Volume 79 // Issue 1

IN THE ISSUE

INTERNET REALITY

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR RETIRES

THE END OF TIPPING

Does Youtube and Netflix have this generations best talent? Commentary on Pg. 6.

Bill Fusco, athletic director of SSU retires after 20 years. See career highlights on Pg. 11.

Culinary Services has ended tipping of faculty this year as a result of legal requirements. Pg. 9.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 77 // ISSUE 1 AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2017

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

Sakaki outlines upcoming school year, introduces new faculty at Convocation NATE GALVAN NEWS EDITOR

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uring the upcoming school year, Sonoma State will continue to seek to improve graduation rates, expand diversity of and bring in more tenure-track faculty members, the university’s top administrators said during Convocation on Aug. 21.

University President Judy K. Sakaki opened the ceremony, receiving applause from a nearly full Weill Hall as she took the podium, and recapped her first year as president while also looking towards what can be improved.

“I spent some time ref lecting on our accomplishments, what is working well and what still needs special attention going forward,” Sakaki said.

“Since I’ve arrived on our beautiful campus I’ve been committed to giving special attention to our academic mission and to the success of our students.”

In addition to providing more help for incoming freshman and transfer students, Sakaki mentioned the hiring of 22 new tenure-track faculty the university added for the upcoming year.

It’s a group that, according to Sakaki, includes more women and faculty of color than past years.

New Provost Lisa Vollendorf carried on the sentiment of reaching out to various types of faculty, staff and students during her time at the podium.

Vollendorf was a Spanish professor at CSU Long Beach and dean of the

College of Humanities and the Arts at San Jose State University before joining Sonoma State two months ago.

“Our priorities are clear; we must diversify our faculty and staff to serve our increasingly diverse student population with integrity,” Vollendorf said.

“This year we will intensify our efforts on this front to continue to raise and build awareness.”

At the end of the 2016-17 school year, Sonoma State offically became an Hispanic Serving Institution, allowing the school to compete for additional school funding through federal grants only given to those with the HSI qualification.

According to Vollendorf, through the California State University’s graduation initiative, Sonoma State will look to spend its nearly $2 million in base funding on hiring more advisers as well as increasing student support services.

In addition, the university has decided to give 100 percent of its campus enrollment growth funding to academic affairs for faculty hiring which, according to Vollendorf, could produce 15 new faculty recruitments during for 2017-18 school year.

“Together we must work to make Sonoma State a welcome inclusive community for students faculty and staff of all backgrounds,” Vollendorf said.

See Convocation on pg.6

Sonoma State STAR Provost Lisa Vollendorf and President Judy K. Sakaki address a crowd of Sonoma State faculty, staff and students on Aug. 21 at Weill Hall

Faculty seeks to prevent ‘hate speech’ rallies FRANCISCO CARBAJAL Staff Writer

A STAR // Nate Galvan Parking services, Risk Management and Emergency Services are now located in the Seawolf Service Center located in Salazar Hall. The parking field staff are the only people still located out of the campus police station, besides the university police. University police is still searching for a permanent chief of police.

Reorganization results in Parking Services moving to Salazar Hall BRADEN CARTWRIGHT NEWS EDITOR

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ue to Sonoma State’s safety services being reorganized over the summer, parking services, risk management and emergency services are no longer part of the University Police department. All parking inquires, such as payments, will now be handled in the Seawolf Service Center.

“This move was about the police department being a stand-alone unit,” said Missy Brunetta, the director of emergency and parking services, “so physically that meant us moving.”

Emergency services will still work closely with university police. However, the University Police department is now considered a police-specific organization.

“In the long run, it’s going to allow them [University Police] to focus on more of the direct law enforcement and everyday safety,” Brunetta said, “Versus what I’m doing in looking down the road and being prepared so when something happens I have the systems and processes in place to support them and the rest of our university staff in getting campus back open.”

The reorganization has also involved physically moving everyone who worked in these departments to a new location in Salazar Hall. The only people who are still based out of the police station from Parking Services

is the parking field staff.

Brunetta has overseen parking at Sonoma State since 2006, and she said her department has done a good job of keeping the cost of parking down. “The parking fee of $94 is among the lowest in the system,” Brunetta said. “There is always available parking, but proximity is a problem because we don’t have garages, everything is built outward.” Parking fees pay for the department to run, but also for road improvements, the bus subsidy and EV charging stations Stan Nosek, the interim vice president of administration and finance, laid out the changes in an email sent out to students over the summer. The name of the police department is officially being changed from “Police and Safety Services” to “University Police.”

Meanwhile University Police hasn’t had a permanent chief of police for the past 15 months. However, David Dougherty has been serving in an interim role for the past two months and as acting chief before that.

In an effort to make police more accessible, Dougherty has created a new two-officer bicycle patrol team.

“Part of their responsibilities will be to ride among the community and interact on two wheels instead of four to listen to concerns, provide crime prevention and bicycle safety tips and enhance relationships,” Dougherty said.

“I once served as a bicycle officer, and it was one of the most rewarding assignments of my career.”

fter the events of Charlottesville, the California Faculty Association released a statement on Aug. 17 calling for a complete rejection of hate speech from neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan or white supremacists taking place on any California State University ground.

The CFA, which represents more than 28,000 tenured and tenure-track instructional faculty on all 23 CSU campuses, is calling for the universities to not adhere to any potential hate speech rallies on any campus.

“The faculty and students will continue to stand up for justice, and we will not back down. Administrators must support the cause of justice as well. Do not run scared in the face of white supremacist groups that want to create mayhem. Do not give a platform to those who seek to destroy our community. Do not appease white supremacists with free speech zones,” read the CFA statement.

This is difficult subject matter for some schools and cities as hate speech is usually protected under the First Amendment.

David Snyder from the First Amendment Coalition. He said the CFA statement places itself and the CSU system in murky waters. “It seems that what the California Faculty Association is asking for, is something that is called ‘prior restraint’ a process that is unconstitutional under First Amendment rules.”

Snyder explained that the government, in this case the CSU, cannot silence a group even if it spews hate speech as it would violate the First Amendment. “Even if a speaker has said threats in the past and in past speeches, the government cannot block a speaker from coming to campus because of their reputation,” Snyder said. “After the group goes on with a particular threat to a specific group or creates violence it would allow the government to act to punish such a group.”

“The CSU or any government agency needs to allow whatever group to speak and grant the group a permit like they would do anybody else according to the general rule of time, place and manner,” Snyder said, “A hypothetical white supremacy group can cry afoul if it’s given a time to come on campus by a CSU that’s completely different than [what] the CSU normally gives out. A government cannot use these time and place restrictions to dampen someone’s free speech.”

The topic of free speech being muted changes when it’s a private agency or company. White supremacy websites like The Daily Stormer, which called Heather Heyer, the woman who was killed in the Charlottesville rally, “a fat skank” and to “put people on the ground” at her funeral, had their internet registration cancelled from companies like GoDaddy and Google as it violated their terms of service.

When contacted regarding the statement made by the CFA, Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff Bill Kidder declined to comment.

2 Editorial

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

THE STAR Editorial Board Shannon Brown, Editor-in-Chief Ethan Helms, Executive Editor Nate Galvan, News Editor Olivia Hunt, Opinion Editor Brigitte Maina, Ar ts & Enter tainment Editor Tyler Heberle, Student Life Editor Bianca Sanborn, Spor ts Editor Alyssa Archerda, Photo Editor Alex Randolph, Copy Editor Alexis Austin, Copy Editor Kitana Gachero, Copy Editor Alex Daniels, Adver tising Manager Lauren Sniffin, Social Media Manager Paul Gullixson, Faculty Adviser

Staff Writers Kevin Brill, Nolan Brough, Anna Burke, Kayla Buie, Braden Car twright, Madison Caballero, Francisco Carbajal, Nicholas Coats, Jana Duncan, Lauren Eipp, Ryan Estes, Becca Garner, Kaitlyn Haas, Kaitlyn Haga, Paige Hunter, Luis Mejia, Andrea Mendoza, Kailey O’Hehir, Suleika Perez-Usher, Suzette Plumley, Samantha Schuh, Roland Schmidt, Emily Shaheen, Chad Shaver, Sierra Sorrentino, Amber Weinstock

Photographers Kayla Kring, Alice Tennigkeit, McKayla Taylor

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: “Sonoma State Athletic Director Bill Fusco retires after 20 years ” Bill Fusco reflects back on his favorite memories at Sonoma State and what he will miss most after 20 years at the university.

