MONDAY, NOV. 24 - SUNDAY, NOV. 30, 2014 • VOLUME 101 • ISSUE 31 Features • P9
Mundo Azteca • P11
Aztec community shares recipe in new cookbook
Nueva clase enfatiza a los hispanos
#KBBOOKS
KB CAN’T READ THE FUTURE Aztec Shops has leased to KB Books since the San Diego State auxiliary bought the property KB Books sits on in 2012. JENNA MACKEY, PHOTO EDITOR
A recent lease extension, along with KB Books’ relationship with Aztec Shops, points to an unclear future for the bookstore, the owner says.
SNEAKPEEK
P3 $143M project breaks ground DAVID HERNANDEZ, NEWS EDITOR
Plaza or some other development,” Williams said. Aztec Shops manages property the SDSU Research Foundation owns on College Square and the property adjacent to KB Books, including Bruxie and Bangkok Poco. Aztec Shops also recently took ownership of Albert’s College Apartments, Fraternity Row and Piedra Del Sol. A LEASE AMONG COMPETITORS “I’m in the very awkward position of leasing from my competitor,” Appel said. “So that has made it very worrisome.” Williams said the relationship between KB Books and Aztec Shops, which operates the SDSU Bookstore, is “uncommon but not a conflict of interest.” Aztec Shops receives approximately 40 percent of sales from the SDSU Bookstore from items such as apparel and books. Two years ago Aztec Shops, along with other solicitors, was banned from handing out fliers at the bridge between Parking Structure 4 and West Commons during freshman orientation. Last year, the bookstore was banned from being at the orientation. Williams said soliciting was banned because of crowding concerns. Appel said it would be difficult to relocate KB Books, which has been at SDSU since 1986 and in its current location since 1991. “It’s a very location-sensitive business,” Appel said. He believes students benefit from the competition between the SDSU Bookstore and KB Books. “If you buy on campus, you’re still benefiting from the fact that they have to earn your business because if they don’t, you’re going to go somewhere else,” Appel said. Please see KB BOOKS, P2
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The terms of a recent one-year lease extension between Aztec Shops and KB Books has caused the owner of the bookstore to believe it is an effort by Aztec Shops to put KB Books out of business. The off-campus bookstore owner, Ken Appel, finds the length of the new lease, as well as a 32 percent rent increase included, to be worrisome. “Our future is very uncertain,” Appel said. “My belief is that they will either try to not resign the lease or continue to make these outrageous (rent) increases to the point where it just becomes unfeasible to operate.” R.D. Williams, director of Business Development and Contract Housing for Aztec shops, said KB Books had been paying “substantially below” market rate, which Aztec Shops considers to be $3.25 to $3.75 per square foot. KB Books paid $11,948 before its September lease extension. At 4,519 square feet, KB Books pays a monthly base rent of $15,816.50, which is approximately $3.50 per square foot. The rent is now aligned to be within the rent range of other tenants Aztec Shops leases to, Williams said. He said the base rent is determined though a square foot basis to evaluate whether it fits the market rate. As approved by Aztec Shops, Cal Copy subleases from KB Books for approximately $3.33 per square foot, and Blvd. 63 for approximately $3.52 per square foot. Appel said the one-year lease makes it difficult to invest in the bookstore because of the possibility Aztec Shops could decide to not resign a contract
extension. “(Aztec Shops’) mission is always to make sure we are getting market rate from the tenants so that those funds go back to support the university,” Williams said. The length of the extension is the result of plans for possible construction of phase two of South Campus Plaza. The first phase recently broke ground and includes housing above street-level retail stores and restaurants. The second phase would include property along College Avenue, from KB Books to the Arco gas station. “We’ve been very clear that because of the long-range possible plans for that area, we are not extending any leases beyond one year,” Williams said. “So when the KB Books lease came up, we offered to extend the lease on a year-byyear basis until we know what is going to happen to the property.” Williams and University Architect Bob Schulz said the second phase of South Campus Plaza is on hold until the university acquires additional space that it doesn’t own, such as the gas station and Jack in the Box property. “The university would like to acquire all the parcels but we will only deal with willing sellers,” Williams said. “We’re not going to try to take anyone’s property.” Williams said it is not uncommon to plan construction on property that is not yet owned by an entity because it is often done all at once in a master plan. In June 2012, Aztec Shops bought the KB Books property from a private owner for $3 million in cash from working capital reserves, which refers to money collected over time. “Anytime a piece of property like that comes up, we want to do our best effort to purchase it for the university to hold for the future development of South Campus
PRINT EDITION
DAVID HERNANDEZ NEWS EDITOR _____________________________________
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2 NEWS
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#TRANSGENDER
SDSU offers name-change option JACLYN PALUMBO STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ San Diego State’s Office of the Registrar announced in an email a new preferred name option to students earlier this month. The option was put in place primarily to accommodate students who are gender non-conforming or students who identify with names that differs from their birth names. “Students who have enrolled at San Diego State University under their legal names may change their first name to a preferred first name which may differ from the sex assigned to them at birth,” according to the Office of the Registrar email. The preferred name option is not intended for students who prefer nicknames or a shorter version of their given name, although there was a fine line distinguishing the two, Registrar Rayanne Williams said. This option was discussed at past annual meetings of the 23 California State University registrars, Williams said. Because of adjustments that were made to programming in the database, it was a yearlong process before the option was made available to SDSU students. Williams consulted Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities Lee Mintz, Coordinator of the Pride Center Anthony Keen, and members of related campus
organizations for feedback prior to finalizing the new initiative. Among those affected is television, film and new media sophomore Emmanuel Istomin who is now able to have his preferred name on his RedID card. He is a female-to-male transgender student. “Before, I was outed in class discussions on Blackboard or when we were put into groups using Blackboard,” Istomin said. “I also had to go up to the front of the class on the first day of classes to let my professors know that I go by a different name.” By changing to a preferred name, an individual’s name preference will appear on faculty class rosters, faculty grade rosters, Blackboard rosters, Blackboard home room rosters and RedID cards, according to the Office of the Registrar. “It helps avoid the awkwardness and discomfort of having to tell my peers and professors my name, not my birth name,” Istomin said. “It also avoids being given looks and questions when presenting my ID card since the name wouldn’t match my gender.” In addition, cashiers and those working at the SDSUcard Office received special training in case the first name on the RedID differs from the name that comes up with the ID number. Student Health Services is planning to adopt similar procedures to recognize name preferences. “Having the ability to have my name on my ID card is a great change from not having my name respected,” Istomin said. Official documents such as transcripts
and diplomas will continue to reflect the student’s legal name. In order for those documents to have the student’s preferred name, students must legally change their name. Last names can’t be changed under the preferred name option because of recordkeeping complications, Williams said. “There’s so much that I need to learn about different groups on campus and their needs,” Williams said. “We are always here to listen and to see what we can do. If
there is something we can accommodate, then we will try — people just need to ask and inquire.” Students who wish to register a new name must submit to the Office of the Registrar a form available online or at the office. The name preferred form asks for the student’s legal name, preferred name, date and a signature. Once the form is processed, students can get a new RedID from the SDSUcard Office by filling out a “Replacement ID Card form” issued by the Office of the Registrar.
