In this issue:
Sports: Women’s Basketball team start season. Pg. 11
Opinion: Domestic violence becoming an epidemic. Pg. 3 A&E: Fall Dance Show brings expression and art to dance. Pg. 6
SINCE 1979
VOLUME 77 // ISSUE 11
Student Life: Driving simulator event to help bring awareness to drunk driving. Pg. 8 NOVEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 14, 2016
THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER
Body found on campus leaves Sonoma State on edge Joseph Encinas News Editor
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onoma State University students and faculty were left stunned late last week by the discovery of a body near the Green Music Center. The remains turned out to be that of an 18-year-old missing Cotati man who was believed to be the victim of a homicide. The body was discovered near parking lot M at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday by a landscaper for Sonoma State University who was working in an isolated area on the eastern edge of the parking lot closest to the Green Music Center. The body was found in what authorities said was a shallow grave. Due to the nature of the discovery, Sonoma State Police Services soon turned the investigation over to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department. By late Thursday, the body was identified through fingerprint analysis to be that of Kirk Kimberly who investigators say had suffered multiple stab wounds. Sheriff’s Lt. Tim Duke said late last week that detectives believe the killing was not a random act of violence, rather a targeted murder. Officials did not give further information regarding the location of the wounds or the type of weapon used. Kimberly was reported missing by his father on Oct. 19 and he was last seen leaving his home in Cotati on a white bicycle on Oct. 17. Police are attempting to
figure out his whereabouts from Oct. 15-17. This news has grabbed the attention of the local community, and as such, statements have been released by President Judy K. Sakaki of Sonoma State and Principal of Rancho Cotate High School Amie Carter, where Kimberly graduated this year. “I want you to know that your safety and the well-being of our campus community is important to me and our leadership team,” said Sakaki in a statement released to Sonoma State students, staff and faculty on Friday. “We are taking this matter very seriously and are maintaining a dedicated, visible police presence on campus.” Students said they were shocked by the news of the body being found and many were left feeling ill at ease. “When I received the unfortunate news that a human life was taken then found on campus, I was immediately shocked,” said freshman business major Cameron Monroy. “As a first year student at Sonoma State, it was hard for me to process the information alone without the support and comfort of my family.” Although the body was discovered on Sonoma State property, the incident appears to have no connection to the university. Kimberly was not a student at Sonoma State. “I personally think it’s really creepy that we found a dead body on campus,” said Weston Henry, a junior physics major at Sonoma State. “It really opens
STAR // Jenna Qualls The body of Cotati resident Kirk Kimberly was found on Sonoma State property Wednesday afternoon. The body was later identified through fingerprint analysis by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department late Thusday. Kimberly suffered multiple stab wounds. your eyes and makes you realize how fragile life can be. It is incredibly sad that it happened to someone so young.” The Police and Safety Services of Sonoma State University encourage those on campus to be vigilant, to be aware of their surroundings and to be sure to walk in well-lighted areas when traveling the campus at night. Students are urged to call SSU Police and Safety Services for an on-campus escort if one feels uneasy about walking alone.
Additionally, if students feel the need to talk with someone on campus about the recent tragedy, students are encouraged to reach out to the Counseling and Psychological Services at 707-664-2153. “As a Sonoma State student, I’ve realized most of us live in a bubble here in Rohnert Park, but with a tragedy such as this, it really opened my eyes to the greater community we are apart of,” said JUMP Youth Programs Director Michelle Arnold. ‘Our community should come together and sup-
port one another as we are all affected by this incident.” As of Monday afternoon, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department helicopters flew over Sonoma State continuing their investigation. They also seek community help in locating the victim’s bike, a white Cannondale Quick CX3 mountain bike, see the story on Page 4. If you have any information about Kimberly’s disappearance or his bicycle, please contact Detective Joe Horsman of the Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit at 707-565-2185
Funding found to begin removal Sergeant Dave Sutter of Rohnert Park answers questions on student safety of flooring in weight room Nate Galvan Staff Writer
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onoma State University has found the funds needed to begin removal of the weight room flooring which contains mercury, university officials reported last week. The weight room has been closed since July when potentially hazardous levels of mercury was found in the flooring. “As students have probably noticed, physically there has been nothing happening,” said Craig Dawson, director of energy and environmental health and safety at Sonoma State. “However, university leadership has just identified funding to start the removal process.” The money to begin construction was received from an insurance claim upon Sonoma State’s request, coming out of the university’s hazmat and pollution insurance. Based on current information, it is estimated that the total cost of the project may be up to $300,000. Vice President of University Affairs Dan Condron said in July that work was needed after mercury was found in the padding underneath. After testing, mercury was also found to be airborne, however the university does not believe anyone has been harmed due to exposure. According to Forensic Analytical Consulting Services’ Mercury Assessment Report, mercury vapor concentrations in the weight room were found to
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be at about 32 parts per million, which is higher than California Office of Health Hazard Assessment reference levels. However, mercury was found nowhere else in the gymnasium. “It is kind of scary to know that somewhere in the building mercury is present because of what it can do to you,” said Stephen Johnson, a third year history major. “But I still play basketball in the gymnasium when I can because I was told it was only in the weight room.” The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health states that exposure to airborne mercury can affect the nervous system with symptoms like headaches, tremors and short-term memory loss with long term effects developing over years of exposure. As stated by Dawson, there has been no problems encountered since the identification of the mercury in the gymnasium weight room. The next steps in the project will involve multiple points of emphasis. “This process is a phased approach,” said Dawson. “First the padding will be removed, then further tests will be conducted to see if mercury is still present, and if there is, then possible concrete removal could follow.” According to Dawson, the university is still optimistic the weight room will be finished with construction by its original deadline of the spring 2017 semester.
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See the entire Q&A on Page 8
The Press Democrat Sergeant Dave Sutter, left, is seen with Sergeant Jason Krauss writing a citation during a routine traffic stop in Rohnert Park in April 2011
Survey shows SSU students are unhappy with presidential candidates Charlotte Grayson Staff Writer
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he latest polls from NBC and the Wall Street Journal, ABC and the Washington Post, Reuters and Fox News have all concluded that Hillary Clinton is leading in the national popular vote in the presidential race.
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A Los Angeles Times poll on Saturday found that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was leading by five points. But what do Sonoma State students think about this election?
See ELECTION on Pg. 5
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