Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Vol. 95, Issue 53
THE
DAILY
w w w. T h e D a i l y A z t e c . c o m
AZTEC
Tw i t t e r : T h e D a i l y A z t e c
San Diego State University’s Independent Student Newspaper since 1913
I N S I D E T O D AY FOOD & DRINK
Protests may not be enough
RED BULL & VODKA Alcoholic energy drinks may be taken off the shelves for potential health risks. page 2
SPORTS
RIVALRY GAME The Aztecs take on their crosstown rival tonight at the University of San Diego. page 4
TEMPO
‘REAL WORLD’ CALL Find out when and where MTV will be holding an open casting call for its new season. page 6
TODAY @ SDSU CASE Coffeehouse Series 4:30 p.m., Starbucks, Aztec Center Folk rock and soul artist Alyssa Jacey will perform at the Cultural Arts and Special Events’ last Coffeehouse event of the semester.
Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor
While students have actively protested the changes at SDSU caused by budget cuts, administrators say the root of the problem begins with California voters and legislators.
E L I S E F OX & KE V I N M C C O R M AC K S TA F F W R I T E R
&
CIT Y EDITOR
For more of today’s headlines, visit:
www.thedailyaztec.com
CONTACT GENERAL INFORMATION 619.594.4199
EDITOR
IN CHIEF, FARYAR BORHANI 619.594.4190 EDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
CITY EDITOR, KEVIN MCCORMACK 619.594.7782 CITYEDITOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
FEATURES EDITOR, AMINATA DIA 619.594.6976 FEATURE@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
SPORTS EDITOR, EDWARD LEWIS 619.594.7817 SPORTS@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
STATE
OF MIND EDITOR, ALLAN ACEVEDO 619.594.0509 OPINION@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
Whether it’s lobbying for legislators or participating in rallies, many students are taking a stand on California’s budget crisis. With the state deficit at large and higher education caught in limbo, many San Diego State students and their organizations are calling for more student involvement. But opinions on how exactly students should get involved can differ. Members of Associated Students have defended the university and maintain that students should not aim their discontent at SDSU, but instead at the state of California. “The university is trying as best they can to be proactive,” Alyssa Bruni, A.S. vice president of External
Affairs, said. “But the university is being forced to be reactive.” A.S. recently organized multiple budget rallies on campus that saw direct support from several hundred students, but the effectiveness of these demonstrations is yet to be seen. Speakers at the various rallies have called for support in different ways — urging students to support assembly bills, vote in the next gubernatorial election or call their local congressmen or senator to voice discontent. SDSU President Stephen L. Weber said he believes California legislators have taken notice, but said much of the problem lies with the voters at large and a flawed state structure. Weber maintained that he is working with local lawmakers to try to gain their support. Both Weber and Assistant Vice
President of Academic Affairs and Enrollment Services Sandra Cook agreed that the near future looks bleak, saying it will take years for California’s budget crisis to subside. While they acknowledged they cannot control California’s rapid boom and bust cycle, Cook said SDSU has exercised all options to offset the budget cuts. Bruni said students can continue to raise their voices, but she believes only tuition fees or changes through the California State University’s chancellor’s office can bring back faculty members, as opposed to A.S. and student referendums. “People don’t know that yelling at the president (of the school) isn’t going to do anything,” Bruni said. “You have to yell at the state.”
For every $2.50 raised by the sorority, a book will be donated by First Book, according to Michol Hatwan, Pi Beta Phi vice president of philanthropies. Because Pi Beta Phi’s national philanthropy is focused on literacy, the sorority is also hosting a children’s book drive throughout the week.
Fraternity Men Against Negative Environments and Rape Situations and Survivor Outreach & Support are participating in The White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women this week. Members of both organizations will be handing out white ribbons tomorrow in Aztec Center. According to The White Ribbon Campaign Web site, wearing a white ribbon is a “pledge to never commit, condone or remain
Bruni has been vocal in encouraging students to vote in upcoming elections, whereas other students are seeking more direct action. Cody Stephens, president of the International Students for Social Equality at SDSU, believes students should have direct involvement in the decision-making process. “Students need to form independent committees that would take the process of these decisions into their own hands,” Stephens said. “We reject out and outright not having to make these decisions.” More significant cuts to SDSU and the CSU system are possible, and many believe likely, but hard figures can’t be determined until California presents its budget for the next fiscal year.
TEMPO EDITOR, ANYA MOBERLY 619.594.6968 TEMPO@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
ART DIRECTOR, ELENA BERRIDY
GREEK BEAT
619.594.6979 ARTDIRECTOR@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
PHOTO EDITOR, GLENN CONNELLY 619.594.7279 PHOTO@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
WEB EDITOR, MYLENE ERPELO 619.594.3315 WEB@THEDAILYAZTEC .COM
ADVERTISING 619.594.6977
INDEX FOOD & DRINK............................................................2 SPORTS.............................................................................4 TEMPO.............................................................................6 CLASSIFIEDS....................................................................7 THE BACK PAGE............................................................8
Sorority hosts Arrow Jam Pi Beta Phi will be holding its third-annual “Arrow Jam” event, a lip-syncing and dance competition for fraternities, from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Open Air Theatre. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets will be sold for $7. Money raised at the event will go to Pi Beta Phi’s partner, First Book, which is a nonprofit organization that provides disadvantaged children with new books.
Campaign to end violence against women
silent about violence against women.” SOS will be tabling in Aztec Center and will accept $3 donations for “I Promise” rubber bracelets, according to Breanna Piper, president of SOS. For more information about The White Ribbon Campaign, visit www.whiteribbon.ca.
—Compiled by Staff Writer Reem Nour