campus welcomes new career adviser Ciara Smith Staff Writer

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onoma State University students may soon find it easier to meet with a career adviser thanks to a grant recently awarded from the California State University system. Sonoma State University’s staff of career advisers is about to double – to two. Ann Mansfield, Sonoma State’s only career adviser, is looking forward to having another join the university. Career Services is a campus resource

where students can go to if they need help with job interviews, understanding what career properly suits them, internships, workshops, resumes and cover letters and all other career-related questions. “A typical day for Ann includes educating, providing resources, connection and insights to help the students of SSU determine and pursue their professional aspirations,” said Brittany Silva, the communications coordinator for Career Services. “This occurs through individual career counseling appoint-

ments, workshops, and classroom presentations.” Luke Tesluk, student services senator of Associated Students, sees the benefit of having another career adviser. “I think Ann is doing a great job and having an adviser that could be just like her is what our students need,” said Tesluk. Career Services welcomes everyone to come and see what they can do to help students in the best possible way they can. Career Services also run Seawolf Jobs online so students can find a

job on campus or off campus while attending Sonoma State. “Raising awareness about the importance of Career Services and having student’s recognize they need to take charge of their futures is something that I am continually invested in,” said Mansfield. Mansfield has worked hard to make Career Services a lively space where students can learn how to enter the work world. Sonoma State is getting an adviser thanks to work of John Kornfeld, associate vice president undergraduate

studies and a professor of education. Kornfeld was successful in getting a grant from the California State University. “I’ve sent students who they don’t know what major they wanted and I knew a career adviser would help them,” said Kornfeld. “It’s only one person we are talking about. Ann has done an unbelievable job, she has refurbished the Career Center by completely and totally remodeling it and redoing website.” Kornfeld hopes students will use See ADVISING on Pg. 4

Lighting the key to safety?

Album Review: Title Fight

Turn to Pg. 3

Turn to Pg. 7


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