Volume 77 // Issue 1 by Sonoma State STAR

In this issue: Student Life: Hunter Hayes performs at Green Music Center

Opinion: Olympic coverage shows gender bias A&E: “Stranger Things” captivates Netflix subscribers Sports: Alumni scrimmage men’s soccer team

SINCE 1979

Annual convocation experiences new spark

VOLUME 77 // ISSUE 1

AUGUST 23 - AUGUST 29, 2016

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

Nate Galvan Staff Writer

n Aug. 22 Sonoma State University’s annual fall convocation was held at Weill Hall. But for the first time in over two decades a new president would take the podium to address her faculty, staff and students. Dr. Judy K. Sakaki is now in her eighth week as Sonoma State’s president and she was the first to address those in attendance, but not before an enormous amount of applause on her way to the stage. Beginning with her agenda over the previous summer months, which involved moving to a new city and meeting new faces, Sakaki described a gathering with faculty and friends over the previous weeks that involved the music constructed by cellist YoYo Ma. “YoYo Ma does with music what we in education need to move towards, pushing ourselves to think about new ways to better serve and meet the career needs of our new millennial students,” said Sakaki. Sakaki was vice president of student affairs for the University of California system and has also been head of student affairs for UC Davis and CSU Fresno. With a Ph.D. in education from UC Berkeley, Sakaki earned her M.A. in educational psychology as well as her B.A. in human development from CSU East Bay. The first half of Sakaki’s speech focused on the goals she wishes to accomplish not only in her first year as president, but the following years as well. With about 800 transfer students incoming this se-

mester, she hopes to smooth the transition of transfer students between Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State. With another 1,825 incoming freshman, Sakaki mentioned that she wants to ensure both staff and students have a voice on campus. “We are a family of about 1500 faculty and staff,” said Sakaki. “If each one of us committed to mentor, to look out for, to take a special interest in just one perspective student what a difference we could make.” The need for Sonoma State to become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) seemed to be a priority for Sakaki as she noted a university needs to have 25 percent of its undergraduates being hispanic to be declared an HSI. Currently Sonoma State is at 12 percent even though 53 percent of California’s K-12 students are hispanic. To help Sakaki get familiar with her new job status, she has brought in a whole new team of cabinet members, all but one being on an interim basis, with some even having their first days falling on the day of convocation. While stating the school’s budget is “unhealthier” than she’d hoped, Sakaki made it clear that the school’s budget priorities will be one of the many tasks that the president’s interim staff will be working on in the coming months. “I am still in the process of reviewing our budget and am focused on making sure that our resources are lined up to support the educational mission of the university,” said Sakaki. “We are very committed to the success of every single student.” One of Sakaki’s interim cabinet members, Provost Jeri Echeverria, spoke after

COURTESY // Sonoma State University President Judy K. Sakaki addressed students, staff and faculty on Aug. 22 at the annual fall convocation. President Sakaki. Being a child of immigrant parents, Echeverria touched on the impact higher education had not only on her life but her parents as well. “The first time my father ever stepped foot on a school campus was the day I graduated college,” said Echeverria. “In many ways I’ve fulfilled my father’s dream of making it in America.” Previously serving as executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer of the California State University system before retiring, Provost Echeveria hopes to work on two different areas during her short time at Sonoma State. One area being improving academic affairs and the

other involving developing the position of provost to make it very attractive to future nominees. Echeverria also noted challenges involving current faculty on campus such as the decline in the number of faculty over the past 15 years while the compensation for these faculty is low compared to other CSU campuses. This area was also touched on by Professor Elaine Newman, See CONVOCATION on Pg. 5

Student athletes set GPA record Charlotte Grayson Staff Writer

T COURTESY // Sara Wildman Susan Kashack retired Aug. 26 after thirty two years serving Sonoma State University.

Susan Kashack retires after over three decades

Samantha Oyler Staff Writer

n the time of typewriters and pagers, Susan Kashack was creating a Sonoma State University community that will forever follow her legacy. Kashack started her journey 32 years ago at Sonoma State. She chose to spend her undergraduate years as a communications major. Finding that communications was the perfect fit for her, she dreamed of pursuing a career in marketing. The interesting classes Sonoma State provided gave her adequate preparation for her masters program at San Francisco State University. Kashack grew to love the Sonoma State community so much that she dedicated the rest of her career to make this blossoming campus thrive. Kashack loved communications so much she even became one of the advisors for the Sonoma State Star. After 32 years, in a time of growth in the Sonoma State community, she has found that now is a good time to start

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a new adventure, retirement. “Susan has been a colleague of mine for 13 years. She loves Sonoma State and will be greatly missed,” said Sandi Destiny, a colleague in University Affairs. Kashack is very well known on the Sonoma State campus. Like many educators, Kashack did her work primarily for her students. “My biggest accomplishment would be my students. We have had students intern in our office and go big places. It’s just really cool to see them go far,” said Kashack. Looking back, Kashack wishes she could bring back the employees who built the campus to what it is now, so that they could see what the foundation they created has become. Her colleague Jinnea Mullins shared that Kashack never missed anything at Sonoma State and was there through all the historic events that occurred throughout the years. See RETIREMENT on Pg. 3

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he Sonoma State University Seawolves have set a new GPA record for the second straight year. Sonoma State’s student-athletes earned a combined GPA of 3.097 during the 2015-2016 school year, breaking their record set in 2014-2015 of 3.037. Individual studentathletes have also earned academic accolades, helping Sonoma State set yet another record. Sonoma State’s website reports that 93 student-athletes received all-academic honors. 70 student-athletes were honored by the California Collegiate Athletic Association conference, which is more than any other California State University campus. The CCAA’s website explains to earn this honor, a student needs to be of at least sophomore standing, have at least a 3.3 GPA and participate in a sport sponsored by the conference during the season that they are honored. “None of this happens without the student-athlete being motivated and having

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a passion for learning. We have very basic department goals in academic excellence, competitive success and community outreach emphasizing those characteristics on a regular basis,” said Athletic Director Bill Fusco, “We make sure our student-athletes, their respective teams and coaching staffs are recognized for their achievement in academics.” Of the fourteen athletic programs offered at Sonoma State, ten earned a combined GPA over 3.0 last year. The athletic department celebrated this achievement on their social media pages. On Twitter, they expressed gratitude for the outstanding faculty for the part they played in keeping students on track. The athletic department also offered congratulations to the cross country team for earning the highest GPA as a team, together earning a 3.333. Student athletes were also honored on the athletic department’s Facebook page, as well as other social media sites linked to Sonoma State University. See GPA on Pg. 3

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Page 2

Editorial

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar .com

THE STAR Editorial Board Shannon Brown, Editor-in-Chief Ashley Mar tin, Executive Editor Kim Baptista, Managing Editor Joseph Encinas, News Editor Jenna Fischer, Opinion Editor Emma Devitt, Ar ts & Enter tainment Editor Ethan Helms, Student Life Editor Bianca Sanborn, Spor ts Editor Thomas Call III, Spor ts Editor Sara Wildman, Photo Editor Rene De Aramal, Copy Editor Rachael Newman, Copy Editor Hailee Zastrow, Adver tising Director Sarah Fishback, Distribution Director Julie Albo, Editorial Car toonist Paul Gullixson, Faculty Adviser

Staff Writers Trevor Abrams, Travis Adams, Alexis Austin, Phil Bacalik, Taylor Berghoff, Analy Bravo, Karlee Budge, Amanda Buth, Ronald Campos, Francisco Carbajal, Brandon Car twright, Sarah Citti, Sean Curzon, Amira Dabbas, Gerard Desrosiers, John Dolan, Sam Evans, Noe Felix, Annie Finck, Kitana Gachero, Nate Galvan, Charlotte Grayson, Kendall Grove, Kaitlyn Haga, Tyler Heberle, Naaman Hightower, Nickey Homen, Peter Gyuhea Lee, Lucy Lopez, Madison Muro, Jared Nunes, Samantha Olyer, Alex Randolph, Marcella Richmond, Christopher Schwarz, Tatiana Serrano, Andrea Sims, Clara Stewar t, Sierra Straub, Noah Treanor, Jenna Qualls

Photographers Perla Alvarez, Megan Corcoran, Bryce Dowd, Reagan Dowd, Emily Garret, Lindsey Huffman, Jeno Veltri

Nichols Hall 323, 1801 East Cotati Ave Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Telephone: 707-664-2776 Business & General Inquiries: sonomastatestar@gmail.com Corrections and News Tips: star@sonoma.edu

Editor’ s Pick This week’s can’t miss article: “Stranger things takes the world by storm”

The new Netflix original show, “Stranger Things,” has become a phenomenon. Staff Writer Gerard Desrosiers describes the show as a nostolgic, 80s throwback that pulls in viewers to the creepy and dark story line.

Read the story on page 7

Corrections/Clarifications The STAR values accuracy and works diligently to check facts before publication. However, if inaccuracies occur, we want to know. Please report errors to the editor at star@sonoma.edu.

STAR // Julie Albo

A new hope for student affairs

‘W

ait, I didn’t know that was happening. How come nobody told us?’ seems to be the words uttered throughout campus lately. Sonoma State University students are out of the loop and uninformed about the happenings of their school. New president, Judy K. Sakaki, claims she’s here to change that. Coming from the University of California system, Sakaki held the position of vice president of student affairs. ‘Student affairs’ is a key quality missing from Sonoma State and all eyes are on her as she hopes to make changes. Not only in her first year as president, but the precedent she can set to be a more student-focused university. In an interview with the Press Democrat, Sakaki said, “My whole background is student affairs. I came here and the portfolio is not a student affairs portfolio. That’s very clear.” This rings true to students, as student complaints about issues on campus such as parking, campus safety at night and availability of classes have been dismissed as laziness or over exaggeration for the past several

years. At the end of the day, this university needs to take a look at who it should be serving, and the answer should not be the out-oftown patrons of the Green Music Center. On Aug. 21, Sakaki spoke with faculty, staff and students in an annual convocation on the eve of first day of classes. Throughout her speech, she spoke frequently on the needs of students. Speaking to her audience of mostly faculty, she urged how they can make a difference in a student’s life. “Through our students, we have a chance to shape the future,” Sakaki said. “It doesn’t matter what position you are in or what your job description is, we are all here to help our students to be successful.” Over the last decade, Sonoma State has seen many aesthetic changes; a beautiful new concert hall, luxury upperclassmen dorms, an extravagant student center complete with a pub and fine dining restaurant. But how does any of this help student success when there aren’t enough class sections open and professors are underpaid? The campus is beautiful, but that’s not the purpose of a university. Last semester, the school was in a frenzy when a

large television screen was plastered to the side of the Recreation Center. To the students, it seemed bizarre the university wasn’t more eager to share its presence both before and after its installation. Although this is a relatively small issue concerning student affairs, it’s worth mentioning when thinking about what students want from their new president. It’s impossible to imagine being able to share concerns or suggestions to the president of your university, especially in the last decade at Sonoma State, but Sakaki has expressed a desire to change that. “I really do want to listen and learn. I want to hear your voice...I will also be developing other means of open access to me,” Sakaki said. “Instituting what I call ‘walk and talks’ where anyone can get on my calendar. This provides me with the time to get around campus, to listen and learn from many different folks.” With an open mind and plenty to discuss, we hope our new president is ready to steer our university back into the right direction with the help of students and faculty alike.