Read the story on page 11

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.

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.

Walt Handelsman // Tribune Content Agency

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Education rises above violence

n Aug. 12, former president Barack Obama cited the late Nelson Mandela in a Tweet that became the most liked in the app’s history.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” It came with a photo of Obama at child care facility in Maryland.

As to why it became the most liked tweet? It could be that it was posted after a KKK rally in Charlottesville, Virginia that occurred the same day.

It seems too evil to be true.

‘How is this still going on?’ you

hear people whisper in their phones as they scroll through their news feed. Unfortunately it’s always been going on in some form, and in today’s heated political climate, it only seems to be picking up ground.

But not if we let it.

As students, we hold a crucial responsibility. Our majors may be different as with our interests, but we are the future generation. As cliché as this may sound, knowledge holds power that hate cannot overcome— knowledge of how violence is never the answer. And how free speech should be allowed but not always agreed with.

The First Amendment is one of this country’s biggest accomplishments. So why does it seem

to be our latest downfall?

This grey area is something that may never be explored and answered but we must always remember the difference between hate and acceptance of different viewpoints.

Sonoma State University has been a refuge from the recent political firestorm. It’s easy to forget what’s going on in the rest of the country.

However, we must remember there will always be those with opposing viewpoints, but we should never stand for racism or hate. Regardless of political affiliation, it is up to students and the future to move away from violence and use our education, not our fists, to encourage the change we desire.

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.

Opinion 3

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

University District Not Affordable For Students MIKKI TAYLOR Staff Writer

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t Sonoma State University, an issue arises where students find it difficult to find housing or even afford it. Living on campus for two years and then moving off campus for housing seems to be a popular trend among students.

At the end of spring semester, students realize that their time of dorm rooms and easy walks to class will come to a quick end and the search for off campus housing will begin. In reality this process mostly ends in disappointment and unwanted stress.

With this situation in store, the University District buildings being built across the street from school seemed like the easiest solution to off campus housing for students, right until the prices of these new homes were researched.

The University District, despite it’s name, wasn’t being built with students in mind. The Press Democrat states

that these houses were put on a long hold during a rainy winter, but as soon as progress was being made, families could start purchasing and moving in.

During a crash in the housing market years ago, the project was halted.

Due to improvements in the market as of recently, the project was restarted making it attractive to homebuyers.

According to Keith Woods, the executive director of the North Bay Builders Exchange, Rohnert Park is where the action is. However by action, he doesn’t mean the action of desperate students needing a place to live.

According to City Engineer Mary Grace Pawson, “this gives an opportunity for families to locate in Rohnert Park. We know there is pent-up demand.”

What does this mean for the students of Sonoma State University who demand housing?

We already know it’s not an easy process to find a home here for a reasonable price. There’s often credit

Youtube Limits Free Speech

checks, background checks and sometimes the harsh reality of not being able to have a parent cosigner on a lease.

The amount of hurdles that can stand in the way of secure student housing can make the process seem impossible.

The University District, as practical as it is being less than a mile from campus, clearly doesn’t fit to the needs of students. Another one of these issues is the owners of the homes in the University District. Owners either accept students living there or disregard the thought as a whole.

Sophomore Andrew Olafson and his other three roommates and fellow students at Sonoma State University are the few known that have found a house in the University District to sign a lease.

The owner that invested into Olafson’s new home gave him and his roommates a year lease. The twelve month lease means adding four more months to pay rent while on summer vacation, which adds to the cost of living, and

The First Amendment: The new gray area

LUIS MEJIA Staff Writer

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t just occurred to me that social media earned another ally in the alleged war against freedom of speech. The newest soldier? None other than Google’s monopolized behemoth of online videosharing services: YouTube.

Ah YouTube, everyone’s favorite excuse for procrastination, and the catalyst for humanity’s universal cat video addiction. A person generally turns to YouTube for entertainment purposes, an escape from the otherwise tedious aspects that compose our daily lives. However, lately the website has taken quite the political turn.

YouTube is one of the most influential contributors to online media. However, as expected, with great power comes great responsibility, along with a higher risk of tarnishing said responsibility. This is exactly what the platform has been accused of doing behind the scenes for nearly a couple years now when a substantial amount of users complained of suspicious behavior on the part of their accounts.

This includes videos appearing in a user’s recommended videos feed that have nothing to do with his interests whatsoever, noticeably bias algorithm changes in video searches, and unsubscriptions from followers.

Something smells fishy amongst YouTube’s ambience and it doesn’t help that the website is nearly impossible to reach for complaints. Yet, this is nothing new. Over the years, users have been forced to endure countless layout changes and now I fear, this next one may be the worst.

According to The Hill, YouTube altered its terms of service in the past year specifically to combat the problem of “hate speech” and “supremacist content” all over its site. A noble endeavor. That is, until a person realizes that YouTube has always dealt with both since its debut.

Videos demonstrating such qualities just never gained enough popularity to be considered a problem. Users posted them on YouTube simply because they could. The difference now is, these topics of “hate speech” and “supremacist content” are currently more relevant than ever.

The events in Charlottesville for example, sparked a spike in content that was, “controversial,” to say the least. Numerous videos were posted regarding the subject of white supremacy, the Black Lives Matter movement, ANTIFA, and the constant resurrection of the liberals vs. conservatives debate.

It goes without saying that several videos posted to the site during the following weeks have been and will continue to attempt to tackle each of these controversial talking points, from one perspective or another.

If I’m being honest, a user choosing to discuss any element within the ballpark of one of these topics, tends to lean harshly towards one side of the fence than the other. Google doesn’t want that, however, at least not entirely.

Edmund Kozak of PoliZette, the political branch of LifeZette, a news and commentary website, claims it has become brutally obvious that YouTube is silencing youtubers that do not fit the mold as to what should be expected as a response to an event like Charlottesville.

While the inherent option is to condemn white supremacy, as I believe it should, not everyone has taken or will take that approach. As a result, a user’s video is bound to be taken down. The same applies to videos that ask tough questions or push boundaries; something YouTube was once revered for.

It seems YouTube wants to establish ground rules for what can and can’t be said online, which many interpret as a threat on free speech. The site was founded on principles to have different opinions and express them how one chooses.

Limiting this would technically go against that policy, right? I may not agree with what a racist has to say, but I agree with his or her right to say it.

doesn’t seem to accommodate a student lifestyle.

One roommate in Olafson’s house is paying over a thousand dollars permonth for the master bedroom, while the others pay a little under $900.

The cost of utilities also adds about $50 per roomate each month, depending on the utility use. As a result, the student budget becomes even tighter.

Overall, Olafson and his roommates are paying almost $3000 more than what they paid in the past on campus, or if they were to have picked a different location in Rohnert Park.

Sonoma State University has some of the best aspects a student can ask for, but being able to find more affordable and more convenient housing should be fought for.

With the University District already half way through its building process, we can only hope that better housing will be available to students in the near future.

KATIE HAGA Staff Writer

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errorism is not a subject we take lightly in the United States. As millennials, most of us are very familiar with the war on terrorism. For a little over two decades our nation has been fighting terrorists and our troops have been deployed to foreign countries to keep our country safe.

But what happens when the terrorists that are causing harm to America and its citizens are citizens themselves?

It’s sad to think that when some people think of terrorists their minds go straight to Muslims and Middle Eastern people, as if it’s taboo for us to think of white people as terrorists.

I hate to break it to you, but white supremacists are terrorists.

What happened in Charlottesville, Virginia was an act of terror. Although many Americans refuse to believe it as so.

When referencing the dictionary for the definition of terrorist it states, “a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.” That is exactly what happened during the riots in Virginia.

