Volume 7, Issue 21 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

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THE

Associated Students, UC Santa Barbara Volume 7, Issue 21 | May 1 - May 8, 2013

BOTTOM LINE

Isla Vista Celebrates

Earth Day

by MARISSA PEREZ Staff Writer

Isla Vista Earth Day drew a crowd of both University of California, Santa Barbara students and community members from all around Isla Vista to celebrate. First-year biology major and Environmental Affairs Board Volunteer Chair, Kai Wilmsen, noticed the diversity of the attendees. “It’s great to bring the community together for an event like this. You get students but you also get families with kids; it’s the kind of thing you can only get in IV,” said Wilmsen. The event featured performances from musical groups Naked Voices, The Originalites, Evan Blum, All Mixed Up, Sky Tuned, The Olés, The Fire Department, and Big Tree as well as a performance featuring music and dance by Iaorana Te Otea. The festivities ensued from afternoon until late evening in People’s Park. IV Earth Day boasted a variety of informative booths, games, and activities, all focused on keeping the event as having as close to zero waste as possible. “This year’s theme is ‘We can only take so much’,” explained third-year biology major Tessa Balboni, who serves as co-chair for EAB. “We encouraged people to bring their own shirts to screen print instead of buying them and we have things like the clothing swap. We tried to limit the amount of waste and only give away useful items...We don’t want too much stuff,” added EAB’s campus activities coordinator Kyle Fischler, a fourth-year environmental science and communication double major. People were also able to trade in collected pieces of trash from around IV for tokens to use at these trading booths. Even without the promise of free prizes, the event drew students and IV residents with activities like slack-lining, free screen printing, henna, face paint, hula hooping, and the opportunity to plant and take home spices or other useful plants. Several organizations also set up informative booths on a wide variety of environmental topics, such as how to properly sort trash, and engaged Isla Vista in activities like repainting the cigarette butt collectors that are scattered throughout the community. “This is EAB’s 21st year of existence,” Balboni said. “We’ve had an Earth Day event for probably almost that long.” “Santa Barbara Earth Day gets the Santa Barbara community out to celebrate,” Fischler said. “This is something to bring it to IV for the IV community; it has a little bit different vibe.” EAB meets on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Graduate Student Association lounge on the second floor of the Multi-Cultural Center. “We encourage not just environmental science or biology majors to get involved with EAB and environmental events. Environmentalism is a really holistic subject...It’s really hard to demonstrate that a lot of the things we want to do are feasible without the econ. majors and the people from these other disciplines there to support us,” said Fischler. “Besides special events [like IV Earth Day], we have a lot of other activities and a lot of campus campaigns.”

looking back at

Austin Novy and Charlie Wachob give Earth Day in Isla Vista three thumbs up. Photos by John Clow | The Bottom Line

Emily Begg, Karina Paonessa, and Alicia Carpenter (from left to right) get in touch with their artistic side at Earth Day in Isla Vista. All the festival activities were directed to produce very little environmental waste.

Compiled by Lily Cain | The Bottom Line

AS ELECTIONS Thai and Khmer Student Associations “

I’m not surprised by the results. At the same time, I’m also very disappointed, emotional, angry. It only means that the same people are in those same seats, and there’s no guarantee that anything will actually change or anything will actually get better. The issues that the university faces, of racism, of sexism, of homophobia, will be poorly addressed. But, I also think that this was a very reaﬃrming moment, in the sense that it only makes me want to fight even harder.

”

- Megan Foronda, 2013-2014 AS Presidential Runner-Up

{

EXEC WINNERS

}

President: Jonathan Abboud Internal Vice President: Kyley Scarlet External Vice President, Local Affairs: Alexander Moore External Vice President., Statewide Affairs: Alexandria Choate Student Advocate General: Kristian Whittaker

“

NEWLY PASSED LOCK-IN FEES

Commission on Student Well-Being: $1.03 per quarter The Bottom Line: $1.69 per quarter

I feel honored that the student body puts this much trust in me and my party. I’m very excited. We had amazing organization. Our campaign manager team was unbeatable. They organized the entire campaign well in advance. We also had very charismatic senators running with us, and I think our design is amazing. I’m excited to start working tomorrow.

”

- Jonathan Abboud, 2013-2014 AS President-Elect

Join Forces to Celebrate New Year by MARISSA PEREZ Staff Writer

University of California, Santa Barbara’s own Thai Student Union and Khmer Student Association joined forces on the night of Thursday, April 25, to celebrate the Thai and Khmer New Year. Hosted in the Loma Peloma Center, the celebration boasted food, song, dance, and games in honor of the New Year that the Thai and Cambodian cultures share thanks to efforts from a number of organizations on campus. Other campus organizations that contributed to the event included Iaorana Te Otea (a group celebrating the culture of the Polynesian Islands), Kapatirang Pilipino (Pilipino Student Union), Japanese Language Club, QAPI (Queer Asian and Pacific Islanders), PAC (Pacific Asian Coalition), and others. It was the event’s first year, but both the Thai Student Union and the Khmer Student Association shared hopes that it would become an annual tradition and grow bigger in the future. “We’re a smaller organization, so we really want to get our name out there to students...We [the Khmer Student Association] promote Cambodian culture and awareness, but we welcome any student from any background to our meetings and events,” said Taylor Sam, a fourth-year sociology major and one of the co-presidents of the Khmer Student Association. The Thai and Khmer New Year celebrations included vocal performance by Kapatirang Pilipino and dance performance from Iaorana Te Otea, food from a number of the organizations,

and games to celebrate the New Year. “We hope that people recognize that there actually is a Thai and Cambodian student population on campus...We wanted to show the diversity of campus and share some of the Thai and Cambodian culture beyond what students might normally think of,” said fourth-year Kathy Sihavanh, a sociology and Asian American studies double major and president of the Thai Student Union. “We’re already so much bigger than last year,” said Napatr Pumhiran, a recently graduated art major. He added that the organization has plans to expand further next year and put on even larger events, including hosting a larger celebration for the Thai and Khmer New Year. Sihavanh was pleased with the turn out and success of the event. “We want to thank everyone who came and enjoyed the event and all the organizations that participated,” said Sihavanh. The event drew students from all parts of the UCSB community to enjoy the traditions from a variety of the cultures on campus and celebrate the Thai and Khmer New Year. Khmer Student Association will be having further events to celebrate Cambodian culture on campus, including an event on May 11 which will feature traditional Cambodian performance and free food. Thai Student Union will also be supporting this event and both organizations have plans to put on more events to bring awareness of the Thai and Cambodian cultures to campus in the future. Both groups have a Facebook page listing details of their meeting times and events.

AS Senate Discusses and Passes Resolutions, Hears Finance Board Budget by LILY CAIN AS Beat Reporter During the meeting on Wednesday, April 24, Associated Students Senate discussed and passed two resolutions: one which voices support of a University of California Regents meeting being held on campus, and one which calls to divest from the prison industrial complex. Sen. Miya Sommers, author of the resolution entitled “A Resolution in Support for a Regent Meeting at UCSB,” believes that since all the UC Regents meetings this year were held at UC San Francisco, a graduate school, it is almost impossible for students to attend. “This resolution lays out the importance of having students being present at these meetings and having the chance to talk with Regents,” said Sommers. “This is asking that…we as a senate write a letter to the Regents asking

The Past and Present of Isla Vista see page 3

[

them to have these meetings at [University of California, Santa Barbara] and that this will be readopted at the beginning of each year by the Senate in the mindset of each Senate that there needs to be accountability from the Regents.” The resolution passed with consent, meaning that, as stated in the resolution, the Senate agrees with and endorses President Sophia Armen’s request to have the meeting on May 14-16, 2013, moved to UCSB. In addition, they ask that the UC Regents become more transparent by holding their bimonthly meetings at different universities in the system to make them more accessible to undergraduate students. Another resolution discussed and passed was “A Resolution to Divest From Companies Profiting From the Prison Industrial Complex,” which was first proposed at the April 10 meeting by Sen. Navi Kaur but was tabled two weeks due to other items of higher priority.

]

The resolution presents many statistics, which show the unbalance in the number of minorities in the United States versus the number of minorities in prisons, and how prisons profit off the work of prisoners. “This is essentially divesting from companies that profit off the prison industrial complex, essentially prison labor by these individuals in prisons,” said Kaur. “As a research institution I do not believe we should be funneling our money into such companies.” The authors and student supporters believe that private prisons are institutionalized racism and prison labor is essentially a new form of slavery. “This has a lot to do with institutional racism. It’s very prevalent in our society,” said third-year Katlen Abu Ata. “It’s absolutely horrifying that we are targeting people of color in this country and criminalizing them and according to the 13th amendment we are allowed

True Nature of Sororities Revealed

‘Game of Thrones’ Review

see page 4

[

to implement indentured servitude through our prison industrial complex.” The resolution passed with consent after some debate about whether the wording of one of the statistics was misleading. Also heard during the meeting was a report from the chair and vice-chair of Finance Board, Raul Martinez and Safa Lele, respectively. They presented their budget for the 20132014 year, and took questions from senators. They explained about how they took $32,000 out of staff salaries in order to increase funding to other areas as a result of an increase in the size of AS. They also explained that the budget would be reorganized if lock-in fees such as the one for The Bottom Line passed. The budget process will continue at the next meeting on Wednesday, May 1, where Armen will present her budget, which will differ from Finance Board’s budget on account of the passage of lock-in fees from the elections.