Editorial Policy: The commentary expressed in the unsigned editorial represents a majority opinion of the STAR Editorial Board on a topic facing the campus community in keeping with journalistic precedents of other major newspapers, and may not be shared by all staff writers. The board encourages readers to write letters to the editor about all topics, including the editorial.

Publication The STAR is published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters. Printing is done by Sonoma Media Group. The weekly publication of the STAR is made possible by Instructionally Related Activities Funding.

Opinions

Opinions expressed in the STAR are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the STAR or SSU. The editorial reflects the views of the STAR Editorial Board on issues it considers to be of particular relevance to the campus community.

Letters to the Editor Letter writers may expect prompt publication in the newspaper’s op-ed section, as space is available. Letters of up to 400 words will be allowed and must be submitted no later than the Friday before the publication date. Published letters must be free of libel, since the publication is held legally accountable for all content. Although personal controversy will be tolerated, it is the responsibility of the editor to check statements purporting the facts. The STAR reserves the right to refuse publication to any letter and to edit for length. Letters must sign all contributions and the editor must verify the signer and the writer are one in the same through personal conference. To send a letter to the editor, email star@sonoma.edu.

HAVE AN OPINION? WE'D LIKE TO READ IT. THE STAR WELCOMES AND ENCOURAGES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND GUEST SUBMISSIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, READ THE LEFT SIDEBAR FOR OUR POLICIES ON EDITORIALS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

E-MAIL ALL OPINIONS TO STAR@SONOMA.EDU

Opinion

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016 sonomastatestar .com

Page 3

Stanford cracks down on alcohol, not sexual assault

Jahred Nunes Staff Writer

ndergraduate students at Stanford University are no longer allowed to drink or be in possession of hard alcohol with 20 percent alcohol content or above on campus. With the infamous Brock Turner sentence, turning only a mere three months old this September, the Stanford swimmer was found guilty of three felony sexual assault charges and sentenced to six months in jail. It’s hard to believe this policy change is simply a coincidence,

but rather an action that speaks to greater meaningfully change our culture around volumes of Stanford’s view on sexual as- alcohol.” sault. Stanford’s “new solution,” similar to In one of the most famous quotes to policy changes recently seen on many come out of this case, the anonymous vic- other campuses, not only disputes the tim stated, “Alcohol is not an excuse. Is it victim’s statement but seems to side with a factor? Yes. But alcohol was not the one Turner by blaming alcohol for his actions. who stripped me, fingered me, had my Critics are saying this new policy will not head dragging against the ground, with solve problems of sexual misconduct on campus. me almost fully naked.” TIME MagaIn March, however, It doesn’t address sexual zine released a Stanford President John assault on campus but Hennessy and Provost instead files sexual assault report claiming policies such as John Etchemendy sent a and misconduct behind Stanford’s “new mass email to their stu“high-risk behavior.” solution” are dents regarding alcohol “ideas that haven’t been widely tested.” misuse. “Alcohol, and particulary hard alco- Following up with data from Dartmouth hol, is implicated in a variety of problems University’s school newspaper, it showed that continue to be present in the Stanford after a school-wide study, 85 percent of community. These include alcohol poi- students had consumed hard alcohol after soning, sexual assault and relationship their policy change. It’s also important to note that Stanviolence, organizational conduct problems and academic problems,” the email ford is only banning alcohol with 20 perread. “We need new solutions, sollutions cent alcohol content and above, leaving that reduce risk for students, that reduce alcoholic beverage with a smaller perthe pressure on students to drink, and that centage still up for grabs.

Olympic-sized inequality

Home court disadvantage

Amira Dabbas Staff Writer

Naaman Hightower Staff Writer

early a thousand people will have to find transportation to attend a home game for Sonoma State University basketball this

season. At its peak attendance for ‘Pack The Den,’ the energy in the gymnasium gave a spark to the struggling men’s basketball team, who needed the momentum. “I think when we have the support of the school behind us like that, we’re a hard team to beat,” said Senior guard Topher Taylor. “We definitely feed off of the energy they give.” However, the feeling of a home court advantage this year was quickly lost during the men’s basketball meeting at the beginning of the year. Last year, a contract was signed by former Sonoma State President Ruben Armiñana that would temporarily close the gym from Nov. 21 until the first week of January in order to replace the bleachers. However, speculation is it would be extended until the end of the month, forcing all home basketball games to be played at a farther location such as College of Marin or Santa Rosa Junior College. Head Men’s Basketball Coach Pat Fuscaldo has a strong opinion about the topic, especially in regard to his upperclassmen players. “I’m very excited about the bleachers, just not about the timing,” Fuscaldo said. Other faculty believe that postponing the bleachers until March or April in order to secure the home court advantage would be the best idea. The timing itself is questionable because of how it only affects the basketball teams at Sonoma State. A feeling of disrespect could be felt in the environment around the gym. A student-athlete who wished to remain anonymous chimed in their perspective with some interesting questions. “I feel like basketball has never really got the respect it deserves around here. I mean why would they choose to redo the bleachers in the middle of basketball season? Why not over the summer? Also, why is it that volleyball gets to play their full season and not be affected?” The feeling of attachment is real for the coaching staff. Of the six seniors, three players have been apart of the program for five years. “I have six seniors this year, so I feel their pain the most. Not just our team, but the women’s team suffers as well,” Fuscaldo added. Senior point guard Ronnie Harris was especially frustrated about the situation. “Our players are all here to get an education, first and foremost,” Harris said. “Second, we are here to play basketball. If we have to practice in the Rec Center, which isn’t the same as a college level court, it could throw off our game.” A meeting is scheduled for next week with Sonoma State President Judy Sakaki in order further discuss the situation. If worse comes to worst, the basketball teams are confident that students will still come out to support them throughout the season, wherever the home games are held.

“I think these kind of bans are well intentioned and obviously schools want to make their students safe, but you know, alcohol is alcohol,” Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism George Koob said to TIME magazine. “It’s true that distilled beverages will get you to a higher [blood-alcohol level] in a shorter period of time, but beyond that, it’s pretty easy to binge on beer or wine.” The most important critique to the new Stanford policy is it doesn’t address sexual assault on campus but instead files sexual assault and misconduct behind “high-risk behavior.” Stanford Law professor Michelle Dauber reported her skepticism of the policy to TIME. “I just think that this policy is a ‘Look, we’re doing something moment, but what it’s doing is potentially more dangerous for students,” Dauber said. “It’s going to lead to people doing it secretly instead of openly, in enclosed spaces instead of in public—and potentially lead to more cases of sexual assault.”

tanford swimmer Katie Ledecky won three gold medals in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, but who cares? What we really want to know is how she keeps her nail polish from chipping. Hungarian swimmer Katinka Hosszú won a gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley and broke a world record. Clearly that accomplishment wasn’t possible without the help of her husband, who also happens to be her coach. Sexism towards women is nothing new to the Olympics, but it’s 2016 and something needs to change. We now have a woman running to be president of the United States, so why is it so hard to have a fair representation of women in a sports tradition that is supposed to honor all athletes equally? When our first instinct watching the Olympics is to belittle a woman’s

accomplishments by comparing them to a man, something is very wrong. American women won 27 of the 46 American gold medals at this year’s Olympics. According to the Torch, NPR’s Olympic coverage, if the United States were divided into two countries, men one country and women the other, those 27 gold medals would tie them with Britain for most golds from any country. Before the start of the games, data from the International Olympic Committee showed the 2016 Olympics would have more women competitors than any other year in history. This only seemed to result in an increase in remarks and subtle slander that degraded women and their skills. Michael Phelps made a bigger headline with a tie for silver during a 100-meter fly than Katie Ledecky did for her world record. Nancy Leong, a professor at the University of Denver Law, has been famously quoted for her tweet about the headline, “This headline is basically a metaphor for the entire world.” This needs to be our wakeup call. It’s time to step back and think a little harder about the way we represent women in the media and why we keep making these same mistakes. Majlinda Kelmendi won gold in the martial arts sport, Judo, becoming Kosovo’s first ever medalist. However BBC Sport’s commentator was quick

to call her battle against Italy’s Odette Giuffrid a “catfight.” Why do these comments come so natural? It’s as if they’re so deeply ingrained into the subconscious of our society that a word such as “catfight” is the first thing to come to mind during a martial arts battle with two women. Some athletes seem to recognize this pattern and are speaking out against it. BBC presenter John Inverdale said to Andy Murray, “You’re the first person to ever win two Olympic tennis gold medals, that’s an extraordinary feat, isn’t it?” Murray replied, ”Well to defend the singles title, I think Venus and Serena have won about four each … it’s obviously not an easy thing to do, and I had to fight unbelievably hard to get it tonight as well.” The world is just sitting back and letting this happen. It’s so important that we change this dialogue surrounding women and the Olympics instead of just ignoring how uncomfortable these comments makes us. Everyone must be recognized by their skill set. Not by their gender, what they are wearing or their relationship status. They are Olympians for a reason and nothing should ever take away from that. Let’s just hope that by the time 2018 rolls around we’ll see more equality and less gender bias in the winter games.