KB BOOKS: Continued from P1 Last September, with a year until the previous lease ended, Appel contacted Aztec Shops’ Contracts Administrator Debbie Burchianti to discuss a renewal, but he was told Aztec Shops was not ready to make a decision regarding the contact. In October he emailed Williams for the same matter, but he did not receive a response. In late November, after a “campaign” informing the SDSU community of Aztec Shops unwillingness to discuss an extension, Burchianti emailed Appel to set up a meeting to discuss a lease extension, Appel said. Appel spoke at an Aztec Shops Board meeting during public comments and met with Burchianti in early December to discuss an extension. “Since (Aztec Shops) operate(s) like a monopoly, without paying rent, income tax or property tax, they have the ability
and the resources to bully small business which they compete with, giving them an even further unfair advantage,” Appel said. Meanwhile, Williams said KB Books is treated like any other tenant. “We want to maximize the return on our investment without jeopardizing (our tenants’) business,” he said. Aztec Shops returns approximately $350,000 to the university’s resource allocation committee, which distributes money to SDSU’s colleges and programs, Williams said. The auxiliary also contributes approximately $500,000 yearly to support the university’s infrastructure and maintenance Williams said he doesn’t foresee a reason Aztec Shops wouldn’t resign the lease. He said Aztec Shops typically discusses extensions six months before a lease ends.
NEWS 3
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#COLLEGEAREA
Housing near SDSU faces scrutiny JAMIE BALLARD STAFF WRITER _____________________________________ In response to complaints about highoccupancy houses surrounding San Diego State, the city is revising its rooming-house ordinances to limit the number of leases granted in a single home and clarify what homes could qualify as rooming houses. These “mini-dorms,” or High Turnover, High Occupancy houses are an issue for some College Area residents who say the homes were designed for two adults and their children, rather than six or more adults with cars. Parking space is a major issue for neighbors, as is noise level, trash, and wear and tear on the homes. College Area Community Council members went to the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting on Nov. 13 to voice some of their concerns before members of the San Diego City Council. In a unanimous vote by the Public Safety and Liveable Neighborhoods Committee, two aspects of the City Municipal Code defining a “Rooming House” were clarified to eliminate loopholes and more clearly define how many people may have separate leases in a single home. Rhea Kuhlman, president of the College Area Community Council, has
The Public Safety and Livable Neighboorhood Committee voted to elimiate loopholes in the way landlords lease homes in College Area. FILE PHOTO
lived in the area for 27 years. She said the complaints the council presented aren’t aimed at students necessarily, but rather at profit-driven landlords who are taking advantage of students and disrupting the neighborhood by offering many individual leases, which can lead to overcrowded homes. The original rooming-house ordinance stated there could not be more than three leases per house. However, the city says this rule has been difficult to enforce in the past. One section of the ordinance was deleted completely, as it was inconsistent with another section that defined a rooming house. The new changes to the ordinance state that kitchens and bathrooms don’t count as rooms for dwelling and clarify that oral leases count the same as written ones. “We do not object to student rentals,” Kuhlman said. “But imagine you had
lived here for many years, you got married here, raised your children here, and all of a sudden someone puts a hotel right next to your home. How would you feel?” Ann Cottrell, chair of the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Rental Property Committee for the council, agreed that the students aren’t the crux of the issue, and explained that some of the living conditions aren’t merely inconvenient, but dangerous. “We know of people living in garages that haven’t been converted, which can be unsafe, and some homes aren’t up to code,” she said. “Students have a right to a house that is safe and well-maintained.” Cottrell has lived in the College Area neighborhood for 46 years and estimates there are nearly 700 single-family homes in the area being used as student rentals. Some managers and landlords choose to avoid such issues by renting houses out to groups, as opposed to renting
rooms individually. “My company chooses to rent out the homes we manage as one house, we do not rent by room as to avoid the mini dorms. Yes, I could get more money if I rented out each room, but the amount of damage does not outweigh the financial gain,” Melissa De Marco, who his in charge of Operations and Marketing at FBS Property Management, said. SDSU’s Associated Students Good Neighbor Program has distributed a brochure in the past that helped students become aware of the relationship between area residents and students. “This really is a terrific resource for renters and owners alike,” Cottrell said. “We are very grateful for A.S. for creating this ... and for years they distributed it around the College Area, but alas, the information does not get passed on and owners, managers who should make it available to tenants apparently do not.”
#CONSTRUCTION
SDSU set to build $143M campus project DAVID HERNANDEZ NEWS EDITOR _____________________________________ San Diego State broke ground on the $143 million housing and retail project South Campus Plaza on Nov. 19. South Campus Plaza will connect the university with its surrounding community, SDSU President Elliot Hirshman said during the groundbreaking ceremony. “Over the last several years we’ve been renovating and enhancing the campus,” Hirshman said. “South Campus Plaza will continue this tradition, enhancing the quality of life of our entire community.” Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Rivera shared a similar sentiment. “When you look at the new student union and what that has done to transform the campus life, I think South Campus Plaza will help transform the community life,” Rivera said. The site is located south of the SDSU Transit Center, parallel to College Avenue and between Hardy Avenue and Montezuma Road. The project will include two residential buildings above a ground-level restaurant, grocery store and other retail options. The residence halls will offer double-
occupancy rooms for more than 600 students, primarily freshmen. It will also include apartments for residential education staff and temporary scholars. University Architect Bob Schulz said the residential towers will be ready to be occupied for the fall 2016 semester. A 300-space parking structure will accommodate customers of South Campus Plaza. The university is still negotiating with future tenants. South Campus Plaza aims to be suitable for pedestrians and bicyclists by including wide sidewalks and bicycle amenities. The project will be LEED Silver certified and will include measures to reduce water use. Schulz previously said demand for housing, especially among freshmen, exceeds the supply, pointing to high application numbers. For the fall 2014 semester, SDSU received 77,959 applications from undergraduate students, outnumbering the previous year’s all-time high 74,458 applications from freshman and transfer students. “No matter what visitor comes to visit from other campuses, they’re always impressed with the look and the feel of San Diego State University,” Rivera
CAMILLE LOZANO ASST. NEWS EDITOR ____________________________
CRIME ALERT
A sexual assault was reported early Sunday morning to the San Diego State Police Department when the SDSU student assaulted visited Sharp Grossmont Hospital seeking treatment. According to a Community Safety Alert sent out to students
President Elliot Hirshman and key players in the construction of South Camus Plaza broke ground on Nov. 19. DAVID HERNANDEZ, NEWS EDITOR
said. “When we give tours, and when prospective students look, that’s one of the things that always stands out, and for the families too.” He added that facilities and landscape add to a student’s experience at SDSU. California State University revenue bonds will fund the project and will be paid back with the generated revenue from retail, housing and parking. The CSU Board of Trustees unanimously approved the project in the spring.
on Sunday, Nov. 23, the assault occurred between 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night and 2:30 a.m. on Sunday morning at the party on Hardy Avenue. SDSUPD Capt. Josh Mays said alcohol was a factor. “It’s not stranger rape; however, it is unclear at this time the extent of their relationship,” he added. SDSU police is seeking information to identify the
suspect, who is described as a white man with brown hair. The suspect, about 6 feet tall, was wearing dress slacks but no shirt. Anyone with information or questions can contact Detective Smith at 619-594-7874 and reference case number 14-1906, or provide anonymous tips by contacting Crime Stoppers at 619-235-8477. Check TheDailyAztec.com for updates on this story.
During its regular meeting Mon., Dec. 1, 2014 the Associated Students Board of Directors will vote on some important
BYLAW AMENDMENTS. Copies of the proposed changes are available to interested individuals upon request from the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union’s Information Booth and the A.S. Office, located on the third floor of the student union. Comments regarding the proposed changes are welcomed in advance.