]

1927 Theater Company Review see page 7

Tips for Building Your Website see page 7

The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

page 2 | News

Brain Connectivity Research Produces Breakthroughs on Cognitive Function, Raises New Questions by GIUSEPPE RICAPITO Staff Writer A University of California, Santa Barbara research team has broken new ground on the anatomy of the human brain and its relationship to functional connectivity. Featured in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, their study utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology to chart the neural wiring system that promotes cognitive activity. The UCSB Brain Imaging Center has developed innovative empirical strategies in neuroscience study, especially in the fields of memory, attention and learning strategies. Earlier this year, the academic community acclaimed the Brain Imaging Center for their breakthroughs on split-brain studies, but this present team has opened new doors on the intricate interplay of whitematter network pathways that facilitate cognitive functions at disparate regions for resting and memory. “Much like a road map tells us how much traﬃc we expect to flow from L.A. to Santa Barbara, we found that the map of neural cables in the brain tells us something about putative ‘traﬃc flow’ between different brain regions,” said Hermundstad. According to the study, these deep electric grooves coordinate comprehensive connections on how the mind processes optical information. Hermundstad attested that this evidence helps scientists “understand how different brain regions work together in order to support cognitive functionality.” The fundamental scientific technology utilized during the study was multiple-trial MRI brain scans, which produced a diverse catalog of data for analysis. One trial of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to diagram the flow of water molecules and develop theoretical anatomical conduits within the brain, while four fMRI scans charted neural activity by mapped variations in blood-oxygen content. The scans were divided into subject tasks: while at rest, executing an attention assignment, memory tasks for facial and word recognition. Brain maps were assembled

from the test data, detailing the strength of anatomical connectivity (length and number of neural cables) and functional connectivity (correlated communication between brain regions). Hermundstad indicated that the study went beyond specific brain regions and illuminated the researchers to connectivity between all of the cortical brain. The results suggested that a network of anatomical pathways strengthen in specific areas during different mental stresses—neural cables lighting up during rest would not be as strong when a subject was performing a task, and vice versa. In the UCSB Press Release, Grafton spoke on the important precision of the research. “There have been tens of thousands of experiments mapping out the cortex of the brain… But it’s a very modular view. There are networks involved, and sets of regions that work together,” said Grafton. Despite the breakthroughs made by the study, Hermundstad believes there is still further work to be done. “These results are important for understanding how the same anatomical pathways (the same set of neural cables) can support such a vast array of different functions. This also makes predictions about the implications of neurological disorders,” she said. In the case of local tissue degradation, these studies could help scientists understand how a subject is cognitively affected when attending to tasks. The result of the white-matter neural pathway study provides theoretical answers to the many questions surrounding brain connectivity, but Hermundstad and the other researchers developed even more scientific questions. “We have many exciting directions for future work. We are currently investigating how these structural and functional network maps relate to behavioral performance,” said Hermundstad. “We would also like to investigate how the relationship between anatomy and function evolves over the course of a lifetime.” see BRAIN | page 8

UCSB’s Armenian Student Association Holds Commemoration Events for the 98th Annual Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide by NURA GABBARA Staff Writer A genocide remembrance march, candlelit memorial, and commemoration composed the 98th Annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration, held Thursday, April 25, at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The event was held to cast light on the 1.5 million Armenian lives lost during the first World War. Numerous students from a diverse set of backgrounds joined the Armenian Student Association in an event that resonated the atrocities inflicted upon the Armenian

Photo by Nura Gabbara | The Bottom Line

Marissa Perez, Lily Cain, Julian Moore, Giuseppe Ricapito, Nura Gabbara, Jen Atkinson, Dylan Chase, Cheyenne Johnson, Andrea Vallone, Janani Ravikumar, Jordan Wolff, Anis Vijay Modi, Deanna Kim, Matt Mersel, Itzy Canales, Mariah Tiffany, Andrew Haney, Nathanial Loop, Ashley Golden

Photographers: this issue

Kyle Skinner, Shoshana Cohen, Tori Yonker, Beth Askins, Nura Gabbara, Morey Spellman, Mark Brocher, Caitlin Griﬃn The Bottom Line is sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of California, Santa Barbara. All opinions expressed in TBL do not necessarily represent those of the staff, of A.S. or of UCSB. Published with support from Campus Progress/Center for American Progress (CampusProgress.org). All submissions, questions or comments may be directed to bottomlineucsb@gmail.com.

The Bottom Line is an alternative voice on campus.... We provide a printed and online space for student investigative journalism, culturally and socially aware commentary and engaging reporting that addresses the diverse concerns of our readership and community. This is your community to build, share ideas and publicize your issues and publicize events. We welcome your questions, comments or concerns at bottomlineucsb@gmail.com or call our oﬃce phone at 805-893-2440.

population on part of the Ottoman Empire, today known as the Republic of Turkey. “In 1915, under the auspices of the Ottoman Empire, a declaration was made to wipe out every Armenian man, woman, and child living in Anatolia,” said fourth-year political science major and ASA President, Adam Jaratanian. “Over 1.5 million Armenians were killed in a systematic fashion.” The Armenian Genocide of 1915 is considered to be the first genocide of the twentieth century. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide has suffered denial by not only the Turkish government, but also on the part of the United States government, with whom they have political ties. To put this into perspective, 20 other major countries and 43 U.S. states aﬃrm that this incidence is truly a genocide. “Every Armenian [is affected] by the genocide. My great grandparents were forced to march through the largest Armenian graveyard: the Syrian desert,” said a UCSB political science alumni Joseph Kazazian. “My great-grandfather was left for death, but was the only survivor in a family of 38 people.” ASA’s commemoration this year highlighted how Armenians have risen from the ashes with a plethora of positive accomplishments in society. For example, Dr. Raymond Damadian has saved thousands of lives since his creation of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, Hovannes Adamian was the inventor of the color television, and Aram Chobanian was the Dean of Boston University’s School of Medicine. “I am part of the Armenian diaspora that, despite our circumstances, is prospering. I am here to not only defend the rights of my fellow Armenians, but of human rights in general,” said Michelle Menechyan, a first-year student double majoring in political science and philosophy. “I refuse to stand passively while genocide still exists in this world.” see ARMENIAN | page 8

Congress Debates Over Military Budget Cuts Regarding Abrams Tanks Upgrades by JULIAN MOORE National Beat Reporter As Congress continues to cut more than $40 billion from the federal budget, several congressmen are pushing for a costly upgrade to the Army’s tank arsenal that the military says it doesn’t need. Conservative deficit hawks such as Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) are calling on Congress to approve $436 million in upgrades to the Abrams A1 tank currently in service in Afghanistan. But in an interview with the Associated Press, U.S. Army chief of staff Ray Odierno said the military didn’t see the tank improvements as an immediate necessity. “If we had our choice, we would use that money in a different way,” Odierno said. Still, the congressmen insist that the tanks must be built for the sake of national security, and to secure jobs at the nation’s only tank factory in their home state of Ohio. The Abrams tank is only built at the Lima Army Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio, which opened in 1941 and is currently managed by private military contractor General Dynamics Land Systems. In 2011, the plant itself faced federal budget cuts, when Congress planned to save roughly $1 billion by closing the factory from 2013 to 2016. Despite his recent support for the upgraded tanks, Rep. Jordan has been a vocal proponent of Congress’ recent sequestration of the federal budget. The automatic austerity measures slashed the budgets of federal programs such as the Food and Drug Administration, which predicts it will lose $209 million next year. Some of the most painful cuts have gone to the Federal Aviation Administration, which had planned on closing 149 air traffic control towers and laying off thousands of its 47,000 employ-

ees until Congress passed a bill that secured its funding late last week. But the Lima tank facility is located in the northern region of Rep. Jordan’s fourth congressional district, a fact which the representative has said does not color his support for the new tanks. According to the Associated Press, although the plant is facing a reduction in demand from the military, the factory still produces Abrams tanks for allies of the United States such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which receive a total of nine tanks every month. In fact, as recently as last October, Jordan pushed far-reaching military spending cuts, citing a need to reduce government spending. “The only thing that’s worse than cutting national defense is not having any scheduled cuts at all take place,” said Jordan in an interview with C-SPAN. Sen. Portman has also advocate for reduced spending in the past couple of years, and even introduced the Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act earlier this year. The law would force the government to cut spending on every dollar used to increase the debt ceiling. But even before the current tank improvements, Portman had taken exception with cuts to Lima tank plant in his native Ohio. In July of last year, Portman sponsored a bill that gave General Dynamics $255 million to continue tank construction through 2014. According to the Huffington Post, the military had planned to halt production of new tanks until 2017, when a new generation of the Abrams was to begin production. Nearly two-thirds of the Army’s 2,400 tanks currently in operation are already fitted with the proposed upgrades, which include faster microprocessors and new flat-panel color monitors. According to the Army, each new tank would cost an estimated $7.5 million.

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The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

page 3 | Features

P d re an sent t s a O P f Isla Vista e h T

Photos by Mark Brocher| The Bottom Line by CHEYENNE JOHNSON Staff Writer Isla Vista. An un-incorporated city of late night partying. A paradise composed of some of the most intelligent students in the state, perhaps the country. Each student is united together by a general love of the beach and an understanding that their intellectual pursuits don’t necessarily demand the absence of drunken entertainment and scandalous endeavors. For many students, Freebirds is a midnight munchie normality. Silvergreens is where you go when you’re feeling guilty about eating Freebirds. Everyone has their favorite coffee shop and pizza place, and adding The Habit to the IV scenery was just another reason to never have to venture into Goleta. But the landscape has not always been this way. Where the University of California, Santa Barbara campus now is, there used to be an American marine base during World War II. Embarcadero Hall stands on the ashes of the Bank of America, burned to the ground on Feb. 25, 1970, by students protesting a series of incidents between African-American students and law enforcement as well as the election of Richard Nixon. Isla Vista has changed. In recent times, the Loop and Campus 880 have taken over in IV, bringing new homes and looks to the community. For an incoming batch of freshman this coming fall, the Loop will always have been there. The Habit will be an obvious place to get lunch and Crushcakes to get dessert. Tom Leu is the owner of IV Drip and said that while he understands why companies are eager to move to IV, they have to add something unique to the area. IV Drip, known for its cookiewiches and homemade cookies, has been an IV regular for nearly 10 years. “I don’t know that it’s going to be that great for somebody that’s put in a lot of money, like Pizza My Heart, when there are already so many pizza places in town and a new pizza place is going in down the way here,” Leu said. “There are more businesses than the 20,000-student population can afford, especially when so many times during the year, there’s a weekend when half the kids go home.” 1959: Student government bans the “Barbary Coast” celebration where students dressed up like people from the Gold Rush era in San Francisco

1970: The local branch building of the Bank of America was burned to the ground by students

Adjusting to students’ schedules is a real issue for businesses looking to enter IV. Generally bustling with almost 22,000 students, IV feels like a ghost town when the summer begins and most students leave IV. Leu explained that one company tried to compete with IV Drip, and the university schedule had such a detrimental effect on the business that it left. “They came up here and said, ‘Well, we don’t want to be closed for a month at Christmas time. We don’t want to be closed for Spring Break. We don’t want to be closed for Thanksgiving.’ Isla Vista is not going to be Westwood, but that’s what a lot of these new guys think. They’re going to be sadly mistaken,” Leu said. Some people in Associated Students are concerned that a general gentrification is occurring in IV as the more home-grown shops and even apartment complexes are being taken over by larger businesses that are operating outside of a student’s budget. Recently elected External Vice President of Local Affairs Alex Moore expanded on his views of IV gentrification during the preelection EVPLA debates. “Gentrification really is a problem in Isla Vista,” Moore said, “and part of the way I think we need to manage it is by reevaluating the Isla Vista Master Plan.” The IV Master Plan is a layout and construction strategy that was begun in 1999 by Santa Barbara County, UCSB, and the IV Recreation and Parks District. According to the SB County Comprehensive Planning Division, it aims to combat issues of “limited parking, overcrowded and substandard housing, and deteriorating infrastructure,” in the IV community. The plan addresses an issue that arose during the 1960s building boom in IV when the SB County Board of Supervisors allowed IV to be re-labeled as student residential zoning, allowing homes to be closer to the bluffs and increasing the number of rooms a complex could have per parking spot. Moore said reevaluating the impact this new infrastructure has on the IV community is an important part of addressing this issue, saying, “Making sure that something that was made in 2000, [or] 2007, isn’t hurting our community right now. It’s important that we clean up Isla Vista and make it more environmentally sound, but it’s also important the Isla Vista stays affordable and diverse.”