The selective empathy of Americans

Katie Haga Staff Writer

mran Daqneesh, the young boy who is now the face of the Syrian Civil War, has recently given Americans insight into the chaos of the five-year-war. On Aug. 18, a video of the 5-year-old boy went viral. The video found its way onto several different social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook and was even broadcasted on CNN. The blank, emotionless and silent expression on Daqneesh’s face shocked the world. This civil war has been ongoing since 2011. According to the Syrian Center for Policy Research, one in 10 Syrians have been wounded or killed since the beginning of the civil war, with a staggering death toll of 470,000 people. This kind of destruction and death occurs on a daily basis in Syria and yet this image is the only one that sticks with us, why is that?

Americans don’t care about catastrophic events such as the Syrian war unless it’s directly affecting our nation. Americans are selfish. If it doesn’t concern us and our wellbeing we pay no mind to it. Terrorism isn’t a subject to be taken lightly. Our troops have been fighting terrorism for over a decade and recently have been plotting ways to defeat ISIS. In America, there isn’t a constant war in our streets, no random airstrikes and the death toll isn’t consistantly rising each day. Our terrorist problem is nothing compared to Syria. We are the land of the free and have always been a giant mixing pot consisting of different cultures, races and religions, and we should not fear refugees seeking help in America. Although we are very different from Syria, we share the same interest in wanting to rid our nation of terrorism and violence. With that being said, the United States should step in and help these people put an end to their civil war. Americans should be more devastated by the constantly rising death toll in Syria, and not just allow their heart strings to be pulled by a single image of an injured child. It comes as no shock that Daqneesh’s face was so calm, he experiences this on a daily basis. The cameraman who captured Daqneesh’s expression on video, Al-Sarut, told NBC, “This is the

Syrian reality, this is every day for Syrians.” Americans are constantly taking their daily lives for granted. We don’t have to walk around in fear worrying where we may be attacked next, whether it be on the streets, at a party or even at home. For people in Syria, these are the harsh realities that they come face to face with daily. The next time you’re sitting at your kitchen table drinking your coffee and reading the Sunday paper, don’t skip past the world news page, keep reading and educate yourself on the atrocities occurring around us. Just because it’s not happening here, does not mean it’s not happening at all.

Courtesy // Aleppo Media Center

Page 4

News

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar .com

COURTESY // Bryce Dowd Over the summer, University District has experienced a rapid rate of construction. Homes are now for sale, and commercial buildings are expected to accompany the new housing developments.

University District starting to sell homes Braden Cartwright Staff Writer

large development is being constructed right next to Sonoma State University that offers 1,236 single-family homes, encompassing 260 acres. It’s named the University District and is located right across the street from the Green Music Center. According to the development’s website, not only are there are nearly 300 houses coming soon, but commercial real estate is also available. Students can also expect to see shops and restaurants in the University District. Some of the houses are already for sale, and the construction team made a notable leap forward this summer. By adding homes and shops just across Rohnert Park Expressway to the Green Music Center, it brings some activity to the area considered to be on the outskirts of campus. It will give students attending class in the Green Music Center a closer option to dine. According to the listing for the property, “amenities include a bocce court, playground, covered picnic area,

sports fields and an adjacent park.” The original plans for University District were proposed a decade ago, but those never panned out due to financial concerns. In 2013, an updated plan was presented to Rohnert Park City Council. They approved it in 2014. In 2015, the long awaited project began construction. A field began its transformation to a large-scale real estate development. Currently, the lot is mostly dirt where the houses will be built. There are a few model homes already finished that can be viewed and many more houses are being worked on. There are also new roads being paved. The neighborhood will have two parks and 60 acres of on-site open space, according to the University District website. “The walking and bicycle trails that are planned will further add a connectedness, expanding living and recreational areas to those campus community members who may live there,” said Susan Kashack, chief communications officer, told the STAR when construction broke ground. The University District website advertises the “3 miles of on-site trails linking to the city, Sonoma State University [and the] Green Music Center.”

The development is named University District because of its proximity to the school; this project is not overseen by Sonoma State University. The University District can help house the growing population of Rohnert Park. In 1970, the city had less than 10,000 residents. Today, over 40,000 people live here. The demand for housing is high which is why this residential development is being built. Many students have trouble finding off-campus housing, especially close to Sonoma State. University District has homes starting at $600,000 so it could be a viable option for students moving offcampus. Kashack also told the STAR that she “expects the homes, apartments and commercial areas will offer opportunities for our students, faculty and staff.” The houses that are coming soon are considered single-family homes and they offer the potential to house many students. However, they are for sale now so the houses would need to be leased to students through the owner. This provides no immediate option for students searching for housing in the near future. For more information on the large scale housing project, visit liveuniversitydistrict.com

GPA: RETIREMENT: Susan Kashack era comes Student Athletes to a close recognized for Continued from Pg. 1

Kashack plans to travel with her husband to Chicago to see a San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs game. She also plans to travel to Washington, D.C .and Niagara Falls. While she is very excited to travel, she is looking forward to spending her time at home finishing projects, gardening and catching up on television shows. Kashack still plans to volunteer with the Cotati Cham-

ber of Commerce, as she has done for years. Kashack has given all her time and energy to making Sonoma State University what it is today. She has been through all of Sonoma State’s ups and downs. Kashack’s colleague Jean Wasp described her as an “icon.” From her contribution to the STAR, dedication to her students and commitment to her colleagues, Susan Kashack will leave a legacy on the Sonoma State campus.

their work in the classroom Continued from Pg. 1

This achievement was also mentioned on Sonoma State’s main social media pages, including Facebook and Twitter. Both posts include links to the athletic department’s website for more information. Sonoma State’s Facebook post congratulating student-athletes has been liked over 100 times. The school’s tweet about the accomplishment was shared by Sonoma State’s new president, Dr. Judy K. Sakaki on her own Twitter account. “The tremendous academic achievements of our student-athletes are certainly a testament to our outstanding coaches and staff, but most of all to the hard work of our studentathletes,” said Associate Athletic Director Brandon Bronzan. “The time demand put on studentathletes often makes academic excellence a challenge. The fact that we had 93 student-athletes earn all-academic status and that our department GPA

was over 3.0 shows how remarkable our studentathletes really are.” This achievement has a place of pride on Sonoma State’s website, ensuring that all Sonoma State students see the good news when they go to log on to their account. The record has earned a mention in the local newspaper, The Community Voice, ensuring that the community even outside of campus is aware of our student-athlete’s success. “I believe the commendation for this exceptional achievement can be shared among the student-athletes, coaches and our staff that provide academic support and advising. Our coaches recruit the right student-athletes to Sonoma State University,” said Fusco. “These elite student-athletes are driven and realize the value of completing an undergraduate degree. I thank our student-athletes for prioritizing and excelling in their academic endeavors. They are making the most of a very special educational opportunity in the classroom and on the venue of competition.”

News

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar.com

Stolen department carts located by police

Page 5

Francisco Carbajal Staff Writer

he first week of school was met with anticipation by many students. Unfortunately for the golf carts around campus, they started the week on campus on the wrong foot. During the first week, multiple golf carts from various departments were stolen from the school and were found days later. According to Bill Fusco, director of athletics for Sonoma State, one particular golf cart was stolen from the athletic department twice in the past week. “One of our electric carts was taken twice, but in both cases, the cart was recovered with little or no damage. We are quite fortunate that the cart was recovered.” said Fusco. The cart was found in the middle of the redwood trees near the soccer game field just across from the South Fieldhouse offices. “We have purchased a more secure lock for the cart and also exploring the possibility of moving the cart parking area to a different location within the PE complex.” said Fusco. The other stolen carts were found, including the cart used by the Communications Department to deliver The Sonoma State Star. The location of where those carts were found is still under wraps as it is part of an ongoing investigation by the police department. “We are encouraging our supportive community to call SSU Police Services with any information that may be helpful with our efforts in this regard. We also encourage our community to call SSU Police Services if they observe suspicious behavior or activity on campus.” said Acting Chief of Police, David Dougherty. Kassie Crawford, senior, works on campus delivering mail all over Sonoma State. “The carts are a privilege and they serve an important purpose. When one gets stolen, it can derail a department’s productivity, and since most of our departments work together and rely on each other, it can cause delays all around campus in multiple ways. If you really want to drive a golf cart that badly, get a job in facilities. We are hiring.” Crawford said. If you know any information about the stolen golf carts call SSU Police Services at 707-664-4444.

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Santa Rosa

Late Sunday evening, three men were arrested in a shooting of a 22-year-old man. The shooting is believed to be gang involved.

Sacramento

With the new Golden One Credit Union Center less than a month from opening its doors, the latest estimated cost of construction is around $556.6 million.

Stamford, Connecticut

Gene Wilder, 83, passed away Sunday evening in his home due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

COURTESY // Sonoma State University Ray Johnson has been named the new executive director of the soon-to-be Wine Business Insititute.

Construction begins on wine business institute Sierra Straub Staff Writer

t can be argued that Sonoma County is most known for its wine. With Sonoma State University’s new Wine Business Institute, it may also be known for it’s wine education. The Wine Business Institute is the only place in North America where students can earn a graduate degree in wine business education. Ray Johnson, recently named executive director of the program, has expressed appreciation to be a part of it. “To be named executive director is an honor and a responsibility because we’re going for something really big,” said Johnson. Johnson wants the program to become the global leader in wine business research and education. “It is important to underscore the business part, because that is our focus. We feel by concentrating on that, we add a lot of value to the wine industry.” Johnson has always been a fan of the wine industry, as it’s what brought him to California. He started as a tour guide at Christian Brothers Winery, eventually working his way into wine sales before teaching. Being located in wine country is something Johnson plans to take advantage of, as well as the connections available to students. “We’re in a close knit community of connected people and the people who study with us get connected and so it makes the career progression and career entrance easier for them,” said Johnson. One of the highlights of the program is the wine entrepreneurship program, open to anyone, which helps launch people who want to start a wine business. Students also have the opportunity to help build and promote Sonoma State’s own wine brand. The program also boasts plenty of successful alumni with careers in the wine industry, who help spread the word about Sonoma State. “The people take the story of Sonoma State with them to all these other places where wine is consumed,

where wine is enjoyed, where wine is sold,” said Johnson. The new home for the program will be located in the former University Commons building, which is currently under renovation. Similar to many other buildings on campus, the new Wine Business Institute will be conservation friendly. Construction on the building has started and is on schedule, with demolition currently taking place. Johnson and other board members had input into the new building, which will feature three classrooms and space for events. The building will not just be home to wine business students though. Johnson sees the building as a gathering place. “The building is a home to share with the entire university,” he said. The ceremonial groundbreaking, which took place on June 1, generated interest from Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Mike Thompson, as well as many people from the wine industry and Sonoma State students and alumni. The building has also drawn interest from local wineries. “One hundred percent of the people we talk with are very happy that this sort of facility is located right here in wine country,” said Johnson, “[Sakaki] heard about the work we’ve been doing in wine business and is very supportive.” In preparation for his new role, Johnson has done his best to reconnect with alumni to bring them back for events and to connect them with current students. Through the use of mixers, Johnson wants to give students the opportunity to make connections in the wine industry. Students graduating from the Wine Business program certainly have an advantage when it comes to pursuing a career in the wine industry. Connections can be made through the internship and mentorship programs, which Johnson has seen students do quite effectively. “If you make a good impression, the door is open,” he added.