As crowds, which were composed primarily of white males, stormed the streets of Charlottesville with tiki torches in hand, they were met resentfully with those who oppose them. On one side voices screamed “White Lives Matter” and “Jews will not replace us” and opposite from them were chanting “BlackLives Matter.” When the opposing sides met face to face that Friday evening, there was hardly any violence, some shoving and a few people were maced, it wasn’t until the next day that we saw the really violent acts.

Some may argue that the riots that occurred in Virginia are protected under our First Amendment right, but I do not believe that to be the case.

The First Amendment does not protect words or actions that incite violence, so the fact that the white supremacists and white nationalists arrived at Emancipation Park carrying sorts of weaponry leads me to believe that they anticipated for violence to occur.

In a Vice News documentary, white nationalist Christopher Cantwell states, “We’ll f***ing kill these people if we have to.” In the documentary we see groups of white nationalists, white supremacists and members of the Klu Klux Klan speaking about their plans for the rally and why they are there.

Later in the documentary there is footage captured of the gray Charger that plowed into a crowd of counter protesters, that injured several people and killed one woman, Heather Heyer.

Heyer’s killer, identified as James Alex Fields Jr. has been charged with second degree mur-

der. Many other racists who attended the rally and were captured on video and in pictures are being identified and are suffering severe consequences.

Many students have been kicked out of school and others have been fired from their jobs. Some people have gone as far as disowning family members because of their association with the white supremacists. There are people who think that may be going too far, but I disagree with those people.

Anyone who preaches hate and wishes to harm others because of their nationality should be severely punished. It seems as when we begin to make progress in our nation we take a downfall, two steps forward and one step back.

This country should not stand for racism but for equality. SincePresident Donald Trump got into office more and more racists are starting to cause more trouble.

Thinking, “hey since our president does it, that gives me the right to do it too” but that is not how our country should be living.

After the riot in Charlottesville many other people are beginning to riot all over the United States.

Such as Boston, which was mostly peaceful, but new rallies are starting to emerge. This past weekend rallies in the Bay Area broke out, in San Francisco and in Berkeley.

According to the Los Angeles Times the Bay Area police had been anticipating this rally and planning for weeks the amount of force they would need to use to make sure this rally didn’t break out in violence.

If things like this aren’t making you angry, then you’re not paying attention.

Experts warn about AI in weapons KAITLYN HAAS Staff Writer

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echnology is the biggest innovator of our time, it allows people to connect with friends and family, gives directions to every destination, takes beautiful pictures and holds memories, entertains with various games and so much more.

Technology has become so advanced that it is no longer just fun and games. It now has the potential and power to be lethal On Monday Aug. 21, the United Nations’ Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons System was to have a discussion on ways to protect civilians from automated weapons but on this same day an open letter to the United Nations was published that influenced a postpone of the meeting.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Tesla and SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk urged the United Nations to reevaluate the dangers of artificial intelligence in weapons. It seems a little contradictory that the CEO of a self-driving car company is advising against technology but his precautions are forthright.

Advanced technology is not just

computers and smart phones, it is used in warfare aerial and aquatic drones with GPS systems and has the capabilities for an unmanned aerial vehicle in the near future. The letter addressed to the United Nations group reads, “autonomous weapons have been described as the third revolution in warfare, after gunpowder and nuclear arms,” reported Time Magazine. Gunpowder and nuclear arms changed warfare forever but what technology will do for warfare will be uncomparable.

Technology is currently on a fast track pace to replace human combat forever. This would mean less military casualties but that is the only result we can be sure of.

Although the general public relies on their everyday devices, they are not always reliable. Electronic bugs and viruses, hacking, malfunctioning and self-combustion are issues that happen to small electronic devices daily.

What would happen if an automated tank self-combusted in its homeland? What if a drone carrying a nuclear bomb malfunctions and drops the lethal bomb in the wrong place? These are all hypothetical but real questions as to what would really happen if the United Nations does not place a ban on artificial intelligence in weapons and warfare.

According to The Los Angeles Times, this open letter was not only signed by Elon Musk, but also by the physicist Stephen Hawking and the Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak.

These three men are notoriously known for their breakthrough technological knowledge. In addition, another 3,000 artificial intelligence and robotics researchers have the same beliefs and concerns about the threat that automated weapons could bring.

Technological power is growing and advancing at a faster rate than anything else in this world. If this advancement is not patrolled now, we may lose control to technology completely.

Technology is constantly becoming more and more advanced and it is highly likely that it will have the power to become aware of itself, which could be detrimental to the human race.

This has been a topic of discussion between the United Nations and artificial intelligence researchers since 2015.

As two years have come and gone, there have been many advancements and little patrolling. The meeting regarding the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems discussion has been postponed from Aug. 21 to some time in November.

4 News

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sonomastatestar.com

CONVOCATION: Sakaki introduces recent hires Continued from Pg.1

Sonoma State STAR Provost Lisa Vollendorf was a professor at CSU Long Beach and the Dean of the College of Humanities and the Arts at San Jose State before coming to Sonoma State.

According to Sakaki, transfer students at Sonoma State have a two-year graduation rate of 55 percent, a record high for the campus.

Furthermore, the university awarded a record of 2,600 degrees at last year’s spring commencement ceremony.

“Numbers like these show the progress our campus continues to make in reaching the benchmarks set by the CSU System Wide Graduation Initiative 2025,” Sakaki said.

“But more importantly they show the real support our students are getting to succeed.”

President Sakaki also introduced her new cabinet members for the first time. Vice President for Advancement Vince Sales, Vice President for Administration and Finance Joyce Lopes and Green Music Center Executive Director

Jacob Yarrow are all set to begin their tenure with Sonoma State this year.

According to Sakaki, a search is still ongoing for a vice president of student affairs, a chief of police and an athletic director.

In her first year as president, the California State Student Association named Sakaki President of the Year, and the North Bay Business Journal named her one of their Business Women of the Year.

As her second year as president begins, Sakaki explains the community that is Sonoma State.

“Sonoma State has long been a caring community and one that faculty, staff, students and alums are proud to call their own,” Sakaki said. “As we enter a new academic year I can say with confidence that we are also a community with fewer silos with a greater focus on our academic mission.”

CAMPUS CRIME DATE

Crime

Location

STATUS

August 4, 2017

Petty Theft

Beaujolais Village

Closed

August 4, 2017

Vehicle Theft

Tuscany Village

Closed

August 7, 2017

DUI

Parking Lot R4

Closed

August 8, 2017

Petty Theft

Verdot Village

Suspended

August 10, 2017

Public Intoxication

Green Music Center

Closed

August 11, 2017

Public Intoxication

Green Music Center

Closed

August 11, 2017

Disturbing the Peace

August 17, 2017 August 19, 2017

Vehicle Theft Petty Theft

Green Music Ceter

Closed

Student Center

Unfounded

Zinfandel Village

Closed

News 5

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

SMART Train grand opening

STAR // Alice Tennigkeit The SMART train officially began service Friday at the Santa Rosa Railroad Square depot, ending a nearly 60 year absence of railway transportation in the North Bay. The $600 million project is projected to move 3,000 people per day over its 43-mile long railway, connecting Santa Rosa to San Rafael. Riders hoping to utilize the SMART train will need to purchase tickets through the SMART eTickets app or with a Clipper card in order to ride.

Officals hope to expand the service of the train to 70 miles, connecting Larkspur to Cloverdale.

Senator McGuire Secures priority registration for Native American students RYAN ESTES Staff Writer

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n the United States, 29 percent of the population has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher form of education, but only 13 percent of Native Americans have completed the same.

More than one in three Native American children live in poverty, and 22 percent of those age 25 and older have not finished high school, the lowest of any racial and ethnic demographic groups across all schools, according to state figures.

To improve the number of Native American students completing college, state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, introduced Senate Bill 164, which was approved by the state Legislature and signed into law by the governor this summer.

SB 164 provides priority registration at all community colleges in California for all Native American students who live in poverty and are in enrolled in Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids program.

California community colleges granted individuals enrolled in CalWORKs priority registration in 2013. Now it will be granted to students enrolled in Tribal TANF as well.