2001: Isla Vista Massacre (UCSB Freshman David Attias hit and killed 4 students with his car)

1973, 1975, and 1985: Attempts to have IV incorporated as a city fail

2012: The Loop goes into operation with businesses and students moving in

2013: Construction continues on the newest apartment complex, Campus 880

Growing Pains: How UCSB is Growing as a Prestigious University by DYLAN CHASE Every year, whether or not it is true, everyone hails the incoming freshman class as “the biggest freshman class in UCSB’s history.” The incoming class in 2012 was so large that Santa Catalina began making triples the standardized bed type. In recent years, the University of California educational system has seen a sharp rise in admissions demand, with more prospective students applying for a place each year. Reflecting an increasingly competitive academic playing field, over 170,000 students applied for a place in the UC system for the 20132014 year, up from totals closer to 140,000 in 2011-2012, according to UCSB Public Affairs and Communications’ April 18 press release. Due to these rising totals, UCSB in particular has seen its admissions process become increasingly selective. While the system as a whole stands to benefit from a wider applicant pool, our university’s improved stature in the academic community drives competition even further. An annual ranking released by Leiden University in the Netherlands placed UCSB as the second-best institution in the world for 2013 in terms of scientific impact, sandwiched on the list between M.I.T. and Stanford. Leiden University itself is rated as the number one Dutch institution by Times Higher Education. Leiden University and its ranking are given lots of attention each year, with almost 40,000 Facebook shares accrued since the ranking’s April 17 release alone. The prestige offered to UCSB from rankings like Leiden’s are partly to thank for changing trends in UCSB’s admissions profile. Hailed as UCSB’s “most selective year ever” in the April 18 UCSB press release, 2012-2013 yielded a record number of applicants and, conversely, a record-low admissions rate. With just 39 percent of the 62,000-plus applicants being offered entry into UCSB this year (down from 50 percent of 44,000 applicants in 2009), it is clear that the school’s heightened profile is giving it greater options in whom it selects to admit. As found in campus profiles released by UCSB Institutional Research and Planning each year, the average GPA of admitted students has risen steadily from 4.01 in 2009 to this year’s record-high of 4.13.

“While small adjustments to the selection criteria are sometimes made, there have been no major changes in selection recently,” commented UCSB Admissions Director Christine Van Gieson. “We are simply drawing the final line higher than in the past.” Amidst increased demand and cut budgets, UCSB Admission seems to have done a commendable job in recent years of maintaining a status quo in total enrollment, with total undergraduate enrollment hovering around 18,000, judging from campus profiles. One trend to watch, however, is an incremental increase in the number of international students. “As an internationally recognized institution of higher education, the campus has been supportive of efforts to attract top students from abroad as they enrich the undergraduate experience here,” Van Gieson said. And indeed, the top students abroad are increasingly finding their way to UCSB’s beautiful campus. In 2009, 271 international students attended UCSB; in 2010, 279 did; in 2011, there were 354; and, last year, it spiked up to 497 students. Van Gieson admitted that the campus has a goal of enrolling up to 10 percent non-resident (domestic and international) undergraduates, but that they are expecting a smaller number of domestic “out-ofstate” students to actually enroll. Yet, the goal of 10 percent is a marked change from the 4 to 7 percent goal the admission oﬃce had between the years of 2009 and 2012. If this speaks to the decrease of out-of-state students within this rise of total non-resident students, it should make for an increasingly international student body. While this certainly promises UCSB students a more diverse and enriching campus life, along with the increased academic standards by the admissions process, what do these trends spell for California high school students seeking admittance into their public, tax-supported university system? For those admitted, these new academic benchmarks and global inclusivity should result in a vibrant intellectual environment, but these benefits to students may face Californians as a whole with increased roadblocks to higher education. Conflicts aside, it’s clear that our university, as a system and as a campus, is changing with time.

Back to the ‘Foodture’:

2010

Enrolled: 3.86 average GPA 46,720 applicants 21,249 admitted (45.5%) 3,720 enrolled 3% out of state 1% international

2011 Enrolled: 3.86 average GPA 49,008 applicants 22,379 admitted (45.7%) 4,098 enrolled 4% out of state 2% international

2012

Enrolled: 3.86 average GPA 54,830 applicants, 24,131 admitted (44%), 4,741 enrolled 4% out of state 3% international

2013 Admitted: 4.13 average GPA 62,416 applicants 24,248 admitted (38%) 20% out of state/international

Associated Students Holds Second Annual Food Bank Luncheon by JEN ATKINSON Staff Writer As many alumni returned to their beloved University of California, Santa Barbara campus for the All Gaucho Reunion Weekend, the Associated Students Food Bank sponsored a luncheon, “Back to the Foodture,” to celebrate their second year relieving hunger for struggling students. Current and former students came together on the bright Sunday afternoon of April 28 to meet the inspiring organizers of the Food Bank, learn from and thoroughly enjoy the interactive food demonstrations, and contribute to the honorable cause of ending hunger. The event served not only as an inventive way to fundraise for the future but also as a thank you to the generous donors and hardworking AS members. The AS Food Bank was inspired after a campus-wide survey revealed the real and prevalent problem of student hunger. “The survey confirmed the fact that students on a regular basis were going hungry and not having access to the re-

sources they needed to sustain themselves as students in a university like Santa Barbara,” said Paul Monge-Rodriguez, UCSB’s 2010-2011 AS President. He expressed his deep concern for this issue and emphasized the necessity for this program on campus. Full-time college students’ primary concerns should be studying, but unfortunately, this is not completely realistic for some students. Hunger happens for many reasons; some can only afford the meal plan with 10 meals a week, some are in between pay checks or waiting on a Cal Grant that arrived late at the beginning of the quarter, and some can’t make room for a job with their demanding school schedule. “A big thing in the interest of forming it was making sure that the space was centrally located but also that it upheld confidentiality,” said Rodriguez. “Being hungry is not something people want to publicize.” Regardless of the reason, hunger is a regrettable problem for many dedicated students, and the members of the Food Bank have dedicated their time and effort to eliminate it. Since its creation, they have achieved remarkable success that this event recognized and celebrated. Erick Lankey, com-

mittee chair of the Food Bank, commented on the accomplishments and momentum that they plan to continue and amplify in the future. “We’re up to about 295 students a week average. Since it’s started we’ve serviced 1,648 students and a total of over 12,000 times, and over 100,000 items have been given out,” Lankey said with confidence. “It is something that students have really valued on this campus, and it’s something that students need and will continue to need in the future.” The members of the AS Food Bank are confident but not complacent. They know how successful this has been and will become, but they also know that there is a large portion of the student population that they can still reach out to. Hunger should not be an issue in our already-stressful lives, and the Food Bank attempts to eradicate that, at least at UCSB. The AS Food Bank is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide supplemental groceries, non-perishable goods, and toiletries to students who may be struggling to bring food to the table for a variety of reasons. It is a common place for those with a common problem, and the potential for growth seems limitless.

The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

page 4 | Opinions

The Sorority Letter That Revealed What Goes on Behind Closed Doors

The Perks of the Quarter System by JORDAN WOLFF Staff Writer Long before I transferred to the University of California, Santa Barbara, I heard the grumblings of students commenting on the seemingly god-awful quarter system. It was one of the biggest cautions that my friends at other universities warned me about. They said, “It’s so fast, and if you get behind, you won’t be able to catch up.” And after nearly finishing my first year here at UCSB I have to say I do understand the warning, but as a previously accustomed semester system student, I believe the fuss is way overblown. I spent three full years at my junior college (Sierra College) in northern California before I transferred here. All three years were built upon the traditional academic bed rock known as a semester system. And now I have spent almost a year under the quarter system at UCSB. So needless to say, I feel like I’ve had my share of both systems. Technically according to dictionary.com a semester is, “a division constituting half of the regular academic year, lasting typically from 15 to 18 weeks.” My semesters at junior college were 16 weeks. The quarter system here at UCSB is 10 weeks plus finals week. Although semester systems are clean and eﬃcient, I am oh-so-glad to be done with them. It’s not as much a knock on semester systems as it is just praise for quarter systems. I simply prefer the quarter system. You can take more classes, meet more professors, and get exposure to a greater variety of subjects, which ultimately, I believe, enhances the college academic experience. Basically, you get more. The only down side is that the classes move a lot quicker, which is nothing to sneeze about it. Here’s what UCSB Admissions had to say regarding transferring: “Plan for a faster pace. Transfer students familiar with the semester system may find that it takes some time to adjust to the different rhythm of the quarter system. The faster pace means learning to budget your time well—you cannot afford to get behind in your reading or coursework — and expecting midterm exams to come around more quickly.” I’d say this was a fair warning. I remember my first week of school here at UCSB and learning that I would be taking my midterms between the fourth and fifth week of school. I was used to taking midterms around my eighth week of school. This was a tad bit alarming, but I have to say, I think it made me a better student. It kept me on my toes. I can personally attest that in a semester system one can coast through his or her classes way more than a student can in a quarter system. Quarter system students have to be on their A-game almost all the time. There is very little room to fall behind, and in return, I feel it makes us tremendously harder workers and ultimately better students than those in a semester system. Also, if you don’t like a class, you don’t have to wait long to be rid of it forever. According to the U.S. News National University Rankings and College Express.com, only five schools in the top 20 rankings are on a quarter system. After experiencing both systems, I find the quarter system more stimulating. Perhaps the semester system would make it easier for first-years to adjust to college, but I feel like the system weeds out those hoping to drift through college without putting in the work. And I’ve heard the argument that more time in one class means more time interacting with professors one on one. That’s fine and all, but more classes means meeting more professors and developing more relationships with a vaster variety of professionals. In short, it means more networking. We live in a high-speed racetrack of a world. God forbid the day when we graduate and have to apply what we have learned here into the real world, but we will be prepared all the more for having gone through a quarter system. We will have already been tested with speed and responsibility. We will have been tested with a more rigorous, on-your-toes, and nonstop system that demands your attention. And isn’t college all about preparing us for life after college anyways? Ultimately, I think it boils down to the individual, but when you compare the two systems, the quarter system is hands down better across the board.