CONVOCATION: Associated Students President Emily Hinton makes impact Continued from Pg. 1

the California Faculty Association president for Sonoma State, does feel better this year than in years past. “With Dr. Judy Sakaki’s new interim team and a focus on shared governance under the leadership of Dr. Ben Ford [Chair of the Faculty] and the academic senate we can improve faculty working conditions to increase student learning and outcome,” said Newman. “ I am here with a very different outlook than when I stood here one year ago.” Perhaps the most crowd pleasing speech of the entire event came from new Associated Students President Emily Hinton who shared her thoughts about student and administration collaboration and the impact it can have. Hinton referred to her own struggles during her first semesters at the university. She is now representing students as a whole. She recalls her thoughts during this time and how all it took was one professor to tell her not to give up. “Why should I invest my time and money in a university that seemed as though they weren’t investing their time and money in me?” said Hinton. “The only reason I am standing before you today is due to the small effort a dedicated professor put into my time at this university who took a few moments to tell me he

saw potential in me.” Hinton was elected at the end of the 2015-16 school year with the highest voter turnout in six years. The theme of Hinton’s speech was formed around the idea of students and their place on Sonoma State’s campus. Hinton cited the value that should be put on students rather than on the buildings that occupy the campus, as well as the voice that each student should be given during their time at the university. This resulted in abundant applause during her five minutes at the podium which eventually led to a standing ovation at its conclusion. “I wanted it to be a true representation of what the students felt needed to be voiced,” said Hinton when asked about the contents of her speech a few days later. “I had no prior knowledge of what the other speakers would focus on or that all of our speeches would follow a common theme.” Almost every speaker alluded to the cooperation of faculty and students to give Sonoma State’s occupants the best chance for success. During the final presentation, Dr. Ben Ford shared his thoughts on this unexpected common theme that appeared for most of the event. “I’m amazed that all the speakers and I did not talk through our addresses today because it feels like we’re reading off the same script and I can’t tell you how great that feels.”

News

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar.com

Stolen department carts located by police

Page 5

Francisco Carbajal Staff Writer

NEWS

IN BRIEF

Santa Rosa

Late Sunday evening, three men were arrested in a shooting of a 22-year-old man. The shooting is believed to be gang involved.

Sacramento

With the new Golden One Credit Union Center less than a month from opening its doors, the latest estimated cost of construction is around $556.6 million.

Stamford, Connecticut

Gene Wilder, 83, passed away Sunday evening in his home due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

COURTESY // Sonoma State University Ray Johnson has been named the new executive director of the soon-to-be Wine Business Insititute.

Construction begins on wine business insitute Sierra Straub Staff Writer

CONVOCATION: Associated Students President Emily Hinton makes impact Continued from Pg. 1

Page 6

Arts

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar .com

“Cursed Child” brings nostalgia for Harry Potter fans Sean Curzon Staff Writer

Review

COURTESY // Rheannon Eisworth Eisworth is a second-year business major with a passion for art.

Seawolf Spotlight: Rheannon Eisworth

fter nine years, a new Harry Potter book has been released. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” follows an adult Harry Potter as he tries juggling work and fatherhood. Unlike the other Harry Potter books which are novels, “Cursed Child” is a script for a play written by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. While “Cursed Child” seemed lazily written at some parts, it makes up for it with great characters and a strong emotional core. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” did feel unnecessary but it was nostalgic to visit Harry Potter’s world again. Written by J.K Rowling, the Harry Potter series follows the young boy who discovers he is not only a wizard, but Voldemort, the greatest dark wizard of the time, was defeated after failing to kill Potter as a baby. Harry attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The series follows Harry as he deals with young love, bullies, teachers, mysteries, unwanted fame, a corrupt government and a not so dead dark lord. The first book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” was first published on June 26, 1997. Since then, the Harry Potter series landed itself in the public consciousness in a way that no other book has since. The seven novels

were adapted into eight movies, each a major financial and critical success. The final film, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two” is currently the eighth highest grossing movie of all time. People of all ages were drawn to Harry Potter’s magical world due to the fantastical world building and story themes centered around the importance of empathy. The oddest thing about “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is that it’s a play, as opposed to a novel like the other Harry Potter books. It’s not written with paragraphs but with dialogue and stage directions. As a result, there is a feeling that the book is not the complete experience. Since it’s a play, it should be watched. But the play is unfortunately only being performed in London, so here we are. The story never feels as grand as past Harry Potter stories, mainly because it had to be restrained to make it performable on stage. “Cursed Child” makes up for it by focusing on more personal scenes with the characters. The structure of the story is odd at first. The opening scene is the epilogue from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” where Harry gives advice to his son Albus. The next scenes jump around his first few years at school until the skips stops at his fourth year. It’s pretty disorienting. That said, it does feel like a Harry Potter story. And it’s great to see a full canon story in this world again. It did feel unnecessary, but I didn’t regret reading it. Reading “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” felt like seeing an old friend again.

Clara Stewart Staff Writer

onoma County has been recognized for producing some of the best wine and food around the world. The abundance of these delicacies within the community yields a vibrant, artistic culture. Sonoma State University student Rheannon Eisworth is worthy of recognition as a noteworthy addition to this flourishing art community. Eisworth recently moved from San Luis Obispo to Rohnert Park to attend Sonoma State. She has been attending Sonoma State for two years studying business and art. Her current choice of medium is pen and pencil as she mostly enjoys drawing. Eventually, she aims to progress from realistic drawings to more stylistic pieces through painting and ceramics. She notes an important distinction between photography and painting, motivating the potential to advance her work. “I would describe my art as not super realistic, but not really cartoonist. For instance, I have one really big art piece that’s like a person that is dysmorphic and has two heads,” said Eisworth. “It’s kind of interesting. I have one witch girl with a cat. There is another artist that I follow that makes a lot of people and flowers. It probably sounds weirder than it looks.” According to Eisworth, she draws most of her inspiration from her mother and emerging unlicensed artists on platforms such as Instagram and Tumblr. Some of her favorite artists online include Paul Jackson and Julia Gabrielov. “I like to collect art. I follow a lot of people on Instagram. Then I find their websites and buy from them sometimes,” said Eisworth. When asked about her recent accomplishments, she talked about a piece she is drafting for a back tattoo for her boyfriend. Eisworth and her boyfriend Chris Sellite have been dating for over a year and he commented on her methods as an artist. “She is very passionate and adamant about her art. I am having her work on a drawing that I plan to have as a tattoo involving the tree of life,” said Sellite. “I think she has a very creative mind and puts 110 percent effort into every piece she does. She is very particular and won’t stop until it’s just the way she likes it. Overall, I think she is a fantastic artist and should continue with it her whole life.” According to Eisworth, her upbringing has influenced a diverse direction in the arts. Her parents came from two completely different backgrounds, which has helped to enable the artist to have a flexible mind and be competent in both the arts and science. “My parents are divorced. My dad is a computer engineer and on the wealthy side. I am also really good at math and science and less good at English and writing,” said Eisworth. “He wanted me to do engineering more often. He was less encouraging of it and didn’t think I could make a lot of money off art and photography. I think he is happy I am a business major. My mom is encouraging of it, she was a graphic designer for a while, and she is more on the artsy side. She has to work a lot because she is nurse now. So it’s kind of interesting coming from those two backgrounds.” According to Eisworth she has considered many different directions as to how she wants to pursue her passion in the arts. She has considered things such as being a tattoo artist and opening her own art gallery. “For now art is more of a hobby, but for a long time I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I don’t know if that is still a passion I am still interested in,” said Eisworth. “In the future, since I am a business major, I was thinking about opening my own art gallery and making it a weird ‘wine and beer bar’ type thing. There is something kind of like that in San Luis Obispo but I want to take the idea and change it to my own.” Her most recent idea of combining a business venture with her art allows her to display her talents in both the arts and science. But more importantly, it has helped her establish a middle ground with her father in which they can both be more accepting of each other’s differences. “I’m not sure I have a message, I just like to do it as a more fun relaxing thing. You just get really concentrated in a sense,” said Eisworth. “I thought of this yesterday, because I was reading an article for my art class. It’s kind of like yoga in a sense where you concentrate on the breath but you concentrate on art instead and you aren’t really thinking about all the negative things.” Eisworth is very personable and laughs frequently throughout conversation. She described herself as being a nice person but interested in dark things. Her favorite color is purple and she enjoys a wide variety of music ranging from Screamo, Death Cab for Cutie and Purity Ring.

facebook.com “I Told You” was released August 19 selling just 53,000 albums.