619-594-6555 as.sdsu.edu
4 OPINION
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ELPIN KESHISHZADEH • OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
Who’sWho?
#BUTTCULTURE
EDITOR IN CHIEF Monica Linzmeier MANAGING EDITOR Madison Hopkins NEWS EDITOR David Hernandez ASST. NEWS EDITOR Camille Lozano SPORTS EDITOR Kristian Ibarra ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Terence Chin OPINION EDITOR Elpin Keshishzadeh ASST. OPINION EDITOR KC Stanfield ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Nick Knott ASST. ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Ryo Miyauchi FEATURES EDITOR Kelly Hillock ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Olivia Litsey PHOTO EDITOR Jenna Mackey VIDEO EDITOR Wesley Beights DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Kelly Gardner ART DIRECTOR Kate Leonard
KATE LEONARD, ART DIRECTOR
Butts shape sexual power As backsides become more and more visible in Western culture, they prompt important messages regarding gender roles and sexuality. SIMON SHIEH CONTRIBUTOR ___________________________
D
uring my time at San Diego State, I’ve seen more butts than I expected to see in a lifetime. This is new for me as a transfer student from upstate New York, but I’m intrigued by the prevalence of butts, not only on campus, but across the United States. I recently became aware of Instagram sensation Jen Selter, who’s made a career off the attractiveness of her butt — talk about squats paying off. Other celebrities, such as Kim Kardashian and Nicki Minaj, are fawned over for their voluptuous posterior endowment. When did that absurdly exaggerated ideal of a slim woman lose its momentum to the ample butt? Why has this muscle so suddenly and so forcefully captured the attention of men and the aspirations of some women? It’s hard to say when the butt really started to upset the hierarchy of erogenous body parts — long reigned over by breasts — but there is sufficient evidence on the SDSU campus alone that the butt is the new erogenous zone in the U.S. This domination has in turn blurred the lines of traditional gender roles between men and women
as it relates to dating. With the dominance of one body part, female sexuality has taken an interesting turn and displayed a part of the ongoing trend toward woman freeing themselves from a passive role in sexuality. The emergence of the butt can largely be accounted as a product of female empowerment. In contrast with breasts, which are genetically predetermined and alterable only through visits to a plastic surgeon, the appearance of the butt is determinant on physical fitness. The butt now serves a very functional physiological purpose as an important source of physical strength. It can be made stronger, and therefore larger, through exercise. As a result, nice buttocks become a marker of a woman’s discipline and sometimes her desire to emphasize that part of her body. For women who work on the physicality of their butts for the purpose of attracting sexual partners, it’s a statement boldly asserting a woman’s ability to thrive as an independent aggressor who actively seeks romantic partners as she pleases. Although female empowerment is certainly not new to Western culture, its manifestation in sexual assertiveness is still relatively new. Gone are the days when a woman had to wait for a man who happened to sweep her off her feet. Today’s college-aged women have the power to reject the idea of being a passive object of desire. Modern
women pursue their passions in an intelligent, calculated and vigorous way. The butt, and all its connotations of physical perfection through hard work, is the current perfect example of this. “Reeling in guys with their physical appearance, such as a big butt, gives some women a sense of control, and then going into the situation knowing that it’s ‘no strings attached’ also feels liberating for some women,” English junior Kara Ferguson said. “They have less expectations, aside from feeling beautiful or attractive.” Miranda Collinge, a writer for Esquire, said our inclination toward the tuchus may have its origins in our Paleolithic ancestors. She cites the 1967 book “The Naked Ape” by zoologist Desmond Morris who claims our early human ancestors “must have been using the rear approach.” In other words, sex from behind was the preferred method. Somewhere along our evolutionary path, humans discovered love and have since sought to make sex more personal, hence the out-of-date attraction to the front of the body. If this is accurate, then the renewed interest of the backside is one to think about. Some may use this logic to argue that young women, in beautifying their butt, are sacrificing love for fleeting pleasure. This may be true for some women, as is always the case with trends, but it’s more than
likely that the true nature of this fad is a sense of empowerment. Women can work on their bodies for physical fitness, or to take the opportunity to own their own physical attractiveness and entice those who they wish to sleep with. Either way, the bottom line is that this control over their bodies is symbolic over the control of their lives. Women are beefing up their bottoms for reasons similar to why men beef up their upper body. The phenomenon many have seen on campus — the exposure of butts through high-waisted shorts — is similar to a man showing off his well-trained biceps. These individuals are comfortable showing off their bodies on their own terms. This sexual symbolism directly reflects the sexual freedom women are embracing in societal shift. We are all in charge of our own bodies, and a woman’s right to emphasize her backside is simply one aspect of her overall ability to choose how she wants to present herself and what effect she wants to achieve with said presentation. Whether this butt trend is part of a revolution or a response is, in the end, for women to decide. It’s part of a cultural shift that’s changing the way the West thinks about gender roles. It’s not just about the embracement of a body part, nor is it another form of oppression — the butt symbolizes the sexual empowerment of women in Western cultures.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Mark Anthony Santos VOLUNTEER WRITERS Jaclyn Palumbo Jamie Ballard Simon Shieh Marissa Ochoa Anthony Berteaux Patrick Carr Ethan Bailey Thane Hale Alexandra Rangel Gaby Hernandez VOLUNTEER PHOTOGRAPHERS Sarah Smith _____________________________ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tony Disarufino SALES MANAGER Adam Zabel SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Radbeh Rabaz ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alfonso Barajas Sarah Richardson Kamila Sikorski Teak Switzer ACCOUNTING & CONTRACTS Michael Bratt Kim Le _____________________________ STREET TEAM Emily Alvarenga Shelby Snyder Conor Nordberg Paige Plassmeyer _____________________________ GENERAL MANAGER Jay Harn GRAPHICS SPECIALIST Chris Blakemore _____________________________
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NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: ELPIN KESHISHZADEH • OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
OPINION 5
#VOLUNTOURISM
Prosperity emerges for volunteers MARISSA OCHOA STAFF WRITER ____________________________________
V
olunteering sometimes sounds like petty work, but imagine being able to travel across the world to help better a community less fortunate than the San Diego norm. Voluntourism provides services to young adults and fly them to developing nations to contribute in helping nourish a needy society. For those living in poor conditions, volunteers would seem like a godsend sent to aid those who need it. Not every incident someone believes to be a good Samaritan’s work turns out to actually be wanted in the first place. There’s an entire behind the scenes agenda that no participant in voluntourism would dare venture into, and maybe that’s because no one actually wants to admit to it. In reality, voluntourism isn’t as high and mighty as it seems. Volunteer work is volunteer work right? Regardless of how or by whom, at least a helping hand is extended. Well, that’s not necessarily true. Think of it in terms of how someone’s help is contributing to developing countries. Voluntourism gives the volunteers what they want, an experience to help those less fortunate, but the community doesn’t necessarily get what it needs, which is long lasting changes. To start, it’s undeniable that
volunteering in a developing country is picture- and post-worthy. Today, when a picture is taken, more likely than not, that person is going to post it on all of his or her social network sites to see how many likes he or she can get in the next half hour. I’m not saying everybody is like this. I know for a fact that there are a few good eggs out there that don’t participate so vainly. However, generally speaking, voluntourism gives an opportunity for young adults to look at themselves in the mirror and be happy with their good deeds while boarding the plane back home to their middle class, Starbucks drinking, Prius driving, “Oh my gosh, did you watch the last episode of “American Horror Story’?” lives. Hashtags like #MedicalBrigades and #InstagrammingAfrica are all indications of how people are currently using voluntourism for the sake of a really good profile pictures. I’m not going to say I’m above them either. I’ve
been in those shoes before. A majority of us live this type of life, but only a small portion will actually admit that once volunteer work has been done, it’s all about the bragging rights. Let’s look at the AIDS Orphan Tourism case. Just like voluntourism, people paid money to help orphans with AIDS through an array of projects they can choose to participate in. It all seemed dandy until it came to a point when voluntourists started to overcrowd and push out local workers, which actually hindered the community instead of helping it. In other words, too many voluntourists meant fewer jobs for the locals who actually needed them. Since voluntourism has now become an exploitation system, the whole idea of too many volunteers will never be looked at as a negative. Sadly, there’s been a shift from relying on the ethics of a project to relying on the profits of one. With volunteers coming and