by ANDREA VALLONE Staff Writer I am so sorry if you have yet to be familiar with the most beautiful email sent from one of the University of Maryland’s Delta Gamma sisters to her fellow sorority members. Our God Damn Independent population high fives amidst our horrified and tearyeyed Greek counterparts; did Miss Martinson unknowingly educate thousands upon thousands on what happens behind a sorority’s closed doors? Or is she just an exception to the Panhellenic rule of perfection? Thanks to the wonders of the world wide web, her email went viral April 18, 2013, and now the world can be privy to the pure eloquence that Rebecca Martinson expresses to her “weird” and “awkward” sisters who were apparently unable to “social” with (translation: bang) the sorority’s match up fraternity, Sigma Nu. The email is so littered with profanity that her father has probably had some seriously sweaty eyes this past week. The silver-tongued devil wrote: “Are you people f**king retarded? That’s not a rhetorical question, I LITERALLY want you to email me back telling me if you’re mentally slow so I can make sure you don’t go to anymore night time events.” No more nighttime events?! But what else can I do in a sorority? The Delta Gamma Fraternity Foundation writes on its website that it is built upon the motto “Do Good.” Members are expected to “live this motto daily through philanthropy work, a commitment to sisterhood and an appreciation for others.” Keywords being “commitment to sisterhood” and “appreciation of others.” DG also takes pride in its “bond of Delta Gamma sisterhood” that “gives members the chance to meet people they may never have met. These connections often last a lifetime.” Unless Rebecca Martinson “c**t punts” you first. The blatant irony is what really hits the Panhellenic system hard. This establishment prides itself on cookie-cutter college students that just can’t get enough of those community and service projects. But then here’s Martinson saying “punch yourself in the

face right now so that I don’t have to f**king find you on campus to do it myself.” Greek armies have run to Martinson’s side in defense but have made sure to cover their own asses first: “we want to make it clear that this letter in no way reflects the values of Delta Gamma as an International Fraternity or our chapter at the University of Maryland” writes the President, Laurie Petrucce in a statement. University of California, Santa Barbara’s own DG chapter president stated, “we simply cannot speak for such a large organization.” It’s true, we have to take a step back. In reality, Martinson is just a bitch on a power trip. This doesn’t mean that the entire sorority all over the nation is made up of an army of equally articulate members. Martinson may not even be like this normally; maybe it’s the collision of “that time of the month” and the stress from her leadership role in a prominent sorority, that pushed her over the edge. Who am I to judge her first-world problems? Well, let’s see, I think Martinson opened herself up to judgment the minute she decided to be branded by DG. Your aﬃliation with an institution that promotes etiquette and decorum along with a handful of other Stepford Wivian traits means that the minute you violate said values, I and anybody else can point and laugh at you. Sorry, not sorry. So, there are really three paths you can scamper down to reach your conclusion about Martinson and the Panhellenic system overall. You can deduce that Martinson is an atypical sorority sister or that her verbose freak-out was atypical in itself—not to represent her as a leading lady, or DG overall. You can decide that Martinson represents the gross hypocrisy that all us independent folk have been trying to prove for years about the Panhellenic system. Or, maybe we can all just accept the fact that the Panhellenic system is innately flawed, and that the stereotype of the sorority girl that pervades current culture is in fact an accurate representation of reality. Let me take a leaf out of Martinson’s book for a minute and say, for those of you in the Greek system who are offended at this article, I would apologize but I really don’t give a f**k. Don’t worry though, I would never ask you to “go f**k yourself.”

Game ofA TaleTh rones: of Fire, Ice, Sex by JANANI RAVIKUMAR Staff Writer

A small 10-year-old boy climbs a tower, and his pet wolf waits for him on the ground below. He hears voices coming from a window and looks in, only to see the queen and her brother there together—alone. The queen’s brother grabs her and holds her in a way that is not how a brother holds his sister, and the queen begins panting heavily—whether in pleasure or pain, the boy can’t tell. Then, all too quickly, the queen sees the boy and orders her brother to stop, and the boy knows he’s in trouble. Congratulations! You’ve just stumbled onto one of the many risqué scenes HBO’s “Game of Thrones” has to offer! So what exactly is “Game of Thrones”? Based on George R. R. Martin’s series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” HBO’s show explores the noble houses of Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, Greyjoy, Tully, and Targaryen as they struggle to survive in the political mess that is their world. You may find it similar to Lord of the Rings, but it only takes a couple of episodes (or chapters) to see that “Game of Thrones” (“A Song of Ice and Fire”) is in a league of its own. Here’s a quick synopsis: basically, after a long and brutal civil war, the Baratheons replaced the Targaryens on the throne, and peace reigned for several years. However, when the King’s Hand (a fancy term for “secretary”), Jon Arryn, passes away, King Robert Baratheon asks his old friend Ned Stark (played by Sean Bean, who also appeared in Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”) to become the new King’s Hand. Ned’s sister-in-law, Jon Arryn’s widow, firmly believes that there is more to her husband’s death than what meets the eye, and Queen Cersei Lannister looks suspicious. Ned accepts, due partially to his wife, Catelyn Tully’s persistence. Meanwhile, Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen, the children of the old deposed king, seek to reclaim their throne. And it all goes downhill from there. At first glance, “Game of Thrones” is very similar to “Lord of the Rings,” but as previously stated, there is much more to “Game of Thrones” than meets the eye. One of the central themes of “Lord of the Rings” is how good triumphs over evil, but, in “Game of Thrones,” how can good triumph over evil when “good” and “evil” are so ambiguous and vague? Over the course of the series, you never really get a clear picture of who is “good” and who is “evil,” and morality in general is just

one giant grey area. You can count on your fingers the number of purely “good” or “evil” characters present in the series, and have fun watching that number slowly dwindle as those characters die. The novels take this a step further, as each chapter is taken from the point of view of a different character, versus a omniscient perspective in the show. Slap on a gratuitous amount of unreliable narrator, with each character absolutely convinced that he or she is right, and the characters’ already ambiguous morality becomes even foggier. But for the most part, it’s about character development, how each of these vastly different characters on different sides of the same conflict grow on you, despite other characters’ antagonizing views toward each other. Like their world, you become just as confused and lost in it. In a world filled with political arrangements and back-stabbings, it’s only natural that you’ll find a good deal of promiscuity. The interaction between Cersei and Jaime Lannister described above, is one of the more infamous examples. The show depicts the scene in graphic detail, as you can imagine, with poor little Bran looking on. The novel, however, depicts this scene from Bran’s innocent perspective—you, as the reader, know exactly what’s going on. Later, you’ll also find a sex scene between Daenerys Targaryen and her husband Khal Drogo; note that Daenerys is 13. If you’ve seen HBO’s “The Tudors,” then you will find that nudity and sexuality are common, and casual elements in each episode. So what’s the point of all this promiscuity? It’s open to any interpretation. I believe that it’s there more for shock value than anything else. When you see the younger characters, like Daenerys, in those kinds of situations, you’re painfully reminded that these are—for all intents and purposes—children thrown into a harsh and cruel adult world that in some cases, proves to be too much for them to handle. You feel bad for them; you root for them and hope that Daenerys does retake the iron throne or that Bran will someday reunite with his family. “Game of Thrones” is a tale that will leave you clinging to the edge of your seat with each episode. The intricate web of relationships, alliance and enemies reels you in, entertaining you with humor, suspense and indeed sex. Perhaps the nudity is little amped up in the show, but then again, it is a magnificent series that brings to life the captivating story of a world unknown to us.

In the Wake of Mass Violence, the Culture of Fear by GIUSEPPE RICAPITO Staff Writer “I understand that fear is my friend, but not always. Never turn your back on Fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed.” - Hunter S. Thompson, “Kingdom of Fear” It’s been a violent, chaotic year for the United States. Mired in a media zeitgeist depicting death, destruction, and vigilante carnage, we’ve found ourselves at the round crossroads of a Catch-22—how, besides retaliation, do we defend ourselves from the terrorists, killers, and psychos plotting our demise, while they nebulously hide in our midst? The recent and sure-to-be persistent legacy of the Boston Bombings, Christopher Dorner, and mass shootings at Aurora, Newtown, and Sandy Lake indicate that there are factions of militant society on the edge, living in the shadows until showing their faces with institutional violence. A historical cornerstone of the United States has been to match this with a quid pro quo—ruthlessly eliminate anyone that threatens and disrupts our national security. But until terrorism and mass death actually strikes, we face an incorporeal enemy; pursuing justice in the dark has been a mission of vengeance, nurturing cyclical violence. Our charge now is to reverse the systems that create and foster this hostile enmity. Let me add to my premise by assuring the reader that the murderer does not deserve clemency. As shocking as it may seem, reader, even if you believe these men ought to have the full torture treatment before death—complete with waterboarding, thumbscrews, and castration—the right to a credible judicial process puts both of you in the same boat. But in the relentless pursuit to exact equitable justice, and the never-ending media prerogative to detail our crisis, we crucify our enemies with the brutal exactitude of a Roman legion. While we act in revenge and horror, the guilty only begin at the chopping block. Once you’ve relented and accepted lapses in the Bill of Rights, the same carceral suppression can be applied to yourself. Once a conscious grasp of the mass killings set in, widespread hysteria over the threat of domestic terrorism and gun-