“Despite the highest poverty and the lowest education attainment levels in California, the poorest Native American students were never granted priority registration to the community colleges,” said McGuire, a 2002 graduate of Sonoma

State University.

“Education is one of the best tools to lift people out of poverty and Native American students deserve fast and easy access to community college just like everyone else.”

A statement of facts about SB 164 from Kelly Burns, a senior legislative aide, says California community colleges currently provide priority registration for disabled students, veterans, homeless, foster children and CalWORKs recipients. All these categories combined make up less than 5 percent of community college enrollment.

More than 10,000 Native Americans attend California’s community colleges, making .44 percent of the 2.1 million total students.

It also states that extending the priority registration program would serve a small, but important constituency.

Priority registration gives lowincome individuals and families the ability to create a f lexible schedule around work and childcare as well as provide training in courses or certificates to achieve a new job or skill at a fast pace for career preparation, which in turn could better their financial well-being.

The Senate Higher Education Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Floor passed SB 164 unanimously.

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill on July 21, and it will l take effect on Jan. 1.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Houston, Texas Hurricane Harvey hit Texas as a category four hurricane on Friday night, with winds of up to 130 m.p.h. On Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service downgraded the system to a tropical storm with exponential rainfall expected to cover the state as late as Thursday. The Weather Service is reporting that close to 50 inches of rain hit parts of Texas as of Sunday, bringing the number of homes without electricity across the state to more than 300,000. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in cooperation with the federal government, deployed more than 3,000 national and state guard troops to Houston to assist with relief and recovery efforts.

Charlottesville, Virginia Charlottesville police, have charged an imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Klan and one other man with felonies in attacks on counter protesters at the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville earlier this month. Fifty-two-year-old Richard W. Preston, who has identified himself to news media as the imperial wizard of the Confederate White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, is allegedly seen on video taking out a pistol and firing a round toward a counterprotester who was wielding a flaming can of aerosol. Preston is currently charged with discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. Daniel P. Borden, 18, of Mason, Ohio is part of a group of six men who is accused of violently beating DeAndre Harris, who suffered a broken wrist and a laceration requiring 10 staples, in a parking garage during the rally.

6 Arts

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

Bigger moves with smaller budgets

Commentary NOLAN BROUGH Staff Writer

T

he third to last episode of Game of Thrones, “Eastwatch,” airing on Aug. 13, garnered the most viewers the series had ever seen: an astounding 10.72 million— and this is only people who tuned in to watch the episode live.

The number is an incredible feat and well earned for HBO who, according to Entertainment Weekly, spent a mind boggling $100 million to produce season six of the critically acclaimed fantasy show.

The thought and planning which goes into these episodes rivals and even surpasses many movies in Hollywood, making sense that high production value nets such high viewership.

But television isn’t the only outlet receiving such attention.

By now, we are all aware of YouTube; a website for video hosting that anyone can post to and view. Over the last few years, monetization has slowly crept up, with YouTube sporting ads and commercials similar to television programming.

With revenue brings new content creators, and YouTube’s been booming with new contributors looking to make a buck off of the platform. Nowadays, entertainers don’t have to get contracts for a TV show or movie to get the attention of millions. Anyone with a phone can potentially wrangle an audience of millions.

One of the most lucrative genres across YouTube is “vlogging,” or video blogging. People document their lives and share their experiences with their audience through them, and are often exaggerated and feature sponsored content to make them more exciting. “Let’s play” videos, which feature a gamer playing a recent release or popular video game while they narrate what’s happening in the game, too are relatively quick and cheap to produce, especially when compared to big budget entertainment from Hollywood.

Yet it’s possible to match or even surpass the viewership seen in traditional media outlets.

Content creators like PewDiePie, Casey Neistat, Jake Paul and others net millions of subscribers and views on each video they put out. Jake Paul, a YouTube star who has committed to uploading a video daily, has racked up over 430 million views in the last month and makes between $1.7 and $20.7 million per year, depending on advertisers, according to Social Blade statistics.

In addition to advertising money, many of these stars build a following large enough to grab the attention of various sponsors and larger networks.

Casey Neistat, a popular video blogger, sold his video company, Beme, to CNN for $25 million.

Many youtubers also fund their channels by crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter or Patreon, which are sites that allow viewers to directly donate to content creators of their choice.

There are many reasons why these

youtube.com Channels including Netflix and Youtube vie for subscribers in a demanding market with quickly changing needs. low budget (and sometimes low effort) videos across YouTube can gain such huge views. The high turnaround rate of videos and short runtime may attract viewers, as they require less commitment than a typical TV show or movie.

Many of the popular channels also receive many views from children, who can easily access videos on their personal devices. And cheap alternatives to TV like YouTube and Netflix entice customers who are eager to cut the cable.

TV shows are still a very popular form of entertainment and probably won’t be going anywhere soon. Youtube

channel quality is generally not quality enough to replace expensive shows like Game of Thrones or storytelling such as Breaking Bad, but the younger generation watching YouTube all the time could change the way media works in the future.

YouTube is already exploring a Netflix-esque video service called YouTube Red starring it’s biggest and brightest stars, and it will be interesting to see where media will go in the coming years; especially when creators can become millionaires with just a smartphone and an internet connection.

VMA recap: Year of change

Commentary PAIGE HUNTER Staff Writer

T

he annual MTV Video Music Awards kicked off on Sunday night at the Forum in Los Angeles. This years show took their own stance with the topic of neutrality and equal rights by changing the name of the ‘Moon Man’ award to ‘Moon Person.’ The show began with a performance from Ed Sheeran, before Lil Uzi Vert joined him on stage. After opening up with a video urging to get to outer space, host Katy Perry flew to center stage in a shiny space suit. Perry’s opening speech provided the audience with a few recaps of this year’s trends that she missed during her space adventure.

Paris Jackson introduced the nominees for Best Pop Video, with Fifth Harmony taking the award. Following a cut-short performance from Julia Michaels, the world premiere of Taylor Swift’s new video, “Look What You Made Me Do” hit screens.

Shawn Mendes took the stage with his top charting song “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back”. The audience then got a look at the nominees for the category of ‘best new artist’, before being reminded to keep voting for their choice.

Lorde’s flu-like symptoms moved the focus to her choreography performance rather than her vocals. Keeping with the dance theme, Teyana Taylor and Pete Wentz presented the moon person for Best Dance Video to Alessia Cara and Zedd. Although not present to accept their award, both Taylor Swift and Zayn took the title for Best Collaboration.

With the passing of Linkin Park singer

Chester Bennington and his close friend Chris Cornell earlier this year, Jared Leto took the stage in their honor. His speech paid tribute to Bennington’s talent and kind heart, while emphasizing the importance of staying hopeful and moving forward. Leto’s speech ended with an introduction to a performance by Linkin Park. Unfortunately, after a brief display of Bennington’s picture, the show abruptly cut to commercial without airing the actual performance.

Perry returned to the stage, sticking to her trendy game before introducing Miley Cyrus.

Performing her song ‘Younger Now’, Miley danced across the stage with a large group of older back-up dancers and rocked out with children on faux motorcycles.

Pink was awarded the Michael Jackson Vanguard award by Ellen Degeneres after a montage performance. Her acceptance speech told a heartfelt story about her daughter’s struggle with society’s current idea of beauty and finished with the importance of self-love and only changing, “to see more kinds of beauty”.

After the voting polls closed, Ed Sheeran took home the award for Artist of the Year.

Singer, Kesha introduced an empowering performance of “1-800-273-8255” by Logic, Khalid and Alessia Cara. Final words from Logic urged us to continue to fight for “peace, love, positive and equality for all”.

For the last remaining categories, the Moon Person for Best New Artist was awarded to Khalid.

Kendrick Lamar’s performance on a fiery stage closed the show. Lamar took home two awards for his hit single “Humble”, one for Best Hip-Hop Video and the other for Video of the Year.

THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT FALL 2017

Bulrusher

Man Equals Man Nov. 2-12

By Bertolt Brecht Directed by Judy Navas Ives Hall 119

Mega Hot Lava

Shared Spaces Fall Dance Show Dec. 7-10 Directed by Christine Cali SSU Campus

youtube.com Miley Cyrus performs her newest single “Younger Now” on the VMA stage on Sunday.