going, people don’t stop to think about the psychological damage they’re inflicting on the children receiving the “helping.” For a majority of the time, volunteers are surrounded by children who don’t have stable parental figures. In turn, kids will cling to volunteers because, hey, that’s what volunteers want. They want to feel needed, but once the voluntourism trip is done, ties to those kids are cut and a new batch of volunteers replaces them. The ongoing “cling to cut” cycle these children go through is psychologically damaging and, although not proven but at least correlational, can have adverse effects on some when they get older. Voluntourism doesn’t factor in the emotional side effects it can have on these kids because in the end, it’s nothing but a huge business plan. There are plenty of other cases similar to this and each one ends with the same ultimatum that voluntourism wishes to deny at all cost. It’s not about helping the poor, but about helping the volunteers. I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt and believe that voluntourism started out by people who actually wanting to better less fortunate communities and I’m sure there are people who volunteer for no other reason than out of the goodness of their hearts. However, take a step back and think exactly how somebody’s contributions are actually helping not only the physical community, but also the residents themselves. The moral compass voluntourism loves to wave around isn’t exactly pointing due north anymore. THINKSTOCK
#FREEOPINION
Unpopular opinions spur student dialogue ANTHONY BERTEAUX SENIOR STAFF COLUMNIST ____________________________________
A
s opinion writers for this fine paper, receiving enraged accusatory comments is a weekly norm. There is a constant flow of livid messages and dispersed public outrage throughout social media platforms. We are called “racist,” “offensive” and “sexist,” as well as “inept” “ignorant” and “stupid.” I can’t count on one hand, or even two, the number of times I’ve been called these names. As a result, the emotional toll as an opinion writer is immense. There’s always an imminent fear the hostility present online will surface in on campus from peer to peer. In fact, it’s a fear that has become a reality for writers from time to time. I’ve personally lost a few friends to this hostility. It goes without being said, but the career of an opinion writer can be a hard one. This dialogue entails the acknowledgment that unpopular stances are perhaps even more important than popularly agreeable ones. In a world condemning anyone seeking to defy the status quo, taking a controversial and unpopular stance risks reputation and popularity in the public eye. When op-eds argue unpopular
debates, it demands readers to think outside of their personal bubble and question where their beliefs stand. These columns are intended to provoke and perhaps change the public discourse on important topics. A populace that lives too comfortably in thinking with the majority is an ignorant one. So why do we do what we do? Why would we write opinion pieces taking unpopular stances? Why do we willingly make ourselves targets for malicious comments and attitudes? At what expense do we allow ourselves to be publicly defamed by spectators who don’t know us? It’s a question I think we’ve all asked ourselves when the backlash becomes too much to handle. It’s because we need dialogue on this campus. There should be a central truth surrounding the conversations present on this campus. As writers, a common goal is to argue with reason more than emotion. It has become less about presenting opinions, but more so about flipping perspectives of how students rationally and reasonably think about controversial issues. This is crucial in fostering true and authentic intellectual dialogue on campus. The late journalist Christopher Hitchens, who was well-known throughout his life as one who took controversial stances, once said “The essence of the independent mind lies in not what it thinks, but in how it thinks.” It’s a quote that haunts every word I type. This is the truth surrounding the
dialogue in which fuels us. Backlash following unpopular arguments is crucial in fostering our dialogue. It goes hand in hand with readers disagreeing and being outraged at printed words. The more varied responses a story gets, the more evident something struck a chord. We tackle difficult topics and mercilessly argue against the opposition, therefore, expecting no lenience in return. However, when detractors demand the removal of an article because it disagrees with personal moral views, or dismiss an article as “bad” because it strays from the majority, bigger issues arise. These are the critics who vastly misunderstand the very purpose of an opinion section. Such demands to remove articles or dismiss opposing opinions suggest a childish opposition to the basic rights we are granted in this country. The first amendment acts to protect our freedom of speech. In doing so, it allows for an environment that fosters the exchange of ideas, no matter the level of offense. Individuals are allowed to hold opinions without persecution. We have a responsibility to uphold these rights and practice them in their proper context. It’s our civic duty to listen to opposing views in a country that practices freedom of speech as much as it is to voice them. However, to condemn an opinion as invalid because it doesn’t align with personal beliefs, furthermore demanding its removal once published, violates the very spirit
of freedom of speech and individual thought celebrated in this country. The censorship of opinions not only denies the individual the right to understand various arguments, but such a statement denies other people’s right to listen and develop their own individual thought. To deny a dialogue is to hold yourself and other’s prisoner to a narrow worldview. Such childish demands to take down an article because of ideological reasons are three steps backward into a world of censorship, silence and ignorant stupidity. We write because we fight for the right to have individual thought. We believe in intellectual dialogue, reason and rational thinking. We argue topics that are controversial, such as racism, sexual assault and mental illness, because these are issues that we believe matter. We take difficult stances because we know that the downfall of our freedom occurs when the status quo goes unquestioned — and we will never stop questioning. These are a few of the many reasons why writing for this section is sacred to me. At the point in which it’s released, these articles become a part of a beast that is much larger than any of us — that’s a tremendously powerful thing. Our thoughts become part of the large fabric of conversation and debate that is the very spirit of being part of this educational institution. It may not be apparent now, but by reading this, you’re part of a bigger dialogue, and it’s all of our responsibilities to continue it.
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
SPORTS 7
#AZTECMBB
COMMENTARY
Aztec shields can’t defend forever PATRICK CARR SENIOR STAFF COLUMNIST _____________________________________
I
t hasn’t been pretty for the Aztecs. If you watched any of San Diego State’s men’s basketball’s games last week, you might want to consider getting your eyes checked. Or you might also want to consider shielding those who are fragile. It was ugly, brutal and frustrating for coaches, players and fans alike. Yet by the sheer force of arguably one of the best defenses in the Mountain West, SDSU is 3-0 to start the 2014-15 season. But that defense won’t hold up for long. At some point, a team’s going to find and exploit the weaknesses of the Aztec defense and they’ll still be trying to knock down wide-open jump shots. We knew about the questions on offense coming into this year. Who’s going to carry the team now that Xavier Thames is gone? It looks like SDSU is still hung up on its “X.” Last Tuesday against the No. 25 University of Utah, the Aztecs shot an underwhelming 32.7 percent from the floor, which was actually better than Utah’s 32 percent. But never fear — SDSU’s stifling
defense had 13 steals and the Utes committed 18 turnovers in a game that the Aztecs needed to make 15-19 free throws in the second half just to win by four. The offense simply didn’t execute the numerous opportunities the defense created. And then last Thursday against California State University, Bakersfield, just when you thought SDSU had an easy opponent to score lights out against, it happened again. Only this time it was even worse. The Aztecs beat the Roadrunners 5127. SDSU shot a wretched 24.7 percent from the field, yet held Bakersfield to just 21.4 percent. Only senior forward Dwayne Polee II scored double figures — and even he only shot 3-14 from the field, but was a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe. The Aztecs had 11 steals and forced 23 Roadrunner turnovers to win a game against a now 0-4 Bakersfield team that didn’t even score a point until there was 7:44 left in the first half. Do you see what I’m getting at? The defense is incredible. The offense couldn’t hit a barn door with a machine gun. That much is clear. But this defense that’s carried SDSU thus far will likely be unable to hold strong once the tougher part of the nonconference schedule comes around. Just wait until the EA Sports Maui Invitational when the Aztecs play
Brigham Young University, reigniting one of the most passionate rivalries that SDSU seniors talk about with twinkles in their eyes. BYU is shooting an insane 53.4 percent from the floor and is averaging 95.7 points per game. Meanwhile, the Aztecs are averaging 61 points while allowing 44.7 points per game. Their field goal percentage is 35.8
percent. Let that sink in. This game against BYU will be a titanic struggle, but the point is SDSU will need to pick it up on offense because it can’t keep defending at the current frenetic pace. The Aztecs have to deal with crosstown rivals University of San Diego before tough road games at University of Washington and University of Cincinnati.