control made retribution a political necessity. But the knee-jerk reaction to hunt down and kill heterogeneous American elements represents a bloody escapade, not constitutional justice. A culture of reactionary fear has developed to cope with the notion of our own impending demise—the corporate and political media fear-mongers on institutional violence, essentially labeling it “War on the Values, Livelihoods and Families of Law-Abiding Americans.” Ironically, a quote by the notoriously militant Ernesto “Che” Guevara shrieked off the page from an open book at my desk. His political and economic philosophy for revolutionary Cuba is obviously a polar opposite to modern America, but his passage relates to ideological overlap for both nations—a period of transition. “If they attack us, we’ll have to defend ourselves; if enemy bombs destroy what is ours, too bad! After the victory we’ll rebuild it!” A United States Victory—sought after, never attained and made on the backs of the people. To Cuban revolutionaries, the enemy was not so abstract as our own. In the United States, individuals, acting on their own psychotic break, or buoyed by a cult of political or religious fanaticism, come out of the woodwork to exact violence before the public has a chance to react. The legacy of the Bush doctrine is our era’s transition; we are beset with the pursuit and destruction of violent peoples that form no collective ideology or organization. Their first, and often last, acts of mass violence are spur-of-the-moment tirades against innocent victims—a general strike on a population simply associated with the system. We are on a transformative road that dictates, “in order to preempt violence, nip dissension in the bud.” Foundational pillars of the American system—opposition and challenging the status quo—are being suppressed as root causes to violence. The Patriot Act, National Defense Authorization Act, unlawful wiretaps, and refusal of Miranda Rights are the mechanisms of the nation’s transition. The authority of the government to predispose threats, label dissidents, and regiment the population are a threat to any person who values their unalienable liberties. But how is the mass, normalized society supposed to react when they stare these threats of death in the face? Martial combat? A trip to the gun store? Or a compound hideout stocked with essentials,

assuring that they never see a stranger’s face again? Media frenzy followed in the wake of each tragedy, bombarding the individual viewer with unending analyses, condemnations, and stipulations about the situations at hand. If you watched, there was no time to take a breath free of apprehension—eyes locked on recurring images of the wounded, the victims, mobs in disarray—knotted, pit-of-the-stomach empathy followed in quick succession with the calamities. With ominous, menacing music and goading images of tragedy, the TV asked, “How will you be involved in the preservation of your life and the America you call home?” The vantage point from the couch doesn’t provide any helpful insight or information. Instead, via a prevailing sociopolitical apathy, the people impart the mechanism of justice to the gnashing gears of national security. Though the danger of terrorism and gun-toting maniacs are manufactured to seem ostensible and unavoidable, they are in fact isolated incidents (however deep conspiracy can connect it to larger premises). Victims of undeserved violence are worthy of justice and respectful faith to rehabilitation. Conversely, the shrill call for universal vengeance constrains the freedoms of the unassociated many, actually engendering a venue for the perpetuity of bloodshed. The culture of fear is not bound to its reactionary reverberations in law and order. It also sows the seeds of community scorn, distrust, and disunity—the basic elements required to find protective solace in the rule of the State. The intangible notion of State protection provides a god-like aﬃrmation of safety; relinquished to the whims of the institution, and instructed by a duty to frightened subservience, you lose everything but a concern for your own welfare. There is nothing more real than our government’s foundation in the will and equality of the people. Instead of looking up for guidance, we owe it to ourselves to look around. Workers, students, politicians, and the unemployed—the whole composition of the American public—shouldn’t accept peace of mind at a price. If the same efforts from the War on Terrorism were put into alleviating social ills and promoting the incorporation of the disillusioned, these mass atrocities could be avoided.

The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

page 5 | Arts & Entertainment

The Dunwells Play Across the Pond, Flosstradamus Redeﬁnes Education Share Their ‘Blind Sighted Faith’ at Hub Performance by DEANNA KIM Staff Writer

by ITZY CANALES Staff Writer After seeing Baauer and Danny Brown perform on April 18 and spending a whirlwind weekend at Coachella only a few days prior, where I exhausted a good chunk of my energy and disposable income, going to the Flosstradamus concert at the University of California, Santa Barbara Hub on April 22 may not have been the best thing for my eardrums. But given the epic performance that Flosstradamus put on, which featured all of their hottest mixes and proved why they are so well-known in the EDM scene, I have no regrets. “Santa Barbara!!! UCSB!!! Tonight!!! #TURNUP #UNDERGROUNDNIGHTS” tweeted the DJ duo, which is comprised of J2K ( Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) sent out earlier that day to their Santa Barbara Twitter fans. Fans did no other but “turn up,” forming a sea of baseball caps in the Hub that bobbed madly in time with the music. Showing off their patented emergency symbol logo on their equipment, the duo commanded the audience to “turn this into a house party.” If this had been an actual house party, the house would have been trashed and the cops would have been at the door within a few minutes. The duo, known for their hard flowing “trap” sets, delivered a set that was both classic and idiosyncratic, dropping popular trap tracks as well as some unexpected remixes. Major Lazer fan-favorites like “Original Don” and “Express Yourself ” hyped up the audience, as well as a trap remix of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Niggas in Paris” and classics like Alice Deejay’s immortal “Better Off Alone.” The rest of the set was a bevy of trap classics from Rick Ross, Waka Flocka, and Chief Keef, to name a few. A highlight of the night was definitely when they dropped RL Grimes’ remix of “Satisfaction” by Benny Benassi, and then delved right into a mix of Kanye West’s “Mercy” with the classic techno song “Sandstorm,” by Darude. They also played Lana Del Rey’s “Videogames” and their recent Fool’s Gold release, “Piss Test,” during a short encore while the crowd shouted along with their middle fingers in the air. It was a great night for trap music and EDM fans, and an incredible performance by the talented trap duo that has performed at events like Ultra Music Festival, Coachella, and Lollapalooza. They ended the night with a tweet, which stated, “UCSB... WE GIVIN OUT RATCHET SCHOLARSHIPS TONIGHT #TWERK4EDUCATION #FULLRIDE.” Given the reaction of the audience to Flosstradamus’ show, I’m pretty sure everyone obtained that scholarship by the end of the night.

Kicking off the show with a song titled “Blind Sighted Faith,” the band onstage was an instant hit at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Student Appreciation Event on April 26. The annual concert took place at noon and was held by the Arts & Lectures program. During the show, I could hear people murmuring excitedly, asking who the guys on stage were and what the name of the band was. They are The Dunwells. To elaborate, The Dunwells are a British folk-rock group from Leeds, England, and have been on the rise since their formation in 2009. The band consists of five members, who all sing vocals: two brothers—Joseph Dunwell, who sings lead vocals and plays the guitar, and David Dunwell, who plays the guitar, piano, and banjo; their childhood friend Johnny Lamb, who plays the drums; Lamb’s cousin, Rob Clayton, who plays the bass guitar; and David Hanson, who plays lead guitar and pedal steel. Touring the United States and United Kingdom, The Dunwells have performed at Austin City Limits, Red Rocks, Lollapalooza, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. They have also opened for Mumford and Sons, whom they are often compared to. However, The Dunwells experiment with electro-acoustic sounds rather than only organic music, and Joseph’s voice, while still remaining folksy, sounds cleaner and more fitting for alternative rock, bringing to mind the lead singer Anthony Followill of Kings of Leon. The Dunwells also show their roots in Americana, country, alternative rock see DUNWELLS | page 8

A Splash of Heartbreak with Your Coﬀee:

Java Station Hosts Musical Theater Performance by BETH ASKINS Staff Writer When you think of coffee shop music, what comes to mind? Alternative, probably, or indie. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Death Cab, and Imogen Heap. Maybe a little Bob Dylan, if you’re particularly unlucky. Probably furthest from your mind, all the way out there with death metal and polka, is musical music. Sappy love ballads from “The Phantom of the Opera” or upbeat tunes from “Hairspray”—these are the kind of songs you’d never expect to hear amid the clatter of caffeinated drinkmaking devices while sipping your foamy latte. Unexpected? Yes. Impossible? Absolutely not. On Saturday, April 26, Java Station on Hollister hosted an outstanding performance of “The Last Five Years,” put on by Elements Theatre Collective at 8 p.m. Elements itself is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing professional grade theatre to the Santa Barbara community by putting on free shows in unconventional venues, most recently Carpenteria Woman’s Club, McDermott Crockett Mortuary, and Casa Esperanza Homeless Shelter. “The Last Five Years,” an off-Broadway musical written by Jason Robert Brown, is a study of a five-year rocky relationship between struggling actress Cathy (Emily Jewell) and successful writer Jamie (Elisha Schaefer). Unlike most musical relationship studies, however, this one toys with the idea of time: Jamie’s story moves forward while Cathy’s moves backward, meeting midway in the form of a heartbreaking duet, in which Jamie proposes. Switching back and forth from hopeful to miserable, lighthearted and funny to deadly serious, the complexity of the mood changes reflect the complexity inherent in the relationship as the actors take turns reciting their musical monologues. The set and props were minimal in this production, consisting of a white folding screen set up in the corner that functioned as a makeshift green room and projection screen, two wooden boxes with cushions on the left, and a desk and stool see JAVA STATION | page 8

‘The Animals and Children Took to the Streets’ at 1927 Theatre Company Performance by YUEN SIN Staff Writer

By using various forms of media and design, such as lighting effects and elaborate costuming, the company was able to create an eerie yet playful aura, addressing themes of class marginalization and social disparity in England. Photos by John Clow | The Bottom Line The squalid slum tenement of the Bayou Mansions on Red Herring Street sits on the fringes of a gleaming metropolis in the vein of Fritz Lang. While the skyscrapers splutter with Art Deco colors, Bayou is overrun with nothing but cockroach infestations. Here, its juvenile inhabitants run amok on the streets in protest, the impossibly lonely caretaker bats flies as he dreams of buying a one-way ticket out of his grime-filled life, and its newest resident Agnes Eaves attempts to fix the children’s problems through her art and collage projects. Meanwhile, the City Mayor hatches a plan to suppress the children’s revolution by means of a sinister ice-cream van and Granny’s gumdrops. Enter the entrancingly dystopian universe of theatre company 1927’s “The Animals and Children Took to the Streets,” a subversive fairytale-gone-wrong that delights with its exquisite performance style and strongly executed storyline. As a performance theatre company formed by a collective of artists (animators, writers, theater artists, film-makers and composers) in 2006, 1927 has carved out a name for itself through its creative use of technical stage elements and incorporation of media in its original shows, especially since the debut of the widely-acclaimed “The Animals and Children Took to the Streets,” which performed before a full house at University of California, Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall on April 25. The event was put on by UCSB’s Arts & Lectures. Most of the joy in watching the hypnotic, macabre, and yet hilariously satirical quality of the 70-minute production unfold before your eyes stems from the sheer imaginative quality of its execution. Ever had a desire to transport yourself into the narrative of a graphic novel or television animation series, and launch into a song from a Gothic musical backed by a haunting live piano score? It seems impossible to combine so many different genres and strains of influence (think Tim Burton, Charles Dickens, Roald Dahl, and more) into one cohesive performance, yet “The Animals and Children Took to the Streets” manages to accomplish that feat with grace and punch. Keeping to the relatively short time frame of 70 minutes was a wise choice. While both the performance and storyline were tied to each other well, the plot lacked a strong narrative pull that carries the audience’s interest past the one-hour mark, once the shine of the ingenious theatrical wizardry wears off. Three actors, some projection panels on the stage, and Paul Barritt’s dazzling animations allowed for multiple unexpectedly creative moments in the show: a neighbor swatted away at cartoon “Zs” emanating from an animated sleeping child; characters appeared to dash past countless landscapes while merely jogging on the spot; and the caretaker lead us into his dream-world as he dozed on his projected bed while actually standing upright on the stage. Especially memorable was a spontaneously interactive moment towards the end of the play, when the caretaker engaged in a session of mild meta-play by pacing back and forth between road signs cryptically labeled “Idealist Ending” and “Realist Ending,” with the optimists and pessimists in the audience raucously rooting for separate desired outcomes. Sticking to its characteristically droll, deadpan manner, the play settled on the triumph of the “Realist Ending” in the end. It was an oddly prophetic move, considering that the play’s premiere in late 2010 and its playfully-addressed themes of class marginalization and social disparity would later coincide with the violent riots that erupted across major cities in England, particularly boroughs in East London, in the summer of 2011.