Tory Lanez debut album disappoints Noe Felix Staff Writer

Review

ne of the hottest emerging artists in 2016 has been Tory Lanez. The Toronto rapper and singer has been making his way into mainstream music since the release of his hit lead single “Say It.” Many fans were expecting something grand with Lanez’s debut album, “I Told You.” Unfortunately, they’ll be listening to one of the most disappointing albums of 2016 so far. Tory Lanez has the potential to be a huge artist. His prior mixtapes have shown he’s at his best when he focuses on the R&B side of the spectrum. Past songs like “N.A.M.E” and “Karruche” stand the test of time and sound as good, if not better, than most of the tracks on the album. The overall concept and theme surrounding the album is highly entertaining. Listeners follow Daystar Peterson, aka Tory Lanez, on his journey to fame from 2008 till now. They are let into the harsh life of Lanez as he goes from being homeless and a gangbanger, to finding his love for music and pursuing it as a career. The story is told across 14 tracks, which also consists of 14 skits. However, an artist’s album has a huge problem if listeners are skipping the music to get to the skits. That’s something that will happen constantly across the album. Luckily, the album isn’t a total waste. The production of “I Told You” is truly top notch. Each track feels like their own entity and has

its own feel. The sound of “Guns and Roses” is warm, open and heartfelt. “Question Is,” which is on the opposite end of the spectrum, feels cold, secluded and hopeless. The production quality is varied throughout the tracks. Lanez and his team create a sound unique to Lanez himself. The production is probably the best part about this album, aside from a few standout songs. This album gets bogged down due to Lanez’s need to tell the listener about his rise to fame. While everyone loves an underdog story, it has to be told in a way that is entertaining to many. The problem with “I Told You” is that it focuses more on the story, rather than the music. It feels like Lanez is merely rapping to rap because 95 percent of the tracks have no hooks. There is too much content within each track and with the lack of something to break up the flows, it feels overwhelming at times. Moreover, Lanez isn’t that good of lyricist, in fact, he’s a better singer. Conversely, “Loners Blvd” is the only track that makes Lanez seem like a competent emcee. On the track, he recounts why he became a rapper and tells the listener of his first time ever performing live. “Loners Blvd” inspires and evokes emotion unlike any other song on the entire album. “Me? Imma go far/ I can still dream in this world full of stars/ I can still scheme in this world full of narcs/ so Imma dream, I’mma dream, dream/ I’mma dream like you said to me/ Best words that were said to me,” he raps over a piano driven production. If it wasn’t for the guitar driven ballad “Guns and Roses,” the dancehall inspired “Luv,” or the 90s groove of “Say It,” this album would’ve been a complete flop. As a fan of Lanez, it pains me to say that his prior work was better. It seems that the best things out of Canada are still maple syrup and Drake.

Entertainment

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar.com

Page 7

Hunter Hayes brings country to the GMC Marcella Richmond Staff Writer

unter Hayes, an award winning singer and songwriter, was welcomed to the Green Music Center with excitement and enthusiasm last Sunday. Musician Julia Cole started out the night with new music and a few mash-ups. Her smile lit up the room and made the audience feel as though they already knew her. As an up and coming artisit, the crowd was not familiar with her songs, but they were definitely enjoying her music and company. Once Cole finished her performance, Hayes came on-stage ready to entertain the audience with the best show he could give. “He was very engaging and seemed thrilled to be there,” said Ray Woodall, a junior at Sonoma State University. “I feel like he really cares about his fans and makes an effort to connect with them,” said junior Sarah Kaufman. Hayes acknowledged the fact that sitting on the lawn makes it challenging to fully enjoy the concert. He decided what better way to make everyone feel special than to go sing personally with crowd sitting on the lawn. As soon as he appeared from the depths of the concert hall, people began rushing over to be as close to Hayes as the security guards would allow. While on the lawn, Hayes told the audience he has a new song not released yet. The Green Music Center audience were the first ones to hear this song. Hayes told the audience he had a good feeling about the crowd and wanted to share the new song with them. After serenading the audience on the lawn, Hayes went back up to the main stage to play more. He played a variety, not only the popular ones. However, the audience went crazy as he sang songs like “Wanted,” “Crazy,” and “Invisible.” “Crazy” was a definite crowd pleaser. As soon as Hayes began singing, the audience immediately joined in. Hayes would pause and put the microphone to the audience so they could have their time to shine. Concert go-ers were screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs and dancing like nobody was watching. Hayes’ contagious smile was nonstop throughout the entire concert. He was constantly laughing and having a great time with his band. He was sure to give the band

credit for their performance. Towards the end of the concert, Hayes looked into the audience and asked if the little girl with a purple guitar was still in the building. A few seconds later, a little girl appeared on stage with Hayes. She was carrying a purple guitar and wearing a cowgirl hat, both of which had tons of signatures on them. Hayes sang a verse of the song “Crazy” with her, gave her a huge hug, and sent her back with the rest of the audience. “The GMC is an intimate venue that provides a closeness between the artist and the audience,” said junior Mallory Suter.

COURTESY // Brennan Spark Popular country music star, Hunter Hayes, came to Sonoma State University last Sunday to perform some of his biggest hits.

Pokemon GO away or here to stay? Kendall Grove Staff Writer

Commentary facebook.com “Stranger Things” premiered on Netflix July 15.

“Stranger Things” takes the world by storm Gerard Desrosiers Staff Writer

Review

emember what it was like to be a kid? Like, way back--I’m talking before the cellphone, before the car and all a kid had to his name were the clothes on his back, the bike under his butt and the imagination that bounced between his ears. Yeah, that kid. Remember the raw fear of it all? Whether it was the dark shadows that hid the unexplainable, the space under the bed or the black void of an open closet, youth exchanged whatever was actually in there, the rational things and replaced them for monsters and creatures. A time when imagination filled the spaces in idle thought rather than Amazon purchases and phone applications. It was a good time, but a momentary one, and god how he wishes for a chance to appreciate it again. To revisit it. And I’m here to tell him, he can. Through a little show called “Stranger Things.” A creation of the Duffer Brothers, Matt and Ross Duffer, “Stranger Things” succeeds in capturing the essence of the Sci-Fi obsessed trends of the 80s, reminiscing its viewers back to the style of movies like “E.T.” and “The Goonies” and never lets up its nostalgic grip during a well-paced, and expertly executed eight episode run. Starting off, the viewer might notice the stereotypical character tropes that make up the main cast of the show: the gangly squad of geeks that are victims to coincidence, the ominous government bad guys shrouded in mystery and the skeptical authority figure that turns-nose to the whole situation. But “Stranger Things” and its cast don’t stop there; they go much, much further than that. The show hits the ground running with the disappearance of Will, one of the neighborhood kids and main characteres. The story methodi-

cally unfurls as the rest of Will’s friends uncover what has really happened to their friend. This forever changes the group’s perception on reality and makes them question every piece of evidence they find. While other shows have tried to cash in on nostalgia, the Duffer Brothers give their characters depth and make them believable by building upon the molds that seem so familiar and push them to a point that feels original and lovable. Like the endearing Dustin, a member of the main 12-year-old crew, played by the effervescent Gaten Matarazzo, who hoists the sometimes dark and creepy narrative with his comedy and surprisingly intelligible analyses on the situation, all of which are delivered through an incorrigible yet adorable lisp. And the soundtrack—my God, the soundtrack. Its synth-y main theme plays as the main logo title takes form over your television screen, suspending you in curiosity as to what the next episode has in store. Its soundtrack teleports you back to a time when bands like Foreigner ran supreme and when “Should I Stay or Should I Go” started playing, you’d head bang all the hair clamps out of your freshly permed hair and waft hairspray to the next county over. But you wouldn’t care, you were having fun. And I believe ultimately, that’s the main goal of “Stranger Things.” To have fun. People seem to agree, as the show currently holds a 9.1/10 on IMDb and a 90 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and in general fans are ranting acclaim for their new favorite show all over social media. It just goes to show there’s a desire for the kind of feeling “Stranger Things” delivers upon. Maybe it’s not exactly what the 80s were like--hell, it doesn’t have to be. There are paranormal themes after all—it’s close. But the show can fill the imagination gaps because it does a good job at doing so. It lets us know that even though we know now what’s actually in those shadows and under our beds, that there’s someone out there that still believes it could be something else. That the insatiable craving of nostalgia does not prove reality to be boring, just that it should be tested. With thought, imagination and overall fun.

n app that has been sweeping nations by motivating people to step out into their communities and search for different kinds of creatures to catch, can be found right here in the city of Rohnert Park and on the Sonoma State University campus. Pokémon Go was first released early in July and immediately grew popular among many different age groups. According to iTunes, Pokémon Go is one of the top grossing applications as of Aug. 25. A major area of interest fell to those who played Pokémon or watched the television series as children. “I pretty much play every day,” said Leo Brajkovich, a sophomore at Sonoma State and avid Pokémon Go player. “I am definitely out more because of it.” One of the positive effects of the game is that it’s based on a real world map that requires you to walk to your desired location. For most players of the game, this feature gives opportunities to leave the house and go on walks frequently. Even businesses are taking advantage of the Pokémon craze and utilize their location on the Pokémon Go map. Brajkovich referenced a Starbucks in downtown Walnut Creek that has a PokéStop located at their store. He also said that the store advertises lures, an object that attracts Pokémon to that area, at their PokéStop between certain hours of the day. Locally, there is a PokéStop inside of the El Rancho Taqueria on Snyder Lane. The PokéStop at the taqueria is located at one of the murals inside. “It had a positive effect,” said Miguel Rodriguez, an employee at El Rancho Taqueria, in reference to the Pokémon Go app. He also mentioned Sonoma State students and high school students come in regularly for the PokéStop. Although Pokémon Go has encouraged players to leave their homes in search for the best Pokémon, it has also put some players in unwanted situations. “I was on my bike playing Pokémon Go and I dropped my phone and had to get the screen replaced,” said Brajkovich. Since the release of the game, many news services have reported various incidents involving Pokémon Go. One of the first concerns with the app was that users would try to play the interactive game while driving. About a month after the app had been out, Niantic Labs added a notification that comes up whenever the user is in a car and asks you to declare if you are a passenger or not. The idea behind the notification was to discourage people from using the app while driving. Although this should curb some of the incidents associated with driving, it doesn’t entirely solve the problem. The Japan Times recently reported a fatality where a woman was ran over due to a driver being distracted by playing Pokémon Go on his phone. In spite of the accidents that have happened, Pokémon Go tries to promote an active lifestyle. In the game, users can find eggs, which they can hatch into Pokémon. The catch is players have to walk in order to hatch the egg, which can sometimes take as much as 10 kilometers to hatch. “Whenever I get a 2km, egg I go hatch it immediately,” said Brajkovich. The game only lets you hatch the egg going 10 miles per hour, which means driving to hatch an egg will not work. In a way, the game forces users to be active if they wish to hatch any Pokémon eggs. At Sonoma State, there are six different Pokémon gyms and various PokéStops throughout campus. Locations such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Grove, Lobo’s, the Beaujolais Fountain and the Charles Ives Hall are all PokéStops.