8 SPORTS
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KRISTIAN IBARRA • SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#AZTECFB
COMMENTARY
Kaehler throws air attack vs Falcons ETHAN BAILEY SENIOR STAFF COLUMNIST _____________________________
I
t has been a season of ups and downs for the San Diego State Aztecs’ senior quarterback. But on Friday night, Quinn Kaehler put the team’s offense on his shoulders and played his best game of the year. It was good timing, too. The Aztecs were in a must-win situation against Mountain West rival Air Force Academy to become bowl-eligible for a fifth straight year. Kaehler looked as good against the Falcons as he has all season. He completed 17 of 30 pass attempts for 326 yards with one touchdown and one interception, repeatedly finding success down the field on deep post routes. Of course it helped to have a couple of dynamic playmaking receivers in senior Ezell Ruffin and sophomore Lloyd Mills, who each had spectacular catches on passes which would’ve otherwise been incomplete or intercepted. Head Coach Rocky Long said after the game he was impressed with Kaehler’s performance but also recognized his playmakers bailed him out a couple times.
“I thought he played pretty well,” Long said. “There (were) a couple of receivers that went up and made Quinn (Kaehler) look good. Quarterbacks look better when their receivers make them look better.” At times, yes — good wide receivers can make the difference on a quarterback’s stat sheet. Ruffin caught a pass in the third quarter that was thrown low and behind him, but he showed extreme concentration by not only keeping the Falcons’ defender away from the ball but caught it with one hand. It was a huge 25yard pickup. “I mean, you know, just make plays,” Ruffin said about the catch after the game with a big smile on his face. No kidding, man. Make no mistake — this catch was SportsCenter Top-10 material, folks. Mills made a catch early in the second quarter that will likely go criminally underappreciated this week, bringing down a speedy pass from Kaehler in tight double coverage for another big gain. But Kaehler zipping the football into tight spaces has nothing to do with the stellar play of his receivers. Too many times this season have we watched him throw floaters that have had a 50-50 chance of being caught or intercepted. This wasn’t the case against Air Force, as Kaehler looked confident behind a solid
Senior quarterback Quinn Kaehler threw for 326 yards and a touchdown against Air Force Academy on Friday. SARA SMITH, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
offensive line that only gave up one sack. His poise and arm strength were key factors in leading the Aztecs to a crucial victory against a good Falcons team. The normal formula for an Aztec win is simple: Run the ball with running backs Donnel Pumphrey and Chase Price, and then do it again. And again. And probably one more time for good measure. Well, the Falcons came into the game with a solid plan to shut down the Aztecs’ ground game. At halftime, SDSU’s dynamic backfield duo was held to 65 total yards. But Kaehler had already posted 218 yards and a touchdown by then, and had moved the offense down the field multiple times with ease.
Kaehler’s passes had the Falcons on their heels while they were focusing on stopping the run. The Aztecs had to swap their typical formula for a more vertical approach, and it worked all game long. “But, Ethan,” you say. “Didn’t he throw an interception?” Ah, yes, the interception. While it wasn’t one of Kaehler’s best decisions of the night (he threw into tight double coverage in the end zone) it wasn’t a backbreaking mistake, either. Turnovers aren’t good and Kaehler has had too many this season, but I’m letting this one slide. First of all it was in the first quarter, so it wasn’t one of those opposingteam-game-winner types of interceptions. Second — and I can’t believe I’m about to say
this — offensive coordinator Bob Toledo was right to try and take a shot to the end zone. The Aztecs’ running game was stale at this point in the contest and the Falcons’ defenders visibly had their hands full with the SDSU receivers. Don’t get too comfy though, Bobby — we still have to win one more regular season game. It was nice to see Kaehler come back with a strong performance in a crucial game at home. It was also nice to see the Aztecs’ offense find success without relying on its running backs. Let’s hope Kaehler and company can do it one more time next week as the Aztecs close out the season at home against the California State University, San Jose Spartans.
#AZTECMSOCCER
Crossing the Pacific with a goal in mind PATRICK CARR SENIOR STAFF WRITER ____________________________ In a matter of weeks, he went from starting at defender for his school’s soccer team to playing soccer on the international stage. San Diego State men’s soccer sophomore midfielder Travis Nicklaw was born in the United
States, but plays international soccer for a tiny country that’s 6,170 miles away and in the north Pacific Ocean: Guam. The governing body of soccer, FIFA, stipulates that someone can play internationally for a country even if he or she wasn’t born there. As long as someone has lineage in that country, it’s OK. That’s Travis’ case. His
KRISTIAN CARREON, SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
mother was born in Guam and moved to the United States as a young girl. One of Travis’ three older brothers, Shawn, also plays for the Guam national team. A phone call between Shawn and Guam’s head coach Gary White was how Travis found himself in the conversation. “(He) called my brother because my brother was playing in Denmark at the time,” Travis said. “The next thing you know (Gary White) is asking about me and everything, then he gives me a call.” Travis said the decision was a bit overwhelming at first because he had dreamed of playing for the U.S. national team. The decision became a bit tougher considering FIFA’s regulations: Once someone plays with the senior team in a FIFA tournament, that person is bound to that team forever. Guam felt right for a lot of reasons. “Once the Guam national team came into play, it kind of tugged at my heart a little bit more because it was where my mom was from and I could learn about the culture,” Travis said. Shawn steeped in as another
variable in the equation. “We both talked about this, but when are brothers going to play on a national team together?” Travis said. In July 2014 he packed his bags and headed west to play soccer for the Guam men’s national team, called the “Matao,” finally making it to a place he’d wanted to experience and learn about. “It was a phenomenal experience to actually see the island for the first time,” Travis said. “I’d been hearing it from all my teammates. It lived up to its full expectations.” The Matao played in the first round of the EAFF East Asian Cup and won two of its three matches and tied the other. Guam didn’t concede a goal in those three matches. Travis loved Guam so much he couldn’t wait to go back. As SDSU’s season wound down, he got called up to play for the Matao once again. Earlier in November he joined up with his Guam teammates for the semifinal round of the tournament, which was held on another small island a long way from San Diego: Taiwan. The Matao won once, lost once and tied once. Despite the mixed results,
he said it’s been nothing but amazing for him. Along with his brother, Travis is teammates with midfielder A.J. DeLaGarza of the MLS’ LA Galaxy. “Playing in the professional atmosphere on the national team is definitely a great experience,” Travis said. “You get to learn how the professional players live their everyday lives through on and off the field.” As great as playing on a national team with professional soccer players is, it’s his family that has the ultimate meaning to him. Travis has an intricate tattoo on his upper left arm. There’s a latte stone, which in Guam symbolizes freedom. In the center is a rose, which represents his mother whose name is Rose. Around the rose are four half-moons, representing the four sons in the family. There’s an outline that represents his father and then another design that represents the whole family. And Guam seems like one big family to Travis, which is maybe another reason he’s so fond of it. “Basically everyone knows everyone,” he said. “The atmosphere there was so laid back and chill and relaxed.”