The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

page 6 | Health & Lifestyles

ho D c u rag Ga Q by CHEYENNE JOHNSON Staff Writer

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Avery Daniels struts across the stage in glamorous attire. Photo by Caitlin Griﬃn | The Bottom Line False eyelashes, sequins, heels so high ankles quaked in fear at the sight of them, and enough makeup to hide an entire body part radiated across the University of California, Santa Barbara Hub stage on the night of Monday, April 29. No, it wasn’t a Beyoncé concert and there was no Lady Gaga in the immediate vicinity. Instead, it was the ever-excitable and always feisty ladies of the UCSB Pride Student

Run Drag Show. Ladies of all colors, sizes, and hairdos danced and lip synced their way across the stage and through the crowd, occasionally snapping a heel strap or losing a veil, but always maintaining the fierce attitude UCSB students have come to love. Though some of the performers such as the two classy and sassy hosts Jenna Scyde and Avery Daniels,

also known as Andrew Hamlin and UCSB psychology major Nick Newton, respectively, had experienced the glitz and glamour of the drag stage before, several of the performers got their first experience of performing in high heels and dresses at the event. “This is actually my one year anniversary of being a drag queen,” Daniels said, “so I can see myself in these new young boys a year ago. It’s so great to get that new energy.” Jenna Scyde explained that many UCSB students get their first taste of drag during the fall quarter and don’t feel confident enough to perform until spring quarter, when the Student Run Drag Show during UCSB Pride is the best opportunity. “Having a lot of new people is always really exciting,” said Scyde, “because everyone in the backroom’s always really nervous and scared because it’s their first time. Then you see this excitement in their eyes right when they get off the stage and you know they didn’t get enough, and they just want to be up their longer. It’s fantastic.” The nervousness must have left the performers at the curtain as they showed no sign of anything but confidence and happily danced to pop songs like Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl” and Rihanna’s “Russian Roulette.” The only drag king wrapped himself in a black feather boa and lingerie to saunter to the classic Rocky Horror Picture Show’s “Sweet Transvestite.” Whether it be Gangnam style, Rihanna, or singing transvestites, the stars of the drag show offered up their brightest sparkle and their best hair flips to ensure the success of the event that Scyde said is all due to student dedication. “I really liked this drag show a lot,” Scyde said. “It had a lot of student participation whereas the last one we brought a lot of outsiders to entertain, and this time the students got to participate. They got to say ‘f**k gender.’ They didn’t conform, and they did whatever they wanted to do, and they had fun. I think people had fun watching them, which is great.” If the cheers and smiling faces of those attending the crowded and filled to capacity event were any indication, the audience had nearly as great a time watching the performance as the performers had presenting it. “It’s so great, especially with UCSB pride, just for everybody to get together and have a great time and just be a perfect community,” Daniels said. “So many people...have no idea this exists, even on campus, so for see DRAG QUEENS | page 8 Photos by Soshana Cohen | The Bottom Line

Child’s Pose Your Way to a Healthier Chi by MARIAH TIFFANY Staff Writer

SPORTS

Between extracurricular activities and all-nighters in the Davidson, relaxation is practically a myth to the average college student, especially amidst midterms. It is in these moments of high pressure, however, when the mind most demands concentration and resilience to stress. While many college students may turn to the aid of caffeine, poor eating habits, or even health-endangering study drugs, they often neglect two of the most accessible resources available to cope with stress: yoga and meditation. Although the two medicines for the soul pre-date written history, according to the American Yoga Association, they have recently gained an enormous cult following. This is, in part, a result of the many health benefits they yield, which include decreased levels of stress and anxiety. Markedly in the past decade, institutes have released studies that detail the scientific breakdown of such benefits by name, listing every hormone and chemical in the crayon box. But what does that translate to? It translates to serotonin, dopamine, GABA—all those trigger words we come to learn mean everything fuzzy, comforting, and rewarding. As Stephen Cope, a therapist and director of the Institute for Extraordinary Living at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, explains to Forbes, yoga taps into the sympathetic nervous system—that network called to action during the body’s “fight or flight” response to stress. But in the life of a college student, filled with never-ending chapter quizzes and sporadic lawn naps, the off-side of that stress switch can seem inaccesible. So this is where yoga comes in. It helps us out by lowering cortisol levels that fuel stress reactions, also known as fostering positivity. Ari Jacknow, a yoga instructor at Isla Vista Yoga Collective, acknowledges that “[yoga] doesn’t necessarily make your life rainbows and butterflies stress-less, but it allows you to move through however you choose to live your life in a more mindful way.” To provide more incentive to practice for all of those who haven’t been feeling as frisky lately, yoga activates those hormones in the brain associated with sexual arousal. Just try to keep your downward dog to yourself until you host your own private “yoga session.” Or bring the heat over to Sensual Ecstatic Dance Yoga Fitness held on Fridays from 4:30-6 p.m. by Isla Vista Yoga Collective on 777 Camino Pescadero, which is a more contemporary interpretation of yoga’s core principles. According to the New York Times, the National Institute of Health has released scientific studies revealing the effects of yoga on prolonging life and slowing down the biological clock, specifically through targeting physical and mental stress, both of which erode the tips of DNA strands. Not only does this stress kill youthful cells, but it also puts the body at much higher risk for a myriad of problems ranging from headaches to arthritis to anxiety. So next time your head starts pounding, reach not for the Advil bottle but to the sky in “Warrior Two” position. The biology major with lab today and a term paper due next week is rolling his or her eyes right now. “Happy Baby” pose does not exactly fit into the ten-minute transition period between classes. Slipping into a state of concentration, however, can be as easy as the simple sit position, “Sukhasana,” in which the yogi sits cross-legged with hands on knees and spine straight. This base position helps to focus awareness on the breath and the body while strengthening the lower back and opening up the groin and hips. Simply take five to 10 deep breaths, raising arms over head on the inhale and lowering on the exhale. If this move is a little too baby-bird-learning-to-fly for you, do not fret because both the Health & Wellness Center and Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) offer a variety of resources on campus tailored see CHILD”S POSE | page 8

Gaucho Women’s Softball Outsteps Matadors by NATHANIAL LOOP

After splitting a doubleheader on Saturday with the Matadors, the University of California, Santa Barbara was able to defeat California State Northridge thanks to the heroics of Boser, who went 3-3, including the eventual game winning solo home run, to help the Gauchos edge out a 6-5 victory that ended up being a lot tougher than it had to be. The Gauchos wasted no time getting on the board and putting the pressure on the Matadors. Jessica Soria led off with a single and promptly stole second base, her 22nd of the year. Arianna Palomares promptly laced a single up the middle, and Matador centerfielder Madalyne Handy lost the handle on the ball, allowing the speedy Soria to come around to score for the first run of the ballgame. Palomares came around to score herself two batters later thanks to a single from second baseman Kathryn Pilpil, and the Gauchos were off to an early 2-0 advantage. This knocked Northridge starter Brianna Elder out of the game, as she recorded just one-third of an inning of work.

The next pitcher for the Matadors, Shelly Tait, didn’t fare much better. The second inning saw Boser begin her perfect day at the plate, as she led off with a triple. She then picked up the final 60 feet to score on an infield groundout by Soria. On the mound for the Gauchos was firstyear Alex Pingree, who was sharp as can be from the first pitch. She wasn’t overpowering, notching just a lone strikeout, but through four innings of work she allowed just two base hits. Pingree also benefited from some excellent defensive work from catcher Sami Stark, shortstop Keilani Jennings and Boser over at first base. The third inning saw the Matadors go with a third pitcher, Alexa Limon, but the result was more of the same as the Gauchos continued their excellent hitting display. Stark, not known for her offensive prowess, came through with an RBI single, scoring Jennings and advancing Jessica Reichner to third. The Gauchos added another run thanks to a double by Boser that easily scored Reichner and gave the Gauchos a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Despite the fact that Pingree seemed to be pitching on cruise control, the Gauchos elected to bring Andriana Collins out to the pitcher’s circle for the fifth inning, and she was looking to wrap things up for the Gauchos with her five run safety net. However, the lead that took four innings to build up crumbled in just over 20 minutes of game action. Collins gave up two hits to Jennifer Tyler and Mia Pagan—who came in as a replacement for Handy—and then a crucial error by Pilpil on a would be routine ground ball from Leann Lopez allowed Tyler to score. Korinne Randazzo then followed that up with a 2-RBI single that just escaped the outstretched glove of Jennings at short, and just like that the lead was 5-3 with nobody out. Pingree was then promptly brought back in to pitch for Collins to try and finish what she had started. She got the first two batters out on weak grounders, and just as it looked like the Gauchos might escape the inning with the lead intact, Pingree gave up a two-run home run to Crystal Maas that left the game tied at 5-5.