Page 8

Student Life

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar .com

As department funds drop, so do students Tyler Heberle Staff Writer

onoma State University has a fair share of diversity among its 9,408 students. According to Sonoma State, Caucasian and Hispanic students make up the largest percentages. There are also American Indian, African-American and Asian students in attendance. One might think a significant amount of time and money would be reserved for education on all these cultures and their interactions. One might be shocked to discover that only two oncampus departments deal with ethnic discussion: American Multicultural Studies (AMCS), and Chicano and Latino Studies (CALS). Daniel Malpica, a CALS assistant professor, says both are apart of the Arts and Humanities School, and both fulfill an ethnic studies requirement. Yet neither has more than three full-time faculty members to its name. “Departments are asked to minimize the amount of adjuncts that they request,” AMCS President Mike Ezras said. “So I would say we are rarely invited to expand.” Malpica says that Thaine Stearns, Dean of Sonoma State’s School of Arts and Humanities, is not to blame in all this. “Our dean has been extremely supportive of our departments,” Malpica said. “But he basically gets a pot of money from up, and then he distributes.” Since there are so many departments in need of money and positions, cuts have to be made somewhere.

Sonoma State’s five most declared majors are business, psychology, sociology, liberal studies and criminal justice. Meanwhile, the number of Sonoma State students declaring an AMCS major has generally declined since fall 2004, according to the fall 2014 – spring 2015 American Multicultural Studies SelfStudy. Eighty six students declared an AMCS major that year, while only nine students declared one by fall 2012. “When we had a lot more professors, we had a lot more majors,” Ezra said, though he admits it’s hard to confirm which decrease came first. “The decline in students is related to the decline in professors.” With less students showing interest in ethnic studies as a career path, Ezra said it may be harder for the AMCS and CALS to make the unique argument necessary for expanded resources in their departments. “Every department wants more hires,” Ezra said before proposing the question, “How do you carve out, as a department, the unique argument that you deserve these rare increased funds in a time of scarcity and cuts?” Malpica has two unique arguments using past students as examples. Laurangelica Lechón, a Sonoma State alumni who graduated in 2010 with a BA in CALS, was the people & culture partner for Straus Family Creamery in Petaluma. Through this position, she served for three years as a liaison between the predominately white business owners and the Latino workers, before being promoted to director of people & culture in 2013. “Laurangelica Lechón is a perfect example of

the kind of work that we do, and the really exemplary graduate students that we get,” Malpica said. “She graduated, she’s very successful, she’s earning good salary, and I think she’s very, very happy with the kind of training she received here at the university.” Meanwhile, other CALS students have found opportunities at the nonprofit Graton Day Labor Center, which provides medical examinations, English lessons and training for Latino workers from West Sonoma County. Malpica says many students who took classes in the Chicano studies department have interned at the Labor Center, while Sonoma State alumni Juan Roman and current student Maria Mendoza work there.

When we had a lot more professors, we had a lot more majors. The decline in students is related to the decline in professors.” Malpica’s stories prove that chicano and latino studies can lead to steady work opportunities that unite ethnicities. But Ezra wants Sonoma State to offer more academic resources for other cultures as well. He says that he hopes for an improved AsianAmerican studies program and more Native American studies faculty in the near future. “If students understand the importance of race and ethnicity to comprehending what is going on in America, then they will demand courses that address those issues,” Ezra said.

Impulse to Dance: Resistance, Existance and Heart Orlando shooting victims rememberd by campus vigil Taylor Berghoff Staff Writer

STAR // Ethan Helms With a scheduled opening for sometime during the fall 2016 semester, students are looking forward to the ice cream, boba and ATM options coming soon to the Student Center.

New campus storefronts cause excitement among students Annie Finck Staff Writer

s the school year takes off in full force, it can become difficult for busy students to take in new aspects on campus. Things tend to get lost in the shuffle of books, classes and friends. However, this year brings some change to the growing campus life here at Sonoma State University. Walking through the corridor of the Recreation Center and Student Center, one will notice signage advertising up-andcoming new storefronts. These new storefronts have brought a lot of questions to students in the last few months. However, it’s now clear that they are going to be putting in an ice cream shop that serves boba tea, as well as 24-hour banking with vending machines. With growth like this, it begs the question of whether this will cause more possible job opportunities for students on campus. Are these privately owned or will they be owned by culinary services? Ryan Ernst, The Director of Sales and Marketing at Sonoma State gave some insight on new storefronts. “Over the past summer, we worked with the design team to finalize architectural drawings for the ice cream and ATM/vend-

ing locations. I’m pleased to report that those drawings have been accepted, pending approval by the state fire marshal, which we hope to receive within the next few weeks,” Ernst said. The third storefront is intended to give students an opportunity to sell their products in a public place. “Anyone interested in either selling their products or being a part of the ‘Made By Seawolves’ team is encouraged to email madebyseawolves@sonoma.edu,” Ernst said. While asking students what their opinions were on the new storefront, many were excited about the incoming boba tea, while others saw it as a potential for campus growth. “I am excited for the the new boba and opportunities that may become available to students on campus,” sophomore Sean Patrick McNeely said. Some other students are skeptical of these upcoming changes. “Even though it’s a good idea and cool for those participating, it is not necessarily practical for people that are on a college student budget. While looking, I didn’t really see anything I would need,” student Savannah Lizarraga said. While these new storefronts may seem like an exciting change, we will not know what effects they will have on campus life and the students until they open.

he event of June 12, where 49 lives were taken by a senseless act of violence at the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, has not been forgotten by students at Sonoma State University. Nearly three months later, students gathered in the Seawolf Plaza for ‘Impulse to Dance: Resistance, Existence, and Heart’ on Aug. 24. This event, put on by The Hub, brought together students in order to honor those lives that were taken. The event began when Mark Fabionar, director for The Hub, asked the small crowd of students to close their eyes and breathe, in order to develop a state of presence within themselves. Fabionar asked students to remember those who have impacted them, those they have lost and to truly be in the moment throughout the event. Each person standing in the audience held their own personal reasons for showing up. Senior Katrina Cahill shared her motivation behind attending. “I just feel as a young adult it’s important to recognize what’s happening to other young adults in the world and I think this is a good way and a fun way to respect everything that’s been going on,” Cahill said. Not only did Impulse to Dance attract those wanting to respect the victims, it brought awareness to those who aren’t familiar with what happened in Orlando. Once each student felt present in the moment, Fabionar read off the names of each victim of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, while small tealight candles were simultaneously placed on a table

beside him. The lights served as a physical representation of each life being honored and remembered, and tears were shed from those who felt the weight of the 49 names. Carina Buzo, program coordinator for The Hub, explained what Impulse to Dance meant to her. “The Hub wanted to do [Impulse to Dance] in order to show our commitment to standing in solidarity with folks and communities who are experiencing violence and to be able to celebrate the people that are still apart of our community,” Buzo said. After each tealight was placed, Rachel Mckibben stepped foot onto the empty stage. Mckibben, who writes daring and thought - provoking poetry, recited three separate poems all addressing present day issues including sexauality, self- acceptance and the acceptance of others. The energy continued when the first ever woman beatbox champion, Butterscotch, took the stage. Butterscotch amazed the crowd and switched between upbeat rhythms and more somber and soulful sounds. The crowd grew larger as her unique voice drew people near. Students continued to listen, dance and appreciate the performance of Butterscotch throughout the rest of the event. The energy and spirit could be easily felt throughout the atmosphere bringing students together. Through dance and the appreciation of music, the event created a sense of community through honoring, remembering and respecting the lives lost.

Student Life

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

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STAR // Sara Wildman Every fall, Big Nite helps students transition from summer into the new semester. Even though the event has been going on for almost two decades, it’s always evolving with new attractions and food.

Big Nite delivers predicted entertainment to students Jenna Qualls Staff Writer

t was not a normal Sunday night at Sonoma State University, but many students were patiently awaiting the biggest school carnival of the year to start, an event that has been happening for 18 years. Many Sonoma State students look forward to Big Nite so they can enjoy the fun activities Residential Life and Associated Student Productions worked hard to put on. Various activities such as rides, games, rock climbing and food were all taking place in three different locations, which many students didn’t know about, according to Mo Philips.

“We need to find better ways for people to know that stuff is not only happening in the parking lot. We have a lot of crafts, food, activities etc. in the Rec Center and Student Center as well,” Phillips said. Big Nite included many fun activities at each different location, allowing students to get the best first impression of many organizations on campus. Some of the tables included different Greek life organzations, the writing club, cheer and sports teams. “The goal of Big Nite and our role and direction with Campus Life Programming is to help provide community, spirit and tradition on campus. All of the events during the ‘Seawolf Days Week of Welcome’ are

designed to bring people together, to show off campus where students can come to be social and get active. “Everything we do throughout the year, educational and social, are geared towards helping to create a positive, fun, social and community-driven experience for the students,” Phillips said. Phillips also stressed the amount of people it takes to execute an event as large as Big Nite, from culinary services to the local business that donate. “Big Nite is an event that takes hundreds of people to pull off,” Phillips said. Big Nite allows students to have something to look forward to and to kickoff the year. The event itself has evolved over the years.

“Personally I think Big Nite is a positive, fun event. I like how you can look into clubs that you might not have known existed and meet new people,” said junior Sara Van Wagoner. Adrian Luna, a junior who works at the Rec Center stated that he wishes there was more carnival food. “It’s a good way to get a feel for the campus,” Luna said. “My favorite part was getting to meet people from different grades. I think Big Nite altogether was really cool because no other college that I know has something like that,” freshman Marsala Enloe said. Over the past 18 years, Big Nite has progressed from hosting 300 people to over 4000.