features 9
nov. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: kelly hillock • features@thedailyaztec.com
#cookbook
Aztec community shares recipes Thane Hale Staff Writer _____________________________________ Montezuma Publishing recently released “San Diego State University Collected Recipes: Showcasing Aztec Life,” a cookbook compiling the recipes of SDSU students, staff, faculty and alumni. It is available in the SDSU bookstore for $19.99 where 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank. The idea for the cookbook came from Publishing Manager at Montezuma Publishing Kim Mazyck. “I thought it would be a fun way to bring the whole campus together, to do something unique,” she said. “I wanted to show who we are as Aztecs through what we eat.” The book includes more than 200 recipes, mostly family favorites and personal recipes. There are even recipes from two famous alumni: Raquel Welch and Gregory Peck. Each page gives the ingredients, the steps to prepare the dish, and a small story telling why each person submitted that recipe. The resulting recipes are as diverse as the student population. “We have such a variety,” Mazyck said. “There are Southern recipes, European sort of Mediterranean recipes.” The recipe book also serves as a historical document, not only including recipes from older SDSU alumni but excerpts from older cookbooks published by SDSU with recipes from students. The older cookbooks are from the ‘50s to the ‘80s. “What I found interesting is that in the ‘50s, people were cooking everything,” Mazyck said. “There were no processed foods, people couldn’t get anything in a can. So the cooking was very fresh. Then, as you go through the ‘60s and ‘70s, more processed foods come about. You start to see gelatin put in recipes. They were
San Diego State’s Montezuma Publishing released its annual “Collected Recipes: Showcasing Aztec Life” in time for the holiday season. courtesy of aztec shops
really big on putting things in molds. Later, in the ‘80s, things were microwaved first or you put the whole thing in the microwave.” Every book also includes a lifetime access code to a digital edition of the cookbook. “You can pull up the entire recipe book on your tablet,” Mazyck said. “And it gives you the ability to highlight. If you
decide you want to alter a recipe, you can make your own notations. You can also search if you want to look for specific ingredients.” Associate Director of Aztec Shops Ben Eisenstein helped to promote the book and get the word out to have people submit their recipes. “I think anybody that is interested in SDSU, or in cooking, that this would be
the book for you,” he said. “It is also just a beautiful thing to look at.” He highlighted the work the visual designers did on it, and spoke about how it is a fitting gift for the holidays. “If you are going home for the holidays you can try out some of these recipes where they really belong to Aztecs,” he said. “They really are from students, from faculty. It would be a fun thing to try out.”
#tech
Check-splitting apps make IOUs easier Alexandra Rangel staff writer __________________________ If only servers could split the bill correctly when eating out with friends. Granted, with all the food that is ordered, the bill can get confusing. Technology has come to the rescue and here to make life a lot easier. New apps such as PayMyRoommate and Venmo allow friends and roommates to split and organize shared bills. PayMyRoommate is a new app that was released for the Google Play and will soon be available on iTunes in midDecember. CEO of the Tallahasseebased computer firm, Paul Consulting Group Marc Paul said the PayMyRoommate app was designed to be as simple as possible in order to facilitate expense sharing between people who live together. PayMyRoomate allows a user to create an invoice for a rent or utility bill as well as any other type of expense that is shared among friends. The invoice
created by the user states a due date; the invoice is then emailed to roommates who are referred to as “piggies” by the app. Roommates who need to pay a share of the bill can then use PayPal to transfer the money that is owed. A benefit from PayMyRoommate is the ability to transfer money through PayPal versus having to connect the app to a bank account, but a downside is paying a 2.9 percent transaction fee to PayPal when sending a payment directly from a credit or debit card. Venmo, a similar app to PayMyRoomate, allows a user to exchange payments with friends by connecting the app to a bank account or debit card. A benefit of Venmo is that it links users from Facebook friends and email contacts to one’s
account, which can also be a con if one doesn’t want random Facebook friends having access to one’s Venmo account. Downloading a free app such as Venmo and connecting a bank account
to it can be worrisome, but as Slate Magazine writer Emma Roller states in a recent Venmo review, the app can be trusted. “All data is sent over a 256-bit encrypted connection — the same encryption method used to protect classified government information and transactions are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.” PayMyRoommate and Venmo have proven to be extremely useful for college students. Accounting senior Claudia Hernandez says Venmo has been a lifesaver. “I wasn’t familiar with Venmo until recently, when I had no money with me and my friend paid for my breakfast at Denny’s,” Hernandez said. “She paid for the bill and told me I could pay her through Venmo.” Hernandez said she downloaded
screenshot of venmo app
the app and was able to pay her friend by connecting her bank account to Venmo. After connecting her account she instantly was able to pay her friend the exact amount for her Denny’s Grand Slam. Physics major Alexis Romero, has also been using Venmo since the beginning of the semester. Romero has used the app to split grocery, Internet, and restaurant bills with her roommates and friends. These apps have reduced the hassle of having to find the exact amount in cash and change to pay a friend as well as the hassle of having to tell someone that they owe for the burrito bought a week ago. Users can simply email friends an invoice as a reminder to pay them back. PayMyRoommate and Venmo are just two apps among others that offer similar services for splitting expenses. Romero said Venmo has made her life easier and will continue to use with her roommates and friends.