Oct. 19-28

By Eisa Davis Directed by Harry Waters Jr. Evert B. Person Theatre

New Play Festival Nov. 16-19

By SSU students Curated by Scott Horstein Studio 76, Ives Hall

Entertainment 7

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

moviepilot.com Below; Death God Ryuk trails Light Yagami in the original manga story.

collider.com Above: Nat Wolff portrays Light Yagami in the live-action Netflix remake.

Netflix nixes “Death Note” Review NICK COATS Staff Writer

I

f you are an avid lover of anime, then you are always hopeful that the next live-action adaptation of one of your favorite shows will live up to its parent anime. In the movie industry however, this never seems to be the case; “Dragon Ball” and “Ghost in the Shell” being a few past examples. Plagued with bad casting choices, and plots too loosely based on the original, “Death Note” falls right in line with the trend.

Originally a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated

by Takeshi Obata, “Death Note” published 12 volumes between May 2004 and October 2006. An anime series directed by Tetsuro Araki, comprised of 37 episodes aired in Japan from October

2006 to June 2007, and an American film directed by Adam Wingard was released on Netflix August 25, 2017.

The anime, set in Japan, follows Light Yagami, a star high school student who ends up in the possession of a mysterious notebook called the Death Note which holds the ability to take lives as the wielder of the notebook sees fit. After discovering the power the notebook possesses, Yagami meets Ryuk, the death god watching over the notebook.

Yagami reveals his plan to Ryuk to become a god amongst men and free the world of criminals, under the code name Kira, translating to “killer” in Japanese.

Kira’s killings gain the attention of an intelligent, world-renowned detective known as “L,” who quickly realizes Kira needs only a name and face to kill his victims.

As Yagami tries to learn, and kill, the true identity of L, he meets his love interest and second Kira, model Misa Amane, and her death god, Rem. It’s

shortly after this L discovers the true identities of both Amane and Yagami: the first and second Kira of Japan.

Adam Wingard’s take on Death Note strays from the original anime, leaving fans of it disappointed from the get go.

None of the main characters in the film are of Asian descent, Light’s last name has been changed from Yagami to Turner, as to better fit the leading White actor, Nat Wolff, and the location of the film is set in Seattle. Light’s love interest has changed from model Misa Amane to cheerleader Mia Sutton, played by Margaret Qualley. Mia is not in possession of her own Death Note and so, does not have the death god Rem with her.

Instead, she takes an unusual liking to Light’s Death Note after he shows her what it is capable of. Poor character development and dialogue paired with rushed or deleted background information left a film that felt rushed with lots of room for unattachment to the characters feelings and motivations throughout

the work.

This film would have done better as a live-action series, where there could be more time to explore key information about the Death Note, and build stronger character development to evoke the emotion from viewers.

If you’re a fan of the original Death Note series or are a fan of anime in general, you probably will not like this adaptation. If you are someone who did not know what “Death Note” was prior to reading this article, or you can put aside the fact that it is nothing like the anime, you may find some enjoyment out if it.

If nothing else, the visuals make this an entertaining film.

Ryuk is beautifully animated, and there is a lot more gore than was expected.

The director also left the end of the film on a cliffhanger, so there is a good possibility we will see a second film that does a better job of sticking to the plot and bringing a good end to the story.

Kesha luminates with “Rainbow” Review

SIERRA SORRENTINO Staff Writer

K

esha’s presence in pop culture has been prevalent since her breakout party anthem, “Tik Tok” in 2009.

However, the singer’s life since her 2012 album, “Warrior,” has been anything but “Rainbows,” coincidently the title of her newest, most emotional album yet.

Released on Aug. 11, the four-year wait mirrored a rocky road regarding her mental health and artistic freedom. In January of 2014 she was admitted into rehab, reportedly for anorexia and bulimia; while in October of the same year the public witnessed the issuing of her sexual assault lawsuit against former producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald. Kesha’s desire to make positive and progressive changes after treatment in both her personal and professional life came down to an ultimate rebrand: dropping her trademark “$.”

The reborn pop singer teased her fans prior to the album’s full release by drop-

ping the single “Praying” in July; her first in four years. The single, along with the music video, pulls at one’s heartstrings with an outpour of vulnerable emotion in Kesha’s voice. Even though “Praying” and the other songs on her album are very personal to her situation, the lyrics are universal for those who have gone through hardships in life and have gotten to a stage of feeling empathy for the root of the cause; whether that be another individual or situation. Kesha expressed the meaning behind “Praying” saying it is “about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal.”

“Woman” is one of the few songs on Kesha’s new album that seems to be an ode to the overtly unique and glittery popstar. The song itself is a head-banging, fist-pumping tune that could easily become an anthem for any girl-squad or the theme song for a fun girl’s night out.

It embraces a woman’s ability to be her own supporter as well as portraying that women do not need a man to help them financially. If the goal of “Woman” was to boost women’s self-confidence, Kesha nailed it. “So boys don’t go buying her a drink or calling her honey, you

facebook.com Kesha released her album, “Warrior” on Aug. 11. know Kesha makes her own money.” Kesha sings.

“Rainbow” has had a lot of success since its release, charting #1 on Billboard and becoming a highlight and major milestone for the singer whose old music had glitter factory pop roots.

Through this album, she not only reveals her growth as a person but as an artist; showing vulnerability and raw emo-

tion never seen before. However, fans of “old Kesha” will be pleased with the hints of her quirky, sparkly-pop self that can be heard in the songs “Woman” and “Godzilla.”

Even though the songs on “Rainbow” mingle and start to blur most areas of the music spectrum one thing is very clear, Kesha has found her voice once more and is stronger than ever.

Joshua Silverstein shakes up SSU AMBER WEINSTOCK Staff Writer

A

captivating ensemble of comedy, storytelling, and beatboxing arrived last Wednesday to the Student Ballroom in the form of of award winning actor, educator and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein. Silverstein covered issues such as stereotyping, identity, racism and colorism to the crowd through his personal experiences and musical collaboration.

Silverstein spoke about his difficulties trying to find where he belongs as a multiracial person with African American, Native American, and Jewish background. He also recounted the everyday stereotyping found in Hollywood as he was in search of jobs. During this time, he wanted to educate people about the racism he experienced whether they knew what they were doing or not, but instead kept his mouth shut about how that had made him feel. He went on to regale the crowd with his humor, skills of beat-boxing, and musical lyricism with a song called “Yellow” that told a story of perception. While the delivery of “Yellow” was given with light hearted humor, the term “yellow” was used to describe people of color who are lighter in skin tone and how that could

contribute to their success in life. That is, until an audio clip was inserted that stated darker toned skin was the new fashion. This that the effect of taking one from the top of success to a less favorable standing. Using this medium, he explained that the color of skin has turned into a fashion statement, and how success may not always be attained completely by talent.

When Silverstein is not up on stage performing, he donates his time to workshops that create an open place for people who wish to find their voice. He encourages them to explore their own methods that they may have not felt safe to elsewhere. While when he is not performing or teaching, he is both co-hosting and co-producing his new show “DOWNBEAT720,” a free performance lab for high school performing artists in Santa Monica. In his final segment, Silverstein touched on how difficult it is to constantly be judging oneself by other people, or by the past, and how at a certain point in life, it can be time to wash away the hate and face the future.

He expressed this with a powerful scene that conveyed the cutting out of his own heart, washing it, and putting it back into his chest. Silverstein conveyed a powerful message: he will not let his past darken his outlook on life; and “while the truth is painful, life is perfectly scarred, and beautifully flawed.”

STAR// McKayla Taylor Joshua Silverstein excties the crowd through live, instramental entertainment.

8 Student Life

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

Transgender clinic to start in September at Empire College SUZETTE PLUMLEY

Courtesy // sonoma.edu Students learn about organizations at 2016 Service and Internship Fair.

Service and Internship Fair returns to guide SSU students ANDREA MENDOZA Staff Writer

T

he several Sonoma State University students required to complete an internship for their majors may want to take advantage of this year’s Service and Internship Fair.