Influx of freshman brings changes to Sauvignon Amanda Buth Staff Writer

auvignon Village, located near the main entrance of Sonoma State University, contains more dorms than anywhere else on campus. Changes have been made towards on-campus housing in order to benefit the incoming freshmen, both on a financial level and on a comfort level. Housing has now added triples to the Sauvignon dorms along with gender inclusive housing. With access to more available rooms, freshmen students will now have a place to live and one less thing to worry about during

their first year at college. Sonoma State’s fall 2016 freshmen class had a higher turnout of on-campus housing applicants than previous years. With over 3,100 students living on campus, the increase in this year’s freshmen students has had an impact on housing. Especially with freshmen students desire for Sauvignon compared to the other dorms on campus. “Sauvignon is so close to the kitchens and campus which is convenient,” sophomore Lily Dutra said. The addition of triples to the dorms is new to the Sauvignon Village. However, Sonoma State housing tested

a triple room in one of the Cabernet buildings last year and received positive feedback. It made sense to extend this idea towards the village where the majority of freshmen live. “We did the same thing in the freshmen Cabernet apartments for the same reason,” Director of Administration and Finance Cyndi Morozumi said. “Last year we offered triples in one building in Cabernet and students responded positively, so we added them to all apartments in Cabernet.” Financially, triples in Sauvignon are saving residential students $2,528 in one academic year. Sauvignon doubles (two students per room) cost $13,314

for one year, while the triples cost $10,786. “We also added triples to freshmen areas as well…this was due to student request for less expensive housing options,” Morozumi said. While triples may be the financial solution for incoming freshmen, comfort could be substituted. The Sauvignon doubles are not expanding, instead a bed and dresser are being added to the rooms. This will limit the space in the freshmen dorms. Some students who have seen the new configuration aren’t opposed to the idea. “I actually saw what a triple looks like in the Sauvignon

dorms and it works okay. There is a loft bed and an extra closet armoire,” sophomore Taylor Hyland said. “I think having triples will benefit the Sauvignon community financially, but I’m not so sure about socially.” With enough space to add another student, adjusting to a smaller living space could cause frustration for freshmen. “I like the idea to lower the housing cost because it is so expensive, but those doubles were not meant to be triples,” sophomore Carly Wade said. With the new changes to the Sauvignon Village, freshmen now have a better chance living on campus along with some affordable options.

Rec Fest places student wellness in spotlight Nickey Homen Staff Writer

onoma State University’s Rec Fest hosted a variety of events from a fitness competition to a sustainability booth that taught students how to make their own toothpaste and all-purpose cleaner. Brendan Finn, a senior at Sonoma State, has worked at the Rec Center for two years and was in charge of executing Rec Fest. “Rec Fest helps promote everything that the Recreation Center has to offer as well as providing a welcoming environment for all students and their purposes for working out,” Finn said. Senior Savannah Guinn, was in charge of running the booth and showing off the products as well as the ingredients. Guinn used her own homemade recipe for the toothpaste and spoke about the benefits. “None of the ingredients cause any sort of pollution and it’s completely safe to swallow. The best part is that everyone can afford it and that is why it’s also a huge social promotion,” Guinn said. The all-purpose cleaner that Guinn was also showcasing is the actual cleaner that the Rec Center uses: water, vinegar and a fresh lemon squeeze. The event that stood out the most during Rec Fest

though was the In Motion class, Good VIBrations. It is a new, innovative and holistic approach at fitness that a transfer student from Germany, Stefanie Henry, will be teaching at the Rec Center all semester. “Good VIBration Class is a comprehensive active and passive full body workout. Start a new way of working out with a brand new lifestyle, fitness and therapeutic devise from Austria invented by a Parkinson’s patient,” stated in Henry’s syllabus. Alicia MaCloughlin, also a transfer student, participated in the demo class at Rec Fest. “My main form of exercise is dancing, so this was different for me. There were moments of high intensity and also moments where we were laying down during the workout. I found Good VIBrations effective, but I just wish that there was more promotion for the class,” MaCloughlin said. Henry was excited to introduce the class at Rec Fest and shared her favorite part about Good VIBrations. “The class is centered around body, soul and mind, and anyone can come. It does not matter if you have limitations because the class will set goals together and everyone will be able to hold each other accountable for progress,” Henry said. She hopes to see a variety of students take the class and is thrilled to be at Sonoma State.

STAR // Reagan Dowd At Rec Fest, students learned some healthy habits and a few sustainable practices.

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Sports

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar .com

Men’s soccer scrimmage alumni sonomaseawolves.com

Seawolves celebrate CCAA championship.

Defending CCAA champs seek repeat Travis Adams Staff Writer

n case you haven’t heard, the Sonoma State University Seawolves are the #24 nationally ranked women’s soccer team in the USA. Just this past fall, the Seawolves took the CCAA regional league champions, and earned a NCAA tournament berth for the third time in the past four years. With an astounding ‘invincibles like’ record steamrolling into NCAA bracket play last season at 1002, the Seawolves are wasting no time challenging themselves with the season opener at home against the #3 ranked team in the country, Western Washington, this Thursday evening at the Seawolf soccer field, kickoff listed at 5 p.m. Just this past week, the Yearly CCAA poll was released, ranking the top teams in the CCAA division. The Seawolves were eclipsed by just one vote short of the oh-so-sweet #1 rank that would have aligned them with the UC San Diego Tritons. Freshman forward Sarah Lindborg said, “I’m not to sure how the polling system works, but I do know that we are not too concerned with any outside predictions about our season.” With the season approaching, the Sonoma State women’s soccer team has certainly grasped the concept of what it takes to be a champion, following up their tremendous 2015-16 season with a steady diet of off-season training, persistence, and high-octane demands for excellence. It was made very clear by Kristen Spear, sophomore goalkeeper that this team did not simply revel in the spoils of being crowned champions in 2015. “Coming off the championship season, the momentum was used to keep the team moving forward, to better prepare the team with consistent work ethic, and desire to win,” said Spear. Just this past spring, the Seawolves took on the tough test of playing the U19 U.S. women’s national team for a friendly game hosted in Davis, CA. The team has seen opportunities to think and grow together as the 2016 campaign looms ahead. All things considered, this is not a team that has revelled in the riches of being top of the league. The message was very clear throughout the program--the goal is to get better. So what’s better than an undefeated campaign in 2015? “Everyone will agree that our ultimate goal is to be champions. We come into the program knowing that a championship is our ultimate goal and that is what motivates us every day,” said senior captain Taylor Enzler. “Being a champion is not an excuse to not have a good work ethic. Staying champions ensues that you work just as hard, if not harder.” Enzler, who has been apart of 3 NCAA DII tournament appearances in her career, has noted that the style of play has not changed over the course of the program’s success. “Every year, we get new players and we lose players. The coaching staff has always done a really good job adjusting to our different strengths and talents,” she said. A brief visitation of the Seawolves success: 2012: 1632, 2013: 1353, 2014: 14 51, leading right back to last years seemingly expected and systematic run at a league title. However, 2016 has its fair share of eyebrow-lifting factors to consider. This is a mixed group of young and veteran talent that have adapted the concept of unity and turned that into success. Just a year ago, the team doubled their opponents’ shots on target. On the toes of that statistic, lies an unselfish style of play. The team tripled the amount of assists they dished out compared to their opponents. As a team that will be returning it’s three top goal-scorers from last season’s championship run, Kristal Luna, Bella Amyx, and Alex Sifuentes, paired up with some impressive play from contributions from this year’s freshman class Sarah Lindburg, Sam Layman, and Riley West, there seems to be no reason why the 2016 Seawolves will not have their fair say in who will crowned king of the mountain come tournament time.

John Dolan Staff Writer

he Sonoma State University Men’s Soccer Team, a program which has ushered in eleven California Collegiate Athletic Association conference championships, nine NCAA tournament appearances and a National NCAA Division II Championship, is training hard for its 2016 season. In order to prepare for the upcoming competition, the team participated in a friendly scrimmage with fellow alumni of Sonoma State on August 27. Family members fellow students and passionate soccer fans arrived at the Seawolf Soccer Field last Saturday afternoon to witness the men’s soccer team in action one last time before the 2016 season opener. Both teams came ready to compete, as they both anxiously awaited to demonstrate their skills. As the opening whistle blew, it did not take long for the alumni to demonstrate they still possessed strong soccer ability, punching in the first goal of the scrimmage only a few minutes into the first half. The middle of the first half consisted of both teams controlling the time of possession with few shot attempts. Despite a close shot for the equalizer goal, the alumni added to its league with its second goal. The Seawolves continued its relentless effort to stay competitive by attempting many close kicks and headers that could have been goals. Despite their effort, the alumni were able to tally another goal, leaving a half time score of 3-0. The crowd continued to cheer on the Seawolves as the second half approached. The second half started off with alumni dominating by scoring an early goal. The rest of the half, both teams traded possession back and forth. The competitive spirit was in the air as the scrimmage lasted an extra fifteen minutes. Before the referee blew the final whistle, the alumni were able to score one final goal with the final score being 5-0. Despite the outcome of the scrimmage, both teams showed high class sportsmanship giving each other the respect both teams deserved. The Seawolves are coming off a 10-7-2 record during the 2015 regular season, with TJ Perez and Brenton Frame leading the team in scoring last season with seven goals each. The 2015 regular season saw the Seawolves advancing to the CCAA Championship Tournament and staying in contention for an NCAA bid until the end of the season. A couple of playmakers are returning the upcoming 2016 season and are focused on returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time in almost seven years. Sonoma State Seawolves can make a strong case for optimism this upcoming 2016 regular season. The California Collegiate Athletic Association released their 2016 men’s soccer preseason poll with the Seawolves ranked #4. This ranking would put Sonoma State in line for a berth in the postseason tournament, a goal that the Seawolves have been working towards. Competitive teams such as Cal Poly Pomona, the defending west region champions, will provide tough competition as the Seawolves look to play well in the regular season and possibly advance into the postseason. The Men’s Soccer Team regular season opener begins on Sept. 1 against Seattle Pacific.

STAR// Jeno Veltri Sonoma State’s soccer team scrimmages against Academy of Art.

Four former Seawolf baseball players sign with big league clubs Trevor Abrams Staff Writer

our Sonoma State University baseball players were fortunate to do something less than six percent of all college baseball players get to do: sign a contract in professional baseball. Every year in early June, thousands of baseball players anxiously anticipate hearing their names called in the Major League Baseball amateur draft; that prospect proved true for two Seawolves this year. In the 25th round of the draft, Ryan O’Malley was the first of the two to hear his name by way of the Atlanta Braves. O’Malley was a key part in the Sonoma State lineup in 2016 as third baseman. He hit an impressive .335 with seven home runs to ensure himself a call in the draft. Currently, Ryan is leading the Danville Braves (minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves) in home runs with five.