10 entertainment
nov. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC editor: nick knott • entertainment@thedailyaztec.com
screenshot from ‘dear white people’ tumblr pagE
#dearwhitepeople
review
Satiric film addresses real racism
Anthony Berteaux senior Staff columnist ____________________________________ As the end credits of “Dear White People” began to roll, I snapped back to reality. Alongside the names of the people involved in the film was a montage of pictures, not of the film but of blackface Halloween parties at colleges across the nation, much like the party that enraged students in the film. From pictures of white fraternity brothers in blackface and grills from Dartmouth to a “Compton Cookout” party at University of California, San Diego, the mere existence of these parties was shocking. What turned out to be even more shocking was how recently these parties occurred. Many of the parties projected during the film have taken place within the past three years. “Dear White People” is a satirical film written and directed by newcomer director Justin Simien, who addresses this issue of racism on predominantly white campuses. The film centers on an ensemble of black characters on a predominantly white Ivy League campus where tensions between black students and white students heat up when an all-white satirical publication on campus hosts a blackface Halloween party. This is a brave film, no doubt. The director challenges the audience to acknowledge that these racist parties don’t only exist in fiction but extends into the reality we live in today. With Barack Obama in office as president today, we are often told that racism in America is dead. However, should we hold the logic that art imitates true life,
this film should firmly tell you that this is nothing but a lie. It becomes clearer as the film progresses that the film isn’t focused on the racism itself but about portraying the multi-faceted challenges of the film’s complex characters of color and their racial identities. What does it mean to be black? What is “blackness?” Some reject it, some fight for it and some discover it. The black students are led by biracial media student Sam White. She is infamously known as the radical host of her radio and YouTube show, “Dear White People,” which calls out the white students on the micro-aggressions she faces as a “black face in a white place.” She leads a struggle against the diversifying of campus housing, seeking to keep her campus living house all-
view him as their token black male and his black peers reject him because he wears cardigans and listens to Mumford and Sons. He belongs to no one yet belongs to everyone. On top of this, Lionel is in the process of coming out, leading for him to not only come to terms with his racial identity but also his sexuality. We also have Troy, the black dean’s son who wishes to join the ranks of an all-white social club, and Coco, a black student who wears blue contacts and a weave while rejecting any association with the black community on campus. The white characters in the film pale in comparison to the black characters and their struggles and complexities. The racism perpetrated by the white character’s micro-aggressions and the blackface party act as only a backdrop
this is a satirical film, so feel free to laugh while knowing there’s a bitter truth behind the comedy. black. However, she also undergoes an internal struggle tearing her between her ideologies and activism as a vocal black student on campus and her disillusionment of being an infallible symbol for her followers. In the midst of the chaos, she struggles to keep her relationship with her white teaching assistant a secret, a taboo act out of line with her cause. On the other hand, we have our “technically black” Lionel Higgins, who deals with his peers, black and white, attempting to put him in the correct color-coded racial identity he is supposed to presume. His white peers
to the inner frustrations these students have with racism, and most importantly how race relates to them. Despite being a satire, the film is a dark look at the faults on both sides here. Yes, the white people in this film are racist jerks. However, the indiscriminate prejudice seen from Sam and her fellow activists against the white majority, as well as black students like Lionel who don’t fit the norm on her campus, raises a complex question of the nature of racial consciousness among people of color in America today. Can we see the person beyond his or her race? This is the age-old
IN THEATERS... dear white people directed by justin simien Starring Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Kyle Gallner EDITOR’S RATING
«««« lesson that characters, black and white, learn as the movie progresses. This is a satirical comedy film, so feel free to laugh while knowing there’s a bitter truth behind the comedy. “Dear White People” isn’t joking when it comes to centering a serious dialogue about race in a America today, a country scared witless to face the realities of racism against black Americans. This fear of racial dialogue in 2014 has contributed to the surrealism of the mere thought of a blackface party taking place in reality. Where Simien succeeds is in snapping the audience back to reality by saying that yes, this is the reality of race in America today and yes, this is an issue. At the end of the race-fueled chaos, the simple act of projecting pictures of real-life blackface parties that have occurred within the past three years answer the very question of why “Dear White People” needed to exist in the first place.
MUNDO AZTECA 11
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: DAVID HERNANDEZ • NEWS@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#PERIODISMO
Nueva clase enfatiza a los hispanos GABY HERNANDEZ ESCRITORA ____________________________________ El próximo semestre la Universidad Estatal de San Diego (SDSU) tendrá una nueva clase en la Escuela de Estudios de Periodismo y Medios de Comunicación. La clase, que se enfocará en medios de comunicación en el mundo hispano, estará disponible para estudiantes en su tercer o último año. Los que estarán en esta clase tendrán la oportunidad de escribir artículos que les podrán ayudar a prepararse para sus planes después de graduarse. La clase es el resultado de $25,000 que recibió la escuela el año pasado de la fundación Sociedad de Relaciones Públicas de América (PRSA). “PRSA apoya a este curso porque ellos están de acuerdo con nosotros de que una manera de crear profesionales en medios de comunicación hispanos es por medio de atraer a los estudiantes bilingües”, dijo Bey-Ling Sha, la directora de la Escuela de Estudios de Periodismo y Medios de Comunicación. SDSU está cerca de México y el resto de Latino América, y la escuela cree que es importante que los estudiantes que quieren trabajar en medios de comunicación en español sepan cómo trabajar y qué tipos de trabajos tendrán que hacer. La oportunidad que se ha presentado tiene la posibilidad de involucrar a los estudiantes con la comunidad hispana. Muchas personas que viven en el condado de San Diego hablan español, y 32.9% de la población son hispanos, según la Oficina de Censo de EE.UU. La
Una nueva clase de la escuela de periodismo en la Universidad Estatal de San Diego (SDSU) enseñará cómo cubrir las noticias sobre la comunidad Hispana. DAVID HERNÁNDEZ, EDITOR DE NOTICIAS
clase tiene como objetivo preparar en la comunidad a personas entrenadas y listas para cubrir noticias en español. Los estudiantes deben hablar el español con fluidez para inscribirse, sin embargo, no necesariamente tienen que ser hispanos. Este año U.S. World & News Report reconoció a SDSU como una de las universidades más diversas en la nación,
CROSSWORDS
ACROSS 1 Cup of joe 5 Slow-moving critter 10 British sports cars, for short 14 “Woe is me!” 15 Neigh sayer 16 Clarinet cousin 17 Flat-topped landform 18 Where to get cash 20 Foamy brew 21 Korean cars 22 Put in a chip for a hand 23 Turn topsyturvy 25 Meaner than a junkyard dog 26 Where to see splits and strikes 30 Sci-fi subject 31 Replacement
grass, perhaps 32 Dollop 35 Under the weather 36 Highlander’s hat 39 Part of a journey 41 Id controller 42 Young man 43 See 38-Down 45 La Scala production 47 Where to keep needles and thread 51 Theater district 54 Like San Francisco’s terrain 55 On the ocean 56 Leslie Caron title role 57 Cleft site 61 Where to find valuables 63 Bring on board
colocando a SDSU en el lugar número 20. “Es una oportunidad para expandir nuestros perspectivos mas allá del circulo en nuestro alrededor … cómo vemos a diferentes culturas, cómo tener nuevas perspectivas, y nuevo puntos de vista”, dijo la profesora de periodismo Amy Schmitz Weiss. Schmitz Weiss enseñará un componente de la clase. La escuela está buscando a
un profesor o una profesora que hable el español con fluidez para que enseñe el segundo componente de la clase. La clase por ahora solo va a será ofrecida durante la primavera, dependiendo en cómo los estudiantes reaccionan y cómo les ayuda. El departamento de periodismo piensa que con tiempo esta clase se puede convierta en una especialización en medios de comunicación bilingüe.
CLASSIFIEDS
64 Latin 101 word 65 Photographer’s request 66 Sci-fi subjects 67 IRS IDs 68 __ Martin: British sports car 69 Things associated with 18-, 26-, 47- and 61-Across DOWN 1 Doorframe part 2 On the sheltered side 3 Bouquet holder 4 More often than not 5 How Bond likes martinis 6 Making mention of 7 Warship fleets 8 Beliefs: Suff.
9 Rural area 10 “Heeeere’s __!”: Carson intro 11 Grab __: eat 12 One beyond hope 13 Shabby 19 Give a hoot 24 20-Across serving 25 Shoppe adjective 26 Get-out-of-jail cash 27 Earthenware pot 28 Out of control 29 IM chuckle 32 __ Squad: Best Buy tech support 33 Fairy tale baddie 34 Gravy vessel 37 Part of Lawrence Welk’s cadence 38 With 43-Across, umbrella drink 40 Soccer score 44 Repress 46 Inspire with a pregame pep talk, say 47 Comes down as ice pellets 48 And others, briefly 49 Male escort 50 Karen who wrote as Isak Dinesen 51 Indian princes 52 Lines on a list 53 Dam on the Nile 56 Workout centers 58 Old record player 59 Remove creases from 60 Storied loch 62 Cape Town’s country: Abbr.