The event will take place Aug. 31 in front of Salazar Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will have around 70 organizations in attendance, according to Sonoma State’s Center for Community Engagement.

The Service and Internship Fair, organized by the Center for Community Engagement, is an annual event that has taken place on campus for many years.

According to the Center for Community Engagement, the event has helped several students network and find volunteer opportunities as well as internships.

The Center for Community Engagement is located on the first floor of the library, according to its website. It focuses on helping the university and community collaborate through service-learning classes, internships, volunteer work or communitybased research.

The center is also responsible for creating events such as the Service and Internship Fair to connect students to the community.

Last year, the fair drew in about 1000 students and faculty members, with more than 60 organizations present on campus.

Several students had the opportunity to find volunteer work and internships offered by the representatives in attendance, and were able to make connections with local community representatives.

Merith Weisman, coordinator of the Center for Community Engagement and organizer of the fair, said she encourages everyone to attend the fair.

Weisman praised the event and said it’s a “comfortable place to get out of your comfort zone.”

“If you’re not quite ready to do an internship, you might do a little volunteer

work so that you get used to the idea of working in the community,” Weisman said.

“These are folks who want interns, you don’t have to worry about them saying no.”

Several of these nonprofit or governmental organizations reach out and register for the event looking specifically for Sonoma State students.

Some of the organizations students can expect to see are the American Red Cross of California Northwest, Alexander Valley Film Society, the Center for Climate Protection, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County, KRCB North Bay Public Media, La Luz Center, Mentor Me, United Nations Association of Sonoma County, and the Peace Corps.

Most of the organizations in attendance share the common goal of aiding and providing support to community members.

Sandeep Shahi, a junior and kinesiology major, admits she had never heard of the Service and Internship Fair, but expressed enthusiasm at the thought of attending this year.

“Hopefully I’d be able to meet people within the field I am looking to go into and make connections, and possibly even get a volunteer opportunity,” Shahi said.

Josue Castillo, a senior child development major, also showed interested in the event.

“I hope to be able to network with some of them and maybe get some sort of opportunity to volunteer or even intern,” Castillo said. “It is important that I start to look for ways to earn more experience in the real world, and I have no doubt that one of the many organizations can provide me with that.”

Even if students are not looking for internships, Weisman said it’s a good idea to attend, “especially for younger students who maybe are new to Sonoma County.”

“It’s a chance for them to get to see what is so amazing about Sonoma County, and what is so amazing about Sonoma County is our amazing community full of partners who can’t wait to work with students,” Weisman said.

Staff Writer

A

new legal clinic for name and gender changes is set to start at the Empire College School of Law during the second week of September 2017.

These services, which will be provided Monday nights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be offered at Empire College in Santa Rosa within the Self-Help Access Center clinic, which is run by law students and professor Tony Zunino.

The clinic will serve people ages 18 and older.

For those who need financial assistance, the clinic will help provide fee waivers for court filing fees which can cost someone $465 and another $25 for a certified copy of their order. If the waivers get approved by the court, then fees are waived.

The clinic will not accept walkins. To reserve a space in the clinic, those interested have to first get a referral from a family law facilitator and then email Grace De La Torre, who helps students with the legal changes and was previously a law student involved with the Self-Help Access Center.

De La Torre said she had been looking for “a place in Sonoma County where those who identify as trans can get their name and their genders changed.”

“I wanted to have a place where people who identified as trans can go and have their identity match their true selves,” De La Torre said. “I started doing them when my daughter came out as trans and she wanted to change her name to have her documentation match her identity. I just have a real passion for it and I feel like it really helps people.”

People who attend the clinic can get help with filling out name and gender change forms while learning about processes involved in court.

After attendants are able to change their name and gender, De La Torre will help them through the process of going through the social security office, the DMV, and any other places where they would like to make legal changes.

De La Torre said the clinic is a great option for college students who need more affordable options, since it is free as long as the attendant has a referral and makes an appointment prior.

“You get firsthand legal knowledge,” De La Torre said. “You get an attorney and other law students that are really compassionate and want to help others.”

De La Torre said the clinic is completely confidential.

She advised those going through the process of legally changing their name or gender to not get overwhelmed and to be patient with the court system, since the clinic was created to alleviate any of these stresses and help the process go by smoothly.

“I really, really encourage people to do it if that’s what they’re considering,” De La Torre said.

Unlike Empire College, Sonoma State University does not provide services to change legal documents.

Sonoma State does offer a new preferred name change policy where a student’s name can be changed on student IDs and class rosters.

Carly Solberg, president of Sonoma State’s Queer-Straight Alliance, said accessibility is imperative for trans people.

“It’s super important to have access to workshops because it can be expensive as well,” Solberg said.

“Trans people are more marginalized and more likely to live below the poverty line.”

Sonoma State’s Counseling and Psychological Services, located on the first floor of Stevenson, facilitates “Transcending Boundaries: Gender Identity Discussion Group,” a group primarily for trans students that is open to all.

The discussion group meets for an hour each week, but does not have a set meeting date yet.

Solberg said she began identifying as trans in the middle of her freshman year at Sonoma State.

“Without QSA, the HUB, and CAPS I would be really lost,” Solberg said. “Those resources allowed me to meet other trans people.”

For more information or to set up an appointment at Empire College, email Grace De La Torre at delatorregrace46@gmail.com.

The Queer-Straight Alliance meets every Friday at the HUB from noon to 1 p.m.

To join the Gender Identity Discussion Group at Sonoma State, call CAPS at 707-664-2135 or email Dr. Andre Kerlow-Myers at kerlowmy@ sonoma.edu for more information.

Former student sparks inspiration with electrical engineering degree ANNA BURKE Staff Writer

W

hen Miah Crockett first stepped onto Sonoma State University, she never imagined that in five years she would be speaking at her commencement for science and technology as the first African-American woman in Sonoma State history to earn an electrical engineering degree.

In fact, she never would have even known about the university if it wasn’t for basketball. At age 17, Crockett was invited to campus by Sonoma State basketball coach Mark Rigby, who hoped to recruit her. Crockett’s intention, at that point in her life, was to prioritize playing basketball. However, her focus soon shifted and she decided to instead dedicate her college career to academics.

Instead of participating in the late night basketball practices Crockett said she originally envisioned for herself, she would instead embark on a difficult yet rewarding journey to receive her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

The road to accomplishing this feat was not easy by any means, Crockett said. The first hurdle was the difficulty of being 500 miles away from her family.

Crockett said it was not only homesickness that made the distance hard, but also not being around for her father, who is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

This always weighed heavily on Crockett’s mind during her time at Sonoma State.

Crockett said her father was one of the main reasons she wanted to pursue an electrical engineering degree.

“I wanted to get the degree and create some sort of device that would not only help him, but also help people in the same situation,” Crockett said. Her de-

sire to help others and pursue a major that would be financially beneficial, along with her curiosity on how things worked, lead her to choose electrical engineering.

The hardest challenge for Crockett during her college career was the isolation she felt being the only woman in almost all her engineering classes, she said. In all of her years at Sonoma State, Crockett had only one engineering class where there was another female. She often sat in the back of her classes and felt secluded, even voicing her dislike of team projects.

“It’s hard to succeed when you feel you are alone,” Crockett said.

Crockett felt solace and support when she met electrical engineering teacher Sara Kassis, whom she credits for helping her with resumes and pushing her to write the commencement speech for her graduation in May. Kassis described Crockett as an inspiration. She said only 11 percent of female students are pursuing electrical engineering, and Crockett being the first female African-American student to graduate with an electrical engineering degree “can inspire others to follow their dreams no matter the obstacles.”

“For me, I see that as an inspiration, to be persistent and accomplish goals even though a person is outside of their comfort zone,” Kassis said.

Crockett credits perseverance, hard work, and even her sports mentality she learned in basketball for pushing her through the years.

Because of the struggle she endured being the only woman in a lot of her classes, and her time in the women’s engineering club, Crockett said she is very passionate and supportive in encouraging women in STEM majors.