Second, came pitcher Ryan Luna, who heard his name called in the 28th round by the Colorado Rockies. Luna was a transfer from Fresno City College who spent his final two seasons of college ball at Sonoma. He posted a dominant 3.05 ERA last season and has thrown 24.2 innings for the Grand Junction Rockies (minor League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies). During the few weeks following the draft, players who went undrafted are eligible to sign a free agent contract with any team. This was the path for Jackson Zarubin and Cal Becker. After only one season as Seawolves, both Zarubin and Becker found themselves in professional baseball. Zarubin signed a free agent contract with the Angels and Becker with the Diamondbacks. Zarubin has 28 strikeouts in only 20.1 innings pitched in the Arizona League. “It’s definitely an adjustment,” said Zarubin, when asked about the transition from college ball to pro ball. “The workload is a lot more demanding. You get about one off day a week from playing games and your daily routine is crazy. It can get tiring, so you have to learn to manage the workload and still be able to pitch that night.” Beyond the opportunity to chase their dreams, the four Seawolves who recently signed a professional contract leave a meaningful impact on the Sonoma State baseball program.

“It’s really inspirational to see my teammates continue their baseball career at the professional level, it gives us other guys hope to one day do the same,” said Grant St. Martin, who was a redshirt freshman on the 2016 team. “Playing in the big leagues is virtually every baseball player’s dream.” Signing the contract is just the start for these four, as they continue to strive to chase their dreams into the big leagues.

dbraves.com Ryan O’Malley is playing for the rookie league Danville Brave

Sports

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

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Seawolves SPEAK! Fantasy Football

“Josh Gordon is my sleeper because he is going to be the main target for the Browns when he is back.” - Noah Mckeon, senior accounting major

“Marcus Mariota is my sleeper I’m targeting because he can scramble and is a safe passer and has a solid pass chemistry with his tight end.” - Wesley Williams, senior finance major

“The biggest sleeper I’m targeting this year is DeAndre Washington. Though he’s a rookie and is second string behind Latavious Murray, I believe he has much potential get the starting job and excel at it.” - Stevie Rossi senior, criminal jumajor

Christopher Schwarz Staff Writer

ou’re all set-- you’ve spent countless hours preparing for this moment, checking and re-checking the stats. You’ve done your mock drafts. You’ve read what the experts think. Now it’s your time. You’re on the clock-- Who do you want? With no quarterbacks ranked in the top thirty picks according to ESPN, this year, like so many before will be dominated by running backs and deep-ball-threat wide receivers. With the amount of big name and highprofile players always on the rise, it’s hard to decide who your number one pick is going to be. Do you go for the highest ranking player? Do you show team pride and loyalty? It’s your decision to make, and it can make your season or haunt you for weeks until you get the chance to unload him on someone else. Top ranked players this year include big names like Odell Beckham Jr., the ever dangerous Adrian Peterson and rookie sensation Ezekiel Elliott. Even though there are a large number of big-name players in the draft, with leagues up to 14 teams, players go fast. Sleepers drafted in the late rounds can either make or break your season. Every person hopes that the hours they’ve spent digging through stats and match-ups will pay off when they find a player no one else is thinking of, also known as a “sleeper.” This year’s sleeper prospects, according to NFL. com’s Adam Rank, include Oakland Raider quarterback Derek Carr and tight-end Clive Walford. Cleveland running back Duke Johnson could sneak up in PPR leagues as well. Second year quarterback Marcus Mariota will look to bounce back after his injury-plagued rookie season. The STAR asked students around campus who they will be taking in their leagues this year.

Lochte’s Lie

Phil Bacalik Staff Writer

Commentary

n the world of Olympic swimming, the United States tends to dominate without question. Their commitment to winning is undeniably implemented in their progressive work ethic and style. Though there was incredible controversy where a certain night went completely awry. According to a statement by Ryan Lochte to Brazilian officials, Lochte was a victim of theft and attempted murder. This statement was a vague blur, resulting in the Brazilian government’s efforts to combat the case. The Brazilian government was not amused when checking surveillance of a particular gas station, which Lochte was visiting in an early morning (drunken) outing. This in itself was an issue, because the Olympic Committee instructs all of its athletes to return to the campus at a certain, designated time. After the night out, Lochte appeared on a television interview with Matt Lauer restating his innocence, still claiming that he truly was robbed of his belongings at gunpoint. The world turned to this Olympic swimmer with sincere sympathy, which later turned to pure

disgust. Once the Brazilian officials began reviewing the tapes, they found that Lochte was not being harassed by supposed “fake police officers,” but was vandalizing and defiling the gas station he visited. After the truth of the early morning came out, Lochte was in deep water. The Olympic gold medalist tweeted a sincere apology pertaining to the real part of the story. In essence, there was only a confrontation with the cab driver that wanted nothing to do with the American swimmer. Lochte tweeted, “I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend- for not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning and my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics.” The waters of the 2016 Rio Olympics tried to focus on coming together, but when a story like this hits the headlines it does nothing but separate sides. Fortunately, Ryan Lochte found safe haven when he returned to the United States a free man. As far as his fellow athletes that partook in the early morning shenanigans with Lochte, they received a different farewell from Brazilian officials. Jack Cougar and Gunnar Bentz were removed from their flight on the day of their departure early Wednesday. They later were released after being questioned about the incident. James Feigen, the last Olympic athlete that was with the other swimmers, revised his statement to regain his passport. According to a report, Feigen will donate nearly $11,000 to Brazilian charities to make up for his childish wrongdoings.

Friday 9/2

Men’s Soccer

Women’s Volleyball

Women’s Soccer

vs Western Washington 5:00 p.m.

vs Westmont 2:00 p.m.

“Lamar Miller is my sleeper because he looked promising on the Dolphins and now that he’s on the Texans it’s a fresh start.” - Ethan Little, senior psychology major

“My biggest sleeper pick is Derrick Henry because he’s in a bad division an there is a possibility of him getting a lot of points.” -Anthony Taliaferro, junior, anthropology major

wrap up

Thursday 9/1 vs Seattle Pacific 2:00 p.m.

“For my sleeper pick I’m going with Derek Carr baby! He’s probably not at the top of a lot of people’s lists in terms of QB’s but he’s got a lot of weapons around him now so watch out. ” - Devante Crable, senior Business major

The end of an era

Tatiana Serrano Staff Writer

Commentary

erri Walsh-Jennings, a 6’2” olympian and decorated beach volleyball player was expected to bring home the gold for America for the fourth time in her career at the 2016 Olympics. Unfortunately, America’s expectations felt a crushing blow when USA lost to Brazil in the semi-finals. After collecting three gold medals throughout her career, her winning streak came to an unexpected end. Walsh-Jennings has been a part of the Olympic games for the past twelve years, compiling three gold medals from 2004 to 2012 with her former partner Misty May-Treanor. Walsh-Jennings began her Olympic career in 1999 with indoor volleyball, but by 2001 transitioned to play beach with May-Treanor. After winning gold in Beijing, May-Treanor decided to retire from the game in 2012. Many believed in 2016, Ross and Walsh-Jennings would play as strong as May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings had once played together. However, many seem to forget this took years of practice, and didn’t just happen within a short period of time.

Walsh-Jennings was so confident she would continue her gold-winning streak that America had no reason to worry. The new duo went undefeated throughout the tournament, until they played the home team Brazil: Ágatha Bednarczuk and Bárbara Seixas. At this point, sports enthusiasts would usually claim Ross and Walsh-Jennings were defeated due to home-court advantage nerves or being unprepared. However, observing the match and comparing it to their past games, Brazil was just a stronger team. USA has not had the home advantage for over two decades, yet they still managed to come home with multiple gold medals. Walsh-Jennings and Ross are two phenomenal players, but they are not the same duo May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings once were. Ross had major shoes to fill after May-Treanor-- she had to prove that Walsh-Jennings made the right choice in choosing her for a partner. This tournament was only Ross and Walsh-Jenning’s first time playing together in such a large event, and they were able to go far. Brazil was just a stronger unit and was able to finish on top. This experience was not a total loss. It was heartbreaking to watch, but it should be taken as a learning experience. This defeat showed just how resilient of an olympian Walsh-Jennings is. Watching her passion and aggression during a match is inspiring to athletes. At that moment, the only thing that matters to her is that game. As a fan, her intensity is what makes the contest so exhilarating. This defeat was disappointing to watch, but there is faith USA beach volleyball will bring back gold in Tokyo 2020. Overall, USA had a strong experience at the Olympics, bringing back 46 gold medals, 37 silver medals, and 38 bronze medals.

Saturday 9/3 Women’s Volleyball

Men’s Soccer

vs Western Washington 5:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

vs Central Washington 1:00 p.m.

vs Johnson & Wales 10:00 a.m. vs Fort Lewis 2:00 p.m.

Women’s Cross Country Notre Dame de Namur Invitational

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Photo

Aug. 23 - Aug. 29, 2016

sonomastatestar .com

Annual Sonoma State ‘Rec Fest’ gets students moving

STAR // Reagan Dowd Rec Fest, an annual event held in Seawolf Plaza, gives students an interactive way to get involved on campus.

STAR // Reagan Dowd Student Anthony Tucker stands outside the Recreation Center handing out shoe lights for safe running at Rec Fest.

STAR // Jeno Veltri The Sonoma State men’s soccer team shares a pre-game moment before playing against Academy of Art on Saturday.

STAR // Jeno Veltri Eric Alvarado, #3, attempts to make a move on a defender to gain possession of the ball on Saturday.

STAR // Jeno Veltri Dane Shaffar, #5, makes a break with the ball, hoping to gain an advantage on the opposing defender.

STAR // Bryce Dowd New homes continue to pop up on a daily basis in the University District.

STAR // Bryce Dowd An unfinished court in the new University District north of Sonoma State.

STAR // Bryce Dowd The first finished, model homes in the new University District are being used to show potential buyers the different designs of the homes.