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12 THE BACK PAGE
NOV. 24 - 30, 2014 • THE DAILY AZTEC EDITOR: KELLY HILLOCK • FEATURES@THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
#THECHRISCORNER
Dreadful dating disasters CHRIS BLAKEMORE GRAPHICS SPECIALIST ____________________________________
F
ailure runs prominently throughout the annals of my dating history. Now a grown man, at least in the sense of complaining about today’s music and experiencing mysterious joint pain, I can look back on my courting woes with a nostalgic smile. Although there were many embarrassing situations in which I choked worse than Tony Romo, there are three occurrences that really stand out. (To protect the identities of the innocent, I will be referring to the ladies as Spice Girls.) DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT While engaged in a promising profession as a line cook at a local pizza restaurant, I had the pleasure of working with a number of attractive girls. One such girl was Sporty Spice. After numerous failed attempts of wooing her through promises of being placed at the top of my America Online buddy list, I finally seized an opportunity to take her to a party. The plan was for us to drive to the party, have more fun than a Taylor Swift video, and drive back. Apparently, this plan went to the love gods’ voicemail. In the midst of our partying, I somehow agreed to also give a ride home to an inebriated friend of ours, as it just so happened his house was in close proximity to Sporty’s. An experienced Casanova would have dropped off the intoxicated guy first, creating a quiet moment alone with the female subject. Well, this Romeo didn’t think that far ahead — I dropped her off first. As I backed out of her driveway, I could feel the cold stare of disbelief and death emanating from my drunken friend’s eyes. The profanity-laced lecture
I received from him on the ensuing ride back to his house was reminiscent of R. Lee Ermey from Full Metal Jacket. Rest assured, that error was never repeated. The Ill-Timed Drop Off of ’98 went down as an unforgiveable blunder. Naivety: thy name is Blakemore. FROZEN Going on advice from my friends who, looking back, were probably just screwing with me, I summoned up the courage to go into my local bank and finally ask out the attractive teller who I’d had my eye on for so long: Scary Spice. The plan was to time the line just right so I’d get called to her window, make a withdrawal, and casually ask for her phone number. Apparently, this plan was not faxed to the love gods. When I got to the front of the line, another teller, who looked like the forbidden love child of Jack Black and a dilapidated pumpkin, called me over to his window. Panic set in. What to do? I pulled out my Zack Morris-sized cell phone and pretended like I got a text message. Smooth, right? This would buy me some time. I looked up and Scary was staring at me from her window with a look of utter bewilderment. I ignored the other teller, who at this point was more confused than a monkey trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube, and walked over to her. Scary processed my contrived banking transaction and asked if there was anything else. Unfortunately, the sensation of warm urine trickling down my right pant leg prevented me from telling her as such. I froze up like a deer in the headlights. I walked out with my tail tucked between my wet legs and never went back. The fear of rejection overtook my hopes of penetration. Between the awkward fake text message and choking in front of my supposed dream girl, the Great Bank Freeze of ’02 was probably the most uncomfortable
#DASNAPSHOTS
moment of my life. GRIN AND BEAR IT After being securely in the friend zone for too long, my libido finally said enough is enough. I decided to make my move and ask out my longtime crush: Baby Spice. Valentine’s Day was coming up, so I bought Baby a cuddly teddy bear, complete with a card that professed my undying adoration and hopefulness for a relationship, and had it sent to her house. The plan was for her to get the bear, read the card and fall in love. I guess the plan went to the love gods’ spam folder. For days, I stared at my cell phone, waiting for that generic Nokia ringtone to deliver the good news that Baby received the bear and would come running into my arms. Sadly, FedEx must have had their GPS in sleep mode, because the bear was delivered to her neighbor’s house. Although the 63-year old Megan’s Law Member of the Month was flattered, he was not my intended target. Once the bear was eventually delivered to the proper residence, Baby called, but was uninterested. Eighty dollars and one nearsighted delivery driver later, I was still single. The Lost Bear Experience of ’05 was just one more notch in my leather belt of failure. Today, I’ve lost all contact with the girls mentioned above, and I wonder if they even remember the humiliating situations that I still recall so clearly. Whatever the case, these incidents have led me to who I am today: a happily married man and father to a beautiful son. My only hope is that he doesn’t have to go through the same heartache I did. With me there to teach him what not to do, I think he’ll be just fine. Just don’t expect me to buy him any teddy bears.
SUDOKU
HOW TO PLAY: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box contains every digit 1 to 9. DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
3/4
CROSSWORDS, SUDOKU, AND HOROSCOPES COURTESY OF TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC., ©2014. GAME SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THEDAILYAZTEC.COM
WHAT IS SNOW?
While most of the country is frozen, Photo Editor Jenna Mackey captures the warm sunny beaches lining San Diego's coast.
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HOROSCOPE HAPPY BIRTHDAY (11/24/14) - Travels, studies and exploration call you out this year. Plan your itinerary. Practice and gain skills, abandoning worn-out tricks (for a year beginning on 12/23). Learning comes easily. After 3/20, a home renovation supports family. After 4/4, changes with friends reveal new cards to play. Love and beauty inspire you. Seek it out and drink deeply. HOW IT WORKS: 10 is good, 1 is bad. ARIES (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 9 - The next two days favor a rise in your professional status. Associates boost your morale. Get back to work! You can get what you need. Prepare for the test. Your good research impresses. Study now and relax later. TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Figure out the budget so you can take off on a trip. The data tells you a story. New opportunities present themselves. You're very persuasive now. Your wanderlust is getting worse. Love sets you free. GEMINI (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 9 - You gain a financial advantage. Collect data for review. Talk about the numbers with your partner. Make a commitment. Delegate actions that you can afford to pay for. Generosity is a good thing. Improve working conditions. CANCER (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 - A good coach makes learning much easier. Everything gets farther with teamwork over the next few days. Everything seems possible. Determine which role to play, and parcel out tasks between group members. Rewards exceed expectations. LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - Focus on the fun side of your job. Go for the gold. It's another busy day, and your work's in demand. Don't hesitate to enlist assistance when you need it. Pass on smaller jobs to colleagues. VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 7 - Today and tomorrow bubble with fun. It could even get profitable. Play with a talented and competent team, and improvise together. Practice what you love and it grows. Focus on passion, and money provides a pleasant benefit. Bring it home. LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 - A home project grows bigger than imagined. Find what you need in your own closets or attic. You're good at solving problems. The gentle approach works best now. Use persuasion rather than force. Focus on what's wanted and needed. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 9 - You've got the talent; now do the homework over the next two days. Soak up information like a sponge. Summarize and clarify the main point. Communicate the most important aspects, and share what you're learning. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 9 - Crank up the action and you can earn more today and tomorrow. Pay expenses before divvying up the loot. Learn new tricks from an experienced friend. How can you make routines more efficient? Trim waste. Guard resources. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - Make future plans. You're extra confident today and tomorrow. You're getting stronger (and more impatient). Start out now. No more procrastination. Determine what you want and go for it. Dare to be bold and even unreasonable. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Private plan proceeds on course. You personal vision is right on the money. Meditate in seclusion. You're extra sensitive now. Make your place more comfortable, and contemplate potential outcomes. Relax in hot water. PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Your career benefits from social interaction and networking today and tomorrow. Accept encouragement. It's a good time to ask for a raise. To discover your best qualities, ask your friends. Have them help with your resume.