Courtesy // Miah Crockett Miah Crockett graduated in May 2017 with an electrical engineering degree.

Crockett said she advises all women in the STEM field “to stay with it.”

“It’s not going to be easy by any means, but it will definitely be worth it. No one can take away all the hard work you put in to get your degree,” Crockett said. “It is just up to you to prove all the people who said you couldn’t wrong.”

Crockett said she has big plans for the future. She starts her first engineering job this December and is excited to begin her next journey and career as a young engineer. But she is not stopping there. “In the long run, I want to be my own boss and I plan on making it happen,” Crockett said.

Student Life 9

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

A tipping point for Culinary Services No more tips for student employees

JANA DUNCAN Staff Writer

S

ince Aug. 19, Sonoma State University’s Culinary Services have discontinued the acceptance of tips at Charlie Brown’s Café, Sip, W+B, Lobos and Toast as a result of legal requirements.

Previous to this change in policy, all food venues on campus were permitted to accept tips which were divided equally among all workers from the entire day’s work. The decision was made to change procedure because of “legal requirements related to cash handling and tip notifications to government agencies,” according to Director of Sales and Marketing Ryan Ernst.

After this change, students were no longer allowed to accept tips in certain locations. As compensation, students affected by the change were given a raise of 51 cents per hour. Two venues that were excluded from this conversion were Prelude and Overlook, which are set up as full service venues and may still receive tips, Ernst said.

Claudia Bernal, a fifth-year Sonoma State student who works at the kiosk in Toast, expressed both surprise and understanding at the new policy.

“My initial reaction was kind of shock, but once it was explained to me I kind of understood why this was happening but that doesn’t mean I exactly like it,” Bernal said.

The financial compensation Bernal receives in her salary will not match that of the amount she would earn from tips, she said.

“I understand why these two venues [Prelude and Overlook] got excluded from the tips rule,” Bernal said. “They are the venues most visited by staff and people visiting the campus.

I just wish a few more venues were included on this list.”

Ernst said the reason for the two restaurants to operate with tips is so Culinary Services are in compliance with federal tax laws.

Camille Cintas, a fourth year student and Culinary Services employee, also had a complex reaction to the policy change.

“My first reaction to the change was negative,” Cintas said. “I couldn’t understand why Culinary [Services] decided to make this change in the first place, and I thought that there was no way they’d be able to make up the lost income to students.”

Cintas admitted the inconsistencies and unpredictability of tips are “always a gamble.”

“Now I have a better understanding of the negative consequences of the tipping system,” Cintas said.

Ernst said there is a “perception that money is being taken away from our student employees… [and] a vast majority will end up with a bigger paycheck than before.”

In an email sent Aug. 15 to the Sonoma State campus community, Neil Markley, associate vice president for administration and finance for Entrepreneurial Activities, included a link to a donation website for those who wish to continue to support students financially. The link leads to a page with various scholarships and programs visitors can choose to support.

When asked about this alternate form of student support, Cintas said, “This sounds great, but… I think Culinary [Services] should do a better job of informing the entire school, and the cities around us, of this new system.”

Bernal provided a different perspective on the matter.

STUDENT LIFE CALENDAR Tuesday, Aug. 29

Thursday, Aug. 31

JUMP Info Night 5 p.m.

Seawolf Plaza

ASP Presents: Peace, Love and Tie-Dye 11 a.m.

Person Lawn

Panhellenic Info Night 7 p.m.

Cooperage Wednesday, Aug. 30 Involvement Fair 11:30 a.m.

Seawolf Plaza Women of Color Collective Noon The HUB

Courtesy // sonoma.edu Students working in parts of Culinary Services may no longer receive tips.

“This is a good alternative to help out students,” Bernal said. “The only problem I could see is that not all students will be able to get these scholarships.”

Ernst said administration is working to enlighten customers on the new methods of donation while maintaining a focus on supporting students. He said the website donations could go to annual funds, specific programs and departments, the alumni association, athletics or different special events.

Since the new policy is just over a week old, there is not much to say about how it could affect the working student body, Ernst said.

“As with any change, there will be a review of customer and employee feedback after an appropriate amount of time,” Ernst said. “University Culinary Services [will] evaluate what changes, if any, need to be made”.

For alternative ways to support students financially, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/give.

BE A STAR 1

2

Gain photography experience shooting events and people all over campus

Shooting for a publication provides as an excellent résumé builder

Saturday, Sept. 2 ODP: Annadel Day Hike 8 a.m.

Sign up online Getaway Trip: Jelly Belly Factory 10 a.m.

Police Services

3 Email star@sonoma.edu with a preview of your work to join the team!

Courtesy of: seawolfliving.com

10 Sports

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

Men’s soccer team predicted to place second in CCAA standings Roland Schmidt Staff Writer

P

repare yourselves, the Sonoma State University men’s soccer team has returned, looking to wreak havoc on any team it may face in 2017. A preseason poll of league coaches predicts the team will place second in CCAA standings, while UC San Diego is favored to take the No. 1 spot.

After a successful 2016 campaign that featured a 10-5-5 overall record, the Seawolves set the California Collegiate Athletic Association ablaze with an 8-2-2 Conference record, finishing second and earning their first birth to the NCAA Division II Men’s Championship Tournament since 2010. After their impressive 2016 season, the 2017 squad, featuring the return of seven starters, will need to remain in peak form to dethrone last year’s conference champion U.C. San Diego.

Entering his 27th season as Sonoma State’s head coach, Marcus Ziemer believes this team is looking strong with “Very good players, good returners, and good leadership, along with a couple of new guys in the mix that are new to the university that could really help.”

Good leadership will be a necessary component in building a championshipcaliber squad. This year, the Seawolves will look for continued success with the help of veteran guidance from captains Eric Alvarado and Mitch North. Alvarado, a senior from Escondido, will lead the charge on defense as one of the premier center backs of the league for a defense that finished 18th in Goals Against Average (.80) nationally.

North, a senior from Ashland, Oregon, will man the posts after putting to-

gether a fine 2016 campaign that included seven shutouts to his name.

“Our goalie, Mitch North, he just brings a fire that he has inside of him. I think he’ll change the game with big saves. I also think what he does on and off the field is just really important for the team as well,” senior leader Josh Sanchez said.

Paired with an outstanding defense, players say the offense will also be a force to be reckoned with, as last season’s squad finished in the top five of the conference in average goals per game (1.500), with only San Francisco State, U.C. Davis, and Cal State Dominguez Hills ranking higher. Junior Forward Marco Barragan, who sat out all of last season as a redshirt after transferring from U.C. Davis and being deemed ineligible by the NCAA, could also impact the field this season.

“Marco, who was a redshirt last year, is looking really solid,” Alvarado said.

“We knew he was going to be a good player - he’s quick, he’s fast, he can score goals and already is looking like he’s on fire after he played a good game at Saint Mary’s last week. He’s right footed and has a nasty shot, so he can just come in and whip it near post - throws our keeper off all the time.”

This 2017 squad says the ultimate goal of winning the NCAA Division II national title is at the forefront of every player and coach’s mind. The winning mentality is one shared by Sophomore striker, Luis Mendoza. “We need to win as a team and we need to lose as a team. We all just need to push each other to do their best every game so we can go as far as we can - win CCAA, and hopefully head back to the big dance,” he said.

The quest for dominance will begin at 7 p.m on Aug. 31, when the Seawolves take on Western Washington in Bellingham, Washington . on Robert S. Harrington Field. Sonoma State’s first home game will be against California Baptist at 2 p.m. on Sept. 7 at home on the Seawolf Soccer Field.

STAR // Megan Corcoran Evan Roehrig (top left), Marcus Salvador (top right, bottom left), and Devin Anderson (bottom right) seek posession of the ball in last year’s conference matchups.

Sports in Brief Las Vegas, Nevada UFC Champion Conor McGregor exited his comfort zone when he squared off against undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather. In an outcome many predicted, McGregor lost after being outlanded 170 to 111. The performance was less than one-sided, however, as McGregor lasted 10 rounds and showed good technique in the fight.