This breakdown clearly meant nothing to Lauren Boser, who came up with two outs and nobody on base in the bottom of the fifth inning. Already with a double and a triple on the day, she one-upped herself by driving a 2-1 pitch from Limon deep over the centerfield wall and into the adjacent Caesar Uyesaka Stadium for a solo home run and a 6-5 lead for her fellow Gauchos. Shelby Wisdom, despite having pitched in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader, was brought in from right field to close out the game for the Gauchos. Wisdom and her bionic arm displayed her usual excellent command and shut down the Matadors for the sixth and seventh innings to deliver the Gauchos their hard fought 6-5 victory. The victory gave the Gauchos the 2-1 series edge against the Matadors and brought the team back to .500 in the Big West (9-9, 28-21 overall). Cal State Northridge fell to 7-11 in Big West Conference play. The Gauchos will travel to Hawaii for a three game series starting on Friday, May 3.

The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

&How to Build Yours

page 7 |Technology

The Beneﬁts to Having a Personal Website for Job Applicants,

Step One: Hosting Platform

There are tons of free hosting platforms for creating a personal website. If you ever had a MySpace, and even if you didn’t, these website builders are super easy to work with to create a very professional looking product. Almost all of them feature drag-and-drop elements (like text boxes, picture boxes, ﬁle links, etc.) so user’s don’t need to know any coding unless they want to get pretty fancy. Some of the easiest free sites are WordPress, Weebly, and Free Webs. The only pitfall to using these free template sites is that the URL the website is given will have the hosting site’s identiﬁer, like, www.yourname.weebly.com. If users don’t want that tag in their URL, a website domain name can be purchased from sites like GoDaddy for about $9.99 per year.

by ASHLEY GOLDEN Technology Editor

There are numerous benefits of having a personal website when applying for jobs. Sure, there’s Facebook for friends and social needs, LinkedIn for business, Twitter for updates, and Google+ for--well, whatever people use Google+ for (I personally haven’t been swayed over yet), but having a personal website, something uniquely you, has its advantages, especially when applying for jobs. One main reason for having a personal website: employers are impressed by a clean looking, polished website that has an applicant’s bio, contact information, resume, etc. Actions speak louder than words, and a personal website says to an employer that this applicant took the initiative to create a website, they have some basic design aesthetic, and they know basic computer skills. It can also be a tool for an employer to get to know you when you may not be readily available to them. For instance if you’re applying to jobs across country and can’t reasonably fly out there to meet with them, a website can be a window for letting the employer read about you and get a sense of what kind of person you are. Another benefit is that the creator controls every aspect of their website. There are no embarrassing comments, no weird formatting, no distracting elements. LinkedIn is great for making professional connections and getting yourself out there, but I happen to think the layout is a bit messy looking and detracts from the actual user. Below are steps to a very straightforward way of setting up a personal website.

Step Three: Design Aesthetic Simple is usually better, in my opinion. Bright colors, lots of pages and tabs, cool fonts distract from you as an applicant and can be hard to navigate. For instance, I was on the website of this trainer I was looking into and her page was pale blue with a pale cream swirly font. It was so hard to read I basically skimmed it and moved on to the next person I was interested in. People are busy and making them work hard to simply read something is a big turn-off. Also, sans serif fonts are better for the Internet, serif for print. (A serif font has the little ‘feet’ or edging on the letters, and a sans serif is plain.) In print the “feet” of serif fonts allow the eyes to track better when reading because the “feet” create a natural straight line effect. On the Internet, however, with pixels involved, it actually muddies the text so the plainer is better for easy reading.

Step Four: Usefulness

Great places to put your website URL are on your resume with the rest of your contact information, on your LinkedIn page, in a cover letter, or in a job application.

Step Two: Content Great things to include in your website would be a bio, your contact information, and your resume. The bio can be an opportunity for an employer to get to know you, so you can talk a bit about your personal life so long as it is kept professional and relates in some way. Adding a picture can add another personal element, although some people may feel it could have an unfair positive/negative bias affect on if you get hired if the employer finds something displeasing about you (while illegal, how would you ever know?). If an employer wouldn’t hire you based on appearance, though, would you really want to work for them anyway? It’s difficult to put your contact information too many places. You always want a prospective employer to know how to get ahold of you. I like putting my info in the header of my resume, cover letter, email, and my website. It should include your name, email, phone number, website, and even potentially your address. Finally, there should be a place for your resumé. I like to include the PDF version of mine as a download—so they can have a copy of it if they desire and view it offline—as well as having it viewable on the page. Also keep in mind ALL your potential employers will see this website. So unlike a resumé that can be tailored to each specific prospective employer, anyone can view your site. It’s a good idea to keep things relatively general and include all your experience instead of narrowly tailoring your resumé here. One of the benefits of your website is the employer can see all that you’ve done and not just the abridged version.

‘This Is the End’: And This Is the Review by MATT MERSEL Staff Writer In 2007, comedic actors Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel starred in a short film titled “Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse.” A trailer was released on YouTube to a very positive reception; however, the eight-and-a-half minute feature was never released in theaters. Fans of the trailer who excitedly awaited the full short were disappointed, but their frustration soon turned to elation when the reason for shelving the film was revealed: the short was to be made into a film starring Rogen, Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, and Danny McBride, with appearances from Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Paul Rudd, Aziz Ansari, and a whole laundry list of other comedic stars portraying fictionalized versions of themselves. The feature would be titled “This Is the End,” with Rogen and longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg both writing and (for the first time) directing. This past week, University of California, Santa Barbara was rewarded with an advanced screening of the film, which doesn’t hit theaters until June 12. As I sat in the theater waiting for the movie to begin, I realized just how much this movie has to live up to. With an immense, talented cast and the same writing team behind

the modern classics “Knocked Up,” “Superbad,” and “Pineapple Express,” “This Is the End” needed to be undeniably hilarious. It is fortunate, then, that those are the perfect words to describe the film. The plot of the film follows Baruchel as he flies to Los Angeles to visit his real-life longtime friend Rogen. Baruchel isn’t the biggest fan of LA or any of the other characters in the film, and visiting Rogen is the only reason he endures frequent trips to the city. That night, Rogen drags him to a party at Franco’s house, where Baruchel finds himself barricaded after apocalyptic events decimate LA and kill the majority of the party guests. The survivors soon realize that they are experiencing the biblical Judgment Day, and they must explore the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice as they search for a way out of their predicament. A big victory for “This Is the End” is the way in which it captures so effortlessly what made films like “Superbad” and “Pineapple Express” so joyously hilarious in the first place. The dialogue is top-notch; Rogen and Goldberg have a way with writing, and their casual, flowing, yet comically dense conversations pervade every interaction. Each combination of characters has a distinct chemistry, and like most Rogen and Goldberg movies, the genuineness of

the dialogue goes a long way toward making the audience care about the characters. Additionally, the gimmick of the actors portraying fictionalized versions of themselves never gets old. A huge amount of the fun comes from seeing how each star fits into this alternate reality, be it Franco’s almost homoerotic attraction to Rogen, McBride’s comically evil performance, or Hill’s borderline creepy, incessant kindness. The main cast’s personas elicit consistent laughs throughout the picture, but it is the constant barrage of guest appearances that really make the film. The first part features some hysterical appearances, with special mention going to Mindy Kaling, Emma Watson, and Michael Cera, who absolutely steals the show portraying a belligerent, coked-out version of himself in a complete rejection of his usual “awkward kid” archetype. Even after the ground splits apart and the heavens open up, the guest stars keep on coming, with hilarious surprises abound until the very end. Perhaps the most surprising thing about “This Is the End” is how it manages to actually pull out some legitimate scares amidst the comedy. Confrontations with the hell spawn frequently swing from frightening to funny to suspenseful in an instant, and it can make for some pretty memorable scenes. Rogen and

Goldberg succeed because they understand the conventions of the genres they parody, be it a stoner movie or a family drama, and this movie is no different. Clever references punctuate the dialogue, from “Ghostbusters” to “The Exorcist,” but they aren’t relied upon in any way; the film carves out its own identity and functions at a high concept level. It’s more of a dirty American “Shaun of the Dead” than “Scary Movie,” and anyone who has seen the former can tell you how much of a compliment that is. Maybe it has something to do with being one of the first to see the movie. Maybe it has something to do with the excitement of the sold-out theater where the screening was held. Still, I think I can safely say that “This Is the End” absolutely lives up to expectations and the pedigree held by Rogen and Goldberg. It’s shocking, it’s genuine, and it’s funny from start to finish. If you’ve ever been entertained by any of the actors, it will be impossible not to get at least some enjoyment out of the film. It level of funny rivals “The Hangover,” and I can’t imagine a world in which this movie isn’t a major hit. Just hope that the apocalypse doesn’t hit before the movie’s release early this summer.

Photo by Tori Yonker | The Bottom Line

Fake AP Tweet says Obama Hurt in White House Explosions, Sends Markets Tumbling by ANIS VIJAY MODI Staff Writer A fake tweet from the Associated Press Twitter feed about an alleged terrorist attack on the White House caused a stir in the nation’s financial market last Tuesday. According to the Washington Post, AP and the Federal Bureau of Investigations looked into the hacking incident with the cooperation of Twitter. The Syrian Electronic Army, a rogue cyber-warfare organization, later claimed responsibility for the incident. The original posting on the AP twitter account reported a terrorist attack on the White House in which two explosions were heard, adding that President Barack Obama had been injured. The tweet had sparked a swift chain of reactions. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney immediately called in a press conference, assuring the public that “the President is fine, I was just with him.” The Associated Press immediately took to other means, such as the company’s corporate website and other social media outlets, in order to announce that its Twitter account had been hacked. Nevertheless, The Dow-Jones industrial average had fallen more than 100 points

in the two minutes following the tweet. According to RT America, this lost of point translated into an erasure of almost $200 billion from the stock exchange markets. “The event was so quick, that it was done before humans could even process it,” said Joseph Saluzzi, head of equity-trading firm Themis, to the Washington Post. The Syrian Electronic Army released a statement in which it illustrated its cause for the attack: “The Obama tweet was an expression of our outrage with US media. The tweet was a bolt from the blue for the White House. We completely achieved our objectives—the shares of US media fell temporarily,” a source told RT News Arabic. This incident follows other occasions where fake Tweets had sparked an industrial turmoil. Last summer, the Twitter accounts of automaker Jeep was hacked. The anonymous hackers had defaced the account, posting photos of competitors’ cars, changing the company’s motto to “JEEP—Just Empty Every Pocket,” and announcing that the company had been bought out by competitor Cadillac. A day earlier, Fast food chain Burger King’s Twitter account had undergone the same cyber-attack, the sources of which remain anonymous.