Nashville, Tennessee Doctors believe Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith has torn his ACL in Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans after his leg bent the wrong way when a Titan tackled him. Unfortunately, this preseason game is probably the last Meredith will see this year. The Bears have suffered multiple injuries already, with Prince Amukamara out with an ankle injury and Patrick Scales out with a knee injury.

Lausanne, Switzerland Nine years after earning Olympic gold medals in Beijing, Chinese weightlifters Cao Lei and Liu Chunhong were disqualified from their respective classes and stripped of their gold medals. Chunhong tested positive for sibutramine, and both had a growth hormone stimulator called GHRP-2 in their systems. Investigators removed more than 25 medals after retesting athlete’s samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Olympics.

Cleveland, Ohio The Cleveland Cavaliers have been a hot topic in the NBA in recent years, especially after star point guard Kyrie Irving announced his desire to leave the championship-level unit and Lebron James’ shadow. In a decision that shocked NBA fans, the Cavaliers traded Irving to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and Ante Zizic.

The blockbuster trade is now under evaluation as Thomas’ ongoing hip injury could void the trade if he can’t pass the Cavalier’s physical examination.

Sports 11

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

Sonoma State women’s soccer team shares common goal: a championship title Bianca Sanborn Sports Editor

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Sonoma State STAR Riley West and Sarah Lindborg are among the 15 returning Seawolves for the women’s soccer team this year.

fter an impressive 2016 season that included a second place finish and a NCAA Division II Championship Tournament run, the Sonoma State University women’s soccer team are projected to bow only to the reigning CCAA champions, the UC San Diego Tritons.

A 2017 preseason poll of the league’s coaches predicted an identical outcome to last year, with UC San Diego stealing the No.1 spot and Sonoma State trailing close behind.

After going nearly undefeated with a conference record of 10-1-1, the team’s postseason was cut short when the No. 6 seed Azusa Pacific ousted the No. 3 seed Seawolves in the First Round of the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament.

“Our goal as a team is to get the National Championship,” said team captain Sara Van Wagoner. “It’s early on in the season, but I do believe we have what it takes to be national champions.”

All-CCAA selections Miriam Bloom, Sara Van Wagoner, Cecilia Sifuentes, and Katie Mohr, are just four of the six returning starters hoping to impact the game this year with deadly firepower and impenetrable defense.

“Finishing is a big improvement from last year, we are definitely finding the net earlier in the game which is awesome,” said Van Wagoner. “I feel like our mindset is very focused and driven, from the freshman to the super seniors.”

Adding 16 freshman to the unit leaves room for growth, a focal point for the Seawolves. Under the leadership of the more experienced team captains and Head Coach Emiria Salzmann Dunn, the Seawolves have already set the pace for a strong season.

“Team comradery is one thing we always come with,” goalkeeper Kristen Spear said. “We are adjusting our style of play based on the talents we have on the team to best move us forward.”

“As a captain this year, I feel my most important role is keeping that focused mindset strong throughout the season, seeing each game as a stepping stone to the national championship,” Van Wagoner said.

With the possibility of a championship title just over the horizon, the unit aims for constant growth.

“Our focus now is striving to become better than we were yesterday,” Van Wagoner said.

The team has six preseason matchups before their first conference game against Cal State Monterey Bay in Seaside on Friday, Sept. 15 at 3 p.m.

Sonoma State Sports Schedule Thursday, August 31

Friday, September 1

Women’s Soccer vs Fresno Pacific (in Arcata, CA) 1 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball vs Biola (in Belmont, CA) 10:30 a.m. @ Notre Dame de Namur 7 p.m.

Women’s Volleyball vs Pacific Union 5 p.m.

Men’s Soccer @ Western Washington 7 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs Colorado Mesa (in Arcata, CA) 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, September 2

Women’s Volleyball vs Dominican 2 p.m. vs Holy Names 7 p.m.

Women’s Cross Country NDNU Argo Invitational 10 a.m.

Men’s Soccer @ Seattle Pacific 7 p.m.

Sonoma State Athletic Director Bill Fusco retires after 20 years Kevin Brill Staff Writer

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fter 20 years of service as the athletic director for Sonoma State University, Bill Fusco has announced his retirement from the program.

He began his journey in 1997 and has done a reputable job leading the Seawolves’ student-athletes to success, aiding in both the growth and reputation of the program.

Under Fusco’s leadership, the athletic program has expanded from 11 to 14 intercollegiate teams within the Pacific West Conferences, California Collegiate Athletic Association, and Western Water Polo Association. Fusco oversaw the program during the wins of the NCAA Division II national championships in men’s soccer in 2002 and men’s golf in 2009.

“One of the many special memories over the past 20 years was being part of the 2002 men’s soccer team’s post-season run to the NCAA Division II National Championship,” Fusco said. In the NCAA First Round match vs. rival Cal State Dominguez Hills, SSU was down 2-0 at halftime, until “Senior forward Tony Bussard went out and scored two goals to send the game into overtime. He then scored his third goal in overtime to give the Seawolves a miraculous come from behind victory. The momentum from that game carried the team to their first ever national championship.”

This comeback and Fusco’s vivid memory of it show his passion and involvement in Sonoma State athletics.

Among his achievements, he ushered the birth of athletic scholarships at Sonoma State, allowing athletes to play the sport they love while receiving a col-

lege education. Under his leadership, student-athlete graduation rates and grade point averages have significantly increased, nearing top-tier rates in the league.

Before he became athletic director at Sonoma State, Fusco received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of San Francisco in 1973.

He continued his education as he earned his Masters of Arts degree in sports management later from the University of San Francisco in 1995. Before Sonoma State hired Fusco on, he already had over 15 years of athletic administrative experience under his belt. Fusco held a similar position as the director of athletics at both the University of San Francisco, his alma mater, and Dominican University. He also served as the sports information director for St. Mary’s College and the University of San Francisco.

Fusco was an outstanding faculty member in the University of San Francisco Graduate Sports Management Program, teaching an elective class titled administrative leadership in intercollegiate athletics.

While he was working as the director of athletics at Dominican, he was awarded NAIA West Region Administrator of the Year for two years in a row in both 1995 and 1996.

Over the years, Bill has remained highly involved in the community as he became a member of the Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati as well as serving as an advisor to the Rotaract Club of Sonoma State. His involvement in endless activities is another one of the many achievements in his career.

Fusco and his wife, Cathy, are currently residents of Petaluma. He has two children, both of whom attended California state schools; their son Michael graduated from Long Beach State University and their daughter Marissa graduated from Sonoma State University.

With all that Fusco has given to the intercollegiate athletic program, it will be hard for Sonoma State to see him go. “I can’t even begin to express the amount of gratitude I have for Bill and everything he has done for me during my time here at Sonoma State,” said Tyler Lobe, sports information, game operations and athletic facilities coordinator. “He is one of the most genuine, kind-hearted human beings anyone has ever met. This is going to be a huge loss for our program.”

“I will miss working with the dedicated, passionate and talented student-athletes, coaches and administrative support staff members,” Fusco said. “It was a privilege to serve them and an honor to represent Sonoma State University on a local, regional, and national level for over 20 years.”

COURTESY // sonomaseawolves.com Athletic Director Bill Fusco retired after 20 years of service to Sonoma State.

12 Photo Campus community awes at eclipse

AUG. 29 - SEPT. 4, 2017

sonomastatestar.com

Sonoma State Star After the Convocation Aug. 21, faculty and staff join together on the Green Music Center Lawn to watch the eclipse on the large screen. Cloudy skies kept the eclipse from being seen in Sonoma County, so a live video stream was shown.

STAR // Kayla Kring Marcus Salvador attempts to win back the ball from the other team.

STAR // Kayla Kring The team gathers together in the middle of the field in excitement after winning.

“The depth and breadth of the studies, the consummate teaching, the rich community of learners makes Meridian a school that prepares the student to be a true social artist as well as a profoundly realized human being.”

— Jean Houston, Chancellor, Meridian University

Accredited Masters and Doctoral Degrees in Psychology, Business, and Education Saturday, September 16th, in Petaluma: Join a One-Day Introduction to Meridian’s Psychology programs. meridianuniversity.edu