page 8 | Continuations

The Bottom Line | May 1 - May 8

ARMENIAN continued from page 2

DUNWELLS continued from page 5

ASA, as well as Armenians worldwide, continually attempt to give prominence to the genocide. The genocide march, candlelight memorial, and the commemoration accentuate recognition and awareness to never forget the monstrosity of the Ottoman Empire. “When you hear about Armenians you hear about them divided. Our right as a people to be one was taken away from us by force,” said first-year psychology major, Lucina Asatryan. “We fight not to let the horrible acts that the Ottoman Empire inflicted upon our people, massacring 1.5 million Armenians, weaken us exactly in the way the Turks had intended when they decided to annihilate us.” Armenians today are stronger than they once were. They are still a minority, composed of about 9 million people, but together as one, they urge people to recognize the Armenian massacre as a genocide and to never forget the horrendous ways in which the Turks persecuted their peoples. “Armenians don’t have anything against the Turkish people of today,” said Jaratanian. “We want [the Turkish government] to recognize what the Ottoman Empire did. We are simply against those that say a genocide never occurred.”

and Celtic rather than in straight indie-folk, giving them a sound that differs from other folk groups like Mumford and Sons and Fleet Foxes. “As an individual, I am inspired by artists like Glens Hansard and Damien Rice,” said Joseph. “I recently got the new Imagine Dragons album, which is awesome. We’ve got such different influences; our sounds really come from that rock music.” Joseph’s sharp and distinct voice seemed limitless as he sang a long falsetto during the concert, eliciting chuckles from his brother and cheers from the crowd. But Joseph is not the only band member who has the ability to sing. The other band members are all blessed with a pair of apt lungs and a pair of discerning ears that aid their harmonizations, a praised characteristic of The Dunwells. The layering of their varying pitches during the show melted into a sound that swept through Storke Tower, and the initial crowd of few grew significantly. Students passing by would stop and listen, until they had to move on to their next appointments. “I liked their Celtic and country mix…their guitars, drum beat, rhythm, and stamping of it,” said Imogen Faris, a third-year foreign exchange student from London, England, who is majoring in English literature. The Dunwells performed songs from their debut album, “Blind Sighted Faith,” which was released on Feb. 14, 2012 and produced by John Porter, the nine-time Grammy winner who has produced for artists like The Smiths, Los Lonely Boys and Ryan Adams. “The whole ‘Blind Sighted Faith’ is nothing religious at all, just to believe in what you’re actually doing,” said Joseph. “At the time we were struggling musicians, and in some ways I’d say we still are, but there is still a path—somewhere. We don’t know where that’s going, but at the time I wrote the song [‘Blind Sighted Faith’], we didn’t know which direction the band was going in, but we knew it was keeping on. So that’s the whole ‘blind sighted faith.’ Just keep going. No matter what you end up doing, as long as you believe in what you’re doing.” Along with “Blind Sighted Faith,” The Dunwells performed “Elizabeth,” which reached number 31 on the UK Indie Charts, and “So Beautiful,” amongst other songs. Previews from their upcoming EP, scheduled to be released in the UK by September, were also performed, including acoustic versions of songs from their debut album and their cover of electronica, alternative-indie artist Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” The Dunwells’ acclaimed harmonizing skill was especially noticeable in this acoustic cover, and unlike R&B Jason Derulo’s pop rendition of this song, The Dunwells’ cover transformed the already folktronica sound of “Hide and Seek” into a sweet but soulfully sad love song. Joseph’s vocals delivered rich overtones that gave the song a mournful, rustic twist. The Dunwells were given an encore, and they happily performed another song for the eager crowd. “I arrived at the end, the last few songs, but I think they are pretty good,” said fourth-year sociology major Ana Mendez, an exchange student from Spain. “It’s nice to hear people coming from far away.”

Brain continued from page 2

Faced with questions regarding the use of brain maps as diagnostic tools for neurological disorders and how this particular configuration of neural cables affects the speed or reliability of information transfer in the brain, there are still many more experimental trials, MRI scans, and developmental hypotheses to be undertaken by the UCSB Brain Imaging Center. Stocked with new tools and information, the research will continue. This research was headed by Professor Scott T. Grafton in the Department of Psychological and Brain Science and Professor Ann M. Hermundstad in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania The result of the white-matter neural pathway study provides theoretical answers to the many questions surrounding brain connectivity, but Hermundstad and the other researchers developed even more scientific questions. “We have many exciting directions for future work. We are currently investigating how these structural and functional network maps relate to behavioral performance,” said Hermundstad. “We would also like to investigate how the relationship between anatomy and function evolves over the course of a lifetime.” Faced with questions regarding the use of brain maps as diagnostic tools for neurological disorders and how this particular configuration of neural cables affects the speed or reliability of information transfer in the brain, there are still many more experimental trials, MRI scans, and developmental hypotheses to be undertaken by the UCSB Brain Imaging Center. Stocked with new tools and information, the research will continue. This research was headed by Professor Scott T. Grafton in the Department of Psychological and Brain Science and Professor Ann M. Hermundstad in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania “These results are important for understanding how the same anatomical pathways (the same set of neural cables) can support such a vast array of different functions. This also makes predictions about the implications of neurological disorders,” she said. In the case of local tissue degradation, these studies could help scientists understand how a subject is cognitively affected when attending to tasks. The result of the white-matter neural pathway study provides theoretical answers to the many questions surrounding brain connectivity, but Hermundstad and the other researchers developed even more scientific questions. “We have many exciting directions for future work. We are currently investigating how these structural and functional network maps relate to behavioral performance,” said Hermundstad. “We would also like to investigate how the relationship between anatomy and function evolves over the course of a lifetime.” Faced with questions regarding the use of brain maps as diagnostic tools for neurological disorders and how this particular configuration of neural cables affects the speed or reliability of information transfer in the brain, there are still many more experimental trials, MRI scans, and developmental hypotheses to be undertaken by the UCSB Brain Imaging Center. Stocked with new tools and information, the research will continue. This research was headed by Professor Scott T. Grafton in the Department of Psychological and Brain Science and Professor Ann M. Hermundstad in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania

CHILD’S POSE continued from page 6 specifically to students in need of relaxation. Located in Building 599, CAPS offers students access to massage chairs as well as what has been called UCSB’s best-kept gem, the Alpha Wave Egg Chair—or what second-year Mental Health Peer Erin Windsor dubs, “the best nap you’ll ever have.” Although rumors of the multi-sensory system seem to buzz among Gauchos starting from freshman orientation, not many can offer more than gossip of the infamous chair. Third-year computer science major Jason Worden recalls his egg chair experience as being “a lullaby of an experience that gave a great nap in the middle of a hectic day.” But if you’re seeking a more professional edge to relaxation, Student Health Services accepts booking appointments online or by phone for massages. Of course, with the multitude of choices available, there is always the option of self-guided meditation. To clarify the mind, all one needs is a quiet spot free of distractions, commitment to a time frame, a positive mantra, and slow breath. For the most hyper-connected, iPhone to the hip meditation practitioners, there is even the option to “Buddhify,” as long as said phone is in airplane mode (Yep, there’s an app for that). So find a quiet space, whether it be the meditation room provided in Embarcadero Hall 1110 (Tuesdays/Thursdays 1-1:30 p.m.), or just a shady nook of grass, and allow your mind to let go of the churning to-do-list for 10 minutes and live in the rhythm of your breath. Not only will your attention span thank you, but so will the relaxed afterglow of your lowered cortisol levels.

Drag Queens continued from page 6

people to get together and enjoy this all together as Gauchos is so amazing.” The fact that only Gauchos worked the stage like it was their birthright did nothing to detract from the high quality of the dances, costumes, and personas, as each drag queen and king did whatever it took to bring their fiercest drag to the stage. “I broke my heel,” said drag queen Jane Ivery after the show, “but at least my face is pretty.” Whether it be broken heels or duct taped nether-regions, drag queens sacrifice for their craft in a way that only true athletes can understand. Walking around in five-inch heels is no easy task, but the Student Run Drag Show’s queens and king made it look effortless. Every misstep was more than rectified by choreography that would put Britney Spears to shame and every participant of SRDS should shake their pride flags (and fake boobs) with all the pride they can. “Wherever there’s money and a pair of heels to be worn,” said Daniels about her future in drag, “I’ll be there.”

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Java Station continued from page 5 on the right. The lack of props and set, necessary for a traveling show, contributed to the feel of it; with fewer distractions, I found myself focusing more fully on the actors and their emotions. Lone accompanist Ben Saunders’ tireless and adept piano playing aided my focus, providing a perfect, stable background for Jewell and Schaefer to sing over. Half a minute in, and as the barista-on-call foretold, the quickness of the audience’s emotional devastation was comparable only to the phenomenon that characterized the first five minutes of Disney Pixar’s film “Up.” Following a series of warm and nostalgic piano chords from Saunders, Jewell kicked the show off with her solo “Still Hurting,” her powerful vibrato almost breaking with emotion as she read and reread her husband’s crumpled breakup letter in heartbroken disbelief. The poignant first scene set the tone for the whole show, which was bittersweet even during the moments of comedic relief. Jewell’s vocal prowess was present throughout the show; at times, being in the front row took a toll on my ears (although it was certainly worth it). Her quick talk-singing in “Climbing Uphill,” in which she rapidly described an auditioning experience, was both amusing and impressive. While Jewell stole the show with her impressive vocal skills, Schaefer proved himself equal to fill the roles of both stage clown and flawed, unhappy husband. The comedic highlight of the show, “The Schmuel Song,” found Schaefer jumping back and forth onstage to upbeat piano music, impersonating both the middle-aged, heavily-accented tailor of Klymovitch and his clock. The audience chortled at every voice change and roared when he crooned, “Maybe it’s just that you’re afraid to go out onto a limb-ovitch.” However, the discontent and sadness in Schaefer’s singing and body language increased throughout, culminating in the last scene, at the climatic line, “All I could do was love you hard and let you go,” at which point a chorus of sniffles joined him from the audience. The venue was cozy and different, the show moving, the actors and accompanist talented, and the cause worthy. The only reason you could possibly have for not seeing the show is the unfortunate fact that it’s over. Fortunately, Elements has more in store for their hungry following. Though the next show hasn’t been announced yet, a wise fan would keep watch over their website and be sure to reserve a spot as soon as possible. If you come early enough, you might even make the front row—and given the quality of this coffee shop production of “The Last Five Years,” that’s something you wouldn’t want to miss.